Smallville, Blowtorches, and the Constitution???

First of all, let me say that I enjoy Smallville. I have currently watched through Season 5 and am waiting for the next three seasons to arrive. As I don't have cable or satellite, I'm having to watch my way through on DVD. Now, I'm going to talk about the part that most of the people who don't like it have a problem with, namely, Clark Kent's love life and personal issues. That is different from a lot of superhero television shows, I must admit, but how does it compare to comic books?

The personal lives of heroes has been an important part of comics for much longer than I've been alive. A big part of that is issues with the heroes' love lives. In the Superman comics, Lana Lang was Clark Kent's first love, and often appeared in the Superman comics as another love interest for Clark Kent (the other being Lois Lane, of course). So, back in the Silver age of comics, from her introduction in 1950, she was part of a love triangle for Superman. She appeared often in "Superman's Girlfriend, Lois Lane" in the 1960s.

And of course, she is one of many characters with the initials "LL" in Superman's stories, including her father Professor Lewis Lang, Lex Luthor, Lionel Luthor, Lena Luthor (whose surname was changed in the Silver Age, to distance herself from Lex), Lois Lane, Lucy Lane, Superman's babysitter Letitia Lerner, Lori Lemaris, Leta Lal (a distant ancestor of Lori Lemaris), Luma Lynai, Lyla Lerrol, Linda Lee (aka Supergirl), Lara Lor-Van (Superman's Kryptonian mother), and Lara-El (an alternate timeline daughter of Superman and Beautiful Dreamer). But now I digress. Back to the superhero love story rant.

Of course, the modern story of Lana Lang is different. DC had a major event in 1985 and 1986 called "Crisis on Infinite Earths." This was used to bring all of the alternate realities the made things very confusing into one reality, so there would be no other realities. According to the origin created then, Lana had an infatuation with Clark Kent but he never returned her feelings. He did reveal his powers to her when he decided he had to leave Smallville because he felt that he had to save the world. When he appeared as Superman, she became a bit of a stalker, which was noticed by Lex Luthor.

The next origin story of Superman had them have a relationship during his Smallville years. When Clark returned from a world trip, she had left Smallville.

The most recent origin story had them have a deep romantic relationship, and Lana had two brothers, which she had not had before. She married Pete Ross, who became Vice-President to Lex Luthor as President. When Lex was forced out of office, Pete became President, and the relationship between the two drifted apart. When that happened, she tried to have a relationship with Clark again, which obviously did not make his wife, Lois, happy. She ended up being the CEO of Lexcorp after Lex Luthor was ousted. Eventually she lost that job for helping Superman, which was a violation of the Lexcorp contracts. Since then, she has been a regular in Supergirl.

Yay for confusing comics continuity... :P

Now we've covered that the love problems aren't out of character for Superman, especially when it comes to Lana Lang, but the award for biggest love issues would have to go to Peter Parker. Love problems were a staple for early Spider-Man comics, Gwen Stacy was a major player, until Green Goblin threw her off of the Brooklyn Bridge, killing her. Of course, he ended up marrying Mary Jane Watson, though that marriage has since been erased, and he currently has tons of girl problems again. And in Ultimate Spider-Man, his relationships included Mary Jane, Gwen, and Kitty Pryde of the X-Men.

As one last note, entire issues with no villains or fighting, simply dealing with personal issues, including love triangles, are not uncommon at all.

Blowtorches?

I know I posted about this on MyPraize, but John Piper tweeted that there was no such thing as an addiction to porn. Why? "Because if you put a blowtorch in their face, they will turn off the computer."

Okay, I can see someone saying trhe first part, though I may disagree. But the reasoning here is just ridiculous! Now, I'm not saying that John Piper isn't a smart man, because he is, but still, does this mean that there is no such thing as an addiction? If I shove a blowtorch in someone's face, they'll pretty much do what I say.

Like I said on MyPraize, I'm going to get me a blowtorch and cure people of their "addictions." First up, Bill Gates and his addiction to money.

The Constitution!

Okay, people in America need to get to know the Constitution. It is our duty to make sure that it is followed by our government. Thus far, we have failed and are close to getting fired from that job. When we are fired, we will have lost all power in our government. We have allowed both the Republicans and Democrats tear down our freedoms little by little, and now they are getting bolder. So here is the Constitution and its amendments...

"

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Article. I.

Section. 1.

All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

Section. 2.

The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.

No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.

Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.

When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.

The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.

Section. 3.

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.

Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.

No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.

The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.

The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.

The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

Section. 4.

The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.

Section. 5.

Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.

Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.

Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.

Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.

Section. 6.

The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.

No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.

Section. 7.

All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.

Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States: If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.

Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.

Section. 8.

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;

To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

To establish Post Offices and post Roads;

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

To provide and maintain a Navy;

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;--And

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

Section. 9.

The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.

The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.

No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.

No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.

No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another; nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.

No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.

No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.

Section. 10.

No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.

No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.

No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

Article. II.

Section. 1.

The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:

Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.

The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Representation from each State having one Vote; A quorum for this purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice President.

The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.

No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.

In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.

The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.

Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:--"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Section. 2.

The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.

He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.

The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.

Section. 3.

He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.

Section. 4.

The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Article III.

Section. 1.

The judicial Power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.

Section. 2.

The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority;--to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls;--to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;--to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party;--to Controversies between two or more States;-- between a State and Citizens of another State,--between Citizens of different States,--between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.

In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.

The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.

Section. 3.

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.

The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.

Article. IV.

Section. 1.

Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.

Section. 2.

The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.

A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.

No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.

Section. 3.

New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.

The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.

Section. 4.

The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened), against domestic Violence.

Article. V.

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

Article. VI.

All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

Article. VII.

The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.

The Word, "the," being interlined between the seventh and eighth Lines of the first Page, the Word "Thirty" being partly written on an Erazure in the fifteenth Line of the first Page, The Words "is tried" being interlined between the thirty second and thirty third Lines of the first Page and the Word "the" being interlined between the forty third and forty fourth Lines of the second Page.

Attest William Jackson Secretary

Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names,

G°. Washington
Presidt and deputy from Virginia

Delaware
Geo: Read
Gunning Bedford jun
John Dickinson
Richard Bassett
Jaco: Broom

Maryland
James McHenry
Dan of St Thos. Jenifer
Danl. Carroll

Virginia
John Blair
James Madison Jr.

North Carolina
Wm. Blount
Richd. Dobbs Spaight
Hu Williamson

South Carolina
J. Rutledge
Charles Cotesworth Pinckney
Charles Pinckney
Pierce Butler

Georgia
William Few
Abr Baldwin

New Hampshire
John Langdon
Nicholas Gilman

Massachusetts
Nathaniel Gorham
Rufus King

Connecticut
Wm. Saml. Johnson
Roger Sherman

New York
Alexander Hamilton

New Jersey
Wil: Livingston
David Brearley
Wm. Paterson
Jona: Dayton

Pennsylvania
B Franklin
Thomas Mifflin
Robt. Morris
Geo. Clymer
Thos. FitzSimons
Jared Ingersoll
James Wilson
Gouv Morris





The Preamble to The Bill of Rights

Congress of the United States
begun and held at the City of New-York, on
Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.

THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.

RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.

ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.


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The Bill of Rights: A Transcription

The Preamble to The Bill of Rights

Congress of the United States
begun and held at the City of New-York, on
Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.

THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.

RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.

ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.

Note: The following text is a transcription of the first ten amendments to the Constitution in their original form. These amendments were ratified December 15, 1791, and form what is known as the "Bill of Rights."

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.

Amendment II

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Amendment VII

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

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.

AMENDMENT XI

Passed by Congress March 4, 1794. Ratified February 7, 1795.

Note: Article III, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by amendment 11.

The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.

AMENDMENT XII

Passed by Congress December 9, 1803. Ratified June 15, 1804.

Note: A portion of Article II, section 1 of the Constitution was superseded by the 12th amendment.

The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate; -- the President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted; -- The person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. [And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President. --]* The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.

*Superseded by section 3 of the 20th amendment.

AMENDMENT XIII

Passed by Congress January 31, 1865. Ratified December 6, 1865.

Note: A portion of Article IV, section 2, of the Constitution was superseded by the 13th amendment.

Section 1.
Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

Section 2.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

AMENDMENT XIV

Passed by Congress June 13, 1866. Ratified July 9, 1868.

Note: Article I, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by section 2 of the 14th amendment.

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.

Section 2.
Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age,* and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.

Section 3.
No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

Section 4.
The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.

Section 5.
The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.

*Changed by section 1 of the 26th amendment.

AMENDMENT XV

Passed by Congress February 26, 1869. Ratified February 3, 1870.

Section 1.
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude--

Section 2.
The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

AMENDMENT XVI

Passed by Congress July 2, 1909. Ratified February 3, 1913.

Note: Article I, section 9, of the Constitution was modified by amendment 16.

The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

AMENDMENT XVII

Passed by Congress May 13, 1912. Ratified April 8, 1913.

Note: Article I, section 3, of the Constitution was modified by the 17th amendment.

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.

When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.

This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.

AMENDMENT XVIII

Passed by Congress December 18, 1917. Ratified January 16, 1919. Repealed by amendment 21.

Section 1.
After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.

Section 2.
The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Section 3.
This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

AMENDMENT XIX

Passed by Congress June 4, 1919. Ratified August 18, 1920.

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

AMENDMENT XX

Passed by Congress March 2, 1932. Ratified January 23, 1933.

Note: Article I, section 4, of the Constitution was modified by section 2 of this amendment. In addition, a portion of the 12th amendment was superseded by section 3.

Section 1.
The terms of the President and the Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.

Section 2.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.

Section 3.
If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified.

Section 4.
The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.

Section 5.
Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the ratification of this article.

Section 6.
This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission.

AMENDMENT XXI

Passed by Congress February 20, 1933. Ratified December 5, 1933.

Section 1.
The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.

Section 2.
The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or Possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.

Section 3.
This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

AMENDMENT XXII

Passed by Congress March 21, 1947. Ratified February 27, 1951.

Section 1.
No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this Article was proposed by Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this Article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.

Section 2.
This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress.

AMENDMENT XXIII

Passed by Congress June 16, 1960. Ratified March 29, 1961.

Section 1.
The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as Congress may direct:

A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least populous State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.

Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

AMENDMENT XXIV

Passed by Congress August 27, 1962. Ratified January 23, 1964.

Section 1.
The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay poll tax or other tax.

Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

AMENDMENT XXV

Passed by Congress July 6, 1965. Ratified February 10, 1967.

Note: Article II, section 1, of the Constitution was affected by the 25th amendment.

Section 1.
In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.

Section 2.
Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.

Section 3.
Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.

Section 4.
Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.

AMENDMENT XXVI

Passed by Congress March 23, 1971. Ratified July 1, 1971.

Note: Amendment 14, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by section 1 of the 26th amendment.

Section 1.
The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.

Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

AMENDMENT XXVII

Originally proposed Sept. 25, 1789. Ratified May 7, 1992.

No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of representatives shall have intervened.



Thank you for your time.

Prologue for a story I'm working on...

Amoresh seemed at peace. The wars of old had been forgotten. The history of the land had been lost ages ago. It was rumored that they still existed, but few wanted to read them. It was rumored that it was all just a story.
Was there a Creator? Was there a Corruptor? Most had decided that there were not. Even if they existed, how did they affect the people's lives anymore? Where was the evidence? Why should we concern ourselves with those who don't concern themselves with us? There were a few who still held the faith, but most others looked down upon them.
In some places, things were happening that would change the face of the world forever. Deep in the Caverns of Noresh, where the heat of summer could not reach, an army was being raised. In the forests of Porlah, where the mighty korashin tree grew, a forgotten creature had returned. In the oceans of Sorest, a mist-covered island appeared where there had been none before. On the shores of Ganill, a young man lay upon the beach.

Paul vs. Yeshua?

Before I begin, I want to say that this is a very tricky subject, which I am debating myself at this time...

The e-mail contained arguments that Paul's letters contradicted Yeshua's teachings. I will try to respond to each point made.

I. Yeshua described God as loving, while Paul described Him as a God of wrath. Really, this is not a contradiction, as the Old Testament describes him as both in multiple places.

II. Yeshua summed up the Law in two commandments (Love God and love our neighbor), while Paul summed it up in one (love your neighbor). This is a very good point, especially considering the the second is useless without the first.

III. Can we be righteous or not under the Law? This is a very good point as well. Paul is known for saying that no man is righteous. Yeshua said that there were righteous men. Could this be simply because of interpretation of righteousness?

IV. Yeshua taught that it was necessary to obey the law to be saved (Matthew 19:16-19). Paul taught that it was not(Romans 3:28).

V. Free will vs. Predestination. Oy, back to this argument again. I personally see it as somewhere in the middle, which I call free choice. But truly, is there a satisfactory answer on this Earth?

VI. Effort required, or effort is futile? Luke 13:24, Romans 9:16 Effort alone will not save us, but we need to make that effort.

VII. About Children. Matthew 18:3, 19:14 ; 1 Corinthians 14:20 Honestly, I am quite confused by this... Help?

VIII. Not to exercise authority over others, or have elders? Luke 22:24-27. Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5 Now, this wouldn't be such a contradiction, especially taking into account Luke 22:28-30. I see Yeshua advocating that any leaders were to be the servants of those they led, as He is. BUT, there is an apparent contradiction, as the task Paul gave the elders was not to serve, but to teach. (Titus 1:10-16)

IX. What are the marks of true discipleship? John 13:35, 8:31, 15:8 ; Matthew 7:22-23 ; 2 Corinthians 12:12 A very good point is made here... The two teachings on this seem very much at odds...

X. Treatment of women. This is an area where I simply can't seem to reconcile Paul's view with God's. Luke 10:38-40, 7:36-50, 8:1-3, 8:44-47 ; John 11:21-25, 4:7-27 ; Matthew 5:28 ; 1 Corinthians 14:33-35

Okay, I think that I am done for now. If you have any insights that will make this subject any clearer, please post them. I look forward to some illuminating discussion.

The Nine Commandments?

Are the Ten Commandments still the Ten Commandments? Or have they become the Nine Commandments since Yeshua walked among us? The main argument used to say that it is now the Nine Commandments is when Yeshua said the two great commandments were to love God and love your neighbor. I don't understand how this is used, as the Sabbath is obviously to reflect and honor God.

Is it a day to do good and what the Father tells us to? It is, as is every day of our life. So what makes the Sabbath different? First, that it was set aside by the Lord himself as a day of rest. Second, in our rest, we should look back at that which has been provided for us by our Creator. In reflecting over our blessings, we bring another type of honor to God. The Law of the Sabbath has not changed.

Another argument used is from multiple verses... Matthew 12:1-8, and John 5:16-18. I belive for that last portion, we should use John 5:8-18. In both instances, Yeshua was doing good work, for the benefit of others. From my studies, this fits with the Jewish view. There are the 613 mitzvot, and most of them can be broken to help others. This also fits with that which Yeshua taught. It is not about keeping the letter of the Law, but the spirit of the Law. Most of the Law is for our benefit, while the rest is to give honor and glory to God.

Now, taking into account John 5:8-18. Yeshua told the man to take up his bed and walk. The Pharisees were upset by this, because it was against what they taught of the Sabbath. It was "unlawful" to carry furniture on the Sabbath. But this law was not God's Law, but an addition made by man. Yeshua in no way told the man to go against God's law. He told the man to go against the Pharisees' tradition.

Another point, if you had been lame for a long period of time, and were healed and made able to walk, would you consider it work or a burden? Or would you consider it a joy, and an opportunity to praise God.

Ecclesiastes vs Yeshua?

I'm probably going to keep this fairly short, as I am posting from my phone.

Anyways, I read an e-mail yesterday that made an arguement that Ecclesiastes was at odds with the teachings of Yeshua. It had three major arguements for this...

I. Ecclesiastes 11:8
(quoted as 11:10 in the e-mail, btw)
"All to come is futile." The author said that this took a negative view of Messiah. Let's look at the verse in full. "For if a person lives many years, let him take joy in them all; yet remembering that there will be many days of darkness, that all to come is futile." (CJB) In context, does it sound lile it was talking about the Messiah? I say thee nay! It is obviously talking about our time here on Earth. It seems to me to be saying that fearing over the future is useless. We don't know what God has in store for our future.

II. Ecclesiastes 10:19
"Money is the answer for everything."
The verse in full states, "Parties are made for having a good time, wine adds cheer to life, and money has an answer for everything." (CJB) Another version states, "You can't have either without money." Now the CJB says that money has AN answer for everything. It doesn't say that it IS the answer or even has the right answer. This has a lot to do with which is closer to the original text. I lean toward the CJB translation. Would someone learned in biblical Hebrew help to enlighten us?

My NKJV Study Bible had this to say, "Rather than being cynical or critical about wealth or the rich, this comment is to be taken in the context of the dissolute nobles (v.16) and banqueters(v.17). Wealth for them is only pleasure and a means of having fun."

III. Ecclesiastes 3:19-21
I say that verse 22 should be included in this as well. I'm going to let you, my readers answer this one. Is it contradictory? Why or why not? I believe that it is not myself, but look forward to reading you responses...

The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated...

Yes, I am back. I fought a major case of writer's block since my last blog, but the block has now been broken... shattered... demolished... So, I shall be coming back to make more blogs...

The big question is, what will my next blog be about? Well, that will partially be up to all of you... I am asking all of you to give me something to blog about. I will choose from them as to what I will blog about next. So, submit your idea for my next blog as a comment here, a PM, an e-mail, or whatever way you prefer... I look forward to a lot of submissions! Thank you very much!

Getting personal...

I know most of you reading this probably know it by now, but earlier today, my marriage ended.

I didn't even realize that she had fully decided to divorce. I went to meet her to cash my check and she had the divorce papers with her. The bank had a notary in there, so the papers were signed today.

So I am feeling very hurt and confused right now...

Knowing God's plan?

When we are going through difficult times, most of us have questions of faith. Some ask, "Is there a God?" Some ask, "How can God let this happen?" Right now, I have been asking, "What is God's plan for me through this?"

None of these is the question we, as believers, should be asking. "Is there a God?" I believe that there is, and that there is proof everywhere of this. "How can God let this happen?" The short answer is sin. If man had never sinned by eating the forbidden fruit, there would not be such pain and hardship. The Lord does use such hardships for our good, even if we don't see it at the time.

"What is God's plan for me through this?" Does that seem like such a bad question? It acknowledges that there is a God. It acknowledges that He does have a plan for us. So what is wrong with this question? God's ways are not our ways. We should not concern ourselves over what is not ours to know. The Lord does have a plan for us, but if He showed it to us, where would the faith be? Our trials are to strengthen our faith. Faith is trust in that which is not seen. So, if we see the plan, how can we have faith in it?

So what is a good question to ask during our trials? I think a good question would be this. "Lord, what would You have me do?"

Called to be happy?

A very popular saying among Christians is, "God wants us to be happy." Is this a true statement? If it is, then why did Yeshua say that families would turn against each other? Why does the Bible say we must take up our cross and bear it? Where does the Bible say that God wants us to be happy?

What does the Bible say? "Be happy as I am happy?" No, it says, "Be HOLY as I am HOLY." (emphasis mine) The Bible talks about being happy less than it does about being holy. The one time Yeshua used the word happy, it could also have been translated as blessed. John 13:17 (The Scriptures)17“If you know these teachings, blessed are you if you do them.

Am I saying we should be miserable? Heaven forbid! But there is something greater than happiness that we should have. We should have joy. Happiness depends on circumstances, but joy does not. Happiness is stimulated by things and people around us. Joy is stimulated by having our eyes to the things of Heaven.

John 15:11-12 11“These words I have spoken to you, so that My joy might be in you, and that your joy might be complete. 12“This is My command, that you love one another, as I have loved you.

That speaks of joy from the Lord. How do we get this joy? Listen to the words of Yeshua, and follow His commands.

John 17:13 13“And now I come to You. And I speak these words in the world, so that they have My joy completed in them.

Again, we see a correlation between the words of Yeshua and joy.

It is much greater that we follow the words and example of Yeshua, that we may have everlasting joy, than we follow our earthly whims that we may feel the brief happiness. That is not to say that earthly pleasure is bad, but we must look at it as a foretaste of what is to come.

Glorious Devastation...

I've been having a conversation with one of my old internet friends over YIM, and it got me to thinking.

We were discussing ice storms. He apparently had one this December, while I had one last December. I was at my parents' house, then because of my work. I wanted to be able to make it to work if things got bad, and my parents live right next to that job, while I lived 30 miles away.

My parents live in the woods. For two days, all you could hear was the cracking and crashing of tree branches. You had to be careful any time you went outside, because of the falling branches. I still had to go to work, because I worked at a truck stop, so they never close. The roads had a thick layer of ice on them for days.

After, the ice began to melt, I looked around the woods where I grew up. They had completely changed. Yes, there were still trees everywhere, but when you looked out, the trees seemed barren. There were few trees that were whole. There was great devastation all around. When I looked at the ground, I saw what looked like a war zone. There were broken branches everywhere, the ground was torn up because of the fallen branches, and you could see where whole trees had been pulled down by the ice.

It hurt somewhat to see the woods I loved torn apart like that. I could tell that the woods would never be like they had been. But in this destruction, there was a kind of beauty. I could not describe it, because it wasn't a surface beauty, as much as it was a hidden beauty. It wasn't a beauty that could be observed by the eye as much as it could by the mind. I suppose it was more of a future beauty.

I was looking back at that and thinking, isn't that what God does to us so often? We get broken down, cracking, and falling apart, sometimes affecting things around us. From our point of view, it seems like senseless destruction, but there is a beauty in it, if we look. It's not a beauty of what is happening, but what will happen. Once the change has happened, we will be better off than we were before the change. We will never be the same. We will bear our scars, but we should bear them gladly, for the changes draw us closer to where we belong, our home and our Father.

How do we get by?

I was on the new forums at http://thecircle.teddekker.com , and there was a post on there about this. It made me pause. How am I getting by? How do I keep putting one foot in front of the other? I am going through quite a bit of hardship right now, as you are all aware...

In the past, I may have said through praise songs. I may have said scripture. I may have even said the hope of Heaven which lies before me. Then I came to a realization. This may just be the wrong question.

What if the question is not, "how am I putting one foot in front of the other," but simply, "am I putting one foot in front of the other?" I feel that my strength has been gone for some time now. So what then?

While I have no strength to put one foot in front of the other, I have no need to. While I can't put one foot in front of the other right now, me feet are not even on the ground. I am being carried by my Father. While I can not get to where I am going by my own power, He is taking me there. I can claim none of it on my own. As I ponder that, I think that must be exactly how He wanted it.

If we can get to where we are going on our own, how do we show that we trust Him? We show our trust for him in our trials. We need to trust Him in our trials. It is as Yeshua said in Matthew 11:28-30 28“Come to Me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I shall give you rest. 29Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and humble in heart, and you shall find rest for your beings. 30For My yoke is gentle and My burden is light.”

We would do well to remember this. As for me, while I am going through a lot, it doesn't seem as bad as my mind thinks it should.

I will end this blog with this... 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 3Blessed be the Elohim and Father of our Master יהושע Messiah, the Father of compassion and Elohim of all comfort, 4who is comforting us in all our pressure, enabling us to comfort those who are in every pressure, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by Elohim. 5Because, as the sufferings of Messiah overflow in us, so our comfort also overflows through Messiah. 6And if we suffer pressure, it is for your comfort and deliverance, being worked out in enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort and deliverance. 7And our expectation for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are sharing in the sufferings – so also in the comfort.

Ah, confusion...

I'm sure you've all experience confusion at some point or another. There are varying degrees of confusion, from mild to extreme. At this point in time, I am experiencing extreme confusion.

I thought God wanted one thing, now I am not so sure. Now I feel him pulling me in what seems to be a different direction. I could be wrong that the directions are different, but they sure seem to be. Another thing is that circumstances seem to be moving away from what I originally thought to be his plan.

Was I wrong originally? Am I wrong now? Has the plan for me shifted? Was that plan just for that moment? Could both things be His plan for me? Where do I go from here?

At this point I'm venturing to a new project, which at the moment isn't going very well. I believe this venture is something He wants from me, but it is being very difficult right now. Of course, His way is not the easy way. I believe that this is so we can lean on Him so He can show His strength. But he has already been carrying me.

It pays to remember what someone reminded me this week... James 1:12 Blessed is the man who does endure trial, for when he has been proved, he shall receive the crown of life which the Master has promised to those who love Him. I know I am going through various trials right now, all striking at once, but I also know that He is there, carrying me. And I know what is waiting at the end of this race I am running. That will have to be enough for now...

Greetings, everyone...

I have decided to enter the realm of blogging. It may not be pretty, but I hope you will find it interesting...

Mayhaps even entertaining...

So prepare yourselves for a journey into the mind of a madman...