Tax Overhaul by Those Who Use Taxes the Most and Double Speak

I heard an article this morning on NPR about the New Chairman of House Tax Panel. There were several things I find laughable about the interview. First, I learned that the predecessor of the chairman of the House Tax Writing Committee was none other than Charlie Rangel (D), the guy who was found guilty of many ethical violations including failure to pay taxes for which he received on a slap on the wrist.  Second, he and his successor, Rep. Dave Camp (R) both agree the tax code needs an overhaul. I agree with this sentiment but laughed when he was asked "so you don't want to raise a bunch more government revenue in the process of rewriting this tax code?" to which Rep. Camp quickly changed directions to focusing on spending cuts which has nothing to do with changing the tax code. Third, I find it laughable how Republicans want to cut spending and the deficit and national debt yet they were the ones who passed such crazy spending bills as HR 1 (108 congress), Medicare & Medicaid Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 and the start-up Home Land Security, and two endless wars (4 if you include the war on terrorism and drugs).  

The Economic Collapse in Easy to Understand Language

Jon Stewart explains the reason for the economic collapse and what Sen. Dodd is trying to do to prevent it in the future (good luck with that).

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Who Are You?

THE BELL
I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )
I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3 :20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 )
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28 )
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil.. 4:13 )
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).. I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven ( Col 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)
I belong to God
Do you know
Who you are?
Keep this bell ringing...pass it on
'The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you
And be gracious to you;
The LORD turn His face toward you
And give you peace...
Numbers 6:24-26

I hate being such a cynic sometimes but I received this in an e-mail today and something jumped out at me. Did you notice the focus or subject of each sentence is “I”. There is a subtle secular theological influence that has been occurring for many years that directs individuals to focus on themselves rather than The One who makes us special. E.g. John 1:12 (NIV) says “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” so it could also be said “God made me his child”. Many argue it is man’s reception or belief in Him (Jesus) that make us God’s children (which is may be true) but somewhere along the pages of history the church has moved away from Who God IS and focused more on Who You ARE. To me, it has become more of a self-help doctrine of faith rather than a Grace based faith.