The 250th Anniversary of the Declaration 

     This is a good time/year to recall the founding principles of the men who studied and fought for independence. The Declaration was not a radical document to excuse an uprising.

     It was based on common sense, in terms plain and firm, to command the assent to actions the colonies were soon to take, wrote Hillsdale professor Matthew Spalding in his book, The MAKING of the AMERICAN MIND. 

     He wrote, "political ferment merged with traditional thought in a room of forward-thinking men together in Philadelphia." He says "the Declaration probably could not have been written a half-century earlier, or a decade later. It came to light between the rule of kings and the revolutionary upheaval that overthrew kings." 

     Thirteen colonies had been governing themselves almost since their founding, with English monarchy practicing in neglect. The French and Indian War changed all that. Parliament expected the colonies to help pay for their own defense. 

     Tax laws led to colonial fury, which led to "Intolerable Acts." Open conflict flared with shots one morning in Lexington, Massachusetts. 

Continued tomorrow

Note: Americans are upset with our (unnecessary?) war in Iran, not that they support Iran (Democrats?) It took war to establish freedom in America, and it may be war that keeps us - and Israel - safe. We regret our wars since the 1960s (Democrat - and Bush - presidents). But in our smaller world, Iran is different. Jimmy

The Number 40 

     Some numbers carry meanings beyond mathematics. Few are as common as the number 40. It occurs across time and cultures, marking the passage from one stage of life to another. 

     In the Bible, Noah's flood lasted 40 days and nights before the world emerged cleansed. Moses fasted for 40 days on Mount Sinai before receiving the law. Israelites wandered for 40 years before entering the promised land. The prophet Elijah journeyed 40 days to Mount Horeb. 

     In the New Testament, Jesus fasted 40 days in the desert before beginning his ministry and he appeared to his disciples for 40 days after his resurrection, before he ascended to heaven. 

     In each case, the number marks an interval that precedes a new beginning. 

     As for practical roots, 40 represents the fullness of testing, long enough to transform a person but not too long.

     The word "quarantine" is from the Italian for "forty days" - the period ships were once required to isolate during plagues. Human pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks. 

     From Scripture to folklore, politics and routine speech, the number symbolizes endurance, patience and renewal. 

Source: EPOCH TV 

Jesus Speaks

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:3-8 

   There are more blessings in that chapter. If we care what God wants, here it is.

What comes out of a man is what makes him unclean. For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery...and more. Mark 7:20-21 

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked...Luke 6:35  

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God...John 3:19-21 

Saturday 2:45 pm. OK. Getting lots of rest. Hope to have a blog on Sunday.  

We have company. We expect to be back on our computer Thursday afternoon.

Yep. That was our message, but the change was replaced by another change when I suffered the shakes and had pneumonia on Wednesday night. I rested but never got sleep, until Friday around 2 am in the hospital. Even that was interrupted by nurses who woke me to test my heart rate or whatever. Mrs. Donut didn't sleep either until she went home Thursday night.

Found my driver's license. Had it all along.

            Jimmy

  

 The War May Never End

     Oh. We don't mean the deadly war that is crushing Iran.  

     Today we're thinking about our war without bullets and bombs. The intentionally open border that allowed 662,566 foreigners with criminal histories to avoid arrest. Some 15,000 freed illegals convicted of or charged with murder, more than 20,000 charged with sexual assault, and 60,268 charged with burglary, larceny or robbery. 

     This war continues with 105,146 charged with assault, 16,820 with weapons offenses, and 3,372 with kidnapping. Over 126,000 have committed traffic offenses, more than 70,000 for drug crimes, 21,106 for fraudulent activities, and some 12,000 for obstruction of justice. 

     Wouldn't American's own lawbreakers be enough trouble in this land of the free and home of the brave? 

     President Biden and "border czar" Kamala Harris "blew our borders wide open to let in a flood of criminals, drug dealers and human traffickers," wrote Tom Fitton, president of Judicialwatch.org. He adds, "Leftist politicians and far-left groups are condoning violent riots to try and stop President Trump from carrying out what 75 million citizens voted for in November 2024." 

     Fitton writes of "real national security risks, quality-of-life concerns, and voting irregularities the Left is all too eager to 'overlook.'" 

     All this, while we're possibly - maybe - making the Middle East free of warfare. Liberal Democrats don't like that either.

         Jimmy

 

A Special Chapter in a Special Book

     Comfort for God's people. Sins paid for. Prepare the way for the Lord. 

     Isaiah chapter 40 is among our favorites. 

     Restoration for Jews. The coming of the Messiah. A new heaven and new earth. Repentance. The glory of the Lord.

     All created life is frail and week, and it will end. God's word endures forever.

     And that is only the first eight verses. 

     God gave Isaiah even more knowledge all the way to chapter 66. 

     We'll stop here and hope you open your Bible to Isaiah 40. 

            Jimmy

Look Out, Camels 

     Saudi Arabia is a large country southwest of Iran. Like others, it is taking fire. We hope none of their 2.2 million camels are killed by Iranian missiles. 😒 

     The Ministry of Agriculture is issuing passports to the camels, including the camel's microchip number, name, birth information and vaccination records. Oh, and photos of the camel's left and right sides. All this will regulate trade and help prove ownership in the kingdom's $13 billion camel industry. 

     The system will help ensure the beauty of camels entering pageants for prizes totaling $80 million. A couple years ago officials discovered 49% of entrants had had illegal cosmetic treatments including Botox or surgery to enhance lips, noses and humps. (Women understand).

     And we think our Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is a big deal. 

Green Iguanas 

     Animals that do face trouble are some 2,000 iguanas in Florida. Freezing temperatures in January stunned them. They go into a coma, fall out of trees, and in some cases injure humans. Males weigh up to 17 pounds. 

     Florida allowed residents to round up the reptiles without a permit and deliver them to designated locations, where they could be humanely killed. The public was warned not to bring iguanas into their homes or cars since they will warm up and become aggressive. Volunteer trappers delivered hundreds to drop-off sites. 

     If only someone would round up an armadillo that messes up our mulch in the middle of the night, digging for food. 

            Jimmy