Saturday, February 18, 2012 = Day 48 - Rained on Parade, Raising Productivity in Latin America and War with China

Jared was a bit upset today because he was hoping to march in the Rodeo Parade today.  Unfortunately (in his eyes anyway) it was rained out.  We have had steady rain for just about the last 24 hours+.  It has been very nice but rain now means more work later.  Mowing will have to be done soon.  BLAH!  LOL.  Not really looking forward to that to be honest.  

So, I've been studying a bit today in my Political Science classes and I had to write for a PELA.  So the question was raised about whether or not labor productivity and agriculture productivity could be raised.  I said yes and I provided these three suggestions:

1.       Remove labor market rigidity by incentivizing work instead of incentivizing practices that lead to low worker productivity and an entitlement mentality. [I was aghast when I found out that businesses in certain Latin American countries have to pay a severance package every time they let a worker go regardless of reason.  Low productivity? Here's your severance package. Late to work all the time? Here's your severance package. Regardless of the reason you are let go whether it is a layoff or a termination you guessed it: severance package.  That incentive to be lazy and unproductive is built into the system.]
2. Increase educational opportunities for people to acquire technical degrees or four year university degrees by offering tax breaks and incentives for businesses who put their employees through school either partially or fully.    [Education is by far the best way to increase one's wage and marketability.]
3. Introduction of technology into an economy should help the productivity of that economy grow. [Any technology that is introduced will help an economy to grow whether it is a truck replacing a horse drawn cart or a tractor replacing a sickle.]

The other class on the Politics of China was interesting too.  I watched a video that dealt with China's military and whether or not they are a threat to the U.S.  Chinese officials in the piece assured everyone that, "China's military is strictly for peace keeping."  Hmmmm I seem to remember some Bible prophecy concerning this.  Does anyone else remember Gog and Magog?  From what I've read Iran and China are now close allies and China has told the U.S. that if it does anything to Iran that they are going to be on us like white on rice. 

These political classes make me realize more than ever how much this world is faltering and how much we need Jesus.  It is sad when I hear my own relatives calling themselves Christians in one breath and then advocating for what the Bible says is an "abomination" while telling people who believe God's Word to "shut up."   God can still save us and I pray that we will turn before it is too late!  There are too many people riding the fence right now with their feet in two worlds.  This just can't be.  God says that we should be holy as he is holy.  He doesn't say to be somewhat holy but to be holy as he is holy. God is perfect.  How do we attain perfection?  Through Christ's blood.  When I hear about people doing things that lead to more worldliness instead of making it a point to get closer to God, I'm saddened.  I have to say I'm sad because I know in the past I have been a stumbling block to people because of my own actions.  When I see a friend that is becoming a stumbling block to others and their potential relationship with Christ it saddens me more.  Why is holiness not emphasized as much anymore?  Why are we preaching such a watered down gospel in this country?  

The Book Of Joshua says:

14“Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

The book of Matthew also says:

17“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. 

It also goes on to say:

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. 

If Jesus said that he did not come to abolish the law or the Prophets then why is it O.K. for so called Christians to stand with the world on issues like abortion and gay marriage?  What does Jesus really teach? 

John 8 tells us:

1But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

11“No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

We are called bigots and homophobes and many other nasty things and this is by people who claim to be Christians.  If you read John 8:1-11 in its entirety you see that Jesus recognized that the teachers of the law were sinful and that the woman that they were going to stone was sinful.  No one could cast the first stone to condemn her. People ask: Why are you judging?  You are a hater.  No, read the rest of it.  Jesus said, "Go now and leave your life of sin."  He didn't say, "Hey, it is O,K.!  I know you can't control your sexual urges.  I accept you the way that you are and I know that you are only human.  Don't worry about it!  We all have feelings like this.  I empathize with you.  Your lifestyle is O.K. with me!  In fact you should be proud of the way that you act and come out in front of everyone and put your lifestyle on parade!  Then everyone will have to accept you!"  Again,  He said, "Go now and leave your life of sin."  He said it nicely but he said it.  It's time to wake up.  Showing someone the error of their ways is not condemning them.  It is saving them.  The world is mixed up and we need to be different.  Stop calling what is evil good and what is good evil!  God forgive us.