In Memory of Mr. Stephen Hardy

In Actions Are Hearts Revealed

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Hardy) — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 18:54:00 +0000

God created the ocean, mountains filled with ore for our use, and trees as a covering for those mountains. All was for His glory and so that His creation would know He was God. But, then the creation took those trees and made a cross and with the ore, nails. And they crucified the Creator's Son who gave them everything under their dominion. In actions are hearts revealed.

Our hearts, desperately wicked and His, loving.

This Is Your Brain on Taxes, Part 3

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Hardy) — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 02:18:00 +0000

So, I was reading the daily entry from Proverbs the other day and I came across this verse, Proverbs 10:16, in the ESV:

"The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin."

My brain of course has to analyze it from a tax perspective. The righteous receive a wage and the wicked get a gain. Normally, when you hear those terms in Tax World, a wage is ordinary income & a gain refers to capital gain.

But wait! Ordinary income is taxed at a higher rate than capital gain! How does that work? How is it that the righteous get taxed more than the wicked!?!

Oh wait...

I guess this is further evidence that God did not write the tax code.
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This is Your Brain on Tax Season
This is Your Brain on Tax Season, Part 2

Higher Authority: Word of God or the Holy Spirit?

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Hardy) — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 05:21:00 +0000

If the Holy Spirit leads in a different direction than the Word of God, which one do you follow?

How is the Word of God described? It is a "...lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105). Also, that "...Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). And, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

How is the Holy Spirit described? What do we know of Him? Speaking about the Holy Spirit, Jesus himself says "...he shall not speak of himself..." (John 16:13), but that "He shall glorify me..." (John 16:14). Jesus also said the Holy Spirit, "...whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" (John 14:26).

The Word of God is the direct commandment from God. In life it is our lamp, our subsistence, our source for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness. The Holy Spirit, not having his own agenda, works in conjunction with the Word of God to glorify God, not himself. Contrary to false doctrine, the leading of the Holy Spirit will never contradict the Word of God.

If the Holy Spirit leads in a different direction than the Word of God, which one do you follow?

The situation suggested in this question is impossible. If the spirit leading you is taking you in a different direction than the Word of God, that spirit is neither holy nor of God.

Just Thought I'd Share

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Hardy) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 03:54:00 +0000

Pride has really been before my face recently. God has really been showing me exactly how much pride I have and how getting rid of it will be powerful for the kingdom of God.

I haven’t been writing a blog because no one reads it (except family of course. I love you all…). And I’m afraid of what I write on the blog because I don’t want to reveal too much of “me”. No offense to “me”, but who cares about me? When did it become about me? Whose team am I really on?

Ephesians 2:8, 9: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

I’m not really here on this earth for what I can accomplish for me. God didn’t save me and give me his grace so that I could squander it on useless pursuits. I have been told to speak (or write), not gather an audience to hear it. And if I am willing to share, willing to give of myself, no matter the scope, maybe I can make a change in someone’s life. Isn’t that worth the laying down of my pride? To show some weakness so that others may be strengthened?

So I encourage you to lay down your pride. In the end, no one’s going to remember what you accomplished for “you”. In heaven, we’ll all be too busy focusing on God and what He did. Maybe ask yourself: when did it become about me? Whose team am I really on?

Seriously, the time is short. Have you seen what is passing for the behavior of a Christian lately? We are truly in the days when sound doctrine will not be endured. So if you are out there and you have not yet bowed the knee to the image of Baal, lay down your pride. Please, stand up and speak!

This is what God has been showing me. Just thought I would share….

New

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Hardy) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 04:09:00 +0000

This is a picture...

Impetus?

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Hardy) — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 02:32:00 +0000

Why do we do the right things?
Why do we even try?
If no one is going to get hurt by it and no one would care as long as "your heart's right about it" (i.e. you won't get caught), then it should be ok, right? Besides, it's "common sense" to look out for one's own interest. And if it's common, it must be right, right?

We do what is right because we are Christians and who we represent is more important than how we look or what we want.

Christ's name is bigger than we are. We are part of a family whose Father sent His Son to die a horrible death that the world would know his love. Countless people have died for this love and held it as the most dear thing in their lives---despite torture to their death.

Am I just so idealistic? Am I just blowing things out of proportion? Or should we really concern ourselves with how we represent Jesus to the world?

SERIOUSLY...Is not the time short?
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Circumventing the Puking Point

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Hardy) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 04:04:00 +0000

One of my favorite new songs has a line in it that involves a man crying out to God: "Please don't let me get the better of me!"

This is one thing has become more and more apparent to me as I move through this journey in life. I have the tendency to rely on myself way too much. I'm an accountant, so I deal in concrete numbers, scenarios and solutions. If something needs to be solved, you just need to force your way through it---make those numbers balance!!!

But, this is not how life works. This is definitely not how God works. He has designed us for himself. So, as I come against all the trials that dizzy me to the puking point, I need to remember that I need to remain in my Bible. This is how God speaks to me. And God, through His word, stops my head from spinning.

The funny part is, why don't I turn to His word in the first place? I know that's where I need to be. Especially with the state of our country and world...
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In Need of Help

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Hardy) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 02:48:00 +0000

I found this on the website of one of my favorite bands, Apologetix. It's all about someone in need of a special surgery. I think blogging about it is the best way to get the word out.

Please Help Our Friend Arron Daniels

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I Think of the Strangest Stuff After Gutting A Chicken

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Hardy) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 04:48:00 +0000

Another offering while I consider how much processing our food processes require...

I admit it. I don't gut chickens everyday. But, today was a special day. Apparently, I won the Chicken Gut Lottery. It's like having all the fame without the money---and your hands get all icky. Still, overall, an enjoyable experience. OK, maybe not, but it needed to be done.

This reminds me of repentance...

Repentance from sin leads to uncomfortable situations. We humans are icky creatures and we are full of things in our innards---to include, in some cases, innards themselves---that need to be rooted out. And just like with the chicken, some of those innards just won't come lose without a fight. They stick to the inner chicken like leeches, sucking the last remaining bits of life from the body. And it's not pretty. Sinful innards make for a messy extraction.

But God needs to root out the evil anyway. It needs to be done. And God doesn't believe in smoothing things over. He's interested in renewal, regeneration and a new chicken (er...human). At least the chickens are more considerate than humans. I've known chicken innards to give up a fight, as I discovered this evening, but they make much less of a commotion.

I should know because I've put up many good fights over the years. Isn't it curious though that fights always end with God carrying out what He set out to root out in the first place? Why struggle? The mess could have been cleaned up a long time ago...

Where are you today? Is God trying to tell you something that you need cleaned out? Isn't it about time you stopped ignoring Him? Maybe an object lesson would help you let go...

Go gut a chicken...
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Other Posts:
This Is Your Brain On Tax Season
Video---Goat Forth & Conquer

You Should Watch This Video NOOOOWWW!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Hardy) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:23:00 +0000

Another offering stemming from the world wide web...

This is great. Try to watch this with a straight face...

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Snowflakes at the Gas Station

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Hardy) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:00:00 +0000

Another offering of metaphorical proportions...

It's too early to be out in the biting cold. Bed felt so much better, but you've forgotten that now that college has consumed your life. Another morning drive back to campus as you leave your family and friends behind. Time to rush on to the next class and the next lecture. With all the rush, it's comical that the only time you have a brief second to pause is while your gasing up at the local station, before the sun rises, bundled up in your winter jacket. Not even your cell phone can get you now. You'd get arrested if you used it and anyone you would want to call would be in bed at this ungodly hour anyway.

This brief break allows your thoughts to wander, pouring over all the duties and tasks that will consume your day. How long does it take for a car to gas up? You need to get going; you need to finish a paper before your first class! The deluge frustrates you to tension you never signed up for. How will you get through school? How will you even get through Calculus? Will you even have a job after this? Will you ever pay back your student loans? Will your body even make it through college with all the caffeine you've pumped into it?

And then, something lands gently on your nose. You break out of your seething struggle to find that it's snowing. Though the night has not yet released it's grip on the town, the soft, yellow glow of the street lamp ricochets off of the army of snowflakes falling to earth.

The flakes are a white tangle. Like many cars rushing around in all directions without traffic signals. In all this chaos, a soft voice whispers a revelation: "I know the path of every snowflake".

God knows every hair on your head and the path of every snowflake. He sees your struggle; your efforts are not unnoticed. And He sees the end of it all. He saw it before you were born.

He accurately knows the chaotic path of a multitude of snowflakes. With this in mind, the pang of your problems fades away. Suddenly, the cold has lost its chill. The peace that passes all understanding is here again. And you have the strength for today.
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Other Posts:
On the Scissor Field
The Forest, A Tree & A Commuter

Word to the Goateeless Youth Pastor

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Hardy) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 01:00:00 +0000

Another offering of encouragement...

God, you've told me to preach the Bible, but I don't have a goatee.

I'm like the old church building overshadowed by the modern, multi-functional mega church complex.

I'm a youth pastor, but the youth won't listen. I've never had facial hair that sounds like a farm animal. And I'm not youthful like the youth pastor with the goatee. I'm 47, not 27.

They like his games. They like his up-tempo sermons complete with bingo and charades. They like his youth camp activities. I'm too old to even keep up with that stuff.

They get bored when I preach the Bible.

I'm afraid my youth group just isn't relevant enough for today's youth. What did you say, God? Yes, the cross is always relevant. It never goes out of style. Your deeds will be remembered for eternity.

What, God? What was that? Yes, you're right. The Bible is the only thing that matters. The Bible is simple enough for even a child to understand.

I guess that if youth can't listen to the word of God alone, they must be incredibly lazy, which is childish; or unable to comprehend what even a child finds simple, which is embarrassing.

To the goateeless youth pastor: Preach Christ and Him crucified.
____________________________________________________________________ Get Updates

Other Posts:
God Will Reveal
How Uplifting!

Stephen Hardy & Clorox?

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Hardy) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 02:02:00 +0000

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Another offering while I ponder all things orange...

We recently had an interesting twist in the whole "Google Stephen Hardy Saga".

My wife reports to me that on her blog someone googled "Stephen Hardy + Clorox" as a search and found her blog.

Now, I've never really particularly had a strong affinity for Clorox. I mean, it's nice and all, but I don't think it's important enough to me that I would associate my name with it on a Google search. Apparently, someone out there does....Or there's another really clean Stephen Hardy out there. My guess would be he's got blonde hair.

If there is, I give him a big Idaho w'sup.

Milk or Meat with the Gunpowder?

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Hardy) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 01:38:00 +0000

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Get Updates

Another offering while it's still legal to do so....

Iran is capable of firing missiles at Israel. Israel is preparing for a strike. The United States still claims Israel is their friend. Russia declares Iran is the sweet, innocent child.

Something bigger than our iPods, high cholesterol, and tv shows is about happen.

In these times, what sort of men and women should we be?

If we are Christians, we could start by acting like Christians.

Or are we going to choose to keep bickering about others; complaining to God that we're not getting our way? We need the Bible. We need a deep relationship with Christ.

We are not strong enough on our own; we can't survive away from the vine.

We need to through off our disgusting charades, using grace as a cloak for maliciousness. Are we done feeding on milk yet? Are we ready to graduate to meat?

Time is short. Today is the day to live for Christ!

Google Stephen Hardy Today!

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Hardy) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 01:19:00 +0000

Another offering while I don't not ponder double negatives...

I've noticed a strange occurrence recently.

Not like I keeping waking up thinking my name is Ginger, strange, but strange nonetheless.

People keep searching for Stephen Hardy on Google.

Apparently there is a large subsection of the population, all over the country, who have this overwhelming desire to track down Stephen Hardy using Google.

Why?????

The name is not famous. It's not like my name is plastered on billboards pushing various caffeinated beverages. There are no movie stars by that name. No sports stars. No chefs on the Food Network or politicians. At least that I know of...

Am I in trouble somewhere? Are you desperately trying to contact me? Have you found my bestest watch ever, that had little dinosaurs on it, that I left in a hotel room when we were vacationing in Montana? I loved that thing...Cried for days...Anyway, if you are trying to return it to me, you sure get around because the hits to my blog are nationwide. Slow down. You'll give yourself a nervous breakdown.

Or is the reason Stephen Hardy is getting googled because the name just popped into your head when you were thinking of someone interesting to google? Did the name come mysteriously out of the blue like Furbies?

The question is though, why don't you stay? Whenever my name gets googled, no one sticks around to read any offerings. It's as if you think "I want to google someone. What's a completely innocuous name? How about Stephen Hardy? Perfect! I wonder what a blog by a guy named Stephen Hardy would look like? Here it is...Oh, no way! This blog bites! Not that Stephen Hardy, I want another one."

Also curious is the fact that there are never other words attached in the search. I never get "Stephen Hardy+Circus Clown" or "Stephen Hardy+The Intriguing One". Also, lacking is a search for "Stephen Hardy+Bestest watch ever lost in Montana". I guess that last one's no surprise...It's as if you know exactly which kind of Stephen Hardy you're looking for, but for some reason I disappoint.

Seriously though, I don't know who you're looking for, but I'm glad that you keep coming! If you can't have posts that intrigue people, your name might as well, huh? If you like my name so much---and went through the effort to google it---stay a while. Sign up for updates from the blog. See what other things this Stephen Hardy blogs about.

On the Scissor Field

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Hardy) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 01:46:00 +0000

Another offering while we all wait for the Rapture...

Today was rough wasn't it? You didn't see the truck coming and now all the glass sits like open scissors on the pavement. The sun sets on the shimmering field that was once your window.

Another perfect day is ending.

It wouldn't be so bad except that the unsaved keep talking about you behind your back. Why is it that the one with the honey-tongue got the raise? You were the one that gave up your weekends.

And what of the other Christians? Why have they forsaken Biblical reasoning to follow the intestinal pull of the spirits they claim are holy? When did man's reason become wiser than God's word? Why the incessant stabbing from verbal rapiers every time you bring light to their actions? You understand that you make mistakes too. You're not questioning their salvation; just a gentle reminder of our mutual call to holiness. You spoke in love---and spoke privately; you didn't call every friend in your cell phone list.

All of these thoughts burn ten fold as your concussion reminds you of the field of glass. The sun, like your final glimmer of hope, is almost gone and the chill of evening is setting in. Maybe living for God isn't everything you thought it was. Why not be like the other Christians? Gold drips from their every fingertip, changing every project into success.

You tried to be a faithful servant---and everyone treated you like one.

But, then again, isn't that the point?

Didn't Jesus guarantee that you would have trials in this world?

You are not the last of the faithful. God has many more who have not yet bent their knee to the world. Push forward in Jesus' name and live for Him.

Get up and boldly leave this scissor field.

Parent's CD

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Hardy) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 02:21:00 +0000

Another offering while I think of something mildly witty to say...

Hey! Guess what! My parents put out a CD a few years ago and now it's available for download.

Check it out!

The Tentmakers

FREE Downhere CD!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Hardy) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:40:00 +0000

You can now download the Downhere CD Wide-Eyed & Mystified at the link below---but hurry it's only for June!!!

Downhere CD

Gottlieben

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Hardy) — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 14:00:00 +0000

Another offering while I take one more baby step...

This is the name of a real city in Germany: Gottlieben.

"Gott" is "God" in German.

&

"lieben" technically means "to love" in German. But for the purposes of this post, I'm thinking of it as just "Love". This stretch will grind on your nerves if your a language buff like me, but I needed a blog entry, so....

I'm looking surprised in the picture because I thought it was so great that a city would name itself "God Love". It's not quite "God loves" as far as my extent of German grammar takes me, but it feels like it's close. Feel free to correct me at any time...

Isn't God's love surprising just like this city? How many times have you been angry with God? Listen, we aren't anything special to begin with. We whine, complain, make messes left & right, can't tie our own shoe laces & stupidly repeat mistakes. Dogs are better than that (though most don't wear shoes).

Yet, God still loves us.

I'm starting to see every day a little bit more about how God sees us through being a father to my baby girl. I just know she's going to make mistakes just like I mentioned above, but there's something inside of me that says no matter what, "I will still love you". And that's like God Love. Although, we as humans still need training wheels. We are nowhere near loving like God does.

Imagine loving Hitler.

It would truly take God Love for that.

I guess it's fitting the citizens of this German city would name themselves God Love. Maybe they understood something I am still continuing to grasp:

God's love is deep enough even for Hitler.

Downhere---CD Give Away! FREE!

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Hardy) — Fri, 30 May 2008 01:10:00 +0000

Another offering while I consider how Downhere has changed, shaken, refocused & challenged my life...

Ever heard of Downhere?

They're a Christian band from Canada (hockey fans!!!) that have greatly influenced my life. They are lyrically unashamedly Christian in a time when vague references to "spirituality" offer better sales.

They pour their hearts into what they do even when a song's subject matter is hard to digest. It seems like they go through situations a year or so before I do so that by the time it's my turn, the resulting songs minister to me during the storm.

In May of 2006, they released the album Wide Eyed & Mystified and the rest is history. Now, after 2 years, they are giving their CD away! You can download it during the month of June. Check out the blog link below for more details.

FREE Downhere CD

They have a new album coming out in September so they wanted to give everyone a chance to hear their last CD.

Check it out!

Maybe it will minister to you as well!

Video---Goat Forth & Conquer!

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Hardy) — Mon, 26 May 2008 19:42:00 +0000

Another offering while I...

I'm not taking myself seriously here...

Austrian Tirol

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Hardy) — Sun, 25 May 2008 14:00:00 +0000

Another offering while I duck for low flying pigeons...

This is a picture of me in the Austrian Tirol during my 3 month stay in Germany in 2003.

Have you ever wondered what kind of music the hills were actually alive with?

Seriously...

Was it rap? Dolly Parton's greatest hits? Grunge?

I just think about stuff like this sometimes...

But isn't comedy great? I think any peek into the Bible will show God has a sense of humor. I'm learning more and more that laughing really is the best medicine (but, not that icky stuff that makes one gag).

Germany 2003

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Hardy) — Sat, 24 May 2008 04:32:00 +0000

Life the CPA Way?

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Hardy) — Sat, 17 May 2008 14:00:00 +0000

Another offering in English. Swedish is just too demanding...

I'm a CPA. That's a certified public accountant.

In order to pass the CPA exam, a candidate must give their entire life to earning a bachelor's degree (normally in accounting). This means endless hours of sitting in the library or business building basement trying to figure out why the debits don't match the credits by $50 and wondering to yourself why you really even care.

Then after years of kicking yourself for self-inflicted torture, you graduate. But even then, you're not a CPA. You still have to endure a test that some accountant/lawyers will tell you is harder than the bar exam. And what do you find yourself doing now that you've finally graduated? Studying! You have no life. (Not that you had one before, because getting the bachelor's degree took care of that...) You eat auditing standards. You sleep business law. You consider naming your dog Becker. (Okay, maybe you'll only get that if you're an accountant.) When someone says, "I'm thinking about selling my house", you can't help pondering whether they've met the 2 of 5 years rule for the capital gain exclusion.

For all the hype, the CPA exam really is that difficult! Because, after you have spent hours studying for your degree, hours studying for the CPA exam, and 4 hours sitting for 1 of the 4 portions of the test you get your scores back.

I'm sorry you failed!

Candidates need a 75% to pass and you got a 74%. I believe that's roughly equivalent to one mistake on the test! ALL THAT WORK AND ONE MISTAKE SHOOTS A CANDIDATE DOWN! A colleague of mine actually did get a 74%---twice!

God doesn't work that way.

Aren't we glad?

Imagine if our salvation hinged upon our own efforts? We're talking heaven or eternal suffering here. I think we would be even more consumed when it came to studying to make sure we didn't fail than we ever would with the CPA exam.

But our God gives us grace! God's report card for us hinges upon what His Son did on the cross. Do you have Jesus? You're spotless. We can't improve upon what Jesus did. Why do we try so hard to outdo Jesus then?

I'm a CPA. Studying, working hard and producing mistake-free work is part of the gig. My tendency, unfortunately, is to let that pour over into my life as a Christian. Do you do this too?

Do you think that doing great works for God will get Him to notice you more? Do you think that studying your Bible 1 hour more in 2008 than in 2007 will convince God that you're worthy of a spiritual raise?

Let's look on the flip side. If you lose your temper and yell at God for not letting things go your way---does God forget that He's prepared a place for you for eternity?

Whether good or bad, we can't do anything to change God's view of us. He views us as complete; perfect through the blood of His Son Jesus. Working harder like a CPA on spiritual things, changes nothing. One mistake in your walk will not cause you to fail God's Good Christian Exam with only a 74%.

Praise God that it is His faithfulness and His works on the cross that governs how He sees us!

Keep It Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Hardy) — Thu, 15 May 2008 14:00:00 +0000

Another offering while I got the chance...

It seems to me more and more in the Church today that Christians are fixated on being happy and having fun. We never want to be told the bad news. Besides, we have enough bad news worrying about our figure.

Keep it light, keep it lite & keep it fun.

But, aren't bad times what we're promised as Christians? Didn't Jesus tell us that on this earth we would have tribulations? Perhaps I'm mistaken. The Jesus of today's Church would have never said that.

The Jesus in the Church today is the Jesus that will allow anything. Nothing seems to bother him. He's "down" with everything and keeps that angry, judgmental God off our backs. He's like the kid who says, "Look guys, I'll talk to Him. I know what to say to my Dad. It's cool." He'll get us off the hook.

But that Jesus is not the real Jesus. The real Jesus is the one that will be coming back to earth someday to judge those that have refused to believe in what He did on the cross and surrender their lives to Him. He is going to mow down people by speaking. Mowing means blood.

But blood isn't fun. Living by what God says in the Bible isn't fun.

But, that's OK. In today's Church, Jesus is fun loving, which is great because, well, we love fun. And since, the rest of the Church wants to have fun, no one hassles anyone about the fact that Jesus isn't all about what is fun or makes us feel good (and thinner) ---except for those really pesky people that speak up and claim we should follow what the Bible says.

Those people don't understand fun.

We're Americans. Wars hardly ever touch our soil. We've never had to say good-bye to our children as we're ripped from them and herded onto trucks bound for concentration camps.

Of course, we do have rising gas prices...