The Liberty Sphere

Did you notice the latest on Hillary?

2016-08-22T16:55:00.000-04:00

Amid much speculation today concerning the health of Hillary Clinton, there is still that nagging corruption issue that could blow up in her face. any time. The Washington Post is reporting that the FBI has uncovered 14, 900 more documents and emails that her attorneys refused to release.

This is a major bombshell for those who are concerned about the rule of law. In free societies it is assumed that government officials at the very top are just as accountable as average citizens. The problem is that among those at the top there is a growing tendency to place themselves above the law

Interesting...

2016-08-21T01:23:00.001-04:00

The scuttlebutt is that Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are now running neck and neck in a dead heat in their quest to get elected to the White House. In some key states Trump is in the lead.

Hillary is beginning to falter for various reasons, not the least of which is her integrity problem. The trust factor is key. Americans seem to be tired of the corruption.

..

Don't believe everything you hear

2016-08-18T14:43:00.000-04:00

The adage, "You can't believe everything you hear," is true across many spectres. But no greater example exits than what is going on in the current race for president. The race is much closer than what we have been led to believe by an agenda driven media.

Supposedly, Trump has wounded himself so badly that he will never dig out of the debris. And supposedly Hillary has opened a double digit lead which will insure her election to the presidency. Various and sundry polls have been rolled out to prove the point -- NBC, ABC, CBS, MSNBCand FOX. But the polls that have proved to be most reliable in the past paint a very different scenario.

These polls show a very tight race with Clinton and Trump running neck and neck, even in areas that have not been friendly to Republicans.

Hillary's troubles seem to revolve around the trust factor. Most Americans believe she is untrustworthy and they have had decades to prove their nagging doutbs as to her integiity or lack therof..

So, look with a wary eye to those whose sole purpose in poling is to advance an agenda.

The centrality of the Bible in the Christian walk

2016-08-16T16:45:00.000-04:00

I have been a student of the Bible for over fifty yeas, going back to my mother's knee. Formal training was next as I embarked on a path that required significant knowledge. But even then a greet deal was leaned through personal study.I always believed that all Christiams need to read and study the Bible as part of our growth and development.

Why is the Bible so important? It is the Word of God that tells us all we need to know in terms of salvation and, the Christian s growth and development.It is the ultimate authority on an equal par with God himself.

Love one another

2016-08-11T01:34:00.000-04:00

Jesus said, "Love one another even as I first loved you." (John 15:12).

This is a key tenet of the Christian faith. Jesus first loved us even when we were entirely unlovable, even repulsive. Yet He loved us and died for us that we may live eternally. In like manner we are to love one another.

This is not easy to do..But it is a basic Christian standard for which we are to strive.

Speaking the hard truth is not tantamount to hate. Jesus taught us to "speak the truth in love." The truth can be harsh but must be said. This does not mean we are to betray confidences or unleash factual statements willy nillly when it is more appropriate to remain silent.Wisdom comes into play here.

Regarding my statements concerning certain politicians, I may be quite harsh in telling the truth. This does not mean I don;t love them personally and stand ready to help them if they want my help. If I were given the opportunity to meet privately with Hillary and Bill and even the Obamas, I would show hospitality and the willingness to help.This does not mean that I refuse to speak hard truths in love.

We can love the ones we have deep differences with while speaking the hard truth.

Don't be fooled by Hillary Clinton

2016-08-10T15:13:00.000-04:00

Some people have told me they think Hillary is an acceptable alternative to Trump. Really? If so,you are being duped just as the country was duped twice by Obama. Hillary is dangerous, a charlatan, an incompetent given the mess she created and left in the middle east.

Now she claims Trump is "inciting violence" toward her by merely stating a fact, that ant attempt to negate the constitutional right of THE PEOPLE to keep and bear arms will be perceived by multi millions of gun owners as a declaration of war declared against the public by a hostile government that is determined to disarm law abiding citizens just as Hitler did in Germany prior to declaring himself as supreme dictator.

This is a fact. The people will not allow such a thing here without a fight. But those of Hillary's ilk are determined to negate the Second Amendment and parts of the First Amendment. Her supporters on the Supreme Court such as Kagan have said it is necessary to curtail the right of free speech on certain occasions. These people are highly dangerous and stand poised to take over the government if they get a chance.

Hillary even went as far as to claim churches may need to curtail free speech and freedom of religion. They need to change their beliefs when it comes to abortion in particular. So what got her so riled that she found it necessary to attack basic human freedoms? She was mad that some within Christianity used harsh language toward Islam, even those who are known terrorists. She was also in a twit over the fact that many Christians oppose what the government is doing regarding "gay marriage."

Excuse me, Hillary, but you don't get to decide what I believe nor do you have the power to dictate to my church what it believes, that is, back before America began to head down a very dangerous path in the hands of so-called "progressives" who do not share our love for American values of liberty. All of what we thought was true about America will be out the window if these people gain more of a foothold.

That is a fair warning, especially for the Christian who values the truth. It is my solemn duty as an ordained minister for nearly 40 years to warn you that you are being duped by lies if you believe what these people like Hillary, Kagan, and others of their ilk tell you. You need to wake up to the truth, and you need to repent of your failure to recognize the lies that originate in the depths of hell itself.

A brief statement of faith

2016-08-09T14:00:00.000-04:00

Honorable people who have values will not be able to vote for Hillary Clinton. She and her husband wrote the book on corruption long before the advent of people like Barack Obama. She may well destroy the country with her disdain for the Constitution and her inherent corruption. .

This brings me to an overview of basic values. I say these things from a Christian perspective that I will title "A Brief Statement of Faith."

First, the absolute essential here is that Christ is the son of the living God who died for sins, shedding his blood and dying on a wooden cross to obliterate our sins and purchase our pardon and secure a place in heaven where we will live eternally.

As Christ's disciples who have accepted Him as Savior and Lord, our values are going to reflect the fact that we are His servants.This includes our political views and who we vote for.

These values include honesty, honor, trustworthiness, love for all people, compassion , treating others the way we want to be treated, to name a few.

We will delve further into these matters and others next time we meet,

Nuggets of truth -- hermenuetics

2016-07-04T00:09:00.000-04:00

Good evening on this Sunday before Independence Day.

Thus we begin our new regular feature once per week wherein we delve into some of the deeper truths of Christianity. The focus of this process is known as "hermeneutics" or "exegeses" -- the process of in depth, scholarly pursuit that results in a deeper level of understanding the Christian scriptures that, we hope, will enhance one's ability to properly interpret the Bible and then accurately apply those ancient truths to the modern era.

Today it seemed appropriate to start with a key concept that is of extreme importance -- the concept of freedom,

The term "freedom" is of vital importance. The Bible says,

Galatians 5 [Full Chapter]

[ Freedom of the Christian ] Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery. Take note! I, Paul, tell you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all. Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to keep the entire law...

In short, one of the precepts of the Gospel is that in Christ we are free, liberated. We are subservient only to Christ. I am a slave to no one and to nothing but Christ.

Flawed human beings, and thus Christianity itself, have often been wrong in their interpretation of certain concepts, such as slavery. But all of humanity has at one time or another been held in this awful practice due to a flawed understanding of the Bible and other documents and rulers. But these practices graduately faded as Christians and others grew to fully understanding that slavery is wrong.

And why is slavery so wrong? Because the Bible teaches it is wrong to be enslaved by another human being, a government, or entity other than Jesus Christ.

As the Bible declares,

John 8:36Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

36 Therefore, if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.

news news, news, news

2016-07-03T03:37:00.002-04:00

And a happy Sunday to you

Just a quick note about changes here and the demise of The Examiner...

The Examiner will be discontinued at the end of next week. I am thankfull that they allwed me to write for them since 2009.

But pray that all of us writers.who are adversely effected and that they find a good place to land.

The changes at Examiner have prompted me to take The Liberty Sphere to a new level. News and commentary will continued, But a new feature will be added. As an ordained Christian minister for over 40 years, I intend to add a Bible study feature that takes us to a new level

in our Christian walk.

More about that soon.

Stick with me for these added features..Thanks for reading all these years, and iinvite others

2016-07-03T03:17:00.000-04:00

2016-07-03T02:45:00.001-04:00

Libertarians provide ignored alternative in presidential race

2016-04-16T04:29:00.002-04:00

Fox Business Network host John Stossel recently hosted a televised forum featuring some of the top contenders who seek to become the Libertarian Party's chosen nominee for president. The winner will square off against whoever is chosen by the Republicans and Democrats to be their standard bearers for the presidency in November.

Media moguls ignore and exclude Libertarian Party candidates.

Read the rest here.

Soooo, what to do, oh what, what, what to do?

2016-04-09T07:21:00.001-04:00

It looks like I will be having another procedure at the hospital next week...nothing major as procedures go, but a nuisance. Pray for me. I am trusting the Lord with all my heart to soothe me and gently ease me through this.

Now, what are gun right activists, conservatives, and libertarians (and any others who take seriously the centrality of the Bill of Rights and all of our other INDIVIDUAL freedoms) to do as this election cycle gets rolling full force?

Let's look at who is automatically disqualified from serving as president due to their shockingly horrific views on individual liberties. At the top is Hillary Clinton. She should be running as social director for the prison from her jail cell. Bernie Sanders, no matter how honest he is, does not represent what America stands for. Both of them are out, period, end. If either of these charlatans get elected, kiss the Supreme Court goodbye, and then kiss your gun rights and most of the rest of your liberties goodbye. It's all over. We MUST NOT allow progressives like Hillary and Bernie to get elected. They must be stopped at all costs.

Over on the Republican side, I have questions about Trump, but I will say that his views are evolving, and I like what he says about the border fence, deportation, revamping the rules on immigration, and his stance on gun rights and freedom of religion. This is NOT, however, an endorsement. I am just stating some things I like while at the same time struggling with a general unease about him at this point. Ted Cruz's views probably come closer to my own than any other candidate running. But I am deeply afraid he will not be able to win in the general election in November. Kasich is probably the best chance we have to defeat a Democrat in the Fall. But we have a big decision to make. Is he close enough to our views to warrant our support? I can tell you one thing, I had much rather have any of the three remaining Republicans than a woman who should be in prison and already would be in prison were she not one of the establishment elitists who routinely get away with cold blooded murder while the rest of us would be placed in a hole under the jailhouse if we had done the same things.

I have absolutely no respect whatsoever for ruling class elitists which we are not supposed to have in THIS country to begin with. All are equal according to our founding documents. A true American carries but two things other than the Bible -- in one hand should be the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, and in the other hand a ballot. Here in THIS country, we recognize no authority other than the will of the people expressed through the votes they cast, provided their votes adhere to the principles of freedom as expressed in the Declaration and Constitution.

I'm back for now

2016-04-02T16:25:00.002-04:00

Hello my dear friends and a deep warm thank-you to those who continue to visit this little blog even when I am away for extended periods. Thanks also to the Examiner for putting up with me and my absences for extended periods.

I'm back for now. I don't know how long it will last, but I am praying and hoping some things are under control now which will prevent these long absences.

Regarding that, roughly a month ago I found myself in the Emergency Room getting treatment for who-knows-what. When I first got there I don't think the doctors and medical personnel knew for sure what was happening either. All I knew was I was going to beg them to admit me to the hospital if they had not done so. I also know that on this particular night I was pleading to go to the Emergency Room...something I never do.

Most of everything else that happened that night is shrouded in a fog. I don't remember most of what took place. I know now that I almost died.

I also remember an ER doctor saying they were admitting me to the hospital, my bed was ready, and before I knew it, off we went. For nearly two weeks I was there getting scans and treatment. I began to improve, and one morning the doctor came in said I was going home that day. I was ready.

So here I am at home with a treatment regimen that I must pay strict attention to if I want to live. Even then there are no guarantees. I am still on the mend and have a long way to go in terms of energy level. That will be a slow process. But I thank the Lord that I am 500 percent better than when I went to the Emergency Room.

Pray for me and don't forget. I will begin writing again as soon as I am up for it, both here and at the Examiner. We have a country to save from rank traitors. Can you imagine what will happen to gun rights, free speech, and freedom of religion if we allow Hillary or Sanders to get elected? The Supreme Court will also be overrun with traitors who disregard the Constitution as if it were a piece of toilet paper.

You didn't think I was not going to do my part to stop it, did you? I'll do it even if I collapse.

Where did you learn these things?

2016-03-10T02:05:00.002-05:00

The answer is simple -- at my Mother's knee. She instilled in me a legacy of faith, hope, love, and all of the things we associate with Christianity. Her enduring prayer and hope was that the Christ she loved and served would become my Lord and Master too. I learned this from the cradle up.

I saw her faith in how she lived her life. I can tell you millions of stories about her, but suffice it to say she lived the Gospel and did what she believed the Lord wanted her to do.

I will say, however, that she modeled for me the love of Christ by getting up in the middle of the night, holding my hand, putting a cold towel to my forehead and other important matters when my childhood asthma hit with a vengeance. It seemed that the darkness of the night made my smothering worse, so I would get up, go to the den, turn on the light, and sit on the couch trying to breath. Her motherly intuition was always in top form, and always, inevidably, she would find me in the den struggling to breath. She would go get the medicine the doctor prescribed but the problem was that even though it helped me to breath tremendously, it's side effect was severe nausea. She would sit up with me through all of that, doing whatever she could in spite of the fact that she had a full time job. Finally I would ease off to sleep and as the sun rose through the window I would look over and she would be sitting the chair next to the sofa. She had been there all night long. Sometimes she had nodded off but most of the time she was awake, watching me tenderly to make sure I was alright.

I cannot begin to tell you what that means to me other than to say I am looking forward with great love and anticipation to see her again in that heavenly realm. I want to hug her, hug her neck for a long, long time and tell her how much I love and appreciate her, and that had it not been for her I probably would not have made it through this world. Of course there are many others I want to see. I know I will see Jesus and thank Him for dying for me and for his endless, abiding presence.

The following song puts into words much of what I am feeling. It's by Donna Lewis of Wales, and the song is titled, "Mother."

A treasure for those who seek

2016-03-10T00:34:00.001-05:00

Modern worship music has taken a dramatic turn. Much of it focuses on God and spiritual truths in a manner that takes the attention off the performers while pointing only to God. This has enriched our worship in many ways, adding to the rich tradition of sacred and gospel music that the church has developed over many centuries.

I like the following presentation so much that I had to share it. This young lady is not only immensely talented but a conduit through which the presence, love, mercy, and hope of the Lord Jesus Christ can be experienced. This song has been a comfort and blessing through my recent dark days.

I don't know much about all these rules and regulations about posting videos, but if for some reason I have to take this down, you can still find it on You Tube below.

I Am Not Alone by Kari Jobe on You Tube.

AZ sheriff makes bombshell claim about the border

2016-03-08T20:05:00.003-05:00

Arizona sheriff Paul Babeu made a bombshell claim about the southern border in an interview today, March 8, with Fox News anchor Neil Cavuto. Sheriff Babeu stated that the flood or illegal aliens across the southern border from Mexico has already increased roughly 35 percent so far in 2016. And the onslaught of illegals has topped 120 percent over the past few years. The bombshell, however, lies in how the Obama administration is handling, or this case, not handling, the breach in the southern border.

Click to read it all.

"He's over her for good..." Death often brings what life cannot...

2016-03-07T23:09:00.001-05:00

I love most kinds of music, although I do have favorites. As much as some will be surprised, I like country music too -- traditional style. The following is probably one of the saddest love songs you'll ever hear, but it is also one of the most beautiful. It is sung by the late, great George Jones. Many, many people can relate to this song, as can I. This video is not mine, but listen and then go buy the recording. More info on YouTube.

Pressure on Rubio to drop out of race intensifies

2016-03-07T20:45:00.003-05:00

A special report issued today, March 7, indicates that the pressure on Republican contender Marco Rubio has reached a level of high intensity. According to the few national news outlets that reported the story today, some of Rubio's top advisers are urging him to drop out of the race now rather than face the Florida Republican primary in two weeks so as to save himself the humiliation of losing his home state.

Click here to read it all.

Trump urges Rubio to drop out of race

2016-03-06T20:14:00.001-05:00

"Following a good night on March 5 in which he won primaries in Louisiana and Kentucky, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump urged fellow contender, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., to drop out of the race. Rubio did not win any primaries or caucuses. He has also failed to win any contests to date..."

Click here to read it all.

O dear maestro...

2016-03-05T04:55:00.000-05:00

O dear maestro, what overwhelmingly lovely music you gave us. Those of us that really "got it" know the truth and have have never been swayed by those who speak of you disparagingly, mainly out of jealousy but also out of their exceeding arrogance that purports to know everything when the truth is that their very attempt to dictate how a piece is to played betrays their claims of promoting creativity. The great music of the centuries requires some fairly close adherence to what the composer intended, for sure, but also requires some innovation, imagination, and creativity that encourages new interpretations of timeless classics, provided the conductor remain true to the original intent of the composer.

Ormandy was willing to branch out and try some creative and innovative ways of playing the old symphonies while at the same time remaining true to the traditional interpretations. And if, after presenting some of these new interpretations he changes his mind and comes to the conclusion that he went too far, you will note that in time he reverts back to more of a faithful adherence to tradition. He was equally adept at both. He was, in addition, ever willing to present the works of new composers who could never get a break until Ormandy took note of their enormous talent and genius. At least two of these readily come to mind -- Jean Sibelius of Finland and Sergie Rachmaninoff of Russia. Ormandy put both of these exceptionally talented composers on the map, making their works worldwide sensations.

The latter of these, Rachmaninoff, was of special interest to Ormandy given that the Russian composer's works seemed to have broad popular appeal. Ormandy even gave Rachmaninoff pointers as to how certain sections in his works could be tweaked to sound better.

Interestingly, one section from one of Rachmaninoff's symphonies was used as the basis for a popular top 40 radio hit called, "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again," by Eric Carmen in 1975. Little did most radio listeners know that the melody to that tune came directly from one of Rachmaninoff's symphonies. Below you will hear it for yourself as Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra play that symphony live at the old Academy of Music concert hall where for nearly a century the orchestra presented its concerts each Friday evening. Later when the Academy was renovated, Ormandy and some of the musicians used to complain that the acoustics in that building were never the same and were below par. The orchestra does not play there today but in a magnificent, modern structure built just for them. But even there the acoustics leave something to be desired.

This composition below is another in which he was given to deep expressions of pure emotion. I have not posted the entire composition but the part that contains the melody used by Eric Carmen in his hit song in the 1970s.

It is clear watching Ormandy conduct this piece, especially the section I am showing you below, that the maestro had a deep emotional connection to the music. This is made clear by the look in his eyes and the expressions on his face. The musicians must have noticed it too by the look on their faces. It was as if they were on holy ground, playing something entirely sacred although the subject matter is that of loss and sadness. Ormandy knew a great deal in his personal life about those subjects as most of us do. But he could draw it out of the musicians without flamboyant antics as most conductors today. He didn't need such vulgarity. He was dignified and the perfect gentleman both on and off the stage. And this is a deeply moving piece of music that fits Ormandy and the Philadelphians perfectly.

On a personal note, to this day there is something comforting and reassuring about seeing Ormandy up on that podium. I remember feeling it when I saw it in person, and I still feel it when I see him conduct this piece on video. Back then there was much uncertainty but one came away feeling that as long as Ormandy was up on that podium everything would be alright. There is a great amount of uncertainty in my life right now. But seeing Ormandy on that stage, especially near the end of this section in question, once again gives me a sense of reassurance, that everything is going to be alright. One sequence in particular shows the maestro against a backdrop of darkness as he conducts the ending of this section of the piece which is especially and particularly poignant, where one gets the feeling that no matter how deep the darkness of this world becomes, Ormandy is ministering to you with this music to reassure you, and no matter how frightening, uncertain, and difficult things may become. And as long as the maestro is up on that platform creating this thing of beauty, you can rest assured that he is right there with you, frightened along with you, facing uncertainty and difficulty along with you while at the same time encouraging you with his soothing music.

O dear maestro, as along as God gives me breath, I will not allow conductors, critics, and professors with ill intent disparage your good name. I will challenge them at every turn, reminding the masses of how once just a few decades ago we were awed and spellbound by your music. We remember the encouragement and hope we felt. Rest assured as you rest in peace, O dear maestro, that we remember, that I remember. The sequence I discussed begins at 24:26. Scroll to it at the bottom of the video. Or go directly to YouTube.

Baier flubs the gun rights question during latest debate

2016-03-04T19:49:00.002-05:00

During the latest Republican presidential debate last night, March 3, Fox News debate moderator Bret Baier asked the candidates about gun control. But Baier flubbed the gun rights question by making an erroneous assumption that most people make but that good news anchors should not make. And he is not alone. His mistake is one that is made routinely by news reporters on all three major networks, as well cable news channels. Fox News normally does not make these errors, which is why Baier's flub last evening is a news maker.

Click here to read it all.

Potential ominous news for Hillary in email scandal

2016-03-03T10:43:00.003-05:00

"Judge Andrew Napolitano stated further today, March 3, that the granting of immunity to a key witness in the case could shake the political system to its core.

"According to DOJ officials, the FBI has been granted permission to give immunity to one Bryan Pagliano, who had worked on Hillary's 2008 campaign..."

Click here to read it all.

Speculation ensues on Gov. Christie's enhanced role in Tump campaign

2016-03-02T12:21:00.002-05:00

"Citizens who watch political campaigns very closely have noted that former presidential candidate and current N.J. Gov. Chris Christie has taken on an enhanced role in the Trump campaign following his endorsement of the New York real estate mogul six days ago. It was virtually impossible for observers to miss Christie's prominent role last evening..."

Click to read it all.