Psalms 18

It seems, the king is going to be saved, isn’t it? Maybe not because he is left or right, but because, although nobody is perfect in G-’s eyes, he is in the party of GOD, in the party of RIGHTEOUSNESS. Maybe, before, he was in the mood of Psalms 18 as below. But, now, he seems growing invigorated, bypassing congress, issuing executive orders to make progress. Meanwhile, the candidates of the opposition party seem to be increasingly falling in troubles. There was news about upcoming global upheaval against global financial crisis and recession. Always, doesn’t disaster / crisis help the leader in power?

Psalms 18: I LOVE you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. 5 The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry. Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it. He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. 10 He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him- the dark rain clouds of the sky. Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning. The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. He shot his arrows and scattered the enemies, great bolts of lightning and routed them. 15 The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of breath from your nostrils. He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support.

He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. 20 The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I have not done evil by turning from my God. All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees. I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin. The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. 25 To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shred. 27 Your saved the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty. 28 You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.  With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. 30 As for God, his way is perfect; the world of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 35 You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great.  You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.  I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed. 83 I crushed them so that they could no rise; they fell beneath my feet. 39 You armed me with strength for battle; you made my adversaries bow at my feet. 40 You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes.  They cried for help, but there was no one to save them- to the LORD, but he did not answer. I beat them as find as dust borne on the wind; I poured them out like mud in the streets. You have delivered me from the attacks of the people, you have made me the head of nations; people I did not know are subject to me. 44 As soon as they hear me, they obey me; foreigners cringe before me. 45 They all lose heart; they come trembling from their strongholds. The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior! He is the God who avenges me, who subdues nations under me, who saves me from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from violent men you rescued me. Therefore I will praise you among the nations, O LORD; I will sing praises to your name. 50 He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed, to David and his descendants forever.

Sunday Oct 30 2011: Matthew 5. Genesis 12.

Matthew 5: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blesssed 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 merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed ar ethe peacemakers, for they will be called children fo God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.

Genessis 12: 1-8: The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran. He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there. Abram traveled trough the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. The LORD appeard to Abram and said, “To your offsping I will give this land.” So he build an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him. From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD.

Hym: “Open Your Eyes” Open your eyes, see the glory of the King. Lift up your voice and his praises sing. I love you, Lord, I will proclaim. Alleluia, I bless your name.

 

Note on Social Responsibility, Middle Class Crisis, Economy, Trade, and Campaign Issues

“‘m surprised to hear one NPR commentator comparing “Occupy Wall Street demonstrators” with “Arab (middle east) Spring.” Although “O. Wall street demonstrators may costs their city economies but if they succeed in conveying their message nationwide, they may have positive effect on tieing “middle class crisis,”tax” issues with social morality, civic responsibility/obligation issues, i believe.”

 

Currently, the two major public political issues seem to be (A) bad economy / high unemployment and (B) middle class crisis / highly uneven income-wealth distribution toward rich. My perception on what should be the possibly major campaign issues are (more elaboration below):

(A) The primary campaign issue should be “Middle Class Crisis” rather than economy, label it as “Civil Morality / Responsibility Issue (although morality seems to be weak issue in politics thesedays, but everything seems to be a matter of messaging, how to inform educate public, though tough job to do);

(B) target on the obstruction of the opposite party on making progress in economic recovery and restructuring the ill US economic systems as the party’s defects in morality / social responsibility / denial of public servants’ obligation; and “strongly associate the presidential candidates with their destructive party line, naming them as same kind.” (too much assuming?; rational drawn from the lowest public rating of congress after their three year’s role in capital)

(C) (after watching out how they compete by themselves first) Criticize other presidential candidates’ tax system proposals (such as flat tax or 9-9-9 rule) as “morally irresponsible” in solving national crisis “Middle Class Crisis”, lable them as candidates who only aim to gain public popularity but ignore their real responsibility of solving economic / middle class crisis if they are real devoted public servant. (in this sense, Mr. Romney’s tax proposal of not significantly changing current progressive tax system seems to be more morally responsible than other candidates; but still he wouldn’t suggest deeper progressive tax system probably in consideration of public popularity).

(D) Two days ago, in NPR, one economics professor from Connell University was proposing “Progressive Consumption  Tax System,” (I need to check on him though) which sounded very reasonable. Current quick thinking of problem-solving tax system (without much consideration yet), i think, should be the combination of (1) “progressive consumption tax,” (2) “progressive income tax”, and (3)“low corporate tax”, to improve the problem of current unfair national wealth distribution /middle class crisis while encourage business investments, manufacturing, and exports in this country. (bear with me, don’t have that much knowledge on tax system) This combination seems to be more moral, socially responsible, economically problem-solving tax system, but tough-to-sell to public; but, again, everything seems to be education and messaging.

 

The rational behaind primarily focusing on the issue of ”middle class crisis” over economy is that, two days ago, I heard NPR news reporting that EU crisis may reduce US exports to the region (that receives 20% of US exports) to the region. If it actually happens, for a while, it will counteract the positive effects of newly starting US exports of car (and other goods in future) to Korea (and other newly opening developing markets in future) on US economy. The speaker in NPR was also addressing that US should more focus on developing markets of Chian, Bazil, etc. than EU for their growth potential.) So, assuming that the expected US exports access to korea and potentially other developing markets wouldn’t help US economy that much in short-term….(or maybe the scenario may get in a drastic turn though)

There seem to be some good news about slight GDP growth (2.5%) and lower claims for unemployment benefits, which is however still not strong enough to lower the number of unemployment. To be continued…..

“the hand of the lord was on me” “my strength, my shield.” …My Lord,

Regional Economy: “USD 259 BOE Approves Bond Projects”

Last time, in the public forum, when I heard the plan of adding 5 new local schools  in next five years, I somewhat worried about the conflict between the possible expansion of school facilities and the forecast of possibly further deepening regional recession (although there are conflicting forecasts) and the potential flight of some regional population that may make new facilities look not so necessary (insane asian?). Fortunately, for now, the BOE decision seems to focus on renovating, upgrading the existing facilities instead of adding new, which seems to be reasonable choice at this time. There’s going to be additional Federal Fund coming for regional school renovations and upgradings thanks to President and DOE, right?

Excerpt: “Monday, October 24, 2011″

“Wichita Public School board members have given approval to bond projects at two schools. The first approval was given to a $1.4 Million contract for an addition and upgrades at McCollom Elementary school near 13th and Tyler. Included in the project are classroom and library renovations, the removal of the existing canopy and carport, and a new hard surface playground. McCollom construction is set to be complete by Winter 2012. Approval was also given to a $14.2 Million bond project at Wichita South High School…… will provide the school with new parking lots, a new fine-arts wing and gym, remodeled classrooms….”

http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/USD_259_BOE_Approves_Bond_Projects_Encourages_Boundary_Changes_Questions_132505008.html

Obama: ‘Time For Congress to Do the Right Thing’

President is doing the right things:

(A) Opening foreign markets for the sales of American products

In this case, opening Korean market/appetite for American cars (in future, it could be other american luxury goods too) by signing US free trade agreement with Korea. Many rich Koreans will go crazy for not just American cars but also other goods. I bet that Chinese, Brazilians, Indians, Argentinians, and Middle Easteners will have similar appetites toward American goods as Koreans do.

(B) Pushing/Pounding on Congress for their Irresponsible Behavior against the Sake of the Country and pressing on Job Bill.

Obama: \’Time For Congress to Do the Right Thing\’

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/video/obama-time-congress-thing-14743680

Song of Ordinary Being

G-. The whole life seems to be a journey of learning. Learning to praise You. Before, I didn’t know You. And will never know You fully. But am learning to praise You. Even when tied up in a desert, under a scorching sun, lips dried up to crisped cracked skin. And a thirsty eagle’s beak fiercely strikes into the heart.

why often about either indonesia or afrika, much common with pres. Obam?; excessively strong spatial thinking.

baobab tree and the sun

Ex’s manipulating Kids

Couldn’t sleep. Big thing is coming up. I should be as perfect prepared as possible. And election issue, feeling the need to find answer, and this scary court processes (why his trial of violence got delayed to December? for what reason? And what’s the impact of his this kind of kids manipulation on it?), misbehaving kid (what kind of father could ruin kids’ mind?), moving, …..feel like having ramyun noodle brain……….. But one good thing is, it was this ex’s canceled trial that I went to and met unexpected chance………….God really works wonder………though nothing is clear yet.

I was hoping that I move on with my life, leave every ugly things behind, and don’t look back. And while I move on, justice serves by itself and I don’t have to worry about it.

But now I am worried. Justice may not be able to serve by itself, and can be screwed up as much as possible by wicked, crooked mind of Ex.

Kids are playing on both sides, but harder on me, because I make them do things they don’t like to do while their father has become sweetest lately and soley focus on entertaining them. When I tell older one to do homework, she calls it as child abuse. Threatens that maybe she should intentionally fail tests and see how i react. Little one warns, if I make her do something she doesn’t like to do, she warns/threatens me that she will tell her father that I hit her. I get chilled. And don’t know what to do.

There seems to be no limit on him to stop all screwing up, lying all the time, and manipulating kids/facts. When he manipulates kids, he is definitely not serving kids but himself.

I want to leave this note as public record. Because I am scared about things / kids being twisted, manipulated by their father and saying things imaginary, untrue, or making up things. I wish I could leave this as e-mail record. But Ex often broke into my e-mail accounts and got rid of my e-mail records if they are disadvantage of him or they are my contact with school people. Because he screwed up with my computer so much (I don’t know how he got into it), I asked someone to re-install everything in computer. But now, as I write this statement, my computer screen gets unruly, cursor jumps up here and there and endless pop up windows pops out here and there. So, I gave up leaving e-mail records expecting that he will erase them anyway.

Sometimes they say scary things to me, making me see that their father is heavily manipulating them whenever he spend time with them on weekend.

Today, when I took kids back from ex, I saw my older daughter’s facial expression looking strange, almost somewhat devilish. I worries a lot about her. Because she imitates a lot of her father’s behavioral problems, including screaming, extreme impatience, never listening, and copying her father’s foul languages, too. During night, I realized that my earlier fear about her was true. Suddenly, she was talking about previous incidence, about seeing some small bruises on her father’s shoulder during the fall of last year. It was first time I have ever heard that kind of thing. And there was no such an incidence at all. She was blaming that her father told her that he and I had argument and I made him fall on wall that caused some bruise on his shoulder. That kind of thing never happened. As time goes by, when he hit me, I didn’t couldn’t resist him, but let him do it. Because resisting had been useless but made things worse, comparing the difference in our physical strength. Almost a year later (according to her claim), I am hearing this so-called one year old (non-existing, additional) incidence for the first time in my life, which I never experience by myself, but she claims that I caused it.

Sunday Oct 23 2011: Isaiah 65

Isaiah 65: Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more. The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain.

Philippians 3: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

follow jesus steps?; don’t be afraid of forgetting, someone?

at the edge of the earth