Rising Food Prices: A Taste of What's To Come

"I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, 'A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages...'" Revelation 6:5b-6b

Rising food prices. Yet another sign of the end times prophesied in the Bible. The timing of this passage would suggest this event takes place during the Tribulation.

It's interesting to note that this Bible passage mentions wheat specifically, especially in light of recent news of the rising price of wheat. In an effort to create more biofuel, price of corn is up and the supply is low, therefore leaving less to feed our livestock. Now there is a run on rice worldwide, even here in the United States where Costco and Sam's Club are limiting how much they sell to each customer. And in Japan, butter has become a luxury item.

It might be a good idea to start growning your own food.

Keep watch, my brethren. Be vigilant.

Immigration Is Not The Problem

There's a lot of talk regarding illegal immigration, and as long as the issue remains unresolved by country's leadership, it will only serve to polarize our nation.

I would submit to you, however, that illegal immigration in itself is not the problem. Instead, it is merely a symptom of a much bigger problem.

I think it is quite obvious that the United States is becoming or has become a welfare state. The Democratic Party under Franklin D. Roosevelt made some sweeping and progressive moves to help those who can't help themselves. I applaud FDR for this. Unfortunately, every Democratic administration has somehow perverted Roosevelt's policies to the point where we are close to living in a socialist state. Both candidates vying for the Democratic nomination are certainly capable of tipping our nation over that edge if elected.

I don't have a problem helping those who truly need it. But our government makes it relatively easy to enable many who don't work just because they don't feel like it. Conversely, it is also difficult for people to get out of the vicious circle of the welfare system.

Our country is not in very good shape. The health care system is near meltdown, schools are not adequately educating our children, drug abuse is as rampant as ever, and our prisons are overcrowded. These may be a contributing factor to the moral decay in this country.

A good case in point is Hurricane Katrina. A lot of folks in New Orleans are angry at the government. They feel let down because they expect the government to take care of them, but the government has not been able to take care in the manner that they are used to. Meanwhile, the rest of the Gulf region, and other areas hit by disaster (i.e. - the California wildfires) are quietly rebuilding without bitching to the government for a handout.

Despite all the indications that we are or will soon be a welfare state, we are an attractive country, especially to those who have a rough life in places like Mexico or Central America. It's not their fault.

Since our country was born, many have immigrated here. They came here for a better life than what they left behind. It wasn't necessarily an easy life. They didn't come expecting a handout from the government - nor did they get one. These immigrants took care of themselves and each other. That's still true today (if you go to a homeless shelter you will see very few Hispanics).

So if it seems that immigrants today - regardless of where they're from - are taking advantage of the system, it's because they can. It's not their fault. If you give a man a fish, you can feed him for a day; if you teach him how to fish, you can feed him for life. People are deemed disadvantaged because the standards set by our government are set too low. We're giving out too many fish and not teaching enough how to fish. We need to get our act together before it's too late.

And the way I see it, immigration is not the problem.

Taxes: Well, That's Done

Finally got the taxes done today (Good, Paul - they were due today). When it comes to taxes, I normally procrastinate about them. Last year was an exception as we needed the money for our vacation. But with this year's crazy schedule and everything else going on, it was back to our normal procrastination, already in progress. I don't know. We always get a refund on both Federal and state. Turns out our refund was even bigger this year (I think that happened as a result of having to redo our W-4's last year - I evidentally allowed for additional withholding). Taxes are done. Life is good.

Another Saint Called Home

Our church said goodbye to yet another saint today.

C was a wife, mother, and friend who was a vibrant member of our church. Although she couldn't sing terribly well, she was an accomplished bell player. She once chaired our trustees committee, served as an executive director for our community theater. C had a knack for convincing people they needed to do whatever it was she needed them to do. And she was so nice, described frequently as a cheerleader.

It was a difficult service to get through - there was so much love in the Sanctuary. The choir sang Daniel Gawtrop's Sing Me To Heaven and Franz Biebl's Ave Maria. Many former members of our church were there today - some even thought they might be back. Just what C would have wanted.

Wanna Refinance? Sure!

After buying a new car with payments bigger than we had anticipated (but could still afford on our stellar credit), I was thinking more seriously then ever about refinancing some of our debt. But with the busy time and all, I was somewhat procrastinating.

Then a few weeks ago, I got a phone call from the company that services our first and second mortgages. They wanted to know how things were going and was there anything they could do to help? I jumped on that opportunity.

It's now been finalized, and we are now saving about $500 a month without taking on any additional debt. Sweet.