JOSHUA TIME 433

Gas Prices - Commentary]> > > Point of View Task Force> Commentary on Gas Prices by Kerby Anderson> > I want to talk to you for a moment about something that affects> all of us: gas prices. Over the last few weeks, we have seen> all sorts of reactions to rising gas prices. Some politicians> have been scrambling for cover. Other politicians have been> pandering for the vote. The Republican leadership for a time> was talking about giving out a $100 rebate to overset the cost> of gasoline. Fortunately, they discovered after a few days that> this was a really bad idea.> > President Bush ordered his Energy and Justice Departments as> well as the Federal Trade Commission to launch an investigation> into possible price fixing. For those of you with short> memories, we have been here before. Columnist Charles> Krauthammer reminds us that ten years ago (April 29, 1996),> President Clinton ordered his Energy and Justice Departments to> investigate why gas prices reached a shocking $1.27 a gallon.> After a thorough investigation, they found that demand was up> and supply was down.> > When President Bush's bureaucracy finishes its investigation, I> think we can confidently predict they will find two things:> demand is up and supply is down. Why is demand up? That is> simple. Two countries (India and China) are gobbling up energy> at an accelerated rate. As we have talked about on "Point of> View" these two countries (both with populations over 1> billion) are emerging economies and will be using more and more> energy every year. In fact, China is now the #2 oil consumer in> the world.> > So why is supply down? Well, for starters, remember Hurricane> Katrina and Hurricane Rita? We still have not recovered from> the damage of those two hurricanes. Refining capacity is still> not what it was before the hurricanes. Add to this, supply> disruptions in Nigeria and continued fighting in Iraq. More> than half of the petroleum we use comes from just a few> countries (which in order are: Mexico, Canada, Saudi Arabia,> Nigeria, Venezuela, Angola, and Iraq). So you have oil supply> down while demand is up. Sounds like a prescription for higher> prices.> > Of course that hasn't lowered the decibel level from those> ready to criticize President Bush and the oil companies. And I> might be able to take those complaints about gas prices more> seriously if much of the rhetoric wasn't coming from members of> Congress who impose massive restrictions on oil refineries and> refuse to let us drill for oil in Alaska and off our coasts.> > But let's look at some facts that most of the mainstream media> and most politicians don't talk about. Let's start with those> restrictions on oil refineries. As best as I can determine, not> a single new refinery has been built in the U.S. in almost 30> years. That will guarantee a bottleneck in gas supply.> > In addition, we have regulations that require specific gasoline> blends for different cities. Sounds like a nice idea until you> realize what is does to the supply. It injects unnecessary> rigidities into the gasoline supply system. If Kansas City runs> short, you can't just move supply from Dallas. In the end you> get shortages and price spikes. Sound familiar?> > What about fuel alternatives? There has been a lot of talk> about ethanol. It turns out that last year's energy bill> mandates increases in ethanol use. However, these mandates in> the bill actually exceed current U.S. ethanol production. This> is causing gasoline shortages and price spikes.> > So why don't we import ethanol? After all, Brazil produces> ethanol cheaply and we could import it to America. But we don't> and we probably won't because we have an artificially high> 54-cent ethanol tariff. Why is that? It's simple: the Iowa> caucuses. Iowa grows corn and makes ethanol. Iowa also has the> first caucus in the presidential primaries. Essentially,> politics keeps us from importing cheap ethanol.> > Is there any way we can increase supply? Yes, we can use> pin-point exploration of oil-rich wastelands such as ANWR in> Alaska. Congress could agree to allow oil exploration in> one-tenth of one percent of the frozen tundra of the Arctic> National Wildlife Refuge. But so far, certain members of> Congress continue to block these efforts.> > Or how about recovering oil from oil shale? A recent Rand study> of oil shale within the Green River Formation in the west found> that it contains 800 billion barrels of recoverable oil. That> is more than three times the proven reserves in Saudi Arabia.> > Of course we can also develop nuclear energy. This would> provide electricity that can be used to power hybrid cars and> electric cars. Even Patrick Moore, the co-founder of> Greenpeace, admits that "nuclear energy may just be the energy> source that can save our planet from another possible disaster:> catastrophic climate change." But other environmentalists have> blocked nuclear power for years.> > But finally, let's get back to the price of gasoline for a> moment. Here's something the mainstream media won't tell you.> At $75 per barrel, oil is still $12 less than its> inflation-adjusted price in 1981. Shouldn't the media at least> try to put some of this in perspective?> > Instead they talk about record profits and price gouging. But> who makes the most off a gallon of gasoline? Not the oil> companies. The greatest beneficiary is government. At current> prices, the federal government gets more than 18 cents a gallon> in taxes. By contrast, the oil companies get about 9 cents a> gallon.> > But federal taxes are only part of the take. Combined federal,> state, and local taxes on a gallon of gas now average 50 cents> (from a low of 26 cents in Alaska to a high of 60 cents in> California). According to the Tax Foundation, in the last 3> decades, government has collected $1.34 trillion (inflation> adjusted) in gasoline-tax revenues. That is "more than twice> the amount of domestic profits earned by major U.S. oil> companies during the same period."> > Here's another fact that the mainstream media just can't seem> to bring to light. Fuel prices in the U.S. put us at #102 in> the world. That means there are 101 nations where people are> paying more than we do.> > Number one is Uruguay. A gallon of gas there would cost you> $7.38. In the United Kingdom you pay $6.13 a gallon. Because> they pay for gas in pounds per liter, we don't realize how much> more expensive gasoline is in other countries. When we look at> other countries, I think we are getting a deal.> > Of course you could live in countries where gas is cheaper. For> example, the cost of gas in Iran is about 30 cents a gallon.> Let me see the hands of all of you who are ready to move to> Iran. No takers. I'm not surprised.> > Here's my point. In the last few minutes I have probably put a> number of facts on the table that you are hearing for the very> first time. Why haven't you heard this from the mainstream> media? Is it because they don't have the resources? Hardly.> Some of the major media spend more on research staff in a month> than "Point of View" spends on our entire operations in a year.> > This information isn't that hard to find if you begin looking> for it. I found it in a few columns and articles. The bottom> line is simple: you aren't getting the whole story. And if you> aren't getting the whole story about something that affects all> of us (like gas prices) imagine how much other information is> being held back.> > That's why each day here on "Point of View" we are dedicated to> bringing you the best information and the experts on issues so> that you can hear the whole story. And that's why we post> columns, articles, and commentaries on our website, including> this one. So you have the information you need to make an> intelligent decision about the important issues of our day.

JOSHUA TIME 432

The Twisty Path> ===============> > "Name one person in the Bible who had a simple life without> twists," I asked Puddin (my wife).> > Puddin was responding to a major change that we were making in> buying a house. We were moving to an entirely different> neighborhood and not building on the property that we bought.> > It was a Divine direction that I was absolutely sure about.> > "Why does life have to be so twisty and why can't God just make> it simple?" was Puddin's question. It was a very good question.> > I had already asked God that question.> > Thus, my response, name one person whose life had any written> detail in the Bible where it was simple and clear-cut.> > "John," Puddin said.> > "John!!!" I replied.> > John lived in the wilderness eating bugs and honey.> Puddin would have undoubtedly considered locusts bugs.> > "How many grasshoppers could you eat?" I asked Puddin.> I am sure many considered John crazy because his behavior and> lifestyle were so far from the norm.> > Then there was John's father Zacharias whom God made unable to> speak because he didn't believe the angel about John.> Both Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth were old,> and he just didn't believe.> > Finally, John was imprisoned then he had his head cut off.> Yet Jesus said there had been none greater than John.> Don't you think John thought his path was twisty at times?> > I often wonder why couldn't life be simpler.> Why couldn't all revelation be straightforward.> Why does stuff have to be cryptic?> Why the twists and turns.> > Although I wonder, God has always brought us through.> Right on time, in right order, and learning the right lessons.> > God will take you through the twists and turns,> if you stay on the straight and narrow.> > > ~A MountainWings Original~> > Thank you for inviting MountainWings in your mailbox.> See you tomorrow.

JOSHUA TIME 431

However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"1 Corinthians 2:9





"Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light"-Helen Keller-

When we come to the edge of the light we know, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, of this we can be sure ... either God will provide something solid to stand on or ......... we will be taught to fly.
10 Roses for You.
You are receiving these roses because you are a special person! Each rose symbolizes a special wish from me to you. One Rose for Long Friendship One Rose for Unconditional Love One Rose For Financial Wealth One for Everlasting Happiness One for Success One for Knowledge One for Beauty, inner and outer One for Family One for Honesty And the last one for a long and healthly life For every friend you send these roses to, your wish will come one month sooner

JOSHUA TIME 430

When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out thatGod>>is all you need. Take 60 seconds and give this a shot! All you do is>>simply say the following small prayer for the person who sent you >>this. Father, God bless all my friends in whatever it is that Youknow>>they may be needing this day! And may their life be full of your >>peace, prosperity and power as they seek to have a closerrelationship>>with you. In Jesus name...Amen.>>>>Then send it on to five other people, including the one who sent it>>>>to you. Within hours five people have prayed for you, and you will >>have caused a multitude of people to pray for other people. Then sit>>backand >>watch the power of God work in your life.>>>>P. S. Five is good, but more is better.>>

JOSHUA TIME 429

Tuesday, May 2, 2006GOVERNOR'S PROCLAMATIONIn cooperation with the annual National Day of Prayer thisThursday, May 4. Gov. Fletcher has proclaimed A Day of Prayerin Kentucky:"WHEREAS, Americans have turned to God in prayer for guidance,strength and inspiration since our nation's founding; and WHEREAS, Since the Continental Congress' first declaration of aday of prayer in 1775, the people of the United States and thisgreat Commonwealth have regularly gathered to pray for ournation, its people and our leaders; and WHEREAS, TheCommonwealth of Kentucky and its citizens serve as anillustration of the abundance of blessings God will bestow uponthose who pray earnestly to Him; and WHEREAS, It is an honorand a privilege to join the nation in petitioning to God forwisdom, blessings and protection of our President, our troopsand local and state officials; and WHEREAS, We continue to givethanks for the courage and sacrifice of the men and women inthe military, and ask that God will grant them courage andgrace as they bravely defend freedom throughout the world, aswell as comfort their families; and WHEREAS, We humbly ask Godto safeguard Kentucky's people and continue to guide ourCommonwealth in the direction of His will; and WHEREAS, Thetheme of the 55th National Day of Prayer, 'America, Honor God,'serves as a reminder to our citizens of God's promise to Hispeople in 1 Samuel 2:30, 'Those who honor Me, I will honor' . .. ""I, Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky . . . call uponall citizens of the Commonwealth to join with other Americansthroughout the nation in venues of prayer, each according tohis or her own faith, giving thanks for the freedoms andblessings of God's grace and asking for God's continuedguidance and protection."Let us prepare our hearts this week for the National Day ofPrayer. And then, LET US PRAY.* For National Day of Prayer events in Kentucky on Thursday,May 4, please visit www.kyndp.com.

JOSHUA TIME 428

>Dear President Bush:> > >> > >> > >> > >I'm about to plan a little trip with my family and extended family, and> > >I would like to ask you to assist me. I'm going to walk across the> > >border from the U.S. into Mexico, and I need to make a few> > >arrangements.> > >> > >> > >> > >I know you can help with this.> > >> > >> > >> > >I plan to skip all the legal stuff like visas, passports, immigration> > >quotas and laws. I'm sure they handle those things down there the same> > >way you do here.> > >> > >> > >> > >So, would you mind telling your buddy, El Presidente Vicente Fox, that> > >I'm on my way over? Please let him know that I will be expecting the> >following:> > >> > >> > >> > >1. Free medical care for my entire family.> > >> > >> > >> > >2. English-speaking government bureaucrats for all services I might> > >need, whether I use them or not.> > >> > >> > >> > >3. All government forms need to be printed in English.> > >> > >> > >> > >4. I want my kids to be taught by English-speaking teachers.> > >> > >> > >> > >5. Schools need to include classes on American culture and history.> > >> > >> > >> > >6. I want my kids to see the American flag flying on the top of the> > >flag pole at their school with the Mexican flag flying lower down.> > >> > >> > >> > >7. Please plan to feed my kids at school for both breakfast and lunch.> > >> > >> > >> > >8. I will need a local Mexican driver's license so I can get easy> > >access to government services.> > >> > >> > >> > >9. I do not plan to have any car insurance, and I won't make any effort> > >to learn local traffic laws.> > >> > >> > >> > >10. In case any Mexican police officers do not get the memo from El> > >Presidente Fox to leave me alone, please be sure that all police> > >officers speak English.> > >> > >> > >> > >11. I plan to fly the U.S. flag from my house top, put American flag> > >decals on my car, and have a gigantic American celebration on July 4th.> > >I do not expect, nor will I appreciate, any complaints or negative> > >comments from Mexican 'nativists'.> > >> > >> > >> > >12. I would also like to have a nice job without paying any taxes, and> > >don't enforce any labor laws or tax laws.> > >> > >> > >> > >13. Please tell all the people in Mexico to be extremely nice and never> > >say a critical word about me, or about the strain I might place on the> > >Mexican economy.> > >> > >> > >> > >I know this is an easy request, because you already do all these things> > >for all the people who come to the U.S. from Mexico. I'm sure that El> > >Presidente Fox won't mind returning the favor if you ask him nicely.> > >> > >> > >> > >However, if he gives you any trouble, I suggest you invite him to go> > >quail hunting with your Vice President.> > >> > >> > >> > >Thank you so much for your kind help.

JOSHUA TIME 427

Never doubt the Word of God!!!>> Make a personal reflection about this. Very interesting, readuntil the end...>> In the New Testament, Galatians 6:7, it is written;> " Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a mansoweth, that shall he also reap.>> Here are some men and women who mocked God:>> JOHN LENNON:> Some years before during his interview with an AmericanMagazine, he said:>> "Christianity will end, it will disappear. I do not have toargue about that. I am certain. Jesus was ok, but hissubjects were too simple, Today we are more famous than Him"(1966). Lennon, after saying that the Beatles were morefamous than Jesus Christ, was shot six times.>>> TANCREDO NEVES (President of Brazil):> During the Presidential campaign, he said if he got 500 votesfrom his party, not even God would remove him fromPresidency. Sure he got the votes, but he got sick a daybefore being made President, then he died.>>> CAZUZA (Bi-sexual Brazilian composer, singer and poet):> During a show in Caneco ( Rio de Janeiro ), whilst smokinghis cigarette, he puffed out some smoke into the air andsaid: "God, that's for you.">> He died at the age of 32 of AIDS in a horrible manner.>>> THE MAN WHO BUILT TITANIC:> After the construction of Titanic, a reporter asked him howsafe the Titanic would be. With an ironic tone he said: "Noteven God can sink it">> The result: I think you all know what happened to the Titanic.>>> MARILYN MONROE:> She was visited by Billy Graham during a presentation of ashow. He is a preacher and Evangelist and the Spirit of Godhad sent him to preach to her.>> After hearing what the Preacher had to say, she said:>> "I don't need your Jesus">> A week later, she was found dead in her apartment.>>> BON SCOTT:> The ex-vocalist of the AC/DC. On one of his 1979 songs he sang:>> "Don't stop me, I'm going down all the way, wow the highway to> hell".>> On the 19th of February 1980, Bon Scott was found dead, hehad been choked by his vomit.>>> CAMPINAS/SP IN 2005> In Campinas, Brazil a group of friends, drunk, went to pickup a friend The mother accompanied her to the car and was soworried about the drunkenness of her friends and she said tothe daughter - holding her hand, who was already seated inthe car: "MY DAUGHTER, GO WITH GOD AND MAY HE PROTECT YOU",>> She responded: ONLY IF HE (GOD) TRAVELS IN THE BOOT, COZINSIDE HERE IT'S ALREADY FULL">> Hours later, news came by that they had been involved in afatal accident, everyone had died, the car could not berecognized what type of car it had been, but surprisingly,the boot was intact.>> The police said there was no way the boot could have remainedintact. To their surprise, inside the boot was a crate ofeggs, none was broken.>> Many more important people have forgotten that there is noother name that was given so much authority as the name ofJesus. Many have died, but only Jesus died and rose again,and he is still alive. JESUS!!!>>> P.S: If it was a joke, you could have sent it to everyone. Soare you going to have courage to send this?. I have done mypart, Jesus said "If you get embarrassed about me, I willalso get embarrassed about you before my father.">> What benefit does it have, if a man gains the whole world butloses his soul?>> What can man give in exchange of his soul? (Mathew 16:26).

JOSHUA TIME 426

Locked Car
A woman was a work when she received a phone call that her daugher> > was> > very sick with a fever, She left her work and stopped by the> > pharmacy to get> > some medication.> > She got back to her car and found that she had locked her keys in> > the car.> > She didn't know what to do, so she called home and told the baby> > sitter what> > had happened. The baby sitter told her that the fever was geting> > worse, She> > > said, "You might find a coat hanger and use that to open the door."> > > The woman looked around and found an old rusty coat hanger that had been trown down on the ground, possibly by someone else who at some time or other> > > had locked their keys in their car. Then she looked at the hanger and said, "I> > > don't know how to use this."> > >so she bowed her head ans asked God to send some help. Within> > > five minutes an old rusty car pulled up, with a dirty greasy , bearded man who was> > > wearing a biker skull rag on his head. The woman thought, "This is what you sent> > > me?" But, She was desperate, so she was also very thankful,> > > > The man got out of his car and asked her if he could help.> > She said, "Yes, my daughter is very sick, I stopped to get medication and I> > >locked my keys in my car. I must get home to her. Please, can you use this> > hanger to> > unlock my car?"> > He said, "Sure," He walked over to the car and in less than a> > minute the> > car was opened.> > > > She hugged the man and trough her tears she said, "Thank You So> > Much! You> > > are a very nice man."> > >The man replied, "Lady, "I am not a nice man. I just got out of> > prison today.> > >I was in prison for car theft and have been out for about an> > hour."> > The woman huged the man again and with sobbing tears cried out> > loud, "Oh God! You even sent me a Professional!"> >

JOSHUA TIME 425

Credit Card Fraud

This is so scary! I hate carrying cash around, but I also am not careful when I use my credit cards . SCENE 1 A friend went to the local gym and placed his belongings in the locker. After the workout and a shower, he came out, saw the locker open, and thought to himself, "Funny, I thought I locked the locker. Hmmmmm." He dressed and just flipped the wallet to make sure all was in order. Everything looked okay - all cards were in place. A few weeks later his credit card bill came - a whooping bill of $14,000! He called the credit card company and started yelling at them, saying that he did not make the transactions. Customer care personnel verified that there was no mistake in the system and asked if his card had been stolen "No," he said, but then took out his wallet, pulled out the credit card, and yep - you guessed it - a switch had been made. An expired similar credit card from the same bank was in t he wallet. T he thi! ef ! broke into his locker at the gym and switched cards. Verdict: The credit card issuer said since he did not report the card missing earlier, he would have to pay the amount owed to them. How much did he have! to pay for items he did not buy? $9,000! Why were there no calls made to verify the amount swiped? Small amounts rarely trigger a "warning bell" with some credit card companies. It just so happens that all the small amounts added up to big one! SCENE 2 A man at a local restaurant paid for his meal with his credit card. The bill for the meal came, he signed it, and the waitress folded the receipt and passed the credit card along.. Usually, he would just take it and place it in his wallet or pocket. Funny enough, though, he actually took a look at the card and, lo and behold, it was the expired card of another person. He called the waitress and she looked perplexed. Sh e took it back, apolog! ized, and h! urr ied back to the counter under the watchful eye of the man. All the waitress did while walking to the counter was wave the wrong expired card to the counter cashier, and the counter cashier immediately looked down and took out the real card. No exchange of words --- nothing! She took it and came back to the man with an apology. Verdict: Make sure the credit cards in your wallet are yours. Check the name on the card every time you sign for something and/or the card is taken away for even a short period of time. Many people just take back the credit card without even looking at it, thinking that it has to be theirs. FOR YOUR OWN SAKE, DEVELOP THE HABIT OF CHECKING YOUR CREDIT CARD EACH TIME IT IS RETURNED TO YOU AFTER A TRANSACTION! SCENE 3 Yesterday I went into a pizza restaurant to pick up an order that I had called in I paid by using my Visa Check Card wh ich, of course, is linked directly to my checking account. The young man behind the counter took my card, swiped it, then laid it flat on the counter as he waited for the approval, which is pretty standard procedure. While he waited, he picked up his cell phone and started dialing. I noticed the phone because it is the same model I have, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Then I heard a click that sounded like my phone sounds when I take a picture. He then gave me back my card but kept the phone in his hand as if he was still pressing buttons. Meanwhile, I'm thinking: I wonder what he is taking a picture of, oblivious to what was really going on. It then dawned on me: the only thing there was my credit card, so now I'm paying close attention to what he is doing. He set his phone on the counter, leaving it open. About five seconds later, I heard the chime that tells you that the picture has been saved. Now I 'm standing there struggling with the fact that this! boy just took a picture of my credit card.! Yes, he played it off well, because had we not had the same kind of phone, I probably would never have known what happened. Needless to say, I immediately canceled that card as I was walking out of the pizza parlor. All I am saying is, be aware of your surroundings at all times. Whenever you are using your credit cards, take caution and don't be careless. Notice who is standing near you and what they are doing when you use your card. Be aware of phones because many have a camera phone these days. When you are in a restaurant and the waiter/waitress brings your card and receipt for you to sign, make sure you scratch the number off. Some restaurants are using only the last four digits, but a lot of them are still putting the entire credit card number on the vendor's receipt. I have many friends and a child who has already been a victim of credit card fraud and, believe me, it is not! fun. The truth is that they can get you even when you are careful, but don't make it easy for them. !

JOSHUA TIME 424

Cindy Sheehan asked President Bush, "Why did my son have to die in Iraq?" Another mother asked President Kennedy, "Why did my son have to die in Viet Nam?" Another mother asked President Truman, "Why did my son have to die in Korea? Another mother asked President F.D. Roosevelt, "Why did my son have to die at Iwo Jima?" Another mother asked President W. Wilson, "Why did my son have to die on the battlefield of France?" Yet another mother asked President Lincoln, "Why did my son have to die at Gettysburg?" And yet another mother asked President G. Washington, "Why did my son have to die near Valley Forge?" Then long, long ago, a mother asked, "Heavenly Father, why did my Son have to die on a cross outside of Jerusalem?" The answers to all these are similar --! "that others may have life and dwell in peace, happiness and freedom." This was emailed to me with no author and I thought the magnitude and the simplicity were awesome .
IF YOU DON'T STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS…, PLEASE, FEEL FREE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM !!!