America | Spiritual Minutemen

I invite those who are not subscribers to my daily devotional “Heart of a Shepherd Blog” to read today’s commentary on Proverbs 12. I believe you will find it applicable to the challenges facing America.

I am taking liberty to address three proverbs from Proverbs 12 that do not follow in succession in the chapter, but nevertheless address a the same theme—the failed character of the slothful, indolent, lazy man (Proverbs 12:11, 24, 27). As you have learned from prior devotions, Solomon has some plainspoken principles for us in the matter of labor and its reward.

Proverbs 12:11 – “He that tilleth [farmer = long, hard labor] his land shall be satisfied [full; have enough] with bread [food; fruit of his labor]: but he that followeth[pursues] vain [worthless; meaningless; following foolish, sinful pleasures] persons is void [lacking; destitute; wanting] of understanding [lit. heart; mind; i.e. lacks good sense].”

A hardworking man enjoys the fruit of his labor. Like the farmer in today’s parable, he comes to the end of a workday and reflects on the satisfaction of his labor. He has little time for the pursuit of pleasures and finds his contentment in the reward of his work. The disgruntled poor, many of who do not bear the yoke of labor, often comes to his state because of a pattern of indolence. He follows, according to Solomon, vain individuals who lack the heart for work and pursue pleasures that are time-consuming and empty. [If you doubt this conclusion, consider how many consider themselves poor, but have funds to own televisions, computer games, cell phones and waste multiple hours a day entertaining themselves].

Solomon contrast the character of the diligent worker with the slothful inProverbs 12:24.

Proverbs 12:24 – “The hand [power; rule] of the diligent [determined; sharp; decisive] shall bear rule [govern; reign; rule over; have dominion]: but the slothful[slack; idle; deceitful] shall be under tribute [taskmasters; forced labor; serving a superior].”

Liberal, socialist-minded politicians have spent the past few decades inflaming an attitude of entitlement in our culture that is tearing at the fabric of our national character. A spirit of industry and self-reliance built America. A man knew the reward of hard work was recognition and promotion and it was not unusual for an employee to begin pushing a broom in a company and work his way to the top.

Rather than promotion, the slothful man finds himself stuck on a tier of servitude. He may chafe with the lack of reward and advancement; however, he has only himself to blame! He is the epitome of the “Occupy Wall Street” crowd who demand an equality they have not earned and resent the success of those who, through the sweat of their brows, enjoy the fruit of their labor.

I ask your indulgence as I proffer a personal commentary: The news that nearly 50% of Americans are on some form of government assistance/subsidy does not bode well for our nation’s future. Granted, many of those drawing government checks are retirees and some legitimately on disability who have “paid into the system” and by law and rights are drawing their monthly Social Security checks. A few are unemployed and continue to look for work in an economy that is nothing short of dismal.

How did we get here? My opinion is for a half century we have elected politicians that have cultivated a growing dependence on government and America is hurtling headlong into a socialist state with 109 million in 2011 feeding at the welfare trough. A January 22, 2014 report suggests the actual unemployment rate in the United States is as high as 37.2% (this is before government hacks massage the numbers) and households receiving “food stamps” total over 115 million (now known as SNAP – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). Food stamps alone cost the American economy nearly $80 billion in 2013.

I am for assisting my fellow man going through hard times and helping him get back on his feet. I am not for sustaining a culture that rewards indolence and punishes the industrious! Sadly, we have become that nation and, if we do not guard our own hearts, the slothfulness of our culture will take hold in our lives, family and churches.

My closing proverb for today isProverbs 12:27.

Proverbs 12:27 – “The slothfulman [slack; idle; deceitful] roasteth not that which he took in hunting [too lazy to dress and prepare for dinner what he killed in the hunt]: but the substance [reward] of a diligent man is precious [valuable].”

You ask, “What does it mean?” Some people are so slothful that, like a hunter who is too lazy to dress and prepare the meat he took from his hunt, they ignore opportunity when it knocks on their door.

I often wonder what Christians do with their time and talents when they find themselves unemployed and looking for work. What do retirees do with their time, energy and abilities when they find themselves healthy and no longer working? A few look for opportunities to serve others and be a blessing to the church. Sadly, they are too few.

My friend, you are either slothful or diligent in your work!

It has been quite some time since I posted a political commentary on this website [SpiritualMinuteMen.org]. Because I recognize the hope for America’s future is not political, but spiritual, I have chosen to dedicate much of my time and energy to my devotional blog [HeartofAShepherd.com] as opposed to a political commentary. The urgency of the government’s overt intrusion into public education via Common Core has prompted me to alert patriots that it is time to speak out before it is too late. Allow me to explain…

Politicians and human government are illustrative of the best of human wisdom, wisdom that God characterizes as foolishness (1 Corinthians 3:19). The encroachment of government on the liberties of “We the People” is accelerating in a fashion that has moved me to take a few minutes and alert you that the time has come to stand up to “Common Core”—the wholesale takeover of every level of public education.

Under the guise of better education through new guidelines and standards, the federal government, liberal corporations and private foundations are hijacking public education. The classroom at all levels of public education is being turned into a laboratory for systematic cultural change and the carrot for school boards and administrators is billions of dollars in incentives. The goal of this takeover is clear—the rejection of local oversight by an elected school board and school personnel and the alienation of parental influence on their child’s education.

I am in the process of writing an introductory pamphlet on Common Core that will document my concerns, but also challenge you to action. Until that pamphlet is ready, I will close this commentary with the concerns of a teacher who recently resigned because the adherents of Common Core demanded he not exercise his Constitutional right of free speech. This is one of many instances of threats and coercion taking place across the American public school landscape.

http://whatiscommoncore.wordpress.com/2014/03/31/ut-high-school-physics-teacher-resigns-over-common-core/

COMMON CORE Education Without Representation

UT High School Physics Teacher Resigns Over Common Core 4 comments

Utahns Against Common Core published the resignation letter of Utah high school physics teacher Stuart Harper today. The letter is powerful. These are the words of a noble man, and his resignation is a tragic loss to Utah’s school system.

Read the full letter here. (http://www.utahnsagainstcommoncore.com/utah-physics-teacher-stuart- harper-resigns-over-common-core/)

“… After much research I know that the Common Core (CC), the way it has been implemented, and the reforms which have accompanied it are wrong. They are unsound, of poor quality, take power from local government, and further empower federal agencies and policy makers. Most importantly, their enactment was unconstitutional, both in Utah and in the nation. However wrong CC may be, my reasons for resigning are only tangent to this constitutional breech. I was aware of the core before signing on, and though I did not approve of it I gave my word in contract to teach whatever curriculum I was given.

In the summer of 2013 a personal letter I had written, (http://www.utahnsagainstcommoncore.com/physics-teacher-shares-concerns-about-common- core/) stating my concerns with Common Core, was posted on the Utahns Against Common Core website. It was an opinion piece, not a scholarly review. I saw no problem with stating my opinion, it is my right as a citizen, at least so I thought.

A few months later, I was informed that the Utah State Office of Education (USOE) had learned of my published letter and was not happy with my opinions or concerns. Local school authorities were instructed to meet with me and put me back in line. During this meeting with the district representatives I was told that I was shallow, ignorant and emotional in the way I wrote my concernsand that by writing things like this I would create rebellion and insubordination across the district. I was told I can have an opinion with other state’s educational systems but as a teacher in the state of Utah I cannot be concerned with my own state’s educational affairs.

I reminded them that my intent was not to promote rebellion, but to simply encourage personal research on the subject and exercise freedom of speech on my off time, as a citizen and father. I was told “Those freedom of speech rights you are probably referring to do not apply.”

I was shocked, but I stood my ground. I made it clear that if I continued to be intimidated into silence that I would resign same day. I told them that I have given my word to teach what they want me to in the classroom and would continue, but I would also continue to use my rights as an American citizen to effect political change. They said I could share my research if I get my facts straight, but even then my job is on the line. When I told them that I would continue to research information from original sources as well as writings from those for and against Common Core they were confused. They discouraged me from seeking information from anywhere other than the USOE, and accept only their interpretations of the facts. I refused, reminding them that true education comes from educating yourself on all sides.

I was threatened on three separate occasions with professional action all because I stated my opinion. I did not resign at any of the instances where I found myself threatened because I realized that I had given my word that I would teach for the year, and I will not break my word. However I refuse to remain in an environment that clearly has no respect for the Constitutional right of free speech. I refuse to be a part of the problem.

Over the years the school system has fallen far below what it should be. The public school system is just that – public. It should represent those served by it – We the People. Each level of the system (classroom, school, district and state) fails to remember that its duty is to the people, not to the establishment. We should be representing what is in our students’ and our community’s best interest. Our current system expects acceptance and conformity to its decisions and policies by all of its teachers and administrators. Further, it expects this without questioning or voicing concerns and even goes as far as intimidating and threatening those who have differing opinions. Any society or organization that silences and discourages freedom of speech removes the possibility to express ideas, and without competing ideas we close the door on true education and open the door to tyranny.

… We have lost control of the classroom and continue to hand more and more power over to the government. Our current system no longer promotes learning, but rather focuses on training. It teaches what to think, not how to think. It is now a system of hoops for students, teachers, and administrators, and with further national control and regulations of education, these hoops have been set on fire.

I believe that until we can get education to become self-sufficient where it no longer relies on the funding and intimidation from federal and even state levels, until we can bring education back to learning how to think and not being trained for a test, and until we can bring freedom back to the individual teachers, students, and schools, our public system will continue to decay. I hope the

system and its people can exercise the self discipline to do this, but where I cannot foresee this happening, my greatest hope for education now resides in home-schools, home-school groups, and in private education.

My hands are tied within this system. But I now know that I can be more productive on the outside. I will continue to promote true and correct educational principles, awareness of civic affairs, and our duty to be involved. I am going to be a part of the solution. Asking questions is the essence of education. All I encourage of others is to ask questions, seek truth and not be afraid to share that truth with other Americans who are willing to listen.

Sincerely,

Mr. Stuart Harper

Teacher, Citizen, and Father”

Posted March 31, 2014 by Christel Swasey in How the Common Core Initiative Hurts Kids, Teachers, and Taxpayers

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The crisis of liberty and the encroachment of government is growing everyday as every level of government seems bent on negating the freedoms guaranteed “We the People” by our Constitution. Fellow patriot, I urge you to do your research on Common Core and exercise your right of free speech before you are silenced.