Well said, Colin, nice to see everyone is still here and listening.

Mike well said, This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me: There was a little city, and a few men in it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

Seek after that witch good is, Help where needed.

The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good. Ecclesiastes 9:17,18.) Wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

Inge, speaking in a very condescending manner. A great example of Christian theology and Platonic philosophy. Very much in line with our Republic. :)

Spoken by some one who was never in the military ! But at face value, I agree, though slavery is alive and well today, in sheep's clothing. No one was freed after the civil war, ownership was the only thing to change and created a larger slave population.

One must learn to build first, before, one can build. Independence comes by way of experience through education. OJT, or in the class room. Most older wealthy individuals I have had the pleasure to contract with are their own insurance providers. So the " want a bees " are culled out when their true wealth is reveled, not a credit score ! The same goes for health care. Living a dream of false hood rather than reality is what is perpetuated through a credit based economy. As far as the solipsist are concerned from such a narrow point of reference, they are " Eu a mousoi "

But we cannot forget the ( Eastern Stars ) Sorry Ladies ! Five stars for the Ladies.

Those old masons were, and are, a pretty smart bunch of men. For the good and goodness sake. Amen, Semper Fi.

Well said Bob L ! Dave's overview is clouded with doubt, To bring reproach upon the association our founding fathers were members of shows little knowledge of the symbolism brandished before the world of what is the right to rebel with the right mindedness of God, our Creator. Plumb and Square ! By way of illustration, brings illumination to the minds eye of understanding. The hope of this nation and the hope of the new creature in Christ is your change. These are held in mystery form, and are spoken as such. Christ appears in the now, with each of those that are called for such a purpose to complete the fulfilling of the dispensing of grace. Unmerited favor. ( Job 14:14 ) If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. ( Revelation 14:14 ) And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
( Jeremiah 49:14 ) I have heard a rumour from the Lord, and an ambassador is sent unto the heathen. Gather ye together, and come against her, and rise up to the battle.
Sir, for those of us who are, we are soldiers for Christ. Fully clothed !

Archer you would argue with a post ! His name is " I Am " and you will find him " In Amen " The first and last word of the King James Bible. The true and faithful witness. The Rock upon which our Republic rest. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable and poor, and blind and naked. As many as I love I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold I stand at the door, and knock. Thus saith the Amen. He that hath the sharp sword with two edges. I know thy works.
Well said Mike and Mary ! Amen.

Say unto wisdom, thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. WISDOM HATH builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord. But he that sinneth against me wrongethhis own soul: all they that hate me love death. The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom. There are seven notes in the scale !

My Brethren, have not the faith of our lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.( James 2:1 ).
GOD STANDETH in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods. How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. I have said Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations. ( Psalm 82: 1 thru 8 )

Lord Acton was no doubt speaking of government. Mike, reality does not seem to strike a cord with those that appose themselves. your observation of a national religion is spot on. Threskeia religious practice is as old as the hills. Superficial in nature, and by way of default has established itself through mob rule. A simple show of the flesh, vanity nothing more. Threskos religion ( pure ) as stated in ( James1:26,27 ). helorat, Milton, Me thinks you are spot on also. Taking a stand of faith in God. Showing an upright conversation. Of which all neutral naturalistic viewpoints stand in doubt of the whole truth. Wishing to condone a reprobate mindset, thinking peace when in all actuality bringing about destruction of a moral society. For the sake of the dollar !

O, for our founding fathers, to hang out with and emulate. Let this mind be in you.

It is not the destination but the journey that seasons understanding, reason , compassion. temperance. It is not about color. It is an old proverb. But there is a prize at the end of the race.

Well said Mike and Publius, also Mike, Pleasant Hill. The light that shines in darkness, liberty and freedom. As the world grows darker before the dawn, makes the light no less bright. I am at liberty, no doubt to make my own decisions. Natural free born sovereign.To first take the step up the ladder as an independent, it does help to have the leadership of an independent parent, instilling qualities suitable for a stance of liberty and freedom. Maintenance of one's own teaches care for others. Confidence. But this is done through faith in God, who is able by way of grace to support all who dare to take this, our stance of liberty. I do not strive but have ceased from strife with governing powers that wish to enslave me. This from the beginning, that one may know and trust our Creator.
It is an honor for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

God calls apostles, prophets, preachers and teachers for the perfecting of the saints. How shall they hear except a preacher be sent ? How shall they know except a teacher be sent ?. How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glade tidings. God is not slack concerning his ministering to men. Well informed and taught to know and prize the rights which God has given. Study to show thyself approved unto God a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the ( word of truth ), the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, you were sealed with holy Spirit of promise. Which is the ( earnest ) of our inheritance until the redemption of the ( purchased possession ), unto the praise of his glory. The thirteen steps to liberty and freedom well known among those who study the Day Star, the Rock upon which the republic rest. The eye of God which guides us and one chain by which we number our days. This to be taught with all authority by those before ordained to do so. I am at liberty. To embrace a mystery that must be reveled through teaching. The beholding of the eye is better than the wandering of the desire .

Perhaps blindness is blindness is imposed for a reason ?

So true Mike, But each generation receives the truth via Revelation. !! Praise Divine Providence ! God is Alive and well. Insight, to the eyes to understanding. Just a light in the night. The Day Star !!