I haven’t mentioned something around here. A friend of ours, Andy fell off of 30ft ladder last week, and got out of the hospital today. If you could keep him in your prayers, that would be great.

It’s always interesting to look in to what the founding fathers thought. Patrick Henry’s speech on March 23rd, 1775. He was one of the people who realized at the beginning that, England wasn’t what God had intended. No, there wasn’t a country in the world like that. It was his dream(along with many others, including Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and others), that America would have only one king. That king was God. If you haven’t read Common Sense by Thomas Paine yet, you should. But for now, here’s what Patrick Henry stood and told the house of Burgesses, after which, the response was “To Arms!”

Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death

Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775.

No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities,
of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different
men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it
will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do
opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my
sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony.
The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country.
For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of
freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject
ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that
we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility
which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions
at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself
as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty
toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope.
We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the
song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part
of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty?
Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not,
and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their
temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost,
I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of
experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past.
And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct
of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with
which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House.
Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received?
Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves
to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our
petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and
darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and
reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that
force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves,
sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to
which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if
its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other
possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of
the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir,
she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other.
They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British
ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them?
Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years.
Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the
subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain.
Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we
find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir,
deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert
the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated;
we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have
implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and
Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced
additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded;
and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne!
In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and
reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free–
if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which
we have been so long contending–if we mean not basely to abandon the noble
struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged
ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest
shall be obtained–we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight!
An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us!

They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable
an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week,
or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British
guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by
irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance
by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until
our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make
a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power.
The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a
country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy
can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone.
There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will
raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the
strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir,
we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late
to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery!
Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston!
The war is inevitable–and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace–
but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps
from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms!
Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle?
What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear,
or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?
Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take;
but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

Here’s the new arrival

(The Pictures are a tad bad quality. I think that must’ve happened when I resized them.)

My Sister Anna just had a baby girl today! Her name is Lydia Louise. I haven’t seen her yet, but everybody who has says she’s cute!
I don’t remember the height and weight right off the top of my head. I’ll just say it’s a healthy height and weight

This Week’s link is….

www.homeschoolalumni.org
My Profile there is Here However you must have an account to see it.

I’m gonna post now, or I won’t be able to post what’s been happening!

So, last week we went to the browns(did I mention that?) and had a good time singing and playing.

Then I finally finished the tour of homes stuff on Monday night.

Then on wednesday there was the bowling stuff(See my HSB Here).

And on Thursday I called Joe B, and asked about getting coal. He said he’d get it here sometime between then and Saturday.

Friday rolled around, and we went to youth group. It was alright. They did scriptionary, so it was a little fun :D.

Saturday came, and Isaac and I went and worked over at Chuck M’s to do some work. Did some furniture moving, and some weed diggin(not the smoking kind…. don’t worry.). Following that, we headed over to the neashams house to do some “filming”.

I’ll explain in a little more detail about this. Obadiah got a video cam recently. Not only that, he also got a cool halloween costume(not used for halloween though), which is a Gorilla suit!

This suit looks totally cool. It was $50(on sale) and has the face, and the suit. It’s really neat! I’ll post video’s once we get them. The thing was very hot though. It was like a snowsuit with fur! It was fun though.

On Sunday(today), I woke up really stiff. Nevertheless, Mary decided we were going to a pot-luck at the ontario baptist. I actually wore my YFG T-shirt the first time today. At first I thought it’d be big, but It actually fits fairly well. And yeah, we went to the pot-luck, then went to the best store in Ontario: Grocery Outlet. We spent a while in there, and came home with a bundle.

And yeah, not much else….

-Benjamin

Thanksgiving is comming along(yep, I’m skipping halloween). So, I thought I’d make a post about recent things which have come along and are ours to keep.

First of all, you all got your awards(I hope! If not, please contact me!), and I hope you enjoy them.

Second,(back at the ranch) Isaac just bought a spiffy new digital camera! It’s totally cool. I’ll take some pictures soon.

Thirdly, Isaac got a truck. Some of you may have seen pictures of it already.(Go to His Xanga to see pictures.)

Fourth, Yestrday in the mail, there came a surprise for me. It’s a T-shirt with Youth For God 2006 on it! I’ll have to post a pic of that.

That’s all I can think of for the moment. I’ve got some more posts comming

If you haven’t gotten in on the contest in the post below, then get in while ya can! It ends at midnight, and that’s the end.

Now on to all of these winners who posted their tips for extroversion(if you haven’t gotten sent your award, then please be patient. My intent is to send them all off after this message is sent.). Let’s go by date.

Curufinwe

His tip was to NOT wear bright colored socks! Congrats!

And Next we have….

cheekymonkey
Her tip was to get some krazy friends! Congrats!

Next is….

Kayla
Her tip was to get outgoing friends, and get to know them! Good job!

And closely followed by….

Elizabeth
Her tips were:
1. Try to start the conversation.
2. Be kinda and smile. Don’t be too serious.
3. Have a sense of humor, hold your horses, be patient if there is misunderstanding.
4. Talk about interesting topics which involves both lives experiences, so that both people can be involved.
5. Dont talk too much about yourself, but try to discover what’s on other side! Try to find things out about the person you are talking to.
6. If he/she is from another culture, first get information about his/her customs, otherwise there might be problems and lots of misunderstanding while talking.
7. Have a passion about meeting new people and having an endless list of friends.(wow, maybe that’s the one I’m missing!)
8. Don’t be afraid of meeting new people, you never know what he or she will be like. have the hope to be compatible with that person, if not try to understand why she’s the way she seems to be.

Eight tips wow! Congrats!

And next we have….

Anne
Her two tips were:
1. Get outgoing friends.
2. Make funny faces at kids - They’ll love it!
Good job!

Next we have….

Insanity with and insane tip:
Stand on a street corner with a sign. Here are SOME IDEAS, homeless vietnam vet need help, God bless, new york —–> , crippled korean war vet, need help, God Bless.
congrats!

And another great tip came from….

Christy
Her tip was:
The first thing that popped into my head was the verse that says he who wants friends must show himself friendly. I think it’s just a matter of being friendly with people - introducing yourself, finding out about them - what they like to do, how they got saved, whatever.

Great job!

And last of all is….

Paul
His tip was:
Just follow your heart, that’s what i always do.(In response to “haha did I win?” I’ll say sure)

congrats!

If you haven’t gotten in on this contest yet, hurry! It ends tonight at midnight MST!

Congratulations all you winners! You’ll all be getting your awards soon!

Hey ya’ll!
You might say I’m doing a contest. It’s not really a contest though, because that’s not the focus.

I’m looking for some tips on how to be outgoing. I’m sure I’m not the only introvert who wants to know what the outgoing people have in their head, so, remember if you do participate, I’m not the only one who’s gonna read your comments!

All participants will recieve a prize(this is what makes people think contest. Prize=Contest). What’s the prize? It’s a spiffy Award that I had professionally designed by AJwStudios and it will be custom made for you as well. It Will read:
True Extrovert
[Your Name]

([Your Name] means you’re gonna be on the medal)

Here’s The Big One
Here’s a small icon sized one

Though, there’s a catch and that’s, I can only have this done until next saturday(one week from posting), So get to it while you can! It ends the 13th.

So, if you can please offer at least one tip in the form of a comment, I’d most appreciate it!

Thanks!

-Benjamin

P.S. Tell a few outgoing friends about this… The more the merrier!
P.P.S. Oh, and Tell a few shy/introverted friends too!
P.P.P.S. Do you like Post Post Post Scripts?

This Week’s Link is…

Youth For God A Site By Youth, For Youth