by Jed Estrada

True Security in an Insecure World

1 comments Posted by Jed Estrada at 4/10/2009 11:16:00 AM

We have all heard the advice at some point that if you want to be successful, get a good education, and find a good job with good benefits. Assuming that you are a good worker and you don’t make bad financial decisions, you should be set to make a career, build a retirement, and at best stay economically secure for your life. Unfortunately, our economic world is a much more harrowing place these days where survival is the key: survival for companies as they seek to stay out of the red, and survival for employees as they try and hold onto their source of income.

Since the economic downturn has hit the roots of the financial industry, nearly every sector is experiencing unemployment. According to data from the US Department of Labor, the highest rate of unemployment is in the service sector, which affects nearly every service the average citizen use on a daily basis, but manufacturing is also experiencing a financial hit.

Job security isn’t the legendary shelter that many people once believed it to be. In these hard economic times where not even banks are secure, companies often need to cut back to survive. In the changing economy, even some of the strongest companies are no longer as secure as they once were believed to be. Joe Dabroski, a resident of Sayre Pennsylvania, lost his job this past January after 25 years with IBM, a company which has held to the strongest standards of employee retention, even through the Great Depression.

Joe Dabroski graduated from Clarkson College (now Clarkson University) with a B.A. in Mechanical Engineering in 1983. There he met his wife Marion, who graduated the following year with a degree in Chemical Engineering. IBM was actively recruiting top college graduates in the early 1980s. Joe interviewed with an IBM recruiter directly from Clarkson’s campus, and was hired as a development engineer at the IBM’s Endicott site. He was quickly promoted over the years, and reached the position of Senior Engineer in about 10 years. In 1992 he moved to the branch of applications engineering. There he worked with outside customers, describing and promoting silicon technology to other businesses and corporations. He worked in the micro-electronics division, which was the primary developer of the high technology silicon chips within the company. In 2002 he moved to a larger division, working on IBM’s core silicon technology. Here he was an operations analysts doing staff work for management, and working from home. This was the position he held until he was laid off in January 2009.

Mr. Dabroski said that by January he knew it was only a matter of time before he would be affected by IBM’s job cuts. “It was the third cycle of immediate layoffs, but I was finally affected. It finally got to the point where they were past cutting down to the bone, and they were cutting some of the bones out”, said Mr. Dabroski. At the time he was working in Sales Operations, and within an 18 month period 70 percent of the fifteen employee department had been laid off.

But even with such a strong background and experience with the company, Mr. and Mrs. Dabroski weren’t taking any chances. “When Joe started at IBM it was part of the company’s policy that he wouldn’t get laid off.” Marion Dabroski said. “The first time there were layoffs, it was an eye-opener for us, so we decided then that we weren’t going to overextend ourselves. You couldn’t be sure to know how long this good thing was going to last. And so we had to prepare ourselves for it not lasting forever.” The Dabroskis paid off their home mortgage, and stayed out of debt. “I can’t tell you what a comfort that was to us when he lost his job that we weren’t worried if we could make our house payment.”

When Joe Dabroski was laid off, he was given 30 days to search for another job within the company. But by the time the month was over, neither he nor anyone he knew had found another position in IBM. But Joe was able to quickly find a new job with the help of IBM’s out placement services that came with their severance package. He now works for Stateline Auto Auction in the accounting office. On the topic of job security, he says “Job security is very much based on what skills you can develop and how you can articulate them and describe what they are, so you that can move within the company from job to job, or to another company.” Accordingly, for a responsible worker, your security will be invested in what you can do, and not a dependency on what a company promises you. By developing your skills, you have something to take with you if you lose your job, and you can bring it to a new job. “In essence” said Mr. Dabroski, “if you’re able to do that, then you are secure in the effect of being able to demonstrate that you can help a new company, or a new position to succeed.”

For the Dabroskis, keeping a secure family is the priority. Joe said he and Marion were able to work together during his period of unemployment. “We were in lock step on how to approach these things, and when we found out that I lost my job we weren’t struggling with each other because we were already prepared.” As Christians, if we place our security first in our Faith and our Family, we’ll find that God is faithful, and will never downsize His kingdom. Or as the Psalmist says, “Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it.” So rest your security first on the Kingdom of God, “and all these things will be added unto you.”

Trust: Where is Yours?

3 comments Posted by Jed Estrada at 3/08/2009 11:31:00 PM

Hardly a day goes by without more reports of government funds being thrown into the financial market. Although we are encouraged to trust the administration and this new stimulus plan, any thinking person can do the calculations, and see that it just doesn’t add up. When you’re dealing with huge concepts like billions of dollars, it is dangerously commonplace to hear that the new proposed Federal bailout package is over $1 trillion now. As our national deficit soars past $10 trillion, all of this additional spending to our budget will cause even great problems down the road. But all we see are politicians and lawmakers running around trying to save the day with more money, and paying no heed to the impending night. Basic economics, history, and reason all prove that when the government tampers with the economy, the results are negative.

It looks like all of us in Chemung County might finally get a look at some of that Federal money, after all. Last month the Elmira Savings Bank received a check from the government totaling $9.09 million in stimulus dollars. Assistant Vice President Kim Elliot says this will enable them to generate more loans, and to promote growth in the community. Michael Hosey, the president and chef executor of the bank assures that Elmira Savings is “still strong and growing.” The danger now is that as more money is pumped into the system, our savings will lose value as the rest of the market experiences inflation.

The banking system, and in some ways the entire economic system relies on a trust. When you trade currency for goods or services, that dollar bill is a promise of a set value. Inflation breaks that trust. In the same way, the banks use the funds you deposit to finance other people homes, help them buy a new car, and essentially flows through the market in a stable pattern that ensures your money will be there when you withdraw it. Irresponsibility and poor money management breaks that trust. This entire economic crisis started when the banks were making out large loans to people to buy houses, and was exacerbated by inflated collateral prices, all of which resulted in net losses to both the financial and banking industries.

Tom Woods, the manager of the Solutions Federal Credit Union says that this problem began back in the late 1990s, when banks lowered their standards of loaning money, and tried to create equality while ignoring the debt-to-income ratios that were used for decades. “It’s not popular, but not all borrowers are created equal” said Mr. Woods. “Philosophy went if everyone has car and house, you have equality, and happiness, and prosperity. And like many things that look good, the end result can be pain sorrow and misery. If you don’t have the management skills and resources to pay that back, you lose your car or your house.” What happened was that thousands of people would finance their house with a $100,000 loan, and that would inflate the market. Their new home would be appraised at $130,000, with the value of homes was being artificially raised due to and increase in housing loans. When it all finally came back down, the people who had taken out these huge loans were left with big mortgages that were greater than the value of their homes. Then when they foreclosed, the house could be sold for $80,000, and the bank had to absorb a net loss $50 grand.

Tom Woods says the only solution is for people to start living within their means. If the government keeps on bailing us out, we’re headed for another economic emergency, just like the banking and housing crash. Government bailouts are just like the lowering of lending standards. It takes way the responsibility of individuals to pay for their actions. Just like the banks could only absorb so much of other people’s losses, we’re approaching the point as a nation where we can’t take anymore debt. The scary thing is who will really have pay. “I think we’ve forgotten who we work for, and who we’re accountable to” said Mr. Woods. “Really, all that money is the American people’s money. Government doesn’t have money just lying around. It’s like a credit union. If you borrow money and don’t pay it back, it harms all the other credit users.” Those extra trillion dollars the government just borrowed will have to be paid back by the taxpayers. According to the research of a public policy research institute called the Heritage Foundation, Congress’s budget resolutions will require a 3.3 trillion dollar tax increase over the next decade, roughly equaling about an additional $2,600 per household annually. And hold your breath, because we’re still spending,

So what should our perspective as Christians be? Thou shalt not steal for starters, and there are plenty of ways to do that in this world without breaking the law. Try to exercise safe financial practices, and above all trust in God. It’s ironic that at a time when all our economic trusts are failing, our money still says “In God we trust.” I was watching the congressional hearings last week, and one Congressman stated, “It will take someone with the Wisdom of Solomon to sort this all out.” Unfortunately for our politicians, Solomon’s wisdom was a gift from God, and they don’t seem to get along with Him very well. A separation of church and state is a separation of wisdom and reason, as well. If you want to succeed in anything, you need faith in something higher. Tom Woods, the manager of the Solution Federal Credit Union says his faith has been indispensable. “As I see things crumble in many people way of looking at things, I’ve been able to know what’s going on… I am not overly paralyzed by the thought of where we’re headed. God is good, and if I stay the course and stay true to God he will make good things happen. Whether we do good or not, I know God is in control, and for his people He will not leave us or forsake us.”

Presidents Day: Who Will We Honor?

0 comments Posted by Jed Estrada at 2/18/2009 03:34:00 PM

Before all the excitement from the elections and inauguration can be forgotten, we have another opportunity to remember our presidents in February. President’s Day, on February 16th, is a special historical holiday to honor some of the greatest men who have lead this nation. It was first established as a national holiday in by congress, in 1971. Before then, the Nation observed both Washington’s Birthday on February 22nd, and Lincoln’s birthday on February 12th. In the original bill to create the central date, the recommendation to call it ‘President’s Day’ was voted down in effort to preserve the primary honor of Washington and Lincoln. Eventually the common name became commercialized, and generally accepted, but it is still a holiday primarily in honor of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

In a free nation where we aren’t required to kneel at the point of a sword, or bow on pain of death, this holiday represents and opportunity to show gratitude and respect for to our leaders. Really, it’s equally a celebration of Freedom as it is of presidents. We know far too well what presidents look like today. Every detail and action is emphasized, accentuated, scrutinized, and criticized. But do we really know what the President of the United States means to us as citizens? To choose the leader of a nation is an unparalleled gift of liberty, and marks the president’s role with service. The goal of Presidents Day is to honor them in return for that service. In an effort to keep that in perspective, Washington and Lincoln’s birthdays are still observed to highlight two of the greatest presidents this nation who has had, and frame the celebration of the rest of them.. One of them was the father of the nation, and the other preserved it. Despite anything else about them, the most significant feature of their characters is their servanthood, and commitment to America.

George Washington’s renowned integrity laid in his humility, and ultimately his role as a servant. He was first and foremost a committed man of God, and all his honors and promotions were by the will of the people around him. According to one account by the Quaker Isaac Potts, he once found General Washington in the woods during the winter at Valley Forge praying to God for his country, and thanking Him for His “exuberant goodness which, from the depths of obscurity, had exalted him to the head of a great nation.” Washington considered his role as an honor first to God who had given him a chance to serve, and then to his country which he was a servant to. He once said “I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.” George Washington was the President of the United States for two terms, and though he held what many men view as the most enviable title of all, he is remembered best for the title he held most dear: an honorable man. We remember 43 presidents. How many of them can compare to Washington?

Abraham Lincoln was another man who was a great servant to his country. Many history books tell different stories of his presidency, and there are a lot of contrary views tied up in the Civil War. But Abraham Lincoln was another man who was known for integrity and honesty, earning him the famous nickname “Honest Abe.” Lincoln said of himself “I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have.” Lincoln saw the darkest moments of this nation, and though many are quick to point out where he could have done differently and better, he was clearly a man of God whom God raised up to preserve the United States. The latter President James A. Garfield said of Lincoln, “He was one of the few great rulers whose wisdom increased with his power, and whose spirit grew gentler and tenderer as his triumphs were multiplied.”

These great men were citizens who stepped up when their nation needed them, and served their country. We celebrate them first to honor their memory for their sakes, and second to remember it for ourselves. We need more citizens today who will serve their county for thee love of Liberty. Our leaders should not only follow these men’s footsteps on the stairs of the capitol, but also in the deeds of their character. Too many men these days run for political office as their career instead of a service, and it’s the citizens that pay them back for their actions for the rest of their lives. I’m not just talking about reaping the consequences, although that has unfortunately become the norm. All political offices carry lifelong pensions which are paid by the taxpayers. You really have to wonder who is serving who? Our leaders should take more lessons from our own history, and do more to follow in the steps of integrity that our forefathers have laid.

So how can you celebrate President’s Day? It’s a national holiday, and holiday means “a day that holy (or set apart).” We must remember that God has given us a great nation with a rich heritage. God gave us great men like George Washington and James Madison for the divine plan of given us a country with freedom like we have today. He rose up men like Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan to preserve us in a perilous time. Every leader this nation has ever had right up through Barak Obama has been ordained by God for a special purpose in this Land of the Free. Don’t lose sight of any of those facts, and celebrate President’s Day for the memory of our past heritage, and a standard for our future.

I will not sleep.

3 comments Posted by Jed Estrada at 2/10/2009 01:43:00 AM

It's late... I can't sleep.

I wonder why I'm not tired. I've been staying up later and later, recently. The other night I put together a playlist on imeem that inspired me. Tonight I wrote a note on facebook for my friends, and then I read some blogs. I'm finding a theme that I find hard to ignore. People writing... yet not for anyone in particular. I ventured back to xanga the other day to see who was still there. There are a few people yet, blogging faithfully. One girl name Hailey used to be the proclaimed "Queen of Xanga." I remember when she would post, and get 40 eprops. She still writes, even though no one comments anymore! I left mine when my subscribers dwindled.

It's late... I shouldn't sleep.

I've been resting far too long. Just relaxing, and dreaming. I haven't written much in a while. It's true I write for the newspaper, but it's not the same as pouring out your heart in words. I get a rush when I write articles, and I know it's something I'll enjoy doing for a living. But what about when I'm not working? When ever anyone asks what I'm doing these days, I tell them I'm working for Wegmans, and writing for the newspaper. It sounds like enough I guess, but in reality it's not much. I only work 32 hours a week, and I usually write my articles towards the end of the month. Other than that, from day to day in the evenings and on my 3 days off a week, I don't do anything. At least, I can't hold up anything that's finished. I have found I like to work. At Wegmans I throw myself into the tasks, and I excel at them. I never slow down, and I accomplish a lot. My boss loves and respects me, and all the managers appreciate me. Work gives me purpose. It keeps me awake. It's in my leisure that I drift off. I have a quote on the left that says "My heart is stirred by a noble theme..." It's not. My heart is... not empty, but not stirring. It's more like stagnant. I really think I am becalmed, like in the Horse Latitudes I wrote about. Even when I write my articles, it's my mind that's working. I need to write more from my heart, and I can't worry about who reads it.

It's late... but I wont sleep.

I have things to write about all the time. I just put it off, because I tell myself 'that's not a complete though. Save it until you can use it somewhere.' I'm going to get in the habbit of just writing more when something comes to me. There's more that I need, and I know what it is, but for now I just need to stir the waters. I hear the song in my mind, by Aaron Shust:

My Spirit is left wanting something more
Than my selfish hopes/ and my selfish dreams
I’m lying with my face down to the floor
I’m crying out for more
Give me Words to speak
Don’t let my Spirit sleep
Cause I can’t think of anything worth saying
But I know that I owe You my life
So give me Words to speak
Don’t let my Spirit sleep
Every night, every day/ I find that I have nothing left to say
So I stand here in silence awaiting Your guidance
I’m wanting only Your voice to be heard
Let them be Your Words

There's not a lot that I need. I know fully well what God has given me. What I need is to use it! It's late, but I won't let it be too late. I won't let my mind stop writing, and Lord don't let my spirit sleep. Stir my heart with a noble theme, and I'll write it for you... just like the pale letters above my header say.

And now... I'll get some rest. :-)

The Year of the Lord

3 comments Posted by Jed Estrada at 1/18/2009 04:29:00 PM

It’s that time of year where news and internet sites are proclaiming the zodiac sign for 2009, and speculating on the meaning the premonitions of the upcoming year. 2009 is the Chinese Year of the Ox, for those who are interested, and it bears the characteristics of leadership, as well as prosperity through fortitude and hard work. But don’t get carried away with omens and signs. The Bible says that God appoints times and seasons, and 2009 is just another year in the timeline of God’s plan. That said, what is the significance of a new year? For Christians who are watching and praying, it is one year closer to God’s promised return. To those who are observing the signs of the times, it is another page in the divine story. To almost everyone, the New Year represents a new beginning of sort, or another chance. There is definitely a sense of a fresh start, and it is reflected in the numerous New Year’s Resolutions that most people make.

The book of Isaiah has a prophecy that speaks of a glorious year of the Lord. For the nation of Israel whom it was written too, they understood a year of favor according to the laws about the year of jubilee, which was also the only tradition they observed that included blessings extended to the gentiles. When this prophecy spoke of a year of God’s favor, it held a much greater blessing. Isaiah chapter 61 verses 1 and 2 says “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners; To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn.” When Jesus went to Nazareth, He stood in their synagogue and read this passage. Then before all the people He said, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." The meaning there was that Jesus was the one who would issue in the Year of the Lord. In the subsequent years if His ministry He went around doing just the things spoken of in the prophecy: bringing good news to afflicted, healing the brokenhearted, setting spiritual captives free, and comforting the mourners. But there was more to the fulfillment of the prophecy than just a year or two of miracles on earth. Through the imparting of the Holy Spirit on those who believe on Jesus, these great works continue through us. But how will they be accomplished? When Jesus was in Nazareth the people did not see the truth. Instead they rejected Him, and threw Him out of the synagogue. How do we react to the fulfillment of the prophecy?

I am reminded of a message I heard this past Christmas season about another fulfilled prophecy referring to Christ. The whole story of Mary being chosen to bear the Savior of the world is symbolic of the grace of God which makes the New Testament so special. God can work through any of us to accomplish His work. The message I heard challenged believers to carry the Savior to others, just as Mary carried Him into the world. Through the Holy Spirit we are empowered to bring the light of God’s salvation to a dark world. That is the same Spirit that Isaiah 61 speaks of, and in that same way we can bring good news to the afflicted, bind the broken hearts, and proclaim liberty to the captives. In that way, this year of 2009 can be as much a year of the Lord as His ministry was over 2000 years ago.

Second Corinthians 5:21 charges us that “we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us.” The beauty of Christ’s work was that He gave us the commandment to continue it throughout the world. Even as Christ came to make a pathway between God and man, so we are sent by God to prepare the way for His Spirit in others. As we carry the Spirit of God to those around us, the Lord will anoint us to bring His good news, and through Him we will make 2009 a glorious Year of the Lord!

Experiencing the Magic!

2 comments Posted by Jed Estrada at 12/09/2008 10:15:00 PM

We live in a world where there is so much to do, so much that needs to be done, and far too many people who are just here for the ride. Just take for example the fact that experiences and entertainment are viewed as the same thing. Life needs to be big, exciting, and adventurous! As the French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau said, “The person who has lived the most is not the one who has lived the longest, but the one with the richest experiences.” The only problem with that is whether you live to be old or experienced, you still die the same. That’s why you need something that reaches deeper than just the things that happen to you in life.

The holiday season is a great example. Everyone spends lots of money to create a Christmas experience. It’s a time of joy, giving, and creating wonderful memories for everyone. Christmas is one of those special times that make memories that last entire lifetimes. Disney advertises its world resort Christmas dream vacation, filled with festivities, activities, and what their website calls, “an unforgettable experience.” Are these things wrong? Of course not. It is just the best example of where the world forgets the meaning, and replaces it with the experience alone. Jesus is the true meaning of Christmas, but what we forget too often is that He is also the true meaning of everything in our lives.

Here are a few examples of things that have lost their quality of meaning in the world today. Our work is one of them. Too many people work only because they are told to, because they need to, or just for the money. Work is a great opportunity not only to accomplish something, but also to glorify God. There is a bumper sticker that says “my boss is a Jewish carpenter.” What it means is that we are workers for Jesus on earth, in a very literal sense. Even in non-ministry related work, you are a witness for Christ by showing honesty, diligence, and integrity. I like to say that when I’m at work I am doing double duty; I’m on the Wegmans payroll, but I’m also putting in hours for the Kingdom. Church is another example of where many people miss the point. I’ve heard the term “worship experience” used too much. While that can be a good thing to put us in the right spirit before God, it can’t exist apart from the purpose of giving God all the glory. Besides, the world will never come to Christ on the entertainment ticket. It has to be through the sincere worship part of the “worship experience” that will point them to God.

And lastly, life in general. The world’s mentality is like that quote by Rousseau, which said living means having rich experiences. I recently had a discussion with a student from Corning Community College on this subject. He was writing on the topic of why God lets bad things happen to us, and concluded that it is to allow us to fully experience life. “If God protected us from all harm then there really would be no point in living since we would never experience anything real,” he wrote. “We learn through experience, we learn through pain. We must experience the world on our own, through our own conscious choices to make our lives something we can look back upon and feel proud of.” He said that he had once been close to God, and had faith, but now he felt he could learn so much more about life by grasping life more fully, and learning from experiences. The only problem is, this life isn’t it. God created us to ultimately have fellowship with Him, and that won’t happen until eternity. The best thing we can do with our experiences is to give them back to God by using every opportunity to glorify Him. If we keep them to ourselves, our experiences will die with us, and then what will we have to be proud of? The whole point of this life is not to get to know ourselves, but to get to know Jesus. That is the reason He came down to earth.

So this holiday season as we celebrate the first coming to Jesus, let’s try to make it one great experience to remember! But do it first and foremost by honoring God, and letting everything else be done for His glory. Don’t put “decking the halls” above “hearkening to the herald angels.” Take time to worship the King that they sung about so long ago, who wants a place in your heart and home as much today as he did 2000 years ago in Bethlehem. That way we’ll make it a memory not only for this lifetime, but also an eternal treasure of our continuous worship of God.

A Saviour on Capitol Hill?

1 comments Posted by Jed Estrada at 11/12/2008 04:40:00 PM

Derek Webb is a Contemporary Christian Musician, and a former singer from the group, Caedmon’s Call. He came out with a song in 2007 that has become an anthem for many people I know, called A Savior on Capitol Hill. The first verse goes “I’m so tired of these mortal men with their hands on their wallets and their hearts full of sin/ scared of their enemies, scared of their friends and always running for re-election/ so come to DC if it be thy will because we’ve never had a savior on Capitol Hill.” I think the song is a good reminder to anyone who looks to the hills for their defense. Capitol Hill, in this case. In a nation where almost all of our past presidents have claimed to be Christians, you can’t pick the next one on that alone. Too many people thought that our country would be saved if we elected McCain, and too many now think that it will be cursed because we elected Obama.

As Christians, there are several things that we believe and understand. The first is that God is in control, and uses all things for good. To keep that from becoming clichéd, put it in real world application. I honestly believe that this election will prove to be healthy for this country. As I watched the news results and saw the hundreds of thousand Americans celebrating Obama’s victory, I was encouraged that America would regain its spirit. I am not overly critical of the Bush administration, but it was undoubtedly unpopular. The change of administrations has definitely gotten a lot of people acutely interested in their country’s political scene. Many of those were an enormous amount of young people who love Obama. On the flip side, I think that now Christians will wake up to the reality that “when the righteous do nothing, the wicked rule.” Far too many Christians in the past years have fallen for the myth that if we have a godly president, everything is okay. That mentality has kept Christians politically asleep for the past 8 years, and allowed our ‘godly’ president to sink our nation into a 10 trillion dollar debt, among other things. Because we didn’t keep the leader of our choice accountable, now we will be forced to be involved to protect our rights from the opposite side. If that is what it takes to wake Christians up, then I say again that this election will be healthy for this country.

The second truth is less well known, and in greater need of remembrance today. It’s that God raises up all leaders, and “the heart of the [president] is in the hands of the Lord.” As our next president prepares to change this nation, are we objective? Are we seeking God’s will, or are we going to blanket reject anything from a democrat? Let me give you an objective perspective here. I am warily interested to see the economic changes that Obama is planning for our country. Any reasonable person can see that our nation is plunging towards an economic crash. Unfortunately, conservative economics haven’t been used properly since Reagan. Someone needed to grab the wheel, and change directions immediately. The people chose a Democrat, and now you have to expect him to veer the country left. Almost everyone approaching this election knew we needed an economic change. I’m not saying I’ll agree with what Obama does, but I am interested enough too watch it, and I’m trusting in the One whose hands are on Obama.

The last point I want to address is patriotism. The Bible tells us to respect our leaders, and that is something we all know, but in America it takes a different form. This is a free country, and respect doesn’t mean a forced allegiance. Here it’s a privilege to serve our country that is designed to serve us. Think about all the things your nation provides you with. The apostle Paul didn’t have the opportunity to love his country. Rome was restrictive, and you had to honor it to live. But in America God has blessed us with liberty, and a right to choose our government. So as part of a nation that has chosen Obama, what are you going to do? For the past several years the liberal media and much of America has torn down the country through it’s despising of the Bush administration. Now that the ball is in the conservative court, I hope we have enough patriotism to not follow suite. The biblical principle of correcting in love doesn’t end on a personal level. It means that as you lobby your elected officials, and campaign or protest, you aren’t also slandering them.

Finally, as we pray for God to bless this nation, remember that God has historically blessed or cursed a nation on behalf of its people. True change comes on a spiritual level, and not with a new president. Live as you would before God, because you never know if you are being counted in a heavenly equation as one of the few righteous. In Sodom and Gomorrah there weren’t even ten. How many will America need to survive?

Introduction

2 comments Posted by Jed Estrada at 10/17/2008 04:37:00 PM

Hello friends and readers. :-)

This is officially the start of my online publication of all the articles I write. It will include the my monthly column from the MorningStar Newspaper, my articles for the ChristianTeen View e-Magazine, and also any important news about my life, or professional career. I archived all my past published works for you to read if you feel like it. But right now I want to update you all on what's going on in my life.

First, I have officially registered for online courses through Regen University. I'll be taking Western Civilization, College Algebra, and Biblical Languages. They are quarter semester courses, and begin on October 27th. Patrick Henry College also accepts some transfers from Regent, and I still am keeping my aim towards PHC. :-) I'm taking to Algebra to help prepare for a third shot at the SAT, which I plan to take in December. I am really trying to bring my score up so I can have a chance for the Journalism Scholarship from PHC. my last try was 100 points short of the minimum requirement. :-/ I am also excited to be taking Biblical languages, as I have always wanted to learn more about the Scripture's original context.

Secondly, I have closed on an apartment deal in Elmira, NY. I have been thinking of renting there for a while now, and keeping it under a lot of prayer from my family, friends, and two churches. This was an amazing deal, and a miraculous answer to all of my prayers and hopes, as well as my mom's wishes, and my dad's advice. I am very blessed and encouraged to see God continuing to work so greatly in my life! :-D Anyway, this arrangement will really help me focus during my college courses and SAT prep. It also gives me a strategic location to continue and advance in working with the newspaper, and I wont have to cut any of my work hours since I am so close now.

On a more serious note, I realize that this is a very important time for me. My pastor told me that he observed that everything I was doing in my life rested heavily on self control, and that these next years would be very decisive in my life. As I'm looking ahead to what I am working for, I see how right he is. This is it. Everything I ever told myself I would do someday has to be done now. This is literally the first day of the rest of my life. So prayers are definitely good, and encouragement is always welcome. I feel like God is passing the ball to my court. I am excited about the possibilities, and overwhelmed at the stakes! I'll really need to trust God more than ever now, but I am greatly encouraged that I can feel Him leading me. I am really blessed.

Anyway, I would appreciate any feedback you might have, and I would be honored if you read my opinions. Thank you for your time, and your support. :-)

- Jed Estrada

Dare We to Hope? Dare We Try?

2 comments Posted by Jed Estrada at 10/02/2008 12:00:00 PM

You can call it the way of the world, or you can sum it up to the Third Law of Thermodynamics at work, but you cannot deny the tendency of nations to decline. No matter how great the government, or how strong the constitution, erosion always chips away the foundations. America as we once knew it, and as it once existed is deteriorating. You can see it in the men who lead us. You can see it in the entertainment we indulge ourselves with. You can see it in man's creations. But most of all, you can see it in your average Joe American: the people who make up this country, elect our leaders, and who indulge in the worlds entertainment. And if you really take a sincere and scrutinized look, you will see it in ourselves.

What is it about nations that causes them to decline? I have observed that there is a pattern in human nature and development that makes us strive for achievement, and having gotten there we become complacent. In our complacency we then turn leisure, and have and increasing desire to have everything taken care of for us. Politically, this leads to a socialistic form of government, where the people turn to "big brother" for everything from the roofs over our heads, to our daily bread. Ironically, it is then the turn of those in charge to seek achievement, as government strives for power and authority. And when they have achieved absolute rule, it is then their turn to become complacent, and through that the structure of nations fall.

I find it very interesting that through all of that, it is an apathy among the citizens that ultimately allows them to become complacent, then to let their leaders achieve absolute rule, and then do nothing as their nation falls apart until it is much too late. Or as Edmund Burke said, “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.” In this case it is important to remember in terms of moral absolutes that socialism, complacency, and moral decadence is wrong. The Bible and all of History prove this to be true.

So where are we in the U.S. today? A history teacher recently asked me if I thought the United States had peaked as a nation yet. I believe we are in the deciding moments. The peak has not yet been passed, but we are definitely on the ridge. There is a growing apathy among people today, a full grown and established decadence in entertainment, a growing and almost established moral relativism, and definitely a growing movement towards socialism. I see both discouragement and hope. The recent economic crisis is a perfect example of both. We backed ourselves to the edge of a cliff with our credit based economic system, and then the proposed federal bailout which was authored by practically ever federal leader was an enormous step in the direction of socialist control in the public market by the government. I heard so many people say that it was necessary to uphold our economic stability, or at least the illusion if it. I ask you as our patriots asked so long ago, is the economy so dear, or our comfort so sweet to be bought at the price of chains? At the end of the day, and in the closing of the market, government intervention and bailout is a step in the wrong direction. And that is where I see the hope. There were enough wise people to lobby their representatives and tell them that as citizens they did not want to burden of government intervention. There were also enough honest politicians who listened to their constituents, and opposed the measure. And now in the face of economic decline, we have a great choice and chance before us. Either we will work to rebuild our economy on sound business policies, or government will assume control over the floundering market. And trust me, such control is never relinquished. It only grows, and restricts. In these crucial moments in history it is necessary for the citizens of America to care enough for their future to become involved in their nation.

So what is the Christian's duty to America? We remember that as God's people, we are citizens first and foremost of Heaven. But you are also a citizen of the United States. What does that mean? First of all, it is definitely a good thing. Paul was a citizen of Rome, and as such he was better able to serve God in the world. But the United States is very unique nation. Take a moment to think about it, and appreciate the nation that God has given you citizenship in. Over 230 years ago when our nation was created our founders did something never done before in the History of the World. They dedicated the country as a nation Under God! That act of submission to a divine authority in the greatest form of human power (the government) is the greatest reason why God has blessed America.

But our founders did something else which was both Historic and rare. They made America a nation of the people, and the power of government in that nation was "of the people, by the people, and for the people!" Where does that leave us today? The real blame of why we have fallen so far is ultimately on the people of America. As a nation we have moved away from God, by our actions, or our lack of action. That is our greatest shame, and yet our greatest hope! The Bible says "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." In that verse, the literal Hebrew interpretation of nation is 'people.' Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord. In this moment in time, God has given us a nation whose blessing under God is hinged upon the faith of its people. Why then are we the least active in their nation today? Less than 40% of Christians are even registered to vote. This is the apathy that is destroying the nation. I know people in churches who are not even ashamed to define themselves as apathetic. How can we be using our gifts and occupying until Christ comes if we are failing to use such a great gift of liberty? We are no better than the servant who buried his talent in the ground. How can we dare to look for hope if we are not daring enough to try and fight for it? The elections are coming up in this nation, and it's not just about the next president. There are offices all over the nation, the state, and even our city which are open for election. Do you even care enough about your own city to vote and raise your voice?

President Ronald Reagan said in his farewell address, “We've got to do a better job of getting across that America is freedom - freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of enterprise. And freedom is special and rare. It's fragile; it needs protection… I'm warning of an eradication of the American memory that could result, ultimately, in an erosion of the American spirit.” How true has this become? How important is this today? I beg you on the behalf America and the blessings that God has given to it, to understand and appreciate what you have, because if you don't it will quickly be lost. As Abraham Lincoln wrote to Congress, "We shall nobly save or meanly lose this last best hope of earth." America! May God shed His grace on thee!

"Do Hard Things" - Alex and Brett Harris Challenge the 'Myth of Adolescence'

0 comments Posted by Jed Estrada at 10/01/2008 12:00:00 PM

Looking for a good book for teens? Even if you aren’t, here’s one that might be worth your while. Do Hard Things is a best selling book for teenagers. It is written by Alex and Brett Harris, the twin sons of Christian and Homeschool pioneer Greg Harris. Alex and Brett are teenagers who are sold out for Christ, and they give us an awesome and inspiring message of making a difference while you are young. Beginning with a foreword penned by Chuck Norris’s fist, and packed with real life stories of committed teens making a difference in their worlds, Do Hard Things will challenge you wherever you are, and show the way to do something hard!

“Most people don’t expect you to understand what we’re going to tell you in this book. And even if you understand, they don’t expect you to care. And even if you care, they don’t expect you to do anything about it. And even if you do something about it, they don’t expect it to last.” Whew! Take a moment to think about that! Those are the first words of chapter 1, and it sums up the entire message of overcoming low expectations.

Have you ever felt that no one takes you seriously just because you’re a teenager? They don’t. Not only that, most people don’t expect much from teenagers. As a result, it’s easy for many to ride through the teen years without having to do too much. Even schools are dropping their expectations of teenagers. Do Hard Things offers an alternative to that. It shows you how to use your teen years “not as a vacation from responsibility, but as a launching pad for the rest of our lives.”

The most amazing thing about the book is its perspective. It is filled with an overpowering sense of encouragement and empowerment from teenagers themselves, showing that it is possible to go against the flow of the popular culture. They take the concept of rebellion and revolution, and apply it to the rebellious attitude of teen life today. The Rebelution as they call it, is a teenage rebellion against low expectations, and a revolutionary return to biblical authority, and character. That is what ‘hard things’ are: actions that challenge us, build our character, and make us stronger.

So what is a hard thing for you? No matter where you are, there is always something you can do to grow stronger, or learn more. Your hard thing could be something that most people would not expect you to do. Whatever it could be, this book will give you the ideas you need to find your challenge, and the mindset you need to challenge the world! Do Hard Things is a fantastic book, and if you’re willing to spend the $9.70 (plus $3.99 shipping and handling) on Amazon, and read through this book, I think you’ll be well on your way to overcoming society’s low expectations!

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