The History of Hallowe'en

Today is that day that some people celebrate as All Hallow's Eve. http://www.halloweenhistory.org/

I have posted a link that you may find interesting regarding the History of Hallowe'en. Nowadays, our churches have traded in the Hallowe'en tradition for what has become known as "Harvest Festivals". And, though it is an attempt to offer an alternative to the more pagan aspects of Hallowe'en, are they still not paying service to the tradition?

When I was a kid, we usually had Hallowe'en festivals on the weekend before my birthday, or around the same night, as it was held on a Saturday. Every year, my mother enjoyed the cake-walk. If she won anything, it was to be used as my birthday cake.

I HATED it. Not because it came from a cake walk, which I really didn't care, but because every time she won, it was a CARROT CAKE. To this day I despise Carrot Cakes just on principle. Why, oh why couldn't she have won the Fudge or Chocolate cakes?

Anyway, I wish each and every one of you a safe celebration of whatever you are celebrating, or however you choose to celebrate. I prefer to sit at home and hope I don't have any trick-or-treaters.

Op Ed: Fake Politics

by Shonda Ponder, editor
October 29, 2014

I was talking to a friend on the phone today about not being able to vote this year and how perturbed I was about it. "I wanted to put my two-cents-worth in there. I wanted to help get rid of some democrats in the Senate."

The conversation went to talking about campaign finance and attack ads, and the role of electoral college in elections. I asked him if he ever watched wrestling. I said, "You know it's all fake right?" He said yes, and wondered what that had to do with the elections. I said, "Well, these politicians bad-mouth each other in these attack ads, talk a good show, then go behind the scenes and shake each other's hands. So, if U.S. politics is as fake as wrestling is, it kind've makes you wonder what's REALLY happening behind the scenes."

The way I see it right now is, if we don't get rid of some politicians in the Senate and House, and replace them with ones who will defend the Constitution and protect us from things like ebola, ISIS, and an out-of-control budget, then we are doomed. If in this election, the American People doesn't act with their vote, and continues to act in the same way they did in the last two elections, then it's time to give up. This election tells all.

So, remember that when you go to the polls; and cast a vote for the Constitution for me.

Shonda Ponder's Birthday Fund

My birthday is on October 30, 2014. I am barely able to pay my bills, and I am thankful that I was able to work some overtime in order to be able to enjoy some of my birthday vacation. (I took my vacation during this week). But, It sucks that I couldn't even afford a night on the town. So, I'm asking you guys to help me. Just one night of karaoke is all I ask. Would anyone like to buy me a drink? Use the Donate Button below to buy me as many drinks as you'd like!

Of course, if I get too much donated, I'll use the money to go have dinner or buy something nice I want afterward. I have left the settings so you can donate any amount you like ($1.00 per person is plenty!)

God Speaks Through Dreams...Even Today!

I have issue with something that Dr. J. Vernon McGee just said in one of his recorded sermons (he has since passed, but his preaching is still heard on Christian Radio KHCB).

He said he didn't believe that God speaks to people in Dreams today. I find issue with that. I don't believe anywhere in the Bible is says that God will one day no longer speak to people any way He wishes to do so. Just because the majority of people are not receiving prophetic dreams does not mean that people do not receive them. Many receive them and throw them away, because they don't know how to interpret them, and don't want to make the effort.

People, the point I am making is that if God wants to speak to you, He is going to find a way to speak to you where He will be heard. And if that means He has to speak to you through a wrinkle in your shirt, He will do so.

I believe that God speaks through any way God wishes to speak...dreams included--and Dr. J. Vernon McGee was wrong.

God is not limited as to what He can do.

A "Christian" man does not NEED a "Christian" woman.

I get so tired of seeing posts from men who say, "I am so lonely. I need a Christian woman to make me happy". (As if having a "Christian woman" would solve all of your problems). The truth is, the motivations for wanting that "Christian woman" is selfish, because from the moment she says yes, you are hell-bent on corrupting her Christian morals.

You see, the only way a "Christian woman" should ever say yes to a man is when that man is a "Christian Man" who does not need a woman, period, to make him happy. He should already be happy with what God has given him, and if he has God, he should not be lonely. A "Christian woman" wants a man who will lead her further INTO God, not drag her FROM HIM.

A Christian man who invites a woman to follow him should be directing her steps toward what he is aiming for, GOD. If she doesn't want to follow, then you don't NEED HER.

Period.

You see, a "Christian woman" does not NEED you or anyone else to make her happy. She doesn't look to a relationship for what she NEEDS. She has GOD to supply all of her needs according to HIS riches in Glory. If she "chooses" to be with you, it's because you provide her with something she WANTS. And the ONLY thing a real "Christian woman" WANTS is to be closer to God.

You want to know why she disses you? Re-read the above. And, if this post has offended you so that you immediately call me "judgmental", all I can say is if the shoe fits, WEAR IT.

This is why I am single by choice and choose to stay that way. I have been through the hell of having a so-called Christian man time and again who has done NOTHING to lead me toward God. I REFUSE to make that mistake again.

MLK, and Our Dream

If MLK were alive today, I wonder what he'd be doing? I bet he's rolling over in his grave right now. I bet he'd now specify what "character" means a lot more.

The first time I heard his "I have a dream" speech, I was in Mrs. Ross's fifth grade history class. I remember taking what I heard and meditating on it for days afterward. The man was a gift from God for a time of turmoil in the soul of our Country. It is so sad that after he was taken out of this world, others who should have carried the baton for him have perverted his dream...our dream.

Liberty, Under God NOT Allah

God does not condone the evil that is on this earth today, but He allows it because He loves us and wants people to CHOOSE to love Him. Jesus said "No greater love hath any man, than that he would lay down his life for a friend." (John 15:13) Then, He called us "friends". (John 15:12-15)

The Bible has a lot to say against people who would force you to choose something you are against. Only the strong survive in God's world. Only the strong will inherit the Kingdom God. Paul said it best, "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (Ephesians 6:13)

Remember, God does not win souls through fear. He provides a way OUT of that fear through Jesus. (2 Timothy 1:7) There is no Saviour under Allah like that. All the followers of Allah want to do is kill, destroy and create chaos. There is no liberty under Allah!

2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

2 Peter 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

Visit the Life Message Site!

About Left Leaning Idiots

I studied sociology in high school and psychology as extra reading. One of the things that I learned was that uneducated masses of people tend to "follow the crowd" or "keep up with the jones's" because it's the "in" thing to do. Has nothing to do with what they believe, however the government tends to listen to them because there are more of them than there are of us for the most part. Most (even those who are educated) tend to shy away from politics and religion because it is too stressful to think about or deal with and causes personal problems between them and their peers, therefore, if all their peers are leaning left, they will too. The government wants to keep them happy so they will vote (which, again, is the "in" thing to do, not because they believe in what they are voting for) so they concede certain liberties from us all. Then, those on the blind side shut up for awhile (after all, their pride will defend the actions that resulted from their own movement) and the only ones who scream are the eyes-opened educated minority who are then considered "extremist". Right out of the "Communist Manifesto": playbook.

Pray, and remember...

Pray for Saeed Abedini, and his family. He is still in prison in Iraq.
Pray for Patras Ghani and his mission in Pakistan.
Pray for Meshock Devanesan and his ministry in India.
Pray for our lawmakers, who have the power, if they so choose to stop this downward spiral our nation is undergoing.
Pray for our soldiers, that they may win their battles and return home to their families (pray for them, too) to a country that is safe and secure.
Pray for us, that we all choose wisely which side of the fight to be on.
Pray for those who are sick, in the hospital and otherwise...those who are disappointed at not being released when they hoped they would be as the sickness (whatever it may be) seems to win out in their bodies, pray for their healing and their strength, and if all else fails, their soul.
Pray for our families, that God enables us to provide and protect them.
And finally, pray for ourselves, that God gives us the strength to overcome whatever the world throws at us on a daily basis.

Above all, remember, God loves us all more than any man or woman on earth has the ability to.

Get Paid on the Internet with Shonda Ponder

I started a new facebook group for those who would like to join me in getting paid on the internet.

Blogspot has deleted my Get Paid with Shonda Ponder Blog. So, I am going at it from a different angle.

You can join me at https://www.facebook.com/groups/351903531626095/

No one to blame but ourselves...

I was talking to someone the other day (I won't say who, or where I was, but the conversation was important enough I feel I need to share). We started talking about the ebola patients that were coming into the U.S. Then, the conversation got around to Israel.

"But, they have been fighting since the beginning of time. They will never quit fighting," she said. I then explained to her how this latest round of fighting got started. Three teenage boys, one of them an American. I explained how the Hamas was hiding behind the Palestinians, and why Israel is killing the Palestinians in the fire.

Then, not wanting to speak anymore about it, the conversation somehow went to the Border, and what should be done about that, and how Rick Perry has decided to deal with it. I voiced my support for Perry.

Finally, she said, "I don't like to talk about religion or politics. I don't want to have to choose sides."

I smiled. Then, as respectfully as I could, I told her, "You say that now. You feel that way, now. But, the time is going to come, and soon, when you won't have a choice. Those people who are coming over into our country from the borders? Some of them are terrorists. Soon, they will be coming into your yard. They will be killing your family, in front of you. They will try to kill you. You will be faced with a choice then. Do you listen to the government who tells us to be tolerant of Islam? Or do you fight to be the Christian God has called you to be? Do you welcome the illegal immigrants and give them quarter? or do you defend what's yours and demand they get off your property. You will die, one way or the other. Will you die on their side, or God's? The time is coming, and it's going to be here faster than you think. You, yourself, may have to witness and deal with it. You may have to suffer for your indecisiveness. So, just think about all that was said here today."

I remember about 15 years ago, when the age limit to buy alcohol in Texas was raised to 21. I went to jail on the DAY the law went into affect, because I failed to I-D an 18 year old in a sting operation in Austin, Texas.

A year later, I worked at another convenient store. There was a line of people at the counter and I was the only cashier that day. An old gentleman came with his six pack of beer.

The law was that you had to be over 21 AND have a valid Texas ID. AND. Not OR. And I didn't want to lose my job or go back to jail. The man was clearly in his 50s or 60s. I asked him for his ID. He looked at me like I was crazy.

I explained to him that I couldn't sell the alcohol to him if he didn't show his ID, and then I explained why. He shook his head in disgust and frustration, cussing me as he was walking out the door.

I stopped him. "Sir!" I said.

He stopped and turned around.

"I just have a question to ask you," I said. "Did you know that they were going to vote on this law before it passed?"

"Yes," he said.

"Did you call your congressman to tell him how you felt about the law? Did you write a letter? What did you do to stop this law from being passed?"

He shook his head, then answered, "I never thought it would ever happen here."

"Then you shouldn't be cussing me. It's YOUR fault you have to follow the law."

Everyone in line clapped.

It's the same premise today. If we don't secure our rights and our freedoms from those in our government who think we have too much, then when we can't fight back, we have no one to blame but ourselves.

A Terrifying Thought...

by Shonda M. Ponder
August 15, 2013

I remember when I was a kid, during the Cold War. There was a movie that came out called Red Dawn, starring Patrick Swayze. The thought of Red Dawn actually happening was terrifying. Today, the enemy is ten times worse, and the thought of these terrorists invading our country should be more than terrifying--for the simple reason that once they do, they will never stop. No matter how many we kill, they will just keep coming. Perhaps they learned from our trip to Normandy.

The thing is, they are not afraid to die. In fact, they live to die. And, to torture those who they have no tolerance for is a rewarding experience for them. Our women and children will not be safe. Our men will have to watch as their wives get raped, and their sons sodomized, their daughters sold into slavery, and their loved ones buried alive, burned slowly for sport, spit on (although that is preferable to the rest of what will happen), beaten, skinned alive, beheaded, submerged in acid, and a number of other terrifying atrocities.

Once they are here, there will be no one to appeal to, but God. And, if you haven't listened to God before now, what makes you think He is going to listen to you now? The only thing left for you to do at this point is to join their religion, or die for your God, and hope that that's enough to keep you out of a worse hell than the one you just came from.

I don't mean to be gloom and doom, or sound graphic and insensitive, or hard and angry. But, I am. Because WE THE PEOPLE are letting it get to this point, and there is nothing stopping it from happening.

Reader beware: Our American pride and unified narcissism is going to destroy us all. We love our guns, our parties, our clothes, our homes, our food, our pets, our trucks and boats, and vacation spots and football games and schools...and our national symbols. Our pride in all these things is going to destroy us. When it is over, we will have nothing left. Maybe then we will learn to live to die, just like they do, because then, we will have nothing more to lose.

We are already slowly being infiltrated. When it happens, we will be able to do nothing but wonder how in the world things got this way. I can tell you how it got this way: apathy. It got this way because too many people continue to hold the belief that it will never, or can never happen here. If they would stop and take notice, there are a lot of "will nevers" and "can nevers" that have already happened just in the last decade.

Wake up, America! Before it's too late!

Answer to Rick Perry's Revolutionary Idea

According to The Conservative Tribune, Rick Perry is calling on the American people to stand up and fight Barack Obama, saying, "It's time for us to start a little rebellion." Yes, Rick Perry, I agree. To say that Americans are "concerned" about the direction this country is taking is an understatement, if you ask me. But the question begs to be answered: what good is a battle of ideas going to do at this point? Haven't we BEEN doing that?

You speak of the Declaration of Independence, and King George, saying that Obama is another tyrant we must fight. Let's look at this for a moment:

"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation..."

Is this not a "battle of ideas?" Have we not been out-spoken about our disagreements with his policies and executive over-reach and all the lies and backstabbing he has done? Have we not screamed when he murdered four of our servicemen in Benghazi, leaked information that got all of our heroic Navy Seals killed, forced us into deeper debt and indentured servitude for health insurance that doctors are now rejecting? And, of course, this is only the tip of the iceberg. It seems that scandal after scandal has enveloped the Oval Office, and yet, Obama still sits high on his throne, getting stronger by the day--nay, even hour.

Further into the Declaration of Independence, we (THE PEOPLE) read:

"...That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

Governor, a rebellion is certainly needed, yes. But, not a battle of ideas. Ideas alone is not going to "alter or abolish" the present administration from the White House. And, there is certainly enough dead Republicans voting Democrat now to warrant the whole "Right to Vote" thing null and void, don't you think?

It's certainly time for a revolution.

"Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed."

Have we not been prudent? I submit that we are overly "prudent". I submit that we have fought with our pens and our keyboards until our fingers bleed, wrote books, tried to educate others, and even tried to fight with-in the laws by using our court systems, and our Bill of Rights, which gives us the right to peaceably assemble and say what we want to say without fear of retaliation, and to petition our government for a redress of grievances. How is that working out for ya? How is that working out for any of us?

Hint: It only works when the powers that be do not ignore us.

"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

Bingo.

For those who do not know what it means, despotism, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, means, "a system of government in which the ruler has unlimited power". With his "I can do whatever I want, I'm the president" attitude, and then his executive stroke of a pen, Obama has certainly proved that he has "unlimited power" that WE THE PEOPLE did not give him permission to use.

Yes, Mr. Governor, it is time for a revolution. But, I'm afraid we are way past the "battle of ideas" stage.



Pilot

Gun Control Kills Kids

Written by Shonda Ponder
on September 12, 2009
On Monday, in Santee, California, a school shooting took place where a gunman killed one person and injured 14 more. In the aftermath of this tragic incident, I feel it is time to say a few words.

According to MSNBC the "gunman" was, in fact, a 15-year-old student. This student had been the target of cruel behavior by other students in the school. I say the fault lies within the law itself, rather than the lack of law.

There are several reasons that I come to this conclusion, and I am asking that you would bear with me for an instance while I outline my apparently "twisted" way of thinking so that you can come to a good understanding of the thought process behind it. Although, I am sure many of you will still say that I am crazy for having such a twisted mindset.

If I had got into a fight at school, I would have got a paddle on my behind, not to mention the belt on my butt when my mom read the note written by the teacher afterward. Now days, teachers are not allowed to paddle a child for the most part. And parents are accused of abuse if they spank their children for fighting. So what option did this boy have?

Homeschooling would have worked. But, in California the homeschoolers are faced with fear due to the many laws that are designed to keep children in compulsary attendence at public schools. As a result, many parents have to fear each day as they send their child off to school and pray that their child comes home alive. For at least one person today, that prayer was not enough.

Then there are the "no tolerance" zones. Weapons are not allowed on school property. So, the "gunman" knew that there would be no retaliation while he went on his rampage. In Israel, teachers are required to carry guns with them to school. Once that law had been enacted, the terrorism in the schools stopped. In America, a teacher would go to the federal penitentiary for daring to have a means of defending himself. And the terrorism statistics are sky-high.

Yet, in the aftermath of this tragedy we hear things like, "All I can personally say is here is another nail in the coffin of those who say we do not need gun control."

No kidding. I got it in an email. My response to this is that all I can say is if the "gunman" had known that a teacher or two had a gun to defend herself with, he would have thought twice about attempting such an endeavor. How so? he would have not wanted to get shot at. A gunman who would take a gun onto school property KNOWING that those kids and teachers have NO way of defending himself is cowardly to say the least.

How come there are no murders like this reported on gun ranges? Because gunmen KNOW better than to try. Show me the statistics that tell me that guns are such a problem by comparing the rate of murders attempted at gun shows and gun ranges to those that are attempted at schools. I'll bet you will find that the rate of murders at gun ranges are considerly non-existent compared to anywhere guns are not allowed. And, then tell me that guns are the problem.

I have a hard time believing that a child who is well educated, which apparently the schools fail to do as evidenced by this, and is well disciplined would do such a thing.

All of this has led to my analysis, which is the only one that makes sense to me at this point in time:

Gun control kills kids.

When you remember me...

By Shonda M. Ponder
Written on July 27, 2014

In the end, when you remember me
What will you remember the most?
Will it be that I had struggles,
As you raise your glass in toast?
Or will it be that I was happy
Contented and at Peace,
Because my Savior was there to pick me up
When I'd fallen to my knees?
I think of how I want my death
To glorify my life
I'd like to end in victory
Over the daily strife
I'd like my friends to not forget
When I had nothing, yet had everything
And though I was not perfect
I was able to stand the sting
Of a world that did not understand
But watched me as I grew
And as my Father molded me
Into something totally new
I raised my hands in praise each day
That He would want such trash
To make a treasure that is priceless
In spite of nature's clash
I pray that as I finally lie
and my life is finally done
That every memory of me
Somehow reflects the Son.

A living prayer...

Livin like I'm leavin'

Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst

It's my opinion that while we should all "grab a sword", our preparedness should be more in the tune of preparing for a world in which Jesus is King, than in fighting a one world government. If everyone did that, do you realize the peace there would be in the world (and no need for the sword we carry)? We should not be fighting against armies of terrorists, but rather against the evil they represent: Ephesians 6:12 says, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

The forces of evil can do nothing we don't allow. Pray with your legs. In other words, you don't pray that God will give you a job if you are looking for employment by just sitting at home waiting for one to come to you. You pray while you are looking. Pray while you vote. Pray while you take action of some kind. And, be prepared for the worst.

For those who are thinking that the rapture will save you before the worst happens, is the rapture pre, mid, or post tribulation? As a Baptist, we are taught pre-trib rapture, but as a realist, nothing in the Bible specifies this. Therefore, while we hope for the best, I think it is wise to prepare for the worst.

In truth, I think it was left out of the Bible for a reason. God did not want us to live too comfortably, with the belief that we are all going to be saved from the persecution that is to come, because it would facilitate apathy.

Mistakes are worth making!

I don't see how anyone can have any fun if they are always worried about what other people think. I fall on my face all the time (so to speak) in front of people. I've learned to get up, dust myself off, look at the other person and laugh and say, "Did you see that? What an experience!"

This invites them to laugh WITH me rather than AT me. And, if they don't, and want to go and talk behind my back, so what. I get talked about all the time, I'm sure. I just don't care. If I cared, it would cause drama and stress...I'm not even sure I know what embarrassment feels like anymore...

Heck, everyone makes mistakes. OWN it. Get over it, move forward with the knowledge that you may have made a mistake, but it is not one you will make as easy next time. Therefore, it was a productive mistake and one worth making!


Mistakes That Worked
Popsicles, potato chips, Silly Putty, Velcro, and many other familiar things have fascinating stories behind them. In fact, dozens of products and everyday items had surprisingly haphazard beginnings. Mistakes That Worked offers forty of these unusual tales, along with hilarious cartoons and weird and amazing facts. Readers will be surprised and inspired!