Revelation 2:8-11 -- The PERSECUTED Church (Part 2)

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,

‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’
Revelation 2:8-11

Pastor Danny Forshee.  Great Hills Baptist Church.  March 30, 2014:



Outline:

1. Commands (v. 10-11)
   A. Stop being fearful
        Matthew 14:27
        1 Peter 1:6-7
   B. Be faithful "and do the best you can."
   C. Listen
2. Promises (v. 10-11)
        2 Corinthians 4:17
   A. The Crown of Life
        James 1:12
   B. Shall not be hurt by the second death.
        Psalm 23:4

Highlights:

• God will put you in tough places not because you've done anything wrong, but so He can do something amazing in your life.

• The Church grows where it's persecuted.

• Smyrna was the seat of Emperor Worship.

• In America, a lot of these mass shooters target Christians.

• The Devil will do everything he can to hinder the Gospel, including persecution.

• "Be faithful unto death...."

• Faithfulness is not the absence of fear, but moving forward in spite of it.

• Those who are born once, die twice; but those who are born twice, die once.

• Martyrdom of Polycarp (Pastor @ Smyrna):
• In his 90's
• He had a dream, after which he stopped running.
• Church at Smyrna FED the Roman soldiers when they came to take him.
• Polycarp went upstairs to pray.
• Roman procounsul gave him the opportunity to say "Caesar is Lord" and be let go; he declined.
• "You are the Atheists, away with all of you!"
• "How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?!?"
• They tried to burn him alive, but the flames would not touch him.

Lame attack against Matt Rinaldi Falls Flat....

"This is the way of those who are foolish,
And of their posterity who approve their sayings."
Psalm 49:13

LOL:

[Matt Rinaldi's Opponent] Attacks Gun Owners

Why do [Matt Rinaldi's opponent] and his political operatives oppose law abiding gun owners?

This is the first question I asked myself when I read the atrocious mailer sent out by [Matt Rinaldi's opponent's] political supporters this week.

The ad labeled all gun owners as “potential criminals” and attacked me for an amendment that Sen. Don Huffines and I authored which set in statute the existing Constitutional requirement that gun owners who open carry may not be detained unless there is reasonable suspicion they have committed a crime. The amendment protected gun owners from harassment by anti-gun groups and police from potential lawsuits. The piece deceptively claims I “joined Democrats” in voting for the amendment. It passed the House 133-10, with EVERY Republican voting in favor.

Sen. Huffines said of the despicable attack, “You received a mailer yesterday with a number of misrepresentations. But the worst was the attack for a pro-gun amendment Matt and I worked on together to protect law abiding gun owners. [Matt Rinaldi's opponent] is so desperate to cover his own liberal record that he is spreading lies about Rep. Rinaldi. Please look past the false attacks and remember that Matt Rinaldi was ranked the most conservative legislator in Texas for a reason.”

Another bill characterized as “making it legal to resist arrest” did nothing of the sort. It merely clarified that a resisting arrest charge was required to be based on a legal arrest, as it was under long-standing Texas common law. The other listed bills I opposed posed a greater danger to innocent citizens than the criminals they were intended to target, and some were so poorly drafted they didn’t even get a committee hearing in the Senate.

I am proud to support law enforcement and to be endorsed by the two former police officers serving in the Texas House, Rep. Phil King and Chairman of the Committee on Emerging Issues in Law Enforcement, Rep. Allen Fletcher, each of whom served with myself and Bennett Ratliff. I was also proud to support those officers who made the ultimate sacrifice for our protection by co-authoring HB1278, signed into law by Gov. Abbott, which doubled the death benefit paid to the families of officers killed in the line of duty.

Bottom Line: Matt Rinaldi supports due process and the rule of law.  The amendment in question would have protected Fourth Amendment rights from overzealous government bureaucrats.  For Matt Rinaldi's opponent to make this attack in the first place illustrates the degree to which Matt Rinaldi's opponent subscribes to the belief 'government knows best.'

Pro-Abortion, pro-Death Panel, Pro-Obamacare liberal special interest group endorses Byron Cook....

"While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage."
2 Peter 2:19

First things first, let's review relevant history:

• In 2013, the Texas Medical Association opposed HB 2.  In 2011, the Texas Medical Association played political games with the Sonogram Law.  Indeed, the Texas Medical Association has opposed every piece of pro-Life legislation Texas has passed over the past decade.

• The Texas Medical Association is a MAJOR obstacle to renovating Texas Advance Directives Act, which in its current form allows hospital "ethics committees" to cut off treatment against the wishes of patients and their families when they can make more money renting the bed out to someone else.

• During the past two legislative sessions, the Texas Medical Association has lobbied in favor of Medicaid Expansion under Obamacare.

Which makes THIS both predictable AND hilarious:

I am honored to receive the Texas Medical Association's PAC endorsement!Created in 1962, TEXPAC is one of the oldest...
Posted by Byron Cook on Friday, January 29, 2016

REPUBLICAN Travis County Commissioners Court (Precinct 3) candidates Face Off....

"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan."
Proverbs 29:2

This past Monday, the two Republican candidates for Travis County Commissioners Court Precinct 3 (Western Travis County), small businessman Jason Nassour and decade long incumbent Gerald Daugherty, squared off in their first debate; this video speaks for itself:



Highlights:

• Question #1: Affordability/Property Taxes.
• Daugherty: I'm not sure it's going to get better.
• Keep Spending under control (even though he supported the courthouse)
• Nassour: KNEW THE SIZE OF THE BUDGET
• Against Certificates of Obligation.
• Move civil cases to criminal courthouse that sits empty all afternoon.
• Sell county property within city limits and build big county facility FOR CASH in unincorporated area.

• Question #2: Eastside Courthouse.
• Daugherty: Downtown lawyers want the courthouse downtown
• Author's Note: YES, he actually SAID THAT!!!
• Author's Note II: Who cares what the downtown lawyers want?!?
• Certificates of Obligation "are necessary" if used "judiciously."
• Nassour: Great idea to build east.
• "I would not acquiesce" to downtown lawyers.
• "We have assets we can liquidate."

• Ronnie Earle Building: Daugherty tries to deny he made the motion to approve the funds.  Nassour calls BS.  Nassour points out he's posted the public record to his Facebook page:

Posted by Jason Nassour for Travis County Commissioner Precinct 3 on Thursday, January 28, 2016

• Courthouse: Daugherty tries to claim he's a hero for sending it to the voters in the first place.

• Question 3: County Jail and ICE.
• Nassour: ICE is fine there.
• "If they are unlawfully in this country" we need to detain them.
• Daugherty: Only supporter of Greg Hamilton on current court.

• T.J.: Why haven't we seen you at GOP events?!?
• Daugherty: Attacks TJ and gets defensive.
• Nassour: I was running my business up until a few months ago when I decided to run for office; pledges to attend as many local Republican events as possible in the event he's elected.
• Daughery uses the Bob Bennett excuse to prove his conservative bona fides.

• Our Question: SH 45.
• Daugherty: Ribbon cutting soon.
• Nassour: Gerald's done a good job with that one specific project, but we need a much bigger transportation expansion.
• Should have been an outside lawsuit sooner.

• Final question: Why you?!?
• Nassour: Energy, Drive, Passion
• Daugherty: Experience.

Texas Senate investigates STRUCTURAL Property Tax Relief!!!

"But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people, and took from them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver. Yes, even their servants bore rule over the people, but I did not do so, because of the fear of God."
Nehemiah 5:15

[Update: Empower Texans has A LOT more here.]

This is a VERY positive sign heading into next session:

PR 16 01 28 -- Bettencourt's Property Tax Hearing

Everything you need to know about UT's Open Records process in ONE Document....

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap."
Galatians 6:7

Yesterday, (in a moment of supreme irony) while we were working on our post about Wallace Hall's appearance in Dan Flynn's district, we received a letter from the UT System:

UT Straus Lieutenant Cost Estimate

The ASTONISHING race for Court of Criminal Appeal, Place 2....

"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan."
Proverbs 29:2

Over the past few years, few trends in Texas politics have been more disturbing than the criminalization of conservative speech; even more disturbing is the fact that two corrupt judges who have presided over sham grand jury investigations against conservatives are now attempting to obtain the same statewide judicial position.

The Court of Criminal Appeals is the highest criminal court in Texas.  The Court of Criminal Appeals is to criminal law what the Texas Supreme Court is to civil law.  The court is comprised of nine judges each of whom is elected statewide.

In the current race for Place 2, there are three candidates in the Republican Primary: Mary Lou Keel, Chris Oldner, and Ray Wheless.

We've previously discussed Judge Chris Oldner on this website; heck, we've filed a complaint against Oldner with the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.  Oldner is the corrupt Collin County judge who helped railroad Ken Paxton's indictment.  There's your first example of criminalizing conservatism.

Older is bad enough, but this race becomes truly astonishing when Keel enters the picture.  Unfortunately, this past Monday, a grand jury in Harris County returned a legally problematic indictment against David Daleidan who produced last summer's investigation into Planned Parenthood's sale of baby body parts.  Now take a wild guess which Judge presided over that grand jury.  THAT'S RIGHT: Mary Lou Keel!!!  That's your second example of criminalizing conservatism.

We've met Ray Wheless.  He seems like a solid guy who understands the proper role of a Judge.  At a minimum, he's (quite literally) the ONLY candidate in this race who hasn't overseen a bogus political indictment against a prominent conservative in the last six months.

Bottom Line: It boggles the mind that these two bottom feeders are both trying to run statewide considering their recent records.

Wallace Hall speaks IN DAN FLYNN'S DISTRICT!!!

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."
Galatians 6:9

Last night, Wallace Hall spoke in Dan Flynn's district to inform Flynn's constituents of his activities on behalf of Joe Straus' impeachment committee:



Highlights:

• All of his kids have been attending U.T. this entire time.

• "Rot...manifests itself in our political class."

• "I expect to disagree with people on the opposite side of issues, I don't expect to be misled by people on my side who tell us one thing and do another."

• "Texas is a red state, how in the world are we being governed by moderates?!?"

• Straus holds power: "by the unanimous support of the Democrats in the Texas House."

• "I consider a vote for Speaker Straus to be a vote for sanctuary cities."

• "I care deeply about education."

• Nobody criticizes what he's found.

• UT- Austin is the only system institution where he's had a problem, the other 13 system institutions have been fine.

• Flynn's Chief of Staff lied about impeachment committee finding forgivable loan program.

• Spring 2013: "I asked for two sets of data."

Highlights:

• "I had asked for all open records to be put online."
• "I've been working on this since February 2011."
• Still hasn't happened.

• "I made a request for communication between the President [Powers] and politicians."
• "When this happened, some of the most powerful politicians in the state came after me."
• Dewhurst, Jim Pitts, Dan Branch, Zaffirini, Seliger.
• "They trolled Dallas looking for dirt on me and my family."
• "I received some very aggressive e-mails."

• Paul Foster ambushed him and asked for his resignation.

• Straus instigated impeachment: "To protect his members."

• Flynn's impeachment committee: "I was denied the right to council" and other cross examination.

• Flynn refused to subpeona him, which would have allowed him to testify fully.

• "I call what Dan Flynn did a gross abuse of his power and a kick in the teeth to all Texans who are the rightful owners of our government."

• Flynn's committee mostly met in secret.

Highlights:

• Straus offered Perry a corrupt bargain and Perry declined.

• Straus sent the Travis County DA after him.

• Sharphorn found "a huge disparity" in admissions notes to prospective students with letters.

• "If indicted, at least I would have a public trial."

• Investigation only moved forward because a whistleblower came forward to Cigarroa.

• Powers is now the highest paid member of UT law school faculty.

• Vote Bryan Slaton.

Highlights:

• The House didn't have the nerve to impeach.

• Impeachment committee tried to bait him into committing crimes.

• "The fact that they didn't indict me is unbelievable."

• McRaven blew off the Kroll Report.

Texas Gets a Little Redder....

"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan."
Proverbs 29:2

Fascinating:

Republican John Lujan defeated Democrat Tomas Uresti in a special election runoff Tuesday in Texas House District 118 in San Antonio.

With 100% of precincts counted, Lujan had 52.38 percent to Uresti’s 47.62 percent. The margin of victory was 171 votes out of 3,601 cast, with a voter turnout of just 4.12 percent. As of late Tuesday night, Lujan’s campaign said Uresti had not yet called to concede the race.

Joe Farias, a Democrat who had served as the district’s representative since 2007, resigned his state House seat in August. He had already announced that he would not be seeking re-election, and in a statement at the time, he said he hoped to enjoy more time with his family.

Bottom Line: Texas is going to continue getting redder for the foreseeable future and the RPT is going to continue getting more conservative.

Ellen Troxclair: 5 Facts about Austin Ridesharing

"So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.”
Acts 19:27

From Ellen's latest e-mail newsletter:

5 Things You Should Know

I wanted to share with you why I continue to support a reasonable regulatory environment for ridesharing and why I think this is such a critical issue for our city. Here are 5 things you should know about the debate:

1. Ridesharing has saved lives. Did you know that the Austin Police Department data shows that there has been a 26% drop in drunk driving since ridesharing began operating in Austin? This affordable solution for getting a ride home helps keep our roads safe for everyone. Additionally, Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo has stated that not being able to swiftly find a ride home at the end of the night puts people at a high risk of being assaulted. Having ample transportation available is critical to avoiding dangerous situations.

2. Ridesharing is safe. While mandatory fingerprinting of drivers has been presented as a public safety issue, statistics show that traditional fingerprinting alone does not actually deter crime. When you compare the number of drivers to the number of alleged assaults, you are 6 times more likely to be assaulted in a cab with a driver who has been fingerprinted than in a TNC in Austin. Ridesharing companies use modern technology to not only thoroughly check a driver's background, but also to prevent future bad behavior with safety measures like the ability to send your GPS coordinates to a friend, providing a photo and contact info for the driver, and real-time customer ratings. If customers want to choose these enhanced safety protocols instead of traditional transportation choices, the City should not stand in their way.

3. Ridesharing drivers have extensive background checks. Uber and Lyft do an extensive, multipoint background check on all drivers. Using data including an applicant's name, social security number, driver’s licence number, birth date, past and current addresses, etc., ridesharing companies carefully screen each applicant before hiring.

4. Simply put, this is unnecessary government overreach. The bottom line is that ridesharing is working for Austin. Why are we wasting time on "fixing" something that is not broken, and in fact will hurt the many Austinites who depend on these services? These regulations were arguably brought forward by competing business interests who are looking for a way to stifle other business models. Even if you don't ever use TNCs, this is the perfect example of government overregulation ruining a good thing, and we shouldn't tolerate it in this or any other industry.

5. The additional regulations do not "level the playing field." There are still countless differences in the way taxi and transportation networking companies are regulated. Just a few examples: TNCs do not have specified “taxi zones” for pickups, while taxis have their rates set by council and are limited by the number of permits they are granted. It's impossible to regulate two different industries in exactly the same way, but we should create a fair and limited regulatory environment that allow both to thrive and adapt to consumer demand, not to over-regulate to make business as difficult as possible for everyone.

Read the whole thing here.

Patrick Outlines 85th #TXLEGE Priorities!!!

"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan."
Proverbs 29:2

Lt. Governor Patrick spoke to WFAA last weekend about his priorities next session:



Highlights:

• Abbott's Con Con -- "In general, I support the concept."

• School Choice - "One of my highest priority items."
• Similar to the Nevada plan
• State portion is portable with the student, school districts keep their portion.

• Property Taxes - Local governments need to stay under population + inflation.
• Lower threshold for rollback elections.
• Author's Note: The taxpayer-funded lobbyists will pull out all the stops to derail this.
• "I don't want anyone in the House this time standing up and screaming people don't care about property taxes."
• "Whatever it takes, I'm going to do everything I can to reduce your property taxes."

Detailing Byron Cook's antipathy towards Human Life....

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them."
Ephesians 5:11

Texas Right to Life has a new one stop shopping site to document Byron Cook's anti-Life activity:

View the whole thing here.

David Simpson: God and Governing

"Do not strive with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm."
Proverbs 3:30

David Simpson spoke with the Trib last fall about the intersection of scripture and civil government:



Highlights:

• "We only really need government when we don't use that Freedom responsibly and we harm our neighbor."

• "Under the new covenant, I don't think we even need civil government."

• "Most sins are self-correcting."

• "We're not made to be robots, we're not to be slaves, we're to be free and responsible independent human beings."

• "When I do talk about my Christian convictions it's usually to speak to other Christians, because many times they are conservatives but they just want to take the gun out of the liberal's hands and turn it on them, and I want to take the gun out of everybody's hand and lay it on the table and have a voluntary discussion."

• "The only time we should really use force is when you commit aggression."

• Influence should be through discourse, not coercion.

• "I don't think you should have to have a licence from the government to defend yourself in the means that you think is best."

• Pot is a plant, compared to the chemical substances uses to make hard drugs.

• Death Penalty has a place "when you commit aggression."

• Sex Ed: "I think it should be taught at home."

• "I did not support government's expansion to pre-K."

• "Government is not our savior."

• "One of the problems right now with the border is the drug war, and until we solve the drug war, we're going to have a porous border."

• "Churches should do much more that the government is doing today."

Revelation 2:8-11 -- The Persecuted Church (Part 1)

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,

‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’
Revelation 2:8-11

Pastor Danny Forshee.  Great Hills Baptist Church. March, 23 2014:



Outline:

1. Identification (v. 8)
   A. Angel (Church Pastor)
   B. The Church -- BECAUSE they are faithful, they are hated.
   C. The City
   D. Jesus
2. Commendation (v. 9)
   A. Works -- God takes everything you do for HIS Church personally
   B. Tribulation
   C. Poverty

Highlights:

• God will NOT give tough assignments to just anyone.

• The Church is growing like CRAZY in North Korea.

• Read The Insanity of God.

• "You'd think the devil would have figured this out after 2000 years."
• re: Body of Christ growing in the face of persecution.

• In the midst of persecution, Jesus will overcome.
• Jesus is right there with you.

• Smyrna was famous for Emperor worship.

• 5 things the early Church was accused of:
• Atheism
• UnPatriotic
• Incest
• Cannibalism
• Arson

• Anytime someone persecutes a believer in Christ, they are working for Satan.

• Belivers in Smyrna could lose their jobs for professing Faith in Christ.

Byron Cook....and SPEED TRAPS?!?

"And now, whereas my father put a heavy yoke on you, I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!"
1 Kings 12:11

Just when you thought Byron Cock couldn't get any more reprehensible:

During the 83rd legislature, Cook authored HB 811 and managed to the get the bill voted out of the House Transportation Committee before it died in Calendars. The bill, “Relating to the disposition of fines for traffic violations collected by certain municipalities and counties,” would have repealed provisions of the transportation code designed to eliminate speed traps. Those local governments, which are prone to setting up speed traps in order to collect revenue from passing motorists, are disincentivized from harassing taxpayers by a statute that requires them to remit a portion of traffic ticket revenue to the state. Cook’s bill would have repealed those restrictions.

Read the whole thing here.

David Simpson and Brent Mayes on ENDING Texas' SANCTUARY CITIES

"Do not remove the ancient landmark,
Nor enter the fields of the fatherless;"
Proverbs 23:10

Earlier today, the Texas Senate held an interim hearing on sanctuary cities; nothing interesting happened at the hearing, but that does make it a good time to review where candidates stand on the issue.

First thing first, David Simpson is the only Texas Senate candidate to have called for a special session to eliminate sanctuary cities:

“We must uphold the rule of law within our jurisdiction under our constitutional republic and stop the implementation of sanctuary city policies. How can we complain about the federal government not enforcing immigration law, if we will not uphold our end of the bargain? I support the Governor’s decision to end sanctuary city policies which undermine the fabric of our society. However, we should do it now and not wait till 2017. If sub-political sections of our state will not fulfill their responsibilities, then the Legislature should reign them in now in a special session.”

Next, Brent Mayes:

We can do much with simple things that cost little or nothing. We can eliminate sanctuary cities, have mandatory e-verify, stop in-state tuition for illegals, and cut off all non emergency social services for those here illegally. These are the least we can do as first steps.

Bottom Line: Both of these open seat candidates will be LIGHT YEARS better on this issue than the retiring RINO's they're going to replace!!!

Just who is Thomas McNutt?!?

"Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved,
But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall."
Proverbs 28:18

Thomas McNutt releases his first campaign video:



Highlights:

• Illegal Immigration and Border Security are our greatest threat.

• Supports term limits.

• "I don't think politics should be a career."

• "I just want the government to leave my wallet, my family, my church, and my business alone."

• "I ask for your prayers, your support, and your vote."

City of Austin BUREAUCRACY ATTACKS ZIMMERMAN for Representing his Constituent

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality."
Colossians 3:23-25

In case you had forgotten about the depths to which insiders will sink to maintain power:



Highlights:

• "Please keep in mind that city code 2-7-62(D) prohibits city officials from representing, directly or indirectly, any other person in any action or proceeding against the interests of the city."

• Zimmerman had attended an administrative hearing over a constituent's water bill.

• Questions being asked to the respective parties "were not equal."
• Examiner asked the citizen a lot of questions but didn't ask similar questions to the city bureaucrats.

• Zimmerman asked city bureaucrats who read the meter in question.

• City of Austin legal department threw a tantrum over "attorney/client privlege."

Read the whole thing here.

Dan Flynn BUSTED Lying about ANOTHER Endorsement....

"A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it,
And a flattering mouth works ruin."
Proverbs 26:28

The LOL continues:

Dan Flynn Loses TEA Party Endorsement
Dan Flynn has decided that Austin lobbyists and special interests are more important than the Texans of House District 2. Now it has cost him the support of the TEA Party and many other conservatives.
Posted by Bryan Slaton on Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Highlights:

• They said something nice about him "YEARS AGO, before he sold out to the Austin establishment."

• "Mr. Flynn is trying to use our quote as an endorsement for his campaign, but I'm proudly supporting Bryan Slaton in this election."

• "I've known Dan Flynn for a long time and have seen how the 14 years in Austin have changed him."

Bottom Line: Over the past week, Dan Flynn has been caught lying about two endorsements.  Meanwhile, he's gotten campaign donations from the most notorious of all Austin lobbyists.  Dan Flynn needs to leave public office and get right with the Lord.

What do PAUL WORKMAN and DONALD TRUMP have in common?!?

"Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord,
But a just weight is His delight."
Proverbs 11:1

Apparently, they both give money to Democrats to "get things done" for their businesses:

DID YOU KNOW: Paul Workman has supported Democrats for years. From Politifact: "The Texas Ethics Commission's campaign...
Posted by Jay Wiley on Monday, January 18, 2016

LOL; guess who's giving DAN FLYNN money....

"Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits.”
1 Corinthians 15:33

Steve Bresnen is a prominent Austin lobbyist.  He has longstanding ties to BINGO interests and Trial Lawyers.  As a lobbyist for the Texas Family Law Foundation, he was instrumental in killing American Laws for American Courts legislation last session.

Bresnen is also the driving force behind the Texas "Ethics" Commission's jihad against Empower Texans.

Which makes this item from page 6 of Dan Flynn's latest campaign finance report very interesting:

Bottom Line: Once again, we're impressed by Bresnen's chutzpah, but we can think of no better symbol to encapsulate the degree to which Dan Flynn has gone native in Austin.

#RideSharingWorks: REPEAL Petition generates 3x necessary signatures without this website lifting a finger....

"He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches,
And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty."
Proverbs 22:16

[Update: Travis Tracker has a good summary of recent transportation news here.]

[Update II: TAG has more here.]

We've intended to promote Ridesharing Works for Austin on this website for several weeks, but other events have taken priority; good to see it wasn't necessary:

We just delivered petition signatures to City Hall. The City Council will soon be required to either adopt the common...
Posted by Ridesharing Works for Austin on Tuesday, January 19, 2016

As Council member Don Zimmerman explains:

Congrats to the Austin community! Remember, the petition is not "for" TNCs, it's for the right of constituents to vote...
Posted by Don Zimmerman on Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Bottom Line: Council has two options at this point. They can either back down or they can have their teeth kicked in by the voters. Either outcome is a win.

Pro-Abortion, pro-Death Panel, Pro-Obamacare Liberal Special Interest Group OPPOSES JONATHAN STICKLAND

"But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries."
Exodus 23:22

First things first, let's review relevant history:

• In 2013, the Texas Medical Association opposed HB 2.  In 2011, the Texas Medical Association played political games with the Sonogram Law.  Indeed, the Texas Medical Association has opposed every piece of pro-Life legislation Texas has passed over the past decade.

• The Texas Medical Association is a MAJOR obstacle to renovating Texas Advance Directives Act, which in its current form allows hospital "ethics committees" to cut off treatment against the wishes of patients and their families when they can make more money renting the bed out to someone else.

• During the past two legislative sessions, the Texas Medical Association has lobbied in favor of Medicaid Expansion under Obamacare.

Which makes THIS find from James Trimm VERY interesting:

Fisher’s Biggest Contributor is TEXPAC

Fisher’s largest single contributor was TexPac.  TexPac is the political arm of the Texas Medical Association (TMA).  TexPac donated $10,000, more than 10% of Fisher’s total support!  Let me tell you, TexPac money is NOT pro-life money!  

When the famous Pro-Life bill HB 2 was SB 5 (before Wendy Davis Filibustered SB 5 and it was reintroduced as HB 2)  TMA stood strongly against SB 5/ HB 2 and called it a “legislative intrusion into the patient-physician relationship” that “sets a dangerous precedent of the legislature prescribing the details of the practice of medicine.”

Bottom Line: As if there weren't already plenty of reasons to #StickwithStickland, driving the Texas Medical Association INSANE is always a worthwhile activity.

REVELATION 2:1-7 -- The LOVELESS Church (Part 2)

“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,

‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’
Revelations 2:1-7

Pastor Danny Forshee.  Great Hills Baptist Church.  March 16, 2014:



Outline:

1. Exhortation (vv. 4, 5, 7)
   A. Rebuke
   B. Requirements
        - Remember
        - Repent
        - Repeat (Do your first works)
        - Results
             - Positive
             - Negative

Highlights:

• Paul spent more time in Ephesus than any other city.

• They were so busy defending Jesus they forgot to LOVE Him.

• Your relationship with God is how you avoid becoming a Pharisee.

• Nicolaitians = Bad Teaching + Sexual Immorality.
• "Conquering the laity."
• Jesus HATES their deeds.
• Because they were well versed in doctrine, the Church of Ephesus was able to spot these knuckleheads from afar.

• Doctrine is a good thing.

• If we are not going to be passionate about the things God is passionate about, He'll find someone who is.

• Southern Baptists: "Are a dying denomination, and unless we get back to doing the basics of Preaching the Bible and winning people to Jesus and discipling them, we will be a dead denomination."

• If a Church where Paul, Timothy, and John served can die; any Church can die.

• One of the best ways to keep your heart on fire is to tell people about Jesus.

• "I don't know how the Holy Spirit led me to coagulation."

U.T. Politburo pushes forward with Houston campus

"He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck,
Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."
Proverbs 29:1

Holy Friday Afternoon Document Dump:

UT System closes on 100-acre land purchase in Houston

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AUSTIN—The University of Texas System today (Friday, January 15, 2016) completed the first of several closings on property in Houston, signifying an important step in the plan to expand UT System’s presence in Texas’ largest city.

The proposal to eventually purchase more than 300 acres in southwest Houston, just 3.5 miles from the Texas Medical Center and near the downtown hub of business activity, will provide extraordinary opportunities for new and unprecedented educational and research partnerships and initiatives in the nation’s fourth-largest city.

Today’s purchase secured 100.27 acres of vacant land located north of Willowbend Drive and west of Buffalo Speedway. The price of the land, sold by Buffalo Lakes, Ltd., is not yet being disclosed because it is part of the overall 300-acre purchase, which includes multiple sellers. Closings on separate parcels of land are expected to continue into early 2017.    

The concept to expand UT’s footprint in Houston is part of Chancellor William H. McRaven’s vision and strategic plan, which he presented to the UT Board of Regents in November 2015. His ambitious plan includes eight Quantum Leaps—bold initiatives that will leverage UT’s size, scale and intellectual capital to provide the citizens of Texas with the very best in higher education, research and health care.

McRaven is currently forming a task force composed primarily of Houstonians that will explore opportunities for how the land could be used to develop a higher education innovation, intellectual and idea hub that could ultimately increase Texas’ national and international competitiveness. The task force will focus on ways to significantly increase research funding and educational opportunities in nationally-emerging fields and will be asked to avoid recommending programs or initiatives that duplicate what other Houston institutions are already providing.

The UT System recognizes that Houstonians—the people who know their city best—are best positioned to determine how the land is ultimately utilized. While this will be a decades-in-the-making endeavor, UT System leaders are confident that the acquisition of this land is an opportunity to act boldly and strategically in the best interests of Houston and the entire state of Texas.

PAXTON moves to ABOLISH modern day SLAVERY

"Deliver the poor and needy;
Free them from the hand of the wicked."
Psalm 82:4

Attorney General's press conference this past Thursday in Houston:



Highlights:

• Houston has the highest trafficking rates in the country.

• "These are crimes that can happen anywhere and an informed public is the first line of defense."

• Human trafficking is "the theft of someone's very soul."

• Sephronia Thompson -- The U.S. is the #1 country in the world for demand.

• Traffickers were recently recruiting at one of the nicest high schools in San Antonio.

Lame anti-Thomas McNutt attack FALLS FLAT

"A righteous man hates lying,
But a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame."
Proverbs 13:5

[Author's Note: It's worth pointing out the cheap labor lobby used the exact same attack against Dan Patrick two years ago; it won't be any more successful this time.]

From McNutt's latest campaign e-mail:

I guess it shouldn't come as a surprise...

, The liberal media is attacking conservatives once again, this time on behalf of Byron Cook whose own pro-illegal immigrant record can’t bear scrutiny. Recently, the Dallas Morning News attacked the McNutts' family business for allegedly employing illegal immigrants. To be clear, in order to get a job at the Collin Street Bakery, every individual must provide multiple forms of legal identification and sign documentation asserting their ability to legally work in the United States. Presenting forged documents or false statements are both federal crimes. In the recent political attack, two former employees told the Dallas Morning News that they were illegal immigrants while holding temporary jobs at the Bakery years ago. The Bakery has informed us that those individuals did indeed provide legal identification and sign federally required documents. They either committed fraud then or were legally in the country at the time and have now overstayed their welcome. Here are a few facts about the Dallas Morning News's hit piece: 1) In seeking an interview with our campaign, the Dallas Morning News articulated that they were simply writing an introductory profile to the race, not an orchestrated attack on the McNutts' small town family business. 2) The Dallas Morning News editorial board is in favor of amnesty. It is disappointing to see the Dallas Morning News engage in such transparently shameful behavior in order to prop up career politicians they know will support their liberal beliefs. In Thomas's own words... "When I announced my campaign for public office I promised that I would keep this race focused on the issues facing our state rather than levy personal attacks on my opponent. I remain committed to that stance no matter what mud Byron Cook and his liberal allies may throw next." Thomas McNutt Thank you, Cary Cheshire McNutt for State Rep

Bottom Line: This is pathetic. Byron Cook has been the cheap labor lobby's legislative champion for a long time.  That relatives of Thomas McNutt might have temporarily employed two illegal aliens (who provided valid documentation at the time they were hired) illustrates nothing beyond the failure of the status quo Byron Cook helps perpetuate.