“We do not believe any group of men adequate enough or wise enough to operate without scrutiny or without criticism. We know that the only way to avoid error is to detect it, that the only way to detect it is to be free to inquire. We know that in secrecy error undetected will flourish and subvert.” –J. Robert Oppenheimer
This Stormwatch Monday Open Thread is VERY OPEN – a place for everybody to post whatever they feel they would like to tell the White Hats, and the rest of the MAGA/KAG/KMAG world (with KMAG being a bit of both).
Yes, it’s Monday…again.
But it’s okay! We’ll get through it.
There are no Sharknadoes in today’s forecast.
Free Speech is practiced here at the Q Tree. But please keep it civil. We’re on the same side here so let’s not engage in friendly fire.
Please also consider the Important Guidelines, outlined here. Let’s not give the odious Internet Censors a reason to shut down this precious haven that Wolf has created for us.
Please pray for our real President, the one who actually won the election:
For your listening enjoyment, I offer the mellifluous tones of Avi Kaplan, in these songs titled ‘I’ll Get By’ and ‘The Summit’:
Our beloved country is under Occupation by hostile forces.
We can give in to despair…or we can be defiant and fight back in any way that we can.
Joe Biden didn’t win.
I will keep saying Joe Biden didn’t win until we get His Fraudulency out of our White House.
Wheatie’s Word of the Day:
Mammothrept
Mammothrept is a noun which means…a weak spoiled child; a mollycoddled young person. It can also be used as an adjective. In ancient latin, mammothreptus meant ‘kept at the breast too long’.
Used in a sentence:
The Left has found a use for their mammothrept offspring; they send them out in the streets to act out on other people’s property, where they can riot and burn things.
This Stormwatch Monday Open Thread is VERY OPEN – a place for everybody to post whatever they feel they would like to tell the White Hats, and the rest of the MAGA/KAG/KMAG world (with KMAG being a bit of both).
Yes, it’s Monday…again.
But it’s okay! We’ll get through it.
Free Speech is practiced here at the Q Tree. But please keep it civil. We’re on the same side here so let’s not engage in friendly fire.
Please also consider the Important Guidelines, outlined here. Let’s not give the odious Internet Censors a reason to shut down this precious haven that Wolf has created for us.
Please pray for our real President, the one who actually won the election:
For your listening enjoyment, I offer this composition from Tony Anderson, titled “Eternal Spring”:
On a lighter note, a mashup of The Wellerman Song:
Our beloved country is under Occupation by hostile forces.
We can give in to despair…or we can be defiant and fight back in any way that we can.
Joe Biden didn’t win.
I will keep saying Joe Biden didn’t win until we get His Fraudulency out of our White House.
Wheatie’s Words of the Day:
So long
Did you ever wonder where the farewell phrase, “so long”, came from? It is kind of an odd way to say goodbye, if you think about it.
Apparently, no one knows for sure where it came from. Its earliest use dates back to the early 1800s. There are several theories about its origin.
One theory is that British soldiers imported the Malayan salutation, Salang. Another theory is that it came from the German parting salutation adieu so lange…but I tend to like the theory that it came from the Gaelic/Irish word for goodbye, Slán.
Used in a sentence:
I am looking forward to telling His Fraudulency “so long”, when we kick him and Team Fraud out of our White House.
This Stormwatch Monday Open Thread is VERY OPEN – a place for everybody to post whatever they feel they would like to tell the White Hats, and the rest of the MAGA/KAG/KMAG world (with KMAG being a bit of both).
Yes, it’s Monday…again.
But it’s okay! We’ll get through it.
Free Speech is practiced here at the Q Tree. But please keep it civil. We’re on the same side here so let’s not engage in friendly fire.
Please also consider the Important Guidelines, outlined here. Let’s not give the odious Internet Censors a reason to shut down this precious haven that Wolf has created for us.
Please pray for our real President, the one who actually won the election:
For your listening enjoyment, I offer this Sea Shanty song, titled ‘The Wellerman’:
Yeah, I know…the suckage continues.
Our beloved country is under Occupation by hostile forces. We can give in to despair…or we can be defiant and fight back in any way that we can.
Joe Biden didn’t win.
I will keep saying Joe Biden didn’t win until we get his Fraudulency out of our White House.
Wheatie’s Word of the Day:
hapless
‘Hapless’ is an adjective that means…without hap or luck; luckless; unfortunate; unlucky; unhappy. And what is ‘hap’ you might ask? Hap means…fortune, chance.
Used in a sentence:
We shall henceforth set out to make all RINOs into hapless and unelected RINOs.
This Stormwatch Monday Open Thread is VERY OPEN – a place for everybody to post whatever they feel they would like to tell the White Hats, and the rest of the MAGA/KAG/KMAG world (with KMAG being a bit of both).
Yes, it’s Monday…again.
But it’s okay! We’ll get through it.
Free Speech is practiced here at the Q Tree. But please keep it civil. We’re on the same side here so let’s not engage in friendly fire.
Please also consider the Important Guidelines, outlined here. Let’s not give the odious Internet Censors a reason to shut down this precious haven that Wolf has created for us.
Please pray for our real President, the one who actually won the election:
For your listening enjoyment, I offer this composition from Efisio Cross, titled “As Long As God Loves Us”:
Yeah, I know…the suckage continues.
Our beloved country is under Occupation by hostile forces. We can give in to despair…or we can be defiant and fight back in any way that we can.
Joe Biden didn’t win.
I will keep saying Joe Biden didn’t win until we get his Fraudulency out of our White House.
Wheatie’s Word of the Day:
Incel
𝕀𝕟𝕔𝕖𝕝 is a relatively new word, and is a derivative of two words…Involuntarily celibate.
The Urban Dictionary gives us this definition:
An Incel is a human with a. a horrible personality or unpopular core beliefs b. someone who is just ugly as sin or c. a combination of a. and b. As a result of their mixed personality/personal appearance issues they are rejected sexually (incel = involuntarily celibate).
Used in a sentence:
Democrats have found a use for their incel offspring; they send them out in the streets to riot, loot and burn things.
This Sanctuary Sunday Open Thread, with full respect to those who worship God on the Sabbath, is a place to reaffirm our worship of our Creator, our Father, our King Eternal.
It is also a place to read, post and discuss news that is worth knowing and sharing. Please post links to any news stories that you use as sources or quote from.
In the QTree, we’re a friendly and civil lot. We encourage free speech and the open exchange and civil discussion of different ideas. Topics aren’t constrained, and sound logic is highly encouraged, all built on a solid foundation of truth and established facts.
We have a policy of mutual respect, shown by civility. Civility encourages discussions, promotes objectivity and rational thought in discourse, and camaraderie in the participants – characteristics we strive toward in our Q Tree community.
Please show respect and consideration for our fellow QTreepers. Before hitting the “post” button, please proofread your post and make sure you’re addressing the issue only, and not trying to confront the poster. Keep to the topic – avoid “you” and “your”. Here in The Q Tree, personal attacks, name calling, ridicule, insults, baiting and other conduct for which a penalty flag would be thrown are VERBOTEN.
In The Q Tree, we’re compatriots, sitting around the campfire, roasting hot dogs, making s’mores and discussing, agreeing, and disagreeing about whatever interests us. This board will remain a home for those who seek respectful conversations.
Let’s not give the Internet Censors a reason to shut down this intellectual haven that Wolf has created for us.
The Storm is upon us. Please remember to Pray for our President.
And,
On this day and every day –
God is in Control . . . and His Grace is Sufficient, so . . . Keep Looking Up
Hopefully, every Sunday, we can find something here that will build us up a little . . . give us a smile . . . and add some joy or peace, very much needed in all our lives.
“This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” . . . “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
I much prefer posting information about the positive aspects of humility, such as for last week, rather than warnings about pride, but the following is in response to questions and it’s also good to think about how pride manifests itself in our lives.
Pride’s Many Pitfalls
In Wednesday’s “Midweek Musings,” michaelh asked “What are the warning signs that believers need to be watchful for when it comes to pride? What should we look for in our character to alert us to pride in our lives? How should we be watchful for pride in others, particularly our leaders or spiritual counselors?” among other questions. Hopefully the following will partially address at least some of those questions, although not necessarily specifically or directly.
Jonathan Edwards, (1703 – 1758), was the greatest theologian and philosopher of British American Puritanism, major figure in the religious revival known as the ” Great Awakening,” and one of the forerunners of the age of Protestant missionary expansion in the 19th century.
Undetected Spiritual Pride One Cause of Failure in Times of Great Revival by Jonathan Edwards
The first and worst cause of errors that abound in our day and age is spiritual pride. This is the main door by which the devil comes into the hearts of those who are zealous for the advancement of Christ. It is the chief inlet of smoke from the bottomless pit to darken the mind and mislead the judgement.
Pride is the main handle by which he has hold of Christian persons and the chief source of all the mischief that he introduces to clog and hinder a work of God. Spiritual pride is the main spring or at least the main support of all other errors. Until this disease is cured, medicines are applied in vain to heal all other diseases.
It is by spiritual pride that the mind defends and justifies itself in other errors and defends itself against light by which it might be corrected and reclaimed. The spiritually proud man thinks he is full of light already and feels that he does not need instruction, so he is ready to ignore the offer of it.
On the other hand, the humble person is like a little child who easily receives instruction. He is cautious in his estimate of himself, sensitive as to how liable he is to go astray. If it is suggested to him that he is going astray, he is most ready to check into the matter.
Nothing sets a Christian so much out of the devil’s reach than humility and so prepares the mind for divine light without darkness. Humility clears the eye to look at things as they truly are. Psalm 25:9 — He leads the humble in justice, and He teaches the humble His way.
If spiritual pride is healed, other things are easily corrected. Our first care should be to correct the heart and pull the beam of pride out of our eye and then we shall see clearly.
Growing Christians Beware!
Those who are most zealous in the cause of God are the most likely to be targeted as being filled with pride. When any person appears, in any respect, to be noticeably excelling others in his Christian walk, odds are ten to one that it will immediately awaken the jealousy of those about him.
They will suspect (whether they have good reason or not) that he is very proud of his goodness and that he probably thinks no one as good as he is, so that everything he says and does is observed with this prejudice.
Those who are themselves cold and dead, and especially those who have never had any experience of the power of godliness on their own hearts, will easily entertain such thoughts of the best Christians. This arises from nothing less than a secret hostility against essential and fervent holiness.
But the zealous Christian should take heed that this does not prove a snare to him, and the devil take advantage of it to blind his eyes from beholding the true nature of his heart and to think that because he is charged with pride wrongfully and with an unkind spirit, that such charges are not sometimes valid.
Alas, how much pride the best have in their hearts! It is the worst part of the body of sin and death; the first sin that ever entered into the universe and the last that is rooted out. It is God’s most stubborn enemy!
Pride: a Secret Enemy
Pride is much more difficult to be discerned than any other corruption because of its very nature. That is, pride is a person having too high an opinion of himself. Is it any surprise, then, that a person who has too high an opinion of himself is unaware of it? His thinking is that he thinks that the opinion he has of himself has just grounds and therefore is not too high. If the grounds of the opinion of himself crumbled, he would cease to have such an opinion.
But, because of the nature of spiritual pride, it is the most secret of all sins. There is no other matter in which the heart is more deceitful and unsearchable and there is no other sin in the world that men are so confident in. The very nature of it is to work self-confidence and drive away any suspicion of any evil of that kind. There is no sin so much like the devil as this for secrecy and subtlety, and appearing in great many shapes that are undetected and unsuspected.
Spiritual pride takes many forms and shapes, one under another, and encompasses the heart like the layers of an onion: when you pull off one, there is another underneath. Therefore, we have need to have the greatest watch imaginable over our hearts with respect to this matter and to cry most earnestly to the great Searcher of hearts for His help. He that trusts his own heart is a fool.
Since spiritual pride in its own nature is so secret, it cannot be so well discerned by immediate intuition on the thing itself. It is best identified by its fruits and effects, some of which I will make mention of below together with the contrary fruits of Christian humility.
Pride: the Great Fault-finder
Spiritual pride causes one to speak of other persons’ sins, their enmity against God and His people, or with laughter and levity and an air of contempt, while pure Christian humility disposes either to be silent about them or to speak of them with grief or pity.
The spiritually proud person shows it in his finding fault with other saints, that they are low in grace and how cold and dead they are, and are quick to discern and take notice of their deficiencies. The eminently humble Christian has so much to do at home and sees so much evil in his own that he is not apt to be very busy with other hearts.
He complains most of himself and complains most of his own coldness and lowness in grace. He is apt to esteem others as better than himself and is ready to hope that most everybody has more love and thankfulness to God than he, and cannot bear to think that others should bring forth no more fruit to God’s honor than he.
Some who have spiritual pride mixed with great learning and joy, earnestly speaking to others about them, are likely to be calling upon other Christians to emulate them and sharply reprove them for their being so cold and lifeless.
There are others who are overwhelmed with their own vileness, and when they have extraordinary discoveries of God’s glory, they are taken up by their own sinfulness. Though they are disposed to speak much and very earnestly, yet it is very much in blaming themselves and exhorting fellow Christians, but in a loving and humble manner.
Pure Christian humility causes a person to take notice of everything that is good in others, to make the best of it and to diminish their failings; however, he turns his eye chiefly on those things that are bad in himself and to take much notice of everything that aggravates them.
Pride: Ministering in a Harsh Spirit
It has been the manner of spiritually proud persons to speak of almost everything they see in others in the most harsh, severe language. It is frequent with them to say of other’s opinion, conduct, advice, coldness, silence, caution, moderation, prudence, etc. that they are from the devil or from hell.
Such kind of language they will commonly use, not only towards wicked men, but towards those who are true children of God and also towards ministers of the gospel and others who are very much their superiors. Christians who are but fellow-worms ought at least to treat one another with as much humility and gentleness as Christ treats them.
Pride: Putting on Pretenses
Spiritual pride often causes persons to act different in external appearance, to effect a different way of speaking, to use a different sort of dialect from others, or to be different in voice, countenance or behavior. But he that is an eminently humble Christian, though he will be firm in his duty, however different — going the way of heaven alone, though all the world forsake him — yet he does not delight in being different for difference’s sake.
He does not try to set himself up to be viewed and observed as one distinguished, as desiring to be accounted better than others — despising their company or conformity to them — but on the contrary, desires to become all things to all men, to yield to others and conform to them and please them in all but sin.
Pride: Takes Offence Easily
Spiritual pride takes great notice of opposition and injuries that are received and is prone to be often speaking of them and to be much in taking notice of their aggravation, either with an air of bitterness or contempt.
Pure and unmixed Christian humility, on the other hand, causes a person to be more like his blessed Lord when reviled: quiet, not opening his mouth, but committing himself in silence to Him who judges righteously. For the humble Christian, the more the world is against him, the more silent and still he will be, unless it is in his prayer closet, and there he will not be still.
Pride: Presumption Before God and Man
Another effect of spiritual pride is a certain self-confident boldness before God and men. Some, in their great rejoicing before God, have not paid sufficient regard to that rule in Psalm 2:11 — Worship the Lord with reverence, and rejoice with trembling.
They have not rejoiced with a reverential trembling, in a proper sense of the awful majesty of God and the awful distance between Him and them. There has also been an improper boldness before men that has been encouraged and defended by a misapplication of Proverbs 29:25 — The fear of man brings a snare… It is as though it became all persons, high and low, men, women and children in all Christian conversation to wholly abandon all manner of modesty or reverence toward man.
Not that any should refrain from Christian conversation, but with such humility as in 1 Peter 3:15—But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.
Pride: Hungry for Attention
Another effect of spiritual pride is to make the subject of it want attention. People often tend to act in a special manner as though others ought to take great notice and regard of them. It is very natural to a person that is very much under the influence of spiritual pride to take all the respect that is paid to him.
If others show a disposition to submit to him and yield in deference to him, he is open to it and freely receives it. It becomes natural for him to expect such treatment and to take much notice if a person fails to do so, and to have an ill opinion of those who do not give him that which he feels he deserves.
One under the influence of spiritual pride is more apt to instruct others than to inquire for himself and so naturally puts on the airs of control. The eminently humble Christian thinks he needs help from everybody, whereas he that is spiritually proud thinks everybody needs his help. Christian humility, under a sense of other’s misery, entreats and beseeches, but spiritual pride tries to command and warn with authority.
Pride: Neglecting Others
As spiritual pride causes persons to assume much to themselves, so it treats others with neglect. On the contrary, pure Christian humility disposes persons to honor all men as from 1 Peter 2:17. To enter into disputes about Christianity is sometimes unseasonable, such as in meeting for Christian conference or for exercises of worship.
Yet, we ought to be very careful that we do not refuse to converse with carnal men, as though we counted them not worthy to be regarded. On the contrary, we should condescend to carnal men as Christ has condescended to us, to bear with our unteachableness and stupidity.
In God’s Word, pride takes center stage as a character trait to avoid. Here are a few other verses about pride and its effect on people . . . and consequences.
Daniel 5:20 But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory.
1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
Psalm 10:4 In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
Proverbs 29:23 Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.
Proverbs 26:12 Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.
Proverbs 21:4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.
Proverbs 18:12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16:5 The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
Proverbs 8:13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 13:10 Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
Isaiah 2:12 The LORD Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled),
I’ve got to end this on a positive note, so . . . “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
This Stormwatch Monday Open Thread is VERY OPEN – a place for everybody to post whatever they feel they would like to tell the White Hats, and the rest of the MAGA/KAG/KMAG world (with KMAG being a bit of both).
Yes, it’s Monday…again.
But it’s okay! We’ll get through it.
Free Speech is practiced here at the Q Tree. But please keep it civil. We’re on the same side here so let’s not engage in friendly fire.
Please also consider the Important Guidelines, outlined here. Let’s not give the odious Internet Censors a reason to shut down this precious haven that Wolf has created for us.
Please pray for our real President, the one who actually won the election:
For your listening enjoyment, I offer this composition from Eternal Eclipse, titled ‘Hidden Machinations’:
Yeah, I know…it sucks.
Our beloved country is under Occupation by hostile forces. We can give in to despair…or we can be defiant and fight back in any way that we can.
Joe Biden didn’t win.
I will keep saying Joe Biden didn’t win until we get his Fraudulency out of our White House.
Wheatie’s Word of the Day:
Bumptious
‘Bumptious’ is an adjective which means…crudely or loudly assertive; pushy; conceited; domineering.
Used in a sentence:
Eager to tell you tell you how wrong you are, a bumptious leftist will ignore the facts that are right in front of them.
This Sanctuary Sunday Open Thread, with full respect to those who worship God on the Sabbath, is a place to reaffirm our worship of our Creator, our Father, our King Eternal.
It is also a place to read, post and discuss news that is worth knowing and sharing. Please post links to any news stories that you use as sources or quote from.
In the QTree, we’re a friendly and civil lot. We encourage free speech and the open exchange and civil discussion of different ideas. Topics aren’t constrained, and sound logic is highly encouraged, all built on a solid foundation of truth and established facts.
We have a policy of mutual respect, shown by civility. Civility encourages discussions, promotes objectivity and rational thought in discourse, and camaraderie in the participants – characteristics we strive toward in our Q Tree community.
Please show respect and consideration for our fellow QTreepers. Before hitting the “post” button, please proofread your post and make sure you’re addressing the issue only, and not trying to confront the poster. Keep to the topic – avoid “you” and “your”. Here in The Q Tree, personal attacks, name calling, ridicule, insults, baiting and other conduct for which a penalty flag would be thrown are VERBOTEN.
In The Q Tree, we’re compatriots, sitting around the campfire, roasting hot dogs, making s’mores and discussing, agreeing, and disagreeing about whatever interests us. This board will remain a home for those who seek respectful conversations.
Let’s not give the Internet Censors a reason to shut down this intellectual haven that Wolf has created for us.
The Storm is upon us. Please remember to Pray for our President.
And,
On this day and every day –
God is in Control . . . and His Grace is Sufficient, so . . . Keep Looking Up
Hopefully, every Sunday, we can find something here that will build us up a little . . . give us a smile . . . and add some joy or peace, very much needed in all our lives.
“This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” . . . “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Wait on the LORD
We are currently at a monumental crossroad in the history of our country. We have a corrupt and incompetent usurper for a leader who is hell-bent (literally) to produce national policy that will ruin our country.
Some look to President Trump’s promises to wrest the fraudulent leadership from this usurper and reestablish us on the road to American self-sufficiency, economic stability, military leadership, peace, liberty, justice and American unity.
Others believe that it is up to patriots to respond to this fraudulent election and the oppressive proclamations from its figurehead.
We know that God places rulers in their positions for His reasons, which are not clearly known or fully appreciated by us. And we stand now, under God, waiting, hoping and praying for God’s hand to restore us.
This is a very stressful period and many of us are wondering how to best get through it.
Fortunately, God’s Word directly addresses situations where we are waiting for God.
We know that God establishes authorities on earth, good and merciful, and bad and oppressive. “For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” – Romans 13:1b “He [God] removes kings and establishes kings;” – Daniel 2:21
We see what God does, but none of us, no matter how wise we claim to be, really understands it. “I saw everything God does, and I realized that no one can understand what happens. We may be very wise, but no matter how much we try or how much we claim to know, we cannot understand it all.” – Ecclesiastes 8:17 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:8-9
When we think things are going bad for us, God doesn’t want us bickering and complaining about it. “Now when the people complained, it displeased the Lord; for the Lord heard it, and His anger was aroused.” – Num 11:1
God wants us to always recognize that He is the Supreme Authority in the universe and that His plan will succeed and His will be done regardless of the opposing efforts of mankind. “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” – Proverbs 19:21 “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” – Proverbs 16:9 “. . . for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it – lest you even be found to fight against God.” – Acts 5:38-39
What God wants is for us to fully recognize that He is in authority over all the world, that He is responsible for causing situations that we may not understand or appreciate, and that we should go to Him for relief in those situations.
Does this mean that God wants us to just sit passively and wait for Him to act? No. God normally acts through men to accomplish His will on earth. God’s Word has many, many examples of people and rulers in tough situations that pray to God for relief . . . and many examples of God providing that relief, mainly through mankind. “Therefore the LORD wants to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts Himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him” – Isaiah 30:18. “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord” – Lamentations 3:25-26. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” – Psalm 27:14
God takes the issue of mankind recognizing Him as the supreme authority and deserving of the credit for the events on earth very seriously, as King Herod, to his dismay, found out. “So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.” – Acts 12:21-23
So what is it exactly that God wants us to do when confronted with oppression? “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices.” – Psalm 37.7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
So, just when will God act to right this wrong that has been thrust upon us? He will address the situation at a time that He sees fit, according to His plan. “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you” – 2 Peter 3:8-9.
We don’t know if God is going to act in a day, a week, a year or 10 years. We can hope and pray, however, that He will act quickly. Today, it may seem that God is not hearing our prayers, or that our problems will not be solved. But we should never give up or be discouraged. Rather, we should be bold and courageous . . . with faith, and, as much as is granted by God, peace and joy in His Spirit..
We will continue to commit our needs to Him, trust Him, and keep seeking Him. We will believe that His promises are true and that our prayers will be answered. As we wait on Him, He will strengthen us and provide for our needs . . . and we will give all the glory to God.
Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:28-30 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Psalm 27 1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; Who shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked came against me To devour my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell. 3 Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident.
4 One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the delightfulness of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple. 5 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up in honor above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joyous shouts in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8 When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” 9 Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. 10 When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the Lord will take care of me.
11 Teach me Your way, O Lord, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. 12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence. 13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.
14 Wait in faith on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!
This Stormwatch Monday Open Thread is VERY OPEN – a place for everybody to post whatever they feel they would like to tell the White Hats, and the rest of the MAGA/KAG/KMAG world (with KMAG being a bit of both: Keep Making America Great).
Yes, it’s Monday…again.
But it’s okay! We’ll get through it.
Free Speech is practiced here at the Q Tree. But please keep it civil. Discussion of Q is not only allowed but encouraged. Imagine that! We can talk about Q here and not get banned.
Please also consider the Important Guidelines, outlined here. Let’s not give the odious Internet Censors a reason to shut down this precious haven that Wolf has created for us.
Our President is fighting for us night and day…please pray for him.
For your listening enjoyment, I offer this composition from Infraction:
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In these distressing times, it’s good to give a buddy a hug.
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Wheatie’s Word of the Day:
Dapocaginous
‘Dapocaginous‘ is an adjective which means…mean spirited or heartless; dark and broken.
Used in a sentence:
The Democrats and their Orcs reveal their dapocaginous nature on a daily basis.
Ever since it became apparent that the election had been hit by massive fraud, I’ve been saying this, but I’m going to say it again: This is for ALL of the Chips.
If Trump were to not continue to be President, then history, looking back, would see his term as a mere speed bump in the course of the collapse of the United States of America. The deep state would come back out of hiding, his gains would be wiped out almost instantly, we’d end up with Obolacare Plus, NAFTA Plus, You-name-it Plus. We’d be facing a Leftist backlash, because they’ve been boiling mad for four years, and now they’d have an unimpeded outlet for that rage.
That’s why President Donald John Trump must prevail. Because without Justice for the Deep State, for the Ruling Class, everything we gained these last four years is transitory.
I’m not just saying this, I put my money where my mouth is last week and went to Washington, thinking (as many others did) that he wasn’t calling us to watch a defeat. Though it certainly did look like a defeat on many levels, we’ll see what happens between now and Wednesday!
Only time and a tell-all memoir will tell how useful our individual actions on that day actually were. But no matter what, those of us lucky enough to be able to go did see history unfold. And those unable to go, well, be assured that we represented you in spirit.
I’ve seen some positive signs. For instance, it seems significant that the overwhelming majority of arrests stemming from the “festivities” of January 6 are Leftist or Democrat agent provocateurs, not MAGA people. Is something actually changing at the FBI?
In general, there’s a lot of odd stuff going on. Something’s brewing!
This will not have been in vain!
A couple of cautions: Let’s be careful, please, to do some checking on the rumors we post.
And let’s remember that we do not know Trump’s battle plan. We’re speculating here.
A Reminder Of The Need for Justice.
Our movement is about replacing a failed and corrupt political establishment with a new government controlled by you, the American People...Our campaign represents a true existential threat, like they’ve never seen before.
Then-Candidate Donald J. Trump
Needs to happen, soon.
Lawyer Appeasement Section
OK now for the fine print.
Please note that our menu has changed, please listen to all of the options.
This is the WQTH Daily Thread. You know the drill. There’s no Political correctness, but civility is a requirement. There are Important Guidelines, here, with an addendum on 20191110.
We have a new board – called The U Tree – where people can take each other to the woodshed without fear of censorship or moderation.
And remember Wheatie’s Rules:
1. No food fights 2. No running with scissors. 3. If you bring snacks, bring enough for everyone. 4. The first rule of gun safety: Don’t let the government take your guns. 5. The gun is always loaded. 5a. If you actually want the gun to be loaded, like because you’re checking out a bump in the night, then it’s empty. 6. Never point the gun at anything you’re not willing to destroy. 7. Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire. 8. Be sure of your target and what is behind it. 9. Social Justice Warriors, ANTIFA pukes, BLM hypocrites, and other assorted varieties of Marxists can go copulate with themselves, or if insufficiently limber, may substitute a rusty wire brush suitable for cleaning the bore of a twelve or ten gauge.
(Hmm a few extras seem to have crept in.)
Coin of The Day
The Gobrecht Dollar, Redux
I talked about this back, what, six weeks ago? My first post on the new Q Tree.
Here’s a reminder picture of the Gobrecht dollar, in 1836 our first tentative step towards resuming silver dollar coinage which had ended in 1804.
1836 Gobrecht Dollar (“Original”)
That awesome flying eagle reverse motif had problems, namely that it was hard to get the sucker to strike up properly. In the picture, for instance, you can see high points on the design (like the eagle’s “armpit” area, and the tip of the nearer wing) that just weren’t fully detailed, because the metal didn’t flow completely into the deepest parts of the die. To be sure it took a lot of force (100 tons or so) to strike up a coin the size of a silver dollar in the first place and that no doubt had something to do with it, but ultimately, the design got rejected in favor of a reuse of the “sandwich board” eagle that had been used on our silver coinage since 1807/8.
But that eagle wasn’t completely dead.
Twenty years later, in 1856, the mint was about to embark on an experiment. We had, up until that time, used a coin 29 millimeters (or so) in diameter, and quite thick (compare to a quarter which is 24.3 mm in diameter), made out of fairly pure copper, as our cent. It weighed 168 grains (exactly 0.35 troy ounces, not that you’d measure copper in troy ounces). Collectors now call these cents “large cents” to distinguish them from the considerably smaller pieces we use today.
The government wanted something a bit lighter. These coins were noticeably heavy and really didn’t have a whole lot of purchasing power, even back then.
The Flying Eagle Cent
So it was decided to create what we now call the “small cent.” But what came out of this design process was still a bit odd to today’s eyes. The new coin weighed 72 grains (exactly 0.15 troy ounces, but again no one would weigh this metal in troy ounces). And it was 12 percent nickel (almost exactly 1/8th), 88 percent copper. This was done to bring the intrinsic value up, nickel being more expensive than copper.
It had the same diameter as our current “penny” (a misnomer), but was quite a bit thicker.
Because it had 12 percent nickel, instead of being red, and toning to a brown color, it was a sort of tan color…and stayed that way. You could almost call it “stainless copper.”
(And, note, that our current “nickel” and the surface layers of our dime and quarter, are 25 percent nickel, 75 percent copper. Even though they are mostly copper, there’s no copper color to them at all!)
What design appeared on the 1856 patterns, and then the full production run of 1857 and 1858?
Why, that same eagle from the Gobrecht Dollar, of course.
Flying Eagle Cent, 1857 – 1858 (with patterns in 1856)
As you can see, using a smaller coin didn’t help. Notice the eagle’s breast is flat. The wingtips, at least look good.
This peculiar copper nickel alloy earned this coin the nickname “nick,” but it did prove popular as it was much more convenient than those old large cents. So it looked like, on the whole, the experiment would be a success. Other countries had tried making nickel coinage, but usually it was pure nickel, and it was finicky to work with at the time, the biggest problem being to measure the heat of the coins when they were being annealed. (We had no thermometers, so the workers had to judge by the color the coin was glowing. And on a cloudy day, or late in the day, the light would be different enough to throw them off.) Poorly annealed planchets wore down the dies.
But we apparently had found an alloy that was tough, but workable.
(Incidentally the 1856 Flying Eagle cent pattern is a rarity, only 2000 were made, and they are nearly as expensive as Gobrecht dollars.)
The Indian Head Cent
Nevertheless, in 1859 we went to a new design, still on those copper-nickel thick planchets with the tan color.
Indian Head Cent, 1859.
Interestingly, this was the year Abraham Lincoln turned 50; no one at the time thought he was important enough to commemorate by changing the design of the cent, but that would change by the time he turned 100. Or 150. Or 200. But it’s funny that a major design change did occur for his 50th year just to complete the pattern!
The Indian Head cent would last until 1909. But not quite like this.
The very next year saw a change to the reverse, with the laurel wreath replaced with oak leaves and a shield added.
1860-1909 reverse Why on earth Wikipedia took such a badly stained coin and used it for their illustration beats me. It takes hard work to stain this alloy, yet someone did it. But if you really want to see the stains in pin-point detail, the original uploaded file is 6442 pixels wide by 3250 pixels tall.
This reverse would stay with the Indian Head cent until it ended. But we’re still not done.
In mid-1864 it was decided to debase the coin just a bit. The nickel was removed from the alloy, and some tin was put in instead to make it bronze, rather than copper. The overall weight was reduced to 48 grains, exactly a tenth of a troy ounce. This, finally, was the “cent” we grew up with.
The new alloy, of course, would turn from red to brown over time, as people handled it. Interestingly, the better struck the coin, the more likely it was to turn brown (this had been true of the large cents as well).
1881 Indian Head Cent (Red).
And now we have coins where, when they are graded, there is a distinction made between red, red-brown, and brown colors (and red coins typically command a premium). The third party grading companies guarantee their numeric grade, but since their holders aren’t air tight, they will not guarantee that a coin they graded as “MS 60 RD” (Mint state 60, Red) will actually stay “red”.
I personally prefer them in red-brown–the price is cheaper (I won’t lose as much if the coin does tone on me) and it’s still not completely brown.
On these coins, the tips of the feathers are often poorly struck. Nevertheless we stuck with the design until mid 1909, and then it was time to commemorate Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birthday, which was probably a bitter pill to swallow for a lot of old vets from the South who remembered the Civil War.
There was one more minor change in 1864. After switching to bronze, it was decided to add a small L to the design, it was the initial of James Longacre, the designer. 1864 L cents as they are known, are much more expensive than 1864 “no L” cents, but of course the L was retained from that point forward, so if you want a cent with the L on it and don’t care what year it is, that’s easy. Another tough one to find and pay for is an 1877, for some reason.
A “red brown” 1877 cent. Yeah, it’s purple instead of brown, but the point is parts of the coin are still the original red, and other parts are toned.
In 1908 and 1908 only, some of these were made in San Francisco and there is an S mintmark on the reverse. Those are also considerably more expensive than the non S ones. (Any 1909 cent with an S on it is expensive than without…and there were three of them: the Indian Head cent, the Lincoln Cent with VDB initials [a rarity even non-collectors have often heard about], and the Lincoln Cent without the VDB initials.)
So there you have a history of the Indian Head cent. My thanks to Wolf for suggesting the topic.
Standard disclaimer: I never show pictures of my coins, and in many cases don’t own anything remotely resembling the coins in these pictures. Any prospective thieves should know I also collect other heavy metals–anything with a heavier nucleus would be unstable–and keep those a lot closer to me than the coins.
Obligatory PSA
I think Wolf would fire me if I were to forget this.
Remember Hong Kong!!! And remember the tens of millions who died under the “Great Helmsman” Chairman Mao.
I sure hope he’s OK, but he’s in Hong Kong…
中国是个混蛋 !!! Zhōngguò shì gè hùndàn !!! China is asshoe !!!
For my money the Great Helmsman is Hikaru Sulu (even if the actor is a dingbat).
They aren’t going to win, you know. The fatal flaw, the deadly flaw, the flaw that assures We win, is that Evil has irrevocably separated itself from God. Evil personified is the devil and his demons. Those who carry out the designs of Evil in the end become its victims. Filled with all that “worketh and maketh a lie” (Rev. 21:27), those who indulge in evil will reap the reward of their father, the “father of lies,” as Jesus Christ calls the Evil One.
The devil devours his own. All the money, all the power, all the cosmetic surgery in the world cannot prevent the desiccation and decay of a depraved and corrupted soul. And it shows in the face. And it’s not just the Bitch, the CCP Tool and GS. That’s not just age that is ravaging those faces.
They have the whiff of sulphur about them as well as the black eyes of something otherworldly staring out at the world.
But we shall leave them to their deserved ends, both here and nearly certainly hereafter, and concentrate this fine Friday on ridding ourselves of FEAR and enjoying the delights of Frangelico, another lovely liqueur from the monks, Italian this time.
And yes, Fra. Angelico is the same individual as the painter of that time! Frangelico is enjoyed neat (straight up without ice), on ice, with coffee (so stinking good you have to watch yourself), and in cocktails. You can find some really good cocktail recipes online.
HOUSE RULES
You know the House Rules. Civil. Civil. Did I say civil? Keep it as kind as you can, given these times. If you really just need to vent and verbally brawl, head over to the UTree, where your inner beast can cut loose. And if you are new or need a refresher on the house rules, go here. Thank you in advance for giving our burly bouncers nothing to do.
There’s nothing like music and the Holy Scriptures to bolster our faith and keep us on track NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS. We are in this for eternity, not just for the next four years.
“2 Timothy 1:7, says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
The 23rd Psalm is probably the best known and loved psalm. It wasn’t originally written or sung for funerals. This evangelical pastor gives us a great Hebraic history lesson on this psalm. It is wonderful. Stick with it (just about 13 minutes) and you will be glad you did.
And here is a beautiful chant rendition of the 23rd Psalm.
“World War Three has started…This was a corrupt election, it was a coup d’etat against the American people and the government…The lockdown is part of it. Everyone wearing a mask…it is social conditioning.” Gen. McInerney
CLICK THE GENERAL’S NAME BELOW TO LISTEN TO HIS INTERVIEW
Now, it’s become quite apparent that none of us knows what the heck is going on. Theories abound. We are being bombarded from all sides with lies in this Information War, which Gen. Thomas McInerney and attorney Lin Wood are calling World War Three.
Events are speeding up as we race toward the apparent inauguration of Joe Whatshisname, aka the Usurper-in-Chief.
It seems the dam is breaking regarding declass and release of the stinking lying government plot to deny our duly-elected President his first term. Click the quote below to read and listen to John Solomon’s report.
Who doubts that more will be happening in the days to come? Let us gird ourselves for bearing a bit of the burden of the corruption that unnamed patriots have been shouldering for years. God give them special graces and blessings for their service.
The third and last installment of the Navarro Report has come out. The criminality of what happened to OUR VOTES AND OUR PRESIDENT cannot be refuted. They can only be hidden and denied by the propagandist media.
Project Veritas is outing that Twitter creep (look at the dead eyes and flat effect) for violating our First Amendment rights in the name of “safety”. They think they are so clever, don’t they? These kind of tyrants always end up committing crimes of violence in the end, all in the name of “safety” and “security.” Insufferable prigs.
Here’s one for the trolls who extoll the RNC and GOP and other assorted traitors to our President. Enjoy! RNC money grab
“The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” Ex. 14:14
That’s right. We will hold our peace.
And if you are so inclined, below is a prayer that the noted exorcist, Fr. Chad Ripperger, P.h.D, has asked be prayed every day until January 20.
His book Introduction to the Science of Mental Health is one of the best books I have read on the subject, because he understands both the spiritual, physical, and emotional aspects. He treats of the whole man.
Prayer of Command In His Name and by the power of His Cross and Blood, I ask Jesus to bind any evil spirits, forces and powers of the earth, air, fire, or water, of the netherworld and the satanic forces of nature. By the power of the Holy Spirit and by His authority, I ask Jesus Christ to break any curses, hexes, or spells and send them back to where they came from, if it be His Holy Will. I beseech Thee Lord Jesus to protect us by pouring Thy Precious Blood on us (my family, etc.), which Thou hast shed for us and I ask Thee to command that any departing spirits leave quietly, without disturbance, and go straight to Thy Cross to dispose of as Thou sees fit. I ask Thee to bind any demonic interaction, interplay, or communications. I place N. (Person, place or thing) under the protection of the Blood of Jesus Christ which He shed for us. Amen
Please put your family, the United States of America and President Donald Trump as the intentions in the Prayer of Command.
