Lyle's Blog

The following is an exact copy of a comment made to an article Mark Steyn had written. Steyn is a Canadian living in New Hampshire and the comment came from a Canadian about the dire straights this corona virus coupled with government idiocy has put Canada in a perilous state. Nothing added, nothing subtracted. I could rephrase it and claim it as my own but that would dishonor the truly brilliant observation that this man reports.

I could offer no better description of what this tyrannical take down of the economy means to us. Their actions are destroying what took decades to build. We are fools if we let them continue.

Dennis • Apr 16, 2020 at 17:36

Sorry for the length but it’s short for the subject.

Mark;

As a Canadian living in N.H, are you concerned about the lack of serious attention being given the shrinking and dying Canadian economy under PM Trudeau’s watch. It appears that most Canadians that voted for him are watching their economy sink into the abyss with little or no concern. Meanwhile, President Trump who is diligently and boldly trying to save the U.S. economy, is still being portrayed in the Can. media (via sources from the U.S.) as a buffoon and an uncouth imbecile.

You wrote about the NY subway system but here are some facts about Vancouver’s Translink. (Note I know Vancouver does not invoke joyful memories for you (ie HRC) but you still have a few supporters in the general area)

An April 14th “Translink” news release stated the transit system has; “…been shedding $75 million per month because of a massive drop in ridership. There are going to be dramatic changes that will affect all aspects of our transit system, and there will be some elements of our transit system that will no longer exist.” TransLink chair Coté said it’s facing insolvency as early as June without assistance. (So much for green travel in the future.) All buses, Sea buses, Skytrain and WC Express train cars have most seats closed off for “distancing” but the available seats are mostly empty anyway.

3 days ago, Mayor Kennedy in a moment of honesty warned his loyal supporters that the city was on the verge of insolvency due to lost revenues and begged the province for $millions in emergency funding. NDP Premier Horgan said he understood but it’s the same all across the province so cut more services and lay off more workers. (I know you agree on that) The mayor was later convinced to back track on the insolvency alarm but is still begging for Emerg money and still cutting.

The non-profit, non gov’t funded, popular Vancouver Aquarium tourist attraction, is losing $3.2 million a month in “visitor experience revenues” and has laid off 350 employees (60%) “Without at least $1 million a month to offset the cost of just caring for 70,000 animals, the Vancouver Aquarium will be underwater and permanently closed by the summer.” (Not my pun) These are only a few examples that are likely typical of the rest of Canada but economics is still not a pressing concern for the corrupt media.

Justin is doling out borrowed cash like PDJT to small businesses but economic recovery talks will likely be a subject for the distant future. How many businesses will be left to restart?

Thanks Dennis. America and the rest of the world are suffering from the same reliance we have on the ability of government to solve all our problems, an example of the blind leading the blind. We’re heading for the ditch if this madness continues.

Common sense and logic allows one to have a more prescient view of reality. However in a world where people aren’t even sure of what gender they are, leading us down the path to hell is a piece of cake. My hope is that the remnant who believe in freedom of thought and expression will (with God’s help) rise up and wrestle the reigns of power from godless fools.

Pray. It works. So even with the haters maneuvering us into the drop zone of their choosing, our God may just fly the plane in another direction.

This virus exposes who we really are and drives us to decide who we choose to serve and trust. As for me and my house………………………

We watched a documentary about twin women with savant syndrome. Their memory skills were truly amazing. Recalling what you had for dinners on a particular day ten years ago is beyond words. I would propose that Adam and Eve were perfect and had minds that were the perfect computers they were meant to be. Sin changed our minds.

Many things about life seem baffling and contradict our worldview. From a Christian point of view. Autistic and others of limited intellectual abilities are off-putting. Why? Because of the judgment of God. These people are incapable of responsible, rational thought. If so, then how can God hold them accountable for what they don’t know?

The twin girls grew up watching game shows and being Dick Clark was master of ceremonies on some, they developed a “worship” of Dick Clark. Their mother was a cruel alcoholic, they were bullied and belittled by other children; television became their distraction and Dick Clark became their idol, or as they phrased it, their savior.

I can not speak for God. His Word does that and I am told in His Word that He is just and we can trust Him. I have no option but to trust God. It is He who created the universe. We are mere grains of sand questioning the power of the ocean. The ocean does as it pleases.

Most of us in the “Christian” community believe that little children are exempt from the judgment of God and there is some scripture to support such a view. Abortion is an atrocity and puts in a precarious position with God. Sixty plus million have been aborted since Roe v Wade. Are those sixty million assured a place in paradise? It would seem so. One could reckon it better to die as a child than to live life out as a sinner and risk eternity without God.

Mental retardation would be the same case, people who aren’t able to make “right” choices in life. Is God going to reckon these people acceptable in heaven? As we go down this rabbit hole we’ve got to maintain that knowledge of what we have been told in scripture.

Why did the man have the withered arm in the Bible? We are told it is to bring glory to God. When people are healed, they brink glory to God. Man is in a hopeless condition unless God intervenes and touches his life. We bring glory to God when we believe what He says and promises to do. We bring glory to Him when we testify of these things.

The savant twins claiming Dick Clark as their savior is no different than what we all do. If only a particular politician is elected, if only we can find the right life partner; if only this or that.

If only we accepted that there is no other name given among men by which we must be saved. If only we could understand the difference between the ocean and the sand.

God created everything. He breathed HIs breath into man. If we only knew how insignificant we are when compared to God, we would be humble and let the ocean wash us from our sins.

Jesus rose from the dead. Some believe that; most don’t. Churches worldwide are withering just like the fig tree that Jesus cursed. We have Easter egg hunts to keep the kids and their parents entertained. Easter is more about pretty than it is about hope. We should ask ourselves, is Easter egg-hunting sound doctrine for children like Santa Clause is for Christmas?

Both “holidays” are about giving. God gave his only begotten son. First, he put Jesus in a manger, helpless child; God protected him until it was time to give him again. The first giving meant that royalty was humbled to walk among wretched men. The second giving was to redeem those same men from damnation.

Damnation. There’s something we don’t talk about much. We Christians quote John 3:16, For God so loved the world He gave………………and continuing that Christ didn’t come into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved. Why wasn’t He condemning the world? Damnation, it was condemned already.

We like to think we understand God, maker of the universe, the giver of life, where all the bucks stop. No other name by which we must be saved; are we really that bad. Some of us are kinda good at least we seem so on the outside. But we are old wineskins; pouring the new wine in us is a waste because it just runs out. Somehow we don’t realize we are naked, blind, and bathed in a sinful world. We cloak ourselves in self-righteousness. Surely we haven’t done anything to deserve damnation!

If you haven’t read Romans chapter one lately, read it. Slowly. Chew every verse. Verse 21 tells us that while we knew God (Adam and Eve), we glorified Him not as God, neither were we thankful. And because of our vain imaginations (reasonings), we became fools and our hearts were darkened. In our “wisdom” we became fools by making the glory of an incorruptible God equal with the other gods we create. Just like Adam and Eve, our hearts are deceitfully wicked. We don’t understand that. The greatest deceiver isn’t embodied in anyone else; it is ourselves.

Back to Easter. Everything changed the day the stone was rolled away. After two thousand years, we preach the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We have now reached the time in church history where Christianity wants to become seeker-friendly. It seems we must find some feel-good thing to attract attendees. Programs, we got programs. Music, oh is the music good. Sermons (not too long) that just tickle the ears. That’s the American church. Not all but too many.

The church in China, India and elsewhere don’t celebrate like we do. Quietly, underground; there’s a price to pay for serving God. God paid a price for us; Jesus paid it all. What are we willing to deny ourselves to follow Christ. Carrying the cross wasn’t something Jesus wanted to do. Following Him requires the same commitment. It isn’t something we want to do. He tells us to count the cost. Following Him will cost you everything the world has to offer. But like when Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, we too can say no knowing that Satan has nothing to offer. We love Christ because while we were yet sinners, he died for us in our place to satisfy a debt we could not pay.

First Peter 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Jesus entered the tomb, the place of the dead; he conquered death and the grave. And now he wants to enter us, dead in our trespasses and sins and give us the privilege of being his brother and a child of God. Therein lies our hope in a hopeless world. Jesus lives and we shall live with Him! We have been raised from the dead.

Life is a risky business. Even the best conditions can be affected by a black swan event. The coronavirus pandemic is an example. Out of the blue, our future becomes clouded; we are no longer so sure of what lies ahead. One thing is for certain, it points to the total inadequacy of the preparedness of most people.

The scramble for toilet paper, beans, rice, etc. demonstrates how assured we have been concerning the government’s ability to take care of us. Maybe now we’ll be more inclined to realize that in the end, it is ourselves we must rely on. It’s up to us to stock our shelves, keep the tank filled over half, and engage our neighbors so we know that we have each other’s backs.

Endurables are investments that simply endure time. They are physical. They’re not made of paper or promises. They include silver, gold, true art, collectible cars, and anything you have that has a useful purpose. At the moment the only paper asset that has huge value is the American dollar and it should always be the last standing paper asset you keep. Many bargains are to be had when others need dollars or when you want to help others buy food and sundries.

Keeping ten to twenty percent of your wealth in silver and gold is probably wise. In tough times our stocks go down and gold goes up. The further advantage of gold is portability. A gold necklace or coin is worth a lot and takes up little room on your person. A Rolex watch is easily carried across state lines having the advantage of a copious supply of imitators therefore wearing one draws little attention especially if you’re a blue-collar type.

In the end, your most valuable possession is your soul. The apostles were excited to tell Jesus that they could cast out demons and heal the sick. Jesus replied that what was really important is this: is your name written in the Lamb’s book of life?

A large retirement account, freedom to travel, health, and so much else we have are blessings. We should be thankful. But let’s not build bigger barns, bigger houses, or have so much that may get rusty or stolen.

We should put our treasure in heaven because wherever our treasure is, our heart is there too. Love God with all your heart, all your treasure. Love of God and His love for us is the only thing that’s everlasting or endurable.

Diversify, that’s what we’re all encouraged to do. In the broker’s mind, that means a certain mix of equities, mutual funds, etc. with a two percent allocation for cash just in case you need to throw a pizza party.

Of course, some diversification of your portfolio is wise, but in my mind, it is best if you pick companies that are well managed, use debt well, and are an essential part of the economy. But stocks and such should only be a part of your saving goal

Real estate has always been a way to build wealth. If you’re cut out to be a landlord, go for it; just be sure you are. If that’s the route you take I would consider buying upper scale property. It’s hard for most to come up with the rent and therefore people with better incomes are more able to be dependable in doing so.

Purchasing land, especially in areas where businesses build is a better approach. It shouldn’t be zoned commercial as that drives up the taxes. Land goes up in value more than the building that sits on it. It also has the advantage of not needing painting, plumbing, and the rest of the repairs that come with building ownership. I live in Phoenix. When the boom hit, houses went up fifty percent; land went up five times that. Accessible dirt is where it is at.

Next time we’ll think of what to have when the bottom falls out of the bucket.