Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Where to run?
I taught a Sunday School lesson on the prophet Jonah yesterday. Most fascinating to those involved in this dialog was the concept of a man of God running from God. It's clear, though. It's right there in the text. Jonah even admits to the sailors that he is "fleeing the presence of God." What a concept. And this from a prophet who must have known David's Psalm 139, "...where can I go from Your Spirit, where can I flee from your presence?"
The sailors may have thought they could run from the revenge of a Baal or Dagon, but a prophet of Yahweh certainly should have known God is omnipresent. There must be something more here. As in, Jonah ran, knowing he would not evade God, but that he would physically demonstrate the rebellion of his heart.
Jonah hated the Ninevites. While God's mercy was directed to a merciless people, Jonah wanted none of that. His action spoke volumes. His action said to God, "I know what You want. I know what You've commanded. I know you will win. But, this is my ultimate act of defiance. Kill me, but don't send me with the message of Salvation to these hated people."
How much is my own flesh like Jonah's? I know the path of repentance. I know what obedience requires. Yet, I plot and plan my sin like a bank robber. Even as I make way for the lusts of the flesh, the original rebellion continues bubbling into the scene, stating my suicidal defiance in the face of a loving and compassionate God. As Solomon stated, "It is vanity. All is vanity...at end, fear God and keep His commandments." Why can't I get this?
The sailors may have thought they could run from the revenge of a Baal or Dagon, but a prophet of Yahweh certainly should have known God is omnipresent. There must be something more here. As in, Jonah ran, knowing he would not evade God, but that he would physically demonstrate the rebellion of his heart.
Jonah hated the Ninevites. While God's mercy was directed to a merciless people, Jonah wanted none of that. His action spoke volumes. His action said to God, "I know what You want. I know what You've commanded. I know you will win. But, this is my ultimate act of defiance. Kill me, but don't send me with the message of Salvation to these hated people."
How much is my own flesh like Jonah's? I know the path of repentance. I know what obedience requires. Yet, I plot and plan my sin like a bank robber. Even as I make way for the lusts of the flesh, the original rebellion continues bubbling into the scene, stating my suicidal defiance in the face of a loving and compassionate God. As Solomon stated, "It is vanity. All is vanity...at end, fear God and keep His commandments." Why can't I get this?
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Texas Business Margin Tax
Well, it’s here. It’s June 16, and the new Texas business margins tax is due to the comptroller. Even as the comptroller’s office is still trying to figure out their own system, many of Texas’ small businesses are trying to figure out how to pay the tax.
The increase for my business over the previous franchise tax is more than 1,000 percent. It’s hard not to be bitter at the government for that. It will simply reduce our employment, our charitable giving and increase costs to our clients.
We are willing to pay more than we were. We would gladly pay double the franchise tax, but more than 1,000 percent increase? They said they would use a fair tax on Texas businesses to reduce property tax. Did your tax bill go down? Mine did not.
The Legislature should rescind this ruinous tax. It will kill many small businesses. To be fair, our state representative, Harvey Hilderbran, was one of the few to see the impact on Texas’ most important employers and vote against the Margins Tax bill.
It is common knowledge that most of the employment in our nation is by small businesses. Sen. John Cornyn stated recently that more than 30 percent of the new jobs in the U.S. happened in Texas. That huge contribution to the economy happened before this draconian tax measure made it out of committee.
Gov. Perry should call a special session to rectify this suicidal tax measure.
The increase for my business over the previous franchise tax is more than 1,000 percent. It’s hard not to be bitter at the government for that. It will simply reduce our employment, our charitable giving and increase costs to our clients.
We are willing to pay more than we were. We would gladly pay double the franchise tax, but more than 1,000 percent increase? They said they would use a fair tax on Texas businesses to reduce property tax. Did your tax bill go down? Mine did not.
The Legislature should rescind this ruinous tax. It will kill many small businesses. To be fair, our state representative, Harvey Hilderbran, was one of the few to see the impact on Texas’ most important employers and vote against the Margins Tax bill.
It is common knowledge that most of the employment in our nation is by small businesses. Sen. John Cornyn stated recently that more than 30 percent of the new jobs in the U.S. happened in Texas. That huge contribution to the economy happened before this draconian tax measure made it out of committee.
Gov. Perry should call a special session to rectify this suicidal tax measure.
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