Helen
From The Office Of Steps of Faith Ministry
Oct 27, 2009
The Constitution was written by several committees over the summer of 1787, but the committee most responsible for the final form we know today is the "Committee of Stile and Arrangement". This Committee was tasked with getting all of the articles and clauses agreed to by the Convention and putting them into a logical order. On September 10, 1787, the Committee of Style set to work, and two days later, it presented the Convention with its final draft. The members were Alexander Hamilton, William Johnson, Rufus King, James Madison, and Gouverneur Morris. The actual text of the Preamble and of much of the rest of this final draft is usually attributed to Gouverneur Morris.
The newly minted document began with a grand flourish &mdash the Preamble, the Constitution's raison d'être. It holds in its words the hopes and dreams of the delegates to the convention, a justification for what they had done. Its words are familiar to us today, but because of time and context, the words are not always easy to follow. The remainder of this Topic Page will examine each sentence in the Preamble and explain it for today's audience.
We the People of the United States
The framers were an elite group — among the best and brightest America had to offer at the time. But they knew that they were trying to forge a nation made up not of an elite, but of the common man. Without the approval of the common man, they feared revolution. This first part of the Preamble speaks to the common man. It puts into writing, as clear as day, the notion that the people were creating this Constitution. It was not handed down by a god or by a king — it was created by the people.
in Order to form a more perfect Union
The framers were dissatisfied with the United States under the Articles of Confederation, but they felt that what they had was the best they could have, up to now. They were striving for something better. The Articles of Confederation had been a grand experiment that had worked well up to a point, but now, less than ten years into that experiment, cracks were showing. The new United States, under this new Constitution, would be more perfect. Not perfect, but more perfect.
establish Justice
Injustice, unfairness of laws and in trade, was of great concern to the people of 1787. People looked forward to a nation with a level playing field, where courts were established with uniformity and where trade within and outside the borders of the country would be fair and unmolested. Today, we enjoy a system of justice that is one of the fairest in the world. It has not always been so — only through great struggle can we now say that every citizen has the opportunity for a fair trial and for equal treatment, and even today there still exists discrimination. But we still strive for the justice that the framers wrote about.
insure domestic Tranquility
One of the events that caused the Convention to be held was the revolt of Massachusetts farmers knows as Shays' Rebellion. The taking up of arms by war veterans revolting against the state government was a shock to the system. The keeping of the peace was on everyone's mind, and the maintenance of tranquility at home was a prime concern. The framers hoped that the new powers given the federal government would prevent any such rebellions in the future.
provide for the common defence
The new nation was fearful of attack from all sides — and no one state was really capable of fending off an attack from land or sea by itself. With a wary eye on Britain and Spain, and ever-watchful for Indian attack, no one of the United States could go it alone. They needed each other to survive in the harsh world of international politics of the 18th century.
promote the general Welfare
This, and the next part of the Preamble, are the culmination of everything that came before it — the whole point of having tranqui
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From The Office Of Steps Of Faith Ministry
Oct 27, 2009
WHO AM I
I STARTED MY JOURNEY BACK IN THE 1600’S
I WAS SNATCHED FROM MY PARENTS HOME
FROM MY WIFE, FROM FRIENDS FROM EVERYTHING I KNEW
I TRAVELED ON BIG SHIPS OVER THE OCEAN TO AMERICA
I WAS TIED, STARVED AND MANY OTHER THINGS.
I SAT IN DUNG AND VOMIT, SOMETIMES I ATE IT
I HAD NO WATER TO DRINK OR IN WHICH TO BATHE
I ARRIVED, SICK WITH HEAD LICE, DIRTY AND STINKING
I THOUGHT WHEN I SAW LAND, AT LAST I’M SAVE
HOW WRONG I WAS, I WAS THROWN IN A CROWED ROOM
LITTLE TO EAT AND NO SLEEP FOR LACK OF FACILITIES
I WAS TAKEN TO A RIVER TO BATHE UNDRESSED IN PUBLIC
FROM THERE I WAS TAKEN TO AN AUCTION BLOCK
WHERE I WAS SOLD TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH
I THEN WAS TRANSPORTED TO LOCAL PLANTATIONS
I WAS SAD, I WAS NOT HAPPY
WHERE I WAS MADE TO WORK LONG HOURS WITHOUT PAY
MY BACK WAS BENT FROM PAIN FROM DAILY BEATINGS
I TRAVELED ON CONTINUING DOWN MY FACELESS JOURNEY
TIME PASSED ON AND WAR BEGAN, NORTH AGAINST THE SOUTH
SOMETIMES I FOUGHT BUT MOST TIMES I JUST LOAFED
I LEFT THE PLANTAIONS WHERE I WAS CLOTHED AND FED FOR FREE
ALL BECAUSE I HAD THIS IDEA I WANTED TO BE FREE
I WAS HAPPY, HAPPY, VERY HAPPY
I FOUND MYSELF UP NORTH WHERE I WAS REALLY HATED
THEY HAD NEVER SEEN A MEN, WOMEN OR CHILDREN OF MY COLOR
I RAN, I FEARED, I HID, TWAS NO WHERE TO GO, NO JOBS, NO HOMES
I WAS SAD, LONELY AND FELT DESERTED
I SETTLED IN A COMMUNITY MADE UP OF FOLKS OF MY KIND
THUS WE CREATED THE VILLAGE OF SLUMS, DIRTY AND UNKEPT
NO FUTURE, NO HOPE. NO WAY TO GO FORWARD, I COULD NOT READ
I COULD NOT WRITE, I HAD NO SCHOOLING, NO TRAINING
I CAN’T GO BACK TO THE PLANTATIONS TO WORK, THERE WERE NONE
DISEASE IS RUNNING THROUGH THE COMMUNITIES, MANY ARE DYING
DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO, THERE WAS NO SUCH THING BACK HOME
I WAS SAD, THINGS WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE THIS WAY; I WAS FREE
MANY YEARS PASSED ON, FINALLY WE BEGAN TO WORK ON FARMS
WE WERE PAID VERY LITTLE FOR LONG HOURS WORK
WE BOUGHT FROM THE LAND-OWNER, FOOD, CLOTHES AND SUPPLIES
WE WERE CALLED SHARE-CROPPERS WHO HIRED OUT TO WORK
TIMES WERE HARD, MANY WERE SICK, MANYT DIDN’T SURVIVE
CRIMES WERE NUMERIOUS, WE WERE ALWAYS TO BLAME
PRISONS WERE FULL MANY EXECUTED MANY IN FOR LIFE SENTENCE
I ‘M UNHAPPY, I GRUMBLE, I COMPLAIN
FINALLY WE COULD SEND OUR CHILDREN TO PUBLIC SCHOOL
THEY COULD ONLY GO TO SCHOOLS THAT WERE FOR THEIR COLOR
THEY COULD NOT EAT, NOR DRINK, EXCEPT WITH THEIR COLOR
I HAD TO SIT IN THE BACK OF THE PUBLIC BUSSES, OR SCHOOL BUSSES
I AM UNHAPPY, I GRUMBLE, I COMPLAIN
I GET A FREE RIDE TO SCHOOL, I GET FREE LUNCHES
I HAVE A NICE PLACE TO STUDY, USE THE BATHROOMS AND MIRRORS
I GET FREE TEACHERS, FREE BOOKS, WHICH I DON’T TAKE CARE OF
I CRACK THE MIRRORS, TEAR THE BOOKS, MARK THE WALLS
I’M UNHAPPY, I HAVEN’T GOT ENOUGH, I NEED MORE
NOW ARIVES THE DAY OF SEGREGATION
I RANT , I RAVE , I DEMONSTRATE , I RIOT, I BURN, I DESTROY
I GOT MY WAY! I’M HAPPY
I TRAVEL 20 MILES ONE WAY TO GO TO SCHOOL, 29 MILES BACK
I HAVE TO WORK HARD, I HAVE TO STUDY TO LEARN,
I HAVE TO MIX WITH PEOPLE NOT OF MY COLOR
I’M SHUNED, I’M CALLED NAMES,
I DON’T CARE, I DON’T TRY
ALL THIS WILL BE GIVEN TO ME, I’LL GRADUATE JUST LIKE OTHERS
I FORM GANGS, I SHOOT, I KILL, I ATTACK INNOCENT PEOPLE
THE GOVERNMENT OWES ME
I’LL DON’T HAVE TO WORK, I’LL GROW UP TO BE LIKE MY MAMA
I’LL GET PREGNANT HAVE BABIES, WON’T WORK, I’LL GET MEDICADE
THE MORE BABIES I HAVE THE MORE SSI WILL BE GIVEN TO ME
I’LL GET 300 TO 600 DOLLARS OF FOOD STAMPS, I’LL GET TANF
OH YES AND IF I PLAY MY CARDS RIGHT, I’LL GET SOCIAL SECURITY
THE GOVERNMENT OWES ME!
I’M NOT HAPPY, I’M NOT SATISFIED
I NOW MARRY GIRLS OF DIFFERENT COLOR, MY PURE RACE IS GONE
I HAVE ONE CHILD THIS COLOR, ONE THAT AND ONE OF ANOTHER
I GET HIGH UP CONTRACTS, I GET JOBS, I ADVANCE UP THE LADDER
I LAY OUT, LOSE MY JOB, I
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From The Office Of Steps Of Faith Ministry
Oct 27, 2009
The Wooden Bowl
I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now,
A year from now.
A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year-old grandson.
The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered
The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and
Failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor.
When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.
The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.
'We must do something about father,' said the son.
'I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.'
So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.
There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner.
Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.
When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone.
Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.
The four-year-old watched it all in silence.
One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor.
He asked the child sweetly, 'What are you making?' Just as sweetly, the boy responded,
'Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.
' The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.
The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.
That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table.
For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason,
Neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.
On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things:
A rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.
I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a 'life..'
I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands.You nee d to be able to throw something back sometimes.
I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you
But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others,
Your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you
I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.
I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone.
People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
I've learned that you should pass this on to everyone you care about .I just did.
FRIENDSHIP CANDLE
NOTICE AT THE END,
THE DATE THE CANDLE WAS STARTED.
GONNA GIVE YOU GOOSE BUMPS.
I am not going to be the one who lets it die. I found it believable --
Angels have walked beside me all my life--and they still do
*********************
This is to all of you who
Mean something to me,
I pray for your happiness.
The Candle Of Love, Hope & Friendship
This candle was lit on the
15th of September, 1998
Someone who loves you has helped
Keep it alive by sending it to you.
Don't let The Candle of Love, Hope and Fri
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From The Office Of Steps Of Faith Ministry
Oct 27, 2009
PASSING SOME INFO ALONG!
INFORMATION EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW........................
Blood Clots / Stroke - They Now Have a Fourth Indicator,
the Tongue
STROKE: Remember the 1st Three Letters.... S. T. R.
STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) .she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.
They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening
Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 pm Ingrid passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today.
Some don't die. they end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.
It only takes a minute to read this...
A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.
RECOGNIZING A STROKE
Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps, STR.
Read and Learn!
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S *Ask the individual to SMILE.
T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. It is sunny out today.)
R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue
NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue..
If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other,
that is also an indication of a stroke.
A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people;
you can bet that at least one life will be saved.
I have done my part. Will you?
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