Tar and Tax
Tar and Tax ~It wasnt but a few short years ago, especially in the south,that tobacco was many farmers main crop and even preachers wereknown to smoke … and it was accepted. It was the tobaccoindustry that added ingredients to keep one hooked and ourgovernment who looked the other way … the same government whohas, now, picked out a select minority to tax and breed hate.Those same people, whos service for the Lord was oncehonored, are not allowed to serve in titled positions of churchestoday. What? Did God stop speaking to people because theysmoke? Ok, did He stop speaking to you who drink coffee? Or,have you ever heard God speak in the first place?The governments excuse for taxing smokers is that they runup more medical bills. Well, if thats the true concern, whyarent we taxing the gay community and why are we fundingabortion? In addition, studies have proven the effects ofobesity are just as damaging to ones health assmoking. Equality for all? I dont think so.Though, many smokers were guilty of one thing ~ being rudeand inconsiderate with their smoking. But, do you know what? Idont like the smell of people who need bathed, dirty diapers, orvomit, either. So, why dont we penalize them while were at it?Regulations have gone from smoking in separate sections, tono smoking in public areas, to no smoking within the building, tono smoking except outside, to no smoking except in weatherdesignated areas, to no smoking on premises … even amidst acresof parking lot.Recent campaigns suggest one is abusing their children bysmoking. But, if you pay attention to their statistics, onewould have to hold a child captive to a smoke filled room for anentire day to intake the equivalent of 1/2 packs of cigarettes.The likelihood of that is so rare that it hardly merits anexpensive campaign that can, one day, lead to children beingremoved from their homes if a parent smokes.Besides, being that cancer patients, who wear glasses, aremore likely to die of cancer than those who dont, money would bebetter spent on a campaign for UV protection.We believe whatever were told to believe, hate whatever wedont understand, label sin, judge people by degrees, and lookthe other way to our own vices. Perhaps, brother hating brotheroriginates with ones need to feel superior. But, let me tellyou, its just as ugly and damaging as tar.My father was a licensed preacher, an ordained deacon, andfrom the south. As a church planter, he served, through theyears, in most every top leadership position of the church and,often, multiple positions at the same time. His home served astemporary residence for untold numbers of evangelists,missionaries, summer workers, and the like. Even his walletbelonged to the church.Only, legalists never knew dad that way. They judged himfrom onset and killed my daddy, long before cancer got him …and his was hereditary. All of his children mourned for whattheir hate had done to him. My father lived and died for thechurch, and this ones for him.Some quote Romans 12:1 for any imperfection of the body inwhich is deemed we could possibly control. Maybe they forgot 1Timothy 4:8. Our physical body isnt the part thats eternal.But, no matter how you look at it, some never get done lookingdown on others.None-the-less, when we shoot our own wounded, we cross theline, ourselves. To not acknowledge that such hurts have alwaysexisted in the name of the Lord and that each 50 years ourbeliefs have changed, yet we still believe whatever were told tobelieve, is to not come to the realization that our learningneedsto come at the feet of Jesus. And, therein is a dilemma initself,how to get that across to the people.To tar smokers is ungodly. To tax smokers isunconstitutional. Hate breeds contempt.People fail us. We fail God. But, God never fails.® 2003 by Joyce C. Lock………………………………………………………..About the Author:Joyce C. Lock founded and maintains the email ministries”Heavenly Inspirations”http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeavenlyInspirations/ and”Share a Smile” http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smilesharing/ .She also has a published e-book, “The Difference”,which can be purchased here:http://www.theeaglesgarden.com/
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