Signing Date

Our signing for the YCLA Constitution is set for September 8th.

Hurray! From Jos

YCLA Constitution, Sections 1-5

Summarized and Compiled

Purpose: Serving pro-freedom movements by encouraging the Biblical worldview and proclaiming the Good News

Goals: 1. Hold frequent meetings and projects. 2. Learn leadership and Christ-likeness. 3. Distribute relevant resources. 4. Be guided by God. 5. Build a nerve-center for an alliance of pro-freedom groups.

Vision: 1. A network of young people which can mobilize and act together for righteous causes. 2. A network of pro-freedom groups for the same.

Doctrines: 1. God’s Words are pure; KJV is the most accurate version. 2. The Members of the Trinity are distinct but act totally harmoniously. 3. Creation was by direct act of God. 4. Man is equal in humanity, responsibility, and rights. 5. Authorities are to be respected; must be obeyed when commands do not violate Scripture. 6. Individuals are naturally free to make decisions over their own consciences. 7. Death and suffering came by sin. 8. Man must have faith in Christ and His atonement to be saved from sin. 9. Baptism is correct and is by immersion. 10. Heaven and Hell are literal. 11. Christ will bodily return to Earth.

Philosophy: God the Creator has established unchangeable Laws for the universe. The Law for man is found in the Bible. Disobedience of God’s Law is sin. Because the first man, Adam, sinned, everyone has inherited the same disposition. The only way to be freed, and escape sin’s punishment (death), is to trust in Christ who died in place of us. Christ also rose again, went to Heaven, and will one day return to decimate His enemies. Until then, believers should continue to grow in their faith, and endeavor to maintain health and fitness so they can best serve God and proclaim His Truth. They should also strive to be humble, merciful, just, and loving towards those around them. Finally, they should work against the evil schemes of Satan, especially those perpetrated by apostate “churches” such as that of Catholicism, and ideas of secular Evolutionary society such as that of socialism.

YCLA Constitution, Section 6

Summarized and Compiled

Legislative Power– Board of five members, elected for one year; Council of indefinite number of adults, appointed for life

Board: 1. Finances and fundraising. 2. Awards. 3. Delegation of tasks. 4. Requests for outside contributors. 5. Events. 6. Insignia. 7. Division into teams. 8. New chapters. 9. Maintenance of a Centre. 10. Introduction of Amendments. 11. Certification of new members. 12. Determination of election times. 13. Approval of Participation Director.

Council: 1. Veto power over Amendments. 2. Advice

Executive Power– President and Vice-President, elected for two years; Chairman of the Board, appointed for one year

President: 1. Approval of non-unanimous Board decisions. 2. Enforcement of Constitution and Board decisions. 3. Vote on Board in case of tie. 4. Scheduling and convening meetings. 5. Coordinating transportation for members. 6. Veto power over new members. 7. Approval of Amendments. 8. Approval of Board members. 9. Removing suspension of members. 10. Matters of immediate concern. 11. Appointment of Council. 12. Appointment of Participation Director. 13. Approval of Chairman.

Vice-President: 1. Succession after President. 2. Powers of President when President is absent. 3. Approval of Board members. 4. Appointment of Chairman. 5. Approval of Council.

Chairman of the Board: 1. Powers of Chairman under parliamentary procedure. 2. Full membership on Board. 3. Appointment of Board members in rare cases.

Judicial Power – Constitutional Court appointed for life

1. Interpretation of Constitution. 2. Review of Board decisions’ legality.

YCLA Constitution, Section 7

7.0 - The Pledge and Creed, which the members of the YCLA shall from time to time quote and review for remembrance, shall be as follows:

7.1 - As a member of the YCLA, I shall ultimately strive to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to promote the Biblical worldview, to restore liberty by the keeping of the just laws of God, to actively support those groups which have the aforementioned goals, and to lead not only fellow members of the YCLA, but also others I influence, to pursue the same objects.

7.2 - The philosophy I espouse shall be based on the absolute truths that the Bible is the verbally inspired, infallible Words of God; that God created man and all things ex nihilo according to the Scriptures; that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, became incarnate and was born of a virgin for the purpose of atoning for fallen man’s sins with His blood on the cross; that He rose bodily the third day; and that He has power to save men from sin, that thereby all who believe on Him should have eternal life.

Colossians 3:1 -- 4:6

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new [man], which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond [nor] free: but Christ [is] all, and in all.

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye. And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

Husbands, love [your] wives, and be not bitter against them.

Children, obey [your] parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

Fathers, provoke not your children [to anger], lest they be discouraged.

Servants, obey in all things [your] masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do [it] heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

Masters, give unto [your] servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech [be] alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

YCLA Constitution almost ready!

I sent out a Lord-willing very completely improved copy of the YCLA Constitution draft today. This is the e-mail I sent with it.

Here's a well-polished new version of the Final Edition. In fact, this will be the completed version if there are no objections to it. Thus, I encourage each of you to print it out and sit down and simply read through it. I have chipped away very thoroughly at what I hope were rough edges... :-D

You will wish to pay special attention to Sections 3.5, 3.6 B to E, 6.4B, 6.8, 6.10, and 7.0. Section 6.8 is probably the most important addition so far to the original writing, as it provides for the power to convene meetings. Hmmm :-P That's the kind of stuff we need to catch now.

Regarding web addresses, the best I could find were:

YCLAonline.com and .org
YCLA.us
TheYCLA.org
YoungChristianLeaders.com and .org
YCLAlliance.com and .org

Unfortunately, YCLA.org and a whole bunch of others (e.g. YoungChristians.com) are not availible.

Please tell me which of these you like best, or if you prefer to just stay with our current www.LibertyInLaw.com which name is the motto on our logo (Liberty In Law).

We also need to figure when to have our next meeting. I believe we should be ready to sign our Constitution by the first week of September - or maybe we should do it Sept. 16 for Constitution Day? In either case, we need to have at least one meeting before that time. As you may realize, we must adopt the Constitution and sign it in two separate events, in order for David to get the adopted copy printed out for its final form. Thus, we should come together the middle of next week if we can work that.

Thanks!


Your friend in Christ,

R. Josiah Magnuson

Executive Order on Property

Here is the full text of Mr. Bush's ("The Decider's") unfortunate recent decree abolishing private property. I should have posted this here earlier, but in any case it's here now. From Josiah

From http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/07/20070717-3.html

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, as amended (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.)(IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.)(NEA), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code,

I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, find that, due to the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States posed by acts of violence threatening the peace and stability of Iraq and undermining efforts to promote economic reconstruction and political reform in Iraq and to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people, it is in the interests of the United States to take additional steps with respect to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13303 of May 22, 2003, and expanded in Executive Order 13315 of August 28, 2003, and relied upon for additional steps taken in Executive Order 13350 of July 29, 2004, and Executive Order 13364 of November 29, 2004. I hereby order:


Section 1. (a) Except to the extent provided in section 203(b)(1), (3), and (4) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(1), (3), and (4)), or in regulations, orders, directives, or licenses that may be issued pursuant to this order, and notwithstanding any contract entered into or any license or permit granted prior to the date of this order, all property and interests in property of the following persons, that are in the United States, that hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of United States persons, are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in: any person determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense,

(i) to have committed, or to pose a significant risk of committing, an act or acts of violence that have the purpose or effect of:
(A) threatening the peace or stability of Iraq or the Government of Iraq; or
(B) undermining efforts to promote economic reconstruction and political reform in Iraq or to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people;

(ii) to have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, logistical, or technical support for, or goods or services in support of, such an act or acts of violence or any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order; or

(iii) to be owned or controlled by, or to have acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order.

(b) The prohibitions in subsection (a) of this section include, but are not limited to, (i) the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order, and (ii) the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.


Sec. 2. (a) Any transaction by a United States person or within the United States that evades or avoids, has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this order is prohibited.
(b) Any conspiracy formed to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this order is prohibited.


Sec. 3. For purposes of this order:
(a) the term "person" means an individual or entity;
(b) the term "entity" means a partnership, association, trust, joint venture, corporation, group, subgroup, or other organization; and
(c) the term "United States person" means any United States citizen, permanent resident alien, entity organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States (including foreign branches), or any person in the United States.


Sec. 4. I hereby determine that the making of donations of the type specified in section 203(b)(2) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(2)) by, to, or for the benefit of, any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order would seriously impair my ability to deal with the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13303 and expanded in Executive Order 13315, and I hereby prohibit such donations as provided by section 1 of this order.


Sec. 5. For those persons whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order who might have a constitutional presence in the United States, I find that, because of the ability to transfer funds or other assets instantaneously, prior notice to such persons of measures to be taken pursuant to this order would render these measures ineffectual. I therefore determine that for these measures to be effective in addressing the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13303 and expanded in Executive Order 13315, there need be no prior notice of a listing or determination made pursuant to section 1(a) of this order.


Sec. 6. The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, is hereby authorized to take such actions, including the promulgation of rules and regulations, and to employ all powers granted to the President by IEEPA as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this order. The Secretary of the Treasury may redelegate any of these functions to other officers and agencies of the United States Government, consistent with applicable law. All agencies of the United States Government are hereby directed to take all appropriate measures within their authority to carry out the provisions of this order and, where appropriate, to advise the Secretary of the Treasury in a timely manner of the measures taken.


Sec. 7. Nothing in this order is intended to affect the continued effectiveness of any rules, regulations, orders, licenses, or other forms of administrative action issued, taken, or continued in effect heretofore or hereafter under 31 C.F.R. chapter V, except as expressly terminated, modified, or suspended by or pursuant to this order.


Sec. 8. This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right, benefit, or privilege, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, instrumentalities, or entities, its officers or employees, or any other person.


GEORGE W. BUSH

THE WHITE HOUSE,
July 17, 2007.

Attempt at Ron Paul Publicity

Somebody's being creative. :-D

In order to create a media blitz that every local TV and radio station will report on, we are supporting an initiative to "STAMP OUT FASCISM" on 9/11. Get your Ron Paul stamp and start stamping every thing in sight! The goal is to create such a wave of materials in circulation with the "Ron Paul for PRESIDENT" message. Media sources will have no choice but to report on the phenomenon. Thus, giving Dr. Paul the exposure he needs to be recognized. Stamp it all, money, envelopes, bills, foreheads, but do it all together! (note: it IS completely LEGAL to stamp your money) Order your RON PAUL FOR PRESIDENT stamps by clicking here: http://www.StampRonPaul.com

Make sure you get your stamp before 9/11, because... umm thats the day we want to have millions of dollars and envelopes stamped for Paul!

Get crazy with your stamp! Stamp $100 bills then cash them for $50s stamp those, then cash them for $20s stamp those, cash them for $10s stamp those, cash them for $1s then spend them into circulation!!! Stamp your cash at meetup groups, rallys where ever when ever!!! Remember get them into circulation by 9/11!!!

Restore The Republic, 4 E. Ogden Ave #125, Westmont, Illinois 60559 http://www.restoretherepublic.com/

Original intent

"On every question of construction [of the Constitution] let us carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates, and instead of trying what meaning may be squeezed out of the text, or intended against it, conform to the probable one in which it was passed."

-- Thomas Jefferson

Update on YCLA

Wow! We're almost done with the Constitution. It has taken more than a month so far!

I sent a list of suggestions off yesterday, and some more today. If we adopt them, the Purpose statement for one will be like the following:

The Young Christian Leaders’ Alliance serves pro-freedom movements by encouraging the Biblical worldview and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. The Young Christian Leaders' Alliance - hereinafter "the YCLA" - energizes, educates, mobilizes and equips the members for the same purpose. In addition, the YCLA endeavors to give support, leadership and aid to all persons, but especially those of our age group, who may be disillusioned or needy. All these efforts are a part of our supreme principle. This principle is to stand for God's Words as absolute Truth, which will truly free one who acts upon them.

Our meeting Friday went quite well. The main thing we did was have me talk about what's next. The basic plan right now is:

First month (Sept.-Oct.) - Website, basic propagation stuff

Second month (Oct.-Nov.) - Membership handbook, database, cards

Third month (Nov.-Dec.) - First publication

One year - 100 members or participants


Thanks! From Josiah

1 Corinthians 1:21-2:16

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

New Logo

Yes! We can finally see pictures here again! Praise God!

From Josiah

E-mail

I set up an official e-mail address for the YCLA and so forth today. It should be YCLA@LibertyInLaw.com. It sends CCs to I and David and Rahab. We'll see if it works... :-)

Section 3: Vision

3.1 We the Founders of the YCLA wish for a network of young people, as large as possible, but organized according to location and ability. This network or its chapters will be able to meet, talk, and think together, and then mobilize for short-term productions and plans.

3.2 The YCLA should continue to exist and self-propagate after we have left the organization, growing in size and influence. This Constitution, as appropriately amended, shall be the supreme Law for the YCLA always.

3.3 We desire that the Council be used ultimately as a tool to bring together leaders in other organizations, as described in Section 2.5.

3.4 In the process of development, the officers and members of the YCLA shall follow the direction of God for all decisions. They shall endeavor to maintain a rational and sober mind at the meetings. Finally, they shall regard the end of all their ideas before any be put into practice.

It's taking some time (again)

I have been waiting now since Friday to be sent David's newest updates to the YCLA Constitution draft. Hopefully I will at least be able to review them by the time we meet next, which will probably be near the the end of this week.

Part of being a leader is being patient... :-) From Jos

A Ron Paul Article

Political Power and the Rule of Law
Texas Straight-Talk
February 5, 2007

by Congressman Ron Paul

With the elections over and the 110th Congress settling in, the media have been reporting ad nauseam about who has assumed new political power in Washington. We're subjected to breathless reports about emerging power brokers in Congress; how so-and-so is now the powerful chair of an important committee; how certain candidates are amassing power for the 2008 elections, and so on. Nobody questions this use of the word "power," or considers its connotations. It's simply assumed, in Washington and the mainstream media, that political power is proper and inevitable.

The problem is that politicians are not supposed to have power over us-- we're supposed to be free. We seem to have forgotten that freedom means the absence of government coercion. So when politicians and the media celebrate political power, they really are celebrating the power of certain individuals to use coercive state force.

Remember that one's relationship with the state is never voluntary. Every government edict, policy, regulation, court decision, and law ultimately is backed up by force, in the form of police, guns, and jails. That is why political power must be fiercely constrained by the American people.
The desire for power over other human beings is not something to celebrate, but something to condemn! The 20th century's worst tyrants were political figures, men who fanatically sought power over others through the apparatus of the state. They wielded that power absolutely, without regard for the rule of law.

Our constitutional system, by contrast, was designed to restrain political power and place limits on the size and scope of government. It is this system, the rule of law, which we should celebrate--not political victories.

Political power is not like the power possessed by those who otherwise obtain fame and fortune. After all, even the wealthiest individual cannot force anyone to buy a particular good or service; even the most famous celebrities cannot force anyone to pay attention to them. It is only when elites become politically connected that they begin to impose their views on all of us.

In a free society, government is restrained--and therefore political power is less important. I believe the proper role for government in America is to provide national defense, a court system for civil disputes, a criminal justice system for acts of force and fraud, and little else. In other words, the state as referee rather than an active participant in our society.

Those who hold political power, however, would lose their status in a society with truly limited government. It simply would not matter much who occupied various political posts, since their ability to tax, spend, and regulate would be severely curtailed. This is why champions of political power promote an activist government that involves itself in every area of our lives from cradle to grave. They gain popular support by promising voters that government will take care of everyone, while the media shower them with praise for their bold vision.

Political power is inherently dangerous in a free society: it threatens the rule of law, and thus threatens our fundamental freedoms. Those who understand this should object whenever political power is glorified.


http://www.ronpaullibrary.org/document.php?id=498

Everything Update

I've not been able to be online much recently so of course could not post anything. I will thus give you a brief update of how stuff has been going.

1. YCLA: The Constitution is almost finished! We had a meeting last night at which we resolved a bunch of final issues and so forth. We also have a great new logo as well; I just wish it would show up here! It's got Roy Moore's Ten Commandments monument and lettering in blue and yellow. If you want, e-mail me and I'll send it to you. Rjmpilgrim@aol.com

2. AiG contest: I won fifth out of over 600! I received a Toshiba laptop and a bunch of other great stuff for my "Survival of the Functional" paper. To read my paper, please go here.

3. Paul Lamicela finally contacted me! I would very much appreciate his input on the YCLA and my other projects. Hopefully he will continue to stay in touch.

4. LibertyInLaw.com: It's working as I informed you, but it still has all the same stuff as the old SC Liberty Alliance site had before I changed it over. I may Lord-willing be able to adjust it yet this afternoon.

5. Presidential race: Our hero Dr. Paul came here to Greenville a couple weeks ago and he signed my Constitution copy! His campaign seems to be doing better than ever. He finally released a statement of faith, so I suppose the Christian community will warm to him better now.

http://www.covenantnews.com/ronpaul070721.htm "I have never been one who is comfortable talking about my faith in the political arena. In fact, the pandering that typically occurs in the election season I find to be distasteful. But for those who have asked, I freely confess that Jesus Christ is my personal Savior, and that I seek His guidance in all that I do. I know, as you do, that our freedoms come not from man, but from God. My record of public service reflects my reverence for the Natural Rights with which we have been endowed by a loving Creator."
Ron Paul http://www.ronpaul2008.com/

Thanks! From Jos