I am thankful for the three city council members willing to sign our citizen proclamation on the Sanctity of Life and our Mutual Desire to Abolish Abortion in the City of Twin Falls, Idaho; Mayor Suzanne Hawkins, Councilman Chris Reid, and Councilwoman Nikki Boyd.
Theses citizens thank you.
The long game is just that, isn’t it?
I have great joy in the Lord for the city I live in. I pray for my city government. I like that when I see them in the marketplace I recognize them and know them.
We have a losing streak going that would cause most embarrassment. But I’m encouraged to remain on the field until success is had or last breaths are taken, for the Glory of God.
Following is a copy of my appeal to the city council on Tuesday night, January 19, 2021. I post it here to encourage others and to archive for my benefit so I might sharpen my words, sanctify my soul, and document the great battle for the glory of God while speaking for those tiny neighbors of mine that will be discarded in toxic waste bins next Wednesday.
Here is the audio of my presentation to the city council.
Following is the transcript of my prepared speech (the handwritten notes are my comfort zone way of public speaking, overlook the spelling, grammar, and penmanship of my notes it is similar to what I actually said. I will add an audio copy of the presentation as soon as I can get it rendered.
Where have the intellects gone? -those that require fact to come with proof, search out primary sources, and hold those dispensing information accountable. In today’s world, many have fallen victim to false proclamations. If you say something enough times and loud enough, some people begin to believe it as fact. This is dangerous on a good day, it is downright treacherous in days like today where the internet and airwaves give stage to anyone wishing to share most anything…truth and proof not required.
My household holds life as precious, and not something to be dealt with lightly. This rebuttal may be political in nature, but not at its source. My concern today is life-based and is not related to the recent campaign loss we experienced. We went up against a strong party line, and lost against that party line. The incumbent won fair and square. This household will now move back into the constituent roll, one many in our nation and state need to accept their own personal responsibility for. Let your representatives know where their constituency stands, send them letters and call them with messages laced with kindness and packed full of facts backed with proof and primary sources – not with agitated emotionalism and angry name-calling. Please read this information, pass it along, make use of your God-given right and responsibility to petition your Government for a redress of grievances… and please refrain from personal attack and name-calling against those being petitioned.
As we look toward a new legislative year, important bills to retain and regain Idaho’s best way of life will be considered. I have great concern that a radio ad set to blast the airwaves the few days before our recent November election is a source of false information, causing confusion. That confusion can lead to life-endangering votes by representatives who are either uninformed due to lack of primary source study or are caught up in a drive to weaken the respect of life itself under the guise of greater knowledge. At the end of the day, I cannot know the motives of our representatives. However, I do know a half-truth, a twisted truth, or a pressed-down truth….all are falsehoods, and all dangerous to life in Idaho – those tiny little defenseless lives of our neighbors still in the womb; those seasoned, well-worn lives of those whose feet have trod the earth many years; and all of those Christ-image-bearer lives in between.
I challenge you to put in the work to read the Idaho Abortion Human Rights Act, listen to Mr. Clow’s campaign ad, and then put in still more work to digest and fully understand the situation.
A little background of import:
During a radio interview in late September, I was stunned to hear Representative Clow state that Paul felt a woman who experiences the loss of her child to an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy should be challenged and face punishment under the Idaho Abortion Human Rights Act. Below are a couple of problems with this statement, beyond the plain fact that it is simply untrue.
First, an ectopic pregnancy has nothing to do with the abortion industry. There may be medical terms that overlap from the triage-situation the mother finds herself in and the money-driven abortion industry, but that verbiage would be the extent of their connection. Please take a look at what the Mayo Clinic says about ectopic pregnancies: “Pregnancy begins with a fertilized egg. Normally, the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants and grows outside the main cavity of the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy most often occurs in a fallopian tube, which carries eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. This type of ectopic pregnancy is called a tubal pregnancy. Sometimes, an ectopic pregnancy occurs in other areas of the body, such as the ovary, abdominal cavity or the lower part of the uterus (cervix), which connects to the vagina. An ectopic pregnancy can’t proceed normally. The fertilized egg can’t survive, and the growing tissue may cause life-threatening bleeding, if left untreated.” (Emphasis mine) https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/symptoms-causes/syc-20372088
A mother who has an ectopic pregnancy, or any other life or health-threatening condition, never goes to an abortion provider like Planned Parenthood or another abortion center in Idaho. She presents herself to a legitimate physician at an urgent care center, a hospital emergency room, or a doctor’s office where the standard of care is to first do no harm and is to preserve life and health. No legitimate life-saving care in these circumstances could ever be held unlawful under the language of HB 361.
Second, Representative Clow hangs on the statement that Paul told him this was his stance in a meeting in February 2020. This is not true, it is not even a “change of mind” situation, this is either a complete misunderstanding and lack of knowledge for Mr. Clow, or it is a lame spin of half-truths in a desperate bid for votes. Paul, in his role as a pastor, has over the years sat with multiple broken mothers and fathers before and after the heartbreaking procedure of removing a fertilized egg that did not find its way to the life-giving uterus. Paul has not, and would not stand behind a bill that targeted mothers in the crisis of an ectopic pregnancy.
Representative Clow was made aware of the misinformation he shared. Immediately after the September interview, a family member contacted Mr. Clow and gave him clear information on ectopic pregnancies. The following website was provided to Mr. Clow in the lengthy email thread from September 2020, it is an excellent read full of good information: https://thelifeinstitute.net/learning-centre/women/medical-matters/ectopic-pregnancy#
Ectopic pregnancies and the Idaho Abortion Human Rights Act came up again in an October debate. Either this clear information was still not understood, was forgotten, or was simply ignored – for within the month, the same incorrect facts and false accusations were the center of a last-days radio campaign ad push. My goal now is to get the word out as best as I can in order to undo the damage false information has the propensity to cause. If other representatives choose to listen to this false information it could change their approach to important votes, and cause the continued loss of life of Idaho babies.
Below is my quick transcription of the ad; as I don’t have access to the script, I have no way to know punctuation intentions, so please listen to the actual ad right here.
“This is Lance Clow, Republican candidate for representative to Twin Falls, District 24. My opponent from the other party has made dishonest claims about my pro-life record. I am proud of my 100% pro-life voting record, and the endorsement of Idaho Chooses Life, the leading pro-life voice for Idaho. I oppose the unconstitutional bill advocated by my opponent that made it a felony, punishable with prison were a woman and her doctor to end a life-threatenin pregnancy, one with absolutely no chance for a live birth. Sacrificing a mother’s life is not pro-life. It’s reckless and cruel. Do not fall victim to my opponent’s cynical deception. Read House Bill 361 for yourself on the Idaho Legislature’s website. Ask yourself, do you want reckless irresponsibility from this other party? Vote for Lance Clow, your responsible, republican, pro-life representtive.”
Yes, please do as requested in the ad, and read House Bill 361 (Idaho Abortion Human Rights Act), unlike many convoluted bills I have run across – this one is straightforward and succinct. Take a look at Section 3: (6), lines 19-21 specifically. Here is a link to the full bill text in a pdf from the legislature’s website so you can get the full context: https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sessioninfo/2020/legislation/H0361.pdf
Section 3: (6) “Any medical practitioner attempting to save the life of a pregnant patient, which attempt results in the unintended death of an unborn human being, shall not be found guilty of violating the provisions of this chapter.”
By the time the mother presents with symptoms and the ectopic pregnancy is diagnosed, in almost all cases the embryo has already died. The Idaho Abortion Human Rights Act (HB 361) carefully defines abortion not to mean the ending of a pregnancy but rather abortion is defined as the intentional killing of a preborn human being. HB 361 is an anti-murder bill and has authority only when a preborn human being is intentionally killed. The bill specifically points out in its text that a legitimate medical procedure in which the objective is to save life will never be unlawful by the text of the bill. Any unintentional death of a preborn person caused by legitimate medical procedures is never held to be unlawful under the plain text of the Idaho Abortion Human Rights Act.
Therefore, a woman walking through the painful process of losing a child to an ectopic pregnancy is not being targeted by HB 361… though this is being used as a spin argument to take the eyes off of the horrors of the abortion industry in Idaho. This I count as truly reckless and irresponsible.
Let your legislators know where you stand on the Idaho Abortion Human Rights Act (last year’s HB 361), know the facts, protect the defenseless.
This is indeed the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. But I will not let the events of the first week of the 117th congress of the United States of America cause fear in me.
A session began with a blasphemous prayer by a United Methodist preacher/representative who prayed in the name of Brahma (a false god), then mayhem broke out at the Capitol, while the Speaker of the House introduced new rules for the House chambers that abandon logic, reason, history and most importantly, righteousness.
The foolish conclusion of that prayer that opened the session, praying in the name of Brahma and being stated with “amen” and “awoman” may have been more than buffoonery and more a political whistle of a freight train. I’m not saying I understand the full implications of what this new rule means but this is for sure – the ruin of a nation is at the end of this rail, the bridge is out.
Who in the House of Representatives is speaking against this and what response will be from the church? I know what many pastors and churches will do… many will celebrate this. This pastor will not adhere to the forced agenda of the unholy.
I will leave the actual language of the new house rule here. While I move over to the water fountain to get a drink of cold water, again.
House Resolution: (e) GENDER-INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE.— 16 (1) In clause 1(c)(9) of rule X, strike ‘‘seamen’’ and insert ‘‘seafarers’’. (2) In clause 4(a)(1)(B) of rule X, strike ‘‘Chairman’’ and insert ‘‘Chair’’. (3) In clause 8(c)(3) of rule XXIII, strike ‘‘father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, niece, husband, wife, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, half sister, grandson, or granddaughter’’ and insert ‘‘parent, child, sibling, parent’s sibling, first cousin, sibling’s child, spouse, parent-in-law, child-in-law, sibling-in-law, stepparent, stepchild, stepsibling, half-sibling, or grandchild’’.
June 5, 1976, everyone down stream from the Teton Dam would soon learn of the catastrophic failure of the a dam constructed with a flawed engineering design and poor earthen dam material and the consequential unexpected pressure points.
The result of the design was disaster.
The United States has survived many things from bad policy, national sins, civil war, bad presidents, drought, national disasters, and career politicians.
But be sure of this, there is no way to stop a breaching dam.
So long as this nation of independent states continues to elect representatives and senators on the current standards of social justice, Critical Race Theory, and general lack of the fear of God we will one day be reading about our land like the residents downstream of the Teton Dam do.
Every election is consequential. Every vote puts pressure on the Constitution. Every sin angers God. Every Representative/Senator reflects the state of the Union.
What should we be looking for? Even though I’ve made mention of the institution of the Government, we really should be looking at (or listening to) the pulpit. What you are seeing and hearing from the pulpit will indicate the health or ill-health of the nation. What you see and hear at the house of prayer will tell you how serious the day is.
(What’s that? Your church doesn’t pray? There could be one of the most serious issues in this nation.)
The most patriotic thing the follower of Christ can do today is look closely at his/her faith and the practice of his/her faith. The Christian should head the council the prophet Jeremiah gave to the exiled house of God and live godly lives in the land of the enemy of God. (see Jeremiah 29:4-9)
Some of us need to enter the battle on the floors of local governments, state and national legislatures, school boards and library boards. Some need to activate citizens. Some need to invest financially in the cause. But all of us need to; Build Homes, live there, plant gardens, eat from your gardens, get married, raise your sons and daughters to become men and women, have babies; have as many babies as God will give you, seek the welfare of those you live among, defend the orphan and the widow, call upon God, and pursue God.
What happened at the nation’s Capitol bldg. on Wednesday will be thought about for days, weeks, months, and likely years. The slippery slope our nation is on is nearing the precipice of a freefall. But let’s investigate what’s really going on here.
This is a spiritual issue. It is not an issue of “warming a pew” as they say. It is an issue of neglect of the holy and righteous things of God that come from the house of God who fear him and worship him is Spirit and Truth, from the house of God who cries out to God in humility and for mercy. Stop merely warming a seat at the church house and gather with joy in the Lord.
Many want to go right past the church house and go to the statehouse to fix the issues. It is time to fill the church house up again with people who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
do not neglect the gatherings with the saints as you see the day drawing near.
Singing at home should NOT be viewed as a substitute for corporate singing, it should be viewed and preparation for more intelligent and affectionate singing at the church house.
By now, nearly 10 months into a global “state of emergency”, declared by national leaders, most state Governors, and local municipalities, we are still finding many churches functioning as partial gatherings or still only online services.
I am not shy in my opinion of this. However, I do respect that I don’t know what it’s like were the rest of the world lives. Other than the initial 14 days were were requested in March/April of 2020 when we were told that reducing group sizes would help “slow the curve”, Eastside Baptist has met every week with public singing, preaching, praying, communion, and face-to-face gatherings without mandating face coverings. Some day I will enjoy thinking through what others have experienced in the various regions that have faced severe hardships from governments, but by the grace of God my local city and county governments have been pleased to leave the church house alone. I don’t count this a small thing. May God bless my local governments.
But that’s really not the focus of this post.
At Eastside Baptist we are convinced that the corporate gathering is of significant importance. Even when many in our community are not aware of what songs we may be singing to God or what Biblical text I’m preaching on, there is a glorious blessing to this community that there are still followers of the Lord Jesus Christ who gather and declare the glories of God, together.
That said, I am also sure that there is a special kindness of God to a community when God’s people sing, read, and pray in their homes, too.
For the past few months I have emphasized at least one song of the faith for an entire month at a time. Thus far we have looked closely at “Rock of Ages” and this month upon “the Solid Rock”. The emphasis is to encourage singing in the home as part of a regular family worship practice. I have encouraged households to sing the song of emphasis multiple times throughout the month as a family.
Notably, in homes where this is not already a practice, it has felt odd to sing in the home. But historically, biblically, it appears a practice of the people of God. Following are a few thoughts I have concerning the benefits of singing in our homes, too. (I emphasis the “too” because I don’t want anyone to misunderstand me, I think corporate singing – face to face – is a practice of the church I’m not willing to set down.)
A few Benefits to singing at home, too:
Singing is proven to improve memory retention.
It has been shown that singing righteous songs can play a big part in alleviating depression.
Singing involves the mind.
Singing invokes emotions.
Singing engages the body.
It’s been said “words make you think, music makes you feel, and a song makes you feel a thought”. (I don’t know who said that, but I agree.)
Theology is sung before most can read or write.
Songs are memorable.
Group singing enables expressions
Group singing is a complex activity that requires cooperation.
Group singing expresses a common purpose.
In his classic work “the Church in the Home” Bible commentary author, Matthew Henry said, “If every family were a praying family, public prayers would be better joined in more intelligently and more affectionately.”
I agree and would include singing in that observation.
If every family were a singing family, public singing would be better joined in more intelligently and more affectionately.
Gather your household and sing, then gather with other households this Sunday and sing more intelligently and more affectionately.
Did I mention… Theology is sung before most can read or write.
I’m always humbled to read that humble document of the preamble to the U.S. Constitution that states; “We the People…”
This year will mark the third year of petitioning the Twin Falls City Council to act favorable toward the preborn in our city. We are now on the agenda for Tuesday, January 19 at 5:00 p.m.
I have included the text to the Citizen Proclamation we will present that evening. You can download the document here: http://media.sermonaudio.com/articles/th-1421111845-1.PDF
For several years now we have been petitioning all levels of government concerning the ongoing plight of the at risk child in the womb of being intentionally destroyed before what would otherwise be a natural and healthy birth.
While most attention in 2020 was upon an introduction of a virus, 195 preborn children were murdered at 200 2nd Ave. North in Twin Falls, Idaho at the hands of an out-of-town, out-of-state doctor with protection of the law while our government looks the other way or deflects with fear of men. I’m asking for your participation in appealing to our local government to declare the city of Twin Falls as a sanctuary city for the pre-born. When we show up in great numbers it helps communicate our desire. We will ask them for more than just a feel-good badge of honor, we will ask them to act favorably and fairly to every child in our city.
This will not be a public hearing. There will not be opportunity for others to speak. This is the first step toward a public hearing.
I have attached a copy of the “Citizen Proclamation” for your consideration and an invitation to participate in the appeal.
If you are willing, please print and sign this proclamation and return to me by 5pm on Tuesday, January 19.
If you are willing, print this proclamation and consider asking the God-fearing people in your church to do the same.
Attend the Sanctity of Life Rally at the Downtown Commons in Twin Falls, ID 4pm-5pm on Tuesday, January 19.
Attend the presentation to the City Council at 5pm on Tuesday, January 19.If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 208-410-2529 or reply to this email.
Proclamation on the Sanctity of Life and Our Mutual Desire to Abolish Abortion In the City Twin Falls, Idaho
Presented on January 19, 2021 by the Undersigned Citizens
WHEREAS, Almighty God created life and commanded humanity to be fruitful and multiply and has commanded humanity to not murder; and
WHEREAS, the preamble of the Idaho Constitution acknowledges the authority of the Almighty God when it states “We, the people of the state of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and promote our common welfare do establish this Constitution”; and
WHEREAS, the 5th and 14th amendments to the United States Constitution declares that no person shall be deprived of life without due process of law; and
WHEREAS, Section 32-102, Idaho code, identifies the preborn child “conceived, but not yet born, is to be deemed an existing person so far as may be necessary for its interest”, and section 18-4001, Idaho Code, defines a human being as “including, but not limited to, a human embryo or fetus”; and
WHEREAS, the Idaho Constitution recognizes in Article I, Section 1 that “All men are by nature free and equal, and have certain inalienable rights, among which are enjoying and defending life…and securing safety”; and
WHEREAS, Article VI of the United States Constitution declares that the Constitution itself is the supreme law of the land; and
WHEREAS, the Idaho Health and Welfare defines “Induced Abortion” as an intentional action to stop a live birth; and
WHEREAS, there were 1,257 murders by abortion committed on innocent, preborn persons in the state of Idaho in 2018; and
WHEREAS, there were 196 murders by induced abortion committed on innocent, preborn persons in Twin Falls, Idaho in 2018; and
WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court’s decisions in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey asserting a constitutional right as a “right to privacy” is actually a perversion of the constitution’s 14th amendment; and
WHEREAS, since 1973, 61,000,000 (million) human children have been murdered by induced abortions in the United States of America; and
WHEREAS, children in the womb are unable to cry out for help; and
Let it therefore be
RESOLVED, that we, the undersigned people of this proclamation, are in agreement with the Almighty God that human life is sacred and worth defending; and
RESOLVED, that we, the undersigned people of this proclamation, mourn the decades of inaction by our elected Constitutional Republic government; and
RESOLVED, that we, the undersigned people of this proclamation, declare that every person, including but not limited to, any human embryo or fetus, be given protection against the tyranny of anyone or any organization who would intentionally cause harm or death to these, our neighbors; and
RESOLVED, that we, the undersigned people of this proclamation, appeal to you to act on behalf of the children in our city at risk of life with legal protection from those who wish to stop their otherwise natural birth; and
RESOLVED, that we, the undersigned people of this proclamation, appeal to you, our elected City Council, to hear our voice as we interpose for our human neighbors that have no opportunity to stand before you and appeal to your conscience to act without fear of threat of legal action from those wanting induced abortion with a just and fair ordinance; and
RESOLVED, that we, the undersigned people of this proclamation, mutually pledge to you that we will not abandon this cause when threatened by the tyranny of the practice of induced abortions, a practice performed by Planned Parenthood.
RESOLVED, that we, the undersigned people of this proclamation, stand with you to declare the City of Twin Falls a Sanctuary City for all preborn children with more than just words,
Finally RESOLVED, that we are not interested in any further capitulation to the courts and the regulation of the murdering of children in the City of Twin Falls, so help us God.
1778 By the United States in Congress assembled. A PROCLAMATION.
It having pleased Almighty God, through the course of the present year, to bestow great and manifold mercies on the people of these United States; and it being the indispensable duty of all men gratefully to acknowledge their obligations to Him for benefits received: Resolved, That it be, and hereby is recommended to the legislative or executive authority of each of the said states, to appoint Wednesday, the 30th day of December next, to be observed as a day of public thanksgiving and praise, that all the people may, with united hearts, on that day, express a just sense of his unmerited favors; particularly in that it hath pleased him, by his overruling providence, to support us in a just and necessary war, for the defense of our rights and liberties, by affording us seasonable supplies for our armies, by disposing the heart of a powerful monarch to enter into alliance with us, and aid our cause; by defeating the councils and evil designs of our enemies, and giving us victory over their troops; and, by the continuance of that union among these states, which, by his blessing, will be their future strength and glory. And it is further recommended, that, together with devout thanksgiving, may be joined a penitent confession of our sins, and humble supplication for pardon, through the merits of our Savior; so that, under the smiles of Heaven, our public councils may be directed, our arms by land and sea prospered, our liberty and independence secured, our schools and seminaries of learning flourish, our trade be revived, our husbandry and manufactures encreased, and the hearts of all impressed with undissembled piety, with benevolence and zeal for the public good. And it is also recommended, that recreations unsuitable to the purpose of such a solemnity may be omitted on that day. Done in Congress, this 17th day of November, 1778, and in the third year of the independence of the United States of America.
(This is a rough draft, subject to grammatical correction, spell checking, and long run-on and incomplete sentences; of which, I am good at all.)
I personally am not at liberty to disobey the Constitution or Constitutionally consistent laws passed by the legislature. The following is an attempt in the exercise of what I’ll call “best-practice thinking” until I can be persuaded to a better way of thinking.
-Peaceful Noncompliance vs. Civil Disobedience-
First, I don’t like the word disobedience. Even though in my flesh I am a master of disobedience. I am one instructed to live at peace with all men if at all possible, this I strive at.
The word compliance is the more complicated one. When I comply, it should not be to comply with that which is unjust. If injustice is being done or perpetrated I have a duty to not comply. If I am asked to lie at the workplace to cover up a law that has been violated then I am agreeing to not behaving justly. For me, everything I do must be done from a Biblical foundation.
When the supreme law of the land is the Constitution (and in America and Idaho it is) then what does one do when the government is inconsistent with legislative laws that are in violation of the supreme law, the Constitution?
It is my observation and opinion as a simple-freethinking, tethered-to-truth citizen, and as a liberated pursuer of truth, that the emergency order laws on the books in the State of Idaho being used by the Governor and Health Districts is not in compliance with the stated emergency order laws in the Constitution of the State of Idaho. (see the Idaho Constitution, Article I Declaration of Rights.)
Simple meaning: All legislative laws that are not subject to the Constitution are to be peacefully ignored and corrected by the people. If not ignored and corrected by the people then the government is not the one being a tyrant, it is the people behaving carelessly with their agreed upon contract with the Government.
The only way I will comply with a mask order is for the governed (the people) to properly ratify a constitutional change. This is intentionally very difficult to do. Until that happens, and let’s pray it never does, then I feel even a responsibility to peacefully not comply with an unjust and constitutionally contradictory law.
Meaning: If the South Central Idaho Public Health District passes a mandate for all citizens in the counties of South Central Idaho to wear a mask based upon a law that is not subject to the Constitution I will not comply. Peacefully.
Furthermore, I am also a citizen of another kingdom, not of this world, that speaks to my spiritually awakened soul, that I must submit to. That law instructs me to consider others and do unto others as I would want them to do unto me. It demands I love others. If I comply with an unjust, unconstitutional law in order to “love my neighbor”, is my “complying” really love? Is it loving of me toward them to allow an unconstitutional law to govern my actions?
Here is what I intend to do with this in mind (and all thoughts are subject to my Savior and the authority of the Bible). I intend to not comply, peacefully, with unconstitutional laws, laws that violate the Constitution of Idaho and the USA. When in a situation where it is clear a neighbor (countrymen and alien) is fearful of my uncovered face, I will lovingly, carefully explain myself and my thinking. I will exercise care for their personhood. When I am sick I will not knowingly endanger another nor will I unnecessarily cause angst in their life.
If truth sets us free, and I believe it does, then I will want to live my life in the light of truth. I will continue reading, thinking, and peacefully acting as I would want others to do toward me. I will not live with hate for another and simply comply with laws that violate the supreme law of our land. When acting lovingly toward my neighbor, I will not enter private homes or businesses that require masks and guard my thoughts about why they are requiring one; but in the event that I need to enter for work or necessity, then I will gladly put a mask over my mouth and nose. If a private home or business requests me to wear a mask I will likely ask for an opportunity to understand better about their requests.
But, until the governed (the people) lawfully ratify the Constitution, I will not comply with a mask mandate from my government or any agency working for my government. I will peacefully not comply with these, or any, mandates that contradict the Constitution of Idaho and the United States of America respectively. I hold this is my responsibility, my duty.
-I must insert a disclaimer here; I am no lawyer, just a freeman with the ability to read, a proud owner of a dictionary, and a willingness to have a healthy discussion with fellow countrymen. I’ll let you know how this works out for me.-
When truth us under attack it is necessary to expose where the attack is from. If truth is under attack one has to know who has launched that attack. Otherwise truth will become polluted or muddled.
I will attempt to be brief in my musing so I can get quickly to the call for action.
For several months the South Central Public Health District has been attempting to pass a mandatory mask order upon the citizens of South Central Idaho, made up of eight counties. I’ve been watching and listening the meetings in an isolated room with forced social distancing seating (where I could easily have been watching in the even more isolated location of home) and have grown increasingly concerned with the attempts to pass an ordinance.
The thing is, it is more like watching a “butcher making sausage with random, arbitrary, questionable and mysterious pieces of what appears to be meat.” It is really quite unusual.
The last time this mandate was attempted a motion started with a cookie-cutter order from Blaine County with extreme Constitutional overreaching orders that stretched across public and private property and even upon how many people could meet together in a home, and masks required in all places. Even in outdoor settings when social distancing could not be maintained. It actually took on so many amendments that the motion was withdrawn and started over with even greater confusion.
Since then, cities in Southern Idaho have been attempting mask orders and thus far have been failed attempts.
The concern tonight is that Thursday, November 12, at 1:30 p.m. at the Twin Falls office of the South Central Public Health District another attempt to mandate citizens in South Central Idaho be ordered to cover their faces.
This may seem an odd place for a pastor to engage the culture.
For me, it is because truth is under attack. It’s not a matter of the truthfulness of a virus that is clearly true. It is because those attempting to pass such an ordinance are so quickly willing to amend their motions with compromising sideboards that actually weaken what they are arguing for in the first place. If a mask mandate is the only way to slow the spread of COVID-19 (and I do not believe it is) then the health district has no valid excuse to place exemptions to the mandate.
Be sure of this, I am not in favor or the health district putting a limit of how many can gather at the church house, but to say the virus spreads in large group settings where people are together for more than 15 minutes then by all means South Central Public Health – put a limit on church attendance, mandate we wear masks, fine us for not putting your signs up. But to exempt churches because you hear that churches will sue you if you do shows you are not doing what you are doing with truthful motives or intentions. Only causing those you want to trust you to not trust you. And right now, I’m not sure I can trust you that you are acting in my best interest in other parts of your order.
As of today, nine months into a declared state of emergency in the state of Idaho, I am not aware of any elected neighbor inquire with a faith community about this virus plaguing the state. Not because we are scientist, but because we preach from a book that shows world history times when the Almighty God plagues nations with pestilence because of their sin.
I’m not the only pastor in the city. I’m not the only pastor in the valley. I’m not the only pastor in the state. The thing is, I don’t know of any pastor any where who has been asked in the State of Idaho by a county, city, or state elected neighbor.
What is my call to action?
First: Pray with me for the region
Second: contact Melody Bowyer, director at South Central Public Health with your concerns. Do so by noon on November 12, 2020
scphd@phd5.idaho.gov
Call (208) 737-5900
Always be respectful. Give clear direction you wish for the health district to act on this matter.
If you are going to speak about a study done or a report to back your position, always give the primary reference.
See this example from the state of Colorado
https://covidtracking.com/
So what should one do when truth is under attack? Investigate it, consider the claims, weight the claims against logical truth, and defend the true truth, confront the lie and the liar with truth, and expose the lie and the liar.
South Central Public Health, you are not helping the public with your “sausage-making” mandates. Public trust is needed when you want to be known as looking out for our public health.
The truth is what sets the people free, not overreaching mandates. Give the people truthful reporting, the people are capable of making healthy decisions.
If you have not communicated with your city government lately, this might be a good reason to do so. The city council of Twin Falls will have a discussion in front of the public on the matter of a mask mandate.
There is a lot of confusion about what will happen tonight. (I’m not the official spokesman for the city and I don’t pretend to be.) The explanation I received from the city manager is that the city council will consider among themselves if they want to have a public hearing to consider a mask mandate. But here’s my advice; even if there is not a “public hearing” tonight it is important that the council hear from you. This can be done in two ways, and I recommend both.
email or call every city council member today. Be kind and respectful and express your desire concerning a mask mandate. Be sure to speak factually, carefully, respectfully, and remember you are speaking to an elected neighbor, a fellow citizen.
Suzanne Hawkins (Mayor) shawkins@tfid.org
Ruth Pierce (Vice Mayor) rpierce@tfid.org
Christopher Reid (Council Member) creid@tfid.org
Shawn Barigar (Council Member) sbarigar@tfid.org
Craig Hawkins (Council Member) chawkins@tfid.org
Nikki Boyd (Council Member) nboyd@tfid.org
Greg Lanting (Council Member) glanting@tfid.org
Attend the meeting in person.
This will be hard for many citizens because the meeting begins at 5p.m. tonight (Nov. 2). Due to the move back to state 3 by the Governor, last week puts some limits on how many people will be allowed at the meeting. It appears 50 will be the limit. Don’t let that keep you from attempting to attend.
Remember to check your heart rate often when engaging in politically charged issues that you have a strong opinion.
