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Title: Volunteer Voice 16th Edition

Original CoS Document (slug): [[https://conventionofstates.com/tennessee-volunteer-voice|tennessee-volunteer-voice]]

Login Required to view? No

Created: 2021-08-29 18:50:23

Updated: 2022-09-07 13:36:32

Published: 2021-09-01 02:00:00

Converted: 2025-04-14T21:12:56.917780255


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**Hurry Up and Wait**

By Jim MacDonald

One of my favorite expressions is to hurry up and wait. This phrase says so much about how we live our lives each day. Whether we are on our way to work, have a doctor’s appointment, or picking up the kids after practice. We seem to always be in a state of a hurry to get where we are going. But undoubtedly, guess what? There’s stopped traffic on our way to work, the doctor is running 45 minutes behind schedule, or the kid’s practice never ends on time.\\
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Our nation suffers from a severe case of hurry up and wait. Well, maybe not so much the wait, anymore. The left seems to have the green light to force every item on the progressive agenda imaginable onto the American people. But, at the same time, most of the lawmakers on the right don’t seem to have brake pads left to slow them down and make them wait.

From the time the pilgrims set foot onto this land, the desire for fast-forward has led us over many bumps in the road, but we’ve been able to navigate our way through them—leaving an extensive trail of success and prosperity. A hundred and twenty-plus years ago, a new vehicle called progressivism began to carve a path into the American way of life. Today we are heading down the interstate highway with the progressive left leading the way.\\
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It’s time we all get off the exit called Article V and clear a new path in the direction our Founders set for us. But, unfortunately, the church has stalled. Our political leaders are in a ditch and don’t know how to get out—and more than half the people are still waiting on the bus, even though the drivers are on strike.\\
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//“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”//—John 16:33\\
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Thank God we have men and women who accepted the call and became active volunteers for the cause of liberty. Like the freedom fighters of 1776, these patriots teamed up with the Convention of States (COS). Thus, getting out of their comfort zone and pledging their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor.  \\
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With the infinite wisdom of our Founding Fathers, they knew the American people would lose control of the federal government. They understood that loosening the central government’s restraints to specific enumerated powers would put freedom and liberty at stake. As a result, today, the lawmakers in Washington D.C. have virtually no restrictions in governing the people’s lives.\\
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The challenges Americans face are immense, and it’s not by mistake, which makes it more detrimental. The destructive forces have great power and a solid will to destroy America as it was designed. So the question becomes, is it too late?\\
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//Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.//—1 Peter 5:8\\
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**So how did we get here? **\\
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When you look back at the history of the world, it’s clear that God’s hand has been moving to create this nation back to the time when God freed the Jews from Egypt. Through Moses, God established the first Hebrew republican form of government. Our constitutional republic is modeled after the Hebrew republic.\\
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Not since 1120 B.C. has there been a free people. Up till that point, God was their King, and the people experienced freedom. Unfortunately, just like America, the people became complacent and asked for a king like all the other nations have—1 Samuel 8:5.\\
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God warned the people then: He said (paraphrased): a king will claim his rights over you. He will be commander over your sons and daughters; he will take the best parts of your labor, money, and property. “…and you yourselves will become his slaves”—1 Samuel 8:11-17.\\
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Any of this sound familiar?\\
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There had not been a single free nation until 1620 A.D., when God sent a group of pilgrims to Plymouth, Ma. They establish a country where Jesus is King, and the people are sovereign and free.\\
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Just like the Jews of old, the American people have become complacent and willing to sacrifice their freedom and requested a king to rule over them. But, of course, today, we use different words. We call the king: the president and his congressional/judicial court.  \\
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**Is it too late to put Jesus back on the throne?**\\
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//Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.//—James 1:17\\
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Fortunately, the Founders placed a provision in Article V of the Constitution that allows the people to call a convention to amend the Constitution—essentially using the Constitution to restore the Constitution.\\
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Today, we are nearly halfway towards the goal of calling a convention. Fifteen states have passed the resolution for a convention, and we need 34 states according to Article V. We have patriot volunteers in all fifty states who are beyond fed up with the authoritarian regime housed in Washington D.C.\\
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Is it too little too late? There is no way of knowing. It is clearly an uphill battle. But If you could reach out to our Founding Fathers, I’m sure they’d tell you to get off your duff and get to work. They fought an uphill battle against the greatest military in the world at that time and won.\\
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The Founders knew it would take a sacrifice of time, money, honor, and yes, even their lives with no guarantee of victory. We are in the same race, with one significant difference. We don’t have bullets flying around us yet.\\
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**Our calling today: pray for our nation, then what? **\\
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//Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.//—Deuteronomy 31:6\\
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Make sure we’ve signed the petition calling for a convention. Then get involved.\\
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We need EVERY patriot in this nation to take a stand against this progressive kayos. We must speak and encourage everyone, young and old, to get engaged. This battle affects this generation and every generation to come. There is no time to wait.\\
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Some say: “it’s taking too long to get the 34 states we need.” I say, then get busy. We have a country to save! What other plan do you have?\\
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Remember, our lives are full of “hurry up and wait.” The Convention of States is no different. So let’s hurry up and get the job done, then wait for the results to take effect.  \\
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//Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.//—Isaiah 64:4\\
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Let God find us faithful. He gave us a nation to be proud of. Let’s put Him back on the throne!

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**Inflation: Warning! The Bridge Is Out Up Ahead!**\\
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by Jeff Cody\\
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For months, we have been in one of the world’s great pandemics. While it’s been tragic to many families and affected all of our lives in some capacity, Covid-19 will pale in comparison to the financial pandemic unfolding before our very eyes.\\
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As a financial advisor, I help people every day, placing them in a position to take advantage of inflation rather than it harming their financial lives. As an American, I am appalled at what things now cost. And I’m becoming more concerned about where all this is leading—and you should be as well.\\
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Inflation affects all areas of our lives, including food, goods, and services—not to mention things like college tuition. Today, college tuition costs in one year, what it costs to complete my degree in five years at a private college. Consider healthcare, prices of automobiles, the cost of clothing, and so on. Has your paycheck gone up accordingly? Of course not.

Continuing Reading...

Newsweek published an article in early July of this year. The article’s headline stated that the inflationary rate was around 5.6 percent in the past twelve months. According to the Social Security Administration, the 2021 cost of living adjustment was a measly 1.3%. That’s a mere $20 per month (or so) raise for the average person on Social Security (Side note: have you noticed how they raise Medicare Part B to absorb whatever the rise in the cost of living is?)\\
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It’s evident that the inflation rates reported by the federal government are not accurate. Every time we purchase something at the store or go online, we experience overwhelming financial pressure. This is because the government doesn’t report the REAL inflationary rate. In the 1990s, President Clinton and Alan Greenspan omitted food and energy from the government’s inflationary rate calculation. Likely, to keep people from panicking but more specifically to keep the cost of living adjustments to Social Security down. \\
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I was born in 1965. A U.S. first-class postage stamp costs five cents. Today, those same stamps cost fifty-five cents. So that’s a 4.38 percent increase over 56 years. So, ask yourself this question:  Is the US Postal Service making money, or are they losing billions of dollars every year? They are losing billions because the cost of stamps hasn’t kept up with inflation. \\
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In light of this, one could safely argue that inflation is most likely around 7 percent. \\
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So that means if you need $50,000 today, you will need $200,000 in 20 years to live like you do today on $50,000, which means you will have to have saved $5,000,000 to produce $200,000 per year income.\\
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Now add every dollar our government prints and spends foolishly. They are making matters much worse for us. Go to www.usdebtclock.org, but make sure you’re sitting down when you look at it.\\
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Now that you see the problem, what can we do about it? I suggest the following: \\
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1.     Join the Convention of States;\\
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2.     Volunteer at whatever capacity you can afford;\\
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3.     Write to your state representatives to educate them about the Convention of States, so they support the resolution passed on February 4, 2016;\\
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4.     Write your representatives in Washington D.C. consistently;\\
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5.     Tell your circle of friends and family to do the same.  \\
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The storm is quickly approaching, and the time is now. It is time for us to stand as one, be heard, and fight for our future generations. So they can financially withstand the erosion of our freedom, the abandonment of our values, and be able to survive the financial pandemic when it hits.\\
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The Convention of States can help you do this and more.  Get involved.

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**Chatting with Josh**\\
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By Marcy Brooks\\
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Today was a remarkable Point of Light meeting. Notice, I said, “Point,” not “points.” \\
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After our Sevierville meeting, I drove to Knoxville. I was excited because I had sent out an email blast in plenty of time with all the right information and was anticipating a good group. Instead, one young man came. I said, “Josh, I’ve told the Lord that if just one person comes, we’re having a meeting,” and he said, “That’s fine with me.”\\
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So, we said our pledge, sang our song and said a prayer. He was a good singer! So, that was my first lesson. Next, we sat down and talked about what it meant to be a volunteer, and he said he wasn’t comfortable talking to people. We went online and filled out his application, and as we talked about how he saw himself as a volunteer, this quiet young man divulged his story. \\
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Continue Reading...

He was raised in Massachusetts, a liberal family in most ways, but because of their Catholic faith, he was also pro-life. He voted Democrat in 2008 but became disturbed by all the abortion policies, so he gradually made a transition and saw things differently. He realized our values had eroded, and he wanted to find something different. Finally, he was led to the Convention of States.\\
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He’s been a member and had marked that he wanted to be a, but since we didn’t really have a grassroots program, he was waiting to see what he could do. Then he got my first email announcing the Points of Light meetings! He was so excited! He came, and he knew this was what he had been looking for.\\
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Josh is quiet – until you get him talking about his country! He loves to strategize, so I started asking what he would do in my position. The thoughts started pouring out. He said, “It’s the simple things that will save the world. It doesn’t have to be difficult or earth-shaking – the simple everyday things anyone can do.”\\
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“What do you want to see happen in America?” I asked.\\
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He responded after a moment’s pause, “Freedom – to be able to choose your own ending.” (By this time, I’m thinking, “Wow, this kid is good.”)\\
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He continued, “Freedom is when you get to decide what you do within sensible limits. We have lost faith in our own ability to make wise decisions about our own lives. People perceive themselves as inferior to the experts, so we relinquish our freedoms and self-governance.”\\
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I pushed him further. “So, how do you see the CRT movement in our schools?” \\
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His eyes widened as he spoke almost in awe, “It is the systematic mistreating of whites.” Let’s think about that, people!\\
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Finally, I asked, “What would YOU want to say to our Convention of States members?” \\
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He said, “Freedom will give you a voice, and that’s what Convention of States does – it gives us our voices back.” \\
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Was my rent money for this office space wasted? NOT ON YOUR LIFE! The joy of finding Josh’s voice was worth so much more. He said, “This is what we need more of – face to face. We email, text, and sometimes call, but the power is in the face to face.” \\
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So, I asked permission to share his story with you, and maybe you will find some blessing from the remarkable two hours of chatting with Josh.

 

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**Tennessee is on the move…\\
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**Convention of States was founded to stop the runaway power of the federal government. It’s clear that Washington, D.C. is broken and will not fix itself. The federal government is spending this country into the ground, seizing power from the states and taking liberty from the people. \\
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You can discover the only solution big enough to solve the problem in Article V of our Constitution. Thanks to the wisdom of our Founders, America has an answer—and Tennessee is moving forward. \\
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Thanks to the leadership of Marcy Brook, there are numerous Points of Light meetings going on around the state. \\
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Thanks to Dwanye Bledsoe and others, who staffed the booth for the gun show. Over 50 petitions were signed, with potential volunteers getting involved.  \\
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We have Keith Callis and Jeff Cody stepping up and writing great articles for the newsletter.\\
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Thanks to Lyle Hill and John Taylor, who set an example of people who exude servant leadership. \\
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Thanks to Ramona DeSalvo, who works tirelessly, keeping her eagle eye on all the legal aspects that can impact our organization’s success. \\
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Finally, and most importantly, our behind-the-scenes prayer warriors, both in Tennessee and around the country. We don’t acknowledge them enough. Our nation, and our world, are in total kayos. And God is the Creator of them all. Thank you for being steadfast in prayer. Thank you for heeding the call and being faithful. All things are possible through God—and Lord knows we need His help. So keep up the great work.

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**UpComing Events**

Meeting for Points of Light:

  * Greenville: Sept 4, 210 S. Main St. 10:00 am EST
  * Kingsport: Sept 11, Concordia Reformed Lutheran Church 725 Truxton Dr. 9:30, EST
  * Johnson City: Sept 11, Call for details: (423) 747-4500
  * Sevierville: Sept 18, King Family Library 408 High St. 9:00 am.
  * Knoxville: Sept 18, 9041 Executive Park Dr. Ste. 250 1:00 pm.

Biblical Citizenship\\
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Join Mark Meckler, Rick Green, and others every Monday at 8:00 pm EST through Oct 18 on Zoom. Click here to register: https:%%//%%jt667.keap-link003.com/api/v1/click/5214352746872832/6103792774938624\\
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Battle Cry\\
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Join Mark Meckler for the BattleCry every Sunday at 8:00 pm on Facebook\\
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The 911 Event\\
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Tennessee Conservative Convention: Speakers include: Oliver North, Newt Gingrich, Dr. Alan Keyes, Gov. Bill Lee, and more. 610 Bridgestone Pkwy, Lebanon, TN 37090; Saturday, Sept 11, 9 am – 3 pm\\
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Creekside Music Festival: Oct 25-28, Pigeon Forge. More Info to come