Commentary

“Many are called but few are chosen” Matthew 22:14 Jesus taught many, many lessons in parables. A parable is a story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, using objects, situations, events, familiar to the people or common man. It was told in story form so they could comprehend the meaning He was conveying to them.

Ask Rusty – About Income Tax on Social Security Benefits

Ask Rusty – Working Widow Seeks to Maximize Social Security Benefits Dear Rusty: I was widowed years ago and, when I approached age 60, I looked into Social Security survivor benefits based on my late husband’s record. He started receiving Social Security shortly before he died at $1,200 per month. My income at age 60 was $42,000 and, since Social Security would keep $1 for every $2 above the limit (around $15,000 at that time), I did not apply. Next year I will reach my full retirement age of 66½, but I plan to work until I am 70. Will I be able to receive full survivor benefits next year if I continue to work? I plan to switch to my own Social Security benefit at age 70, which will be higher than my husband received. Since I am waiting to apply for survivor benefits, will there be an increase in the amount I receive? I am a municipal employee and when I retire, I will collect from the state retirement system.

POVERTY IN LOUISIANA Several years ago I attended a luncheon with former Governor Edwin Edwards. He had been out of office over twenty years. I told him the campaign issues seemed the same. He replied, “There are more poor people than anticipated.”

Psalms 91:11-12 “For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear the up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.”

Revelation 5:12 John heard them “saying with a loud voice, worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.”

Hebrews 1:14 – “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”

If you were to walk down the street and ask anyone “What is an angel?” Most people would have an answer. Even if that person is not religious, angels hold a mystery and are a visual representation of the spiritual part of our world. Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities --- His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen being understood from what has been made. God can reveal Himself in the earthly creations He made, also true for the heavenly creation’s angels.

( Newsworthy Articles and My Opinion)

GOVERNOR’S VETO Gov. John Bel Edwards issued his first set of vetoes from the regular session, but a few high-drama legislative items are still pending. There is speculation over how Gov. Edwards will address the main budget bill and the $100 million cut to the Health Department. He has vowed to veto a package of anti-LGBTQ+ bills, which could trigger a veto override session. A spokesperson for the Governor says he won’t take action on these measures until the week of June 26th. There are many other bills under review by the governor and various special interests are lobbying him aggressively.

BIDEN SNAPS AT REPORTER President Joe Biden recently snapped at a reporter who asked why he was referred to as the “big guy” in the FBI’s informant document alleging that he accepted a $5 million bribe from an executive with the Ukrainian natural gas firm Burisma Holdings.

Are all Sins Equal?

This is a question I have ask many times but the ones I have asked only to answer me like this “This is too big of a subject and would cause more questions than answers”. So, I have been on a quest to research the answer.

First what is sin? Sin is any thought or action that falls short of God’s will. It’s a term used in archery meaning to “miss the mark” A Christians definition is disobeying God’s rules. Missing the standards set by God. 1 John 3:4 “Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.”

Sin is a small word, but it carries so much weighty heaviness. It’s only a three-letter word, but an immeasurable number of studies, books, articles have been devoted to studying and unlocking the power of this small word. God’s good perfect, sin free image and glory have been stamped in our souls. Romans 6:23 states that “the wages of sin is death”.

In Paul’s first epistle to the church at Corinth, he writes; “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.’ (1 Corinthians 1:17-18) This worldly wisdom is also referred to as “man’s wisdom.” Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, carefully contrasted “the wisdom of this world” with “the wisdom of God” in this letter to the saints at Corinth.

by National Social Security Advisor at the AMAC Foundation, the non-profit arm of the Association of Mature American Citizens Ask Rusty – How Will Working Affect My First Year’s Benefits?

by National Social Security Advisor at the AMAC Foundation, the non-profit arm of the Association of Mature American Citizens

Ask Rusty - I’m Working; Why Hasn’t My Social Security Benefit Increased?