Peace in 2008?

But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt "There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."………The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways; they have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace. --- Isaiah 57:20, 21; 59:8

As 2007 closed out with eruptions of violence in many places and crowned with the assassination of the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto, the quest for peace continues unabated.

Just how successful will be the efforts in establishing peace in 2008? At the risk of being labeled a gloom and doom pessimist of the first magnitude I have to respond and say, “There will be no peace of any significant note!”

An Authority far greater than any existing government in the world or that monstrosity of confusion and chaos known as the United Nations has revealed that peace will never be a reality as the world presently stands.

Jesus said that prior to His return to earth conflicts will be the order of the day:

"And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake.” --- Matthew 24:6-9

He also indicated that mass rejection and division over Him will result in conflicts on a major scale:

"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. And you will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved……..Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.' And 'a man's foes will be those of his own household.' He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” --- Matthew 10:16-22, 32-40

Since the vast majority of the world population is unregenerate in mind and heart, including leaders of existing governments, it can be said that 2 Timothy 3:1-5 is literally being fulfilled before our very eyes:

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! --- 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Actions and policies advocated by politicians at both the federal and state levels of government in the United States provide daily displays of the truth of 2 Timothy 3:1-5 as well!

Will there ever be peace? Yes, but only due to the direct personal intervention of Jesus Christ when He comes back to this world in His glorious majesty as King of kings and Lord of lords! Until then the message and witness of every Christian is basically,

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life……..Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. --- John 3:16; Romans 5:1, 2

Only through Jesus Christ can there be personal peace as well as corporate peace!

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid......These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." --- John 14:27; 16:33

Another Response to Little Devil -- This Time It's About the Bible!

Little Devil (referred to in yesterday's posting) replied to me with an email containing a link which took me to a site comprised of a lot of writings which attempted to shred the Bible. As noted in my reply, this kind of stuff has been going on for centuries. Please note especially the quote from John 3 at the end of my response which clearly explains such shenanigans as these taking place!

December 28, 2007

Dear little devil:

I checked the link you sent me in regard to what certain reputed “scholars” have to say about the Bible.

As I moved about in those statements I was reminded of an observation made in the book of Ecclesiastes by King Solomon that there is nothing new under the sun!

Down through the centuries a two-pronged assault has been focused on the Person of Jesus Christ and the Scriptures which bear witness to Who He is, why He was born into this world, what He accomplished, and what He is scheduled to do in the future.

At times there is clearly a fiendish delight coming forth from that crowd which has totally rejected the claims and demands of Jesus as they indulge in their feeble efforts to shred the inspired Record that provides all the information necessary for a person to become personally acquainted with God.

The one thing they cannot explain is the miracle of transformed lives which have been touched by this Jesus of Whom the Bible speaks in the most explicit terms!

We can make reference to one such as Paul the apostle – a religious zealot who was determined to destroy Christianity and all who were identified as Christians in faith. But then after a personal encounter with Jesus this same Paul was just as zealous in declaring Jesus to be God in human form and the only way of salvation and hope.

Centuries later there was John Wesley, an Anglican clergyman, who testified to a “heart warming” experience in trusting Jesus alone for his salvation from sin and eternal hell. He and others began preaching Christ-centered messages that resulted in what came to be known as the “Great Awakening” which impacted England in the 18th Century. At least some historians agree that the revival may well have saved England from a bloody revolution similar to that which took place in France in those days when human blood ran by the gallons due to an apparatus called the guillotine!

And we need to consider a man by the name of John Newton. He was the vulgar captain of a slave ship and it was reported that when he got mad and the profanities spewed forth from his mouth that his sailors trembled, fearing that Almighty God would strike them all dead. But a mighty miracle took place as John Newton’s life was turned around 180 degrees when He repented of his wicked way of living and received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of his life. His testimony in part is revealed in a song which he wrote. The title is, “Amazing Grace,” and has been a great favorite among Christians for decades.

Time and space do not permit reference to so many others from all walks of life who have been miraculously transformed by Jesus Christ and who live with daily assurance of His presence with them as based on promises given through His Word.

I close with a quote from an unknown African pastor as he faced the year 2006:

December 31, 2005

I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problems recognizing me - my banner will be clear!

Anonymous African pastor –- statement was nailed to his wall.

I rest my case!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." --- John 3:16-21

Response to "Little Devil" About Jesus on Christmas Day!

I received an email from one whose name in the address included "little devil." It was sent to me just a few minutes before midnight on December 24th. I quote the entire email message as given below:

You must have read "The Da Vinci Code"

History says that Jesus Christ was a mortal man and not the son of God.

Any comment?

My response, which was sent out on Christmas Day, 2007, is quoted below:

Dear little devil:

Thanks for getting in touch. Your message centers on the identity of Jesus and those who insist that He is merely a mortal human being and nothing more. You asked if I had any comment, and so I respond as follows……

First, I have not read “The Da Vinci Code” in its entirety. I have read bits and pieces, reviews, excerpts, comments by others on the book, etc. Having spent time in the past researching select theologians who were much more expert and sophisticated in expressing their unbelief than does the author of “The Da Vinci Code,” I have chosen not to waste my time by reading the whole book.

Second, when you mention about “history” declaring that Jesus is just a mortal man, you need to remember that there are numerous historical records which testify that He is indeed God revealed in human form – the mysterious blending of the divine and the human into one very unique individual.

The primary and authoritative record is the holy Scriptures (Bible) which contain predictions of His birth hundreds of years before it took place, the facts of His miraculous birth, His sinless life as lived for a few years on earth (the earth which He created), His sacrificial death for sinners such as you and I, His resurrection following crucifixion, and His promised return to earth as some future point in time to take control and rule it as King of kings and Lord of lords!

There are many other written sources down through history which speak of Jesus in the same manner as He is revealed in the Scriptures.

My view of Jesus is not limited to what the Bible says about Him, but also through what I have personally experienced in my life. You see, many years ago I received Him into my life as Savior and Lord. I had been living a very self-centered life and indulging in a sinful way of life which I will not detail here.

Jesus changed my life and did a lot of amazing things then and continues to do them now – and the best is yet to be!

This is a faith experience by choice with His love going out to every human being. Each of us must choose what we will do with Jesus Christ. He’ll never twist anyone’s arm to force that person to accept Him and the plan He has for that person’s life. In the strictest sense, He is indeed a gentleman Who respects our power to choose for ourselves what we want or do not want.

The world and the majority of its population wallows in unbelief at the present time – atheism, agnosticism, and other various “isms” are very popular and widely accepted. The common thread that all share is the denial of Who Jesus Christ really is, what He has done, and what He plans to do in the future!

But once you make your personal acquaintance with Him, you will know He is God “dressed up” in human clothes! So I say to you that Jesus loves you as He loves me and all others – He died for your sins just as He did for mine – and you can be forgiven and live forever in His Kingdom just as He has forgiven me and assured me of a future place in His eternal Kingdom. Check out “God Dressed Up in Bones, Flesh and Blood!”

In a sense He has served the ball into your side of the court – you have to make the choice as to what you will do with it! It puts one in an awkward position similar to a man 2,000 years ago who said, “What then shall I do with Jesus Who is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:22). The overwhelming response to that question was, “Let Him be crucified!” And so it goes pretty much the same way in today's world, does it not?

Thanks again for writing. I am responding on Christmas Day and it is my prayer that Christmas will have the same meaning to you as it has had to me for 50 years – and it gets better as each year passes because of the best Friend I ever had – His name is Jesus Christ!

Still contending at www.crrange.com, blogging at http://cdharriger.blogspot.com and warning at www.crrange.com/USACoffin.html

Clayton

I Am a Bible Literalist? No, Not Always!

It's a bit of a risk to go on public record that you actually believe the Bible! Through the years there has been a well organized response directed to those who say they do believe the Bible. It varies a bit in the way the reactions are worded -- for instance:

• the Bible believer may be accused of worshipping the Bible -- that it is an object which consitutes idolatry simply because he or she has expressed a positive acceptance of all that the Bible reveals!
  
  
• the Bible believer is considered quite "low-brow" if he or she claims to believe all that is contained in the record from the first chapter of the book of Genesis to the last chapter of the book of The Revelation. That is, one is lacking in intellectual accomplishment if one believes the Bible "as is!"
  
  
• the Bible believer is considered to be a "literalist" if a statement is made, "I believe the entire Bible." Somehow the critic of the Bible believer wants to convey the idea that such a person takes everything in the Bible "literally" without question, and this constitutes a lot of ignorance on the part of the Bible believer.
  

Over the years I have had to deal with this issue from time to time. I have gone on record numerous times that I believe the Bible to be divinely inspired (by God the Holy Spirit) and the absolute authority on all matters pertaining to the Christian faith and how that faith is to be expressed in a fallen world.

One incident early on involved my appearance before the Board of Ordained Ministry of the W. PA Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. I made reference to Adam and Eve in responding to a question. Immediately one of the board members asked me if Adam and Eve were real people. I responded, "Yes." He then said, "You mean they lived in an actual historical time period?" I said, "Yes." He then said, "Don't you have a problem with that?" I replied, "Not me!" I tried to put a tone to it that said, "If you have a problem with it, that's your problem, not mine!"

To be accused of being a Bible believer is usually the same as being accused of taking the Bible literally in all that is recorded within its pages. I don't take everything in the Bible literally. For instance,

• in Psalm 91 it mentions about abiding under the shadow of the Almighty and a bit later it says, "He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler." If I took this literally, then God at this point is a Canada goose or a great horned owl or maybe a Rhode Island Red chicken, but I must confess I don't view God that way in this portion of Scripture!
  
  
• in Zechariah 2:5 it is recorded, "For I," says the LORD, "will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst." Now I don't take this to mean that God is in reality a wall of flames leaping hundreds of feet in the air such as we saw on news reports of the fires burning thousands of acres in southern California during fall of 2007!
  
  
• in John 8:12 Jesus says He is the light of the world. I don't literally believe that means that Jesus is a flashlight powered by Energizer batteries!
  
  
• in John 10:9 Jesus said that He is the door. Really, folks, I don't picture Him as a piece of paneled wood swinging on a couple of hinges with a brass door knob attached about 3 1/2 feet off the floor! No, I really don't -- if I were a strict 100 per cent "literalist" as implied by critics because I say I believe the Bible, then that is indeed how I would picture Jesus!
  

HOWEVER, there are many portions of Scripture which I do take literally and for which I do not apologize.

Some of these have been denied by those who pride themselves on being "liberal" and at times disagreement has become quite heated over whether such events and/or persons are historical fact or myth, legend, etc.

I've already mentioned Adam and Eve. Other recorded information which has been denied or highly questioned involves the world wide flood judgment at the time of Noah, the opening of the Red Sea when the Israelites left Egypt, the opening of the Jordan River at flood stage, and the great fish swallowing Jonah in the Old Testament. In the New Testament areas of dispute involve the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, His sinless life, the many miracles which He performed, His atonement for the sins of every member of the human race, His bodily resurrection from the dead following the crucifixion, His command to confront the entire world with His claims and call as Savior and Lord, and His promised return to this earth to rule it from Jerusalem at some point in the future!

While reading and in some cases, having done research papers on "theologians" who denied or seriously questioned many of those things mentioned above, I personally have never had a problem with what has been recorded in the Bible. I struggle at times to try to understand and grasp things at points, but I have never doubted that God did the things which are attributed to Him. In the Jonah incident -- the God I have known and been in fellowship with for 50 years could have kept Jonah alive in the belly of that fish for a year or longer if He had wanted to!

My God can do anything He wants to and when He wants to with no obligation to explain in detail to me how He did it or why He did it. The main expectation He has from me is that I approach Him in the spirit of a child and BELIEVE! In fact Jesus made it a demand that we become as children in our faith and relationship to Him -- part of that invovles our willingness to accept as a small child the truth of what God has done in the past, is doing now, and plans to do in the future!

"Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." --- Matthew 18:3

By the way, how great is the God in Whom you claim to believe? Can He do things such as bring world wide judgment, open up a great body of water and dry the ground on which that water rested for centuries, keep a man alive in the belly of a great fish which He has prepared, make it possible for a young virgin to have a baby without a human male being in any way involved, raise the dead to life, etc? And can He touch the heart of a sinner in such a way that the sinner is brought to totally forsake his sins, seek forgiveness, and live a transformed life in obedience to the Savior Who was crucified for those sins?

As mentioned earlier there is one apology I have never made in the past and never will in the future -- that I believe the Bible, God's holy Word! Much of it I do take literally, but there are some exceptions as previously noted -- remember, God is not a Rhode Island Red chicken, though He covers me with His feathers and I take refuge under His wings! (Psalm 91).

I am Your servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies. It is time for You to act, O LORD, for they have regarded Your law as void. Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold! Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way. Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. --- Psalm 119:125-130

Call Me Anything You Want, But Don't Call Me An "Evangelical!"

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. --- 1 John 2:19

There is a group of individuals within the ranks of professing Christianity known as “evangelicals.” They have been around for quite some time and have undergone a bit of evolution over the past few decades.

At one stage in their earlier identification “evangelicals” were considered to be quite radical in their faith and were at times the target of scorn and intense criticism by those of a more “liberal” persuasion in the profession of the Christian faith.

The group was made up of theologians, professors, pastors, and laity who occupied pews in churches of all sizes. They held to core doctrines of the Christian faith such as the divine inspiration and full authority of the Scriptures, miracles in the Scriptures taking place as reported, Jesus Christ being exclusively the way of salvation from sin, His literal bodily resurrection from the dead, His personal return to this world at some point in the future, etc.

As time passed these individuals became more popular and also recognized as a powerful voting block when it came to politics.

There was likewise an intense desire to shed the negative image of being radical and “narrow minded” on a number of issues. It became practically a goal that "evangelicals" be viewed as being “positive” and willing to sit down and discuss the issues where there were disagreements, and avoiding at all costs the appearance of being "judgmental."

Enter the process of “dialog!” And so, where we disagree with others on anything – just sit down at a table and talk about it with the understanding that all viewpoints must be respected – all have legitimate positions and a peaceful atmosphere is reached by adopting a loving “agree to disagree” approach to the issue at hand. Through this process we consent to work together for the common good of all in spite of differences that may exist. In so doing a spirit of harmony and good will are experienced and we all become “brothers and sisters in the faith” whatever that may mean! Compromise is a fundamental requirement when you travel this route! Perhaps “evangelicals” have learned from Washington DC politicians how to master this art!

After all George W. Bush, who is a high profile United Methodist and professed “evangelical” Christian, has expressed the spirit of the dialog principle on more than one occasion. He has gone on public record as saying that he believes Muslims and Christians worship the same God! George is the “poster boy” – the adorable delight of “evangelicals” who have had the privilege of meeting with him from time to time and this has resulted in glowing reports coming forth from those who have been in his presence.

And so it goes with “evangelicals” now willing to “dialog” on about anything, including the issue of sexual immorality!

The latest debacle has involved a few dozen very influential “evangelicals” signing a statement urging the formation of a separate Palestinian state in order to resolve the Israeli/Palestinian conflict over territorial rights.

These people obviously deny the reality that Muslims who take their faith seriously and the teachings of the Quran seriously do not want Israel to coexist – they want Israel obliterated from the face of this planet!

Also denied is the Abrahamic covenant which God said would be established through Isaac and his descendants, not through Ismael and his descendants. And this involves quite a piece of real estate stretching from what is identified as "the river of Egypt" on the west to the Euphrates River on the east! (Genesis 15 in which it is recorded, "And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there was a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces. On the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying: 'To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates...'") Check the final chapters of the prophet Isaiah to see how this is going to play out. Other prophets have addressed this matter as well. Now if God is not going to keep this covenant, as some suggest, then will He keep any covenant, including the one made through His Son, Jesus Christ? And is the Scripture in error when we are told that God declares Himself to be One Who changes not? (Malachi 3:6). I know there is a lot of foot shuffling going on by way of so-called "interpretation" on these things, but for once could we just take God at His Word, and that He really means what He says by way of His promises?

Finally, “evangelicals” make much about the example set by Jesus and our need to “walk in His steps” as it were. OK, how about His example of doing “dialog.” For starters, check Matthew 23 as to how He did “dialog” with those who were in sharp disagreement with Him. And the persons to whom He spoke were powerful leaders of the religious establishment. It is understandable that they would not have nominated Him to be Time Magazine's "Man of the Year!"

Also, where do you see Jesus backing off from the absolute demands He placed on all human beings – for instance, that one must absolutely be born again as mentioned in John 3 -- that is, if you expect to be a future resident of His eternal Kingdom! And where do you see Him in "dialog" and expressing a willingness to back off and give space to Allah, Vishnu, Buddha or others when He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”??? Well, come on, I’m waiting – or do we take the modern approach – grab a chair – sit down at the table and say, “Jesus didn’t really mean all those radical statements attributed to Him!”

Added to this, note His statement about bringing peace to the world in Matthew 10.

"Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.' And 'a man's foes will be those of his own household.' He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” --- Matthew 10:32-40

And if we claim He is Savior and Lord and that we are to be His representatives here on earth, where does that put us when it comes to how well we will get along with others who take positions that are in sharp disagreement with the clear teachings of God’s special revelation to us via the holy Scriptures?

Call me anything you want, but don’t call me an “evangelical!”

"These things I command you, that you love one another. If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. --- John 15:17-21

The Most Vicious Battleground Ever!

Volumes have been written about wars taking place down through the centuries of human history. Battles have been singled out time after time with graphic details given and with the invention of photography, the descriptive articles contained pictures which underscored the horror of war all the more. An infamous example of this would be the U. S. Civil War with an almost endless parade of photos revealing huge numbers of bodies of Confederate and Union soldiers killed in combat.

The battleground which receives the least attention and certainly never makes the news on major TV networks or cable news channels such as CNN or Fox News is the human mind! You think not? Maybe you have already become a casualty without even realizing it!

Here is what is going on ----

With the vast majority of this world’s 6 billion inhabitants in an unregenerate state of mind, God is seeking to reach each one with His eternal truth and the message of salvation offered through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Standing in opposition are the deceptive and misleading “teachings” of humans which reject God’s special revelation to us through the holy Scriptures (Bible).

"And like their bow they have bent their tongues for lies. They are not valiant for the truth on the earth. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not know Me," says the LORD. --- Jeremiah 9:3

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. --- 2 Thess 2:9-12

This rejection takes place in many settings:

• The secular education system starting at the kindergarten level and continuing through graduate school at the university level. The great damnable “doctrine” which is repeatedly planted in learning minds is that we have evolved from a lower life form – you know, some stuff that started to wriggle in a mud puddle millions and millions of years ago! There is a strong anti-God sentiment mixed in this and the absolute forbidding of any suggestion that we are a special creation of God – created by Him and He has a special plan for each conceived human life!
  
  
• There are numerous religious groups ranging in size from a few score to millions of devotees. Among the larger groups are Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Shinto, Taoism, etc. The common agreement all have is this – they reject the truth that God took on human form in the Person of Jesus Christ, sacrificed His life for the sins of every human being, rose from the dead three days after crucifixion, ascended back to Heaven, and will one day in the future return to this chaotic world and rule it from Jerusalem! This very clearly indicates that all human governments presently existing will be dismantled – a great change for the better which we cannot begin to comprehend.
  
  
• Within the ranks of professing Christianity has been the importation of deadly heresies denying the basic tenets of Biblical Christian faith. These include denials of the divine inspiration and authority of the holy Scriptures, the Person and works of Jesus Christ, that He is exclusively the way of salvation from sin, and that He will personally return to this world, take full control, and rule it!
  

The human mind is bombarded daily with information from many sources. Decisions have to be made as to whether to accept or reject those many items of information. Most critical are decisions that are made regarding one’s eternal destiny and standing relationship with God. Upon what information will such decisions be made – what one personally thinks by way of opinion or what others think – what some Ph.D. in a classroom says about something – or some high profile entertainment figure or talk show personality – or some politician or some person of great wealth and influence?

Or will it be based on what God says through His holy Word? The battle continues to rage on and on – your mind and mine are the areas where the battle is most vicious – the victory is assured IF our confidence is centered in the right Person – that Person is none other than Jesus Christ, the Savior and only hope we have in this world and the one yet to be!

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed; in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. --- 1 Corinthians 15:51-58

A Post Script on That Ongoing Christmas Controversy!

"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake." --- Jesus in Matthew 24:9

A couple of days ago I posted comments under the title, "It's Not Really About Christmas, But About the One At the Center of It!" Also included in those comments was a suggestion to look at "Jesus Meets the Committee!"

Jesus, Who is the absolute Authority on all matters pertaining to humans, their activities, relationships and future destiny, foretold how it would be in the final stages of human history as we are now experiencing it. After all, among other things, He is our Creator -- so why wouldn't He be the absolute Authority on all things that have to do with the members of the human race?

Specifically He said the time would come when those who faithfully identify with Him would be hated among all nations -- note that He did not say "except for..." -- He said "ALL" nations! By the way, do you suppose the United States is a part of the group?

In fact, Jesus said this thing will become so intense that those who kill Christians will believe they are doing service for God Whom they claim to represent! Oh, you can verify that by looking at John 15:18 - 16:3.

Of course there is a way to avoid this hatred and hostility which Jesus so vividly predicted and is now coming to pass just as He said.

All you have to do is to back off from insisting that Jesus is God revealed in human form -- that He sacrificed His life for all the sins of the entire human race to make total forgiveness possible -- that He literally was resurrected from the dead -- that He is the only way to be forgiven, accepted and looked upon favorably by Almighty God -- and that He is coming back to this world at some point in the future and will take complete control and rule it with true righteousness and justice (this means that all world governments will be terminated as we now know them!).

Now, now -- don't get upset with me -- just examine His statements for yourself where He makes reference to His return to earth -- if you want to deny that and try to make Him out to be a liar, that's your stupidity, not mine!

Further you simply say that His absolute demands upon all of us humans don't really mean anything (see Matthew 18:3; Luke 13:3; John 3:3; John 6:53). And you also say that His absolute claims concerning Himself don't really mean anything either (see John 6:35, 48, 51; 8:12, 58; 10:9, 11; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1).

It's really very easy and you won't upset people as you clearly establish your "demotion" of Jesus and reduce Him to the same level as other professed "deities" such as Vishnu, Shiva, Allah, Buddha, and a whole hoard of others -- Jesus becomes just "one of the boys" in a world of a gigantic religious buffet -- just pick and choose a deity (or more than one -- safety in numbers you know!) to your liking with the understanding that they all hold equal ranking -- none is superior to any other!

And don't think you will be blazing a new path by your "demotion" of the Son of God -- others have already beat you to that -- you are just moving through their dust! Among that group professing to be "Christian" are theologians, seminary professors, church leaders, pastors, teachers, and laity in church pews who have been doing this for quite some time -- it has just gained a bit more momentum in recent years!

However bear in mind that such a choice is a deadly one for anyone professing to be a "Christian" -- those demands and claims by Jesus to which previous reference has been made really do not allow for such an option, unless one wants to spend eternity in a devil's Hell!

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. --- 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10

It's Not Really About Christmas, But About the One At the Center of It!

"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed." --- John 3:18-20

For a few years now we have witnessed more and more controversy surrounding the word, "Christmas," and whether in public settings such as retail stores the word should be displayed. Horror stories abound about employees in some circumstances being instructed not to wish customers a "Merry Christmas."

Court cases have increased over the issue of displaying a Nativity scene on public property such as at a court house or in a city park. Common-sense folk with a high standard of morality and honesty often express frustration about this anti-Christmas trend which goes hand-in-hand with what has been reported as the growth of atheism across the United States.

It's really not about Christmas and use of the word -- that's just the smokescreen -- it's really about the Person Who is at the center of Christmas -- none other than the Son of God, Jesus Christ!

It is becoming more obvious as time passes -- the vast majority, not only in this country but throughout the world with its total population exceeding 6 billion want absolutely nothing to do with this One Who is God revealed in human form and the visit He made to this world which He personally created!

For a more detailed consideration as to this assault against Christmas and what is really the reason behind it, go to "Jesus Meets the Committee!" A link at the bottom of that area will bring you back here.

By the way, just what does Christmas mean to you?

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. --- John 1:10-13

November 28th Debate Orchestrated by CNN?

As has been the practice, the "news" network that is directly involved in a debate which involves aspiring presidential candidates always pulls out all the stops when it comes to promoting the event days in advance.

One has to wonder about CNN's involvement regarding the 07/11/28 event. There was a heavy emphasis on questions coming from individuals in a video format -- supposedly these persons came up with the questions and fired them at the competing candidates.

It is most interesting the types of questions that were asked -- unlike anything so far in the way they were asked and with graphic dramatization in some cases!

For instance:

• A guy held a Bible in his hand and asked if the candidates believed every word in the book he was holding -- then a close up view of the book with the title, "Holy Bible," in prominent view. That sparked interesting responses. Who manipulated that guy to ask that question?
  
  
• A guy asked about gun laws, 2nd Amendment rights, etc. For dramatic effect someone who is out of view of the camera tosses a shotgun to him which he catches with one hand and immediately proceeds to "load" by activating the slide action. Again, is this a case of "clever" manipulation or what?
  
  
• Now for the clincher -- the issue of abortion and a question posed that if Congress overturned Roe v. Wade and sent the legislation to the person who was at that time president, would he sign the bill? Again, a real scramble and fancy footwork when it came to responding!
  

Now for the real question on these shenanigans -- will CNN orchestrate an identical format for the Democrats for their next debate -- same questions worded in the very same way plus the drama?

Or maybe Fox News can do it -- you know, that "glamor channel" with dancing graphics, packed full of ads, and a few "news" comments thrown in now and then with a stress on the fact that Fox News is "fair and balanced" -- and, oh yes, a ticker going once in a while until the ads knock it off until they run their course!

As we grind through 2008 we can be assured that these networks that claim to be "news" dispensers will attempt to manipulate their audiences in every way possible to get us to vote for their preferred "candidate!"

The safe way is to view these people with a high level of suspicion whenever you are exposed to them -- it helps immensely to employ that great button on the remote at times -- it says, "MUTE!"

This, by the way, has been written by one who is officially a "Non-affiliated" registered voter.

At Last -- Barry Bonds Rides off into the Sunset!

There were those who said it would be just a matter of time -- well, the time has come and the newly crowned home run "king" finds himself with a lot of tarnish and corrosion on his long sought "crown of glory!"

Barry Bonds has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. As might be expected his lawyers and fans are quick to support him in spite of evidence indicating he was getting some outside help in pursuit of breaking Hank Aaron's home run record. That "help" came in the form of drugs that "enhance" one's athletic performance. The word "steroids" is an extremely bad word when it comes to athletes ingesting the same -- it's profanity dressed up in athletic attire -- football, baseball, basketball or whatever and always gives the obscene gesture to the public in general and to sports fans in particular!

If found guilty the home run "king" will be wearing his crown in prison for a time -- but who knows -- since the ethics displayed by too many lawyers in their style of operation is of cess pool quality at best, they might get him off in spite of his being clearly guilty -- in the course of time we'll all know due to the fact that the outcome will make big headlines either way!

The greatest tragedy here is the kind of role model example which has been set -- it's bad enough to be driven by the demon of greed, which controls a lot of professionals, but when it comes to the lowest level to which one can sink -- how many young lives will be shipwrecked by this debacle? And how many fans of what has been referred to as "America's greatest past time" now have intense nausea in the stomach area? And each time it is noted as to the breaking of Hank Aaron's record will that nausea so intensify that one starts running to the commode to heave?

And, Barry, can you punch that horse in the ribs and speed him up a bit so that he gets you into the sunset a bit faster?

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man; and birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. --- Romans 1:20-25

Did Bob Hope Prophesy About the Year 2008?

Bob Hope was well known for being one of the greatest comedians in history. However, did he have a "gift" for prophesying but was not aware that he had such a gift? Evidence of this is now circulating a bit around the internet. Was Bob really speaking of 2008 in the United States and didn't realize it at the moment?

Take a look and hear his solemn statement in regard to the 2007/2008 political climate of the United States -- go to Bob Hope Prophesies!

Use reverse feature on your web browser to come back here and browse around a bit.

"Families" without Men -- a Real Heaven on Earth or Is It?

And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God." --- Luke 16:15

It's just another step along the way toward disaster, the dimension of which is totally indescribable.

For quite some time our culture has been plagued with individuals and groups who want to deify women in every way possible, degrade and diminish men in every way possible, and issue proclamations from time to time that single parent "families" are just as fulfilling if not more so than the traditional family headed up by a dad and a mom -- especially if the head of that "family" is a female in pursuit of a highly successful career!

This whole debacle got a potent shot in the arm recently with the release of a top selling book with an eye catching title -- "Knock Yourself Up: A Tell-All Guide to Becoming a Single Mom." Now that's an expression some of us older fellows remember using when we were teenagers and the hormones were raging like crazy -- it was a very vulgar way to refer to a female who had become pregnant!

Author of the book is one named Louise Sloan who will make a fat bundle of bucks from this offering and become a heroine at the same time. She relates her experience of inseminating herself in her parents' home as she had moved into the fourth decade of her life and was not married.

She exhibits a spirit that is increasing in popularity -- that is, that men are not good for much of anything except in the case of extracting a little wriggling thing that is 50 per cent involved in the making of a baby!

The way some of these females are expressing themselves they would welcome the situation in which men would be by-passed completely when it comes to population expansion! Sorry, girls -- there has only been one Person born of a virgin and it won't happen again, ever!

Have you noticed how increasingly popular it is to advocate something, be involved in some activity, publish a book or have a talk show (radio or TV) that is against everything which God our Creator represents by way of high standards of personal morality, ethics and spirituality as based on His eternal, unchanging and clearly revealed truth?

A perfect explanation for these crazy things that have been happening and continue to get crazier as time passes is seen in statements by the prophet Isaiah:

The earth mourns and fades away, the world languishes and fades away; the haughty people of the earth languish. The earth is also defiled under its inhabitants, because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. --- Isaiah 24:4,5

God's design for a family involves the following: marriage between one man and one woman and children born to the married couple with clearly defined responsibilities resting upon each member of that family. Isaiah 24 is being fulfilled before our very eyes due to a majority of persons choosing to intentionally reject the "blueprint" God has revealed concerning what is required for not only a healthy family but a healthy culture as well!

BUT for the faithful minority, there is some very good news -- this stuff is going to be permanently terminated by the personal intervention of Jesus Christ at some point in the future. Since many of the "movers and shakers" in our culture at the present time are insistent on turning our republic into a 21st Century version of Sodom and Gomorrah, the time may well be much closer than any of us might realize!

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. --- Galatians 6:7,8

Are You One of the Few?

They are the remaining few as winter begins to approach. This year they managed to hang on a bit longer than usual. I am referring to what some of us call lightning bugs -- you know, that flying insect that has a flashing light at its rear end! In summer they have put on quite a display in the field across the road from our place as twilight fades into the darkness of night.

My day starts between 4:30 and 4:45 AM -- before retirement I got up at 4 AM each day -- now that I'm getting old I sleep in a little while! I do about an hour of devotions -- Bible reading guide I follow takes me through the Bible one time, a second time through the New Testament, plus roaming about in the Old Testament prophets in one year's time. There is a prayer time which continues as I leave about 6 AM for my 2 mile walk. In October it is dark in south central PA at 6 AM when we are on DST.

It was on those morning walks during our milder than usual October that I spotted some of them by the side of the road -- the firebugs, that is -- not many -- but they definitely attracted attention with their glowing light. They weren't flashing -- it was more of a steady glow in the grass by the edge of the road. I never failed to look at one as I passed by and that prodded me to remember some things.

First, Jesus said the human race would regress to the conditions which prevailed at the time of Noah before the flood -- wickedness and evil reigned as king and queen! He also said it would be like Sodom when Lot lived there for a time. See Luke 17:24-30.

Second, He said we are to be as lights in this world where evil is dominant and humans who are enslaved by it make up the vast majority of the population which is over 6 billion on this planet at the present time!

Third, as human history approaches its climax those few who display the truth, light, and love of Jesus Christ will be the targets of increased hostility and violence -- and why is this? Note a clear explanation in John 3:19-21:

"And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."

So to any reading this -- as the world finds itself immersed in intense spiritual darkness, are you one of the few still shining brightly and revealing clearly that forgiveness, salvation, peace, and hope are found only in Jesus Christ Who is Savior and Lord?

Don't forget -- you may be the only light in someone's darkness!

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." --- Matthew 5:14-16

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." --- Matthew 7:13,14

A Campaign of a Different Sort!

Abortion always stops a beating heart!


For some time a campaign has been underway. It is called, "40 Days for Life." This is definitely something very different. Throughout the nation abortion clinics and the "people" (term used loosely!) who run them are being confronted with a witness that human life is sacred due to the fact that God identifies every conceived human being long before that conception ever took place! Further, our Creator has very definite plans for each human being. If you doubt this, then take a real close look at Jeremiah 1:4,5 in the Scriptures and after that do about one half to a full hour of serious thinking about what you just read!

For all the details plus reports of miraculous results go to 40 Days for Life. Use return feature on your web browser to come back here.

For You have formed my inward parts; You have covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!
--- Psalm 139:13-17

What Will Al Gore and His Friends Do When the Planet Goes from Warm to a Blazing Fire?

OSLO, Oct. 12 — A news release reported that former Vice President Al Gore, battle-scarred veteran of a bitter 2000 presidential election, was awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, sharing it with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a United Nations network of scientists.

“I will accept this award on behalf of all the people that have been working so long and so hard to try to get the message out about this planetary emergency,” said Mr. Gore in Palo Alto, Calif., as he stood with his wife, Tipper, and four members of the United Nations climate panel.

Al Gore and those who are in sympathy with his crusade on the issue of "global warming" show no concern about the fires of evil that are consuming the nations of this world, nor the plain fact that God is calling all peoples of all nations to repent of all sinful practices, relationships, attitudes, and desires. Mercy and forgiveness are being presently offered through Jesus Christ, Who is God revealed in human form and Who personally visited this planet 2,000 years ago.

It is the extensive rebellion against the Creator of this universe by the vast majority of this world's population which will bring ultimate destruction. There is not a nation anywhere on earth, the United States included, that provides clear evidence of being Christian in its every day affairs.

Isaiah 24 cites three significant actions taken by the masses which invite the undiluted wrath of God. His response to the persistent rebellion is a mighty shaking of the earth itself. And why is this? Read a few statements for yourself:

The earth mourns and fades away, the world languishes and fades away; the haughty people of the earth languish. The earth is also defiled under its inhabitants, because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore the curse has devoured the earth, and those who dwell in it are desolate. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left. --- Isaiah 24:4-6

But that's not all -- God's dealings with this rebellious planet in the final stage of human history speak clearly of fire -- for those who like to make an issue of "global warming" consider how God will turn up the heat more than just a few degrees!

For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which now exist are kept in store by the same word, reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. --- 2 Peter 3:5-7

At least for right now there is still opportunity for those living in rebellion to repent of their sins, receive Jesus Christ into their lives as Savior and Lord, and commit to serving Him obediently so long as they live in this present world. But the days of grace and mercy being offered are definitely numbered! What has been your choice in regard to Jesus, the Son of God, Who died for your sins on the cross?

We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. --- 2 Corinthians 6:1,2

A Letter to the Editor

Before you go to that letter, allow me to do some explaining. First, I am Theo and Administrative Assistant at Circuit Rider's Range. In that area you will see me from time to time as I give significant assistance to my boss, CDH. Second, he is a fellow who does a lot of writing. He often writes letters to newspaper editors. A few years ago he locked horns with the editor of the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat -- well, actually, the "skirmishing" took place on more than one occasion. You can get more details on this at Letters to the Editor, Johnstown Tribune-Democrat -- one butchered and many others not published! If you go there, use return feature on your browser to come back here.

But my boss has also expressed deep appreciation to three other newspapers in the area where he lives. Editors of these papers have been very gracious and most of the time have printed the letters exactly as written -- if any editing has been done, it has been barely noticable. And on occasion these have even printed the web site address with his name.

Ok, now on the letter which deals with a very serious church issue ->

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Editor:

Dissatisfaction with trends in church denominations has prompted 2 congregations in the south central Pennsylvania region to consider leaving their parent denominations. This unfolding event has been discussed in some local media.

In recent decades there has been a growing restlessness at the grass roots level among those identified with mainline denominations in particular.

The primary reason for the intense dissatisfaction is rather simple. There has been an abandonment of Biblical authority on the part of many who hold positions of high level denominational leadership as well as too many pastors of local congregations. To put it in explicit terminology – “The Bible really doesn’t mean what it says!” The twisted and perverted “interpretations” which have crept in over the years has resulted in declining membership numbers for the mainline groups. In the case of one major mainline, the loss is in the tens of thousands each year.

Those widely accepted apostate teachings now tell us such things as the opening chapters of Genesis being the stuff from which myths and fairy tales are born, sexual behavior condemned by a holy God no longer is, Jesus Christ is not really the person portrayed in the New Testament Scriptures, etc!

One research project a few years ago revealed the shocking fact that only about 51 per cent of protestant pastors in this country hold to a Biblical world view in their lives and ministry!

A few of us still hold to the solid fact that the day is coming when God will interrupt the flow of human history and graphically demonstrate that every “jot and tittle” of His Word is true indeed!

Still contending at www.crrange.com and blogging at http://cdharriger.blogspot.com,


Clayton D. Harriger, United Methodist pastor

Western PA Annual Conference

The Evolution of the Simple Baby Doll!

"For My people are foolish, they have not known Me. They are silly children, and they have no understanding. They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge." --- Jeremiah 4:22

There was a time when a doll was a doll. A miniaturized form of a human being -- man, woman, boy or girl which was a favorite toy of children in their very young years.

At points along the way in time dolls became a bit more sophisticated. Some dolls were produced which became collectors' items. Female dolls were adorned with expensive gowns, etc.

War times resulted in production of what was known as G. I. Joe figures with a lot of accessories enabling boys to engage in combat situations with G. I. Joe, his jeep and weapons.

Even professional sports got into the act with dolls produced in the likenesses of big name players. Certain names now bring a hefty price on the eBay market!

With the "sexual revolution" (the adoption of a philosophy which says, "Sex is fun with anyone or more than one anyone at the same time, anywhere and at any time!") which began in the 60's came a new kind of "doll" on the scene -- the sex doll. First models were somewhat crude -- the inflatable models made of plastic such as a blow up Easter bunny and were often given as gag gifts.

Due to demand and developing technology the sex doll has made great strides forward -- sort of like the progress made from the Wright brothers' cumbersome flying machine to our modern space shuttle!

A recent program by BBC was titled, "Love Me, Love My Doll." It featured some men who have the latest in sex dolls. One of these guys actually had a number of these lifeless females around his house!

These dolls are made of silicone which very closely resembles human flesh in texture and color. There are models which have PVC skeletons and metal joints. The great feature is that they are "anatomically correct" which means they become a sexual partner because the man is unable to have a live human female partner!

The dolls average over 5 feet in height and weigh about 100 pounds. They can be custom ordered according to preference of the customer -- hair color, eye color, breast size, skin color, etc.

Prices can range from $1,295 to $6,500 and zooming to $10,000 depending on the sophistication and special "features" of the doll! And business is booming according to manufacturers in the business at the present time.

In one place in the world the prostitution business is being threatened as zealous entrepreneurs have set up shop -- for a fee you can rent a doll in a private room and indulge your sexual fantasies!

Oh yes, women have not been excluded in the doll evolution -- instead of buying an 18 inch doll with a porcelain head and dressed in a Victorian gown to add to your growing collection, you can buy a 6 foot silicone "anatomically correct" male according to your personal preferences and exact specifications!

As we in this world continue to carnally abuse the sacred gift of human sexuality which our Creator has given us, how long do you think it will be before He says, "Enough is enough!", and begins to do some things which will quickly remind the members of the human race that the price for making bad choices and engaging in wicked behavior is extremely high!

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. --- Galatians 6:7,8

Zealous to Save from Malaria, But....!!!

High level fanfare has been given to the "Nothing But Nets" campaign in the September 28, 2007 issue of the WPAUMC InterLink, biweekly publication of the W. PA Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. At the recent session of the conference in June the color orange was prominent as youth wore tee shirts of that color with the caption on the back as noted in above photo --
MALARIA KILLS

SEND A NET, SAVE A LIFE
Bishop Thomas Bickerton is to be commended for his zealous leadership in this campaign in which it has been reported that the denomination is more than half way toward its $3 million dollar goal of providing netting for families in parts of Africa where as many as 1 million children die from malaria each year. Bishop Bickerton has heavily stressed these mortality rates.

All well and good -- a worthy project in any man's language which has had an enthusiastic reponse by groups of all ages. High profile press coverage has helped immensely. Many lives will be saved in the times ahead because of this endeavor.

BUT the bishop, along with all his colleagues, is totally silent about the fact that about 1 million unborn children are brutally mutilated and murdered in this country each year. Tally at this point in time is over 48 million victims of the United States' tailor made version of "Holocaust!"

United Methodist bishops are quite notorious regarding their silence on the destruction of thousands of unborn children every week of the year. They will issue joint statements on all kind of social and moral matters ranging from the war in Iraq, gambling, the death penalty, concern for children (the born ones, that is), etc.

The bishops clearly expressed their displeasure that a practicing homosexual was denied church membership by a pastor who was attempting to counsel the man to repent of his sins. The homosexual refused to repent. But the way the bishops put it, if a guy is practicing sodomy regularly with his "lover" and wants to become a member of the United Methodist Church no pastor should stand in the way of granting that desire! Whew! It gets pretty deep sometimes, doesn't it?

One bishop told me in written communication that she agrees with the position of the UMC on abortion which is really one that gives a "green light" to abortion on demand. So for her, whatever shifting the denomination does in taking positions on issues at its General Conference gatherings, she will go along every time. The logic of this says that if the UMC delegates voted that we should all jump off the Golden Gate Bridge, then we should do so and not question the action! This is what you call "marching in lockstep, no questions to be asked!"

Fortunately, there are still a few folks around the denomination (pastors and laity) who refuse to buy in to this philosophy. They usually are not popular people and often are branded as being fanatical, narrow-minded, unloving, and even unChristian!

Alas, I digress a bit again -- if you want to see how many unborn children have been murdered since Bishop Bickerton took over as bishop in the W. PA Conference, go to A Quick Look At the United States' Massacre Tally! Scroll down a ways and you will come to mention of Bishop Bickerton. Go further to see what the number of victims has been since other bishops have been elevated to their present positions in the UMC.

Remember, we will be told that we need to do all we can to prevent malaria deaths in Africa, but not a syllable coming from those fellows and girls that make up a special group known as the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church!

How about a tee shirt with this inscription on the back for starters --
ABORTION KILLS UNBORN CHILDREN!

WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT IT?
Don't look for one in any United Methodist Church annual conference session anytime soon -- just maybe when God makes His response, as He surely will, to this abomination of slaughtering the innocents in their mothers' wombs there might be the formation of special "committees" to study the issue and then report back to the next annual conference session -- if there is one!

The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, "Stand in the gate of the Lord's house, and proclaim there this word, and say, 'Hear the word of the LORD, all you of Judah who enter in at these gates to worship the LORD!'" Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. Do not trust in these lying words, saying, 'The temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD are these.' For if you thoroughly amend your ways and your doings, if you thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbor, if you do not oppress the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, or walk after other gods to your hurt, then I will cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers forever and ever. Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot profit. Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods whom you do not know, and then come and stand before Me in this house which is called by My name, and say, 'We are delivered to do all these abominations'?" --- Jeremiah 7:1-10

Big Day in San Francisco on Sunday, September 30th!

You have had a harlot's forehead; you refuse to be ashamed. --- Jeremiah 3:3b

You think you've heard or seen it all? Maybe you'll want to reconsider that!

Take a look at the above promotional poster for the Folsom Street Fair being held tomorrow in San Francisco. This happening is heralded as THE EVENT for same-gender couplers and their sympathizers who may be heterosexual in their orientation but campaign for the right to practice sodomy and lesbianism without restriction, etc.

The poster obviously is a mockery of the Last Supper which involved Jesus Christ and His disciples 2,000 years ago!

The gut-wrenching details on the Folsom Street Fair can be found in 2 articles from WorldNetDaily.com.

See 'Gays' mock Jesus with Last Supper take-off. Subtitle to this article notes, "Taxpayers subsidize event with nudity, orgies under watch of police."

Second article is titled, Pelosi won't condemn 'gay' slur of Last Supper

Any further question in your mind that this is just another step toward the goal of forced acceptance by everyone of the practices of sodomy and lesbianism in the good old U. S. of A? And when the goal is reached, if you so much as object vocally you may well be charged with a criminal offense under some warped version of a "hate crimes" statute!

Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. --- Revelation 22:14,15