Jesus' Bones? Can't Be -- I Was Just in Conversation with Him This Morning!

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 Thessalonians 2:11,12

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. -- 2 Peter 2:1,2

Seems like just about everyone is jumping in and splashing around -- some major networks such as Fox News and NBC are really caught up in the excitement as they wallow in the cesspool of unbelief. But then that is to be expected in chaotic times such as these!

The alleged discovery of burial boxes containing the bones of Jesus and His son caused people on the NBC Today show to speculate that this could be the biggest story of a lifetime -- ah, one could alter that by saying it would compete with one of the biggest lies of a lifetime!

But as noted in the headline above, those can't be the bones of Jesus -- He and I were in conversation earlier this morning -- only when the other person to whom you are talking is alive is the conversation two way -- you can try to talk to a dead man, but there is no response, whether it's a dead body or bones in a box supposedly centuries old!

Yes, the Christian experience and absolute knowledge that Jesus Christ is alive is basically a faith experience and limited to just a few persons in comparison to the 6 billion plus population on this planet.

Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." -- John 17:1-3

So when something like the boxes of bones is discovered with claims they are Jesus' bones and that of the son He had with Mary Magdalene, mass media people will be so excited and push it with throttle wide open, having fallen for a big lie!

When you have made your personal acquaintaince with Jesus such stirrings in the mass media cesspool as we are now witnessing is simply a reminder of how the majority of people have been deceived.

Why such high profile publicity on this? Actually it's a simple thing -- for century after century there have been efforts to claim Jesus was never resurrected from the dead -- whether flat out denial, or the intentional teaching of such in seminaries where future ministers are trained, or the mess of "discovering" boxes of bones in the 20th or 21st Century! If you have a dead Christ, then you don't have to worry about ever facing Him, having Him scrutinize your life on earth, and then render a judgment upon you which determines what your eternal destiny is going to be -- a trouble-free paradise in heaven or indescribable torment in hell, which the human mind cannot possibly grasp!

But as the very famous Gomer Pyle was fond of saying, "Surprise, surpise, surprise!" That is what it will be for the vast majority of the members of the human race when life here in this world reaches its conclusion and one by one, each gives a personal accounting to the Creator of this universe and ultimate Judge of all, Jesus Christ!

So play with your little boxes of bones and have your big publicity fling about it -- it's sort of like a meteor in the sky -- for a while you see a big flash of light and then it is extinguished and all that is left is dust -- lots and lots of dust!

In the meantime a few of us will continue to be in conversation with Jesus, expressing among other things our appreciation for what He has done for us by way of His personal sacrifice on the cross, for the inner peace and confidence He provides 24 hours a day, for His presence with us each day, and for the rock solid hope He gives us for time and eternity!

A 'Born Again' Christian --- It's the Only Kind You Can Really Be!

"About 30 years ago, I became a born-again Christian. I think my evangelical work was foreshadowed when Cecil B. DeMille chose me for The Ten Commandments and said, 'I feel the hand of God has been on you.'" -- Debra Paget in response to inquiry from Parade Magazine, Feb. 25, 2007

It seems as we have launched into the 21st Century that if someone states that he/she is a 'born-again' Christian, it is akin to confessing you have a serious contagious disease or worse, a critical mental health problem!

Actually, in spite of the tendency to use the label, Christian, very carelessly in times such as these, and with the claim many persons make as to being a 'Christian,' only those few who testify without hesitation to having been "born again" are the real thing -- even more so than Coca-Cola which staked out a claim to being the "real thing" in ads somewhere in the past!

Jesus Christ, Who is the absolute Authority on all things having to do human beings and their existence in this present world, clearly revealed 4 demands which we humans must meet if we expect to be citizens of the future Kingdom over which Jesus will unquestionably rule forever. One of these involves an experience of being born again. Here is how He said it:

"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." -- John 3:3

He leaves nothing to the imagination on this, does He? There is no offer to sit down and "dialog" if you find the statement offensive or too radical and the need to find some common ground of agreement. No, it's very plain -- either you meet the demand in order to see the Kingdom, or you do not, and consequently suffer the biggest loss it is possible for a person to experience -- both in time and for an endless eternity!

Those who have had the experience of being "born again" know without doubt that it has happened to them -- it is nothing short of a miracle of a work which God has done through His Holy Spirit to literally transform the believer's entire life. Indeed the person is new from the inside out, having a desire to know his/her Lord better, to seek God's will and fulfill the plan mapped out for that believer's life!

Those other demands, which tie into the one mentioned above, are found at Matthew 18:2,3; Luke 13:3; and John 6:53-63.

There are those in professing Christian circles who make absurd statements such as saying that we cannot be really sure as to our destiny -- or all we can do is hope for the best when we cross over to the other side -- that it is best not to get into the issue of what being "born again" means, since it just causes confusion! Even some pastors have expressed bewilderment and dismay when the subject of being "born again" comes up! Sometimes it's like that moment when you kick over a dead log in the woods and all those creepy crawly things underneath that log start running for their holes -- they can't stand the light which has just hit them -- they much prefer to get back into the darkness where they are much more comfortable!

Here's a little something to sleep on tonight -- if you have been born again by the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, you will once more, as you have done many times in the past, give thanks for all He has done for you and have a good night's sleep without pills! But if you haven't, it's going to be a very long and uneasy night!

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. -- Romans 5:1,2

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. -- Romans 8:15-17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. -- 2 Corinthians 5:17

So, how is it with you -- have you been born again, or not?

When Dick Cheney Speaks, Do the Chinese Shake in Their Boots?

Friday, February 23 - Sydney, Australia "Last month's anti-satellite test, China's continued fast paced military buildup are less constructive and are not consistent with China's stated goal of a peaceful rise." -- VP Dick Cheney

Oooooh! Bet the Chinese really got shook on that statement, didn't they? When Dick Cheney speaks, everyone jumps, or do they? And when he goes hunting, everyone looks for a rock to hide behind, do they not?

But what about this Chinese thing? Here's a country that has over 4 times the population of the United States and who knows how much military hardware, including "weapons of mass destruction!" Remember, that song & dance routine we heard back in 2003 as applied to Saddam Hussein & Company -- and how it was absolutely necessary to launch war against Iraq because that country and its leader was such a great threat to world peace? Correct me if I am wrong -- aren't we still messing around a tad in this country called Iraq -- and then there's that other place called Afghanistan, where we supposedly wiped out the Taliban and established peace there quite some time ago -- seems we still have a few difficulties in that country too!

But other than what Cheney just said, not a whole lot is made of the issue of China sitting on tons of weapons -- and certainly both Bush and Cheney have not raised the issue of China's invasion of and takeover of the sovereign nation of Tibet some years ago -- why is no issue made of this in the United Nations -- the president who talks a lot about spreading democracy all over the world is strangely silent about the need for the citizens of Tibet to experience democracy! Go ahead -- do a search on the country of Tibet and see what interesting things come up about what the Chinese have done -- estimates are that at least a million Tibetans lost their lives when China took over the country. Again, correct me if I am wrong -- but when one nation invades another sovereign nation and controls it, isn't that considered very unjust, illegal, unlawful, and such? But there is no protest from the United States.

Rhetoric will simmer down quickly for a number of reasons:

• First, China owns a lot of U.S. debt -- in other words, if they should say, "Pay all that you owe!" The Chinese would be the ones to whom we would have to hand over a real big bunch of bucks!
  
  
• Second, we have this thing of a "trade deficit" with China -- we owe a big bunch of bucks on that matter alone because we have gotten much more from them, than they have from us on a yearly basis!
  
  
• Third, China is on a construction binge as the nation becomes a growing and powerful economic giant in the world of trade and finance. It is why prices for construction related materials, such as cement have sharply increased in our own nation. A nephew of mine drives a construction truck that hauls 100 tons of material -- tires used to cost $5,000 each and now need to be replaced, but my nephew says the company can't get replacements though they have been ordered for a long time -- why the shortage? China has need for huge numbers of these tires and is getting them!
  
  
• Fourth, in hard reality, China doesn't have to bring us to our knees militarily -- if the Chinese did make an aggressive move militarily, what would the U.S. do? We are stretched so thin now we couldn't do anything effective to repel them -- we can't even do a resounding victory thing now in Iraq or Afghanistan as we did at the conclusion of WW II -- the last war in which we had a decisive military victory and the terms for both Germany and Japan were unconditional surrender -- no negotiating! Really, at some temporary hardship to them, all the Chinese would have to do is shut off ALL exports to the United States! Have you looked at labels of items you buy lately -- where were they made?
  
  
• Fifth, Chinese at the level of high leadership have been traveling throughout the world negotiating trade deals etc. And are you aware of their influence when it comes to the Panama Canal? Just the tip of the iceberg folks!
  

No, it is highly doubtful that the Chinese will lose any sleep over remarks made by Dick Cheney or any other representative of the federal government of the United States. Sadly, what our elected representatives fail to perceive is that our relationship with the God in Whom we claim to believe is far from being a positive and acceptable one in these days! God has been known to withdraw His blessings from a nation with which He is displeased. For more on the details as to conditions for blessing and favor as well as withdrawal of the same, see Deuteronomy 28 in the Old Testament scriptures -- that is, if you dare!

"The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower. He shall lend to you, but you shall not lend to him; he shall be the head, and you shall be the tail. Moreover all these curses shall come upon you and pursue and overtake you, until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you. And they shall be upon you for a sign and a wonder, and on your descendants forever. Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things...." --- Deuteronomy 28:43-47

I'm a Serial Killer, But I Quit Doing That -- Am I Off the Hook?

"Because Manasseh king of Judah has done these abominations (he has acted more wickedly than all the Amorites who were before him, and has also made Judah sin with his idols), therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'Behold, I am bringing such calamity upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whoever hears of it, both his ears will tingle. And I will stretch over Jerusalem the measuring line of Samaria and the plummet of the house of Ahab; I will wipe Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down. So I will forsake the remnant of My inheritance and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become victims of plunder to all their enemies, because they have done evil in My sight, and have provoked Me to anger since the day their fathers came out of Egypt, even to this day.'" Moreover Manasseh shed very much innocent blood, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another, besides his sin with which he made Judah sin, in doing evil in the sight of the LORD. --- 2 Kings 21:11-16

As you know, once in a while we have these people who go on a killing spree over months or even years in some cases. What do you suppose would happen if one of these is not actually apprehended -- he just walks into a police station and says he has killed a lot of people, but he has "turned over a new leaf" in life and he isn't going to do it anymore. Does that mean that he is completely off the hook so far as society is concerned? Will the police simply say, "That's fine -- we're glad to hear that, and now we can close the books on your case. Just go on home and be about your business."

For some reason there would be an universal cry of protest -- this guy has to be brought to justice -- put on trial -- evidence presented -- and if found guilty, then given a sentence in keeping with the crimes committed -- he has to pay for all that killing of innocent victims!

The February issue of whistleblower magazine (yes, there are no capital letters in the name) by WorldNetDaily.com is devoted to the subject of ending abortion. There is a high note of optimism expressed that abortion will be ended, not so much by decrees and legislation changes, but more due to the fact that fewer doctors are willing to kill unborn children and bear the brunt of a stigma associated with such a practice -- after all, our basic view of doctors and the philosophy which undergirds their work is that they train and use skills to enhance and preserve life, not destroy it!

So, project ahead in time -- suppose it really does happen some way -- abortion is ended in the U.S. of A. Pro-life people shout and maybe even dance in the streets as they celebrate the ending of the U. S. version of "holocaust" -- pro-abortion people hold a mock funeral or some such ritual, and have buckets sitting around to collect tears rather than mangled remains of unborn children as had been the policy in this nation for decades!

Now back to our serial killer -- even though he claims he has "turned over a new leaf" and will no longer go about killing, is he off the hook? A majority at least would say he must stand trial and pay for his crimes.

So, what do you say about a nation which has deliberately mutilated and murdered millions of unborn children for decades? Are we off the hook because we finally got to the place where we don't do abortions any longer? Better think again on that -- and don't celebrate if it should happen in your lifetime and abortion is no longer practiced anywhere in the United States.

There is a pay day to face -- the "reaping" time will come due to the seed of "shedding innocent blood" which has been sown for decades! It's a guarantee because the Creator of this great universe has said so -- as you sow, so shall you reap -- and it applies to individuals and ALSO to nations as well.

So it's not a question as to whether God will call this nation to account for its slaughter of the innocent ones in the womb, but WHEN it will happen! It was years later after King Manasseh had died that God brought disaster on the ancient kingdom of Judah, but reference is made to Manasseh as to why it happened:

And the LORD sent against him raiding bands of Chaldeans, bands of S yrians, bands of Moabites, and bands of the people of Ammon; He sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD which He had spoken by His servants the prophets. Surely at the commandment of the LORD this came upon Judah, to remove them from His sight because of the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he had done, and also because of the innocent blood that he had shed; for he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, which the LORD would not pardon. --- 2 Kings 24:2-4

Now what objections can you raise that the God Who brought this universe into existence by spoken command should not deal with this United States as He did with that ancient kingdom of Judah due to an issue referred to as the "shedding of innocent blood?"

Will we really be home free if we stop the slaughter of the innocents even now? Stop and think about it -- this unique kind of "serial killing" has been going on for over 3 decades and tens of millions have been the victims!

In Possession of a Whore's Forehead!

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

What a scathing indictment! It is the ultimate of all reprimands -- the Mt. Everest of all circumstances in which a harsh rebuke has been issued!

Here is a culture that prides itself on being identified as the people of the living God of Israel -- the God Who had been their God for centuries dating back to the time when this God had called their ancestor, Abraham, and had established a covenant with him. This covenant assured Abraham that his descendants would be as the stars in the sky in terms of numbers and they eventually would own and occupy territory which stretched from the Euphrates River in the East to the Mediterranean Sea in the West. This last part about territory and the future glory of Jerusalem has yet to be fulfilled.

This God had spelled out specific spiritual, moral, and ethical standards which the people were expected to fully implement in their way of life and relationships with each other. How the people responded to this revelation and expectation by God was extremely critical for their ongoing existence and survival.

As time passed they gradually adopted lifestyles and worship practices of the heathen peoples surrounding them. Still claiming to be God's people they began sacrificing their children to a god named Molech and engaged in temple prostitution as well as sexual immorality in their relationships. The day of worship was increasingly desecrated and greed began to dominate as leaders and people focused on selfish desires at the expense of fellow citizens! Idolatry became a pandemic condition with God declaring,

"As the thief is ashamed when he is found out, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they and their kings and their princes, and their priests and their prophets, saying to a tree, 'You are my father,' and to a stone, 'You gave birth to me.' For they have turned their back to Me, and not their face. But in the time of their trouble they will say, 'Arise and save us.' But where are your gods that you have made for yourselves? Let them arise, if they can save you in the time of your trouble; for according to the number of your cities are your gods, O Judah." -- Jeremiah 2:26-28

Now then, hit the FF button on your remote and speed into the 21st Century in the United States of America.

There, do you see them? They stand out clearly -- you know, those footprints on the path before us which we are travelling? Those were made by the ancient Israelites in the 6th and 5th Centuries BC!

We are proud of our heritage and it is not uncommon to hear expressions such as "God bless America!" and "We are a Christian nation!"

What other nation has "In God We Trust" stamped on coins and printed on currency? What other nation has citizens placing hand over heart and in pledging allegiance to its flag and to the republic for which it stands repeats a phrase such as this -- "...one nation under God...?"

But as we travel the same path as those 6th Century BC Israelites we find much duplication:

• we too destroy children -- about 100,000 unborn are mangled and murdered each month of the year!
  
  
• we too engage in idolatry with money being but one of many powerful gods to which we pay homage in our culture -- church, government, business, entertainment, and the many professions have all been impacted by the invasion of the "gods" that compete for our time, energy, and loyalty!
  
  
• we too engage in widespread sexual immorality involving many varieties of expression with "sexual buffets" being accepted as "normal" and our young getting sexually involved at younger and younger ages as time passes. An interesting by-product has also been taking place -- it's called STD's (sexually transmitted diseases) with some incurable and a couple or so proving to be fatal!
  
  
• we too desecrate the day of worship having turned it into a day of business activity, fun, and games with less than half our population entering a place of worship on any given Sunday!
  
  
• our professed "religion" too often resembles a trumpet with an uncertain sound which is interpreted by the world to mean, "Sin all you want -- God just wants you to be happy doing what you do and when it's over, He'll welcome you through the pearly gates of heaven!"
  
  
• we brainwash the majority of our young into believing their ancestry is traced back to a couple of wriggly organisms in a slime pit millions of years ago!
  

What objections can you raise as to why Almighty God should not say to us in these United States as He said to those in the ancient kingdom of Judah long ago, "You have had a harlot's forehead; you refuse to be ashamed."?

And we dare not -- in fact, we must not think of the possibility of God bringing judgment on a republic known as the United States, right? It's just too unsettling -- it makes us react like a worm on the surface of a hot skillet!

Two Faiths – Two Books – Two Deities, But Only One Will Prevail!

Islam, embraced by Muslims, has millions of devotees all over the world. Likewise, Christianity, embraced by those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, has a considerable number in many parts of the world.

The Muslims have a holy book known as the Qur’an (or Koran) and get very upset if it is shown any kind of disrespect. Christians also have a holy book known as the Bible. They also get upset if the Bible is shown disrespect. How Muslims and Christians react to those who would show and demonstrate disrespect for their holy books can be very different.

The deity of the Muslims is Allah. The deity of the Christians is most often referred to as God Who has chosen to manifest Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit throughout the centuries of human history. Christians have been criticized and accused of being polytheists because of identifying God in such a manner.

The United States is one country where efforts have been made to enter into “dialog” and establish “civil” discourse among Muslims and Christians. For some it is a matter of recognizing that we are all “on a spiritual journey” and we are all “seeking the same goal” therefore we ought to respect one another and discuss where we have “common ground” so that we can work together for the common good of all persons, nations, etc.

President George W. Bush speaking at a news conference held with Tony Blair in the United Kingdom some time back stated that he believes Muslims and Christians worship the same God. A number of persons would heartily agree with the statement and appeal that we should be able to live peaceably with each other on this basis.

The hard reality is that Christianity and Islam in their purest expressions are totally incompatible. When these two faiths become corrupted due to false teachings within the ranks, or professed “believers” rely on personal opinions and what “feels good” rather than on the teachings as revealed in the Bible or the Qur’an, or leaders in these faiths claim to speak with “authority” but at same time deny basic teachings of the holy books, then the faith of each has been compromised. The claims of being exclusively the only true faith have been essentially destroyed and anyone can jump on the religious band wagon, stake out a claim, and be recognized as being as genuine as anyone else who has a “spiritual” fiddle to play!

The grand finale of human history is where one sees the sharp contrast between a future as viewed from statements in the Qur’an and that of the holy Bible.

First, see the Qur’an, Surah 2. The Cow (statements 126 – 132):

And remember Abraham said: "My Lord, make this a City of Peace, and feed its people with fruits,-such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Day." He said: "(Yea), and such as reject Faith,-for a while will I grant them their pleasure, but will soon drive them to the torment of Fire,- an evil destination (indeed)!" And remember Abraham and Isma'il raised the foundations of the House (With this prayer): "Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us: For Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-knowing. Our Lord! make of us Muslims, bowing to Thy (Will), and of our progeny a people Muslim, bowing to Thy (will); and show us our place for the celebration of (due) rites; and turn unto us (in Mercy); for Thou art the Oft-Returning, Most Merciful. Our Lord! send amongst them an Messenger of their own, who shall rehearse Thy Signs to them and instruct them in scripture and wisdom, and sanctify them: For Thou art the Exalted in Might, the Wise." And who turns away from the religion of Abraham but such as debase their souls with folly? Him We chose and rendered pure in this world: And he will be in the Hereafter in the ranks of the Righteous. Behold! his Lord said to him: "Bow (thy will to Me):" He said: "I bow (my will) to the Lord and Cherisher of the Universe." And this was the legacy that Abraham left to his sons, and so did Jacob; "Oh my sons! Allah hath chosen the Faith for you; then die not except in the Faith of Islam."

Next, see the Qur’an, Surah 2. The Cow (statements 191 – 193):

"And fight in the way of Allah with those who fight with you, and do not exceed the limits, surely Allah does not love those who exceed the limits. And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from whence they drove you out, and persecution is severer than slaughter, and do not fight with them at the Sacred Mosque until they fight with you in it, but if they do fight you, then slay them; such is the recompense of the unbelievers. But if they desist, then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. And fight with them until there is no persecution, and religion should be only for Allah, but if they desist, then there should be no hostility except against the oppressors."

Now see what is revealed in the Christians' holy Bible in Philippians 2:5 – 11:

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

And note Bible statements in 1 Timothy 6:11 – 16:

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

However, the greatest contrast not only between Christianity and Islam, but between Christianity and all other religious expressions in the world is in the fact of incarnation and redemption. Only Christianity reveals a God Who loved the members of the human race so much He was willing to become human. And not only did He become human, but ultimately He sacrificed Himself for all the sins of the human race and made possible total forgiveness of those sins on the condition of repentance (turning away from those sins) and acceptance of Jesus Christ (God in human form) as Savior and Lord.

Thus the Christian can say to the Muslim or a member of some other religious group, “Jesus died for your sins just as He did for mine – He loves you, and by accepting Him as Savior and Lord of your life, you can be forgiven, have peace with God, and the assurance of a place in His Kingdom forever!”

The Muslim, or a practitioner of some other religion cannot make similar statements of that kind to a Christian – there is nothing in whatever “sacred” writings they may have that even comes close to teaching their deity or deities becoming human and personally atoning for the sins of each human being ever born into this world! In fact, in some areas where Islam fully dominates and controls the culture, if a Muslim should choose to become Christian, execution of that convert will usually take place -- the reason being that the Muslim has abandoned his faith and has become an infidel! Islam in its purest form seeks to establish a world where it is fully accepted and infidels exist no longer.

However, the exclusive claims and demands made by Jesus set Him apart from and superior to all deities as taught by the hundreds, if not thousands of religious groups which have sprung up as human history has run its course through the centuries. If you haven’t done so lately, review His claims and demands as revealed particularly in the Gospel of John in the New Testament.

It was after His glorious resurrection from the dead that He commanded His followers to go into all the world and preach the Gospel (the "good news" of a Savior Who has come to seek and save that which was lost) to all nations, to baptize in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and to teach the things which He has revealed to us in His Word. See final statements in the gospel of Matthew in the New Testament, chapter 28.

Think about it!

A Valentine Especially for You!

Sorry, this is a day late -- however, if you give serious thought to this one, it's appropriate 365 days each year, and 366 on Leap Year, is it not? But then valentines are like a host of other things -- you can accept them when offered to you or reject them. And of course the Valentine of all valentines as recorded below is one we can accept or reject as well!

"For God so loVed the world
That He gAve
His onLy
BegottEn
SoN
That whosoever
Believeth In Him
Should Not perish,
But have Everlasting life."

------ John 3:16

Now then -- the BIG question -- in fact, the most important question we will ever have to face and come up with an answer in our lifetime will be this -- just how did we respond to God's special "Valentine" which He offers to each human being in this world, you and I included?

Potty Mouth Professionals!

Should professionals be expected to use language that isn't laced with profanity? It is obvious that among that crowd are those who cannot speak without injecting some vulgar term into what they are attempting to communicate!

Some examples:

(1) Dr. Phil is well known for his talk show (and counseling) program. We may get the last few minutes as we turn on our local newscast at noon time. For some, even 2 or 3 minutes of Phil goes a long, long way. Anyway, he was in a phone conversation with a lady who had a camera focused on her in her living room. Phil wanted to talk to her husband about a domestic issue, but he wasn't available -- Phil became a bit frustrated and in the process of speaking, used the word "ass" and he was not making reference to the little humble beast of burden which has long ears!

(2) A member of the U.S. Congress was speaking on a news sound bite over the issue of sending more troops into Iraq -- he attempted to emphasize the critical nature of such a move and stressed that we needed to be sure, only in front of the word, "sure," he had to insert the word, "damn."

(3) Even President Bush was caught using profanity at a meeting of the heads of some nations overseas -- he said something to Tony Blair, assuming the mike was turned off, but it wasn't -- and so everyone who saw the video and heard the statement found out that even a president can have a potty mouth!

(4) One of our grandsons was working toward a teaching degree and part of final preparation was spending time with hands on experience in a classroom. In his case it involved elementary aged students. He was just getting started with his class time when one of the students loudly used the infamous "f" word! Our grandson said it stopped him cold -- he didn't know what to do next and looked to the regular teacher for some guidance on the matter. It is well established by now that discipline of the little tykes when they get out of line either by speech or by conduct is a no-no. If you try to discipline them as they should be, you'll end up without a job and become a defendant in a lawsuit!

(5) And as you well know, that infamous "f" word is not limited to children and youth -- of course "mature" (term used very loosely) adults have made use of the word and the young 'uns decide they can use it too! It was back a spell that Vice President Dick Cheney was extremely frustrated in an exchange of words with some elected government officials and used the word publicly! Now then, would you want your young son or daughter to repeat the speech of a very high level elected official of the federal government -- worse yet, do you want them to grow up and be like such people?

Potty mouth language has become more and more accepted -- it's considered "cute" when a toddler begins to learn to talk and foul language pours out of his mouth -- things which he has picked up from adults or older siblings, by the way! But we simply shrug our shoulders and say that it's just the way life is -- things are different now in the 21st Century!

The pattern can be traced through the history of mass media in broadcasting and publishing enterprises. There was a day in which profanity was not used in what was considered a respectable publication, radio, or TV programming. Then came "ratings" in entertainment and everything began a corroding and corrupting process until we have "arrived" and foul language is as common place as hamburgers and pizza!

Almighty God has addressed all issues of life which have to do with human behavior, including the way we speak. He has made it clear that His Name is not to be taken in vain. But it is common place to hear people telling God to "damn" something, or when we hit our thumb with a hammer, for some reason it seems appropriate to utter the Name of Jesus Christ!

Here are a few statements which God has placed in His Word that apply to the things which come out of our mouths:

Let the lying lips be put to silence, which speak insolent things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.-- Psalm 31:18

For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips, let them even be taken in their pride, and for the cursing and lying which they speak. -- Psalm 59:12

They utter speech, and speak insolent things; all the workers of iniquity boast in themselves. -- Psalm 94:4

For they speak against You wickedly; Your enemies take Your name in vain. -- Psalm 139:20

"Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." -- Matthew 12:34

"But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment." -- Matthew 12:36

But now you must also put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. -- Colossians 3:8

We humans have been created with the power to choose -- to exercise our will and take action for evil or for good. It would be a lot different, would it not, if more people, including the high profile potty mouth persons, would make it the prayer and desire of their hearts to implement the following statements into everyday living:

My tongue shall speak of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteousness.
-- Psalm 119:172

My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD, and all flesh shall bless His holy Name forever and ever.
-- Psalm 145:21

Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, and from the opening of my lips will come right things; for my mouth will speak truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; nothing crooked or perverse is in them. -- Proverbs 8:6-8

I rest my case!

And for potty mouth people who may just happen to read this, whether you are a high profile professional or just an average citizen moving about from day to day, the following is for your use before leaving!

Don't worry, the septic tank is quite gigantic in size and can handle very well your multiple contributions!

Very Few People Can Handle Power and Wealth Responsibly!

Can anyone tell me why I am not surprised by this latest development? In today's edition of our local paper there is turmoil in Washington DC over Nancy Pelosi's desire for a larger Air Force aircraft than previous Speakers of the House of Reps have made use of in the past! Seems Big John Murtha (Rep of the district in which I live in south central PA) is pulling for her and possibly putting a bit of pressure on the Pentagon to comply with this request -- he does have some clout when it comes to the Pentagon, didn't you know?

This latest escapade simply underscores what has been long established as standard operating procedures for unregenerate human beings who by attitude demonstrate that the spiritual, moral, and ethical laws of the Creator of this universe are to be deliberately ignored at all times! If you start to take all those laws seriously as put in place by Almighty God, then it means an extreme sensitivity as to how wealth and power are going to be utilized -- and always with a clear understanding of a basic fact of life -- "At some point in the future my life on earth will come to an end and I shall give a complete accounting of my life on earth, what came into my life by way of resources, and how that was all used -- my time, my abilities, and my material goods -- and whether or not it was used to fulfill the purpose God had planned for me, or I did it all "my way" in the spirit of Frank Sinatra's very popular song!" That song by the way very well describes the theme song of not a few people dwelling on this planet.

In an earlier post it was discussed that the "Green Death" is the plague of the 21st Century as opposed to the "Black Death" of the the Middle Ages. Power and wealth are simply more than most people can handle wisely -- with politicians as an outstanding example. Did you ever see a politician retire in a state of bankruptcy? Check the retirement benefits alone which they have set up for themselves -- this was not determined by vote of the citizens, as it should be.


OK -- how about this? In today's (Feb 9, 2007) edition of our local paper, the front page had a headline article on the "retirement" of state politicans from Harrisburg PA -- there were 37 who retired or failed to win reelection -- Pennsylvania, by the way, has about the most cumbersome legislature of all 50 states. So here are some numbers to chew on -- this bunch took lump sum payments amounting to nearly $4 million dollars! Just the average pension will be $43,000 per year -- one of the fat cats took a $153,000 lump sum payment and will receive $4,257.00 a month for the rest of his life! And these people whine and cry because of taxpayer attitudes toward politicians at both state and federal levels! Now back to the comments made yesterday about Nancy P. and John E. ------>

On same page describing Nancy's latest debacle was an article on John Edwards and a picture of the new mansion he is building for himself and family. It sits on land valued at $1.1 million and the 28,000 square foot "house" will be worth a few million. John made his wealth as a trial lawyer -- you know, one of those guys that encourages you to go out and sue someone for something and get hundreds of thousands if not millions in a settlement, with guys like John getting a very hefty slice of the pie! And John is going to make another try at it for the high office of president of the U.S.A. Doesn't that possibility lift your spirit to paradise? Oh, by the way, a "conerstone" in John's campaign platform will be the elimination of poverty -- John is "anti-poverty" all the way making mention from time to time of "two Americas" -- one for the wealthy and one for the poor, causing Jay Leno to make the comment, "Well, I think we know which America he's living in!"



Just remember, when you see the constant abuse of wealth and power in the "land of the free and the home of the brave," you are seeing people who are a disgusting witness to the fact that very, very few persons can handle that wealth and power in a responsible manner -- it's always a "me first" philosophy no matter whom I tread underfoot nor what it costs to be "king" or "queen" of the hill!

In the 21st Century It's Not the "Black Death" but Rather, the "Green Death!"

“You must understand this: In the last days there will be violent periods of time. People will be selfish and love money. They will brag, be arrogant, and use abusive language. They will curse their parents, show no gratitude, have no respect for what is holy, and lack normal affection for their families. They will refuse to make peace with anyone. They will be slanderous, lack self-control, be brutal, and have no love for what is good. They will be traitors. They will be reckless and conceited. They will love pleasure rather than God.”
--- 2 Timothy 3:1-4 (God’s Word Translation)

Back in the Middle Ages it wiped out millions of people in Europe – the Bubonic Plague or more commonly known as the “Black Death.”

The 21st Century version is a plague of a different kind – not a physical disease, but every bit as deadly, if not more so and appropriately titled the “Green Death!”

Greed has enslaved millions in our culture as well as in all other nations of the world. Studies done and surveys taken provide clear evidence that the gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen with the passing of time.

It is not a sin to have money but it can be a sin of the first magnitude when it comes to motives and methods in getting it, how it is used, and the affection attached to it. Money quickly becomes a merciless deity for those who view and use it with a perverted perspective. Not only is money a merciless deity but ultimately it destroys all who have bowed down and paid homage to it.

Present day examples are too numerous to list completely, but here are a few starters:

• Companies fiercely compete for government contracts because these are very lucrative and it’s almost standard procedure that there will be what is termed “cost overruns” with the U.S. tax payers being ripped off repeatedly. Recent disturbing information reveals that millions of dollars are unaccounted for in the rebuilding and reconstruction which is supposed to be taking place in Iraq by U.S. contractors!
  


• And another news item that has surfaced asking a question about what has been going on in the hurricane ravaged areas of the Gulf Coast -- where have all those millions and millions of dollars gone? Those with fairly good memories will remember there was some scandal early on about "abuses" and "price gounging" -- any idea as to why such things take place -- if you look closely you will see that a lot of people have dollar signs flashing on and off in the place where their eyeballs ought to be!
  


• Competition is always deeply intense among members of the law profession as evidenced by their TV and newspaper ads along with billboards standing next to our highways. There is a constant bombardment of messages exhorting us to sue someone for something so that we can “get the money we deserve!” Of course, the award in a lawsuit will be drastically reduced once the attorneys get their “share.” So look around and see if there isn’t some reason to launch a lawsuit to get a ton of money, even if it’s for that hang nail that’s been irritating you lately – it is someone else’s fault, didn’t you know – just ask one of those characters that yells at you over the TV screen reminding you that he will help you get the money you deserve for your “pain and suffering!”
  


• Elected officials have provided clear evidence of their own infection with the virus of greed when their well traveled trail of salary increases and perk benefits is followed. This is the only group among supposedly “paid” employees which has the power to increase constantly what goes into their pockets, both short term and long term! For an experience that will make you want to lose the contents of your stomach quickly, compare the salaries and perks of our elected officials with that of the average citizen which they claim to represent either in Washington DC or a state capitol.
  


• Companies involved in petroleum distribution have held us hostage for a long time with price gouging tactics. Is it any surprise that companies in the business are reporting record breaking profits year after year? It gets to be a real circus when the officials of these outfits are challenged about this and to hear their “explanation” – a real lesson in how to use the forked tongue and persuade the public that what it pays for petroleum industry products is a good and healthy thing for all of us!

But enough of that – have you been getting the picture that something is far off base in the matter of money exchange in our nation and throughout the world at large?

Almighty God has made some statements about the subject of money which means that there are a substantial number of persons and their way of handling money that are in very deep doo-doo!

No further comment needed on the following:

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. – 1 Tim 6:10 NKJV

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
--- Matt 19:23, 24 NKJV

Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
--- James 4:1-4 NKJV

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.
--- James 5:1-5 NKJV

But keep looking up – it’s not going to always be like this – one of these days Jesus Christ is going to return to this sin ravaged planet and set things right side up. When He takes charge it will be a whole new ball game which very few persons will be prepared to face – only the few who are looking for His glorious return (Titus 2:11-14) and have in their hearts each day the closing prayer of the book of the Revelation which says, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

Well, It's About Time!

Did you ever picture yourself in the above scene? No, not as the driver of that black vehicle, but as the occupant of the wooden box about to be taken out of that vehicle and put in a hole in the ground?

It is high time for each of us to do some thinking about issues that reach far beyond the limits of this present world and time -- it helps us to sort out what is really important and what is foolish and very unprofitable!

For such an experience you are invited to go to It Is Time....!

Who knows, you might never be the same person again......ever!

Letter to a Business Executive About Choice to Sell Beverage Alcohol

The name of Sheetz is very well known in central Pennsylvania area and is getting to be known in other parts of the state and some neighboring states as well. The Sheetz family is held up as an example of great success in business expansion with its many convenience stores. It all started years ago with a small "mom & pop" type of operation in Altoona -- a small store whose owner was affectionately known as "Pop" Sheetz -- a man well liked and highly respected. Over time family members got involved and more stores were added to the business enterprize. Business boomed as product lines were expanded, including the selling of gasoline, hot and cold foods, etc. Family members were a very important part of the growth experience. A few months ago the Sheetz family made known its plans to apply for a license in which at one of their expanded facilities which has a restaurant-like atmosphere, they would sell beer. There was controversy over this, but the Sheetz fellows pushed ahead in spite of the opposition. Just a few days ago amidst a lot of high profile publicity featuring Mr. Stan Sheetz as the spokesman, beer is being made available at one of their facilities in Altoona -- the first ever in Pennsylvania, although in one or more neighboring states they are already trafficking in sale of alcoholic beverages. Below is a letter just composed and sent to Mr. Stan Sheetz.

COPY of letter sent to Mr. Stan Sheetz at corporate headquarters in Altoona PA ->

Monday, February 05, 2007

Mr. Stan Sheetz
Sheetz, Inc.
Altoona PA

Dear Mr. Sheetz:

I was confronted with the publicity surrounding the step you have taken to sell beer in one of your establishments in the Altoona area. You also made public comments relative to this “milestone” with an emphasis on “responsibility” and abiding by the “rules” for those businesses dispensing alcoholic beverages.

The one thing you cannot do is absolutely guarantee that every single person who drinks alcohol at your place will not cause an accident or get involved in a domestic dispute or create a public disturbance where others will be injured or killed!

It is impossible to calculate the total carnage which has resulted in this country due to use of alcohol laced beverages. This involves death, injury, broken families, broken relationships, loss of employment, and shortened life spans!

For example, how would you like to be the one to have to go to the parents of a teenager and tell them their son had been mangled and killed while riding his motorcycle because some character with a suspended license had to have his beer and ran the boy over at a speed of at least 85 MPH according to police estimates. Then you have to go with the boy’s older brother to the hospital to help identify him. Did you ever see the nurse pull that cover back and expose a face that looked like someone hacked it up with a meat cleaver? And then 3 days later you conduct a funeral for that young man cut off in the prime of his life. I was the one who went to the parents, helped identify the boy, and had his funeral – and you know what? It wasn’t very easy to do and you might just begin to understand why I don’t take a “Ho hum, so what, lukewarm approach” to a business decision to begin selling beverage alcohol.

I have been a regular customer of Sheetz, Inc. for years, but no longer. I realize that the loss of one customer will not cut into your profits in any significant manner. But this I do know – the time will come when your profits will not begin to cover the price to be paid ultimately for the choice to add beverage alcohol to your “menu.”

It won’t be tomorrow or next week or even next year. BUT that time will come and tragically there will be no way to back track and undo what was a most unwise and foolish decision not only for time but far worse, for eternity!

Still contending at www.crrange.com

Clayton D. Harriger, Pastor

North American Union in the future or what?

Seems like lots of things are going on behind the scenes -- a kind of manipulating and snapping of the fingers type of thing by people in positions of wealth, power, and extensive influence -- they have an agenda and piece by piece it's falling into place. There is this thing going on in the state of Texas -- the TTC or Trans-Texas Corridor -- a gigantic combination of highway, pipeline, and railroad systems running parallel over the same piece of real estate from the Gulf of Mexico to northeastern border of Texas -- but it won't stop there -- goal is to have this monstrosity go all the way to the Canadian border!

There are suggestions for changes as to security etc. with talk that when this thing falls into place we won't deal with secure borders between Mexico and the U.S. or Canada and the U.S. -- it will be more like securing the boundaries of all three countries combined -- forget about the 2 areas between the U. S. and the other two countries!

Some seem to be dreaming of the day that this thing will resemble what has taken place in Europe -- formation of the Euopean Union and eventually a standard currency for all the countries which is called the euro. Formation of a NAU would likely result in elimination of the dollar and a standard currency for the union which would be known as the amero. The dollar is on shaky ground and China has a lot of dollars in its money drawers -- a delegation with high ranking officials from the U.S. recently went to China for the express purpose of persuading the Chinese not to convert their hoard of dollars to the Euopean euro!

China is also deeply involved in the expansion of the Panama Canal in order to accomodate larger ships with more cargo, of which most will end up unloading at Texas ports.

As this thing plays itself out, one thing will eventually be forfeited which the majority of United States citizens could hardly care less about -- they are too busy pursuing their goals of getting money, things, and pleasures to give time and thought to the destiny of this republic which at the present time is in very hot water with the Creator of this universe! That one thing is the sovereignty of a republic identified as the United States of America, which has a Constitution that is slowly but steadily being shredded with U.S. citizens loosing basic freedoms and rights one by one!

Some links to follow up on this subject are (use return feature on your web browser to come back to this place):

www.txdot.gov/ for information on the TTC and related issues such as Panama Canal expansion

also www.dot.state.tx.us/government/ on this subject

See www.spp.gov (Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America) has very interesting information pertaining to this future nightmare.

And you can get comments and articles on this at WorldnetDaily at www.WorldNetDaily.com as well as other subjects which are discussed.

Enjoy and try to have a good night's sleep after reading!

What About that Obama Fellow in the U.S. Senate?

I received some forwarded emails on being alert to Senator Barack Obama who has expressed more than a tad of interest in becoming the next president of the United States. The emails provided "information" on his background and training, including attendance at a school identified as being Muslim. Then an email decried this tactic, appealing to what he has written and stated in recent years, as well as his becoming a member of a church in Chicago. I sent a "Reply All" email in response to all this barage -- here it is ---------------------

Copy of "Reply All" email sent by CDH --\/

Hi ..........and All:

I have been the recipient of emails on the subject of Barack Obama from a number of sources, and it seems I am on the mailing list of a rather large number of persons and groups. The fact that the mass media seems to be enraptured with him and he is considered a kind of charismatic personality so suddenly thrown into the national and international spotlight is a challenge for any person of voting age to consider.

It is unfortunate that some information seems to want to categorize him as a Muslim "terrorist."

Checking into his background and some of his own statements in his writings would qualify him to be more in line with what is known as very liberal Christianity which has had a very negative and detrimental influence in this country for decades.The essense of that brand of "faith" is a questioning of portions of the holy Scriptures if not outright denial and support of moral standards and practices which God clearly condemns in His revelation to us (i.e. acceptance of homosexuality and lesbianism as a legitimate way of life; support of abortion on demand, etc.) -- liberal theology has done its greatest damage in church circles by denying the reality of Who Jesus Christ really is, His purpose for coming to earth, His literal resurrection from the dead, and His promised return to earth again!

Here are 2 quotes from B. Obama in his book, Audacity of Hope:

“I thought of Sasha, asking me once what happened when we die— ‘I don’t want to die, Daddy,” she had added matter-of-factly—and I hugged her and said, ‘You’ve got a long way to go before you have to worry about that,’ which seemed to satisfy her. I wondered whether I should have told her the truth, that I wasn’t sure what happens when we die, any more than I was sure where the soul resides or what existed before the Big Bang.” P 126

“I am not willing to have the state deny American citizens a civil union that confers equivalent rights on such basic matters as hospital visitation or health insurance coverage simply because the people they love are of the same sex—nor am I willing to accept a reading of the Bible that considers an obscure line in Romans to be more defining of Christianity than the Sermon on the Mount.” P 222

Obama's church can be checked out at:http://www.tucc.org/about.htm

Those who have experienced the reality of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and know His presence with them in daily life are not hesitant about what happens to them at death and they know the essential facts of how this universe got its start and the fact that we were all identified and known in the mind of God even before we were conceived in our mothers' wombs -- further, that God has a plan for every conceived human being (Check Jeremiah 1:4,5 and Psalm 139 on this matter).

Actually, neither political party has anything significant to offer the 300 million citizens of our republic. There are sources on the internet which can verify that elected officials have been concerned mainly with their own salaries and lavish perks as opposed to what they can do for the benefit of the citizens they claim to represent. Anyone will be more than a bit upset when they compare elected officials' salaries and perk benefits with that of the average citizen they say they represent!

It is doubful that Obama or any other member of congress or presidentail candidate will do anything constructive about this glaring hypocrisy.Worse than that is the fact that this republic destroys on average about 100,000 unborn children every month of the year. Even under a professing "pro-life" president nothing has been done to curb the United States' version of "holocaust!"

Barack Obama's voting record on issues concerning the unborn has been more pro-abortion than pro-life!

On this last issue I recently posted a commentary on the matter of destruction of the unborn at www.crrange.com/comment88.html

Who will be elected as our next president in 2008? Right now, it's anybody's guess -- but whoever wins it, it is highly doubtful that the individual can exert the influence necessary to see this country do a 180 degree turn and start taking the call and claims of Jesus Christ seriously!Read the books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel to see why I just said that.

Still contending at www.crrange.com

Uncle C.

Pastor of Gipsy Christian Church at www.crrange.com/gipsy.html
and non-affiliated registered voter in Cambria County PA