Chosen Before the Universe Existed and Time Began!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth; in Him, in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. --- Ephesians 1:3-12

Intense debate has focused on the issue of when human life begins. The position a person takes on this matter will be reflected when it comes to one’s support of OR opposition to the intentional mutilation and murder of children while they are still in their mothers’ wombs.

However to attempt to debate the issue of when human life begins is really an exercise in futility for the following reasons:

• The fundamental fact that God gives to all life, breath, and all things. Further, it is in God that we live, move and have our being. (Acts 17:24-28).
  
  
• God’s claim to ownership of this world and all that is within it, including its human population! (Psalm 24:1).
  
  
• God’s explicit claim to being involved in the process of the formation of each human being. (Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 139:13-17).
  

All this is confirmed by the most mind boggling truth we will ever encounter during this lifetime in the statement, “…just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world…”

Before this universe existed or time began, we were known and fully identified by our Creator! But there is more than identity and “personhood” involved here – being “chosen” means God has a purpose for each human being.

It is God’s passionate desire that we:

• Be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
  
  
• Totally repent of our sins – in fact, this is a specific commandment (Acts 17:30, 31: 2 Peter 3:9)
  
  
• Believe on His Son as Savior and Lord of our lives (1 John 3:23)
  
  
• Be His channels through which He works out His purposes (Philippians 2:12, 13)
  
  
• Do all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and for His glory alone (Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20)
  
  
• Serve Him in the glory of our resurrection throughout the countless eons of eternity (Revelation 22:3, 4)
  

So then, in light of what God has revealed about the significance of human life and the fact that He knew us and identified us before the universe existed or time began, what is your position – standing with the vast majority (including a number who profess to be “Christian”) which views human life as a commodity of little significant value and to be dispatched efficiently on numerous occasions because it is the “convenient” thing to do when pregnancy brings “distress” to the potential “mother” (term used very loosely) OR with a rather small minority which finds itself in full agreement with our Creator’s statements about human life and its inestimable value in His sight?

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; and I ordained you a prophet to the nations." --- Jeremiah 1:5

Way to Go, George, But There's Just One More Thing!

"Congress has sent me a bill that would overturn this policy. If this legislation became law, it would compel American taxpayers -- for the first time in our history -- to support the deliberate destruction of human embryos. I made it clear to Congress and to the American people that I will not allow our nation to cross this moral line. Last year, Congress passed a similar bill -- I kept my promise by vetoing it. And today I'm keeping my word again: I am vetoing the bill that Congress has sent."
-- George W. Bush, White House, Washington DC - June 20, 2007

President Bush has stirred up a hornet's nest by vetoing a bill which would have compelled us taxpayers to financially support the deliberate destruction of human embryos, as he described it at a special photo op on June 20th.

Those few of us who still hold to fact that when a female egg cell is united with a male sperm cell then a miracle takes place and a human being is in the process of formation for a nine month period before being born into the world.

The president has claimed to be pro-life in his position and it would seem so, in light of the his veto of a bill which, if it had been signed by him, would have resulted in mass destruction of human embryos in stem cell research.

BUT at the same time he has shown absolutely no real concern over the fact that about 100,000 unborn children (also very human) are destroyed every month of the year in this republic.

You remember, do you not, how aggressive he was in telling us that Saddam Hussein just had to go and a preemptive strike was necessary in order to bring this about -- it was a 24/7 campaign waged through the mass media and you remember what happened back in March of 2003?

Now compare how aggressive he has been in reminding us that the brutal mutilation and murders of unborn children has to be stopped at once -- how often have you heard him devote a news conference to this moral crisis? How often has his administration initiated legislation to halt the slaughter? Sure, it may get shot down by the many legislators who couldn't care less that mutilated remains of unborn children are thrown into a garbage can as casually as they throw a soda can into the garbage after swilling down its contents! But at least the guy could make an effort to give some credibility to his claim of being "pro-life!"

Sadly, it seems that the number of those who are really disturbed about the destruction of the unborn is shrinking -- there just aren't that many who are speaking up and protesting the slaughter, or sounding the warning of what will happen if it isn't stopped!

And that's where Almighty God comes into the picture -- review again some statements which indicate clearly that the unborn are known and fully identified by Him before conception in the womb:

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; and I ordained you a prophet to the nations." --- Jeremiah 1:5

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. Psalm 139:15,16

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love... --- Ephesians 1:3,4

To those who have a sensitivity to this revelation, it becomes crystal clear that God not only knows and identifies us before we have been conceived in our mother's wombs, but He also has a specific purpose for us as we live our lives on earth!

Unfortunately, most political leadership as well large numbers of church leaders have struck out on this fundamental fact of life in the United States -- the daily destruction of unborn children in a republic that has a historic document which stresses the "unalienable rights" which each human is to be granted, including "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," isn't really that important! And so they keep their mouths shut on this one -- they may spout off on a lot of other issues, but destruction of unborn children? Why that's a complex issue, didn't you know?

Guess what? It's not going to be very complex when God makes His response to the United States' "Holocaust!"

If you haven't checked lately, see some of the tally figures involving the greatest massacre in United States' history. The numbers are from different dates which involve special happenings. Go to A Quick Look At the United States' Massacre Tally!

But they mingled with the Gentiles and learned their works; they served their idols, which became a snare to them. They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons, and shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; and the land was polluted with blood. Thus they were defiled by their own works, and played the harlot by their own deeds. Therefore the wrath of the LORD was kindled against His people, so that He abhorred His own inheritance. And He gave them into the hand of the Gentiles, and those who hated them ruled over them. Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand. --- Psalm 106:35-42

RMS Titanic and The United Methodist Church -- An Apt Comparison?

In the upper echelons of The United Methodist Church there is the view, although it would be publicly denied, that the denomination is a kind of unique breed of sacred cow. It fact its status is almost that of a deity for some persons and it is entirely out of order to do or say anything about the UMC in negative terms. We need to be "positive" and "upbeat" about it at all times -- after all, we are headed for the "promised land" and being part of the UMC is our guarantee that we'll soon occupy it!

There are still a few of us around who have a number of questions about what has been and is now going on in United Methodist Church circles. After nearly 50 years of ministry and holding the present status of ordained elder, I can say that drastic changes have taken place over the years and not for the better. What is being taught and advocated in many churches is highly suspect and legitimately questionable.

Hence the title question about comparing the RMS Titanic and The United Methodist Church. Spiritual "icebergs" with which the denomination has collided throughout recent decades are:

• Unadulterated Unbelief
  
  

• Disgusting Diversity
  
  

• Cancerous Complexity
  
  

• Damnable Dialog
  
  

• Tragic Toleration
  
  

• Lopsided Lamentation
  

Yes, there will likely be a chorus of voices crying, "Foul!" And, yes, a few of us dare to touch the sacred cow and once having done that, don our helmets and flak jackets, waiting for the return salvos to be lobbed in!

For the full details on each of those "icebergs," go to RMS Titanic and The United Methodist Church -- An Apt Comparison??? -- a link at the bottom of that area will bring you back to this place.

And feel free to vent a bit when you return.

Opening a Can of Worms United Methodist Style!

To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. --- Titus 1:15,16

The scramble has been on for quite a while, but intensified in the wake of a Virginia Conference pastor's refusal to receive a man into church membership who was openly practicing sodomy. The man was unwilling to cease his immoral behavior pattern.

The pastor was suspended by a vote of the Executive Session of the Virginia Conference over which Bishop Charlene Kammerer presides. The UMC Judicial Council ruled that he was to be reinstated and reimbursed all lost salary.

The Council of Bishops of the UMC, looking out for one of their own, responded with a "pastoral letter" which basically declared that the man should have been received into the membership of the church as he had requested.

UMC bishops are increasingly capitulating to the demands of the sodomite/lesbian cartel. The rallying cry now is "homosexuality is not a barrier" when it comes to church membership!

A petition to the General Conference of 2008 which seeks to amend the UMC Book of Discipline is making its rounds in the annual conferences, including the W. PA Annual Conference now in session in Grove City PA.

The petition seeks to add this phrase to the BOD -- "No person shall or will be excluded from membership in The United Methodist Church for reasons related to sexual orientation." Each conference to which this is being submitted will act on it, either adopting or rejecting it.

Incidentally, there are those in the W. PA Conference who hold to the position that homosexuality is not a sin. This includes a very high profile leader involved in the well orchestrated "Believe Again!" campaign now underway in the conference. He so stated that position publicly at a seminar a while back.

What if the proposed petition is finally adopted at General Conference in spring of 2008? It will mean a lot of adjusting will have to be done. "How so?" you may ask.

Consider some possibilities (or maybe more appropriately "some fall out!") in this thing of "sexual orientation":

• a couple is "oriented" to a swinging sexual lifestyle -- the husband and wife enjoy sexual escapades with other couples on a regular basis -- they want to join a United Methodist Church, but also state that they fully intend to continue their present lifestyle after joining up! Who is to say that their way of life is a sin if the person practicing sodomy is considered a non-sinner according to a number of United Methodists including members of the episcopacy?
  
  
• a woman who is "oriented" to practicing adultery. In this case, her husband is aware of her sexual involvements with other men, but he is a compassionate and understanding person and does his best to support her. She wants to join the UMC but also insists that she will continue her sexual adventures with other men. Her justification for this? She was born that way and is "oriented" to intimate affairs with numerous men -- the more the merrier is the way she sees it. How can we object to her becoming a member when she is so "oriented?"
  
  
• a man enjoys sexual experiences with animals. His preferrd "partner" is a young Holstein heifer. He is not hesitant in revealing how he is sexually attracted to young heifers because in his understanding, he is "oriented" that way, even from birth. He is quick to respond to his critics with the ultimate put down -- "Don't knock it until you try it!" He is also among those with varied sexual "orentations" who want to become members of the UMC. On what ground could any bishop, district superintendent, or pastor refuse him? If the man practicing sodomy is not considered a sinner by such behavior, who are we to condemn a guy who is sexually intimate with his heifer?"
  
  
• a young female teacher enjoys having sexual moments with her male students -- she prefers the 15 year olds and gets great delight out of "initiating" the youngsters into world of sexual adventures. Seems as though this is a thing happening more and more in schools across the country. But she and others such as she are "oriented" that way and we ought not to stand in the way if they want to join and become members of the UMC! Don't forget, it's all about "orientation" when it comes to sexual experience and expression -- just don't mention the word "sin" or the word "repent" when considering the subject!
  

The list could be greatly expanded, but you get the picture, do you not? For an exercise in how far this can go, try adding to the list and picture how the UMC of the future will appear if General Conference 2008 adopts a change in the Book of Discipline which reads, "No person shall or will be excluded from membership in The United Methodist Church for reasons related to sexual orientation."

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! --- Isaiah 5:20