Have You Let Them Know How You Feel?

SHOULD CONGRESS BAILOUT WALL STREET TO HELP MAIN STREET? --- headline on the Congress.org web site - September 29, 2008

They are poised to vote on the big "bailout" which involves 700 billion dollars. Lots and lots of discussion on this thing in private conversations plus all the media attention. What few people who may stumble on to these comments in this blog will have their thoughts on this.

The big question -- have you contacted your personal representatives in DC -- that is, the senators of your state and the representative of your congressional district?

Lately, I have heard a lot of complaining about the proposed bailout. How many have actually taken the time to phone or write a personal letter to those who will vote on this monster of a debacle?

And the question can be thrown back to the writer of this piece -- have you made contact with them? And the answer is "Yes!" -- surprise, just earlier at a little past 7 AM I talked with a staff member in Represenatative Murtha's office in Washington DC -- the fellow is on duty early this AM -- the senators will have to wait a bit -- their voice mail boxes are FULL! I wonder why!

A good source for running down the names, addresses, phone numbers and fax numbers is found at Congress.org

The bailout will likely pass and the president will sign it. As noted in an earlier post on this subject, it is also likely that the CEO's and upper level management people who demonstrated such irresponsibility in this mess will still hold on to obscene salaries, perks and related benefits -- it will hardly amount to a slap on the wrist in terms of penalty! These scoundrels do have political connections and their contributions will not be forgotten!

But there has to be the maintaining of a vision which reaches far enough into the future to realize that it will not always be like this -- one of these days our Lord Jesus will return to this planet -- and it will be, as framed in the words of the famous Gomer Pyle, "Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!"

So hold on folks -- Jesus will write the last chapter in human history and for those who long for and pray for His soon return, it will be ecstasy indescribable! Even so, come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20).

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. --- Isaiah 9:6, 7

Want to Fix the Country? Only One Place Where It Must Start!

Can They Reach a Deal? Bush presses lawmakers to move quickly on stalled economic bailout plan – stocks fall as bailout talks break down – WaMu seized, assets sold --- Internet headlines on September 26, 2008

O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. --- Jeremiah 10:23

As of this writing the first effort to reach a “deal” on the 700 billion dollar bailout of those institutions going under for the deadly third time has failed. The president assembled a host of leaders including the major party candidates for president in an attempt to get those billions rolling, but to no avail.

There was no end to the financial “arm chair quarterbacks” and their “expert” comments as to how it should be done as exhibited on cable news channels and sound bites on major network news programs.

So, since “arm chair quarterbacking” is in vogue at the present moment, how about adding one more – a Clarion County PA farm boy who lives out in the sticks – and who never served as a congressman, or a CEO or achieved the distinguished status of a bishop in a mainline denomination, or a district superintendent in the same, or even as a senior pastor of a church with a few thousand members!

Understand that this “formula” for fixing the country has not really been mentioned in all those discussions taking place among the powerful and wealthy leaders of our republic. Rest assured that this "formula" will deliberately be avoided even more so than exposure to the dreaded Bubonic Plague! Leaders in all fields of responsibility want absolutely nothing to do with the necessary action that has to be taken to restore this nation to what it needs to be and must be if it is going to survive!

But let’s mention it anyway – I do so in part in order to fulfill responsibility which I have in regard to the call Jesus Christ has given me and also that nobody will be able to say, “No one said anything about getting things set right with Almighty God.” As an aside, there are personal letters sent to the president, elected officials, media people and church leaders on an ongoing basis which focus on this issue.

In order for this nation to recover from the deadly *“graveyard spiral” in which it presently finds itself, both governing officials and church leaders will have to issue a loud and clear call that the entire nation will have to do something – this action must be top priority, even beyond the 700 billion dollars which has been the focus of attention for days.

*"graveyard spiral" - a term I learned from a friend who was a commercial pilot all his life and it applies to an aircraft spinning out of control with no recovery possible -- end result is a deadly crash!

A nationwide call to repentance from sin must be jointly issued by those who occupy positions of power, wealth and influential leadership. Citizens must respond and also personally pray for God to extend mercy and forgiveness.

Best example as well as words which can be repeated are found in Daniel 9 in Old Testament Scriptures:

Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, "O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments. Neither have we heeded Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings and our princes, to our fathers and all the people of the land. O Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but to us shame of face, as it is this day; to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those near and those far off in all the countries to which You have driven them, because of the unfaithfulness which they have committed against You. O Lord, to us belongs shame of face, to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, because we have sinned against You. To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him. We have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets. Yes, all Israel has transgressed Your law, and has departed so as not to obey Your voice; therefore the curse and the oath written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against Him. And He has confirmed His words, which He spoke against us and against our judges who judged us, by bringing upon us a great disaster; for under the whole heaven such never has been done as what has been done to Jerusalem. As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us; yet we have not made our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities and understand Your truth." --- Daniel 9:3-13

It’s about as plain as it could ever be stated, is it not? But there is a problem – first, too many don’t even want to consider what God wants, much less converse with Him about our national sin problems! Leadership too often is hung up on pride and that never permits one to be honest in admitting to ethical, moral and spiritual failure.

And we are unwilling to make a break with our pet sins – not just on the personal level, but just as critical, on the corporate level!

Here’s how it works – either we as a nation do confess and repent of our sins, or we continue to invite God’s chastising actions as we are now experiencing them and then His devastating judgments, if the chastising times do not produce the desired results!

Do you want the country “fixed?” Have you been talking to Almighty God about it? Or have you been deceived into thinking we humans can fix everything by ourselves, relying on our own abilities and resources?

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah. For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You in a time when You may be found; surely in a flood of great waters they shall not come near him. You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah. --- Psalm 32:1-7

Uh, Just Another Question or Two About That 700 Billion Dollar Bailout!

"The Secretary's authority to purchase Troubled Assets under this Act shall be limited to $700,000,000,000 outstanding at any one time" --- a statement from U.S. Treasury Department legislative proposal for an asset-purchase fund as delivered to the Congress -- entire document was obtained by Reuters on Sunday, September 21, 2008

As financial chaos seemed to rule supreme for a number of days recently and announcements kept coming out of a place called Washington DC, it seems that big financial institutions had little to worry about – if going belly-up was in their future, why get into a state of deep distress about it? The government would come along on a rescue mission and bail them out – the president even took a lot of time to comment and state that it was necessary to do these acts of mercy in providing billions of dollars and keep these outfits afloat! And this was backed up by his Secretary of the U. S. Treasury, Henry M. Paulson, Jr.

Now, here is the first question – are the CEO’s and those who are 2nd in command of these financially strapped institutions as well as other upper level management people going to still receive all those plush salaries, lavish “perks” and “golden parachute” benefits? Shouldn’t this group be penalized for their very flawed “leadership” which contributed to the financial fiascos involving their companies/institutions? If the leadership had been careful, cautious and discerning in charting a course through rough seas, the “ship” would still be stable and not on the verge of capsizing! So if the captain causes the ship to end up on the rocks, he should not be rewarded should he?

Second question – will all these companies and institutions that are beneficiaries of the proposed 700 billion dollar “bail out” be required to pay back what they have received by way of a very expensive rescue from financial disaster? What arrangements will be made public regarding a pay back schedule? Also, to what extent will U. S. taxpayers be informed that their money used for the rescue operation will be returned to the U. S. government?

And while we are on the subject of the public being informed – will we taxpayers be told in detail what those top level people are being paid plus the “perks” and how all that has been reduced as the money for the bail out is being repaid to the federal government? Would it not be good if a sizable percentage of those CEO salaries were added to the repayments made each month?

Yes, I, along with many other people, at times am a dreamer – this happens to be one of those times, since we all know the answers to the foregoing questions, do we not? The mix of politicians with their meddling in business affairs along with wealthy and powerful people in the corporate world results in a concoction that is far from producing the smell of a rose!

Why should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity at my heels surrounds me? Those who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches, none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him; for the redemption of their souls is costly, and it shall cease forever; that he should continue to live eternally, and not see the Pit. For he sees that wise men die; likewise the fool and the senseless person perish, and leave their wealth to others. Their inner thought is that their houses will continue forever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. Nevertheless man, though in honor, does not remain; he is like the beasts that perish. This is the way of those who are foolish, and of their posterity who approve their sayings. Selah --- Psalm 49:5-13

Can I Really Help a Terminally Ill Patient, If I'm a Terminal Case Myself?

Feds Plan Huge Bank Bailout - Paulsen: Hundreds of billions of dollars needed to address the problem --- Internet news headline, September 19, 2008

They do it again and again – those “bail-outs” of gigantic firms that have gone belly-up financially. And now the latest announcement of the bail out of banks which as Treasurer Secretary Paulson put it – “Hundreds of billions needed to address the problem.” President Bush and various officials are scrambling to deal with the issue as the stock market took a critical nose dive. After announcements of action to continue the "bail out" operation of various companies and financial institutions the stock market took off into the wild blue yonder with a big trail of GREEN! That is, for the time being.

Now there's a question here and it’s a legitimate one – suppose you are in over your eye balls in debt and a relative is on verge of bankruptcy and comes to you for financial help, would you or more importantly, could you give the cash needed to help that relative?

Think for bit -- here’s the federal government bailing out these big businesses, one after another, and “loaning” horrendous amounts of money – how? Our country is over 9 trillion dollars in debt and the hole is being dug deeper and deeper as time passes!

Isn’t this sort of like

• A terminal cancer patient in the last hours of life trying to console and comfort another cancer patient in the same condition as suggested in the title above?
  
  
• A blind man trying to lead another blind man across an eight lane freeway in the middle of rush hour traffic?
  
  
• An alcoholic trying to help another alcoholic recover as together they drink their 3rd bottle of Jack Daniels with 2 more bottles to go?
  
  
• A person who can’t swim jumping out of a boat in water 100 feet deep and trying to rescue another person who is going down for the third time?
  

Now then, if you dare, check what the latest is in regard to our national debt at
National Debt Clock -- use reverse feature to come back to this place. But notice while you are there the fact that this debt translates into over $31,600.00 per citizen in this country. There are other items of information and links at that location.

What is not recognized by high ranking officials in business and government is that money is a most uncertain commodity. Money is also a very powerful false "god" with people and organized groups of one kind or another (banks, companies, corporations, governments at all levels, etc.) willing to do anything and everything to get their hands on huge amounts of it! In fact, money may be the false "god" that holds sway over greater numbers of people in this country and in this world than any other "god" or "goddess."

Therefore the person applying common sense coupled with a keen sensitivity to spiritual reality recognizes that the true and living God Who created this vast universe by spoken command will at a time determined by Him bring judgment on the false deities which humans have established for themselves -- and this includes the "god" of money! In fact God has made a statement to the effect that He will "famish" the "gods" of this world.

And since I'm in a rather good mood at this point in time, I'll let you hunt that statement up -- I'll even help you by giving a hint -- it's in the Old Testament! There, I've narrowed it down for you -- really, I'm a nice guy, however there are times when people just won't let me be nice!

But alas! I digress -- while the U. S. government will appear to be successful for a time in "shoring up" the finances of the country, just keep in mind that it is like trying to shore up a mine shaft with timbers riddled by termites! Or to put it another way, it's like the government flushing money down an object that is considered an absolute necessity in every home!

The righteous also shall see and fear, And shall laugh at him, saying, "Here is the man who did not make God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness." --- Psalm 52:6, 7

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money..... --- 2 Timothy 3:1, 2a

Do You See the Red Flags Flying When Hollywood Jumps on the Bandwagon?

Hollywood's A-list was out in force at a fundraiser for Barack Obama with stars including Leonardo DiCaprio helping to amass an estimated USD 9 million for the Democrat's White House campaign. A dinner in a Beverly Hills mansion costing about 300 attendees USD 28,500 each also attracted director Steven Spielberg along with a bevy of actors such as Jodie Foster and Tobey Maguire, and comedian Chris Rock, reporters saw….. Singer-actress Barbra Streisand crooned at a USD 2,500 per-head reception at the swanky Beverly Wilshire hotel after the dinner, where the stars ate goat's cheese, roasted potatoes, filet mignon and asparagus. --- from Internet news release of September 17, 2008

Do you see those red flags flying – in fact, it’s like a sea of red waving in the breeze, is it not? Why are they there? Didn’t you know? Hollywood is jumping on B. O.’s bandwagon – it’s like a mass stampede!

It was reported on September 17, 2008 that B. O. attended a fund raising event at a Beverly Hills mansion in which those present paid $28,500.00 each to be in the presence of the Democratic presidential candidate. Later in the evening Barbara Streisand sang at the Beverly Wilshire hotel where many of the Hollywood elite were present. Again, raising money to help B. O. get into the White House in January 2009 was the objective.

It is estimated that 9 million dollars came into the Democrat Party’s pocketbook in these two gatherings and if so, would set a fund raising record for one night.

Why mention of the red flags – a kind of warning to us citizens in the republic of the U. S. A?

Keep in mind the following about the Hollywood bunch:

• they have made more than a tid-bit amount of contribution to the moral corruption of our culture by their example of playing musical beds and conceiving children out of wedlock accompanied by drug and alcohol abuse! All this amounts to a ton of grist for the rag sheets at check out counters which are gobbled up by people of all ages.
  
  
• they have manufactured what is supposed to be “entertainment” which is packed full of excessive violence, sexual immorality, and foul language including almost non-stop usage of the infamous “f” word!
  
  
• by lifestyle and life accomplishments in their works they have had an extremely negative impact on our culture, especially our youth and children. It’s been like feeding the young a daily diet of poison with the final result being their destruction.
  
  
• philosophically, these people have egos which make Mt. Everest look like a tiny mole hill by way of comparison and a world view which intentionally ignores the claims and call of a holy God Who created this mighty universe for His pleasure and purposes. If they took those claims and call seriously, the example they set and the work in which they are involved would be as different as a bright sunny day is from night at the midnight hour!
  

There are those who would quickly try to defend Hollywood to a point by saying there are some who do not live as described above and there are some who are involved in the producing of G-rated films etc. Granted, there a very few who may fall into this class, but it’s a bit like giving me a drink with a lot of arsenic and strychnine in it – you tell me those two ingredients are in the drink, but also quickly add that there are some vitamins also in the mixture and these are good for me! Thank you, no, but I don’t believe I will be helped because there are a few “good” things in such a deadly drink!

For the person who gives some thought to the issue – what Hollywood gets excited about, and is willing to pour millions of dollars into an “agenda,” is it good for us or will it lead to ultimate disaster further down the road?

"You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice." --- Exodus 23:2

A Salute To Our U.S. Constitution

by Chuck Baldwin
September 17, 2008

On this date in 1787, the U.S. Constitution was adopted. 39 delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies (Rhode Island did not send a representative) affixed their signatures to the greatest civil document ever conceived by men. Famous patriots such as George Washington, Roger Sherman, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, Gouverneur Morris, James Madison, George Clymer, and Abraham Baldwin were among this gallant group.

Under divine Providence, it has been allegiance to the Constitution that has preserved our liberties and protected our very way of life. Most of the problems, failings, and frustrations that plague our nation today are due to the propensity of our civil magistrates to ignore or blatantly abuse constitutional government. Accordingly, fidelity to the Constitution would likely repair most of the damage done by this neglect.

It is the responsibility of a free people to jealously guard the principles upon which their liberties are predicated. For citizens of these United States, the principles that duly protect our liberties are contained in the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration of Independence. Therefore, it is incumbent upon every American to studiously familiarize himself with these documents.

Furthermore, it is the duty of every American to stubbornly hold their elected representative, at every level of government, accountable to his or her oath to the Constitution. The U.S. Constitution is the contract that every civil magistrate makes with "We the People." Failure of an elected representative to fulfill that oath to the Constitution should be met with swift and certain rejection by the people at the polls. Nothing else should matter. Republican or Democrat, man or woman, black or white, believer or unbeliever: it is the responsibility of every civil magistrate to submit to the restrictions and instructions of the Constitution.

Our Constitution (along with the Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence) was formed, framed, and founded upon the eternal principles contained in Natural Law, which proceeds forth from man's Creator and Redeemer. No people in human history have ever been so blessed as the people of the United States to inherit such a legacy. Such a heritage serves only to heighten our own responsibility, as "unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required."

On this Constitution Day of 2008, may this generation of Americans live up to its responsibility to valiantly bequeath to our posterity the same legacy of freedom that was so bravely and miraculously bequeathed to us. For the sake of freedom, for the love of our children, and for the safety and security of our republic, may each of us determine for ourselves--and commit to Almighty God--to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."

This column is archived at Chuck Baldwin Live Archives.

NOTE: Chuck Baldwin is a candidate for president of the United States on the Constitution Party ticket. Web site providing information is at Baldwin/Castle 2008

Chuck Baldwin's own web site is at Chuck Baldwin Live.

Other candidates and their web sites:
John McCain & Sarah Palin at McCain-Palin 2008

Ralph Nader & Matt Gonzalez at Nader-Gonzalez 2008

Barack Obama & Joe Biden at Obama-Biden 2008

Disclaimer: The appearance of Chuck Baldwin's column on the subject of the U.S. Constitution on C. D. Harriger's blog, Musings of a Maverick, is not to be interpreted as an endorsement of Dr. Baldwin for president of the United States.

Clayton D. Harriger, owner of Musings of a Maverick blog, will not publicly on his blog or at his web site endorse any person for the office of president, nor will he identify the person for whom he will be voting to be president. CDH is a non-affiliated registered voter in Cambria County, Pennsylvania.

Do Those Claiming to Be “Servants” Need to Live in Mansions?

“Michele calls me and says, ‘I’m in. I love this house, but it’s more than we were talking about paying for, but I really think it’s a great house, you should go take a look at it.’” --- Barack Obama’s report of his wife’s assessment of the “house” they eventually bought in Chicago for $1.65 million dollars, which involved a $330,000 discount! Source: The Obama Nation by Jerome R. Corsi, Ph.D.

It is a common claim made by elected officials, particularly at the federal level. Members of the U. S. Congress will often refer to their status of being a “servant” or “I work for you!” etc. when they are campaigning for reelection. These people are supposed to represent their constituents in D. C. and as such, ought not their personal lifestyles clearly reflect that status?

But if they insist on living in a house that costs in excess of a million dollars, send their kids to expensive private schools, and continually conspire to increase their salaries, perks and retirement benefits, how can they possibly have a genuine concern for the average citizen whom they claim to represent?

This has been a justifiable criticism in the realm of professing Christianity as well.

Those who head up mega churches and TV ministries have too often betrayed the people they claim to serve by indulging in worldly and lavish lifestyles. The days of “his & hers” Rolls Royce's (Jim & Tammy Faye Baker) or owning a very costly mansion (Jimmy Swaggert) have by no means ended!

It is all too easy when one moves into a position of power, influence and increased wealth to become infected with the spirit of this present world and “servant hood” fades away, becoming as dead as the many corpses buried in the local cemetery.

This is a tragic reality constantly repeated in both the political and the religious realms of human experience. And it is why you often find a lot scathing denunciations of political and religious leadership recorded in the holy Scriptures. Persons involved in political and religious leadership are regarded as being servants and are to discharge their responsibilities in obedience to Almighty God. Corruption setting in with a very negative influence on political and religious leaders will ultimately contribute to the downfall of a culture in time! The best summary where this pattern is demonstrated is revealed in 2 Chronicles 36 of the Old Testament Scriptures. The Old Testament prophets addressed this issue time and time again!

There will be attempts to justify the lavish lifestyles of politicians and those in the “higher ranks” of professing Christianity – if for no other reason than the fact that they deserve it for all the work they have done or they came out of very humble and poverty stricken backgrounds in younger and earlier years.

If one wants to get rich and live “high on the hog” then go into business, play the stock market (if you like to gamble), enter a profession, or become a trial lawyer! It’s wide open when it comes to opportunities to earn income and become rich, but even then one is still accountable to God for what you have done with your life. And if in the process you have become a billionaire many times over, then you really have a lot of accounting to do when you appear before God – and all of us will have that moment in which we answer to our Creator concerning what we have done with this most precious commodity called life.

But when it comes to involvement in something called government or a call to proclaim the Word of God, we then take on the role of “servants” and that means we are not to bathe in luxury in this present life. Keeping a proper focus is not at all easy due to a daily invasion of worldly distractions, but we can be greatly helped and challenged when we consider the example of One Who said, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." (Matthew 8:20).

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” --- Matthew 16:24-26

What About the Those Other Victims Who Died on September 11, 2001?

U.S. marks anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks. Presidential candidates join in events; new memorial to be unveiled in D.C. --- Internet headlines September 11, 2008

September 11, 2008 – a date which has attracted a lot of attention due to its being the 7th anniversary of what has come to be known as 9-11, when nearly 3,000 lives were lost due to terrorist attacks involving the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington DC, and an aircraft crash in south central Pennsylvania. The latter resulted when passengers revolted against the terrorist hijackers. It is clear that the plane was headed for DC with either the Capitol or the White House as possible targets.

There will be much by way of observance in remembering that horrible time. It has also resulted in a kind of political “football” with politicians trying to make a little bit of “hay” out of this thing about what is necessary to insure that we are truly secure as a nation and the tragedy will never be repeated within our borders.

What has never made the news nor has it drawn even a minuscule of attention is the fact that on that same day and every week day of the year at least an equal number or more lives were and are violently snuffed out in these United States!

Is there any outrage expressed as was the case on September 11, 2001? Were any special observances held for these victims who were violently assaulted and murdered? Did the mass media which at times repeatedly showed us the fiery impact of the aircraft hitting one of the towers and the collapse of the towers shortly thereafter take any time to inform us of details involving the other 3,000 or more victims who died on September 11, 2001?

If one allows oneself to think about this a bit, one is forced to face the fact that there is more than tad of hypocrisy taking place – much attention focused on one solitary event happening on September 11, 2001 but nothing about the millions of victims prior to or since that date!

And so we continue our very narrow focus on terrorism and the victims of certain terrorist acts – it’s like we have deliberately placed on the sides of our faces a pair of those “blinders” such as horses wear, limiting our vision to that one solitary happening and living in a state of denial, pretending that millions of unborn children never really existed, nor were they ever mutilated and murdered in the womb! There are people around today who deny that the Holocaust never happened in Nazi Germany!

And if we do admit that such atrocities are taking place in our republic, we dismiss it as though it doesn’t really matter because it’s our “constitutional right” to engage in such practices – that is, until the Creator of this universe says, “Enough is enough!” None of us will want to be within the boundaries of this republic when Almighty God responds to this massive shedding of innocent blood!

If you are one who considers yourself to be an individual always willing to face reality, see By the Way, Did You Know? It provides a challenging experience of doing some shocking comparisons! A link at the bottom of that area will bring you back to this place. Or do you choose, as do most, to keep the blinders in place because you don't honestly want to face reality and what might happen in the future so far as this republic is concerned?

"Therefore you shall speak all these words to them, but they will not obey you. You shall also call to them, but they will not answer you. So you shall say to them, 'This is a nation that does not obey the voice of the LORD their God nor receive correction. Truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth.'" --- Jeremiah 7:27, 28

Most of Them Will Never Ever Begin to Understand Sarah!

“It is a great privilege to be John McCain's running mate and to be considered by the American people for the Vice Presidency. This honor is a testament to the reforms and progress we have made together in Alaska. Now is the time to take that spirit of reform to Washington.” --- Statement from Governor Sarah Palin regarding her nomination to be Vice President on the Republican ticket in the November 2008 election.

There is flashing fire in their eyes – their tongues are moving at a speed which would make an Indianapolis race car in the Indianapolis 500 appear to be slower than a turtle – and their knives have been sharpened with an edge that will split human hair with very little effort. The majority of mass media people are on a mission – do whatever it takes to bring Sarah Palin down!

It was a comedy unlike any other – the only thing lacking was the fact that Lisa Myers of NBC News didn’t have white makeup on her face, a red rubber ball on her nose, size 38 floppy slippers on her feet and wearing a purple polka dot baggy suit! It would have been the proper wardrobe for her report on Sarah Palin on the evening of September 9th.

First, Sarah Palin is not the perfect person which seems to be what most mass media people expect – ah, that is except for their own favorite and much preferred candidate.

Sarah has not performed flawlessly – by her own admission, she will acknowledge she has not had a perfect performance record.

So the media, as is common with swine, are in a frenzy to root up all the “dirt” they can excavate and bring it before the public with the hope that somehow they can force her to withdraw or inflame the public to such an extent that McCain will demand that she withdraw from the ticket.

But what Sarah Palin can say is this – that by God’s grace and mercy she has been forgiven of all transgressions and that Jesus Christ is real as personal Savior and Lord in her life! She has gone on public record as to having such an experience.

The majority of mass media talking heads know nothing of this – with the pursuit of building ego, wealth, telling us how we ought to think, and beating down the competition, how could they?

Because of such an experience with God, Sarah has a value system which is foreign to a majority of those in the mass media world. For instance, she believes in the sacredness of life, which means each unborn child has a place in God’s purposes for His creation. This view of life is not shared by the majority of those in mass media work, a large number of politicians, judges, church leaders and a sizable number of U. S. citizens. If Sarah’s view were shared by large numbers of citizens, we would not be destroying about 100,000 unborn children each month of the year in a republic known as the United States of America!

Sarah has requested prayer for revival in the state of Alaska as well as in other matters that have to do with the well being of the state. Again, it is another realm that is extremely foreign territory to a majority of mass media people and a solid reason why they cannot understand Sarah Palin.

Genuine Christianity is strictly an experience of a small minority of persons on this planet. For those who have not experienced the reality of it through Jesus Christ, the living Son of God, it is something to be despised and rejected and especially those persons who identify as being Christian and who become rather high profile at some point in time – such as one who is named Sarah Palin!

"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 15:18-21

B. O. the Poster Child of Many Mass Media Folks?

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. --- Colossians 2:8

It surfaced some time back -- statements that B. O. was getting more favored (and very biased) treatment from many of those in the mass media -- that is, he is their favored and preferred candidate and it is showing in the way they treat him and McCain in their reporting of Election 2008! Or another way of putting it -- the scales of the mass media are heavily weighted in favor of B. O! For McCain, it's really an uphill battle, since the "deck" is stacked against him so far as a large number of the mass media people are concerned. There are and will be more favorable sound bites for B. O. than there will be for McCain.

This was demonstrated in the area where I live within the last few days -- days of the Democratic and Republican conventions. Our local newspaper reported on the acceptance speeches of both candidates. The bias stood out like a proverbial sore thumb!

A letter was sent to the newspaper about this. With this newspaper, my letter has less chance of being printed than a snowball has of surviving intact in that very, very hot place to which a lot of people of all ages make reference from time to time! At my main web site I have devoted some time and space to my ongoing special "relationship" I have with the editorial department of this particular paper and their refusal to print any of my letters any longer -- they used to, but no more!

See the letter below ---

Friday, September 05, 2008

Editor:

Be careful right now because you just might be accused of being biased in your reporting on the presidential election of 2008. And this in turn would result in your being identified with much of the mass media which is rapidly building a reputation of being very biased toward and supportive of Barack Obama in his bid to be our next president!

Suspicion arises at the present time due to your handling of the acceptance speeches of Barack Obama and John McCain respectively.

Your front pages speak out loud and clear. On August 29th you had a photo of Barack Obama on the front page which measured 7 ¼ inches by 10 inches – not quite a traditional 8 x 10, but close! On September 5th your front page photo of John McCain measured 4 ¼ inches by 6 ½ inches, slightly over ½ the size of Obama’s acceptance speech photo! McCain’s photo doesn’t qualify for a traditional 5 x 7 by a long shot!

Written column space in the AP articles was approximately the same with one glaring difference. The Obama article on the inside page also included a picture of Mrs. Obama and daughters. This photo measured 3 ½ by 3 ¾ inches. John McCain and family did not fare that well as there was no photo of them at all.

Photos do have influence and the size of such do register – the bigger the photo, the more attention it attracts and greater is the impact on the observer, even when it comes to the election process. Cambria County being a kind of “Mecca” for the Democratic Party it can be assumed that Obama will be much higher profile than will McCain when it comes to media coverage.

This has been written by one who is a non-affiliated registered voter.
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Still contending at www.crrange.com, blogging at http://cdharriger.blogspot.com and warning at www.crrange.com/USACoffin.html,

Clayton D. Harriger, Pastor

There you have it. It appears that we citizens need to maintain a high degree of suspicion when it comes to watching and listening to the mass media people -- are they JUST reporting news or are they trying to force-feed us with some propaganda and get us to vote for their favored candidate?

But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. --- 2 Timothy 3:13

Questions About a Very Distinctive Group of Heaven’s Citizens!

When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" --- The Revelation 6:9, 10

There are a lot of them – all we can say is that there are millions upon millions already there and the number keeps expanding hour by hour!

Who are they? Didn’t you know, or have you never thought about them? These are the ones who were put to death before they were born. Actually they come from many nations around the world, including one which makes the hypocritical claim that all persons should have “the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness!”

What’s that? You object not just to the picture above but also to that quote from the book of The Revelation? Why?

But rest assured – you can be comforted in knowing that the little one above who was the victim of a very deliberate violent act does not look like that now with its head in a "pickle" jar of formaldehyde. We can only let our imagination soar to the highest heights as we attempt to picture what he or she looks like at the present time in the very presence of our Lord Jesus Christ!

And what about the statement mentioning the plea for vengeance? In context, the appeal comes from a rather large number who have been put to death for their faith in Jesus Christ. They are assured that eventually vengeance on their behalf will definitely take place.

However, might that great number whose innocent blood was shed before birth also be seeking that vengeance on their behalf likewise be carried out? God does mention the abomination of the “shedding of innocent blood” more than once in the Scriptures and the fact that He responds to such practices in a way that is far from being pleasant!

Another question or two about this matter – what will go through the minds of certain persons who observe this unique group of heavenly citizens as they view them from across a very wide chasm?

First, a history lesson – a rich man died and a beggar by the name of Lazarus who had laid outside the entrance gate of the rich man died at about the same time. In eternity the rich man ended up in the torment of Hell, but could see across a wide chasm and observed Lazarus comforted in the bosom of Abraham. Lazarus was now totally free of all limitations and afflictions of his former earthly life. Complete details and conversation are given in Luke 16.

Now, fast forward in time – what do you suppose will go through the mind of that unrepentant “doctor” who deliberately caused the deaths of a number of those little ones before they were born when he sees them in their perfect bodies in the presence of Jesus Christ?

Likewise, what will go through the mind of that unrepentant “mother” when she looks across that vast chasm and sees that one she chose to have mutilated and murdered, but now is in a glorified body? Or in some cases, some of these “mothers” may see more than one, since it is a matter of record that some females have chosen to have three or even four pregnancies violently “terminated!”

But hold on for a moment – there’s more to this very unpleasant saga – what do you suppose will go through the minds of those unrepentant judges who gaze across the chasm and see that huge number who were prematurely ushered into heaven because of one of the most idiotic and insane decisions ever to take place in a court room – namely, to “legalize” the mass destruction of unborn children!

But we are a nation in a state of tragic denial – even those of us who claim to be “pro-life” aren’t really convinced that there are consequences to decades of the “shedding of innocent blood.”

It may be that if we consider some questions of a different kind and attempt to picture some images in our minds we may just conclude that it is a very serious matter after all, and has a direct bearing on how well a nation fares in regard to its future destiny. We may even be moved to sound a trumpet warning that God always responds to a culture that has made the deadly choice of exterminating a large number of its future citizens!

"Moreover you took your sons and your daughters, whom you bore to Me, and these you sacrificed to them to be devoured. Were your acts of harlotry a small matter, that you have slain My children and offered them up to them by causing them to pass through the fire?" --- Ezekiel 16:20, 21

Why Be Upset with Me? What Did I Do?

“We have received phone calls…” --– part of beginning conversation about “complaints” received at headquarters of a United Methodist conference in the United States

It’s a question I have had for some time, and so far, not one person has given me an answer. There are a number of United Methodists, ranking from bishop and clergy to lay persons who occupy the pews of United Methodist Churches somewhere who have expressed intense anger and disagreement with some things they have seen either at my web site or posted on my blog.

The anger seems to be due to a couple of areas primarily to which I have devoted comments and graphics. Those happen to be on the issue of sexual morality and God’s established boundaries of the same and on the issue of United States’ sanction of destroying thousands of unborn children each week of the year.

It sort of came to a “head” when I received a phone call from a member of the bishop’s cabinet in the W. PA Annual Conference. I was told that some phone calls had come in to the conference about my web site and the request was this – (1) would I post a notice that there are graphic pictures that are not suitable for young children to view, and (2), would I post a statement that the views on abortion as presented on my web site do not reflect the official position of the United Methodist Church.

So I really had no problem with that and as anyone can see by looking at Circuit Rider's Range, I have complied with those requests. Just scroll down a bit and you will come to the area where I indicate my compliance to those requests. Use reverse feature on your web browser to come back here.

However, what I do have a problem about is this – why are the people who are so upset with me about posting pictures of aborted unborn children not as disturbed about the guys who do these heinous acts of murder – and that is what it is, is it not? And is it not true that abortion does stop a beating heart? What else can you call it? But I’m the bad guy who makes an issue of it, posts pictures, etc. The guys in the white coats who have ripped unborn children to shreds are the good guys and keep getting very rich in the process! Some of them may even be upstanding and active members of United Methodist churches somewhere!

And further, I have a big problem with the fact that those who are leaders in the denomination in which I am an ordained elder are constantly expressing concern about justice and do not hesitate to denounce what are regarded as "sinful" practices such as gambling, etc. But they are totally silent on the massive “shedding of innocent blood” in this country!

Today, September 1, 2008, some newly elected bishops will take over in certain conferences across the United States. The counter is already ticking in regard to unborn children whose lives will be deliberately terminated while still in the womb. To see how many victims there are under the “watch” of these new bishops you can check at Addendum of United Methodist Bishops

But that nagging question still remains – why get mad at me for raising the issue – why not be upset with the people who do the deeds and the people who “legalized” it – and the people who say it’s a good thing or whatever kind of propaganda is used to try to whitewash what is nothing less than a 21st Century version of Holocaust taking place in the "land of the free and the home of the brave!"

And now, a PS on this matter -- during the course of this ongoing saga I received an email from an ordained elder who was extremely indignant and expressed the same by asking, "Do you believe God approves of your posting those pictures?" (pictures of aborted children). It apparently never crossed his mind to ask the question, "Do you believe God approves of you tearing to pieces that unborn child for which He has plans?", of the guy in the white coat who does the tearing to pieces act and gets paid handsomely for doing so! See what I mean? Why do they get mad at me? And the white coated guy goes merrily on his way to the bank without a whimper of protest?

"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 7:5-10