Mr. Obama's Righteous Indignation and Fraternizing with Prostitutes!!

Internet headlines speak of a Secret Service scandal which involved personnel drinking excessively (not H2O by the way) and partying with prostitues in Columbia before Mr. Obama arrived on his trip to that country. A later headline indicated that he was "angry" and an investigation would take place. It was further alleged that some military people were also involved in this incident! --- various internet sources

Mr. Obama has displayed what some would interpret as "righteous indignation" upon learning that some Secret Service personnel along with a few military people had a rather wild party at a 5 star hotel in Columbia before the arrival of the president in that nation! One headline used the word "angry" to describe the reaction of Mr. Obama and an indication of an impending "investigation."

The alleged party involved excessive drinking and the satisfying of that "gratification now without delay" lusting through able assistance given by prostitutes who likely made a good profit that would be on a comparable level of those who make excessive profits by their speculation and manipulation activity in the petroleum business!

Will we who underwite government expenses through our taxes be paying for this escapade as we did recently in the scandalous Las Vegas spree involving government people at a very high level?

Anyway, why should anyone -- whether it be Mr. Obama, the media watch dogs, or those in the U.S. Congress make any kind of issue of this incident, professed "righteous indignation" notwithstanding?

It is Mr. & Mrs. Obama, plus many members of the U. S. Congress, and a number of members of the U. S. Supreme Court that aggressively support the intentional mutilation and murder of thousands of unborn children each week in a nation that hypocritically claims to be the "land of the free, and the home of the brave!" Any effort made to save at least a few unborn from the horrendous fate that over 54 million have already suffered is stonewalled immediately by the aforementioned bunch of persons. It is interesting that this same crowd becomes extremely upset and hostile when confronted with graphic images that provide unmistakable evidence that this is an abomination of the first magnitude from the point of view of our Creator! But then, who pays much attention to the God Who put this mighty universe together by spoken command?

Second, it is the Obama connection with majority support in the U. S. Congress that opened the way for sodomites and lesbians to serve openly in the United States military. And of course throughout the nation there was been subtantial support from the citizens. The media along with the movie and TV industries have been very supportive and have provided the propaganda that this has been a good thing for the country. Again, the One Who gives "life, breath, and all things" (see book of Acts in New Testament) to all humans takes an entirely different point of view on this issue. But the leadership (both political and religious) has so influenced and corrupted the spirit of our republic that what God expects by way of obedience and moral responsibility is given a "thumbs down" response much the same as a blood-thirsty crowd would do in the ancient Roman Coliseum when they felt a defeated gladiator on the ground deserved to die rather than live!

Mr. Obama is certainly in no position to express his professed "righteous indigantion" over the drinking/prostitute party in Columbia by some persons who are a part of the U. S. government. He has far more serious moral issues on his home turf to tend to first as just noted. But we all know on basis of past experience how he will address those issues, do we not? That is, UNTIL Almighty God says plainly, "Enough is enough -- the shedding of innocent blood and blantant immorality will stop now!"

As mentioned on previous occasions, none of us will want to be living within the borders of the republic when God responds with the pouring out of His undiluted wrath. We hear of the disasters brought on by numerous tornadoes involving loss of human life and property distruction at this time of year especially. But that is a mole hill compared to a gigantic mountain when it comes to what God will do because we as a nation saw no need to take Him seriously nor were willing to fully repent and seek to be obedient to Him in all aspects of our behavior and relationships!

"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

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

Take All the Rope You Want!

Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the LORD shall hold them in derision. --- Psalm 2:1-4

It's one of those old household sayings common among generations of long ago -- "Give a man enough rope and he will hang himself!" We are witnessing a mass fulfillment of that rather simple homespun proverb throughout our nation and around the entire world in these chaotic times.

The fundamental truth of that statement is not at all universally recognized at the present time. If anything, there would be mass denial that it has any real meaning for us humans in this year of 2011.

Perhaps one of the greatest tragedies right now is that the majority of humans and organized nations with their governments have the rope in their hands, and are running amuck with it, failing to realize that is what they are holding much less the ultimate consequences to be experienced later as history reaches its climax. Take a close look at the statement in Psalm 2 -- nations massively in rebellion against God does not make for a happy and peaceful world -- have you seen scenes from different places in our world that unmistakably bear this out lately?

Almighty God has clearly revealed Himself to the human race. That revelation is seen in three main ways -- through the creation itself -- that is, if a human incorporates the common sense with which he/she is born (evidence is that few choose to do this), then by simply observing the creation one comes to the conclusion that a supreme Power of ultimate authority is responsible for the origin of all that exists! And that all living things derive their life and existence from this supreme Power.

Second, through God's inspired Word, known as the Bible. He did take some time to complete His volume of information. It required about 1,500 years and the use of 40 persons or more through whom the information was recorded that God wanted the human race to know. This would enable us to learn the really important facts as to Who God is, What He is like, What He has done, What He expects of us, and how He is going to bring human history to an end as we now presently experience it. All the basic information is in the book -- all we have to do is become familiar with it and conform our lives to His will and purpose.

Third, God made the awesome choice to personally visit this planet which He had created. A young virgin was chosen to be the human vehicle through whom God would enter the world in the form of an infant. Angelic revelation at the time informed Mary and Joseph that this child was indeed unlike any child ever born into the human race - He would have no human father and further, that this male son would be named Jesus, for He would save His people from their sins!

In creating humans God gave them something that has proved more often than not to result in disaster -- it is called "free will" - the awesome power to choose to do good or evil -- to walk in light or in darkness -- to love or hate -- to be generous in sharing or be filled with greed and lusts -- to relate to and appreciate God or to turn the back on Him and reject His offer of mercy and forgiveness through His Son, Jesus Christ!

And so, in a sense, God gives the rope to each human -- individually each can take and run with it, and God will give each all the rope that he or she wants. There is always a choice -- to wake up and realize that by taking all that rope and running with it, I will end up hanging myself -- but if I stop and say to God, "It is not good nor is it right for me to do this my way -- here is your rope back -- I want to do things your way and to have your Son, Jesus, live in my life as Savior and Lord -- I want your will for my life to be done each day, whatever that might involve, and wherever that may take me."

But it's not just an individual personal thing about the rope and running with it -- this involves whole nations and their governments as well. At the present time with all the unrest and the violence erupting in so many places, it is obvious that government leaders are also taking the rope and running with it -- and God will give them all they want! We don't have to look across the ocean to see this taking place -- our own leadership at the federal as well as at the state levels provide overwhelming evidence that they are running fast with the rope!

Those who know the Lord Jesus Christ and have been seeking to understand His revealed Word (Bible) recognize that there is coming a time of judgment -- a demonstration with shocking events human language cannot adequately describe in which the human race will experience catastrophic horrors -- a once-for-all witness that the human race cannot ignore the will and purpose of God and survive! Some details are given in the book of the Revelation -- for those who took the rope and ran, the final end is worse than a hanging -- it is existence in a place of unprecedented torment and horror -- but for believers there is comfort in knowing that God will indeed write the last chapter of human history and has great plans for His people with a special place prepared for them in a trouble-free, sorrow-free, and pain-free environment forever and ever! Note Jesus' promise in John 14 -- further comfort for His followers.

You are not still holding on to that rope, are you?

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. --- Revelation 20:11-15

Truly Sorry for “transgressions” or Just Sorry for Getting Caught?

Tiger Woods said he let his family down with transgressions he regrets "with all of my heart," and that he will deal with his personal life behind closed doors. --- news release statement on Tiger Woods’ “confession”

It is a given – very, very few people can handle power, wealth, and fame responsibly! Great is the number of persons in professional sports, political office, and the entertainment industry who have given in to raging hormones. The common denominator is an attempt to keep all indiscretions concealed and often to continue immoral activity for one main reason.

That main reason is that the individual believes he or she is the exception to the laws and standards put in place by the Creator of this universe. Those laws and standards may apply to everyone else, but not to me – I can flaunt them because of who I am! So it is said (or at least thought) by a long line of high profile people over the centuries. Defenders of these moral alley cats will make the appeal that what they do in private is none of our business and we are not to do any "judging" in regard to the issue.

Tiger Woods is the latest big name to try to get himself out of the moral quicksand pit into which he has sunk. So amid the mounting pressure that he attempted to elude, he finally has made a public “apology.” Too often it’s been a matter of not really being sorry for the alleged “transgressions” as it is that one got caught and couldn’t hide the offenses any longer. Further, if there had not been some revelation of some kind, the high profile transgressor would have continued to do what he or she had been doing all along!

Yes, forgiveness is possible – each of us is confronted at some point with the issue as to whether we will honestly confess that we are guilty of transgressions and seek the mercy of Almighty God, or try to excuse our offenses and shirk responsibility for our actions. Or worse, utter a feeble half hearted “apology” with the only regret being that we couldn’t keep our “secret life” a secret any longer!

God is extremely merciful – those who have truly repented of their sins and experienced God’s mercy and forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ know full well what it is to live in a state of peace with God. With this comes an abiding assurance of having been forgiven because the regret and following acts of repentance were for real, not merely a charade!

Time will tell as to how it is for Tiger Woods – truly sorry for the “transgressions” with genuine repentance providing clear evidence of the sorrow or simply sorry at having been caught!

Even high profile people in pro sports, government, entertainment, and corporations need Jesus Christ more than anything or anyone else on the face of this planet though most provide evidence that they don’t believe this to be true!

"…you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out. --- Numbers 32:23b

For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. --- Romans 5:7-9

Our Troubles Are Just Beginning!

"I will hand them over to trouble, to all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, for what he did in Jerusalem.” --- Jeremiah 15:4

There are certain acts on the part of the Creator of this universe that are to be avoided at all costs and some people at least, as they think through the issues, will agree. But the major problem is that we are at that stage in the history of our republic that God is not considered to be worthy of serious consideration by the majority.

And there is a rather popular heresy that has been adopted within the religious element of our country that refuses to acknowledge that God may be capable of doing some things that are rather negative in scope. For too many, God is a God Who would never do anything that is unpleasant and nasty in our way of thinking – after all, God is a God of love and we are all His children, right? To which a number of persons would give a hearty “Amen!” if not too worried as to what people might think if such an utterance came out of their mouth!

A nation that has its roots in the acknowledgment of God. serious attention to His Word and in its earlier years possessed a national spirit that sought to honor God on part of leaders and citizens will experience blessings as obedience is considered a priority and increased troubles as it lapses into a state of disobedience.

The history of a nation of long ago demonstrates clearly WHAT NOT TO DO in relationship to God. Eventually these people were informed that God was going to hand them over to trouble! Most will pay no attention to this lesson, so it is certain that we will repeat it as did they and learn the hard way that ignoring God is very costly and ultimately very deadly.

The troubles are a mix of many things – an unstable weather system, financial chaos, increased conflicts, military setbacks and defeat, diseases, and eventually overrun or coming under the control of foreign powers! It is a wise thing to review the 28th chapter of Deuteronomy from time to time -- that way when things begin to break loose some of us are not surprised.

Take a good honest look and see this drama being played out before your very eyes. There may be a day come when our leaders (political and religious) will issue an appeal that we should seek God and pray for His help – that is, when the troubles handed to us become so intense that we have come to the end of our rope and find out that we can’t solve all these problems by ourselves! And just what do you think God’s answer will be?

Here’s one possibility – “…. 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. Why will you plead with Me? You all have transgressed against Me," says the LORD. --- Jeremiah 2:27b-29

Face it -- our elected officials in Washington DC and at the state level haven't done a single thing to help move this nation toward a favorable relationship with Almighty God -- if anything, their attitudes, political shenanigans and lifestyles constitute giving God an obscene gesture! Our troubles are really just beginning!

But they paid no attention, and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than the nations whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel. And the LORD spoke by His servants the prophets, saying, "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.”…….. 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 21:9-12, 16

G-20 = Chaos and More!

President Barack Obama is pushing the Group of 20 leading industrial nations to make sweeping changes in how they run their economies. --- news release on President Obama’s plan to tell other nations what to do!

Pittsburgh PA will be the scene of all kinds of activity as it hosts the famous (or is it more appropriate to use the word “infamous”) G-20 Summit later this week.

“G-20 is made up of the finance ministers and central bank governors of 19 countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom, and United States of America. The European Union, who is represented by the rotating Council presidency and the European Central Bank, is the 20th member of the G-20. To ensure global economic fora and institutions work together, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the President of the World Bank, plus the chairs of the International Monetary and Financial Committee and Development Committee of the IMF and World Bank, also participate in G-20 meetings on an ex-officio basis. The G-20 thus brings together important industrial and emerging-market countries from all regions of the world. Together, member countries represent around 90 per cent of global gross national product, 80 per cent of world trade (including EU intra-trade) as well as two-thirds of the world's population. The G-20's economic weight and broad membership gives it a high degree of legitimacy and influence over the management of the global economy and financial system.” --- Source: G-20 web site at http://www.g20.org

What can be said other than this will be one gigantic fiasco as all these combined world leadership meetings always prove to be. When the president of the United States declares his intention to tell these people to make “sweeping changes” in the way they run their economies, then it is guaranteed that the result will be as attractive and impressive as a celebrated chef who makes a cake with rotten eggs!

Obama’s "sweeping changes" in the United States’ economy have resulted in the greatest amount of deficit spending and enlargement of the U. S. debt in the republic’s history! So, is he challenging the other nations to follow his example? It is a given that China won’t since it supplies us with a major portion of our consumer goods (much of which used to be manufactured in the U. S.) and is holding over three quarters of a trillion dollars of our debt!

So when these international gabfests of one kind or another take place, what can be expected? There is a common denominator and it is this – the vast majority, if not all, are unregenerate in heart and mind. Consequently the existence of a mighty Creator God Who has clearly revealed Himself means absolutely nothing to these heathen in high places. This further means that God’s perfect will is of no concern just as we see it demonstrated on a daily basis in the functioning of our own government. And what is the result of this approach and proud attitude? It will always be increased chaos and conflicts! For each is driven by self-centeredness and suspicious of the others, seeking always to get the upper hand.

There is always a lot of noble sounding rhetoric – playing political games with a lot of posturing (just like it is done in Washington DC) but in the final analysis it’s still “When I play my fiddle, you dance!” At G-20 there will be a lot of fiddles, including one or more from Washington DC and none of them will be a Stradivarius!

Is there an answer to this mess? Yes, but not one the players at G-20, the United Nations, or any other conglomerate will in humility and a repentant spirit accept. It is spelled out graphically in Psalm 2:

Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the LORD shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure: "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, 'You are My Son, today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.'" Now therefore, be wise, O kings; be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him. --- Psalm 2:1-12

One of these days the ruling powers of the nations of this deeply troubled world will realize too late what fools they have been and how different the nations and the world would have been if they had sought to do the will of Him Who holds the title, “King of kings and Lord of lords!”

But when you don’t seek Him then you are unable to handle the wide ranging power that comes with your office and position in a responsible fashion and for the betterment of the nation in which that office and position is held!

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. Now everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall." --- Jesus speaking in Matthew 7:21-27

Up At the Speed of Light – Down At the Speed of a Lame Turtle!

Oil dives below $50 bbl, near 2 year low --- Internet headline on November 20, 2008

Have you ever noticed the way the gas prices at the pump change? If there is a headline or a news clip that says that the price of a barrel of oil has increased by $10 or $15, instantly the prices on those marquees at gas stations are increased right now – no hesitation whatsoever! In fact, if there is even a rumor that the price of a barrel of oil is going to increase, that is enough to up the pump price at least 10 cents or more per gallon – and that is quite some time before the tanker pulls in with a new supply of gas at the new price!

But when the prices of a barrel of oil start to drop off as they have been doing just recently, have you noticed how long it takes before that is reflected on the marquees? It takes about forever and a day until they finally reduce the price by a few cents – always lots and lots of foot dragging on price reduction.

It becomes a real stand-up comedian style experience when the oil company executives try to explain these things – one a while back attempted to explain when the prices were going up and then there was some reduction in the price of a barrel of oil but no reduction in prices at the pump that the oil companies had “absorbed” some of those earlier increases and that was why the price at the pump had not dropped as quickly as expected! Yea, sure – and what was that recent report about Exxon-Mobile having another quarter of record profits recently?

The name of the game in the petroleum industry is still pure unadulterated greed! But of course greed is the kind of disease that is pandemic at the present time and not limited to the issue of how much you pay to put a couple of gallons of gas in your tank – if you want an example of how it works in other areas, just look at what legislators have voted for themselves regarding salaries and “perks” at the state and federal levels – and that’s just for starters!

A Bible prophecy is right on target about this issue:

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, 2

But there is good news – one of these days the Creator of this great universe is going to personally step in and interrupt the flow of human history – He will take complete control of this planet and things will be done His way from that moment on. To say the least, it will be a whole new ball game for the human race! The greed thing, along with a lot of other maladies afflicting the human race (including the desire to always wage wars somewhere), will no longer exist! One other great blessing as noted elsewhere on this blog is the undeniable fact that all politicians will be out of a job!

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

Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. --- Revelation 19:11-16

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.

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

Will the New Crop of United Methodist Bishops Be Any Different?

But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust. --- 1 Timothy 1:8-11

It’s just a matter of days until they take over and some others hang it up. A new crop of bishops was recently elected to that very high office and as they assume responsibility as of September 1st, what will happen under their respective “watches?”

Will they be unified in their agreement with the standards of morality which our Creator has plainly established, or will there be those who will be very supportive of the sodomite/lesbian “agenda” as a number have already done by means of vocal statements and participation in “witness” demonstrations on such occasions as General Conference?

Will any be VERY different as is the case of Bishop Tom Bickerton of the W. PA Annual Conference and schedule annual conference over Father’s Day coupled with the demand that all pastors be present on Father’s Day morning for an ordination service at the conference? This has happened 3 out of the 4 years that Bickerton has been at the helm of the W. PA Conference! Ask the congregations of United Methodist churches in western Pennsylvania how they feel about their pastors being absent from their pulpits on Father’s Day?

Will any take a departure from what the Scripture teaches about the Person and Work (as it pertains to our salvation from sin) of Jesus Christ? Further, will any dismiss the parting command of Jesus to go into the entire world and preach the Gospel to all, without exception? It can be documented that there are bishops guilty of such positions!

And will there be any who will speak out with deep conviction and without apology, protesting the wanton and senseless slaughter of unborn children. Grand total of victims is now fast approaching 50 million. But to what extent have you heard UM bishops speak out against this, the United States' unique version of “holocaust?” The Council of UM Bishops has been very tight-lipped on this issue as well. You can see how many unborn have been mutilated and murdered under the term of each active bishop at A Quick Look at the United States' Massacre Tally! --- the numbers are all there as you scroll down past the politicians – go ahead, you can survive – you could be shaken up a bit, but you’ll survive! Use the reverse on your browser to return to this area.

It has been said, with a great sense of pride at times, that we are a denomination of “diversity” and that this is a good thing – a wide variety of beliefs and interpretations, etc. A cancer patient in the terminal stages of that horrible affliction can say that he has a wide diversity of cells in his body, but it is highly unlikely that he will say that it is a good thing to have such diversity in his situation!

For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. --- Titus 1:7-9

We’ve Got It All Wrong - Court Decisions and Constitutional “Rights” Do Not Supersede the Laws and Ordinances of Our Creator!

The 4-3 decision, written by Chief Justice Ronald M. George, rules that even though California’s domestic partnership (DP) laws give same-sex partners “all of the significant legal rights and obligations traditionally associated under state law with the institution of marriage,” the DP scheme violates the California Constitution because of its “failure to designate the official relationship of same-sex couples as marriage.” George writes:

In light of all of these circumstances, we conclude that retention of the traditional definition of marriage does not constitute a state interest sufficiently compelling, under the strict scrutiny equal protection standard, to justify withholding that status from same-sex couples. Accordingly, insofar as the provisions of sections 300 and 308.5 draw a distinction between opposite-sex couples and same-sex couples and exclude the latter from access to the designation of marriage, we conclude these statutes are unconstitutional. --- Part of article by Jan LaRue, Esq. of the Culture and Media Institute

In the midst of the increased calamities this nation is experiencing one would think that there might be a bit of a pause and some soul searching with a pointed question being asked, “Are we doing anything to correct our rebellious ways, seeking true repentance and as a nation, desiring to move to a favorable relationship with our Creator?”

If anything, we seem adamant in rebelling in just about every way possible as conceived by unregenerate minds and hearts.

Worse still is the attitude that our warped interpretation of the constitution gives us the “right” to do just about anything we want to do!

The recent California Supreme Court decision now makes possible for those practicing sodomy and lesbianism to marry – and it allows for these “couples” from anywhere to travel to California and get “married.”

The governor of New York, David Paterson, is setting in motion directives that will result in the recognition of such “marriages” from California, Massachusetts and Canada!

In the meantime we continue to destroy thousands of unborn children on a weekly basis, practice sexual immorality of every possible kind and use the designated day of worship of God as one big day of fun and games!

All this is done with the deadly deception that we have a constitutional “right” to do all these things plus anything else that may invade our minds so saturated with depravity -- a duplication of how it was with humanity in the years preceding the judgment of the flood at the time of Noah.

We are fulfilling to the letter a comment made a long time ago by one of God’s prophets

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

It appears more obvious as time moves on that this nation is going to pay a price which is far out of reach in terms of comprehension by our tiny finite minds. It still remains that God is not mocked and if we persist in ignoring the boundaries He has established, then we shall definitely reap as we have chosen to sow rebellion. See Galatians 6 for further details on that!

So one of these days when elected officials and others in positions of wealth and influence -- and even some church leaders begin to raise such questions as, "Why is God doing these things to us?" be prepared to answer that we are now discovering the hard way that our court rulings and so called constitutional "rights" DO NOT supersede the moral laws and ordinances established by the mighty Creator of the heavens and the earth!

"TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting..." --- Daniel 5:27

The Bell Tolls for Eight Belles!

"She ran an incredible race. She ran the race of her life." --- Larry Jones, trainer for Eight Belles

She proved to all who watched that she could run with the "boys" -- she was the only filly in the field of 20 in a race that some have labeled as the most exciting 2 minutes in the arena of all sporting events.

Eight Belles was seeking to be the fourth filly in Kentucky Derby history to win the race. She didn't win, but came in 2nd behind Big Brown who was favored to win the 2008 running of the Derby. But shortly after crossing the finish line she suddenly collapsed with both front ankles shattered. And shortly after that the heart rending decision was made to euthanize her on the track where a short time before she demonstrated that she was a fierce competitor!

For many it brought back memories of a race two years earlier of a Derby winner -- Barbaro who shattered a rear ankle after starting a few days later in the Preakness. I saw that race also and was impressed with the fact that this horse, in spite of his injury, wanted to stay in the race until his jockey stopped him!

Perhaps, if we will, we can learn a lesson from animals such as Eight Belles and Barbaro. Their hearts were in racing -- that's what they were trained to do and they put all they had into it until the end.

In this crazy world of confused values and goals, God seeks to break through and remind us that He has a plan for each conceived human being. It will involve training and on our part, giving it the best that we have. The plan begins to unfold once we have repented of our self-centered ways and our sinful rebellion against our Creator, and have received Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.

At one point the holy Scriptures refer to our journey here on earth as a "race" --

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. --- Hebrews 12:1, 2

So, how goes the race on a day by day basis in your experience? There are a lot of distractions and a lot of voices clamoring for attention. All the noise and clamor at Churchhill Downs did not distract a determined filly to give her best and provide dramatic witness that she could indeed run with the best of them!

Eventually each one of us will stand before Jesus Christ -- we will hear one of two statements coming from His mouth -- will it be "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord." (Matthew 25:21) OR "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!" (Matthew 7:23)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. --- 2 Timothy 4:7, 8

Am I Missing Something on This One?

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. --- 1 John 2:15-17

I do occasionally breeze through the auto ads to see how much prices have jumped since the last time I did such a maneuver. I also take note of how the ads are baited -- lease a new vehicle for an almost unbelievable small number of dollars per month. Then you begin to wade through the small print which may have been designed by the over active mind of a Philadelphia lawyer! Finally you come to it -- that item says you have to also put a hefty amount of cash down, or hope that when you trade in that relic you have been driving, it will be worth the amount of cash the guy wants in order for you to get into that "bargain" lease rate -- usually your trade-in isn't worth very much! When was the last time you traded and got more than you thought your car was worth on the trade-in?

Anyway, the ad that caught my eye was one by a used car outfit -- a 1987 Porsche 911 was listed, picture and all -- the asking price? A mere $28,500.00 for a car that is 21 years old! I admit looking a second time and then a third time -- I began to wonder -- no mileage was listed as some dealers do in their ads -- just some of the features and the statement after that which said, "Extra Sharp Car."

I understand that Porsche is a very big name when it comes to prestige -- and it seems that those who are in the class of being wealthy (or think they are) want to drive vehicles that make a statement that says, "This vehicle is owned and driven by somebody who is SOMEBODY!"

The Porsche in question is a little shrunk up thing with 4 wheels -- as a few might admit, it could very well compete in an ugly dog contest when it comes to looks. But then the retort to anyone holding such a view would be, "You just don't appreciate the finer things of life!" Sort of like, if you are somebody of significance then you will eat raw snails and caviar -- for some of us, an Angus beef hamburger with lettuce, tomato and mayo has a greater appeal!

Each person has to make choices in regard to their personal system of values -- what is it that is most valued in life and what is it that we most zealously pursue? It certainly is evident each day that a majority are given to the ardent pursuit of that which is experienced through the 5 senses -- at the center of all this is something called money and all the things it will buy, including a Porsche 911!

It can be frustrating and the temptations do abound in a nation and a world where the rich are getting richer (dare we include oil company executives among others in this group?) and the poor are getting poorer!

One solemn bit of advice was given by the One Who put this universe together in the first place by speaking some rather simple commands -- He declared it to us in this way --

"Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or' What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." --- Jesus speaking in Matthew 6:31-33

It was also this same Jesus Who asked the most probing question ever asked in any generation which is being swallowed up in its materialistic quick sand --

"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 16:26

It is good, sane and very smart to live with a perspective in which one views oneself as merely a pilgrim passing through on the way to eternity and a personal meeting with the Creator and Judge of this world -- His Name is Jesus Christ, the One Who sacrificed His life for the sins of the entire human race so that those who choose to repent and seek to obey and serve Him may have a place in His Kingdom forever!

So I guess I'll pass on that 21 year-old Porsche with an asking price of $28,500.00 -- besides, once I fold my 6'2" frame up like an accordion to get into it, I may not be able to get back out of it and that would be nothing short of a hell of my own making!

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. --- 2 Timothy 4:7, 8

If There Were Other "Ways," Why Did He Do It?

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him... For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: "Who committed no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth"; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. --- 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:21-25

For a minority of persons, this is a special day -- we travel back in time and remember a brutal execution just outside the city of Jerusalem. This was no run-of-the-mill execution carried out by the Romans -- they were doing this sort of thing all the time!

But this one involved a very unique individual -- God Who chose to take on human flesh, bones and blood. He was guilty of no crimes against the Roman Empire -- in fact, He was not guilty of doing anything wrong ever -- He was pure and without sin and blemish so far as character was concerned.

Somehow in that act of dying on a Roman cross all my sins -- all of your sins were transferred to Him, and that opened up the way by which every human being can be totally forgiven of all offenses committed, no matter how horrible they may be!

There are those who say that one religion is as good as another -- just pick and choose what delights your particular fancy!

Ask yourself -- if it doesn't make any difference, then why did God give up His Son and why did Jesus go through the brutality and humiliation of execution on a Roman cross, if "one way is just as good as any other" when it comes to religious expressions in this world?

No other religious expression apart from Christianity has the reality of God taking on human form and then sacrificing Himself for the sins of the entire human race! And by repenting of sin, receiving Jesus Christ by faith as Savior and Lord, and committing to a life of obedience to Him, a person is forgiven and looked upon favorably by Almighty God!

For some of us -- we continue to be lost in a whirlwind of amazement -- that the Creator of this great universe was willing to give up His life for the likes of us so that we in turn could be forgiven and have the assurance of living in His eternal Kingdom forever!

As a side trip, take a look at:

God Dressed Up in Bones, Flesh and Blood!

A link at the bottom of that area will bring you back to this place.

Again, if there are so many different "ways" to God and His eternal Heaven, why did Jesus go through what He did?

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me... But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. --- John 14:6; Hebrews 2:9

Will the Feddy Be Able to Overcome the Eddy?

News of a fire sale at Bear Stearns (BSC, news, msgs) had global markets in pandemonium today, even after the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank stepped in Sunday night to try to restore confidence in the financial-services sector.

After a rocky week for Bear Stearns, JPMorgan Chase (JPM, news, msgs) announced on Sunday that it would acquire the Wall Street giant for a mere $2 per share in a stock-swap deal.....--- opening atatement in news release on finance matters during morning of March 17, 2008

eddy - a current of air, water, etc. moving against the main current and with a circular motion; little whirlpool or whirlwind. --- Webster's New Universal Unabridged Dictionary

Ok, ok -- so it's a bit of a game with words and expressions -- "feddy" is my coined expression for the U. S. Federal Reserve and "eddy" of course is defined as noted above. Eddy represents the financial "current" which these days often goes against the flow of the goals of government, corporations and powerful individuals when it comes to a commodity called money.

The stock market continues to lose ground with what are considered "bad news" reports related to finance. The Federal Reserve then cuts interest rates a half point or so. Then there is a surge and the Dow "rebounds" -- this may be as much as 100 to 200 points or more! But as time passes there is another slide.

There is no lacking in the field of professed financial "experts" -- the guys that tell you how best to invest your money and what the hot stocks are, etc. Cable channels have programs devoted to this subject and there is an endless parade of discussions on the economy and the world of finance. The one thing they do not or are unwilling to face -- this so-called wealth (fat portfolios with "profitable" investments) thing is mainly on paper plus the fact that our nation is trillions of dollars in debt with some foreign countries owning a lot of that debt, including a major player called China!
Now the question is this -- how long will the Federal Reserve (Feddy) have to cut the rates to keep things on an even (and prosperous) keel so far as the United States' economy is concerned? Will they reach a point where there can be no more "cutting" because they have reached the big "0?" Will they reach a point where lenders will have to pay people or companies to borrow money? Yea, I know that is an absurd and very stupid question, but since I was on a roll with this -- I just had to toss it in!

On a more serious note -- when enough people and those who are in control of corporations have made money their god, the time does come when the Creator, Who owns all things including that which is finance related, of this universe begins to bring on some unpleasant happenings. It starts with something called chastisement and often will be directed to those things which have become an idol -- you know, something (or combination of things) which have priority in our lives and God and His revelation to us are placed in the corner somewhere to gather dust!

Note a few statements about this matter from God's point of view -- please understand that most people who hold all positions in life are not the least bit interested in God's point of view on anything! This alone mainly explains why our republic is in the chaotic condition that it is at the present time!

He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage... He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, and he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty... A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, and does not consider that poverty will come upon him... There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men: a man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honor, so that he lacks nothing for himself of all he desires; yet God does not give him power to eat of it, but a foreigner consumes it. This is vanity, and it is an evil affliction... 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... "The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, and saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.' And every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, 'What is like this great city?' And they threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.' Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!" --- Proverbs 11:28; 22:16; 28:22; Ecclesiastes 6:1, 2; James 5:1-3; Revelation 18:15-20

A conclusion to all this? Simply, that when money has become a prominent "god" in a culture, then Almighty God Who put this universe together by spoken command will so arrange things that even Feddy cannot overcome the Eddy!

The solution, of course, is a deliberate choice of action called repentance from sin -- but that is something which about all cultures at any given time refuse to do -- there are ruins from out of the past that bluntly remind us of this unchanging fact!

Look! Is that your money going down that bathroom piece of furniture? Quick, call "Feddy" -- maybe it can put the brakes on it!

No V. P. Slot for Him -- B. O. Claims to Be the Man!

In a soundbite B. O. (Barack Obama) reacted to suggestions that he be the Vice Presidential candidate on the ticket with Hillary Clinton occupying the #1 slot -- you have heard of the "Dream Team" idea, have you not? B. O. emphatically stressed that he is the leader, blah, blah, (add as many blahs as you wish) in the delegate matter and voting numbers! Translated another way B. O. is stating, "I'm the MAN!"

If the human ego could be transformed into a mountain, B. O.'s would make Mt. Everest appear as a miniature mole hill by comparison! Here is a guy who came out of nowhere, having spent a bit of time in the Illinois legislature, managed to get elected as a senator to the U. S. Congress, and was a keynote speaker at the Democratic Convention 4 years ago! He is truly a meteor in the political sky over the republic of the United States. More about that at the end of this exercise which has for its purpose taking a good hard look at this one who wants more than anything else in the world to rule and reign in a place known as the Oval Office in Washington DC.

There is a very real possibility that B. O. could be the next president of the United States, starting on January 20, 2009. If that should become a reality or a nightmare of unprecedented proportions (take your pick on this), this person will lead us down the road to sure and certain disaster!

It's not simply an issue of age or experience, since very few persons have ever been able to handle power and wealth responsibly, but it is primarily a spiritual and moral issue! On the power thing, presidents have in the last few decades abused something called "Executive Orders" -- this is akin to being a dictator without being really identified as such. This is an area where our freedoms are slowly taken away just as a cancer eats away at the body until death comes! But it is usally done under the pretense of providing more "security" for our nation. What they fail to realize is that when we are at odds with our Creator by reason of mass rebellion and defiance, there is no security! When Almighty God gives indication that He is against a nation, then a mighty military machine is as effective in providing security as a mouse would be in defending itself when tossed into a room filled with 3 dozen hungry tomcats!

But B. O.'s most tragic blunder will be when he continues to give sanction to the ongoing slaughter of the innocents -- the rate of destruction of unborn innocent children continues to be about 100,000 per month in a republic which has prided itself throughout history on the fact that every person should have the "right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness!" We actually are demonstrating hypocrisy of the first magnitude if we believe that statement is still taken seriously by elected officials church leaders and the citizens at large!

B. O. has a rather bloody track record in the Illinois legislature, opposing all efforts which were made to somehow try to protect at least a few unborn children in the later stages of their mothers' pregnancy!

So when and if B. O. sits in the Oval Office in DC you can expect he will block any and all attempts to protect the unborn -- that is, until the Creator says the carnage has gone on long enough and be aware, that day will definitely come! If any of us are living at that moment, and if B. O. does hold that position (or someone else) it will be interesting to see what he (or she) says in a nationally televised speech.

You figure it out -- what does a president say as it finally dawns on most everyone when it is now too late, that we made the biggest mistake ever made in United States' history when 9 black-robed people said it is ok to destroy an unborn child at any time for whatever reason -- a child known, identified and for whom the Creator of this mighty universe had a high and holy purpose!

Even B. O. with all his rhetoric won't be able to get us off the hook on that one!

Have you checked the numbers lately -- no, then slip over to A Quick Look at the United States' Massacre Tally!

Have you spoken to anybody about this crisis? Have you been praying about it? Have you contacted any elected officials about it?

If B. O. is the "MAN" who moves in to the Oval Office on January 20, 2009 (or somebody else) then I will be sending letters to him just as I have been sending to Bush on a regular basis and as I sent to Clinton when he was there.

Oh yes, about that meteor mentioned earlier -- have you noticed? Each time you see one there is a brilliant flash for a moment and then it burns out -- all that is left is dust and ashes -- nothing of real substance!

Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hephzibah. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.... Also he made his son pass through the fire, practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft, and consulted spiritists and mediums. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger.... But they paid no attention, and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than the nations whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel. And the LORD spoke by His servants the prophets, saying, "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...'" --- 2 Kings 21:1, 2, 6, 9-12

Oh yes, a PS on this -- I am a non-affiliated registered voter in Cambria County PA -- just in case you conclude that I must be a (insert name of party here) from the nature of remarks on the political mess in which our republic finds itself! At the present time neither major political party has anything of real substance that will bring the reformation, restoration and healing which the country needs!

Torture the Terrorist Suspects Because It Saves Lives, But in the Long Run...!

WASHINGTON - President Bush said Saturday he vetoed legislation that would ban the CIA from using harsh interrogation methods such as waterboarding to break suspected terrorists because it would end practices that have prevented attacks.

"The bill Congress sent me would take away one of the most valuable tools in the war on terror," Bush said in his weekly radio address taped for broadcast Saturday. "So today I vetoed it," Bush said. The bill provides guidelines for intelligence activities for the year and includes the interrogation requirement. It passed the House in December and the Senate last month.. --- snippet of news release on Saturday, March 8, 2008

President Bush is insistent that we torture terrorist suspects in order to obtain "information" because in his mind and those of his supporters, it saves lives and prevents future terrorist attacks. Yes, it is debated whether waterboarding is torture or not -- you know, that gentle process of placing a cloth over the victim's face, then wetting it down while the victim is resrtrained and it duplicates the experience of drowning!

As suggested in an earlier post on this subject, if it is not torture as the president insists, then let him and his loyal supporters go through the experience themselves for a few days in a row and see what their conclusions are -- if it is not torture as he vehemently insists, then he should have no problem undergoing the "procedure" himself so he can be in a better position to convince diehard skeptics such as I that it is totally harmless!

The above quoted news release also mentioned the following:

"The Bush administration continues to insist that CIA and other nonmilitary interrogators are not bound by the military rules and has reportedly given CIA interrogators the green light to use a range of so-called 'enhanced' interrogation techniques, including prolonged sleep deprivation, painful stress positions, and exposure to extreme cold," Daskal said. "Although waterboarding is not currently approved for use by the CIA, Attorney General Michael Mukasey has refused to take it off the table for the future."

But really, what can we expect -- if we have regressed to a barbaric state and have engaged in terrorist activities of a unique kind for decades within our own boundaries, why feel any sense of guilt or be concerned about the humane treatment of those whom we might regard as "enemies?" After all, if we sanction the intentional invasion of the sanctuary of the human womb and carry out a brutal act of dismemberment and murder of the person residing there thousands of times each week, why be the least concerned about torturing some people to get information on the pretense that this will "save" lives in the future?

You can take a little side trip on this subject -- it won't cost you even an extra cent! Go to President Bush's "Selective" War Against Terrorism! -- this will give a few details on certain "terrorists" who operate legally in this country and get paid for doing so! A link at the bottom of the area will bring you back here or use the reverse feature on your web browser.

The tragedy in this whole scenario? Simply this -- the president gives his approval to highly questionable "methods" of interrogation with the claim that it will save American lives in the future, but has such short sighted vision that he cannot see that the republic over which he presides at the present time is at the ripened stage for a very unpleasant visitation from Almighty God -- it's called JUDGMENT!

Bush's (or whoever has the unfortunate destiny to occupy the Oval Office from Jan. 20, 2009 onward) experts in government will not be able to run their computers fast enough to keep a tally of the calamities initiated by the Creator of this universe as He demonstrates once again the truth of an eternal law which spells out in no uncertain terms that He is not mocked and whatever one sows, one reaps accordingly -- a law that applies to individuals and also to whole nations. The ruins of the once mighty Babylonian empire and many others testify that no one mocks God and gets away with it!

Or to put it in words that were common in farming communities a few generations in the past -- "The chickens are coming home to roost!"

Forget about a few people presently incarcerated and trying to pry information out of them by highly questionable means -- it is time for our elected officials, church leaders and we citizens to be giving attention to the making of decisions and taking actions that will not just save lives, but our whole republic!

"But this is what I commanded them, saying, 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.' Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward and not forward."..... What will you say when He punishes you? For you have taught them to be chieftains, to be head over you. Will not pangs seize you, like a woman in labor? And if you say in your heart, "Why have these things come upon me?" For the greatness of your iniquity your skirts have been uncovered, your heels made bare. Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil. "Therefore I will scatter them like stubble that passes away by the wind of the wilderness. This is your lot, the portion of your measures from Me," says the LORD, "Because you have forgotten Me and trusted in falsehood. Therefore I will uncover your skirts over your face, that your shame may appear....I spoke to you in your prosperity, but you said, 'I will not hear.' This has been your manner from your youth, that you did not obey My voice." --- Jeremiah 7:23, 24; 13:21-26; 22:21

Sue Gun Makers? How About More Destructive Products Which No One Wants to Mention?

"Democratic mayoral nominee John F. Street announced yesterday that if elected, he would sue gun manufacturers for flooding the markets with guns that fall into the hands of criminals and children.

Standing with State Rep. Dwight Evans, a former Democratic mayoral candidate who made guns the centerpiece of his primary campaign, Street said the suit also would take manufacturers to task for not providing safety locks on guns and for 'misleading advertising as to the safety of guns in the home.'" --- part of a news release "gem" from out of the past in a city in south eastern Pennsylvania which is representative of the gun control crowd that is determined to save us from ourselves -- the disease with which they are infected has spread throughout the country at large!

Common sense would dictate that if you are in the timber business and you are going to cut trees down and sell them, you don't go for a sapling about 4 inches in diameter or so -- sure would take a big pile of them to load a Peterbilt powered log truck! No, you concentrate on those trees that are at least 15 inches or so in diameter at the base -- preferably you are in an area where the trees are even larger than that -- the more inches, the more gold that will be put in the treasure chest!!

So we have these people that take fits like a dog frothing at the mouth when someone shoots someone or a number of persons. In such a frenzy the cry goes out to get rid of the guns, etc. And the media help to publicize these things most effectively.

How about we start with the big timber first? How about we get rid of all alcoholic beverages or at least sue the manufacturers of such products? Anybody out there man enough or woman enough to dig up all the deaths in a year's time in this country that are the result of drinking alcoholic beverages and compare those numbers with how many have been shot by firearms? Let's start with those killed in auto accidents by drunk drivers. But there are other circumstances in which someone took a few drinks of booze, and then in a rage killed somebody -- yes, they may even have used a gun -- but then again, maybe it was a knife, a meat cleaver, a hammer, or a ball bat! Or the drunk who stomped another guy to death in a bar room "confrontation" as happened years ago in the area where I was born and raised.

However, it is not just violent death at issue here as a result of the consumption of alcohol. It is impossible to calculate the damage done when families are abused in many ways by a member who has to have his or her booze, marriage break-ups, loss of employment, property damage, injuries due to fighting, rape and molestation -- are you getting the picture here?

Add it ALL up and the gun problem quickly fades into the background -- now the "big timber" dominates the scene! But nothing will be done, in part because most are unwilling to face reality on this, such as the politician mentioned at the beginning who shot his mouth off about suing gun manufacturers. Suing the makers of alcoholic beverages would be unthinkable to him and others of his breed!

Further, nothing will be done because:

• too many politicians like to have their own little (or big) nip on a regular basis -- so while some would be willing to sue the gun makers, they would never sue the booze makers!
  
  
• too many parents also like their booze and keep it around the house and then wonder why their little tykes get into trouble for drinking and "partying!"
  
  
• media executives would not want this deadly menace eliminated because they get tons of money in revenue from advertising -- ever watch a NFL game and observe who are big advertisers during those hours?
  
  
• at least some states would not want the stuff banned, such as my home state of Pennsylvania which is in the business of selling hard liquor and wine for profit!
  

But the day will come when it will be ended -- the booze business will be out of business, just as noted elsewhere in this blog, all politicians will no longer hold office -- you don't believe it? How about consulting the Creator of this universe about the matter and listen to what He says and ask Him precisely what His future plans are for this world!

With that I rest my case!

Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" --- Revelation 11:15

Let Us Make Us a Captain!

And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt. --- Numbers 14:1-4 (KJV)

It was their greatest crisis since their liberation from bitter slavery which had extended over a few centuries in the land of ancient Egypt.

The Israelites were now in a state of panic upon hearing a negative majority report from ten of twelve men who had checked out the land which God had promised them -- a promise dating back to their ancestor, Abraham. The report which caused knees to knock and hearts to skip a beat was that the inhabitants of that land were like giants with walled and well defended cities, etc.

So a decision was made -- elect a "captain" to lead them back to Egypt! They never made it -- God's judgment in this case resulted in their wandering about in the wilderness for 40 years. Their daily "activity" primarily involved attending funerals until the whole adult generation died off with the exception of Joshua and Caleb -- the only two of the original twelve men who had given a positive report after the spy mission had been completed.

We in the United States are in the process of electing a "captain" to lead us over a period of four years.

There is no evidence that any of those persons who are seeking to be that "captain" takes even the basic commandments as given by our Creator seriously! It's much more about what "I" will do if "I" become your "captain" -- "I will (insert anything here -- the sky's the limit!) and we will reach our 'promised land!'"

UNLESS the next "captain" is resolved to personally set a God-fearing example and boldly exhort all of us citizens to set about seeking the will of Almighty God as the top priority, individually and collectively, then we can only expect to experience increased chaos and eventual collapse -- a wilderness disaster of our own making!

While the majority of U.S. citizens are indifferent to, if not adamantly opposed, to the standards established by God for a sane, sensible, peaceful, prospering and surviving culture, it is becoming more obvious as time passes that we are not exempt from those standards and laws. The eternal law of "sowing and reaping" still applies to individuals and nations!

So, to you who are seeking to be selected as our "captain" beginning on January 20, 2009, what do you say that we as a republic should do to insure future peace, tranquility and blessings from above? Our "captains" during the past decades have not been successful in helping to get us back on track and into an acceptable and favorable relationship with the Creator of this mighty universe!

If anything, the financial, ethical, moral and spiritual grave we have dug for ourselves is deeper than ever before in our history! Is there a truly God-fearing "captain" out there somewhere who will lead us out of this wretched "grave" in which we presently find ourselves rotting?

The way present "campaigning" (if it really qualifies for the term) is going, we are in about the same dilemma as were those Israelites many centuries ago who wanted a "captain" to lead them back to a life of bitter bondage!

"But this is what I commanded them, saying, 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.' Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward and not forward. Since the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have even sent to you all My servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them. Yet they did not obey Me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck. They did worse than their fathers. 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 7:23-28

The Money god Is Getting Hammered -- More to Come???

Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death...He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage...He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, and he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty...A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, and does not consider that poverty will come upon him. --- Proverbs 11:4, 28; 22:16; 28:22

Just like watching worms on the proverbial hot skillet -- see the people in finance circles scrambling like crazy! The mighty Fed again has reduced interest rates -- the president is now talking of an even "bigger" stimulus package and is in discussion with congressional leaders as to what can be done QUICKLY to end this financial chaos. Markets elsewhere in the world are "hemorrhaging" so it seems and the dollar is being battered everywhere!

But they won't ever learn -- greed has been running amok for a long time in this world and persons with great wealth and power seemed to have been on a roll -- maybe the time has come when the Creator of this universe is saying that this game of greed has gone on long enough and it's time to end it.

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. You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you. --- James 5:1-5

If that should be the case, then all human efforts to "shore up" financial markets throughout the world will be in vain -- one thing sure, the god of money, which has its tentacles securely wrapped around huge numbers of people, will be brought down eventually.

When we refuse to make Almighty God first place in our lives and refuse to honor Him with words, actions, and especially our use of material gain, then we are in for consequences we cannot even begin to imagine. Consider what the foremost Authority on human behavior had to say about this thing called money:

Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! 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." --- Mark 10:23-25