235 Years of Independence But The Termites Are Eating the Supporting Timbers!

"America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great." --- quote from Alexis de Tocqueville who was a French political thinker and historian best known for his Democracy in America (appearing in two volumes: 1835 and 1840) and The Old Regime and the Revolution (1856). In both of these works, he explored the effects of the rising equality of social conditions on the individual and the state in western societies. Democracy in America (1835), his major work, published after his travels in the United States, is today considered an early work of sociology and political science.

First, an explanation of the above photo of a tattered and torn U. S. flag. It was flying by our home and it started to get torn. I didn't replace it right away and after some strong winds, it really got mangled. Jean kept after me to get a new one. So, before doing so, I took a picture as you see above. The reason? I consider it a bit symbolical since the prevailing mood and spirit throughout the republic is one of shredding the holy Scriptures and the U. S. Constitution! It reminds us that our beloved republic is in major need of repair, restoration, and healing in government and church, which are the major forces of influence in any culture.

Our republic is celebrating its 235th birthday today, remembering a special statement that was made known as the Declaration of Independence. There will be lots and lots of celebrations of various kinds in each of the 50 states. Tons of fireworks will be set off in numerous communities and families will have a lot of picnics and their own fireworks experiences as has already taken place in the area where we live. Alcohol will flow like a raging torrent and there will be the accompanying tragedies resulting from such abuse.

After the ashes of the fireworks lie on the ground, the garbage cans are filled with remains from the picnics, and police make their detailed reports related to the tragic incidents involving use of alcohol, the troublesome question to consider is this: is there really very much to celebrate regarding the birthday of our republic?

Yes, we still have a measure of liberty which is at times greatly stressed. Yesterday I was able to get up, and go to church with my wife, Jean. I was able to participate in the worship of Almighty God and to preach with no church leader or politician telling me what and how to preach a message, or that I was not permitted to publicly read portions of the holy Scriptures. Afterward we were able to gather with some members of the family and enjoy a cookout picnic together without any restrictions imposed upon us. Freedom that all too often is taken for granted.

And yes, we can still go to the voting booth and cast our ballots for persons seeking political office in spite of electronic voting which makes election fraud more of a possility than ever before, especially at the state and federal levels!

But the "termites" are at work eating away at the supporting timbers. They are ethical, moral and spiritual in nature. There are some people who believe our republic is headed in a direction that will lead to ultimate disaster unless drastic changes are made soon.

The fact that we have accumulated a national debt that cannot be sustained and each day sees that debt increasing even more is an indication alone that a financial "Armageddon" looms in the future of the republic. Neither Republicans nor Democrats are serious about getting that debt paid down -- worse, they can't even agree on doing some reducing of the annual deficit. Lots of talk but never any serious action on this. And if there is no agreement on tackling the deficit, what chance is there that even a couple of bucks will be applied toward the ever expanding national debt?

Recent years have seen a number of scandals involving high profile religious leaders and political leaders alike. It seems a number of these choose to set their own "rules" for the questionable moral and ethical conduct which they practice! Too often the response when exposed is denial, then maybe a half hearted admission and it is usually somebody else's fault -- you know, we are unwilling to take full responsibility for our actions. High profile sports and entertainment figures could also be added to this growing problem - those who are supposed to be role models and moral examples for our young!

There is a growing acceptance of immoral practices which God clearly condemns in His special revelation to us. This is a barometer indicating that our republic is like a ship in the midst of a storm with its rudder disabled and unable to avoid the rocks along the shoreline. Recently New York state became the 6th state to legalize marriage between two sodomites or two lesbians. Other states are considering this issue and some have already granted "rights" to domestic "partners" as it is in the case of legally married couples (male and female) at the present time.

And of course the destruction of the unborn continues under the sanction of the president, many congressional members and some of the membership of the U.S. Supreme Court which is responsible for the original ruling that it is a constitutional "right" for a female to destroy her unborn child by a deliberate choice. What all of us are overlooking is the fact that God has not yet made a full response to this abomination. When He does, there will be no question that He is in radical disagreement with that Supreme Court decision. He may well make this nation's landscape resemble the mutilated and murdered remains of those unborn children for whom He had a high and holy purpose in life!

The aforementioned issues are but a few of the "termites" eating away at the supporting timbers of our republic. But the last one is the leading "candidate" for inciting the wrath of God more quickly than any other. A culture always commits moral suicide when it adopts a gutter level standard in its regard for human life and leadership takes a position that human life can easily be discarded by whimsical choice!

If Alexis de Tocqueville were to visit the United States today, would his comments be a bit different than what he said in the much younger years of the republic? And might he also say, "America has ceased to be good!"???

Celebrate? The better choice of action is to pray, asking God for mercy and forgiveness, and doing so in the spirit of Daniel who set a noble example for us many centuries ago.

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....." --- Daniel 9:4-8

Defining Greatness!

“An important chapter in our history has come to an end. Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States Senator of our time.” --- statement by President Barack Obama on occasion of the death of Senator Edward Kennedy, August 26, 2009

Our mass media outlets will be saturated with information related to Edward Kennedy now that he has crossed over into that realm known as eternity.

There will be no end to the praises of what he did, having served longer as a senator except for two other persons in the history of the U. S. Congress. He is described as having compiled a very impressive “list of legislative achievements on health care, civil rights, education, immigration and more.”

A couple or so questions can be asked – “Is the country better off now than when Kennedy began his first term as a senator in 1962?” Is the nation standing at a higher ethical, moral and spiritual level now because of his powerful influence and the fact that he is considered the “greatest U. S. Senator of our time” according to B. O?

Remember in those early years of Kennedy’s term of office that significant changes did take place in our nation – we had court decisions that literally kicked God out of the classroom with no more prayer and no more Bible reading permitted and some years later another insane court decision that said it is perfectly acceptable for a female to arrange to have her unborn son or daughter destroyed before birth – the ushering in of the United States’ version of “Holocaust!”

So, again, think for a moment – are we at a higher level now than we were when Edward Kennedy began serving as senator? Do we have a higher standard of morals – are we closer to our Creator – is He being honored more in our personal lives and in our national life now than 50 years ago? We all know the answer to that one, don’t we?

There is the human way of defining greatness and starting with today and over the next number of days we will see that all played out – if you aren’t careful you will not see visions of sugar plums in your dreams – you will see Kennedy again and again!

Then there is God’s way of defining greatness with a notable example given of how this is. It is from the book of Joshua and features a man by that name who was a leader among the Hebrew people as they began to occupy the land promised to them by God.

Just a few words will make it clear regarding the U. S. definition of greatness as it pertains to political leaders as opposed to God’s definition.

First, look at God’s instruction as to how Joshua was to prepare himself for leadership responsibility and especially notice the guarantee of "good success":

"Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." --- Joshua 1:7-9

Second, look at the influence a truly great leader had on the people in a very simple statement that says it all – something you do not see today:

Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had known all the works of the LORD which He had done for Israel. --- Joshua 24:31

Ought we not to pray that God will raise up a number of Joshuas to provide sane, sensible and stable leadership for our beloved republic which now finds itself wallowing in a quagmire, sinking deeper as each day passes?

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

A Desperate Prayer of Last Resort!

'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.' --- Jeremiah 33:3

A majority of people claim to believe in the experience of prayer. Attempts have been made to determine whether there are differences in circumstances where prayer has been exercised versus similar situations where prayer has not been uttered.

In the Christian faith there is a strongly held conviction that prayer is an experience of communicating with God and that God does respond to the prayers of those identified as His people.

The Scriptures speak much about prayer, relates the experiences of many people who prayed, and establishes clearly the fact that God indeed is One Who does great things in response to the pleas of those who give Him praise and thanksgiving as well as sharing the burdens of the heart.

Over many years I have seen and experienced in a variety of ways answers to prayer. The concerns for which prayer has been uttered are likewise widely varied. It is a demonstration that God is far more concerned about us and our circumstances than we can begin to imagine.

Recently a new burden was laid upon my heart unlike one I never experienced before. It involves the president of the United States. I have always prayed for our leaders and for those holding the office of the presidency. I will not detail here how I pray for those persons, but I do remember to pray for them on a regular basis. I will say that such prayers are not a generic "God, bless the president -- the members of the Congress...the members of the Supreme Court..."

But due to the policies advocated by President Obama, especially his very low view of human life in its formation stages, I have been praying in a specific area. The substance of that prayer is that God will raise up a prophet with the anointing of His Spirit upon that person. Further that such a prophet will confront the president face to face concerning the grievous error of his ways and call him to repent in order that the will of God will become a priority in his daily life!

Such confrontations have happened in the past. Elijah confronting Ahab, Micaiah confronting Ahab and Jehoshaphat, Nathan confronting David, and John the Baptist confronting Herod, to name just a few. These were personal and direct face to face encounters.

You have the names and you can look up the details as to how each encounter turned out. The important thing is that God had expectations of those leaders and He arranged for a prophet to be His instrument/messenger in each instance.

So, will you pray that God will raise up such a person to come face to face with the president and relay clearly what God expects of Mr. Obama as he holds what some consider to be the most powerful position in the entire world? This is not to suggest some big name TV preacher or the distinguished pastor of a large and famous “mega-church” out there somewhere, or a world renowned “pastor” who has a “make people feel good” ministry.

Rather, an Elijah or John the Baptist type of prophet is more appropriate – one who comes thundering out of some little known place in the wilderness – one whose message begins with a note of authority – “Thus says the Lord God……!”

The main uncertainty is just how that prophet in such a moment will be treated by the president, if it actually happens. As you review the many prophets God raised up over centuries of time, they were not treated very well in a majority of those confrontations! Again, I leave it to you to more fully investigate the circumstances.

How many will rally to the challenge to pray, “Almighty God, may it please you to raise up a prophet to confront the president and make plain to him what You expect of him, our elected officials at all levels, our nation, and…”

The destiny of our republic may well hinge on how many pray in faith that God will raise up a prophet to directly and personally confront the president about the issue of God's will for this nation, its leaders (political and church) and its citizens!

So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done. And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." --- Matthew 21:21, 22

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness by which they lie in wait to deceive,….--- Ephesians 4:11-14

No Respect for the Man Who Disgraces the Office!

"However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die." --- 2 Samuel 12:14

It happened a long time ago to a man who held a very powerful position – he was king over a nation that had been proving itself to be superior over all other kingdoms at that point in time.

But one night unbridled lust invaded the life of king David of Israel and he committed adultery with the result that the woman, Bathsheba, became pregnant. To make matters even worse, David conspired to have Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, killed in battle.

Things seemed to go alright for a while until one day God sent a prophet to confront the king about what he had done. David confessed that he had sinned and sought God’s mercy and forgiveness, which was graciously granted to him.

But he had disgraced the office of his kingship and was undeserving of respect which was evident by a harsh rebuke from God through the prophet, Nathan. Note again the words, “However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.” --- 2 Samuel 12:14.

In this year of 2009 we are saddled with a president who has disgraced the high office of the presidency of the United States in numerous ways. There are those who attempt to defend the president and declare that we must support him and show respect for him.

But how can you respect this man when:

• he has lied repeatedly, not keeping promises which at the time they were made, he adamantly insisted he would make good on them when he became president! God does have a few explicit things to say about lying, does He not?
  
  
• he has led us down the road of uncontrolled spending and plunged our republic into an abyss of indebtedness from which it will never recover. China holds about one trillion dollars of that debt and if that country ever says, “Pay up, right now!”, what do you suppose will happen?
  
  
• he demonstrated the epitome of disgrace on his recent foreign junket when he bowed to King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia. In effect the president of the United States was saying by that act that King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and the Muslim faith to which the king is an ardent devotee are superior to the United States. This is nothing short of an image of the surrender of our national sovereignty!
  
  
• he has placed a blanket seal of approval (and it’s not the Good Housekeeping one) on the mass destruction of unborn children at all stages of their development from a few weeks (embryonic stem cell research) to full term. Not only is his support given to such mass murder and destruction in our nation, but by his signature we now support the destruction of the unborn in foreign nations as well.
  

However such happenings should come as no real surprise since the blessing of Almighty God is being withdrawn and being replaced with increased chastising actions and calamities in an attempt to awaken the nation to awareness that full repentance must be the top priority on the nation’s agenda. If it does not become that top priority, then we can expect our future to turn out the same as that of ancient cultures whose ruins we can now explore and observe – ancient Babylon being one of the more infamous examples!

And a PS on this -- if you are among the many who say we should respect the president, then you show me how to respect Adolph Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and Mao Zedong, each of whom was responsible for millions of deaths of innocent victims, then I will apply your logic and start respecting B. Hussein Obama!

"And like their bow they have bent their tongues for lies. They are not valiant for the truth on the earth. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not know Me," says the LORD. “Everyone take heed to his neighbor, and do not trust any brother; for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will walk with slanderers. Everyone will deceive his neighbor, and will not speak the truth; they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.” --- Jeremiah 9:3-5

"And it shall be, when you show this people all these words, and they say to you, 'Why has the LORD pronounced all this great disaster against us? Or what is our iniquity? Or what is our sin that we have committed against the LORD our God?' then you shall say to them, 'Because your fathers have forsaken Me,' says the LORD; 'they have walked after other gods and have served them and worshiped them, and have forsaken Me and not kept My law. And you have done worse than your fathers, for behold, each one walks according to the imagination of his own evil heart, so that no one listens to Me.’” --- Jeremiah 16:10-12

Icabod!

Then it happened, when he made mention of the ark of God, that Eli fell off the seat backward by the side of the gate; and his neck was broken and he died, for the man was old and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years. Now his daughter-in-law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, due to be delivered; and when she heard the news that the ark of God was captured, and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and gave birth, for her labor pains came upon her. And about the time of her death the women who stood by her said to her, "Do not fear, for you have borne a son." But she did not answer, nor did she regard it. Then she named the child Ichabod, saying, "The glory has departed from Israel!" because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband. And she said, "The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured." --- 1 Samuel 4:18-22

Tragedy had struck – the enemy had triumphed and the Ark of God in which the ancient Israelites had placed their confidence for victory had been taken away by that enemy!

To make matters worse, the two sons of Eli the priest had been killed and when their elderly obese father heard the news, he fell off his seat, broke his neck and died.

The wife of one of Eli’s sons died as she was giving birth to a son and the nurse named the boy Icabod. The name had deep significance – it meant that the glory of God had departed from Israel!

All the evidence in April 2009 clearly indicates that the name “Icabod” can be appropriately applied to the United States of America! Certainly this is not exaggerating one little bit.

Our political leadership has demonstrated in countless ways that it constantly gives Almighty God an obscene gesture with an attitude that speaks of dedicated defiance of all that is holy, just, and true! The political corruption runs rampant because there is no significant challenge from the church which is also corrupted due to the subtle and at times not so subtle infiltration of deceptive and deadly doctrines.

All this should not be surprising, however, because God explicitly revealed that there would be an onslaught of false teachers peddling their wares in the times preceding the personal return of Jesus Christ to this world.

Having had access to God’s full revelation from the beginning, and having been abundantly blessed by God over the decades since its beginning, the United States now is experiencing the identical ethical, moral, and spiritual deterioration as did the ancient Israelite kingdom of Judah in the 6th Century BC shortly before its collapse and destruction.

On one of the cable news networks there is an individual who is making much of our republic “repeating history” because of failure to learn from the lessons of history. Sadly he fails to see the primary reason for it – our prominent national mood and spirit are one of hard-hearted defiance against the God Who raised up and established this great republic!

Icabod! The glory of God has departed!

"And it shall be, when you show this people all these words, and they say to you, 'Why has the LORD pronounced all this great disaster against us? Or what is our iniquity? Or what is our sin that we have committed against the LORD our God?' then you shall say to them, 'Because your fathers have forsaken Me,' says the LORD; 'they have walked after other gods and have served them and worshiped them, and have forsaken Me and not kept My law. And you have done worse than your fathers, for behold, each one walks according to the imagination of his own evil heart, so that no one listens to Me,’” --- Jeremiah 16:10-12

Taking the Wrong Fork in the Road!

"See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess.” --- Deuteronomy 30:15-18

Yes, they were words spoken many centuries ago with most people today being totally unfamiliar with them and the context in which they were spoken. Further, very few today would say that those statements have any relevance in the United States in the year 2009 -- that there is nothing there of any value to us in the 21st Century.

Those words were spoken by the God Who created this universe to a people who were about to occupy a piece of real estate which had been promised centuries earlier to their ancestors. It had been made extremely clear that the people were to honor and obey this God Who had made this lush territory available to them. Warnings were clear also as to what would happen if they lapsed into a state of disobedience and began to adapt to the heathen ways of the people who surrounded them.

As history in shocking fashion reveals, the Israelite people eventually did become corrupted and brought upon themselves the cursing and calamities of which God had warned well in advance. Human nature is such that we apply the “Wet Paint - Don’t Touch!” standard to God’s laws and principles on an ongoing basis – you know, you see a sign that says, “Wet Paint - Don’t Touch!” and you just have to put your finger on the surface to see if the sign means what it says! God says "Don't..." and somehow we feel we can go ahead and go against His command and be OK anyway!

A republic known as the United States has had full access to God’s complete revelation from the time it was established as a sovereign nation. We too have to face the fact that Almighty God has set before us “life and good, death and evil.” The choice is to seek to obey and honor Him on an individual basis as well as collectively as a nation, or to defy Him and choose foolishly to “do our own thing.”

The present government at federal and state levels has exhibited a spirit that demonstrates God’s will and ways for us as a nation are not the least bit important. Consequently the choice has been to travel down the wrong fork in the road with the result being increased calamities of unprecedented intensity in many different forms. This choice is further detailed in the 28th chapter of the book of Deuteronomy in which blessings are described for obedience to God on the national level as well as the calamities and chaos resulting when a nation of people chooses to be disobedient – which is where we are at.

There are many loud voices which claim to identify with conservatism and the call is to return to a “conservative” approach in dealing with our national problems. But even these avoid mentioning the fact that the country is out of step with our Creator and we as a nation have rejected His laws that are absolutely required for a sane, sensible, serene, surviving and spiritually healthy culture.

One of the most deadly attitudes going strong in our nation at the present time is the assumption that God is always with us, looking favorably upon us and He is going to take care of us, no matter what! This assumption is reinforced each time the president speaks to the people and at the conclusion throws out that very familiar phrase, “God bless you and God bless the United States of America!”

The time may be much closer than we realize that our leaders have made very bad decisions and have chosen to take us down the wrong fork in the road -- now it's harvest time! Those of us who grew up on a farm know all too well -- you sow certain seed, you get a harvest from the type of seed which was sown! I rest my case on this one.

"But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the country. Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Cursed shall be the fruit of your body and the produce of your land, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. Cursed shall you be when you come in, and cursed shall you be when you go out. The LORD will send on you cursing, confusion, and rebuke in all that you set your hand to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, because of the wickedness of your doings in which you have forsaken Me.” --- Deuteronomy 28:15-20

"If you will not hear, and if you will not take it to heart, to give glory to My name," says the LORD of hosts, "I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have cursed them already, because you do not take it to heart." --- Malachi 2:2

Cancer Isn’t Healed With a Band-Aid and An Aspirin Tablet!

A new “stimulus” package of over ¾ of a trillion dollars is being pushed by the Obama Dynasty with the mistaken belief that it will heal the nation’s ills! --- a wide variety of news sources release detailed information on the legislation that will be passed by the U. S. Congress soon.

And the LORD said to Moses, "Go, get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made themselves a molded calf, and worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, 'This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!'" And the LORD said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people!” --- Exodus 32:7-9

Here’s the situation – you have been diagnosed with a fast spreading deadly cancer – your doctor slaps a band-aid on your arm, gives you a bottle of aspirin tablets, tells you to take 4 tablets a day and come back for a check up in a month!

Crazy? Unreal? Something that was conceived in the Twilight Zone? Sure it is! Anyone with at least 2 ounces of brain knows that.

But that is precisely what is going on in our republic at the present time as the Obama Dynasty seeks to come up with a “prescription” to heal the nation’s ills. This newly installed dynasty mistakenly believes it is the economy that needs the “fix” just as soon as possible.


The root problem, however, is moral, ethical and spiritual in nature. Until that is seriously addressed the economic calamity will abound, as will a host of others besides. It simply hasn’t dawned on elected officials (and church leaders too!) that we just may be in a period when Almighty God is beginning to reckon with the false gods we have devised out of perverted imaginations and established throughout this nation over time, including the prominent and dominant “god” of money! We are a 21st Century version of what is described in the Scripture above as God observed that those who claimed to be His people had corrupted themselves.

But heading the list of our offenses for which we are reaping a most unpleasant harvest is the “shedding of innocent blood” – you know, the intentional murders of thousands of unborn children every week of the year! President Barack Hussein Obama vigorously supports this policy, is determined to preserve and continue it and recently signed an executive order which directs that millions of our tax dollars will go to family planning groups in foreign countries that do abortions and encourage this option in the “family planning” experience!

There is a heap of repenting needed at the present time due to our massive accumulation of offenses committed against the God Who in mercy raised this republic up over 232 years ago.

Tossing out phrases such as “God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.” are totally meaningless. Elected officials and church leaders are in the strategic position to issue a most urgent clarion call to repent of all sin and call upon God for mercy through His Son, Jesus Christ, Who alone makes forgiveness, healing and reconciliation possible!

Will it really happen? A few of us would hope so but it is not likely in light of many past lessons from history, especially as we learn details of the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah which existed centuries ago and how these related to God.

The Obama Dynasty will blindly and ignorantly insist on applying the band-aid and aspirin treatment to a terminally ill patient.

Note below how it was for a nation that found itself in the same quandary as we at the present time. Maybe the question isn’t seriously being asked yet, but it will be somewhere down the road!

"And it will be when you say, 'Why does the LORD our God do all these things to us?' then you shall answer them, 'Just as you have forsaken Me and served foreign gods in your land, so you shall serve aliens in a land that is not yours.' "Declare this in the house of Jacob and proclaim it in Judah, saying, 'Hear this now, O foolish people, without understanding, who have eyes and see not, and who have ears and hear not: do you not fear Me?' says the LORD. 'Will you not tremble at My presence, Who have placed the sand as the bound of the sea, by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass beyond it? And though its waves toss to and fro, yet they cannot prevail; though they roar, yet they cannot pass over it. But this people has a defiant and rebellious heart; they have revolted and departed. They do not say in their heart, "Let us now fear the LORD our God, Who gives rain, both the former and the latter, in its season. He reserves for us the appointed weeks of the harvest." Your iniquities have turned these things away, and your sins have withheld good things from you. 'For among My people are found wicked men; they lie in wait as one who sets snares; they set a trap; they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so their houses are full of deceit. Therefore they have become great and grown rich. They have grown fat, they are sleek; yes, they surpass the deeds of the wicked; they do not plead the cause, the cause of the fatherless; yet they prosper, and the right of the needy they do not defend. Shall I not punish them for these things?' says the LORD. 'Shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?' "An astonishing and horrible thing has been committed in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own power; and My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?” --- Jeremiah 5:19-31

Paving the Way to Destruction by Strokes of a Pen!

President Barack Hussein Obama by a series of strokes of his pen will do more to bring about the collapse and downfall of our republic than any president yet in the history of a republic known as the United States of America!

Today marks the 36th anniversary of the infamous Supreme Court decision in the case of Roe v. Wade in which it was ruled that a female has the "right" to destroy the child that God is forming in her womb!

This anniversary will be observed as it has each year since 1973 with a massive March for Life held in Washington DC. Efforts have been made to see further restrictions on this policy of destroying thousands of unborn children each week with the hope that ultimately Roe v. Wade would be overturned.

President Obama by both his past voting record as well as stated intent will do everything to insure that unborn children will continue to be mutilated and murdered in their mothers' (term used very loosely) wombs.

The White House web site (www.whitehouse.gov) provides this bit of information about the issue:

Supports a Woman's Right to Choose: President Obama understands that abortion is a divisive issue, and respects those who disagree with him. However, he has been a consistent champion of reproductive choice and will make preserving women's rights under Roe v. Wade a priority in his Administration. He opposes any constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's decision in that case.

While it has been said that the president has a higher than average IQ and has eloquent abilities in speaking and communicating, he ranks among the most foolish and unwise of leaders as he uses his pen in signing executive orders and legislation (FOCA for example) which will result in the widening and deepening of the trail of innocent blood in our nation as well as many foreign ones!

It is the primary issue, ranking above every other domestic concern, including the economy. The reason? God's clear revelation about His view of human life, His foreknowledge of humans, His involvement in forming them in the womb and His plan and purpose for them after birth.

When anyone makes a very stupid move to hinder what God wants to do with a human being, especially in the early stages of the development of that person, then there will be a high price to be paid -- more than our feeble minds can begin to comprehend. We have but to look back in history to see what past cultures experienced by way of disaster when human life became cheap and considered disposable, as easy as throwing a used Kleenex into the waste basket!

The president is already giving evidence that he will duplicate the blunders of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of long ago who was confronted with a demand from God, but refused to listen and led his nation on the path to unprecedented disaster. History does have a way being repetitive, does it not? Especially when it comes to the actions of the Creator of this mighty universe!

"The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it." --- Jeremiah 18:7-10

Hit the Ground Running And Be Sure To Ignore the Banana Peels!

“Hit the ground running!” --- common expression now being applied to B. Hussein Obama and his administration when they take control of a republic known as the U.S.A. on January 20, 2009

A whirlwind of activity is taking place during this transition period as President-elect B. Hussein Obama assembles advisors and his Chief of Staff, R. Emanuel, whips the troops into line. The phrase very commonly applied is to “hit the ground running” as January 20, 2009 reaches the noon time hour!

For a majority, especially those who cast their votes for B. Hussein Obama, this is a very impressive thing and to be expected from one who at times has been labeled “Messiah” and “Savior.”

While the newly elected president may relish the term, he and his cohorts have essentially omitted a rather critical phrase. While doing their running they will deliberately choose to ignore the banana peels that litter the path. A runner who is wise not only avoids the banana peel but will remove and dispose of it so others will not be threatened by such a hazard.

Here are some of the banana peels that will bring this nation down:


3 Very Deadly “Loves”
It has been predicted that as the human race comes down the home stretch of history, it will wallow in three deadly loves which are love of self, love of money and love of pleasures more than love for God. If you want to see it for yourself, go to 2 Timothy 3 in the New Testament of the Bible.

The Ongoing Destruction of Unborn Children
Our republic is fast approaching a tally of 50 million unborn victims who have been mutilated and murdered in their mothers’ wombs. These have ranged in age from a few weeks to being within a few minutes of being born. Ruins of past cultures which adopted a cheap and very low view of human life are mute evidence that you cannot choose this route without paying a very high price, which ultimately is extinction!

Rampant Sexual Immorality
The evolution of a philosophy about human sexuality has reached its zenith where now it can be defined by saying, “Sex is fun with anyone (or more than one anyone at the same time) anywhere and at any time by choice on the part of the parties involved! We simply make our own rules." The ruins of Sodom and Gomorrah still speak but who in these United States (soon to be known as the Obama Nation) is listening? Any few that do are considered right-wing fire-breathing religious fanatics!

A Fast Spreading Cancer of Idolatry
As a culture begins to prosper, it is not long before it begins to forge idols for itself in many forms. It is obvious to a few who are sensitive to such a disaster that money is dominant as #1 “god” in the United States, plus numerous others which could be also cited. The true and living God has given fair warning that there comes a time when He brings judgment upon a nation’s false gods! Anyone noticed how things are going financially in “the land of the free and the home of the brave?”

The Profaning of the Day of Worship
As noted in other areas of my web site and blog, Sunday should be renamed “Funday” – for most residents of the United States this day is the final day of a weekend of pleasure pursuit – fun & games – partying and getting high on alcohol and/or drugs – sports activities of about every conceivable kind! Who in the world wants to spend a very boring bit of time in what is supposed to be the worship of Almighty God Who created this universe, imparts life and grants blessing and benefit indescribable by which life is nurtured on a daily basis. Then He did the unthinkable – He gave His Son that the way of forgiveness, peace and eternal life in His Kingdom would be available to us sinners! But who has time to give any attention to that – we have fun and games to do before Monday comes!

Teaching Our Young the Way of Damnation
The theory of evolution is dominant in the process of educating the young. With a very few exceptions our young begin a journey early on in which they are taught that our ancestry, humanly speaking, is traced back to lower life forms – you have to travel back in time a long ways to get there. This means that millions of our young have no exposure whatsoever to the real and truthful fact that God is the Creator of all things, including human beings. And since back in the early 60’s a Supreme Court ruling effectively said that there could be no more prayer and no more reading of the Scriptures in public classrooms, and since more than half our population chooses to absent itself from a place of worship on Sundays, we are effectively raising millions of heathen – and we wonder why our country is so screwed up ethically, morally and spiritually!

A Government Increasingly Confused and Corrupted
It takes some searching but the evidence is there for any who want to face it – over time our elected officials have concentrated on themselves in terms of benefits and salaries – the retirement benefits are out of this world. Then, once established in their comfortable positions, they throw a bone or two to their constituents to make us feel good and that they do indeed have our best interests at heart – or do they? The partisan battles that constantly go on are a scandal in and of themselves so that it is “party first” and the public can go to ____________ (fill in the blank!).

Now then – will the administration of B. Hussein Obama as it hits the ground running on January 20, 2009 address the issues represented by the banana peels? The chance of that taking place is as great as a snowball surviving in a very hot place which you have heard mentioned from time to time – a hot place which is vehemently denied at the present time by not a few pastors and church leaders!

Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. Do not trust in these lying words, saying, 'The temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD are these.' For if you thoroughly amend your ways and your doings, if you thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbor, if you do not oppress the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, or walk after other gods to your hurt, then I will cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers forever and ever.” --- Jeremiah 7:3-7

Only One Kind of Change Will Restore Our Republic!

Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you." --- Jonah 3:1, 2

B. Hussein Obama made “change” the key word and constant theme of his campaign for the presidency. Like the Pied Piper of olden times, he quickly gained a very large following with extensive help from many in the mass media and high profile celebrities such as Oprah, etc. Over time he was able to fill his campaign coffers with at least a half billion or more dollars. It’s still true – money talks and buys a lot of stuff!

But will the Obama formula for bringing about “change” really work? At least during the “honeymoon” period and glowing positive reports from most of the media, it will seem that this fellow does indeed have the answers the country has been searching for over many decades.

But there is only one change that will bring the nation to the place where it needs to be if it is to survive and have hope for the future. It is not a change involving the economy, the environment, the employment rate, national security, energy resources, or education. It is a change that must take place in the ethical, moral and spiritual realms of our culture – literally in the heart and soul of every person living in this nation. But that is something the overwhelming majority of citizens and their leaders (political and religious) do not want under any circumstance to seriously consider.

At the beginning was reference to a man called by God to go to a place called Nineveh. Jonah’s message was a warning of impending judgment within a few days' time – God’s wrath was going to be poured out upon the city for its wickedness. However, something most unusual happened – the people believed and began to change their wicked way of living – they actually sought to repent of all sin, and this included the king himself. Read the account for yourself:

So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey in extent. And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day's walk. Then he cried out and said, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, "Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?" Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it. --- Jonah 3:3-10

The wickedness found within the republic of the United States is excessive and manifested in countless ways, starting with the destruction of unborn children. But we also have our rampant sexual immorality which violates the numerous standards God has established for acceptable sexual behavior and relationships. Other ways we have defied God involve our idolatry, our profaning of the day of worship, and our feeble attempt to erect a fence to keep God confined so that He doesn’t interfere in areas of public life and education! We also are doing a first rate job at convincing the vast majority of our young that our “roots” go back to lower life forms – and that we have arrived at our present condition by means of a process of evolution, but we’re not finished yet!

Elected officials and church leaders are at a critical crossroad at this point in time – as God issues the call for repentance, personally and collectively, what will the response be? Will it be a correct change which results in turning from all that offends God, or will we as a nation give Him the all too familiar obscene gesture and suffer catastrophic consequences which we cannot begin to comprehend?

At this moment in time there is no recognition on the part of elected officials or on the part of church leaders that there is the urgent need to repent, call on God for mercy and commit to being an obedient people, seeking His will for our daily lives!

It appears more likely with the passing of each day that we will experience what ancient Judah experienced (the wrath of God) in spite of urgent appeals rather than what Nineveh experienced (the blessing and mercy of God) after heeding the message of a prophet by the name of Jonah!

Consider the record of what Judah experienced:

Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. He also did evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the mouth of the LORD. And he also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear an oath by God; but he stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD God of Israel. Moreover all the leaders of the priests and the people transgressed more and more, according to all the abominations of the nations, and defiled the house of the LORD which He had consecrated in Jerusalem. And the LORD God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, till there was no remedy. Therefore He brought against them the king of the Chaldeans, who killed their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion on young man or virgin, on the aged or the weak; He gave them all into his hand.And all the articles from the house of God, great and small, the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king and of his leaders, all these he took to Babylon. Then they burned the house of God, broke down the wall of Jerusalem, burned all its palaces with fire, and destroyed all its precious possessions. --- 2 Chronicles 36:11-19

Is that a mighty voice thundering out of eternity shouting, “Now it’s your turn!”

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 21:10-12

Hold On -- The Last Word Has Yet to Be Spoken on That Monster Bailout Bill!

House to revisit bailout after Senate passes plan -- Senators add ‘sweeteners’ to the proposal, aiming to secure House’s vote –--- Auto sales fall; 1 in 5 dealers may close
--- a couple of headlines on the Internet, October 2, 2008

The scrambling continues in that place known as Washington DC as the U.S. Congress attempts to get that gigantic bailout bill passed and on to the president’s desk for signature. One headline said, “Senators add ‘sweetners’ to the proposal, aiming to secure House’s vote.” It has been noted that this stuff has increased the amount to much more than the original 700 billion dollar figure!

Yea, sure – isn’t it rather common knowledge that a lot of politicians have connections with the wealthy, including CEO’s and that generous contributions have always been a staple in their holding on to their coveted positions in DC? Plus you have that crowd known as lobbyists who put on the pressure when it comes to voting on things that have to do with money, and a guarantee that those who have tons of the stuff will be sure to hold on to it and get much more of it!

Nauseating details in recent days of what CEO’s of failed financial institutions were given by way of salaries, perks and those notorious “golden parachutes.” As reported by one person, they literally walked away with millions. It all translates into a thing called greed and giving the average American citizen an obscene gesture while they grab all they can as quickly as they can.

But we’ve got to hang on, folks, and realize that the last chapter has yet to be written – no, the U.S. Congress won’t write it, nor will the president, no matter how many bills he signs which will allow the guilty parties to get off with very little if anything by way of penalty.

What would be a very good thing which would send a clear message to those others in top level management who are doing about the same thing but so far have not seen their company/institution go belly up, is to take all the assets and property owned by those who were in the upper levels of management of the failed institutions. Let those funds be applied to the debts incurred by the loss due to financial failure.

Then let those upper level “managers” be given an annual income of the average family of four in this country and an average home such a family lives in provided for them. Further, let them pay what an average family of four would pay by way of obtaining insurance and health benefits. Give them a car such as one the average family of four would have.

Actually no jail time would be necessary – the more effective and fitting punishment would be for these people and their families who have been driven by greed for years to have to experience the struggles of an average family of four or more on a limited income in this republic. No longer having that mansion and domestic servants and whatever else by way of “homes” and “vacation get-aways,” driving luxury automobiles, sending the kids to those prestigious “ivy-league” universities and getting those special favors from politicians that the rest of us will never get, would be punishment enough!

And, yes, I already know – there will not really be any kind of true justice done regarding those who exhibited such irresponsible leadership, caused financial ruin, and still hold on to their fortunes – or as mentioned earlier, that these white collar people literally “walked away with millions!”

But there is good news in the midst of the bad news on this bailout and the criminals who got away with everything just short of 1st degree murder.

Jesus Christ will write the last chapter and have the last word – it’s simply a matter of time! And while within the ranks of those who profess to be “Christian” there are those who deny that He will do much of anything and that He isn’t coming back to this earth as King of kings and Lord of lords, there is a small minority that is fully persuaded that He will set this world right side up – He will control and rule it totally and will judge every human being personally – yes indeed, each one of us will give an account to Him as to what we have done with our lives and the material goods entrusted to our care! It's all spelled out in God's special revelation to us, if you'd care to look it up -- and then decide, does God mean what He says or does He not?

For those driven by their greed and lusts and who caused such financial chaos in countless ways, God has especially singled them out for condemnation:

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

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. --- Proverbs 11:4, 28

As a partridge that broods but does not hatch, so is he who gets riches, but not by right; it will leave him in the midst of his days, and at his end he will be a fool. --- Jeremiah 17:11

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

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

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. --- 1 Timothy 6:17

The above are but a few of God's statements about money and those who become enslaved by it, having made it their "god" and consequently have brought severe condemnation upon themselves in the process. It remains, that very few people can handle wealth and power in a responsible fashion for the betterment of not only their own lives but the lives of large numbers of people who are impacted by decisions which such persons make on a daily basis.

There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; and one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches. --- Proverbs 13:7

What He Said – Are Those Actually His Words, or Those of Someone Else?

"Biden debuts with attack on McCain" --- Internet headline on August 24, 2008

Now it’s really getting interesting since we have been informed that Joe Biden will be the Democratic candidate for vice president of the United States in the upcoming November election.

Some of us will always be wondering each time he opens his mouth – are those words actually his, or did they originate with some other person of genuine prominence? You know, do you not, that Joe has had a problem with a thing called plagiarism in the past? It happened more than once and has been documented.

It seems Joe passed off some statements as though they were his own, but in reality they were statements made by other persons in public settings. This is considered a serious offense when you try to steal statements made by other persons and then use them as though they originated with you without giving credit where credit is due.

It comes down to a thing called ethics and honesty in communication.

I remember a class I was teaching years ago in which a student in doing her assignment of preaching a message made some rather impressive statements. Later I followed up on those and discovered she had literally used some statements by Martin Luther King, Jr. word for word! They were from a message he had given in the past. But she did not acknowledge that she was using his material!

There will be any number who will go to Joe’s defense and the fact that he eventually had to acknowledge his wrongdoing in passing off some stuff as originally his when in fact other persons were the real source of some of those things he stated.

But then, such qualities as high ethical standards and basic honesty are practically looked upon as major irritants these days. Surveys taken are showing the shocking reality that increased numbers of high school and college students do not think it is wrong to cheat and to lie – if you can get away with it, so much the better!

And we wonder why our republic resembles more and more a tissue which has been used to wipe a very runny nose and is immediately flushed down the toilet!

Don’t forget during upcoming presidential campaign – when Joe speaks, ask yourself, “Are those his words, or did they originate with someone of far greater significance and who holds to far higher ethical standards than he?”

Remove from me the way of lying, and grant me Your law graciously. I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me. I cling to Your testimonies; O LORD, do not put me to shame! I will run in the way of Your commandments, for You shall enlarge my heart. Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. --- Psalm 119:29-34

Contrary to What You've Heard, There Is One Priority Issue Above All Others!

"A woman's constitutional right to choose must be preserved." --- common phrase or variations of the same that are employed by numerous individuals and groups as they advocate the ongoing destruction of unborn children.

It has been said that voters should not approach an election solely on the basis of one issue. Further, candidates need to be assessed on the basis of positions on all issues being addressed in the election process.

It needs to be kept in mind that special groups with highly paid professional lobbyists concentrate on single issues that benefit the group to the exclusion of others -- selfishness and greed par excellence!

The issue that ranks far above all others in terms of importance? Didn't you know? The brutal mutilation and murders of thousands of unborn children every week of the year in a republic that proudly declares each person should have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness! Go ahead -- check the historical documents and see for yourself! But then, with the corruption that has settled in throughout the U. S. during the last half dozen decades, since when do our historical documents have any significant meaning?

The reason why the issue of destroying the unborn is top priority is because of God's view of human life and the systematic destruction of the same. It is considered an abomination in His sight and if we as a nation do not put an end to the grisly practice soon, then He will!

His chastising actions upon our nation thus far have been totally ignored and simply regarded as "quirks" in nature's weather systems, military miscalculations, business uncertainty, economic fluctuations, environmental tumult, etc. Consequently there is no urgent concern expressed that we need to repent of our abominations and sins as a nation and seek the mercy of Almighty God. As obvious as the red rubber ball on the nose of a clown, so is the silence when it comes to a clarion call to repent on the part of spiritual leaders across the land and those who are campaigning for political office. Hey, while most would not admit it, they are accountable to God also and are to set a God-fearing example before the citizens they aspire to lead!

When the Creator of all life Who is the Sustainer of this mighty universe makes His response to the United States' version of "Holocaust" none of us will want to be found within the boundaries of this republic!

Oh, by the way -- if you haven't checked lately, or you have never seen the latest tally, go to A Quick Look at the United States' Massacre Tally! -- see the numbers, and don't forget, one of these days those numbers will stop moving up! Use reverse feature on your browser to come back to this place.

"The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it." --- Jeremiah 18:7-10

Is the god of Pleasure Beginning to Take a Hit?

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be...... lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God..." --- 2 Timothy 3:1, 2a, 4b

Our republic is really in a quandary of unprecedented proportions, is it not? There are just all kinds of things happening -- an election in the making with not a single candidate addressing the real issues that directly impact the future destiny of our nation -- a "war" that is hotly discussed and debated on a daily basis -- financial crises and a national debt that continues to escalate!

But the one thing that is beginning to dominate the thinking and decision making of most U. S. citizens every day is something called gasoline and related components such as diesel fuel and heating oil.

It makes headlines in newspapers and TV news reporters are positioned beside a gas station pointing to the recent increase in gas prices (as this is being written, I bought a few gallons yesterday at $3.99 per gallon in Nanty Glo PA) and use a growing favorite expression in their vocabulary -- "pain at the pump!"

There is a scramble to explain why and who is responsible for this growing expression of greed on the part of some very influential persons somewhere -- God alone knows who they are, where they are and what they are doing. The good news is that in due time He will return upon their heads the fruit of their doings -- no one has beaten the "law of sowing and reaping" yet and none ever will!

But maybe there is another factor to consider in all this chaos -- perhaps the "god" of Pleasure is beginning to be hammered a bit! God's actions at times are directed to the "deities" a nation forms for itself.

For decades we as a nation have been on a "pedal to the metal" pace in our pursuit of pleasures of every possible kind. It would take a long amount of space and a considerable amount of time to detail them all here.

It is evident to anyone who looks a bit and listens that we are a pleasure saturated country, and are constantly attempting to devise new ways of experiencing pleasure.

One obvious tragedy in this is the well established fact that we cannot get half of our population into a place of worship on Sunday morning to even go through the motions of worshipping the God Who brought this mighty universe into existence by simple spoken commands!

Sunday, as mentioned elsewhere on my website and blog, ought to be renamed Funday -- it is a day of zealous pursuit of pleasure from border to border and shore to shore.

Interesting, is it not, that now there is much talk not only about gas prices, but what heating costs will be this winter and the ripple impact from fuel prices in terms of groceries and various consumer goods.

Could it be that those guys I see gassing up at a gas pump (tanks on 4-wheelers on a trailer towed by a gas guzzling pick-up) on Sunday mornings may be forced to revise their pleasure agenda in the future? Many other examples could be cited as people deal with costly expenses related to the pursuit of pleasure to the neglect of giving time, attention, money and worship to the living God!

Stop and think for a minute -- a lot of decisions are going to be made and a lot of plans changed due to drastically changed financial spending -- we'll spend a lot more money on our gas, our heat, our groceries -- which means leas money for our pleasure pursuits than we've been used to having. And then there is the fact that many families are up to their eyeballs in debt because they made the deadly mistake of adopting the philosophy of "instant gratification" -- just have to have those things that enhance our fun times even if we have to go deeply into debt to get them.

Something we so easily forget -- the thing about God as He begins to deal with a culture and its rebellion is that He has many methods at His disposal and can keep turning the screws tighter and tighter as time progresses!

Of course we also have an abundance of information available that if the tactics do not bring about the desired results, then eventually judgment is employed and God has done that very thing a number of times, but somehow the dominant spirit in our republic right now is that we feel we are an exception -- besides, this is a "Christian" nation, isn't it?

What will be the next "god" or "goddess" on God's hit list? Now is the perfect time to review a portion of 2 Chronicles 36 -- see how one people fared who thought they could ignore God and get away with it -- start reading at about verse 11.

"For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD." --- Exodus 12:12

Will It Be Blessing Prayers or Repenting Prayers?

"God bless America!" --- oft repeated phrase heard throughout the United States on numerous occasions -- i.e. after a presidential address et alii!

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." --- Daniel 9:3-6

May 1, 2008 has been designated as the National Day of Prayer in the republic of the United States. It has been something which has taken place for a long time.

How will it go this year as many join together in observance of this event? Will it be dominated mainly by "blessing" prayers -- that is, a chorus of voices beseeching God to bless the nation, its leaders and all the citizens? As noted above, the phrase, "God bless America," has been used again and again and we have a song by that very title as well.

Or will there be praying that reflects the critical matter of repentance at all levels of our nation? A primary example is that of Daniel who was deeply concerned about the issue of repentance on the part of his people. He makes no excuses but honestly admits the heart of the problem -- willful disobedience to God which brought about the destruction of the kingdom in which he was a citizen!

There is little indication at this stage that the spirit of a grieving prophet over his people's sin will be recaptured on May 1 in our nation. There may be a few who recognize the need to repent -- a repentance involving each individual as well repentance at the collective level involving our institutions, including church groups and government!

Lest one is tempted to think that Daniel was a bit "self-righteous" in all this, as you read further through the account you find that he admits to confessing not only the sin of his nation, but also his own sin! We don't have the details on that -- in fact, Daniel is of such a noble character that the Bible does not record one negative thing about him as in the case of a number of others.

So then -- have you been praying for our nation? Not focusing on seeking blessings, but rather expressing grief over how sin is ravaging our culture and the need to repent of all that God finds to be offensive and abominable in His sight?

Far be it from us that we just devote a little attention to this on May 1, but that each day will find us beseeching our heavenly Father to be merciful because we are a sinful and wicked nation and need to repent before He chooses to bring devastating judgments upon us!

And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Son of man, say to her: 'You are a land that is not cleansed or rained on in the day of indignation.' The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured people; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst. Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy people, and to get dishonest gain. Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, 'Thus says the Lord GOD,' when the LORD had not spoken. The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads," says the Lord GOD. --- Ezekiel 22:23-31

Monkey See, Monkey Do Continued!

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

The monkey above appeared recently in a post which was titled in part with the term, "Money See, Monkey Do!" You'll have to go back a ways to see it or hit the word, monkey, in the label list. In light of developing events, the title is appropriate for today's comments.

This past Monday it was reported in Waycross GA that nine 3rd-grade students conspired to hit their teacher over the head with a blunt object, handcuff the teacher and then stab the teacher! The plot was discovered before the little tykes (or substitute monsters for this one!) were able to execute the plan. Investigation continues with the students (word used loosely) suspended. One theory is that the conspiracy was hatched because of a student being punished.

In addition to the knife discovered in the backpack of a student, other items recovered were duct tape, handcuffs, ribbon and a heavy crystal paperweight. Well now, where do you suppose those young 'uns ever got an idea such as that? Some at least will admit there is a lot excessive violence available for our young to experience by way of "musical lyrics," gaming and supposed "entertainment!"

April 3, 2008 news report from WJAC-TV in Johnstown PA -- three kindergarten boys cornered a 6 year-old girl, exposed themselves to her, and demanded that she touch them in their private area and give them oral sex! Where was the teacher while this little drama was playing itself out? It seems the teacher wasn't paying very close attention to just what the activity time involved for three who were her responsibility!

Same question as asked above -- just where did those little guys come up with all that, or are they starting graphic sex ed classes at the pre-school or kindergarten level now -- you know, teach those kids how to do it, do it right, and do it safely, right?

In the case of the three with their little hormones going crazy, perhaps they got instruction off the Internet -- it is now possible for them to access some very graphic stuff for free in spite of so-called "controls" put in place!

Have you been getting any feelings lately that something has gone a bit awry -- that the ship of a republic known as the United States is listing a bit -- or maybe a more dramatic example -- we resemble a modern day Titanic which has struck some spiritual, moral and ethical icebergs and are unable to plug the gash -- just ain't enough duct tape around to seal those gaps!

Things haven't improved a whole lot have they since those days decades ago when we decided to banish God, His Word and the practice of praying to Him in our public schools? Activities that now fill in the vacuum left by that debacle are not all that attractive are they? And then we followed up with the systematic extermination of what amounts now to about 100,000 unborn children on average per month throughout the year -- tally is now pushing up toward a grand total of 50 million victims! When we reach that, is it possible that God might step in and say the slaughter has gone on long enough -- time to stop it! Time will tell -- but speaking for myself and my family, we really don't want to be around at that precise moment when God makes a direct response to these abominations -- and rest assured, He will be making a response -- not whether He will, but WHEN!!

How do you avoid such tragedies as those just mentioned? The formula has been around for a long, long time -- but as a culture we have rejected the formula and chosen rather to give God an obscene gesture by way of response!

"Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the LORD your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, that you may fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the LORD God of your fathers has promised you; 'a land flowing with milk and honey.' Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart; you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." --- Deuteronomy 6:1-9