Fairy Tales 2008!

"When I become the next president in 2008, I am going to....." (insert anything in place of the periods -- it will be helpful if you let your imagination kick into overdrive for a few minutes before inserting the whatevers!). Now after that insert any name from the "wannabe" candidates for president of the U.S.A. at any location, any day of the week, any hour of the day or night! This applies up until the conventions later this year -- then you can still do the above exercise, but the names will be limited to Democratic and Republican nominees plus whoever else may jump into this 3-ring circus!

Circulating on the Internet is this little gem of a granny with a couple of her grandchildren -- granny, having lived for quite a number of years, has developed an immeasurable amount of wisdom when it comes to the subject of "politics!"



Now then, a modest proposal which will transform this repugnant practice every 4 years in the matter of choosing a president:

• each aspiring candidate would be given $100,000 out of the U.S. treasury to use to convince us as to why he or she should be president. No other funds, including private contributions by groups, corporations, or individuals would be permitted. The candidate would not be permitted to even use money out of his or her private bank accounts -- only the 100 G's could be used and a public record would be revealed as such funds are used up, making the individual accountable for that amount. If the amount is exceeded, then the candidate would be automatically disqualified from further involvement in seeking public office. Once the funds are used, that's it. Media could not give "free" time or space to the candidates during this time. It would be illegal for private citizens to "buy" advertising space for a candidate.
  
  

  Don't forget -- more elections are "bought" than we would want to admit -- in far too many cases, he or she who can garner the most bucks, usually takes the cake -- or more accurately, the political office which that person coveted intensely!
  
  

• political "conventions" would be eliminated -- the primary voting tallies added up for all states would determine who would be the candidate -- runner up would be the VP candidate, whether the presidential candidate liked him or her or not!
  
  
• during the week before the election, the media would give one half hour to each candidate to make a speech to the whole country as to why he or she should be elected president. After the speech no media hatchet men (or women) would be permitted to hash and rehash and rehash and rehash what has been said. Printed media would permit each presidential candidate and vice presidential candidate to write in 1,000 words maximum a listing of reasons why they should be elected to lead our nation for 4 years. The expense for that half hour and printed space in news media would also be paid for from public funds -- no political parties involved in this! That would be it -- nothing more!
  

OK, OK! So it qualifies for something of the most radical kind rather than being just modest! Yes, yes -- I know this doesn't stand a chance of surviving -- even much less than the proverbial snowball has in that very hot place you may have heard about -- which is denied by a number of theologians, seminary professors, and pastors -- but alas, I digress -- the hot place subject is for another time and eventually will be discussed in this blog at some point in the future.

Stop and think about the criminality and profanity of it all -- millions upon millions of dollars spent by a number of very ambitious people who are trying to convince us that the U.S. government under their leadership will take good care of us from "the womb to the tomb!"

What really is disturbing to the first magnitude is this -- all that money which could really be used to help the needy -- those victimized by the goons of greed in high places -- skyrocketing prices in about everything and no plausible explanation other than powerful people in high places can pull strings at will and the low income people get kicked again, even when they are already down!

Actually, we're probably talking money in terms of billions instead of millions when the dust has settled a bit come January 2009! And that doesn't include the congressional election mess, or equally so, the elections at the state level!

One thing sure -- if those radical proposals just mentioned would become a reality, it would end a lot of this thing of politicians being "beholden" to certain special interest groups and powerful individuals who have helped "finance" their campaigns -- but hold on, it will come to an end.

Perhaps God will step in soon -- and we should expect that since none of the candidates have really addressed the ethical, moral and spiritual crises which threaten the ongoing survival of this republic!

But there is good news -- a day is coming when all politicians will be booted out of office -- the control of this nation, if it is still standing at the time, and all others in the world will be in the hands of One Who holds the title, King of kings and Lord of lords."

For a few of us, we can put up with the political antics a while longer, though it be very frustrating -- do our voting according to conscience for the time being, but at the same time look forward to the day when God in effect says, "Now we are going to do everything MY way!"

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."..........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!" --- Psalm 2:1-6; Revelation 11:15

And a P.S. on this -- I am a "non-affiliated" registered voter in Cambria County, Pennsylvania -- I like it that way, especially when I get calls from political groups seeking my vote for their candidate -- funny thing, as we engage in conversation, it seems they convey a feeling of regret that they dialed my phone number -- now, I wonder why?????

The TV News Channels -- Can Those People Really Be Trusted?

"You know what’s really frightening? You actually have an influence on this presidential election. That is scary, but it’s true. You’ve got stoned slackers watching your dopey show every night and they can vote." --- Bill O'Reilly (talking head par excellence of Fox News) as quoted in a remark to "Daily Show" host Jon Stewart, Sept. 22, 2004

We are a people practically smothered in surveys and polls with no sign of any relief in the near future -- especially in a presidential election year!

Competition is extremely fierce among those 24/7 news channels with at least two making the claim that they are number 1 and the most trusted!

Those are Fox News and CNN with others nipping at their heals.

Fox News with its razzle-dazzle display of graphics gives one the impression that here is a beauty pageant of females with nearly inch-thick layers of make-up masquerading as news -- there are a few males sprinkled here and there! The claim of this whole bunch is that they are "fair" and "balanced" and "surveys" taken are used as proof that they are trusted and the most "conservative," whatever that word is supposed to mean anymore!

CNN also does a great job of flashing all kinds of stuff before your eyes when it comes to graphic images and all that kind of stuff, being so similar to Fox News. One of the king pins on this network is "Wolf the Blitz" -- he, along with other CNN males and females, is an expert on just about any topic you want to name.

The networks are really scrambling to outdo each other in this election year -- you know how it works don't you? Higher ratings always mean more revenue for the network and fatter wallets and purses for the guys and gals who do the reporting! So it's a bare knuckle brawl out there as we move toward November 2008!

If these people were really honest with us, they would paint their faces white, put a red rubber ball on their noses, and dress up in a baggy purple suit with yellow polka dots!

Trust them? Why should we? They have an "agenda" which they will try to keep concealed as much as possible -- they are masters at the use of words and phrases -- the "tilting" of information and not really "reporting" objectively but telling us how we ought to think about the issues of the day.

One accessory is an absolute must in each household if you choose to view and listen to these people -- have an air sick bag at your side at all times -- and maybe two, especially when they conduct one of those presidential candidate "debates" -- you'll fill more than one bag after an episode such as that!

Be careful as you try to sort out truth in the massive flow of information with which we are bombarded daily from many different sources -- TV, talk (yak) radio, printed media, and what purports to be "news" magazines!

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

The good news is that anyone can know the truth if he or she really wants to and to be able to discern the right from the wrong -- but there are conditions to be met in order to experience those things.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. --- 1 John 4:1-6

Support March for Life 2008

January 22, 2008 will be a big day in Washington DC -- the annual March for Life, protesting the destruction of millions of unborn children since the infamous Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision which was spewed forth on January 22, 1973.

Ways you can help and support this witness on behalf of the unborn:

• you can make the trip and participate in the March for Life in Washington DC if time, health, and expense will permit you to do so.
  
  
• BUT, more importantly, you can pray that God will speak loud and clear through this special witness on the anniversary date -- further, you can pray that God will do whatever necessary to awaken this nation, its citizens, and its leaders (political & church) to the fact that the slaughter has got to stop very soon, or else we have nothing to look forward to but the undiluted wrath of a holy God being visited upon the whole nation!
  
  
• AND as a further way to be involved beyond January 22, you can write letters to leaders, elected officials and church leaders, and draw attention to this abomination that has gone on far, far too long!
  

Some information related to the 2008 March for Life and the issue of destroying unborn children under the pretense of a supposed "constitutional right" is found at

March for Life 2008

A link at the bottom of that area will bring you back here to "Musings of a Maverick!"

Also, if you want to run down numbers of innocent victims from certain points of time since January 22, 1973 (for instance since 9/11, etc.), go to

A Quick Look At the United States' Massacre Tally!

For any United Methodists who may have ventured here, scroll down a ways as you check the facts of the United States' massacre and you will see how many unborn children have been mutilated and murdered in the womb since your bishop took office -- and then ask yourself, "How many times has my bishop protested this shedding of innocent blood?"
Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; and I ordained you a prophet to the nations." --- Jeremiah 1:4, 5

You Think You've Had Nightmares Before? Here's a Possible "Granddaddy" for 2008!

Now a word was secretly brought to me, and my ear received a whisper of it. In disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones shake. Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair on my body stood up. --- Job 4:12-15

After her embarrassment in the Iowa caucus, Mrs. Clinton got a measure of revenge over B. Obama in New Hampshire. These two Democratic front runners are in a real slugfest to say the least. It will be brass knuckles all the way through successive primaries in the coming weeks and months.

How about this for a winning "combo" come election time in November 2008? Mrs. C. and B. O. hooking up in an effort to win the White House for 4 years starting in January 2009?

Each of these is appealing to and receiving support from certain segments of the population -- add them together and you have a number that no other candidate, Democrat or Republican, can match!

Never happen, you say? That could be and I am certainly no prophet nor the son of a prophet on such matters. But I do remember back when John Kennedy was running for president -- he and Lyndon Johnson despised each other, but it was recognized that Kennedy had to take Texas if he was going to have a chance at winning the presidency -- and so, politics being the smelly and hypocritical business that it usually is, L.B.J. was put on the ticket as Vice President and Kennedy won Texas and the office of President of the U.S.A!

Now in the Mrs. C. and B. O. deal -- with each possessing an ego that makes Mt. Everest seem like a miniature mole hill by way of comparison, there could be more than a bit of tension as to who has what slot -- but B. O. is a very young man in the political realm -- he could serve 2 terms as a V. P. and still be young when it comes to making a run for the presidency.

Many have been amazed at the meteoric rise of B. O. in such a short time in the game of politics, but remember this -- a meteor makes a very bright and spectacular flash in the sky for a short time and then it's done -- there's nothing left afterward but dust and ashes! Politicians in recent decades have resembled this process again and again with lots of dust and ashes left in their wake!

If the Mrs. C. and B. O. combo should actually happen, look out -- a nightmare of indescribable horror will begin in January of 2009!

But then if either one of the above captures the presidency with someone else as her or his V.P. it will still be one that will qualify for an entry in the Guinness Book of Records as the most horrifying happening ever to hit a republic known as the U.S. of A!

Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted, to the oppressing city! She has not obeyed His voice, she has not received correction; she has not trusted in the LORD, she has not drawn near to her God. Her princes in her midst are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves that leave not a bone till morning. Her prophets are insolent, treacherous people; her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law. --- Zephaniah 3:1-4

Are the U. S. "gods" Finally Coming Under Fire?

"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

The new year of 2008 isn't starting off with a host of pleasant and nice things for the United States. Lots of calamities of one kind or another are erupting!

After going through a rash of destructive wild fires, California is now being hammered again with a massive storm which has resulted in mass power outages, a big bunch of snow in high elevations, and threatened mud slides in those areas burned off by the fires earlier.

There are other weather related problems which have or are taking place in other parts of the country and causing more than just a tad of havoc!

And then there is the bad news of higher unemployment and the loss taking place in the stock market -- the U. S. dollar is taking a hammering in more ways than one throughout the world!

International relations are not the best as we continue to struggle with the Iraq and the Afghanistan debacles. The assassination of the former Prime Minister of Pakistan has not helped the U. S. as it continues to "wage war" against terrorism as President Bush attempts to define it!

The United States used to be a nation highly respected throughout the world decades ago, but such is no longer the case. We are a country more often than not mocked, ridiculed, and intensely despised by many people in other nations. And when some high ranking official from the U. S. government goes on a "mission" to some other country for the purpose of improving relations or resolving some conflict his or her efforts often prove to be fruitless due to not having any significant measure of respect -- for instance, just how effective has Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice, been in solving the problems anywhere she has gone during her foreign junkets? It's been talk, talk, talk with a news report of some kind saying that the discussions have been "productive." But in actuality, there has been no significant "production!"

A possible explanation for all this? Could it be that the false "deities" which we have fashioned for ourselves, especially during the last half of the 20th Century, are coming under fire by Almighty God? He has judged nations in the past and in the process has singled out their various idols as a target of His wrath! Ancient Egypt is a classic example, but not the only one!

Part of the tragedy in such an experience is that usually the leadership, political and religious, as well as the citizens refuse to face the reality of this. The response they often make is in the form of a question -- "Why is God doing these things to us?" Note the pattern which was set many centuries ago -- the only difference is that we have more technology with which to do more evil at a faster pace than did those people of ancient time!

"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

Think about this as we move through 2008 and each time some kind of calamity takes place in some form or other in our republic, ask this -- "Is God using this to try to wake us up and bring us to repentance, as individuals and as a nation?"

By the way, some of the more prominent U. S. "deities" are mentioned along the way in Driving The Final Nails! A link at the bottom of that area will bring you back to this place. A warning in advance -- the experience could upset you quite a bit!

The LORD will be awesome to them, for He will reduce to nothing all the gods of the earth; people shall worship Him, each one from his place, indeed all the shores of the nations. --- Zephaniah 2:11

For Christians Only!

Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what advantage is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?".......... "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple." --- Luke 9:23-25; 14:26, 27

Huge numbers of people consider a bunch of resolutions upon launching into a new year. Even Christians consider how they may do some things diferently as they start off a new year. 2008 will certainly be no exception.

How about adopting the following conviction as powerfully expressed by an African pastor two years ago?

December 31, 2005

I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problems recognizing me - my banner will be clear!

Anonymous African Pastor – Statement Nailed to his wall.

This is a most challenging statement and leaves no doubt as to where this Christian stands, does it not? It requires more than a tad of soul searching for us who are used to soft living in these United States and where at times we may drift all too easily into a Laodicean way of life in our profession of being Christian in our faith! (Read through Revelation 3 for more defined details about the Laodicean way!).

I suggested to the members of my congregation this past Sunday, December 30th, that we place the above statement in our Bibles and that we intentionally read it time after time as we move through 2008.

If you are not a Christian, the above statement as well as the quote from Jesus at the very beginning has absolutely no meaning to you whatsoever. But that can be changed by a deliberate decision on your part. Review How to Become a Christian! -- a link at the bottom of that area will bring you back to this place. If you have questions please email me at cdharriger@hotmail.com

Don't forget.....only a Christian can live each day with the assurance of ALL sins forgiven, the living presence of Jesus with him/her, and in possession a solid hope for the future -- not just in terms of time, but for all eternity!

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. --- 1 John 3:1-3

November 28th Debate Orchestrated by CNN?

As has been the practice, the "news" network that is directly involved in a debate which involves aspiring presidential candidates always pulls out all the stops when it comes to promoting the event days in advance.

One has to wonder about CNN's involvement regarding the 07/11/28 event. There was a heavy emphasis on questions coming from individuals in a video format -- supposedly these persons came up with the questions and fired them at the competing candidates.

It is most interesting the types of questions that were asked -- unlike anything so far in the way they were asked and with graphic dramatization in some cases!

For instance:

• A guy held a Bible in his hand and asked if the candidates believed every word in the book he was holding -- then a close up view of the book with the title, "Holy Bible," in prominent view. That sparked interesting responses. Who manipulated that guy to ask that question?
  
  
• A guy asked about gun laws, 2nd Amendment rights, etc. For dramatic effect someone who is out of view of the camera tosses a shotgun to him which he catches with one hand and immediately proceeds to "load" by activating the slide action. Again, is this a case of "clever" manipulation or what?
  
  
• Now for the clincher -- the issue of abortion and a question posed that if Congress overturned Roe v. Wade and sent the legislation to the person who was at that time president, would he sign the bill? Again, a real scramble and fancy footwork when it came to responding!
  

Now for the real question on these shenanigans -- will CNN orchestrate an identical format for the Democrats for their next debate -- same questions worded in the very same way plus the drama?

Or maybe Fox News can do it -- you know, that "glamor channel" with dancing graphics, packed full of ads, and a few "news" comments thrown in now and then with a stress on the fact that Fox News is "fair and balanced" -- and, oh yes, a ticker going once in a while until the ads knock it off until they run their course!

As we grind through 2008 we can be assured that these networks that claim to be "news" dispensers will attempt to manipulate their audiences in every way possible to get us to vote for their preferred "candidate!"

The safe way is to view these people with a high level of suspicion whenever you are exposed to them -- it helps immensely to employ that great button on the remote at times -- it says, "MUTE!"

This, by the way, has been written by one who is officially a "Non-affiliated" registered voter.

Did Bob Hope Prophesy About the Year 2008?

Bob Hope was well known for being one of the greatest comedians in history. However, did he have a "gift" for prophesying but was not aware that he had such a gift? Evidence of this is now circulating a bit around the internet. Was Bob really speaking of 2008 in the United States and didn't realize it at the moment?

Take a look and hear his solemn statement in regard to the 2007/2008 political climate of the United States -- go to Bob Hope Prophesies!

Use reverse feature on your web browser to come back here and browse around a bit.

How Much Car Does a Person Need, Anyway?

If it were possible for eyeballs to literally pop out of their sockets, it would have happened at the Frankfurt auto show recently. At such an event there are many impressive automobiles on display, but whatever the value and however impressive any might have been in styling, all but one faded into the background.

The CEO of Lamborghini may have popped the buttons off his vest at this year's event. Some words spoken by Stephen Winkelman regarding the debut of his company's latest offering were these: "Uncompromising...a true automotive superlative."

That may have been an understatement as attendees at the show viewed a creation which was named, Reventon. There is supposed to be a little accent mark above the "o" in the name. And about that name -- seems the car was given the same name as that of a bull which killed the very well known #1 professional bull fighter, Felix Guzman, back in 1943!

Reventon looks almost like a jet fighter minus the wings! It is powered by a 12-cylinder engine which cranks out 650 horsepower and makes possible reaching 62 mph in 3.4 seconds with an 8,000 rpm red line!

One would think you would tear off all the tread on the rear tires when you are moving up to that 62 mph in those 3.4 seconds, but actually you have tread strain on all 4 tires while this little drama is played out. The car has what is called a "robotized gearbox" which transmits the power to all 4 wheels.

Anxious to get one so you can say that for once you not only kept up with the Jones family next door, but you passed them up and left them in the dust many miles back?

Better scramble and get in line because a limited number of these vehicles will be built and available for sale in 2008 -- only 20 will be built! The price? Oh, I guess we forgot to mention that at the beginning. Well, it will be about 1.4 million U.S. dollars plus tax! And then you might have to scramble a bit to find someone to insure this machine.

It is practically guaranteed that there will be 20 persons of great wealth who will order up -- there is no lack of persons in this world who like to display their wealth in different ways, whether the buying of a few mansions here and there, getting a few luxury automobiles, tailor made clothes, or if you are a wealthy presidential candidate and want every strand of your hair to be in proper place in order to impress the public, you lay out $400 for a haircut!

It is a fact -- very, very few people in this world can handle wealth and power responsibly -- in the vast majority of cases it's an ego thing sending out images which say, "Look at me and all my money and what I have bought for myself!"

God has addressed this problem repeatedly in His revelation (Holy Bible) to us. Because of the prominence of selfishness and greed in every generation the things God has to say are not flattering to say the least.

Never forget -- whatever amount of material goods God has allowed us to gain in this lifetime, it is extremely critical that we constantly converse with Him about how we should use those material goods (including money) in the interest of expanding His Kingdom in this chaotic world. Evidence is overwhelming that too few at all economic levels are willing to do this. Instead the prevailing attitude is -- "It's my money -- I worked hard for it and I will do with it as I (expletive deleted) well please!"

What percentage of your material goods is being used to honor the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and advance His Kingdom?

For a related discussion on this issue, see "Reminders When Mansion Shopping!" As an aside, one man wrote me a very irate email -- he thought from the title that he would get some advice on buying a mansion, especially how to save on taxes, etc! Actually there is something there far better than that -- he just had a vision problem -- he couldn't see far enough into the future! How far can you see?

Those who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him; for the redemption of their souls is costly, and it shall cease forever; that he should continue to live eternally, and not see the Pit. For he sees that wise men die; likewise the fool and the senseless person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
Their inner thought is that their houses will continue forever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. Nevertheless man, though in honor, does not remain; He is like the beasts that perish. This is the way of those who are foolish, and of their posterity who approve their sayings. Selah. Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall be consumed in the grave, far from their dwelling. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me. Selah. Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, when the glory of his house is increased; for when he dies he shall carry nothing away; his glory shall not descend after him. Though while he lives he blesses himself (For men will praise you when you do well for yourself), he shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. --- Psalm 49:6-19