I Did Not Listen to Obama's Address and Here's Why...!

Obama gave an address, March 28th, in which he attempted to spell out the issue of our involvement in Libya. And remember, this is the man who gave speeches and adamantly opposed G. W. Bush's policy of going into Iraq for the purpose of removing S. Hussein from power. --- documentation on both these matters readily available on the Internet

President Obama gave an address on Monday evening, March 28, 2011, that was devoted to the issue of our involvement in the conflict presently taking place in Libya.

In the first place, I do not believe anything he says these days -- the one exception would be if he told me that the newspaper he is holding in his hand is white with black print -- that I would believe, but only after a close look with my own eyes to make sure he hadn't had it changed to black paper with white print!

In the second place, here is a man totally inexperienced to deal with the vast and critical responsibilities of the United States presidency.

What has he really done by way of preparation? There is absolutely no experience in the real work place by way of serious employment -- that is, holding down a job for a period of time in which one really has to work to make a living and to know how it is with the majority of U. S. citizens who sweat and labor to earn their bread, take care of their families, and provide a roof over their heads.

He has had absolutely no military experience whatsoever and has never known the discipline which starts with day one of basic training, nor really how the chain of command operates when one is in the military. Actually, I would pay money to see him go through Marine Corps boot camp, and if I had the choice, it would be conditions in boot camp at Parris Island when I went through during what was known as the Korean "Police Action" with drill instructors, such as ones I had, who were in the 1st Marine Division when they were surrounded by the Chinese in Korea and fought their way out!

Obama has had no real business experience and as some have observed, not even a slight taste of managing a McDonald's hamburger place! So much for understanding what business is about in a free market society -- or what used to be a free market society in light of growing government intrusion and control under the "leadership" (term used very loosely) of his administration.

What has he done? Well, he has a Harvard law degree and with the proliferation of trial lawyers and the deluge of their advertising to pressure us to sue someone, even if we can only come up with an ingrown toenail for which to blame someone and sue for "money that the law says is rightfully yours!" So the law degree thing is not all that impressive. And there are serious questions raised as to where he got all the money to get that Harvard education as well as attending college before he got that far -- one of many mysteries that surround this person.

And there were the "community organizing" stint and the sitting under the radical and anti-Biblical preaching of Jeremiah Wright for years that took place. And eventually the involvement in Chicago and Illinois politics with election to the legislature and later a seat in the U.S. senate. Politics in that part of our republic makes the traditional Philadelphia PA brand seem like pure honey by comparison!

There are at least 2 solid reasons why this man cannot be successful in his role as president. First, he is a staunch supporter of the practice of destroying unborn children by the thousands every week of the year. His record on past legislation and his statements bear solid witness of that fact. Second, he pressed for and eventually signed legislation lifting the ban on sodomites serving openly in the U.S. military. He is in obvious disagreement with God's view in these areas -- the sacredness of human life and the practice of sodomy being an abomination as God defines it!

Therefore, he is laboring without the blessing of God and such "leadership" results in a dark cloud hanging over our nation, which grows darker with the passing of each day. Barack Obama's counterpart lived centuries ago - a king by the name of Manasseh in the ancient Israelite kingdom of Judah -- note this observation of the man: "Moreover Manasseh shed very much innocent blood, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another, besides his sin with which he made Judah sin, in doing evil in the sight of the LORD." (2 Kings 21:16).

Is there hope in such a dismal circumstance? Yes, but it remains to be seen just how God will work this out -- at this point the preponderance of evidence is pointing to a judgment taking place. If there should be full repentance on the part of all (citizens and leaders, political and church) then the nation would be healed and become stable and secure for the future.

The ultimate hope of course is in the return of Jesus Christ to this planet, taking control of all nations, and ruling in righteousness and truth, thus establishing peace all over the world. In part that hope involves the assurance that all the leaders of the nations of this world will be removed from their positions -- something great to look forward to, is it not? I liken it to a child on Christmas Eve looking forward with a sense of deep excitement and intense expectation -- at least, that is how I view this prospect!

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

Is Hypocrisy a Possible in the White House Oval Office in Washington DC?

With American military forces poised for action, President Barack Obama said Saturday that the United States and its allies are prepared to act with urgency to end violence against civilians in Libya......"Our consensus was strong, and our resolve is clear. The people of Libya must be protected, and in the absence of an immediate end to the violence against civilians our coalition is prepared to act, and to act with urgency," Obama said in Brasilia, Brazil, on the first day of a three-country Latin American tour. --- AP news information on the internet

Barack Obama (D-Ill.) came out in opposition to the Iraq War at least as early as October 2, 2002, when he gave a speech against the war at an anti-war rally in Chicago. --- SourceWatch and Congresspedia

You have to go back a few years when the Iraq issue came to the forefront and President G. W. Bush was attempting to sell the idea that we just had to go in and take out Saddam Hussein. Details were given as to the reasons why this had to be done as soon as possible. I, for one, still wonder to this day whether or not Daddy Bush wasn't also urging his son to take such action in light of the fact that Daddy B. failed to do this when he had the opportunity to do so in an event known as Desert Storm! Maybe a conversation something like this took place -- "Son, I really fumbled the ball in Desert Storm by negotiating with Saddam's people under a tent out in the desert -- why don't you nail his hide to the wall?"

Anyway, we got involved in a conflict that has cost a lot of lives of our young folks and a lot of big bucks, with the end not yet. A runny-nosed, wet-behind-the-ears member of the Illinois legislature by the name of Barack Obama went on a crusade against the war in high profile fashion. In one of his speeches he asked questions of George Bush and his willingness to fight. One question asked was whether G.W. was willing to fight against our dependence upon foreign oil, which was one factor involved in the Iraq circumstance.

Now that he has been president for over two years it seems that President Obama hasn't done anything significant to set us free from our dependence upon foreign oil has he? If anything, we are in worse shape now in regard to the oil issue than ever, though we have access to great amounts of petroleum -- but what some call the "environmental wackos" have blocked that possibility rather effectively!

So now the Libyan crisis has erupted with the attempt by rebels to topple Gadhafi from power. But the man is waging war against the rebel forces. In the eyes of Barack Obama this man is evil and he treats his people badly and so he needs to go. Hmmmm -- wasn't that kind of thing also said about Saddam Hussein and the quality of his leadership in Iraq, but B.O. felt it was none of our business to interfere in the nation of Iraq and its affairs? He also made a big issue about the loss of American lives in the Iraq conflict. Doesn't seem to matter now if it should come to the point of losing any Americans as long as we get that bad man out of office and it doesn't matter about the cost -- what's a few more billions of dollars since we are up over our eyeballs in excess of 14 trillion dollars in debt?

So now, suddenly, we need to get Gadhafi removed from power! Do you sense anything here that is more than a tad hypocritical? But then with U.S. politicians at most any level, is that really anything new? And can this be simply another matter where the REAL reason is that Libya is sitting on a sizable puddle of oil? Just sort of thinking out loud on this!

Little do the leaders of the nations (including the United States) of the world realize they are walking down the very path which the Bible says they would -- wars, rumors of wars, accompanied by chaos of every conceivable kind. When you hear presidents, prime ministers, kings, queens, or two-bit dictators speak and act, just remember that they are demonstrating how to fail due to an unwillingness to submit to Almighty God's sovereign authority!

But there is good news for the future so far as the followers of Jesus Christ are concerned -- many statements in the Scriptures make reference to the future, but one which summarizes it so well is found in the book of the Revelation -- "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!'"

Sleep on that one tonight -- a bright future that will provide pleasant dreams!

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." --- Psalm 2:1-6

Nazism Reborn in the USA!

On March 30, 2001, Obama was the only Illinois senator who rose to speak against a bill that would have protected babies who survived late term labor-induced abortion. Obama rose to object that if the bill passed, and a nine-month-old fetus survived a late-term labor-induced abortion was deemed to be a person who had a right to live, then the law would "forbid abortions to take place." Obama further explained the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment does not allow somebody to kill a child, so if the law deemed a child who survived a late-term labor-induced abortion had a right to live, "then this would be an anti-abortion statute." --- source: Obama Nation, by Jerome Corsi, p.238, Aug 1, 2008

To even mention the name Nazi and apply it to anything taking place in the United States is considered an offense that is equal to being guilty of blasphemy and on a par with that of slapping Almighty God in the face! But hang on and consider some comparisons that provide evidence showing indeed WW II Nazism has been reborn in the "land of the free and the home of the brave."

Recent decades have witnessed a deadly change occuring in government at the federal level in the United States.

First, Nazism rejected God's view of human life and the fact that each conceived human life is special in God's sight. Further, He has a unique plan for each human life. (Note such Scripture references as Jeremiah 1:4,5; Psalm 139, and Ephesians 1:3-6). Adolph Hitler and the Nazis took the position that they were the arbiters when it came to who should live and who should be exterminated from the society of the living. It is estimated that there were at least 14 million or more who were victims of the Nazi view of human life, of which at least 6 million were Jews alone! There seems to be a near unanimouse agreement that these were very "evil" people for having been involved in exterminating those millions.

The spirit of Nazism, having gained a foothold in the United States, has resulted in 52 million unborn humans being intentionally mutilated and murdered in their "mother's" wombs since January of 1973! Elected officials of both major political parties give sanction to this practice while some others who claim to be "pro-life" seem to be afflicted with a severe case of lock-jaw when it comes to speaking out and advocating aggressive action to stop the "shedding of innocent blood" throughout the land. G. W. Bush was considered to be a president who was "pro-life" but the millions continued to be destroyed in the womb during his presidency. He showed none of the aggressive spirit in putting the killer doctors out of business as he did in convincing the nation that we had to invade Iraq and take down Saddam Hussein who was guilty of an estimated 1 million victims during his reign of terror -- ah, there is a difference between 1 million and 52 million, is there not? And of course the present president puts his stamp of approval on the practice and will nominate judges to the Supreme Court who will guarantee that the slaughter of the innocents will continue. Well, that is, until God steps in and says, "Enough is enough!"

Second, Nazi leaders progressively took control of industry, business and finance in Germany as the months came and went. The media came under strict control as well. Joseph Goebbels was a master of deception as he directed the flow of propaganda so that the people would "feel good" about their country and its leaders.

We are witnessing increased control by the federal government in areas involving industry, banks, healthcare, etc. Remember the General Motors episode in which people began referring to GM as "Government Motors?" And while the government does not literally control the media outlets yet, they might as well since many of those involved in major media outlets have become so enraptured with Barack Obama that they resemble children enthusiastically following the Pied Piper! They would not want to be the least bit critical of the president, because if you convey the slightest hint of negativity, then you are a "racist" and extremely prejudiced!

Third, Nazi leaders were convinced that they were more intelligent than the German citizens and therefore in a position to know what was best for them. So they initiated their "programs" with the idea that these were best for everyone and the establishment of a Reich lasting a thousand years.

We have a president with strong support from other elected officials who believes that we citizens do not really know what is best for us or for the country at large. Since they are of superior "intelligence," they know what is best and we need to learn to trust them and go along with all that they propose without question or objection! And while there is talk at times of "bi-partisanship" there are persons in both major political parties that really don't believe it -- "It's my way or no way!" In the meantime, whatever goes wrong or is wrong presently, it is all George Bush's fault. Politicians presently in office will likely go the grave claiming they were unable to undo all the wrong that George Bush did -- it was all his fault and they simply did not have enough time to set things right side up.

Fourth, Nazi leaders for the most part did profess "belief" in God -- that is, they claimed that there was a God Who existed. They simply didn't take His special revelation (the holy Scriptures) seriously nor did they make any concentrated effort to apply the Scriptures to daily life and responsibility, either on a personal level or on a collective level. But then, as you look at the political circumstances involving elected officials at the state level and at the federal level in our republic, you see the identical drama played out -- presidents and others are fond of throwing out the expression, "God bless America!" After having done this, God is put back in his cage, the door locked shut, and He is reminded not to interfere in any of our affairs. He has been forbidden to set foot on the property of our public schools for decades and it is not "politically correct" to make reference to God in other settings as well -- that is, unless you want Him to "damn" something or someone, then that is considered appropriate at any time and in any place!

As the government continues to take more control and our freedoms are being taken from us, we are forced to face the fact that Nazism did not really die when Germany was defeated in May of 1945. It just seemed that it did as Germany was rebuilt, but it was lurking in the shadows and waiting for the grand opportunity to rise again -- and it has. We just don't wear armbands with a swastika stamped on them!

But in the midst of bad news there is good news -- Jesus Christ has promised that He will return to this world which He brought into existence by spoken command a very long time ago. He is going to take control of this planet and rule it, which means drastic changes are going to take place. Government leaders of all nations will be out of a job and followers of Him Who is described as King of kings and Lord of lords will be involved in His Administration. All implements of war will be destroyed and reforged into useful instruments for peaceful purposes. What a day that will be!

Time to let your imagination soar a bit -- do you suppose when Jesus returns that the elected officials of the U.S. government at that time (if the U. S. still exists then) will hastily draft and pass legislation that He is not permitted to enter this country unless He has a valid passport -- ooops! I forgot -- all He has to do is go over the fence, coming in from Mexico into Texas or one of the other border states and it will be OK -- if it has worked for millions of others, why not for Jesus?

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

Presidential Example for Little Tykes!

"And whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!” --- Jesus speaking in Matthew 18:5-7

This issue as well as similar ones in the past which deal with the subject of politics with a bit of religious mix is highly controversial. I will not make any new friends and will likely gain a few more enemies in the process! But since I have been at this kind of thing for 50 years, I am somewhat used to the flak that is often fired in my direction.

A previous posting touched on this issue a bit over President Obama’s “beer diplomacy” as some have labeled it. But let’s back up a bit – in fact, quite a bit.

“I wanna be president when I grow up!” is a statement in times past that has been sometimes expressed by small children. God’s revelation makes it explicitly clear that teaching and example setting are demanded and are extremely critical in the shaping of the lives of the young. If this responsibility is done faithfully, then that young one will have gained an acceptable value system and should he or she become president, then he or she will be a good and very effective president!

At least a few (the numbers seem to be dwindling quite a bit) in these chaotic times of confusion would agree that setting an example is not an option so far as the office of U. S. president is concerned. But some in the past did not see it that way. And it is painfully obvious that the present occupant of the Oval Office in Washington DC doesn’t see it that way either!

A few years back school administration officials in a certain school district were shocked when it was learned that 6th and 7th graders were very much involved in the practicing of oral sex. When confronted, the little tykes were fast on the trigger with their response – “The president does it!” Bill Clinton’s example did not go unnoticed, did it? A further ramification of this is the fact that these young ones feel they can engage in sexual activity because it’s fun and it feels good, and the “president does it,” etc. So now we have a shocking stat that informs us that 1 out of every 4 teenaged girls has at least one STD (sexually transmitted disease) and some have more than one!

It is now known that John F. Kennedy engaged in musical beds during his presidency, though a sympathetic press kept it hush-hush at the time. But our young can learn some of the lurid details in their reading and quickly conclude if it’s ok for presidents, then it’s ok for me too!

George W. Bush was caught on an open mike using gutter language in conversation with Tony Blair in a meeting over in the Middle East. If his potty mouth was functioning well at that time it is very safe to assume that it worked at other times as well. For the young, if a president talks that kind of talk, then it’s a green light for them to do likewise – although it needs to be said that foul mouths among the young is rather common because they often learn it first of all from mom and/or dad!

Now in regard to the example being set by the present resident of the White House:

• Obama and family managed to make it to church on Easter. Just maybe he may make it this Christmas. Such a practice is the choice of quite a number who “profess” Christian faith but are sadly lacking when it comes to possession of the same. God has made plain what the practicing of the faith involves, including the discipline of faithful and regular worship in a public setting.
  
  
• B. O. has made it clear that promises are made to be broken. Defenders are quick to say that every politician makes promises that are not kept and B. O. is no different. Ah, but they are missing the point – and for those who are quick to jump to his defense on this issue, I ask one simple thing – show me name of book, chapter and verse in the Bible where God in no uncertain terms says it is acceptable to make promises and not keep them. In fact He does give considerable attention to the issue that when you make a vow (or promise) you better make sure you keep it! The consequences of failing to do so are most unpleasant.
  
  
• Obama's beer and tobacco usage are now known with any number of defenders saying that if he wants to indulge, let him do so without criticism. Both products have produced overwhelming evidence of extensive harm and destruction. The jury is no longer out in deliberation on these issues.
  
  The evidence is overwhelming. And the young are influenced to indulge because of two main factors – high powered advertising by greedy adults in the business who want more and more people to indulge in order to enlarge their bank accounts and high profile adults who by example nudge young folks down the path to disaster! And on the part of both groups, they couldn’t care less what happens to the young except in the case of the first group that the young spend lots of money on the packaged “poison” being sold and in the case of the latter group that the young be sure to vote the “right way” in elections when they become eligible – that is, if they live long enough!
  
  
• But most serious of all is the fact that Barack Hussein Obama has taken the lowest view of human life ever taken by a U. S. president and by strokes of his pen has expanded the carnage of the destruction of unborn children. They are as easily disposed of as yesterday’s garbage. He is on record in the past as opposing even those few efforts to try to protect the unborn in the latter weeks of pregnancy, and opposed legislation that would have required medical attention to be given to an unborn who survived an abortion attempt! Yes, once in a great while it does happen. But B. O. says in effect – “Let them die – don’t help them in any way, should they survive an abortion that is intended to terminate their lives!” Such an example will help the young to adopt a revived Nazi view of human life in the “land of the free and the home of the brave!”
  

But don’t forget – there is some very good news in midst of all this chaos – one of these days God is going to interrupt the flow of human history as we presently experience it – He is going to personally step in and take full control of this planet! Think not? Then what does it mean when God has declared in His Word, “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’" (Revelation 11:15).

You see, part of the great news concerning this event is the fact that all politicians and government leaders will be out of a job! The One designated as King of kings and Lord of lords will be in charge. For a few of us at least, it’s an exciting hope to which we look forward!

Sleep on it tonight!

And Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” --- Matthew 18:2-3

Letter to President Barack Hussein Obama

And a letter came to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus says the LORD God of your father David..... --- 2 Chronicles 21:12

For years I have been sending letters to presidents and other world leaders. On a regular basis letters were sent to President Bush and President Clinton.

My first to Mr. Obama took place in November shortly after he won the election earlier in the month. My first of many is going out to him today in his capacity as the 44th president to be inaugurated in the history of our republic.

A copy of this letter is found at Letter to President Barack Hussein Obama -- use reverse of your web browser to return here.

The letter to President Bush is found at Mr. President, We Need to Get Our Own House in Order First! -- again, use reverse on web browser to return here.

A number of persons, friends and family, have said, "Why waste your time doing this -- they won't read them anyway, etc." The reasons for doing this are for another time and place!

"For you are not sent to a people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, but to the house of Israel, not to many people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely, had I sent you to them, they would have listened to you. But the house of Israel will not listen to you, because they will not listen to Me; for all the house of Israel are impudent and hard-hearted. Behold, I have made your face strong against their faces, and your forehead strong against their foreheads. Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house." --- Ezekiel 3:5-9

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

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

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

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

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

Isn’t this sort of like

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bush and Chinese Human Rights -- Too Little, Too Late!

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Just hours before flying to Beijing for the Olympics on Thursday, U.S. President George W. Bush used some of his bluntest language yet in publicly pressing China to improve its human rights record.

In a speech in Bangkok on the eve of the Games' opening ceremony, when the eyes of the world will be on Beijing, Bush voiced "firm opposition" to China's detention of dissidents, human rights advocates and religious activists.

"The United States believes the people of China deserve the fundamental liberty that is the natural right of all human beings," he said in comments likely to anger China's communist leadership.

"We speak out for a free press, freedom of assembly, and labour rights not to antagonize China's leaders, but because trusting its people with greater freedom is the only way for China to develop its full potential," he said...
--- Opening statement of news release by Reuters on August 7, 2008

He’s been president for over 7 ½ years and he’s never confronted the Chinese with one of the greatest violations of human rights committed by a country in recent times

What he said about human rights as the Olympic Games were about to begin in China was in very general terms and the Chinese leadership can weather that very easily knowing all the while the United States is dependent on China for a majority of its imported consumer goods. China also owns more than just a tad of United States’ debt! If the Chinese ever demand that we pay up, we’ll see financial chaos such as never before.

The act of gross injustice and violation of human rights which Mr. Bush has not mentioned in the years of his presidency is the invasion and take over of the sovereign nation of Tibet! That happened some time ago and it is likely a big bunch of U. S. citizens don’t even know it happened, and couldn’t care less anyhow. There are a number of sources on the internet which spell out the grisly details of this event.

How many delegates, including ours, to the United Nations are demanding that China withdraw and completely turn control over to the people of Tibet – that is, simply let them run their own country?

George Bush is the same kind of “human rights” president as he is a “pro-life” president – he can “talk” pro-life talk, but when it comes to aggressively doing anything of substance to protect the unborn, well the massive shedding of innocent blood continues without any real restriction since he became president!

So, human rights in different areas of the world -– rights for the unborn children in the U. S? A fellow by the name of Bush hasn’t much by way of an impressive record on those issues, has he?

See the numbers of unborn victims since George W. Bush became president and number of victims since he said we needed to liberate the people of Iraq from the excessive brutality of Saddam Hussein – just go to A Quick Look at the United States’ Massacre Tally! Do the unborn not have rights also, even in the "land of the free and the home of the brave?"

But there is good news on the horizon in spite of this deplorable thing on the widespread violation of human rights – one of these days such violations of human rights, both of those born and those unborn, will be ended as all government leaders will be relieved of their positions permanently! You think not? Then just what does God mean when He says things such as the following:

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

You realize, do you not, that the vast majority want nothing to do with Jesus Christ – to bow the knee to Him and acknowledge Him as Savior and Lord is just unthinkable! But the day is coming when there will be no choice.

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. --- Philippians 2:9-11

More Power to the Feddy, But Will It Actually Work?

Washington DC - March 31, 2008 - Big news release focused on a proposal by the Bush administration to do a major "make over" of the financial regulatory system -- about the biggest thing yet since that infamous "crash" of 1929! Treasury Secretary Paulson had a 218-page plan (could you expect anything less from the federal government?) which spelled out the way the Federal Reserve will do this new "regulating." Its additional tentacles will now reach all the way down to local insurance agents and mortgage brokers!

It can very well be documented by a fully authoritative and totally reliable source -- if you are in agreement with and obedient to Almighty God, then things go rather well and blessings are experienced in great abundance. BUT if you are not in agreement with God and persist in ignoring His spiritual, moral and ethical standards for a sane, strong, stable, sensible, satisfying, serene, superior and successful cultural experience, then chaos and calamity will be the inevitable outcome!

Persons in elective or appointive positions of power and authority in the republic of the United States have yet to learn a very fundamental fact as best expressed by a man named Jeremiah who lived a long time ago and witnessed first hand what happens when a culture says a loud and very defiant "No!" to God one time too many! Listen to this:

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

The Federal Reserve time and again has stepped in and cut interest rates -- then the DOW rebounds a bit, but then slips back into the red. The "news" of the impending major "overhaul" will probably bring the DOW back into the green area, but for how long?

When money has become a prominent "god" in any culture, the time comes when the living God does some things which are a shocking reminder that when you embark on a course of pleasure seeking, materialistic expansion and money grabbing while at the same time you draw your moral standards out of a sewer and you don't blink an eye at the destruction of a hundred thousand of your future citizens per month, a price will always be paid! No person and no culture has ever beat the law of sowing and reaping yet and none ever will -- the law applies whether we want to acknowledge it or not -- there is always a pay day someday, for each person and each nation!

It appears that the line to the pay out window has been forming for quite some time and the question will increase in volume all the while -- "Why is God doing these things to us?"

The overhaul of the Federal Reserve and granting of more powers to that financial albatross around our republic's neck will be as effective as a doctor slapping a band aid on the finger of a terminal cancer patient, giving him an aspirin tablet and then saying, "You look fine, come back and see me tomorrow and we'll check how much you have improved!"

"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. Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, 'Thus says the LORD: "Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. Return now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good."' And they said, "That is hopeless! So we will walk according to our own plans, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart." --- Jeremiah 18:7-12

Another Date for FDR's "Infamy" Slot!

As of March 19, 2008 an anniversary will be noted. The media will give attention to it and likely President George W. Bush will also mention it. The anniversary is year # 5 since we launched a pre-emptive strike and invaded a nation in the Middle East known as Iraq.

It is also likely that some statistics will be mentioned along the way in this observance. Such things as:

• number of U. S. military personnel who have lost their lives.
  
  
• how many have been wounded, and maybe, how many have been maimed for life as a result of the many roadside bombs used by the "enemy."
  
  
• how much this operation has cost us in terms of billions of dollars, or have we reached the trillion mark -- if we haven't, hang on because we are bound to get there -- wars don't come cheap anymore!
  

However, it is highly unlikely that the following will be mentioned to any significant degree:

• how many military families have been dissolved through divorce as a direct result of this Iraq thing.
  
  
• how many suicides among military personnel have taken place since we got involved in this debacle -- the rate has been increasing as compared to conflicts in the past.
  
  
• how much "profit" certain U. S. companies have made under the pretense of "rebuilding" Iraq -- one company with which Vice President Dick Cheney used to be connected is doing especially well, as are others!
  

But there is one statistic the president, vice president, members of Congress and the mass media will not mention at all -- not even a whisper! And you can hunt high and low within the ranks of church groups -- big name denominations and independents -- again, not even a squeek out of the vocal cords!

But you can see it here and this may be about the only place you will see it -- it is a very important number. You will have to travel a bit to see it -- and once you do, will you mention it to a few other people?

Travel on over to A Much Avoided Statistic on the 5th Anniversary of the Invasion of Iraq! There is a link at the bottom of that area which will bring you back to this place.

This will also help you to remember another reason for placing March 19, 2003 in FDR's slot for dates which will live in infamy!

Surely at the commandment of the LORD this came upon Judah, to remove them from His sight because of the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he had done, and also because of the innocent blood that he had shed; for he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, which the LORD would not pardon. --- 2 Kings 24:3, 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hephzibah. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.... Also he made his son pass through the fire, practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft, and consulted spiritists and mediums. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger.... But they paid no attention, and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than the nations whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel. And the LORD spoke by His servants the prophets, saying, "Because Manasseh king of Judah has done these abominations (he has acted more wickedly than all the Amorites who were before him, and has also made Judah sin with his idols), therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'Behold, I am bringing such calamity upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whoever hears of it, both his ears will tingle...'" --- 2 Kings 21:1, 2, 6, 9-12

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

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

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

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

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

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

The above quoted news release also mentioned the following:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We're Doing Our Part to Stimulate the Economy and We Haven't Even Received Our Check from Bush Yet!

....Congress, Bush, the Federal Reserve and Wall Street are hoping the money will burn such a hole in people's pockets that they won't be able to resist spending it. And the spending is supposed to give an energizing jolt to a national economy that is in danger of toppling into a recession if it hasn't already.

Bush called the measure "a booster shot for our economy."....... --- Tidbit from Associated Press report on Valentine's Day, 2008

We're doing our part to stimulate the ailing economy of our republic and we haven't received that big check which Bush and Congress said we're going to get!

Here's how this past week went for me and the best wife I ever had -- don't laugh, because she has put up with me nearly 55 years and 57 years when you include the dating time! But, alas, again I digress -- here is the record starting on Monday, February 11:

• Monday - I put $25.00 worth of gas in the tank -- about 75 drops or so!
  
  
• Wednesday - Car inspection at a cost of $40.23 -- we're in an area where emission inspection has to be done, so that elevates the tariff a bit!
  
  
• Thursday - We had appointments at our dentist -- Jean had to have some extra work plus xrays -- $205.00 exit fee! Then Jean had an ear doctor's appointment at 5:30 pm and that was a $20.00 copay. A few days back 2 prescriptions for the ear problem cost $45.00. What a way to spend Valentine's Day -- you can't get much more romantic than that, can you?
  
  
• Saturday - A couple more prescriptions which cost $120.00 -- yes, it only hurts when I laugh! Now, remember, we got some groceries in addition to all this stuff -- unfortunately the store wasn't running any specials on cheap dog food!
  

Now, if my addition is right -- just the numbers mentioned come to about $410.23 -- won't Bush, Congress and Company be proud of us -- that money was really burning a hole in our pocket and we just had to get rid of it -- and you see in detail just how we did it -- really, folks it's not as hard to do as some people make out. Just have nimble fingers, a pen, and a checkbook handy!

Do you ever get the feeling that something is a bit amiss in the "land of the free and the home of the brave?" The government doesn't hesitate to pour billions of dollars into "wars," billions into so-called "space" programs, and without serious objection has permitted the outsourcing of a host of high paying jobs to foreign countries, but cuts back funding for helping those who are in need -- senior citizens and low income families.

But there is good news -- somewhere on the web site, Circuit Rider's Range, or in an area of this blog is a link to a piece titled, "Good News! A Day Coming in Which All Politicians Will Be Removed from Office!" If you go there by way of this link, use return feature on your browser to come back here. So, keep hanging on -- that wonderful day will come! At that time the Creator of this mighty universe will be completely in control! Take a walk through Philippians 2:5-13 in the New Testament for a "day brightener!"

"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." --- Ezekiel 22:27-29

Skateboarding, Snowboarding, and Pet Boarding, But Waterboarding?

In a news release earlier today it was reported that the Bush Administration attempted to defend the use of an interrogation technique known as "waterboarding" with the claim that it is "legal" rather than "torture" as some persons have claimed, and that by employing this method American lives have been saved! In testimony before Congress, CIA Director Michael Hayden stated that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Abu Zubaydah and Abdal-Rahim al-Nashiri were waterboarded in 2002 and 2003. --- Information contained in a news release - Feb. 6, 2008

Well now -- what have we here? As mentioned in the title, certain types of "boarding" are quite OK and in some cases most pleasant and enjoyable to experience, but "waterboarding?"

Some may not be familiar with what goes on when a person is "waterboarded" -- definitely it stands in sharp contrast to being on a skateboard or a snowboard!

OK, are you ready? First, you strap the victim down so that he or she is unable to move in such a manner as to remove the cloth which is placed over the face. Now don't jump to conclusions at this point and say, "Well, that doesn't sound too bad -- I can still breathe if I have a cloth over my face!" Wait -- here's the good part as practiced by some U.S. government "interrogators" -- the next step is pouring water over the cloth and getting it well saturated so that the victim goes through the agonizing experience of feeling as though he is drowning and struggling to get his next breath!

The history of this goes back over the centuries to the Spanish Inquisition and is presently condemned by most nations around the world.

Since Bush and his supporters insist that this isn't "torture," why not have them go through the "procedure" and see what their conclusions are afterward -- about 2 or 3 days of this prolonged "treatment" should do it, wouldn't you think? After all the gagging and choking has subsided may we expect each one of them, president included, to say, "No, that's not torture at all!"

Will it be stopped? Not likely and we don't know the whole story as to how suspects have been or are presently being treated. Some would argue that since they do horrible things to us, we should retaliate in kind -- treat them as they would treat us, etc. That might fly a little bit if we were a nation that makes no claim to being civilized or that we have "In God We Trust" stamped on coins and currency, or that we place hand over heart and in final words of our Pledge of Allegiance, we say "...one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all."

But then again, since we have pretty well regressed to being a rather violent heathen style of culture, the practice of waterboarding is no more offensive -- in fact, less so, than our national practice of brutally mutilating and murdering thousands of unborn children in the womb each week, is it not? Toll so far in the "land of the free and the home of brave" is over 48 million victims!

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. Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot profit. Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods whom you do not know, and then come and stand before Me in this house which is called by My name, and say, 'We are delivered to do all these abominations?'" --- Jeremiah 7:3-10

The "True" State of the Union!

President Bush gave his final State of the Union adddress on Monday, January 28, 2008 before the U.S. Congress, other government officials, special guests, and anyone who chose to listen and view by means of TV.

It was pretty much the usual pattern -- the effort by the president in saying that things are going rather well with some areas needing a bit of attention for improvement, the need for bipartisan cooperation in whatever is to be done for the well being of U.S. citizens, and the country does have a hopeful and bright future.

Republicans clapped and cheered at points while Democrats did not -- what a sight -- Dick Cheney clapping while beside him at the same time Nancy Pelosi remained motionless with a look on her face as though she had half a lemon in her mouth!

Once in a while the camera focused on new bosom "buddies," Barack Obama and Ted Kennedy -- this pair looked like their menu for the last few days had been limited to dill pickles! And maybe they had shared some with Hillary Clinton, or was it vice-versa?

And as usual -- responses and the media "autopsy" after the address was completed -- E. coli is not the only thing that can cause one's digestive system to bring on a myriad of trips to the bathroom!

Let's get to it -- what is the TRUE state of the union?

The president, along with all others who hold elected or appointed office in the federal government, blindly overlooks or refuses to address the ethical, moral and spiritual crises that are causing our republic to resemble a cancer victim in the terminal stages of that deadly disease!

There are at least 8 monumental problems which are taking this country on a path to unprecedented disaster unless sure and certain corrective measures are taken very soon. These are:

• a confounded love
  
  
• a conceding church
  
  
• a contradictory government
  
  
• a contagion of idolatry
  
  
• consigned children
  
  
• a conflagration of immorality
  
  
• contaminated sabbaths
  
  
• contrived origins
  

These are described in detail at Driving the Final Nails! A link at the bottom of that area will bring you back here.

Will a true spirit of repentance, rescue and full recovery take place with the nation getting back from its capsized and sinking position and thus gain the favorable blessing of Almighty God? How do you answer that one?

Most cultures over the centuries failed and experienced total collapse. For a number there was a total disappearance from ongoing existence. For instance, where can you go in this world and find a Babylonian, a citizen in what was once known as one of the greatest and most powerful empires in human history!

The tragedy for us is at least two-fold -- too many assume we shall always be on top in this world -- the richest and most powerful country in the world -- and second, that nothing such as a downfall or major collapse/defeat would ever happen here!

But a very small minority of us look at it this way -- the potential of judgment at the hands of a holy God is increasing with the passing of time! A review of "Driving the Final Nails!" mentioned above supports the position that God does hold this country, which claims to be "under Him" fully accountable and will deal with it according to the fruit of its doings!

"But this is what I commanded them, saying, 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.' Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward and not forward. Since the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have even sent to you all My servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them. Yet they did not obey Me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck. They did worse than their fathers. Therefore you shall speak all these words to them, but they will not obey you. You shall also call to them, but they will not answer you. So you shall say to them, 'This is a nation that does not obey the voice of the LORD their God nor receive correction. Truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth.'" --- Jeremiah 7:23-28

Protest Posters to Greet Bush on Middle East Visit!

Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.".... Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your descendants I will give this land." And there he built an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him.

And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: "Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are; northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you."
--- Genesis 12:1-3, 7; 13:14-17

Things are heating up in certain areas of the Middle East as President Bush prepares to spend some time going from place to place.

A number of persons and groups are upset with Bush due to the push on his part to have a Palestinian "state" created. In Bush's mind, as well as in the minds of the members of his administration, this is the way to resolve the ongoing conflict and bring about peace. Even a number of high profile professed "evangelicals" have jumped on the band wagon and given their endorsement to this venture!

The poster above makes an appeal that Bush, who attempts to identify with "evangelicals," ought to read his Bible on this issue. The covenant which God made with Abraham makes reference to a land which Abraham's descendants are to be given -- a few of us still believe that God is the owner of everything and can choose what He wants to give and to whom it will be given at any time that He determines! The earlier statements as noted above do not mention any boundaries. That comes a bit later -- take a bit of time to ponder on the western and eastern boundaries as God most clearly defines them:

On the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying: "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates; the Kenites, the Kenezzites, and the Kadmonites; the Hittites, the Perizzites, and the Rephaim; the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites." --- Genesis 15:18-21

Now there has been a lot of "song & dance" routines over the centuries about how that is to be interpreted and in most cases it seems that the covenant God made with Abraham and territory promised doesn't mean anything any longer. We are to focus on the "church" and matters related to it and quit discussing anything that pertains to the Jews, etc!

Another thing to bear in mind that the covenant was renewed with Isaac and later with Jacob. Abraham's son, Ishmael, who was born to the handmaid, Hagar, was also mentioned by God. Ishmael's descendants would become a great nation, but no territory is mentioned in connection with that promise as in the case of Abraham's son, Isaac! The Arab peoples are large in number today but actually have no claim to territory as do the descendants of Abraham through his son, Isaac. The Arabs presently occupy a large segment of land in the Middle East, but that will be changed one of these days -- Jesus Christ, the Son of God (and Messiah), will see to that at a time He has predetermined.

Jesus made some reference to this issue in a couple of statements such as:

"There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last." --- Luke 13:28-30

So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." --- Matthew 19:28

Israel has been pressured time and time again to give in and yield -- the Israelite people are hated and despised by many nations -- listen to the babbling that goes on in that hall of chaos known as the United Nations for graphic truth of this, especially when some issue that involves Israel comes up -- those people are always the bad guys!

And it appears that United States support is beginning to waver more and more -- listen to Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice, expound on the issue!

Another poster will also greet President Bush as he makes his way through certain locations in the Middle East -- it has upset a lot of people, but is it really all that far off base?

Now is the time for Christians to be searching the promises that pertain to God's restoration of Israel, the humiliation of Gentile nations, the future glory of Israel and the city of Jerusalem. What has to be resolved is this -- does God really mean what He says, and does He keep all His promises?

And a prayer on this matter coming right out of the Bible is good to keep always in mind as well as practicing what is suggested:

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces." For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, "Peace be within you." Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek your good. --- Psalm 122:6-9

And how about this promise -- or has God changed His mind, and we can just write this one off as being no longer in effect -- but then, if that is the case, can we really believe God for anything at all?

For Zion's sake I will not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns. The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, and all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD will name. You shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD delights in you, and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a virgin, so shall your sons marry you; and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you. I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem, who shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. --- Isaiah 62:1-7

By the way, for more details on what God has promised regarding Israel and Jerusalem, see O Jerusalem, What a Surpise Is in Store for You! A link at the bottom of that area will bring you back to this place.

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

Call Me Anything You Want, But Don't Call Me An "Evangelical!"

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. --- 1 John 2:19

There is a group of individuals within the ranks of professing Christianity known as “evangelicals.” They have been around for quite some time and have undergone a bit of evolution over the past few decades.

At one stage in their earlier identification “evangelicals” were considered to be quite radical in their faith and were at times the target of scorn and intense criticism by those of a more “liberal” persuasion in the profession of the Christian faith.

The group was made up of theologians, professors, pastors, and laity who occupied pews in churches of all sizes. They held to core doctrines of the Christian faith such as the divine inspiration and full authority of the Scriptures, miracles in the Scriptures taking place as reported, Jesus Christ being exclusively the way of salvation from sin, His literal bodily resurrection from the dead, His personal return to this world at some point in the future, etc.

As time passed these individuals became more popular and also recognized as a powerful voting block when it came to politics.

There was likewise an intense desire to shed the negative image of being radical and “narrow minded” on a number of issues. It became practically a goal that "evangelicals" be viewed as being “positive” and willing to sit down and discuss the issues where there were disagreements, and avoiding at all costs the appearance of being "judgmental."

Enter the process of “dialog!” And so, where we disagree with others on anything – just sit down at a table and talk about it with the understanding that all viewpoints must be respected – all have legitimate positions and a peaceful atmosphere is reached by adopting a loving “agree to disagree” approach to the issue at hand. Through this process we consent to work together for the common good of all in spite of differences that may exist. In so doing a spirit of harmony and good will are experienced and we all become “brothers and sisters in the faith” whatever that may mean! Compromise is a fundamental requirement when you travel this route! Perhaps “evangelicals” have learned from Washington DC politicians how to master this art!

After all George W. Bush, who is a high profile United Methodist and professed “evangelical” Christian, has expressed the spirit of the dialog principle on more than one occasion. He has gone on public record as saying that he believes Muslims and Christians worship the same God! George is the “poster boy” – the adorable delight of “evangelicals” who have had the privilege of meeting with him from time to time and this has resulted in glowing reports coming forth from those who have been in his presence.

And so it goes with “evangelicals” now willing to “dialog” on about anything, including the issue of sexual immorality!

The latest debacle has involved a few dozen very influential “evangelicals” signing a statement urging the formation of a separate Palestinian state in order to resolve the Israeli/Palestinian conflict over territorial rights.

These people obviously deny the reality that Muslims who take their faith seriously and the teachings of the Quran seriously do not want Israel to coexist – they want Israel obliterated from the face of this planet!

Also denied is the Abrahamic covenant which God said would be established through Isaac and his descendants, not through Ismael and his descendants. And this involves quite a piece of real estate stretching from what is identified as "the river of Egypt" on the west to the Euphrates River on the east! (Genesis 15 in which it is recorded, "And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there was a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces. On the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying: 'To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates...'") Check the final chapters of the prophet Isaiah to see how this is going to play out. Other prophets have addressed this matter as well. Now if God is not going to keep this covenant, as some suggest, then will He keep any covenant, including the one made through His Son, Jesus Christ? And is the Scripture in error when we are told that God declares Himself to be One Who changes not? (Malachi 3:6). I know there is a lot of foot shuffling going on by way of so-called "interpretation" on these things, but for once could we just take God at His Word, and that He really means what He says by way of His promises?

Finally, “evangelicals” make much about the example set by Jesus and our need to “walk in His steps” as it were. OK, how about His example of doing “dialog.” For starters, check Matthew 23 as to how He did “dialog” with those who were in sharp disagreement with Him. And the persons to whom He spoke were powerful leaders of the religious establishment. It is understandable that they would not have nominated Him to be Time Magazine's "Man of the Year!"

Also, where do you see Jesus backing off from the absolute demands He placed on all human beings – for instance, that one must absolutely be born again as mentioned in John 3 -- that is, if you expect to be a future resident of His eternal Kingdom! And where do you see Him in "dialog" and expressing a willingness to back off and give space to Allah, Vishnu, Buddha or others when He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”??? Well, come on, I’m waiting – or do we take the modern approach – grab a chair – sit down at the table and say, “Jesus didn’t really mean all those radical statements attributed to Him!”

Added to this, note His statement about bringing peace to the world in Matthew 10.

"Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.' And 'a man's foes will be those of his own household.' He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” --- Matthew 10:32-40

And if we claim He is Savior and Lord and that we are to be His representatives here on earth, where does that put us when it comes to how well we will get along with others who take positions that are in sharp disagreement with the clear teachings of God’s special revelation to us via the holy Scriptures?

Call me anything you want, but don’t call me an “evangelical!”

"These things I command you, that you love one another. If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. --- John 15:17-21