Letter Now Being Sent to All Members of the 116th U.S. Congress!

Below you will find a letter now being sent to all members of the 116th United States Congress. This will take a bit of time since I have to update my files on the membership with changes involving recently elected senators and representatives. Over years past I have communicated with both the presidents who have been in office at the time as well as members of the Congress. Unfortunately they are unaware that our republic is perched on the very threshold of experiencing judgment at the hands of Almighty God, as are the majority of U.S. citizens!

TO: All Members of the 116th United States Congress

Subject: Critical issues which will impact our republic’s future destiny!

Enclosed is a letter sent to President Trump on a regular basis. It draws attention to extremely critical issues which are not widely recognized.

The most critical of these is the ongoing practice of intentionally murdering unborn children since the infamous Supreme Court decision of 1973. Over 60.75 million unborn children have been victims of planned homicide! We are a nation of fools of the first magnitude if we believe Almighty God is not going to make a full response to what could be defined as the United States version of Holocaust!

There are two other SCOTUS decisions which are in defiance of God’s standards for a sane, sensible, serene, stable, and secure culture. In 1963 the Court ruled that reading of the Bible and prayer in public schools would no longer be permitted. In 2015 the Court ruled that it is legal for homosexual men to marry each other and lesbian females to marry each other. God has clearly revealed that same-sex intimacy is an abomination!

Finally, we are a nation wallowing in debt. The national debt continues to worsen and the Congress, which seems to like to spend money like there is no tomorrow, does absolutely nothing to stop the financial hemorrhaging!

Will the 116th Congress take such action as needed to correct our destructive ethical, moral, and spiritual practices which are taking us down the road to judgment? You have the power to choose!

Still contending (Jude 3,4) at www.crrange.com and blogging at http://cdharriger.blogspot.com

Clayton D. Harriger, Pastor

“Good News! A Day Coming in Which All Politicians Will be Removed from Office” at http://crrange.com/comment69.html

A Call to Prayer out of Washington DC, Perhaps?

And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “Pray now unto Jehovah our God for us.” [Jeremiah 37:3 (American Standard Version)].

Things were not going well in the ancient Israelite kingdom of Judah around 600 BC. The Babylonian Empire was threatening to invade and conquer the kingdom just as it had been victorious over many other kingdoms in previous times. God over time had raised up prophets to call the nation and its leaders to repent of their many transgressions against Him, and in so doing avoid military defeat and destruction. But due to corrupt leadership, deceptive religious teaching, and a desire to do things “our way” the nation, its holy city, Jerusalem, and its magnificent temple were totally destroyed in 586 BC. Just prior to this disaster King Zedekiah asked for prayer, but it was too late!

Which brings us to a speculative question – is the day not far off when an appeal to pray will be issued from Washington DC? That appeal may come from the present resident of the White House, or leaders in the U.S. Congress or perhaps a blended combination of both!

Just about everyone in our republic has become aware that things are not going well for us at the present time.

The word “crisis” is being employed more and more in news releases and applied to certain happenings. We have the Ebola issue with persons infected within the borders of our nation. We have the ISIS issue and the question as to what extent these highly dedicated Muslims are within our boundaries and planning a series of attacks!

But for some time highly critical issues have been taking place with no real serious action taken to correct such abominable practices.

First, the ongoing practice of mutilating and murdering unborn children since January of 1973. Thousands are victims of intentional homicide each week – never forget, when you deliberately kill a person, it is a homicide! We are moving toward the number of 58 million victims since the Supreme Court made the very unwise and deadly decision that it is a “constitutional right” for a female to have her unborn child murdered!

Second, we have a pandemic condition of sexual immorality taking place which is encouraged by a lucrative pornography industry and the Hollywood and TV productions also giving assistance. Persons of all ages are pressured to adopt the philosophy that “Sex is fun with anyone (or more than one at same time) anywhere and at any time, day or night!” Sexually transmitted diseases are flourishing in spite of the campaigns stressing the need to have “safe sex!”

Third, we have accepted in growing numbers the abomination of same-sex marriage – sodomites can now legally marry each other in a large number of states and likewise lesbians can marry each other. Even churches, church leaders, and pastors are going along with this declaring it to be a good thing!

Fourth, we have become an idolatrous nation, setting up numerous idols, although it would be denied. But when less than half of our population can make it to a place of worship on a Sunday morning, it is a sign that we are in serious trouble, although from time to time the misleading erroneous statement is made that the United States is a Christian nation!

Fifth, the church (general term applied to all groups professing Christian faith) has become an institution of great confusion due to infiltration by those who deny the integrity and sole authority of the holy Scriptures. It is not that unusual to find pastors denying the miracles of the Bible, the Person and work of Jesus Christ – that is, His atonement for the sins of the entire human race, His victorious resurrection following crucifixion, and His promised return to this world for the purpose of controlling and ruling it! Further, as mentioned earlier, churches with pastors and people are capitulating to the demands of the sodomite/lesbian cartel. To resist is to guarantee that you will be labeled in the most negative terms possible – in fact, it is practically regarded to be criminal in not accepting sodomy and lesbianism as normal and that it is normal for such persons to marry!

Our nation has been experiencing increased calamities of various kinds. There has been an increase in violence erupting in many different places, from privacy of a home, to public places, and in schools and colleges. An unstable weather system is such that we never can be quite sure what a day will hold – many lives have been lost due to violent weather in some places.

With a national debt increasing like a cancer out of control it is guaranteed as well that we are going to experience trouble that is beyond the ability of the human mind to comprehend. Government leaders at the federal level have not done a single thing to address this problem much less to take steps to pay off the debt!

Now, having said all the foregoing, again the question – in light of the increased pace of calamities taking place throughout our republic, will the appeal soon be issued for citizens to pray and call on God? And when it is issued, one thing for certain – no mention will be made about seeking mercy in a spirit of repentance – no desire to forsake our sins and abominations and set things right in relation to God – and this being done through His Son, Jesus Christ. In fact it is more than an outside possibility that the name of Jesus Christ will be intentionally avoided when such an appeal is made!

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. [2 Chronicles 7:14 (King James Version)].

Confronting the Gun Issue - A Modest Proposal!

As of this writing, the mass media continue to exploit the shooting incident at a Washington DC Navy Yard in which 12 people were killed. Perhaps one disappointment on part of anti-gun people is the fact that the shooter used a shotgun rather than an AR-15 (considered an assault weapon) which really cranks up the adrenalin of the crowd that wants more and more gun control legislation with the eventual goal of removing all firearms from possession by law abiding citizens.

It was on Monday, September 16th, that Aaron Alexis went on a shooting rampage that resulted in 12 persons being killed at the Navy Yard in Washington DC.

As might be expected it was somewhat like an old fashioned revival as the anti-gun people got their bandwagon back in high gear AGAIN!

Below is the text of a fax being sent to all the members of Congress from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The message will also be sent to many senators from other states as well. Among the first will be the "champion" of "gun control" legislation, none other than Dianne Feinstein of California!

By the way, the little double barrel derringer pictured above is chambered for a .45 but will also shoot .410 gage shotgun shells -- it is in a concealed place in our home where I have quick access in light of the fact that in our county the number of home invasions has been steadily increasing due to the growing drug problem. In the event of a home invasion at our residence it could result in a sudden fatal case of lead poisoning!

Text of letter is as follows:

To Members of Congress:

The furor over gun control has erupted again in wake of the DC Navy Yard killings. Please note a recommendation in dealing with the gun issue.

Enact the following legislation: 1. Anyone who commits a crime with a firearm and is convicted on irrefutable evidence shall be sentenced to life in prison with no appeal and no parole. 2. Anyone who kills another person or persons by use of a firearm and is convicted on irrefutable evidence shall be sentenced to death by means of lethal injection with no appeal. These sentences shall be consistently carried out in all 50 states of our republic and any judge who tries to block such sentences shall be immediately removed from office.

By enacting the above legislation there will be no threat to the purchase and owning of firearms by law abiding citizens nor any attempt to confiscate the firearms which they have in their possession at the present time.

A parting question for serious thinking: why is there outrage when an incident such as the Navy Yard shootings takes place and no similar outrage that on the very same day hundreds of unborn children were intentionally mutilated and murdered with the killers being paid big bucks for doing the killings?

Still contending at www.crrange.com, blogging at http://cdharriger.blogspot.com, and warning at www.crrange.com/USACoffin.html

Clayton D. Harriger, Pastor

A Shameful Day for Washington DC?

The news release mentioned that the present resident of the White House was “visibly frustrated” and that he “decried the defeat of the measure as parents of victims of last year's Newtown school shootings and former congresswoman Gabby Giffords looked on.” This bit of drama took place in the aftermath of the vote in the Senate in which the expanded background check on gun sales was defeated by a vote of 54 to 46. 60 votes were needed for the amendment to be adopted. In the Rose Garden setting it was noted that "All in all, this was a pretty shameful day for Washington."

Depending on whose ox was gored in the voting, remarks were made either in support of or against more gun control legislation.

The tragedy, however, is in the remark about it being a shameful day in Washington because of the way the vote went. In their ignorance the members of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of government fail to realize that every day has been a shameful day for Washington DC for decades over time!

Even as zealous gun control advocates lamented the way the vote went today in the U.S. Senate they did not recognize another very critical happening which took place throughout the day. Even as the vote was being processed in the Senate chamber a number of unborn children were being brutally mutilated and murdered at different locations throughout our republic. And as the day comes to a close the tally of innocent victims will be in the hundreds!

But these high profile people in the three powerful branches of the United States government do not care – in fact, most are in support of the daily massacre of hundreds of unborn children. Further, the present resident of the White House will vigorously oppose any effort to restrict the practice of exterminating thousands of unborn children each week of the year!

It is nothing short of hypocrisy of the first magnitude to focus on alleged violence and loss of life due to use of firearms but not give a second of time to constructively eliminate the violence that takes the lives of hundreds of the unborn each week day. The tragedy is compounded when it is recognized that the people who commit these mass murders are never charged with a crime and become extremely wealthy as a result of the murders which they have been guilty of committing.

It is one of many glaring inconsistencies in our culture – a person spends a lot of time and work in developing skills that are to be used to benefit and enhance human health, but then turns around and uses those skills to further advance the bloody tally of the United States’ version of Holocaust!

The question of all questions is this: what will all these people do when Almighty God Who forms each conceived human being in his/her mother’s womb openly shows His intense displeasure with our insane policy of establishing a “constitutional right” to destroy an unborn child by deliberate choice?

For if ye thoroughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye thoroughly execute justice between a man and his neighbor; if ye oppress not the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your own hurt: then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, from of old even for evermore. Jeremiah 7:5-7 (ASV)

Hypocrisy Rears Its Ugly Head During Issue of Gun Violence and Gun Control!

Hypocrisy is the state of pretending to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that one does not actually have. Hypocrisy involves the deception of others and is thus a kind of lie. (Source: Wikipedia)

Hypocrisy has reared its big ugly head in the wake of the Sandy Hook massacre which took place in Connecticut in mid-December of 2012. A majority of media people, a bunch of politicians and not a few church leaders are jumping on the “ban guns/high capacity magazines” bandwagon. Have you noticed how shooting incidents now get high profile news coverage? And states such as Connecticut and Colorado have dominated news information since enacting what has been referred to as the strictest gun control measures in the entire nation? The media are really feasting on this! And did you notice the emphasis in the graphic above in which statistics are noted as related to deaths by gun violence in the U.S. and military combat deaths?

Where is the hypocrisy in all this, you ask? For starters, on the very same day of the Sandy Hook massacre, hundreds of unborn children were brutally mutilated and murdered – not a couple or three dozen or so, but hundreds! The diligent media that is so rabid in reporting gun violence never gave so much as a teeny bit of a hint in regard to the violent deaths of those unborn children, did they? Connecticut, by the way, has one of the highest abortion rates in the entire nation – 20 for every thousand women each year! In fact, a number of states in the northeast which suffered great devastation due to Hurricane Sandy have extremely high abortion rates.

The campaign is under way to make our schools safer for children, so the gun control advocates claim. But they suddenly develop a case of lockjaw when it comes to speaking out and making the country safer so that about 25,000 unborn children are not violently killed each week of the year!

The present resident of the White House has been aggressively pushing for more and more gun control and in his rhetoric declares that we need to take steps to reduce gun violence and loss of human life as a result of such violence. Yet at the same time this man is an ardent supporter of the present national policy that permits a million or more unborn children to be violently murdered each year!

While a member of the Illinois legislature Obama was instrumental in blocking legislation intended to require lifesaving treatment be given to an infant that just happened to survive an abortion attempt on its life. Yes, once in a great while a small number do survive that hellish procedure. But so far as Obama was concerned, let them lay on a table until they die – do not so much as lift your pinky finger to help them! No doubt about it – we are witnessing hypocrisy in its most decadent form – we cry out for more gun control – we say the gun violence must stop but we don’t let one syllable come out of the mouth in protest against violence that takes the lives of hundreds of unborn children each day.

Have you ever seen a photo of the dismembered remains of an unborn child that was brutally torn to pieces by a guy wearing a white coat with the erroneous letters “M.D.” stitched behind his name? For some strange reason the media people, pro-abortion politicians, zealous supporters of abortion on demand, and indifferent church leaders vehemently object to the public exposure of photos which underscore the horrors of the United States’ unique version of Holocaust.

The graphic at the beginning quoted a figure of 305,493 deaths from gun violence from year 2001 through year 2010. How many unborn children were deliberately murdered during those years? You do not think in terms of a few hundred thousand -- escalate your calculation in terms of millions. Grand total since the insane Supreme Court decision of 1973 stating it is a "constitutional right" for a female to choose to have her unborn child dismembered and murdered is over 55 million victims!

But this “shedding of innocent blood” (a Bible term) will definitely come to an end at some point in the future. However, it is highly unlikely it will come by state and federal level legislation – the hardness of heart is too deeply entrenched for that possibility. Rather it will come by the direct intervention of Almighty God Who forms all conceived children in the womb for a high and holy purpose. We are not going to want to be within the boundaries of this republic when that intervention takes place!

The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. --- Matthew 24:50, 51 (KJV)

"We Can't Make It Rain.", He Says!

"Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God:...." --- Deuteronomy 28:1, 2

"But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the country." --- Deuteronomy 28:15, 16

Mr. Obama has visited in areas where the mid-west drought is extremely severe and has made statements about the problem. As could be expected, the federal government, according to him, is going to take some kind of action to help those who are most directly affected by the drought. In remarks made on the scene of one farm devastated by the lack of rain Mr. Obama said, "We can't make it rain..." and then proceeded to spell out what the governement will attempt to do to relieve the problem.

Well now, finally an admission there is something he can't do in the midst of a plethora of outlandish promises that the government can solve every problem -- you know, it will take care of you from the "womb to the tomb!" Just give us a little time and allow us to move far beyond the16 trillion dollar national debt level!

The tragedy in all this is the failure of Mr. Obama, his administration and the members of the U.S. Congress to recognize that present calamities of various kinds are God's attempts to awaken our nation to a realization that its greatest need is to repent of numerous transgressions which have been committed against Him! If true repentance takes place then the blessings as mentioned in the early statements of Deuteronomy 28 will be experienced.

But if we as a nation (claiming to be one nation under God) persist in defying God as we have been doing for a rather long period of time, then the calamities will continue at an accelerated pace, ending in devastating judgment! This pattern is well documented in the history of the Israelite people.

At present we have a severe drought in some areas and wildfires raging in numerous locations. A news release stated:

Updated at 12:10 a.m. ET: The Idaho National Guard is joining the fight against at least nine wildfires burning across the state, including the 68,000-acre Trinity Ridge blaze, one of 60 large U.S. fires being fought in one of the worst U.S. fire seasons.

Most are scorching the dry and hot Western states, including Washington, where the 22,656-acre Taylor Bridge fire five miles outside Cle Elum has charred 70-plus homes and more than 200 barns and other structures this week.

More than 400 homes have been evacuated in the area, but firefighters managed to carve containment lines around 25 percent of the blaze's perimeter by Wednesday night, with full containment expected within a week, authorities said.

Not only are more wildfires flaring up in the West this year than last, but the nation's fires have gotten bigger, said Jennifer Smith, of the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho. As of Thursday, more than 43,000 wildfires had been reported in the U.S. this season, burning a total of nearly 6.4 million acres, or 10,000 square miles, the center said. The 10-year average for the period is 52,535 fires, but covering only 5 million acres, Smith said.

There are diseases breaking out as well such as West Nile virus and Swine flu. But far more serious than these are the STD's (sexually transmitted diseases) that are spreading much like literal wildfires. The CDC a while back reported that 1 out of every 4 teenaged girls has a STD and some have more than one!

Financial calamity and probable failure is another indicator that our republic is in deep trouble as we approach a 16 trillion dollar national debt. In campaigning for his first term for the office of the U.S. presidency, Mr. Obama solemnly "promised" to cut the deficit in half during his first term in office. Read references in Deuteronomy 28 as to what the financial situation will be for the nation that intentionally defies Almighty God and His standards for a sane, sensible, serene, stable, and secure nation of people.

Will Mr. Obama, the members of his administration and the members of the U.S. Congress plus leaders at other important levels (this also includes church leaders) in our nation realize that the time is NOW to repent of our personal and collective sins? It is highly unlikely that such a move on the part of government and church leaders will take place due to the fact that God is not permitted to be recognized in much of the public arena and in a majority of educational institutions. Further, He is not going to be recognized in many corporate structures due to the way business is done with greed being a dominant factor! Human pride being what it is, the humiliation of sincere repentance is to be avoided at all costs.

Very true -- we can't make it rain, but it sure would make a difference if, after meeting the conditions, we reached out in humility and called on the One Who can make it rain abundantly!

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

Congressman Anthony Weiner and a Thing Called Ethics!

Congressman Anthony Weiner (NY) has admitted to sending a lewd photo of himself to a female and to having online "relationships" with other females. First, he denied the photo thing claiming it was the work of hackers -- is such a denial called lying any more -- and now admits to it. Demands that he step down are growing by the day.

The subject of ethics seems to surface and maybe even a call for an "investigation" as to whether rules of the House of Representatives in the U.S. Congress may have been violated when a member of that body is alleged to have engaged in questionable behavior.

The scandals seem to be picking up the pace as time marches on. In recent times high profile persons have been involved in behavior that at least used to be considered a "no-no" for elected officials -- Bill Clinton, Charlie Rangel, John Edwards, Bob Ney, Tom DeLay, Ted Stephens, Newt Gingrich, Arnold Schwarzenegger, to name a few! A friend of mine has accused me of being a bit prejudiced and only picking on a Democratic president while not mentioning the latter two persons because they are professed "conservatives" when it comes to my "tirades" against the moral deficiencies of our nation and its leadership.

For the record, I am a non-affiliated registered voter in Cambria County PA and as for the likes of Gingrich and Schwarzeneggar, I would not vote for them under any circumstance. And if Newt should be the Republican candidate for president in 2012, I will not vote for him -- I may do a write-in if that is the case and write in Beetle Bailey -- he would do a better job anyway! Newt, of course, is regularly featured on Fox News. But a little of Fox News goes a long, long way and at times you wonder if you are not viewing a competitive beauty pageant laced heavily with TV ads and then here and there a bit of "news" inserted!

But, alas, I digress -- on this issue of ethics as it pertains to elected officials. Why even make an issue of it now anyhow. They pretty much do what they want to do -- proof of that is seen in the lavish salaries and perk benefits they have voted and continue to vote for themselves -- just check what they get for retirement alone and the health care benefits they get -- and then some member of the Congress talks about ethics and an "investigation?"

But even worse -- what kind of ethics are we talking about when a president and the members of the U.S. Congress do absolutely nothing about paying down the national debt which is now creeping fast toward 15 trillion dollars. They quibble about reducing the deficit by a piddling amount. That scenario is like trying to plug a small leak in a dam with bubble gum at one end while at the other end the breastworks is breaking away and millions of tons of water are gushing forth to bring death and destruction to all who live in the area below the dam!

What really has happened is that there has been a rejection of the original Book on ethics which is commonly known as the Holy Bible. Some subsequent "man-made rules" on ethics have been devised, but even these are rarely heeded. Once in a blue moon there may be some stirrings and a conviction of some kind, but more often than not, we scheme and connive to "look after our own!" And this is the situation with both Republicans and Democrats.

As I just recently told a friend -- I am personally about fully convinced that the situation in Washington DC is terminal and beyond healing. Likewise it is pretty much the same in the state capitols as well, especially so in Harrisburg PA with about the most cumbersome legislature of any in the entire republic!

As with the ancient kingdom of Judah a few centuries before the birth of Jesus Christ, so it is with us -- we are fast ripening for judgment at the hands of a holy God. Compassionately He has been using events, sounding the warning, and appealing for a return to Him through repentance of all sin (individually and corporately) but the response has been the same as recorded in the 36th chapter of 2 Chronicles -- a thumbs down with a thundering "No!" With leadership such as we have (church and political) how long will it be until the ruins of our culture will be scattered from the Atlantic to the Pacific, on some islands known as Hawaii, and in a frigid area known as Alaska?

Ethics? Who has time to consider such a subject, much less try to implement it into our daily way of life?

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 3:3-4

The United States Doomed to Fail and Collapse!

He rules by His power forever; His eyes observe the nations; do not let the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah. --- Psalm 66:7

Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not know You, and on the kingdoms that do not call on Your name. --- Psalm 79:6

The wicked shall be turned into hell, And all the nations that forget God. --- Psalm 9:17

It is still a given that the majority of United States citizens believe certain myths about our republic:

1. Some believe the U. S. to be the most powerful nation in the world.

2. Some believe and insist that the U. S. is the most wealthy nation in the world.

3. There are those who believe that the U. S. is the "leader" among the 195 nations of the world.

4. And there are those, of course, who mistakenly believe that the U. S. is a "Christian" nation!

Why the change from what used to be great power, wealth, a prominent leadership role in the world, and a prestigious identity with the Christian faith?

The answer is rather simple -- we no longer are under the blessing of Almighty God as in times long since past.

Consider three critical issues as to why this deplorable condition exists:

1. The first issue is financial in nature and the fact that the U. S. is deeply and hopelessly in debt. Perhaps one way of illustrating this tragedy is to imagine a quicksand bog -- we are as a person who has become trapped in it, and the struggle begins -- one foot is raised in the attempt to find something solid upon which to stand, but the other foot and leg sink even deeper. All the while there is the steady sinking into the mire happening and no hope of rescue! And the more intense the struggle to break free, the deeper into the quicksand the victim descends! Our present "bog" which is enlarging every second is over 14 trillion dollars. The nation of China owns about 1 trillion of that alone.

Recently a flurry of activity took place in the nation's capitol over the budget. Republicans wanted to originally cut spending by 100 billion -- then that was reduced considerably and a final "compromise" worked out in which now the figure of cuts is about 38 billion. That sure will go a long way in eliminating over 14 TRILLION dollars of debt, will it not?

The president and the U. S. Congress are intent on spending money we do not have and will not exercise restraint and common sense in handling revenue income. The Scriptures reveal that a nation intent on obeying God will be blessed with prosperity and will be a lender to nations and NOT a borrower! (See verification in Deuteronomy 28 where finances are mentioned, but there are other issues in the chapter where it is like looking into the mirror and there we see the United States).

2. Second, an issue that is moral in nature. The president pushed for and, with support from enough members of the Congress, was able to get legislation that removed the ban on sodomites serving openly in the U. S. military. While the sodomite/lesbian agenda has been making great strides forward with growing acceptance across our nation, God's view of this type of sexual activity has not changed at all. God labels such activity as an abomination -- not merely as sin, but as something that is as sin intensified many times over! It is totally repugnant in the sight of God and thoroughly condemned. The ultimate consequences are seen in the ashes of Sodom and Gomorrah! (Note references to these in 2 Peter 2:6 & Jude 1:7).

3. Third, an issue that is also moral in nature. The president and supporters in Congress are aggressive in the support of the destruction of unborn children, under the deadly idea that it is a "constitutional right" to do so -- the average rate of destruction is about 25,000 a week throughout the year!

The president's record as a legislator is clear -- he opposed efforts to try to place some restrictons on aborting unborn children and obviously he would do likewise in any future attempt to further restrict abortions in any way whatsover!

Even worse is the fact that there are church leaders who shoose not to address the rampant "shedding of innocent blood" in this republic. God, of course, has made extremely clear His view of human life and His holy purpose for the same.

Once one has given serious thought to God's view of human life, there is but one conclusion to which one can arrive. To intentionally interfere with God's plan and purpose for a human life is to invite His judgmental wrath at some point in the future. With nearly 53 million unborn victims tallied so far in the United States' unique version of "Holocaust", the question is not whether God's judgment will come upon our republic, but rather how soon will it happen?

Will radical and necessary changes be made very soon so that once again the nation will be blessed by God with success and have a hopeful and secure future? There is absolutely no indication that our leaders (political and church) are willing to engage in a transforming life experience known as repentance! And if the leaders refuse to repent, then the citizens most likely will follow the example which guarantees failure and collapse!

Other issues are further detailed in comments titled, "Driving the Final Nails!"

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, and the people whom He has chosen as His own inheritance. The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. From the place of His habitation He looks On all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works. No king is saved by the multitude of an army; a mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain hope for safety; neither shall it deliver any by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. --- Psalm 33:12-19

The Issue Is Not the Ability to Serve, But Rather a Moral One!

Military's Gay Ban Lifted --- Internet News Headline ----- President Obama signs into law the banning of the DADT policy that existed in the military for a number of years which prevented sodomites and lesbians from serving openly in the military --- news release December 22, 2010

Few if any would dispute the fact that those who are sodomite or lesbian in their sexual practices can pull a trigger on a rifle, dig a fox hole, drive a Humvee, maneuver a tank, fly a bomber, run a military computer, or steer a battleship as well as any heterosexual person. And in some cases they may do these and other tasks even better than a heterosexual counterpart. And such individuals can, in most instances, get along quite well with their heterosexual comrades. But these are not and likely have never really been the issues.

The issue is a moral one. God's special revelation made available to the human race reveals the sexual boundaries which have been set up by the Creator of this vast universe. There are sexual moral issues that are defined and God spells out clearly what is acceptable conduct in sexual experience and expression and what is not. Of the various sexual violations of God's moral code there is one that stands separate from the others. Sodomy is not regarded as just a sinful violation (missing the mark; or lawlessness), but as an abomination!

It is difficult, if not impossible, for the human mind to grasp the significance of God's choice in using such a word for a specific sexual transgression. Perhaps we can start by picturing this offense as not just a sin, but sin intensified many, many times over. That it is a horrible and most destestable stench in the nostrils of a holy God! Those who are natives in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania know that if you drive by the rotting carcass of a deer hit on the highway in 85 degree temperature in the summertime, the smell is most unpleasant. The Bible at times describes offenses on the part of humans rising before God as a stench that is most repulsive!

There is not one place in all the Scripture where sodomy and lesbianism are revealed and described in a positive light, or that such conduct is ever acceptable to God. The reason is really rather simple -- God's design for His creation involved male and female humans with the capacity to be sexually intimate. But the boundary which God established on this limited sexual intimacy to a male and female who were committed to each other within the covenant of marriage! The Bible records a number of sexual encounters taking place in the history of the human race with the only acceptable ones being those who were married. Anything outside of the marriage union was a moral offense. But as mentioned earlier, God placed sodomy in a separate category by labeling it as an abomination.

I am fully aware, due to the massive and successful brain-washing that has been under way in our culture for years that, first of all, to state what I have just stated places me in the category of being a homophobe and a hate-monger. Second, there are those who have attempted to "interpret" the Scriptures so that sodomy and lesbianism are quite acceptable so long as the "couple" involved are "monogamous" and "committed." The same Scriptures do warn of those who will twist and pervert the Scriptures to their own destruction. So, not just in the public at large, but within church circles we have the growing acceptance of sodomy and lesbianism as legitimate and morally correct lifestyles!

It was simply a matter of time until the issue of the military's approach to sodomy and lesbianism would be addressed and altered by the U. S. Congress and a president's signature. But remember this - God will be making His response to this as well as to other national expressions of defiance against Him Who makes our life and existence possible -- the One before Whom we will appear ultimately to be judged!

Mentioned at the beginning was the fact of God's special revelation being made available to the human race. That is where the problem really lies -- massive refusal to accept God's revelation. To obey and put it all into practice evokes a response that is akin to the ancient Romans in their Coliseum. When they looked to see the emperor's response to a fight between gladiators and one was down with the opponent holding a sword to his throat, the emperor would turn thumbs down which meant the defeated gladiator was to be killed for such a "poor fight!" The crowd would follow the emperor and give the thumbs down response as well. To God, the vast majority is giving a thumbs down on His moral code for human sexual behavior and that includes same-sex intimacy! By the way, which way is your thumb pointing these days -- the same as the U. S. Congress and the president, or is yours pointing up in response to God's moral code?

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! --- Isaiah 5:20

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

Is It Really a "Win?"

The United States Senate voted to end the DADT (Don't Ask, Don't Tell) policy of banning homosexuals from serving openly in the U. S. military --- news releases on Saturday, December 18, 2010

There is likely dancing in the streets in places and a number of members of the U. S. Congress celebrating the end of the DADT ban which prevented homosexuals from serving openly in the U. S. military for a number of years. After all, it was reasoned, this was a form of discrimination of the most serious kind, and we certainly can't have that, can we?

The reality of what this means may not be revealed for a while, depending on how soon God chooses to respond fully to a nation that has given Him the traditional obscene gesture time and time again by defying His standards of ethical, moral and spiritual behavior on the part of human beings.

But eventually there will come a day in which God will deal with this country and the deadly mistakes made by its leaders, political and church, in which they have been leading our nation down a road to absolute disaster of the first magnitude!

God is fair and God is loving, but there is a time when He in effect draws a line in the sand and says, "Enough is enough!" The history of ancient Israel as given in the holy Scriptures provides shocking details as to what happens to a culture when the standards of holy conduct and relationships are totally rejected. Our leadership is presently duplicating the patterns of those leaders of Israel centuries ago. The day came when the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah were both destroyed by God's judgments, this mainly due to the fact that the people and their leaders refused to heed the warnings of the prophets! God has been calling out today and giving warning, but who is seriously listening?

The sodomite/lesbian cartel has been gaining momentum and winning so-called "victories" for some time. This "victory" in regard to the military DADT policy is simply the latest.

What will be next? Certainly the recognition of "marriage" between 2 males or 2 females is a priorty -- could it be that the time will come when the U. S. Congress will pass some sort of legislation that will require all clergy, magistrates, and judges to perform "marriages" for sodomites and lesbians? Don't ever say "Never!" in such a country as the United States because this republic has again on this date, December 18, 2010, demonstrated that the truth as clearly revealed by the Creator of this mighty universe is to be regarded as nothing more than a temporary irritation and should be tossed into the garbage can as quickly as possible! Can you picture "couples" in the military of the future who are "married" -- sodomites and lesbians?

So, as asked at the beginning -- was it really a "win?" Don't be too hasty to say, "Yes!" Wait until God makes His response and then give your answer -- that is, if you are in a position to be able to do so at that time! It is very wise to remember that God will write the last chapter in human history, and adjust your lifestyle accordingly.

But while the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was aroused against the people, and the LORD struck the people with a very great plague. --- Numbers 11:33

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

Got Rust on That Weapon of Prayer? Clean It Off and Start Using It!

Let the righteous strike me; it shall be a kindness. And let him reprove me; it shall be as excellent oil; let my head not refuse it. For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked.--- Psalm 141:5

If asked whether they consider prayer a "weapon", most folks would probably say that they don't regard the practice of prayer in that manner. To these prayer is mainly the issue of making confession, submitting petitions to God for help and seeking blessings with perhaps a little thanksgiving thrown in here and there. But viewing prayer as a weapon with visions of warfare is more than a bit of a stretch!

But here is how it is:

We live in a world that is dominated by a spirit that is hostile to God and this hostility is greatly intensified when it comes to His Son, Jesus Christ, Whom He sent into the world to redeem every human being from his/her sins. Every human being ever born into world comes under the scope of God's love and mercy, but at the present time the vast majority has chosen to reject that love.

God has revealed much about the practice of prayer, recorded numerous experiences people have had in prayer, and urged those who claim to have faith in Him to engage in the disciplined exercise of praying.

And since the Christian life is described at times as being engaged in warfare, it stands to reason that one of the weapons available in fighting this war is that of prayer!

Psalm 2:1-5 provides a graphic backdrop and reminds us that we are in a vicious conflict with the souls of human beings at stake. Notice it is the governing authorities that are at war with God because of attitude and at the present time those who head up the United States federal government more than fit the description given in the opening statements of the Psalm:

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..."

Consider some examples:

Arise, O LORD! O God, lift up Your hand! Do not forget the humble. Why do the wicked renounce God? He has said in his heart, "You will not require an account." But You have seen it, for You observe trouble and grief, to repay it by Your hand. The helpless commits himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless. Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man; seek out his wickedness until You find none. The LORD is King forever and ever; the nations have perished out of His land. LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may oppress no more. --- Psalm 10:12-18

Help, LORD, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things, who have said, "With our tongue we will prevail; our lips are our own; who is lord over us?" --- Psalm 12:1-4 [Note: we see the aforementioned attitude as being on display constantly in Washington DC by elected officials in high places, hence the need to pray that God will deal with it in His way and time!]


Stir up Yourself, and awake to my vindication, to my cause, my God and my Lord. Vindicate me, O LORD my God, according to Your righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me. Let them not say in their hearts, "Ah, so we would have it!" Let them not say, "We have swallowed him up." Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion who rejoice at my hurt; let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves against me. --- Psalm 35:23-26

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth. They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down; they have dug a pit before me; into the midst of it they themselves have fallen. Selah --- Psalm 57:5, 6

There are numerous other statements in the Psalms which have to do with praying against the wicked, even those who sit in high places of power and influence. While there is much talk of the impact of ObamaCare on the republic and the change that may come about during the elections this coming November, don't wait for some political "process" to take place, but be praying now "against the deeds of the wicked" and all who leading our nation on a path toward sure and certain destruction!

Clean off the rust and start using that weapon! "Return upon their heads the fruits of their deeds, O Lord!"

LORD, I have loved the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells. Do not gather my soul together with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, in whose hands is a sinister scheme, and whose right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; redeem me and be merciful to me. My foot stands in an even place; in the congregations I will bless the LORD.
--- Psalm 26:8-12

Finally, I Now Find Myself in Agreement with Barack Hussein Obama!

“We are five days away from fundamentally transforming the United States of America!” --- Barack Hussein Obama speaking just prior to the presidential election of 2008

I never thought it would happen but it did. Always I found myself in radical disagreement with the president on a wide range of issues, no matter what they might be. The most obvious one is on his position of giving his sanction to the destruction of 25,000 unborn children each week of the year. I have maintained for a long time that Obama would have made an excellent Nazi SS officer in the days of WW II with his philosophy that certain individuals are not worthy to live because of certain existing factors. His one infamous example was that if his daughter should become pregnant, it was not right that she should be “punished” by being forced to bear the child – rather, an abortion would be the simple solution and the way of avoiding the “punishment!” In his twisted thinking, there are pregnancies that are considered “punishment” and the only way to resolve this dilemma is by destroying the unborn child and terminating its life!

Alas, I digress a bit in regard to a man who promised to “transform” the United States of America. He is keeping that promise and I agree 100 per cent that he is doing exactly that!

I agree that he is transforming our republic into a socialistic state and ultimately into a totalitarian state while at the same time professing to adhere to democratic principles! There is a word for that sort of thing, is there not? It starts with hypo.. something or other!

I agree that he has done violation to the U. S. Constitution along with co-conspirators in the U. S. Congress such as no other president has ever done in the history of our republic, which soon will be no longer a republic.

He has taken control in areas of what is known as the “private sector” as none has ever done before him. It has been big government taking over and controlling what goes on in the business arena.

And of course, the takeover of healthcare which involves 1/6 of the U. S. economy has been a top priority item for Obama and his partners in “legalized” crime throughout the land.

He has appointed numerous radicals known as “czars” who have extensive power and there is no way it seems for that power to be held in check since there has been no congressional approval nor regulated limits of these “loose canons” who are helping the president in his quest to “transform” the United States of America.

Basically what we are witnessing is the raw fact that very, very few people can handle power and/or wealth responsibly. Another common denominator is that such persons take the position that they are smarter than the common citizen and therefore know what is best since we ignorant ones do not! All we have to do is wake up, shut up, listen to the Pied Piper as he pipes, and then follow him to his warped interpretation of Utopia resulting from his “transforming” policies implemented over time!

Yes, I agree with Barack Hussein Obama that he is keeping his promise and indeed he is fundamentally transforming the United States of America. But I would not use the word “utopia” to describe his accomplishments but rather his transformation is resulting in a hell on earth.

If that was where my hope for the future was centered, I would be in a bottomless pit of despair, but I am thankful for the hope of God’s intervention at some point in the future with the return of Jesus Christ to this planet and the removal of all government leaders and elected officials from office, even those who had grandiose ambitions of “transforming” entire nations!

....since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. --- 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10

Praying for the President, the Congress, and the Nation!

And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, "O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments. Neither have we heeded Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings and our princes, to our fathers and all the people of the land..." --- Daniel 9:4-6

Heavenly Father, you are the living God -- there is no other! You have been pleased to reveal yourself through all that you have created, through your inspired Word, and by becoming human in the Person of your Son, Jesus Christ. It is through Him that I come to you in all my unworthiness. I give thanks for your abundance of mercies you have granted to me over the years I have been privileged to live in this world. I also give thanks for the many times you have heard and answered prayer as I called upon you in my times of need.

I ask for your forgiveness for my offenses against you in thoughts, desires, words spoken and deeds done. I also ask your forgiveness for my failure to act when I should have done so as well as failure to speak in witness to your revealed truth when I should have spoken.

I ask that you would work such chastising works as are necessary to make the president, the appointed members of his administration, and the members of the Congress fully aware that you are God and you hold all of us accountable for our actions day by day. The president has given his sanction to the mass destruction of unborn children for whom you have a high and holy purpose. Those in his administration as well as many in the Congress give their approval to this ongoing destruction of thousands every week.

You know all things -- from you nothing can be hidden. You know the extent of the dishonesty, the greed and the bribery that has corrupted those who have been elected to govern this republic. May every dishonest, unethical, and immoral act be brought to light that all will know the truth concerning these elected officials. Bring reproach upon their heads and defeat their attempts to hide questional acts in their conduct. Rebuke the president and his advisors whenever they attempt to take a course of action that is not within your holy will and purpose. Bring deep conviction and distress upon them when they fail to seek your will in the making of decisions and the proposal of all legislation. Bring every effort they make to total defeat when such efforts are not acceptable in your sight.

Raise up a prophet who will come in the spirit of your servants such as John the Baptist or Elijah and who will confront the president face to face with his sins and that of the nation.

For the nation I pray -- we are a nation deserving of the ourpouring of your wrath in judgment for our many abominations and transgressions of which we are guilty. The spirit of our nation is such that we are not grieved that unborn children are brutally mutilated and murdered before birth. We show no remorse that we have taken unto ourselves numerous idols, that we have turned the holy day of worship into a day of pleasure and spectator sporting events, and that we are being consumed in our pandemic immorality and have rejected your standards for expressing the gift of our sexuality.

We teach our young that our origins are found in lower life forms rather than teaching them about you and your mighty creation and that you alone are the source and sustainer of all life.

O God, while we stand deserving of your judgment, have mercy, arise and bring forth such calamities as you see fit in your infinite power and wisdom upon this whole nation that people in every place -- within the church as well as outside the church will be moved and stirred by the working of your Holy Spirit -- that there will be a desire to seek you in a true spirit of repentance and to confess that as a nation we have failed to serve and honor you as the living God Who is worthy of our love, our praise and our loyaty every day that we live.

Thank you that in a love that defies human understanding, you gave your Son, Jesus, for the sins of the entire human race. It is in His Name that I pray, asking for mercy for myself and my loved ones, and that you would for a time work your chastising works throughout this nation and to confront our government leaders and our church leaders with the need to repent of all of our sins, personally and corporately. In the Name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord. Amen.

"...if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." --- 2 Chronicles 7:14

Coming Out of the Woodwork in Johnstown PA!

February 22, 2010 – News report stated that Joyce Murtha, widow of Congressman John Murtha, has announced that she will not seek to fill the unexpired term of her late husband, thus ending much speculation that she run for the position in the special election to be held in the future.

Yes, it is happening according to an old familiar expression – they are indeed coming out of the woodwork! And who might that be? Didn’t you know? A bunch of individuals want to occupy the seat in the House of Representatives which had been held for many years by the late congressman, John P. Murtha. The geographical territory involved is the 12th Congressional District in south central PA in which the city of Johnstown is located. Johnstown was Murtha’s hometown and could be considered as having been his major base of operations outside of Washington DC during his congressional career. The evidence of that is clear from observing his name prominently displayed everywhere in the area!

Before John Murtha was placed in the ground, speculation, with a lot of help from the local media, was running at a white hot pitch regarding Mrs. Joyce Murtha seeking the congressional seat once held by her late husband. The way some of the local talking heads were handling the issue, Mrs. Murtha was already occupying the office!

Then came announcement after announcement by persons in both political parties of their intention to seek the office. One, former Lt. Gov. Mark Singel , expressed his desire to run but qualified it by saying if Mrs. Murtha decided to run, he would drop out and support her.

Then came the statement as given by Mrs. Murtha that she would not seek the position. This was sort of like opening the floodgates and now it is almost as though just about everyone and his brother are throwing their hats in the ring!

As noted in an earlier post, no matter who wins the election on this, Johnstown will not be the recipient of millions of dollars, especially defense related, as was the case with John Murtha over the years. But there is one thing that is rather certain – whoever gets the coveted seat of the 12th District will in time be transformed into a typical politician. There may be a lot of rhetoric during campaigning that seems to sound so good, but in Washington DC the priority is to march in lockstep to the philosophy, “To get along, go along!”

There are two things that indicate that the U.S. Congress is in desperate need of a major overhaul. First, what the members have over time “voted” for themselves in terms of salary, perks, health and retirement benefits. You’ll never find anything comparable in the private sector.

Second, because of the way special interest groups are organized and the influence they have, the curse of lobbying has grown like a cancer over the years. Highly paid lobbyists (some are former members of the U.S. Congress) are able to bring pressure to bear upon elected officials that we private citizens will never be able to do.

With Congress’ approval rating extremely low so far as citizens are concerned, the best solution would be to totally outlaw all organized lobbying and vote ALL incumbents out of office for a few years. Along with that, have the citizens vote on what the salaries will be along with all the other benefits. The intent here would be to have those salaries and “perks” reflect more closely the average of salaries and benefits earned by the constituents these officials claim to represent at the federal level!

So, in a matter of weeks someone new from the 12th Congressional District in Pennsylvania will enter the halls of the U. S. Congress and in time will be just one of the “good old” boys’ and girls’ club in D.C! The glaring difference will be that the rookie will not be able to get hold of the millions of dollars that “Big John” Murtha did – at least for a few years anyway!

O LORD, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear? even cry out to You, "Violence!" And You will not save. Why do You show me iniquity, and cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; there is strife, and contention arises. Therefore the law is powerless, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; therefore perverse judgment proceeds…….Woe to him who builds a town with bloodshed, who establishes a city by iniquity! --- Habakkuk 1:2-4; 2:12

What Will Johnstown PA Do Now?

Congressman John Murtha died on February 8, 2010 as a result of complications following gall bladder surgery. His funeral and burial are taking place today, February 16, 2010 in Johnstown PA, his hometown.

If you want to see something that far exceeds a 3-ring circus, you need to come to Johnstown PA within the next few weeks. There will be a scramble such as has not been witnessed in a long time as the Democrats attempt to retain control of the seat held by the late Congressman John P. Murtha. Understandably the Republicans will be determined to wrest that congressional seat away from the Democrats. Even the "anointed one" who occupies the residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington D.C. will be deeply concerned, and without a doubt will exercise whatever influence he can so that his party retains the seat.

But at least one thing will be much different than it has been for years for Johnstown. There will be no Murtha in Congress to turn on the financial faucets and aim them in the direction of his district, and Johnstown in particular. Speculation is that Mrs. John Murtha may seek the position. If she does, and she gets to fill out the term of her late husband, she will still be a rookie representative -- the power and clout simply won't exist as it did while "Big John" held the office!

This thing could get real ugly as it runs its course. But the fact remains, no matter who occupies the seat once held by John P. Murtha for many years, things will not be the same in Johnstown in years to come!

More details on this issue at Circuit Rider's Range at What Will Johnstown PA Do Now?

And a PS - the above photo is not intended to show disrespect, but rather reality -- Murtha held a status that was quite similar to that of a deity -- a god who could do just about everything when it came to getting money channeled into his district -- he sometimes was referred to as the "King of Pork!" Another way of viewing him was that he was the big Santa to Johnstown PA and its surrounding area!

Degenerate State of the Union!

Degenerate (Def) – a person who has deteriorated from the normal condition or standard, especially one who is subnormal mentally or morally – to pass from a good to a bad or worse state; to lose former, normal, or higher qualities. --- Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary

It’s time for the big speech of the year – President Obama’s State of the Union address to the U.S. Congress and ultimately to the whole nation – that is, to those who will listen to it.

Advance reports indicated the president would focus on the economy. But no matter what he says, one word sums up the condition of our republic – that word is “degenerate” with definitions appearing above.

Obama, his administration, the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Supreme Court will not face this reality. The evidence is everywhere to be seen.

1. Innocent blood on our hands due to the intentional mutilation and murder of over 51 million innocent victims. The president gives his “thumbs up” approval to this ongoing practice. And he has many followers in the U.S. Congress which agree with the U.S. version of "holocaust!" There are members of the U.S. Supreme Court also who have declared that it is a "constitutional right" to mutilate and murder unborn children!

2. Pandemic practice of sexual immorality in its many forms of expression such as fornication, adultery, lesbianism, sodomy, bestiality, prostitution, sexual abuse of children, and many media outlets which display such activity. One of the bitter fruits of such activity is that now the CDC in Atlanta has revealed that 1 out of every 4 teenaged females has at least one STD (sexually transmitted disease) and some have more than one! The growing philosophy of "Sex is fun with anyone (or more than one anyone at the same time) anywhere and at any time!" doesn't seem to be working too well in enhanciing our culture does it?

3. Idolatry which ignores the call and claims of a holy God upon every human being. While not fashioning images out of precious metals, stone or wood as was done in ancient times, we craft ours in our perverted imaginations. Money is one of the leading contenders when it comes to the gods of modern U. S. citizens!

4. The trashing of the day of worship by well over half of our citizens is an abomination that is not being overlooked by the Creator Who set the example of working 6 days and then resting the 7th day and sanctified it to be a day of worship and rest for His people. By example the president himself has shown that this day is no more significant than any other day of the week.

5. The teaching of our young that we have evolved from a lower life form which existed in the very ancient past. This teaching is convenient because then you do not need God and having accomplished the dispatching of God, then you make your own “rules” in life – pick and choose what you want by way of a value system and reject what you don’t like – the best part is that you don’t have any “rules” imposed by a divine being usually identified as God!

The foremost Authority on human behavior, relationships, and destiny has indicated that the human race would do a repeat of conditions as they existed in the times of Noah before the world wide judgment of the flood wiped out the human race with the exception of eight persons! Jesus Christ also mentioned the conditions which prevailed in the city of Sodom when Lot lived there would also be duplicated in the final stages of human history as we presently see it being played out.

The United States seems resolved with the present leadership to pave the way and show the rest of the world what the word “degenerate” is all about – it is indeed a “degenerate state of the union!” But millions will not hear a word from Barack Hussein Obama about it since this man will not face reality when it comes to the true "state of the union!"

Pressing on in our present course as a nation will lead to sure and certain judgment, details of which are found at Driving the Final Nails!

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 Iran Now Shaking in It Boots Because of Obama’s “Warning?”

"Iran is on notice that when we meet with them on Oct. 1 they are going to have to come clean and they are going to have to make a choice" between international isolation and giving up any aspirations to becoming a nuclear power, he (Obama) said. If they refuse to give ground, they will stay on "a path that is going to lead to confrontation." --- Statements by President Obama on Iran, September 25, 2009 in Pittsburgh PA

Did Iranian President Ahmadinejad and his people instantly snap to attention, salute the president of the United States, and loudly respond, “Yes, sir! Yes, sir! Whatever you say, sir! We’ll do it right away, sir! Please don’t hurt us!”

If anything the Iranian response was as some put it, “a thumbing of the nose” kind of attitude and Ahmadinejad’s claim that they had done nothing wrong and further, Obama would regret the accusations made against Iran. So it hardly looks like Iran is running scared, does it not?

Consider why “tough” talk coming from the United States is no longer intimidating.

First, the president has never shown even a trace of concern about how this country stands in relation to the God it claims to be “under” as mentioned in the Pledge of Allegiance. But then, he has lots of company in that regard with the U. S. Congress and the Supreme Court, which rules more against God than in His favor.

Since this nation historically has its roots in the public recognition of God and the truths having to do with the practicing of faith which is centered in God, it is most important to determine just what our present relationship as a nation is to God. The best place to see how we stand is to check out Deuteronomy 28 in the Old Testament – God says He will bless the nation that obeys Him and respects His standards, but on the other hand if the nation chooses the way of disobedience, then unprecedented calamities will be that nation’s fate, leading to eventual collapse! Who would be so idiotic as to claim we are an obedient nation in the sight of God and presently in an acceptable relationship to Him?

Second, it is clear after rejecting repeated warnings and appeals that we as a nation are no longer under the favor and blessing of God. Even worse is the fact that God states that He makes the people who have rejected Him a mockery in the sight of other nations. What could be plainer than the following statements made by the Creator of the heavens and the earth:

"You have become guilty by the blood which you have shed, and have defiled yourself with the idols which you have made. You have caused your days to draw near, and have come to the end of your years; therefore I have made you a reproach to the nations, and a mockery to all countries. Those near and those far from you will mock you as infamous and full of tumult. Look, the princes of Israel: each one has used his power to shed blood in you. In you they have made light of father and mother; in your midst they have oppressed the stranger; in you they have mistreated the fatherless and the widow. You have despised My holy things and profaned My Sabbaths….” --- Ezekiel 22:4-8

So, when Obama speaks and warns, is he taken seriously? Ask Ahmadinejad and the people of Iran if their tremors have settled down after the president of the United States has taken them to task and issued a stern warning!

Then they will cry to the LORD, but He will not hear them; He will even hide His face from them at that time, because they have been evil in their deeds. --- Micah 3:4

As God Withdraws, What Will We Do Now?

With their flocks and herds they shall go to seek the LORD, but they will not find Him; He has withdrawn Himself from them. They have dealt treacherously with the LORD, for they have begotten pagan children. Now a New Moon shall devour them and their heritage. --- Hosea 5:6, 7

It happened to a nation a long time ago. They had become very powerful and they had prospered immensely. In the earlier years the people of that nation had appreciated God, consistently worshipped Him, took His commandments very seriously and sought to obey Him fully. The leaders (political and religious) and the citizens shared in the conviction that God and His intended purpose for them were to be given top priority on a daily basis.

But then something happened. As time passed God began to be treated as though He were a meddlesome nuisance. His commands were ignored, spiritual adultery was adopted as a desirable way of life and the nation sank so low that the sacrificing of their small children alive to heathen deities became a common practice!

At a certain point God said He would withdraw from them. Now then – guess Whom they came running to and calling on when calamities really set in? But there was no response – God had withdrawn from a nation of people who made the hypocritical claim that God was their God!

Since we are duplicating the same pattern as did those people many centuries ago and since there is overwhelming evidence that God is withdrawing from the United States, what will be the response of Obama, the U. S. Congress, the “religious” leaders, and the citizens to that withdrawal?

Will there be a spirit of genuine repentance as expressed by Daniel in his prayer (see Daniel 9)?

Or will there be bitterness and accusations that God has no right to do things that disrupt us in our idolatrous and immoral ways of life?

Or will the president and the Congress actually make a concentrated effort to ram through legislation in the vain attempt to offset all the negatives that take place because God has withdrawn from this republic?

Will church leaders attempt to stage some extra church activities – maybe even suggest that perhaps some extra praying should be done, as God in the process of withdrawing does something else – the “famishing” of the numerous idols that have been set up in a republic known as the United States of America?

What say YOU?

"It shall be in that day," says the LORD of hosts, "that I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they shall no longer be remembered. I will also cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to depart from the land.” --- Zechariah 13:2

The LORD will frighten them, because he will destroy all the gods of the earth. Then everyone in faraway places will worship him wherever they are. --- Zephaniah 2:11 (New Century Version).

What Good Is Physical Health Care Reform If We Don’t Have Spiritual Health Care Reform?

“Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.” --- concluding words of President Obama in his address to the U. S. Congress, 09/09/09

The battle continues to rage on even in the wake of President Obama’s address to the nation and the U. S. Congress as he pushed zealously for all to accept his proposal to overhaul and reform the way we as a nation handle our health care situation.

There are those who adamantly oppose government controlled health care such as that being proposed and considered by the Congress. Ads are being run and time given as to why the legislation now before the U. S. Congress should be rejected.

On the other hand, there are those who passionately embrace the president’s plan to nationalize the health care system as much as a groom embraces his bride on their wedding day! Maybe this is in part due to such supporters viewing Obama as their “knight in shining armor” and they are like a fairy tale princess just waiting to be rescued!

Even if some sloppy semblance of a government controlled health care system is put in place, what good is it going to do if a much greater health care of another kind is intentionally neglected as has been the case for many decades?

We’re talking spiritual health care here and the United States, as is the case with all other nations, is in a pandemic crisis in regard to this issue. It makes the physical health care issue fade far into the background by way of comparison when it comes to what is most important for our republic’s survival in times to come!

Less than half of our population can make it to a place of worship on a Sunday morning and this includes the president and his family. The day of worship is treated like a holiday with the pursuit of “fun’ things, enthusiastic support of a myriad of sporting events, and commercial business ventures. God labels it with an unflattering expression – He calls it “profaning the Sabbath!” Ah, that means when we choose to ignore Him on the day He is to be honored and worshipped, then He is very displeased.

Much, much more could be added to the above, but space does not permit it at this time. The issues of our spiritual health have been addressed at Driving the Final Nails! There are 8 "nails" being driven into our nation's coffin -- that isn't a hammer you are holding in your hand, is it?

The time will come when the president will realize that his throwing out the generic phrase, “…God bless the United States of America,” at the end of his speeches does not cut it. And that he was dead wrong in believing that physical health care was the top priority issue -- but then, he isn't alone on this -- millions of citizens and a hoard of elected officials stand by him on this deadly position. But by that time it will most likely be too late to bring about the necessary changes in order to get the republic back on track where it ought to be in relation to the God we claim to be “under.”

Spiritual health care reform is the most serious issue our nation is presently facing, but who cares? Only a few fanatical “right-wing nuts,” and that certainly omits elected officials and not a few religious leaders as well!

"....if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." --- God speaking in 2 Chronicles 7:14

Good, So Far As It Goes!

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart; you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. --- Deuteronomy 6:4-7

News media will saturate us today about the president and his address to school students across the country. As always, the battle lines have been drawn on this as is the case with anything involving the president of the United States. There are those who support this action on the part of the president and those who are bitterly opposed. In days to come the battle will continue.

Having read the text of the president's message to school students I find it quite commendable for the most part. It is a basic challenge to stay in school, work hard and seek to make a positive contribution to the nation after one has completed the process of education. If he sticks to the text then some good things should result from his effort -- a positive effect on students.

He draws on his own background experience and cites some other examples of those who have overcome very negative circumstances in gaining an education.

There is a positive challenge to each person individually and that each can make a difference in the future.

If there are no further efforts in the background to attempt to incorporate the president's personal political agenda into all this down the road, then some good things should happen, as noted in my Facebook entry earlier today.

However, the down side is the fact that the president in his final statement of making reference to God's blessing, that is, that God might bless everyone and the entire country fails to realize that God is not to be taken for granted and that His blessings are absolutely conditional.

President Obama and the members of his administration as well as those who make up the Congress and the Supreme Court are in a state of total ignorance regarding responsibility of the citizens and their leaders to seek and do the will of Almighty God. This simply isn't being done and we have yet to realize the price to be paid for our rebellion against the Creator of this mighty universe!

In my Facebook entry I made reference to Deuteronomy 28 and the fact that God spells out clearly what national responsibility is when it comes to relating to Him and what happens when a people choose to ignore the laws and principles He has set forth. As a nation we are facing increased calamities as God shows us that we have no hope for the future when we defy Him through persistant disobedience!

What the president shares with school students is good so far as it goes, but he has avoided the most critical issue that has to do with this nation's future health and destiny!

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

Read on, if you dare, the rest of Deuteronomy 28 -- you might not sleep well tonight, but that's OK if it causes you to do some praying in a different way than you have ever done before!