There Should Be No Surprise on B. O.’s Supreme Court Nominee!

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. "Look among the nations and watch; be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you. “ --- Habakkuk 1:2-5

We are now plunged into a deep sea of speculation since the word is out that Supreme Court Justice Souter is going to step down later this year.

It is now being reported that the Obama people have been working for some time to come up with possible candidates for the next justice of the Supreme Court.

It doesn’t matter what name is submitted by the Obama bunch – one can speculate until doom’s day as to the identity of that nominee, but here’s what it will be as to the person who will sit in the seat soon to be vacated by Souter:

• he or she will be a rabid pro-abortion advocate and any ruling having to do with the destruction of unborn children will be made to insure that the slaughter continues without restriction! That is how the president thinks and he will make sure that his puppet appointee on the Supreme Court thinks and rules likewise.
  
  
• he or she will have an anti-God and anti-Christ approach when ruling on matters that have to do with church and moral issues – in other words, whatever would be in agreement with God’s revelation and basic teachings of Christianity will be rejected by Obama’s chosen Supreme Court justice!
  
  
• he or she will participate in such rulings as will further grease the skids on this nation’s downward plunge into a totally socialistic society with the U. S. Constitution being but a distant memory in due time.
  
  
• in summary, whatever sense of justice that the average citizen possesses and however that average citizen feels a Supreme Court decision should be in the dispensing of true justice, the president’s choice on the Supreme Court will rule just the opposite – remember, we now have people in leadership positions who are products of the rebel 60’s, the obnoxious 70’s, and the putrid 80’s – so court decisions that reflect a genuine sense of divine justice are extremely few and far between, especially at the U. S. Supreme Court level!
  

To get a good idea of how it will go with appointments by the president to various courts, check out the background of Obama’s first judicial appointment, David Hamilton, to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. David has quite a track record and his view of human life squares perfectly with the president who is recommending him.

After reading how Hamilton has ruled on some very important matters in the past you might not view the above statements as the erratic ranting of a lunatic after all! And it appears that Hamilton will get the position with little objection – who’s to object? It won’t be the Democrats who have placed their imprimatur on mass destruction of unborn children and the Republicans? They for the most part have abandoned any real sense of standing for protection and preservation of the unborn – it’s now considered too radical and too unpopular to want to protect all unborn children!

And none of these dare any longer to point the finger at Nazi Germany in self-righteous indignation and state what evil people they were – check the numbers – for every victim of the Nazi Holocaust we have matched it by at least 3 in our United States' version of “Holocaust!”

"You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. You shall follow what is altogether just, that you may live and inherit the land which the LORD your God is giving you.” --- Deuteronomy 16:19, 20

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Continues to Strive to Set Record for Notoriety!

Your princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves; everyone loves bribes, and follows after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, nor does the cause of the widow come before them. Isaiah 1:23

Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy people, and to get dishonest gain. Ezekiel 22:27

For some of us in Pennsylvania, it came as no surprise that Senator Arlen Specter is switching his party affiliation. A number of us PA residents have known for a long time that Arlen was in reality a closet Democrat. He will fit right in with the Obama crowd without any hindrances. He will support Obama’s pro-abortion agenda and the ongoing destruction of the unborn at all stages of development – from the early weeks to full term. And Arlen was one of three turn-coat “Republicans” supporting the grotesque stimulus bill. Those 2 females from Maine ought to follow Specter’s lead in this matter, and remove their masks for the sake of citizens who have failed to see them as they really are!


And then there is Representative John Murtha who represents the district in which Johnstown PA is located. Local news reports recently indicated that Johnstown may become the “poster child” of pork barrel spending due to Murtha’s manipulating tactics which have resulted in millions and millions of dollars being channeled into the Johnstown area over the years. One interesting project is a radar system at the airport which bears his name. It cost a few million dollars but has never been used – it just sits there, rusting away!

But ask the locals about this Washington DC “pork” landing in Johnstown over time and it is practically unanimous – Big John has done many good things by bringing all that government money into the area and no person should question that. You see, John Murtha holds a status that is at least equal to Almighty God in the Johnstown area – and just maybe in some cases, there are those who hold John Murtha in even higher esteem than God Himself!

In the race for setting a record for notoriety, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is ahead by at least a length or more! There are some of us, however, that feel it isn’t fair that we are saddled with the likes of a Specter or a Murtha and the other 49 states don’t have a taste of them – then the other states would know what we have to endure – maybe a trade could be worked out for a while!

But in spite of having such representation as Specter and Murtha over the years, there is good news which must always be kept in mind – it won’t go on much longer like it is now. The day is coming when all politicians will be removed from office. In fact every nation in the world will be impacted by this dramatic change in governing authority – Jesus Christ is scheduled to return to this world to take full control – He declared that He has all authority in heaven and on earth and promised He would come back. We don’t know the precise time when that will be – His word (and warning) was to watch and be ready, which implies that we are to live and work in anticipation of His return at any possible time. At least a few of us hope that it would be within the next 24 hours – to say the least, it will be a most dramatic change as to how things are done in the world when it comes to government!

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

Partying in Williamsburg VA!

President Obama spoke of his first ride in Air Force One and expressed with a big smile, “I like it.”

It was truly a case of “birds of a feather flocking together” as the Democrats held a retreat in Williamsburg VA. They couldn’t do this without President B. Hussein Obama joining them and being on center stage at one point in this circus. He obviously is having no difficulty in adjusting to being center stage wherever he is or wherever he goes in his travels.

And how did he get there? Well, what better opportunity to try out Air Force One than to go to the Dems’ retreat in Williamsburg VA which is only about 147 miles down the road from DC! Marine One (the president’s personal helicopter) could have made the trip with much less expense – so much for a little sacrifice and a bit of savings to the American taxpayer from one who has talked and talked and talked (add as many talks as you want even if it fills an 18 wheeler to the point of overload in its load capacity!) about sacrificing, cutting back on some expenses and foregoing some “luxuries” we may have been used to – such as running those gas guzzling SUV’s!

His attempt at some humor would earn him a –F grade, or if the grading system has been revised to go all the way to Z, then he would get a -Z. He mentioned that his chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel (who has a big foul mouth reputation), was teaching profanity to underprivileged children! This one got howls of laughter indicating the amused ones are plagued with an ignorance that defies description. First, they (including the president) are extremely ignorant of how Almighty God views profanity and a filthy mouth that spews out the same! Second, there obviously is no desire to set a noble example in conduct and speech for children and youth. These people who are supposed to be leaders fulfill the definition of profanity by one wise observer who declared that “profanity is the effort of a feeble mind trying to express itself forcibly!”

The president took an ample amount of time to further compliment Democratic leaders for their work. He especially praised Nancy Pelosi for her work in the House of Representatives and help with the gigantic stimulus bill being proposed. Queen Nancy, you remember, is Speaker of the House and the one who just recently made the statement about 500 million Americans losing their jobs – yes, that’s what she said – it’s on video. But not to be too hard on the Queen of the House – perhaps she was also including a few generations not yet born – that is, those who manage to survive the abortion binge the country is on at the present time. The United States only has about 305 million population in this year of 2009!


And the president had to take a shot at some cable networks though he did not specifically name any – but he used the term, “cable chatter,” different times, failing to realize he was on some cable channels himself as he stumped for that stimulus bill – was that not a bit of “cable chatter?” At least some citizens would prefer the other kind of “chatter” – it’s easier to stomach than is the Obama brand!

A confession – watching and listening to the antics presently taking place in Washington DC can be a very depressing experience – especially when you see no evidence produced by those elected officials that they are willing to do some sacrificing while piously calling upon us citizens to tighten our belts and do the sacrificing until things improve!

So I say again as I have often said previously – hang on, keep the faith and remember that it will not always be like this and we will not always be saddled with such leadership as presently exists at both state and federal levels – God is going to do a big change one of these days throughout this world – a change that is far beyond our limited ability to begin to comprehend. The below statement says it all!

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

Do You See the Red Flags Flying When Hollywood Jumps on the Bandwagon?

Hollywood's A-list was out in force at a fundraiser for Barack Obama with stars including Leonardo DiCaprio helping to amass an estimated USD 9 million for the Democrat's White House campaign. A dinner in a Beverly Hills mansion costing about 300 attendees USD 28,500 each also attracted director Steven Spielberg along with a bevy of actors such as Jodie Foster and Tobey Maguire, and comedian Chris Rock, reporters saw….. Singer-actress Barbra Streisand crooned at a USD 2,500 per-head reception at the swanky Beverly Wilshire hotel after the dinner, where the stars ate goat's cheese, roasted potatoes, filet mignon and asparagus. --- from Internet news release of September 17, 2008

Do you see those red flags flying – in fact, it’s like a sea of red waving in the breeze, is it not? Why are they there? Didn’t you know? Hollywood is jumping on B. O.’s bandwagon – it’s like a mass stampede!

It was reported on September 17, 2008 that B. O. attended a fund raising event at a Beverly Hills mansion in which those present paid $28,500.00 each to be in the presence of the Democratic presidential candidate. Later in the evening Barbara Streisand sang at the Beverly Wilshire hotel where many of the Hollywood elite were present. Again, raising money to help B. O. get into the White House in January 2009 was the objective.

It is estimated that 9 million dollars came into the Democrat Party’s pocketbook in these two gatherings and if so, would set a fund raising record for one night.

Why mention of the red flags – a kind of warning to us citizens in the republic of the U. S. A?

Keep in mind the following about the Hollywood bunch:

• they have made more than a tid-bit amount of contribution to the moral corruption of our culture by their example of playing musical beds and conceiving children out of wedlock accompanied by drug and alcohol abuse! All this amounts to a ton of grist for the rag sheets at check out counters which are gobbled up by people of all ages.
  
  
• they have manufactured what is supposed to be “entertainment” which is packed full of excessive violence, sexual immorality, and foul language including almost non-stop usage of the infamous “f” word!
  
  
• by lifestyle and life accomplishments in their works they have had an extremely negative impact on our culture, especially our youth and children. It’s been like feeding the young a daily diet of poison with the final result being their destruction.
  
  
• philosophically, these people have egos which make Mt. Everest look like a tiny mole hill by way of comparison and a world view which intentionally ignores the claims and call of a holy God Who created this mighty universe for His pleasure and purposes. If they took those claims and call seriously, the example they set and the work in which they are involved would be as different as a bright sunny day is from night at the midnight hour!
  

There are those who would quickly try to defend Hollywood to a point by saying there are some who do not live as described above and there are some who are involved in the producing of G-rated films etc. Granted, there a very few who may fall into this class, but it’s a bit like giving me a drink with a lot of arsenic and strychnine in it – you tell me those two ingredients are in the drink, but also quickly add that there are some vitamins also in the mixture and these are good for me! Thank you, no, but I don’t believe I will be helped because there are a few “good” things in such a deadly drink!

For the person who gives some thought to the issue – what Hollywood gets excited about, and is willing to pour millions of dollars into an “agenda,” is it good for us or will it lead to ultimate disaster further down the road?

"You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice." --- Exodus 23:2

B. O. the Poster Child of Many Mass Media Folks?

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

It surfaced some time back -- statements that B. O. was getting more favored (and very biased) treatment from many of those in the mass media -- that is, he is their favored and preferred candidate and it is showing in the way they treat him and McCain in their reporting of Election 2008! Or another way of putting it -- the scales of the mass media are heavily weighted in favor of B. O! For McCain, it's really an uphill battle, since the "deck" is stacked against him so far as a large number of the mass media people are concerned. There are and will be more favorable sound bites for B. O. than there will be for McCain.

This was demonstrated in the area where I live within the last few days -- days of the Democratic and Republican conventions. Our local newspaper reported on the acceptance speeches of both candidates. The bias stood out like a proverbial sore thumb!

A letter was sent to the newspaper about this. With this newspaper, my letter has less chance of being printed than a snowball has of surviving intact in that very, very hot place to which a lot of people of all ages make reference from time to time! At my main web site I have devoted some time and space to my ongoing special "relationship" I have with the editorial department of this particular paper and their refusal to print any of my letters any longer -- they used to, but no more!

See the letter below ---

Friday, September 05, 2008

Editor:

Be careful right now because you just might be accused of being biased in your reporting on the presidential election of 2008. And this in turn would result in your being identified with much of the mass media which is rapidly building a reputation of being very biased toward and supportive of Barack Obama in his bid to be our next president!

Suspicion arises at the present time due to your handling of the acceptance speeches of Barack Obama and John McCain respectively.

Your front pages speak out loud and clear. On August 29th you had a photo of Barack Obama on the front page which measured 7 ¼ inches by 10 inches – not quite a traditional 8 x 10, but close! On September 5th your front page photo of John McCain measured 4 ¼ inches by 6 ½ inches, slightly over ½ the size of Obama’s acceptance speech photo! McCain’s photo doesn’t qualify for a traditional 5 x 7 by a long shot!

Written column space in the AP articles was approximately the same with one glaring difference. The Obama article on the inside page also included a picture of Mrs. Obama and daughters. This photo measured 3 ½ by 3 ¾ inches. John McCain and family did not fare that well as there was no photo of them at all.

Photos do have influence and the size of such do register – the bigger the photo, the more attention it attracts and greater is the impact on the observer, even when it comes to the election process. Cambria County being a kind of “Mecca” for the Democratic Party it can be assumed that Obama will be much higher profile than will McCain when it comes to media coverage.

This has been written by one who is a non-affiliated registered voter.
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Still contending at www.crrange.com, blogging at http://cdharriger.blogspot.com and warning at www.crrange.com/USACoffin.html,

Clayton D. Harriger, Pastor

There you have it. It appears that we citizens need to maintain a high degree of suspicion when it comes to watching and listening to the mass media people -- are they JUST reporting news or are they trying to force-feed us with some propaganda and get us to vote for their favored candidate?

But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. --- 2 Timothy 3:13

Another Pot vs. Kettle Incident!

“No experience!” from a mighty chorus of Democratic voices responding to John McCain’s choice of Alaska governor, Sarah Palin, for his vice presidential running mate in the November 2008 election.

At least you can say one thing – they always manage without fail to be consistent in their inconsistency! In the dirty world of politics it has always been that way for many decades in a republic known as the United States.

So this time it’s the Democrats hammering on the issue of inexperience on the part of Alaska governor, Sarah Palin. Granted she hasn’t been into the political game for very long. But this much can be said – she has rattled a few cages among even the Republicans and wisely distanced herself from Alaska’s two prominent senators who are being investigated on charges of corruption.

This amounts to nothing less than the traditional pot calling the kettle black! Think seriously about this for more than 60 seconds – what about the Dem’s “shooting star” of the moment? B. O. doesn’t have very much to offer either – limited time in the Illinois legislature in which one of his “triumphs” was blocking efforts to try to protect late term unborn children from being executed before being born! Then on to the U. S. Senate in January 2005 – so that he can hardly be referred to as a seasoned veteran in dealing with domestic and foreign affairs.

B. O.’s running mate, Joe Biden, has been in the senate since January 1972. Joe is considered to be an “expert” in foreign policy matters. The problem, however, is this – when Joe speaks about anything, foreign or domestic, is he expressing his own thoughts or is he stating what someone else has said? He’s been known to “borrow” statements and ideas of others and present them as though they were his very own!

One thing of which we can be certain – whichever “team” moves into the White House come January 2009, there will be no serious confronting of the ethical, moral and spiritual crises that are provoking the Creator of this universe to pour out His wrath upon us because we have rejected His laws and live as though He doesn’t even exist! And God has made it abundantly clear -- the governing powers of a nation are responsible not only to set a personal example of holy conduct and exhibiting that obeying God is a priority issue each day, but to challenge the citizens also to seek and obey God in order that the nation will be blessed rather than go through the chaos of chastising actions and ultimately judgment if repentance does not take place!

By the way, one of the last pot vs. kettle incidents involved George Bush saying we had to take out Saddam Hussein because he was a brutal and cruel dictator as well as a threat to world peace – and so we did, learning that there were probably 1 million or so victims of his and his sons’ brutality.

Now how many unborn children do you think have been brutally mutilated and murdered since March of 2003 when we set about to deliver the citizens of Iraq from Saddam’s brutality? Bush has been silent about that – but he’s not the only one – so have a lot of other politicians and a number of church leaders as well. Among the church leaders, United Methodist bishops have been notoriously silent.

Check the numbers at A Quick Look at the United States' Massacre Tally! Use reverse feature on your browser to come back here.

In the meantime watch for those many occasions in which the pot calls the kettle black – it happens quite often in the “land of the free and the home of the brave!”

The above comments are not to be construed as being an "endorsement" of the McCain/Palin ticket. Neither major party has anything of substance to offer when it comes to healing the ills that plague this country -- ills which have to do with repentance and establishing a favorable relationship with Almighty God!

Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who "will render to each one according to his deeds": eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness; indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God. --- Romans 2:1-11

No Matter Whether a Democrat or a Republican Wins the Presidency, the Holocaust Will Continue!

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

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

It is the one issue that prevails over all the others when it comes to how our republic will fare in the years to come.

That issue is how we treat our unborn future citizens. For years we have, under sanction of the U. S. Supreme Court, been brutally mutilating and murdering over a million unborn children every year for over 35 ½ years. At this point in time the toll is nearly 50 million victims! Yes, it is indeed appropriate to apply the term “holocaust” to such a happening to which a number of politicians, judges, various organizations and even some church leaders give support.

B. O. and his running mate, “plagiarism” Joe, are clearly on record as favoring the continuation of our nation’s version of “holocaust.”

While the Republicans sometimes claim to be pro life, the record speaks otherwise. As clearly pointed out by Chuck Baldwin in a recent column, John McCain Pro Life? What a Joke!, the Republicans did absolutely nothing to stop the shedding of innocent blood while in control of the government for a number of years.

So this is what we have to look forward to starting with the third week of January 2009 – it doesn’t matter if the person taking the oath of office for the presidency is a Democrat or a Republican, the “holocaust” will continue unabated!

However, rest assured the day will come when it will be stopped – not because of human enacted legislation such as the overturning of Roe v. Wade, but due to Almighty God’s direct intervention which will prove to be a most unpleasant experience in ways impossible to imagine!

Cited at the beginning is a reference to an ancient king by the name of Manasseh who thought he could institute the practice of child sacrifice and get away with it – he didn’t and neither shall we!

For further reference as to numbers of victims over the years certain politicians have held office, see A Quick Look at the United States' Massacre Tally! Scroll down further and see the numbers of victims during years United Methodist bishops have been in their positions. These church leaders are cited because they are very, very silent on the issue of mutilating and murdering the unborn in the womb! Not only silent as individuals, but as a group, the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church. Use reverse feature on your browser to return to this place.

They sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind. The stalk has no bud; it shall never produce meal. If it should produce, aliens would swallow it up. --- Hosea 8:7

“Politics" in Electing United Methodist Bishops? Learn from Us, You Democrats and Republicans!

"I want to be a United Methodist bishop!"

A conversation with Luke this week tipped me off to the practice of creating websites for episcopal candidates within the United Methodist Church. He pointed me to the Southeast Jurisdiction Candidates and North Central Jurisdiction Candidates where nearly 100% of them have created a website specifically to promote their candidacy.
--- comment as posted at www.methoblog.com

Once again it has been “election time” in regard to something referred to as the episcopacy of the United Methodist Church.

Jurisdictional conferences have met, ballots have been cast numerous times, and out of all this activity certain persons now wear a hat with the label “bishop” on it.

Questions have increasingly surfaced about the “process” and the fact that it has become a game of politics each quadrennium. Conferences, certain groups and individuals have their “favorites” whom they want to see elevated to that coveted position of being a “shepherd” at the episcopal level of the United Methodist Church!

Like it or not, campaigning is now a very real part of getting to be a bishop in the U. M. C! Web sites are set up advertising all the so-called “gifts and graces” along with documented history and educational background of that man or woman and how he or she will be the perfect one to grasp the shepherd’s staff in some conference somewhere!

I remember seeing one web site 4 years ago with all the campaign rhetoric which would make the Democrats and Republicans look like amateurs by way of comparison in demonstrating how to get your candidate elected. By the way, the person on that web site did make it for bishop – a Las Vegas gambler would have bet that it was an absolute sure thing! Sorry for slipping that one in, since gambling is a great abomination among many United Methodists – but also keep in mind, one ought not to roll the dice, but it’s ok to mutilate and murder unborn children – no protesting on that one!

Actually I don’t make it a practice to check out all episcopal candidates when that time rolls around each 4 years – for the simple reason that the stuff promoting even one candidate goes a long, long way and my stomach can barely handle just one!

The main difference between the United Methodist and the Democratic/Republican style of campaigning for office is that the Dems and the GOPers don’t attempt to dress up their stuff with a lot of pious talk and activity.

What would happen if a Biblical approach was tried? Suppose the names of all who aspired to be bishop were dropped in a hat – then have two or three days of fasting and prayer with the attitude that God knows the best person for the position. Then have a 5 or 6-year-old boy or girl draw out the name or names! Hey, don’t get bent out of shape yet – think it through – it really couldn’t get any worse than it is now with the loss of tens of thousands of members every year.

Ooops! I forgot – that would probably lead to extensive “campaigning” as to who that boy or girl would be who would draw the names out of that silk hat!

Mister chairperson – I withdraw my motion that we attempt to select our bishops by lot. Instead I resubmit a motion to invite high level Democrats and Republicans to witness first hand what real campaigning is about during the year preceding our jurisdictional conferences – they will positively learn a thing or two about how to get a candidate elected!

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?" He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men; the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do." And He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition." --- Mark 7:5-9

B. O. Inserts Big Foot into Even Bigger Mouth!

"You go into some of these small towns in Pennsylvania, and like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing's replaced them. So it's not surprising then that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." --- B. O. in San Francisco as reported on Friday, April 11, 2008

Yes, B. O., some Pennsylvanians are serious about their religion and there are quite a number that take the attitude, "You'll get my gun when you pry it off my dead fingers!" And most of those Pennsylvanians would fully agree with the accurate bumper sticker released some years ago which said, "Ted Kennedy's Oldsmobile has killed more people than my gun!"

There are Pennsylvanians who are in sharp disagreement with a large number of politicians, including the president of the U. S. when it comes to the religious issue. The president is on public record as stating his belief that Muslims and Christians worship the same God! That statement can be documented as taking place at a joint news conference years ago with Tony Blair in the United Kingdom. It's more than an outside possibility that a lot of politicians, including the great B. O. himself, would agree with Bush on that religious position!

I and some of my fellow Pennsylvanians would radically insist there is but one true God Who chose to become human in the Person of Jesus Christ and any religious expression in this present world that does not have Him at the heart and center of its worship, devotion and activity in daily life is totally false. This is underscored in John 1 - 3 about Who Jesus really is and what He demands of us humans if we expect to enter His eternal Kingdom! Go ahead, and read it for yourself -- then you are on the spot -- you're at a fork in the road -- you have to decide -- is what is told about Him the truth and is He telling the truth, or is He just a high profile fraud and nothing more? If He is telling the truth, then this idea of worshipping God any way that strikes your fancy when it comes to "religion" is a bunch of nonsense and could cause a person to end up in a devil's Hell forever!

On this gun issue, all indications are that B. O. does not seem too sympathetic to the common interpretation of the 2nd Amendment. Yes, a lot of us Pennsylvanians have our guns and intend to "cling" to them as B. O. put it! I am one of a number who is licensed to carry a handgun concealed and loaded, if I so choose! And that can range from a .357 Magnum all the way to a very dainty little .22 Magnum that can be concealed in my hand!

Pennsylvania has not only a lot of gun owners but a great hunting population -- it is said that more deer are killed on PA highways in a year than are taken in the hunting seasons of a number of other states combined. Over a million hunters are out on the first day of Pennsylvania's deer season.

By the way, guns sometimes are excellent tools to have around the house -- it was reported a while back about a 12 year-old girl being home alone due to her parents being away at some evening function -- two illegal aliens broke into the home with one carrying a weapon -- that one came up the stairs toward the girl who had retrieved her father's 12 gage shotgun -- she shot the one coming up the stairs who took the blast in the abdomen and genital area -- he died instantly -- she shot the other one who managed to get outside where he bled to death! She had been trained in skeet shooting by her father and knew how to handle a weapon and use it when necessary! She ought to be a poster child for a while in a society reeking with people who think they can break into anybody's home and take anything they want by force, killing the occupants if they feel so moved!

But Pennsylvanians also have good memories when it comes to how politicians are prone to open their mouths and insert a big foot in them! If all goes well, perhaps B. O. has just shot himself in his big foot before he inserted it in his big mouth so far as Pennylvania is concerned.

But then, the other option on the Democratic ticket isn't exactly a winner either, is SHE? Then go Republican? Ooooh! Frustration will definitely be the name of the game when a lot of us go into that voting booth in November! Please understand that these statements are coming from one who, first, has a basic mistrust of all politicians to begin with (I rest my case on the records they have set for themselves!) and second, is a non-affiliated registered voter in south central Pennsylvania -- Cambria County!

We definitely need a Joshua type of leader in times such as these -- but I see none at all in the field -- do you? But more on that at a later time.

"Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." --- Joshua 1:7, 8

Fairy Tales 2008!

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The LORD shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion."..........Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" --- Psalm 2:1-6; Revelation 11:15

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Another Intentional Slap at Christianity -- But Then, What Else Is New?

Head honcho of the Democratic National Committee, Howard Dean, issued a press statement on March 30th which was titled, "DNC Offers Passover Greetings." The following was contained within the release:

"On Monday night, Jews around the world will begin celebrating Passover, a week-long holiday that commemorates the Israelites' freedom from persecution and slavery."

All well and good -- anyone familiar a bit with the history of the Jewish people from very ancient times knows it has not been an easy life for them much of the time through the centuries. Passover is a very special celebration dating back to the time this people was set free from their enslavement to the Egyptians through direct intervention by Almighty God in a series of miracles as He judged the Egyptians for their idolatry and holding the Israelites in bondage for a period of 400 years! The crowning work of His judgment was the slaying of the firstborn throughout Egypt and the sparing of the Israelites in every home where the blood of a sacrificed lamb had been applied to the doorposts and lintel of an Israelite residence. And later when Pharaoh and his troops tried to pursue the Israelites through the Red Sea which God had opened up for them, God then allowed the waters to return into that gap and all the Egyptians were drowned! When you don't listen to God and obey, you ALWAYS pay and the price is always high as the mighty Pharaoh and his people found out far too late!

Now come a few days later from March 30th to Easter on April 8th -- head honcho Dean on behalf of the Democratic National Committee issued another statement. You would think that this would make some mention of the significance of Easter as it pertains to Christians and their faith in celebrating the resurrection of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

But here is what was said:

"Easter Sunday is a joyful celebration. The holiday represents peace, redemption and renewal, a theme which brings hope to people of all faiths. During this time Christians are called to remember who they are as people of faith, and that even the greatest of evils will not have the last word..."

Dean is about as far off base as some pastors and theologians who profess Christianity but at the same time are skeptical or just plain come out and deny that Jesus was literally resurrected 3 days later after the crucifixion!

For one thing the "joyful celebration" as he puts it is strictly limited to those in the Christian faith and to no other faith beyond Christianity. You can play with your jelly beans, chocolate bunnies and marshmallow chicks all you want, and profess any one of a thousand religious "isms," but unless you have truly repented of your sins and have received Jesus Christ into your life as Savior and Lord, Easter is just another day with a few extra trappings!

Further, it is only through Jesus Christ that peace of lasting significance is experienced and the assurance of having been redeemed for time and eternity!

But the head honcho of the DNC made absolutely no mention of Jesus Christ and the reality of His resurrection which is at the very heart of the Easter celebration observed by Christians -- again, in effect by such statements God is given the obscene gesture and it is obvious that Mr. Dean couldn't care less!

Brace yourselves folks! Christians and their faith are going to come under attack more and more as time passes -- it's been predicted! And especially as God begins to deal with this country more and more for its massive shedding of innocent blood, idolatry, sexual immorality, false teaching of the young regarding the origin of life, and the cancer of greed! But the problem is, we don't want to believe it can really happen in this republic which makes a hypocritical claim of being "one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all!"

"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." --- Jesus speaking in John 15:18-21

PS: Don't try to say that I am a Republican because of the above remarks about the Democrats -- due to the condition of the Republican Party right now, the same statements could have come from some of their leadership as well! I am a non-affliated registered voter in Cambria County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with the confession that entering the voting booth is one of the most frustrating experiences I have to endure throughout the year.

Keystone Kops Resurrected!

We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covers us: for we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God. -- Jeremiah 3:25

Today’s local newspaper -- front page center – large bold headlines reading, “Iraq pullout push” – big picture of Rep. John P. Murtha (rep of the district in which I live) and Nancy Pelosi (3rd in line for the presidency of the United States – if that isn’t a nightmare possibility, then tell me what is!)!

All kinds of frantic scampering about on Capitol Hill in D.C. – if they just had on those old fashioned blue uniforms of another era, we’d most definitely have the 21st Century version of the famed Keystone Kops!

Now this thing has more convolutions than a 20 foot anaconda in the Amazon with Nancy P. & Co. initiating a “plan” to have our troops out of Iraq by a deadline of September 1, 2008.

As always, there are those "renegades" who are saying we ought to have the troops home by Christmas of this year, 2007.

And Democrats in the Senate want to set a target date of March 31, 2008 for withdrawal of combat troops but with no deadline attached to that date.

Now here’s the twist – Nancy P. says the war-related provisions would be added to George’s request for nearly $100 billion more in funds (this on top of billions already spent) to pay for fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan!

This thing is getting both messy and expensive, is it not? How long do you think it will be before someone says, “Due to ‘cost overruns’ in our war projects we need to raise taxes – but please understand, it’s all for a very worthy cause and to insure the security of our nation!” That’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Washington DC-ese that comes spewing forth when tax issues come up!

Observe carefully the Kops running about like chickens with heads just chopped off and jockeying for prominent positions behind cameras and microphones in order to send a message to you and me that says, “Look at me and how important I am – I’m here to save you from yourself!” Is it not right on target to conclude that these people have long ago abandoned the principle of having the best interest and well being of our republic at heart?

As an aside – have you checked lately what the national debt numbers are? Be assured they haven’t been reduced the last few months – or the last number of decades for that matter! Further, what do you observe those elected to office in the Executive and Legislative branches of the federal government doing to eliminate that top heavy national debt? And as always, they decisively make sure their wallets and purses are full and over flowing -- check salaries and perks on that as they gorge at the public trough! Ah, I now rest my case!

The greatest tragedy of all, however, in the modern Keystone Kops caper is this – Almighty God has a much higher, nobler, and fulfilling purpose for thousands of our young people than being pawns of political hanky panky that drags out month after month after month…….. (add as many months as you wish!).

"....O Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but to us shame of face, as it is this day; to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those near and those far off in all the countries to which You have driven them, because of the unfaithfulness which they have committed against You. O Lord, to us belongs shame of face, to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, because we have sinned against You.
To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him. We have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets. Yes, all Israel has transgressed Your law, and has departed so as not to obey Your voice; therefore the curse and the oath written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against Him. And He has confirmed His words, which He spoke against us and against our judges who judged us, by bringing upon us a great disaster; for under the whole heaven such never has been done as what has been done to Jerusalem...." -- Daniel 9:7-12

NOTE: the above is a portion of a prayer which Daniel the prophet prayed some years after the kingdom in which he had been a citizen was totally destroyed and he ended up a captive in Babylon. Do some of the issues he mentions in that prayer sound at all a bit familiar?

How Long Do You Have to Fight a War, Anyway?

It is with a measure of fear that I venture into this highly controversial arena and with the understanding that more likely than not my purpose will be misunderstood. In spite of that, here we go, taking the plunge into the pool of "politics & war" ------>

The 4th anniversary of our "war" in Iraq will take place on March 19, 2007. We also have a pot still simmering in a place called Afghanistan. Loss of military personnel in the Iraq mess is now approaching 3,200. And in that other place we still lose military people from time to time as well.

Now consider this: we really got involved in WW II with the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. We were involved in wars on two fronts. The Normandy invasion took place in June of 1944, although we were carrying out bombing raids before that, and there had been fighting in Africa, Italy, and Sicily. But it was all wrapped up with defeat of Germany in May of 1945 and Japan in August of 1945. Terms were unconditional surrender -- no sitting at a table and negotiating for weeks! It was the last time the United States had such a decisive military victory in war.

Then came Korea -- the Chinese got involved, so MacArthur as much as said, "If you're getting into this, then we'll go after your hide too!" Truman fired him and we "negotiated" a settlement. And so North Korea is more than a kind of "thorn in the flesh" today.

Then there was something called Viet Nam --- I guess you know we didn't come out too well in that one either, did we?

And then a thing called Desert Storm under the first Bush (no pun intended) and a tent was set up in the desert and we talked and signed papers and that kind of stuff and a guy named Hussein remained in power.

In between all these events were skirmishes of one kind or another with the prevailing idea now that military commanders are mere puppets on strings pulled by politicians and their appointees. Be careful where you aim your weapon and fire in spite of the fact that you are getting shot at from all directions! Now we're supposed to fight "clean" or "sanitized" wars -- is there really such an animal?

George Patton, highly controversial general of WW II era, expressed the desire that he wanted just Field Marshall Rommel (brilliant German armored commander) and he to take a tank and do battle with each other -- whoever won, that would settle it -- no more fighting after that. Forget about getting thousands of troops involved!

Perhaps the war business would slow down considerably if somehow the rule would be that only the leaders of nations who feel they must engage in conflict would be the only ones permitted to do battle and include their families -- just immediate families, not far out relatives -- just dad, mom, and the kids, and let them fight it out instead of sending other dads' and moms' kids into deadly conflicts! Maybe we can petition that one to be on the ballot for the next election, huh????

Back in 2003 we were repeatedly told (like some guy beating on a drum 24 hours a day) that Saddam Hussein and Co. were a massive threat to world peace -- he was a brutal dictator and had ruthlessly killed a lot of people during his vicious reign in Iraq -- he just had to be eliminated. So we got him taken out of power, but we're still bogged down and we are still in what some agree to be "war!" The number of victims as best can be estimated under Hussein's "reign of terror" is somewhere in the range of 1 million.

But brutality and murder weren't limited to Hussein and his sons -- since we invaded Iraq 4 years ago the victims of brutality, mutilation and murder in this country now number well over 5.1 million! They are persons who never had the chance to be born -- they were mutilated and murdered while still in their mothers' wombs in the "land of the free and the home of the brave!"

Is it any wonder that the blessing of God Almighty has been withdrawn from this nation and now we are strictly on our own -- and real victory eludes us as does the proverbial "pot of gold" at the end of a rainbow? And this means that never again will we be in a position to demand "unconditional surrender!"

Furthermore, it is nothing short of hypocrisy of the first magnitude to expect God to bless this nation as we intentionally destroy on average about 100,000 of our own each month of the year!

Just something to think about and then sleep on as you lay your head on the pillow tonight.

BTW, just in case you are trying to figure out my "politics" by what I have just said -- forget it! I'm neither Democrat or Republican -- neither party has anything of significant value to offer the citizens of this republic at this point in time! Elected officials are too occupied with themselves and what grandstanding they can do to always be center-stage, while at the same time devising new ways to fatten the wallets in their pockets or the purses which hang from their shoulders! I am a non-affiliated registered voter in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, and yes, I do vote -- frustrating as that experience is each time I enter the ballot booth. :-(

"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:....... 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........ The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies; you shall go out one way against them and flee seven ways before them; and you shall become troublesome to all the kingdoms of the earth."
--- Deuteronomy 28:15,20,25