Martyrdom Accomplished – Now Bring on the Virgins!

A common shared belief among those practicing the faith of Islam is that the greatest thing one can do is to sacrifice one’s life for Allah, the god of Islam. Great rewards lie in store for those who make such a sacrifice, including a number of virgins in paradise!

Big news on this date, January 9, 2015, is that the three persons responsible for what is described as a massacre in Paris, France are now dead. One was killed early on and the two brothers who eluded authorities for a while were finally cornered and then killed in a gun battle with police.

The media, as could be expected, are having a field day with this happening. They thrive on shootings and killings – you know, with an attitude that is translated, “We have to get our people on the scene with endless babble so we can outdo our competition, have higher ratings, and then make more money because we can charge higher advertising rates – after all, the name of the game is to make lots and lots of money!”

What about those who did the killing? While most will reject the idea because they want to hold on to a false assumption that Islam is a “religion of peace” the fact of the matter is that these individuals are among the most dedicated Muslims you will find anywhere in the world today!

Their holy book, the Quran, speaks much about Allah and devotion given to Allah. The Quran also stresses that only Islam is the true faith and to be strictly followed and practiced if one is to be a faithful Muslim. Christians and Jews are specifically identified as being infidels (unbelievers) and it is the goal of Islam to work toward a world where no infidels exist and Muslims are totally in control. Before that can happen, the world must be purged of all who are infidels and refuse to convert and become Muslim in faith.

The highest recognition is given to those who become “martyrs” in the cause of Islam. And there will be those in the world of Islam who will regard the three in the Paris massacre as having made the ultimate sacrifice and have gone to their rewards, including being given a number of virgins in the paradise that will be their eternal home!

An aside here – on 9/11 when four commercial aircraft were hijacked and later crashed intentionally, the Muslim who took over piloting the one that crashed near Shanksville PA was quoted in his last words as saying, “Allah is the greatest!”

But the media will give little or no attention to this issue whatsoever. It is much easier (and more comfortable) to label them as simply “terrorists” – it may cause too much difficulty to identify them as the very dedicated Muslims which they were.

There will be many who will sharply disagree with most of the foregoing statements about Islam, its dedicated followers and the ultimate goal of Islam.

It is rather easy to obtain a copy of the Quran free on the internet and download it for storage in one’s computer. Find out for yourself what the Quran teaches, and particularly how infidels are to be treated if they refuse to accept Islam and its god, Allah! I especially would like someone to explain to me what is the meaning of the command to not take Christians or Jews for friends.

Here in the states the claim can be made that Muslims and Christians live peacefully together in many places. They can be friends and close neighbors. There have been efforts to have sessions of conversation about faith, how all can “work together” to improve community, nation, etc.

However, many Muslims are similar to too many professing Christians and willing to compromise their faith. Each is a very radical faith claiming to be exclusive and allowing for no other religious expression in existence! Christians, if faithful to the teachings of their Bible and taking the exclusive claims and demands of Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, as being absolutely true, will not back down from the conviction that He indeed is the only way of forgiveness, salvation and the hope of an eternal Heaven! Further, we are under His command to confront the entire world with His claims and call – to the entire human race living in this world at any point in time!

Islam and Christianity are basically incompatible in their purest expressions. The main difference is that Christianity operates on the principle of God’s love, not forcing by threat or violence for anyone to become a Christian. Islam, on the other hand, is militant and at times very violent – the approach is, “Convert and become Muslim, or you die!” Recent beheadings taking place in some places in the world are undeniable proof of this fact!

“These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.” [Spoken by Jesus in John 16:1-3 (KJV)}.

Another Happening on December 14, 2012 Is Ignored and Vehemently Denied!

Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; besides his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah. --- 2 Kings 21:16

On December 14, 2012 in Newtown CT Adam Lanza, 20 years old, entered Sandy Hook Elementary School and shot 20 children and 6 adults to death. This tragic happening not only shook our republic but many other nations in this world as well.

The media immediately went into “shark in bloody water mode” with a constant stream of reports from the massacre scene and a barrage of statements issued by persons who had some kind of position somewhere within the borders of the United States! And it actually continues to an extent a month later. Our local NBC affiliate in Johnstown PA (WJAC TV) makes its pilgrimage to Newtown CT on a repetitive basis to dredge up something – sort of like a vulture returning to the bones to get that very last piece of rotting flesh on the rib cage!

Now then, do you realize this – that on that very same day hundreds (not just dozens) – yes, hundreds – perhaps as many as 3,000 innocent unborn children were intentionally mutilated and murdered in their so-called “mothers’” wombs in the “land of the free and the home of the brave?” Yes, it happened on December 14, 2012!

Answer me – how many of our diligent media reported this far greater massacre that took place on December 14, 2012? How many of our high profile elected officials pointed out this abomination as they prattled on and on about the shooting of small children and adults in a school in Connecticut?

And of course, as could have been expected, the anti-gun campaign began with such intensity that it would make a presidential campaign seem like an amateur contest in its earliest stages! Again, elected officials led the way with declarations of the need to ban guns or at the very least so restrict gun owners that owning a gun is about the worst thing you can be guilty of doing and you need to pay some kind of exorbitant price for such an offense.

Mr. Obama was quick to jump on the anti-gun bandwagon with all sorts of statements issued including the not so veiled threat to use executive “power” in order to bring a high degree of control on the availability and use of firearms.

But in all the flood of words that spewed forth from all officials (self-appointed and otherwise) including the present resident of the White House, did you hear one word of concern about the massacre of hundreds of innocent unborn children on December 14, 2012?

While the media has overwhelmed us with talk about banning guns and reducing violence as a result of usage of those horrible gadgets, have there been any proposals from our elite leadership about banning the tools used to rip apart an unborn child so that the pieces are scattered out on a table and a “doctor” (term used very loosely) takes an inventory so that he/she is certain everything is accounted for – before the pieces are then discarded as casually as throwing a tissue into the garbage can after blowing one’s nose into that tissue?

The greatest tragedy of all in this matter is not the killing of persons in a place in the state of Connecticut or even the daily destruction of hundreds of unborn children in a republic known as the United States of America – the ultimate tragedy is that we have leadership (political and church) so blind and so ignorant that they fail to realize that the God Who formed this mighty universe by mere spoken command is going to make His response to this massive “shedding of innocent blood” that has been going on for forty years as of January 22, 2013!

No culture in the past has practiced the “shedding of innocent blood” and gotten off without incalculable consequences – in fact they now lie in ruins somewhere in this dismal world. It is a guarantee that the United States will prove to be no exception!

And I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the whole moon became as blood; and the stars of the heaven fell unto the earth, as a fig tree casts her unripe figs when she is shaken of a great wind. And the heaven was removed as a scroll when it is rolled up; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the princes, and the chief captains, and the rich, and the strong, and every bondman and freeman, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains; and they say to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of their wrath is come; and who is able to stand?” --- Revelation 6:12-17

Forked Tongue Call to Sacrifice!

Mention has been made on a repetitious basis of the need for U. S. citizens to be willing to sacrifice because the days ahead will be even more difficult than they are now -- so it has been declared by B. Hussein Obama who will be the new president of the United States as of noon on January 20, 2009.

Reminding us citizens that things will be more difficult in the future Mr. Obama has stated more than once that it will be necessary for us to sacrifice in order to get through the ordeal of a collapsing economy.

Now that causes a very appropriate response in the form of a question -- "Mr. Obama, since you will be at the helm of our republic, just how are you going to demonstrate your willingness to sacrifice -- you know, lead by example?"

So far there is no evidence that there is going to be any real sacrificing on the part of the next president, his family, his staff and his cabinet plus the many department people over which the secretaries rule! If anything, the hard reality is that the costs connected with this president will be greater than for any preceding president in the history of this republic!

First, an inauguration and all the parties associated with it -- millions and millions of dollars in what some describe as the big "bash" unlike any ever taking place in DC with more people, more security and a declared "state of emergency" issued by the outgoing president so that even more millions become available. There could have been some drastic cutting back and limitations imposed in the name of "sacrifice" with an example of such set by a very high profile person who says we citizens will have to sacrifice! Ooops! I almost forgot -- we're dealing with a forked tongue situation here!

Second, there are a lot of "perks" that would make any CEO envious. There is a brand new armor-plated limo being used for the first time, which really isn't necessary. There are a number of special built limos in the Executive Branch fleet which can adequately take care of those who need to ride down Pennsylvania Avenue.

Oh yes, there's that rather costly aircraft known as Air Force One. Don't you know that Mr. Obama will be chomping at the bit to do some nation-hopping and globe-trotting somewhere in that winged symbol of majesty of the highest rank! Again, there are less costly aircraft that could do the job just as well, if you just feel the need to get your feet off the ground for a while -- on the other hand, why not just hop on Marine One and skip over to Camp David for a day or two -- it will really save the bucks! But then, sacrificing a bit and getting rid of Camp David would help somewhat in the credibility department when a president talks about sacrifice.

Third, the expansion of government and exorbitant costs of the same has been going on for generations. The president does have influence in such a matter. He can cease adding and adding and adding (insert a whole page of addings if you want) more people in his little self-made "kingdom" and he can sharpen his red pencil and use dozens of the same to eliminate the massive waste found in every federal budget each year! It has to do with something called sacrifice. He does have a power called the veto when it comes to lavish and often very selfish use of the citizens' tax dollars.

But, as noted in other postings -- very, very few people can handle power and wealth responsibly, especially those who are younger in years and still very wet behind the ears! This will become quite evident as we move through the next 4 years -- that is, if the nation holds together that long.

The sacrifice as mentioned from time to time by leaders at the top levels of government with a president attempting to lead the way is one that always applies to the governed ones not to those who are trying to govern. Don't forget, it's a classic case of a forked tongue call to sacrifice!

A Necessary PS on this! Perhaps it has been a bit unfair to accuse the new president, his staff and cohorts as not being willing to do any sacrificing. So in order to correct that misconception, let's remember that Mr. Obama and the members of his administration are willing to do a lot of sacrificing in one area -- in fact, they are among the most militant and determined group to do such sacrificing. And what is it? Why, you should know already -- it is the unrestricted sacrificing of thousands of unborn future citizens of this republic every week of the year! Don't object to me -- B. O. is on public record about this and his past voting record bears clear witness that this kind of sacrificing is most desirable. It's also significant in this respect -- this sacrificing is done in the name of a much perverted interpretation of something called "constitutional rights" and at the altar of a "god" clearly identified as Convenience! More details available at A Quick Look At the United States' Massacre Tally!

For the leaders of this people cause them to err, and those who are led by them are destroyed. Therefore the LORD will have no joy in their young men, nor have mercy on their fatherless and widows; for everyone is a hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still. --- Isaiah 9:16, 17

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Could We Have Some Attention Directed to a Greater Tragedy, Please?

The above banner is on display at the home page of the web site of the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church. Address for the site is http://www.wpaumc.org/ if you want to see it for yourself.

Yea, I know -- here I go again! But you have to understand that it's a pattern I've been in for quite a few years -- as I recall, it all started back in about the year 1973. A lot of water has run under the bridge in that amount of time and a lot of blood of the innocents has run down the sewers also!

W. PA United Methodists have been challenged repeatedly to support the Nothing But Nets campaign in an effort to cut down the number of malaria victims in Africa. As noted above, 1 million children die in Africa each year from malaria.

Bishop Bickerton has been at the forefront of this drive. He's been all over the map in promoting this and received high profile publicity at the General Conference recently with the announcement of grants being given to the United Methodist Church as the campaign continues.

Well and good -- Jean and I have contributed to this effort as have many other individuals and groups.

BUT, as asked so many times before -- why is there stone silence in regard to the more than 1 million unborn children who are brutally mutilated and murdered in their mothers' wombs each year in the "land of the free and the home of the brave?" Come on now, tell me -- why do our bishops in the United Methodist Church, Bickerton included, come down with a severe case of lock jaw when it comes to speaking out on this abomination? Do they deceive themselves into thinking that Almighty God is not going to respond to this massive shedding of innocent blood?

For the latest numbers from certain points of time and since certain politicians and church officials have taken office, go to A Quick Look at the United States' Massacre Tally!

Will there be anything significantly done to stop the hemorrhaging? Not likely -- about all we have to look forward to is God's response to it all, and that will not be a Sunday School picnic by any stretch of human imagination!

And will there be some "balanced" information on the W. PA Annual Conference web site about 1 million or more unborn children in the United States being exterminated each year along with 1 million children in Africa dying from Malaria? We all know the answer to that one, don't we?

"For if you thoroughly amend your ways and your doings, if you thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbor, if you do not oppress the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, or walk after other gods to your hurt, then I will cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers forever and ever. Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot profit. Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods whom you do not know, and then come and stand before Me in this house which is called by My name, and say, 'We are delivered to do all these abominations'?" --- Jeremiah 7:5-10

"....one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all, except....!"

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." --- Pledge of Allegiance to the Republic of the United States of America

There are those who want to alter the Pledge of Allegiance which we citizens recite from time to time in public settings.

In recent years the controversy has focused on one tiny part of the pledge that contains the words, "under God." In the poverty stricken minds of some, the reference to God is highly offensive. Such reference breaks down the imagined "wall" which is supposed to exist between church and state.

Perhaps such a change should be made with God's name being removed and a few words added, but not because of the shallow "separation of church and state" issue, but for a much greater and extremely critical matter.

This change would then have the final statement of the Pledge of Allegiance saying, "...one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all citizens except for millions yet unborn whom we choose to execute!"

"Outrageous!" "Preposterous!" "Insane!" "How dare you even suggest such a thing!" "You are a candidate for a padded cell!"

Now, now -- let's be reasonable about this and think it through!

Would not such a change more accurately reflect what we as a republic have actually become? Certainly the evidence is overwhelming that we are no longer under the favor and blessing of Almighty God -- our idolatrous, immoral and defiant practices as a nation of 300 million clearly attest to that!

Further, the phrase would boldly advertise to the other nations of this chaotic world that we no longer are civilized but have regressed to a state of savage barbarism!

Yes, there was a time when it was considered a criminal act to destroy the life of an unborn American citizen, but that time ended over 35 years ago -- and we have explicitly established a record that makes the Nazi Holocaust appear as a child's Sunday School picnic by way of comparison! At this point in time the U.S. version of Holocaust outnumbers the Nazi version by more than three to one!

Want to write to your congressman or congresswoman and suggest that the Pledge of Allegiance be changed citing a rock solid reason why such a change should be made?

For an update, review the numbers at A Quick Look at the United States' Massacre Tally!

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

Support March for Life 2008

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

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

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

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

March for Life 2008

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

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

A Quick Look At the United States' Massacre Tally!

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

Way to Go, George, But There's Just One More Thing!

"Congress has sent me a bill that would overturn this policy. If this legislation became law, it would compel American taxpayers -- for the first time in our history -- to support the deliberate destruction of human embryos. I made it clear to Congress and to the American people that I will not allow our nation to cross this moral line. Last year, Congress passed a similar bill -- I kept my promise by vetoing it. And today I'm keeping my word again: I am vetoing the bill that Congress has sent."
-- George W. Bush, White House, Washington DC - June 20, 2007

President Bush has stirred up a hornet's nest by vetoing a bill which would have compelled us taxpayers to financially support the deliberate destruction of human embryos, as he described it at a special photo op on June 20th.

Those few of us who still hold to fact that when a female egg cell is united with a male sperm cell then a miracle takes place and a human being is in the process of formation for a nine month period before being born into the world.

The president has claimed to be pro-life in his position and it would seem so, in light of the his veto of a bill which, if it had been signed by him, would have resulted in mass destruction of human embryos in stem cell research.

BUT at the same time he has shown absolutely no real concern over the fact that about 100,000 unborn children (also very human) are destroyed every month of the year in this republic.

You remember, do you not, how aggressive he was in telling us that Saddam Hussein just had to go and a preemptive strike was necessary in order to bring this about -- it was a 24/7 campaign waged through the mass media and you remember what happened back in March of 2003?

Now compare how aggressive he has been in reminding us that the brutal mutilation and murders of unborn children has to be stopped at once -- how often have you heard him devote a news conference to this moral crisis? How often has his administration initiated legislation to halt the slaughter? Sure, it may get shot down by the many legislators who couldn't care less that mutilated remains of unborn children are thrown into a garbage can as casually as they throw a soda can into the garbage after swilling down its contents! But at least the guy could make an effort to give some credibility to his claim of being "pro-life!"

Sadly, it seems that the number of those who are really disturbed about the destruction of the unborn is shrinking -- there just aren't that many who are speaking up and protesting the slaughter, or sounding the warning of what will happen if it isn't stopped!

And that's where Almighty God comes into the picture -- review again some statements which indicate clearly that the unborn are known and fully identified by Him before conception in the womb:

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; and I ordained you a prophet to the nations." --- Jeremiah 1:5

My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. Psalm 139:15,16

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love... --- Ephesians 1:3,4

To those who have a sensitivity to this revelation, it becomes crystal clear that God not only knows and identifies us before we have been conceived in our mother's wombs, but He also has a specific purpose for us as we live our lives on earth!

Unfortunately, most political leadership as well large numbers of church leaders have struck out on this fundamental fact of life in the United States -- the daily destruction of unborn children in a republic that has a historic document which stresses the "unalienable rights" which each human is to be granted, including "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," isn't really that important! And so they keep their mouths shut on this one -- they may spout off on a lot of other issues, but destruction of unborn children? Why that's a complex issue, didn't you know?

Guess what? It's not going to be very complex when God makes His response to the United States' "Holocaust!"

If you haven't checked lately, see some of the tally figures involving the greatest massacre in United States' history. The numbers are from different dates which involve special happenings. Go to A Quick Look At the United States' Massacre Tally!

But they mingled with the Gentiles and learned their works; they served their idols, which became a snare to them. They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons, and shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; and the land was polluted with blood. Thus they were defiled by their own works, and played the harlot by their own deeds. Therefore the wrath of the LORD was kindled against His people, so that He abhorred His own inheritance. And He gave them into the hand of the Gentiles, and those who hated them ruled over them. Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand. --- Psalm 106:35-42

Why Fly a Shredded Flag?

OK - time to give you an update, especially since this is republished on Memorial Day weekend 2007. Yes, we got a new flag and to further show our patriotism, we have the front railing of our porch decorated with two red, white and blue bunting banners. Doesn't look too bad if I say so myself! But in case you missed it the first time around, see why it might be appropriate to fly a shredded flag, even over the Capitol and White House in Washington DC until there is a united voice crying out from political and church leaders as well as us average citizens saying, "We have sinned against our God and need to repent of many offenses committed against Him as individuals and collectively in many groups -- church, government, corporations, business, and in our education systems!"

Now, on to the original post which was published some time back.........
My wife tells me, "Get that ragged flag down and get a new one!" Most passers-by would fully agree. And as you view the picture, you probably agree also. It is a bit of a disgrace to fly the banner of the republic of the United States of America in such a condition, is it not?

Yes, I do intend to replace it after a bit of time has passed. Perhaps the word is going around the neighborhood already -- "Have you seen what that crazy preacher is doing now -- he's got a badly tattered and torn flag flying beside his house -- has he no sense of pride at all? Doesn't he care about how that looks to the people who are driving by his place?" Maybe the Blacklick Township supervisors will get after him about that!

On the other hand, perhaps all flags flying around the United States should be in a shredded condition such as the one pictured above. And it would be especially fitting if the ones flying at the White House, the Capitol building in DC, the Pentagon, all state capitol buildings and all post offices throughout the republic of the United States were in such a condition!

And why is that, you may ask?

As you look at that tattered and torn flag consider this:

• As a culture, we have shredded the spiritual truths which have been given to us through God's special revelation, the holy Scriptures (the Bible)!
  
  
• We have shredded the moral standards which provide a solid foundation for a sane, sensible, stable and surviving culture as we now move into a very uncertain future!
  
  
• We have shredded the ethical standards which are so vital in human relationships so that we have become a "slit the throat, knife 'em in the back" society with a driving passion to get all the money we can get by whatever means it takes to get it! As an example, have you bought a gallon of gasoline lately? See what Exxon-Mobile's profit margin is when they release their next report. But the Exxon-Mobile high command is not the only bunch interested in getting lots and lots of money!
  
  
• We have literally been "shredding" thousands of unborn children every week for decades, with the grand tally moving toward the 48 million mark -- for the latest see A Quick Look at the United States' Massacre Tally!
  

So that flag that has had millions recite a pledge in its presence and conclude by saying "...one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all." is a powerful symbol when it becomes shredded and torn -- it is reflecting in a rather dramatic way what the spiritual, moral and ethical climate of the United States of America actually is at the present time. It is also painfully obvious that the vast majority of elected officials and far too many church leaders are indifferent to this tragedy or simply don't care!

"Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time I punish them, they shall be cast down," says the LORD. Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.' Also, I set watchmen over you, saying, 'listen to the sound of the trumpet!' But they said, 'We will not listen.' Therefore hear, you nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. Hear, O earth! Behold, I will certainly bring calamity on this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not heeded My words, nor My law, but rejected it." --- Jeremiah 6:15-19

Another Letter to the Editor -- TV News People Are Like Piranah!

Among my many and varied activities has been that of writing letters over the years. My kids will have real adventures when they sort out their "inheritance" -- their old dad won't leave them much money, but they will have a ton or two of letters to read through -- what a joy time that will be!

Included in letter recipients over the years have been letters to the editors of newspapers. At present time there are 4 newspapers in our area to which letters have been sent: The Altoona Mirror, The Indiana Gazette, The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat, and Mainline Newspapers, Inc. Mainline Newspapers is a weekly serving different communities in Cambria County. The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat quit publishing my letters some time ago. The issue about this is discussed at my web site, www.crrange.com, and all the letters which they did not publish are posted there. Whether they will publish this recent one remains yet to be seen.

So, below is the letter which deals with rampant hypocrisy in the TV news industry and their concentrated focus on the VA Tech tragedy to the neglect of a far more serious "massacre" which is a daily happening in our republic! If you find that you are a bit in agreement on this problem of the TV news media, I would welcome your comments. If you feel you should try to defend them, DON'T, because you CAN'T! And the pure reason is that these people are first and foremost concerned about money and ratings -- fair and accurate reporting of news events as well as respect for victims of tragedies such as the VA Tech incident are not a priority -- it's all about money! So here we go........

Monday, April 23, 2007>

Editor:

The TV media explicitly demonstrated a morphosis from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde as it relished the tragedy at Virginia Tech a week ago. Or to put it another way, these people resembled a school of piranha in bloody waters stripping its victim to a skeleton in a short period of time.

True to form in their inconsistency, members of the TV networks constantly threw the word “massacre” at us while intentionally avoiding the fact that on April 16, 2007 hundreds of unborn children were massacred in their mothers’ wombs! Further, these people will never give us the details with shocking photos for proof regarding the greatest massacre in United States history. The grand total is now approaching 48 million victims and a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol was not the murder weapon used. How about a ban on those instruments which destroy the unborn in the womb?

As could be expected an anti-gun campaign has been revived with able assistance from the media. Get rid of the guns and we will have a safe and peaceful society so we are told. Hypocrisy is rampant on this issue also. Compare how many people have died violently as a result of use of alcoholic beverages in a year’s time compared with death by firearms. We can start with number of victims of drunken drivers and then add on the other circumstances, including those who drank some booze and then in anger killed someone with a gun! But then, there hasn’t been a campaign to rid the country of alcoholic beverages because of destruction, pain, sorrow, and death which it has caused, has there? Just get rid of those horrible guns and our troubles will be over!

We have yet to witness a full response from the God Whom we profess to trust as inscribed on our coins and currency. In His revelation to us He has made it clear that hypocrisy is not a way of life in which He takes delight and the price to be paid is far greater than any of us can imagine.

Still contending at www.crrange.com and blogging at http://cdharriger.blogspot.com

Clayton D. Harriger, Pastor

United Methodist "Leaders" on An Anti-Gun Frenzy!

Certain persons holding high positions in the United Methodist Church are showing clearly that the hinges on their knee joints work very well -- immediately after the Virginia Tech tragedy with 32 victims shot by another student the knee-jerk reaction was much faster than a doctor using his little hammer on them!

Calls for a ban on firearms and the need for the U. S. Congress to take immediate action came in staccato fashion or should I say machine gun fashion -- their mouths were on full automatic! But nothing is said by these people about the other killing instruments we have in the United States, including drunk drivers who turn their vehicles into lethal killing machines and add a significant number of victims to the death list in a year's time!

Yes, Virginia, hypocrisy is alive and well even in the United Methodist Church these days. As the chorus of voices coming from United Methodist leadership drones on and on through UM media outlets and we are told of the need to get rid of the guns, you will not hear one small itsy-bitsy teeny-weeny whimper about a massacre that staggers the mind of a morally sensitive and spiritually alert individual. You see, on that very day, April 16, 2007, while 32 students were shot by a crazed gunman at Virginia Tech, hundreds of unborn children were violently mutilated and murdered in their mothers' wombs! You want to apply the word, "massacre?" How about applying it to thousands of unborn victims each week?

The average massacre rate of the unborn in this republic is about 100,000 a month throughout the entire year! Oh yes, is this not a republic which prides itself on being a nation where all persons should have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?

But United Methodist leaders are very, very silent about this massacre which has been taking place for over 34 years. The reason? The United Methodist Church officially places its sanction on abortion. You think not? Go ahead and check the Book of Discipline in the Social Principles area and note the statements relative to abortion -- you will find that it is worded in such a clever way -- mention is made about being reluctant to approve abortion, but then the statement continues and presto -- it is approved so that any woman in the UMC who wants an abortion can get it by simply claiming that the pregnancy will work undue hardship, stress, pain, suffering, or ____________ (get a lawyer to fill in the blank, since they can come up with all kinds of words to justify questionable actions!).

Strange is it not that a mainline denomination such as the UMC with a steady decline in membership over decades gives the green light to the mutilation and murder of the unborn and its leadership cannot come to the conclusion that such a position has caused great damage and loss to the denomination -- what if those nearly 48 million massacred unborn victims had been permitted to live? Only an unthinking fool would deny that at least some of them may have become members of the UMC -- the oldest would be in their 30's now and who knows what significant contributions they may have made -- if only they had not been victims of the greatest massacre in U. S. history! Are you up to checking the latest tally in light of certain significant dates in recent U.S. history? If you dare, try digesting what you observe at A Quick Look At the United States' Massacre Tally!

But don't hold your breath until a United Methodist bishop or some other leader in the denomination mentions the fact that a far greater number persons have been massacred than the 32 at Virginia Tech in mid April of 2007.

And yes, I referred to those millions of victims as persons -- the reason? I simply agree with God's view of the unborn who are known and identified by Him before they are even conceived in the womb! You don't believe it? Well now, how about you having a very long and private conversation with your Creator and ask Him all about it? And then, let me know what He has said to you by way of explanation.

Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; and I ordained you a prophet to the nations." --- Jeremiah 1:4, 5

Guns Are NOT #1 When It Comes to Tools of Death!

I confess to a bit of prejudice in addressing the issue of guns and efforts to "control" ownership and use of the same. Here are some things I admit which reveal my "prejudice:"

• I am the owner of a number of guns with the handguns being greater in number than my rifles and shotguns. My handguns range in size from a .357 magnum with an 8 inch barrel to a very small mini-mag 22 cal. revolver which lies snugly in the palm of my hand. In this collection are 9 mm semi-automatics, including a German Luger built in 1918, and 32 cal. semi-automatics with one being a duplicate of a weapon used by 007 agent James Bond in the film series.
  
  
• I have a sticker on my front storm door which is red in color with the following inscription: WARNING - This property is protected by an Armed American Citizen - Absolutely nothing in here is worth dying for!
  
  
• I have a licensed permit which allows me to legally carry any of my handguns concealed and loaded, except in areas where laws override the permit such as post office and other government property, public schools, and most colleges and universities.
  
  
• In conclusion on this matter I need to say also that my guns have killed less people than Teddy Kennedy's Oldsmobile which he owned a number of years ago! Teddy is great on getting rid of guns but he has never campaigned on getting rid of Oldsmobiles!
  

The Virginia Tech tragedy did a number of things in addition to shocking us and bringing out the worst in competitive media exploitation of the tragedy -- it also revived the "anti-gun" movement in which a number of high profile people in government and the entertainment industry (which has its own way of promoting violence daily) begin to froth at the mouth and rant on about the need to get rid of guns!

Can you stop and think for a minute in a very sober and common sense fashion? Consider this:

• Guns are not the number 1 killer -- compare the number killed by guns in a year's time to the number killed senselessly due to alcohol use, beginning with drunk driver victims plus all the other incidents involving violent death due to someone having a few "drinks" -- and in some of these firearms were the tools, but if the person hadn't guzzled some booze, it is likely the death would not have taken place! Will anything be done to curb and eventually eliminate the booze epidemic -- no, because even many of the "anti-gun" people who want to confiscate my guns just have to have their nip of booze on a regular basis! So in their stupidity and lack of common sense they will pursue their goal of removing guns from our nation under the delusion we will not have any more "massacres!" They forget that all they will accomplish will be taking the guns away from the law abiding citizens -- thousands of the criminal element will still have theirs!
  
  
• Second, a careful study of past incidents of mass shootings will uncover the disturbing fact that they took place in what was considered a "gun-free" environment! Cities such as New York or Washington DC which have the strictest gun control laws on the books (if you are caught with a hand gun in one of those places, they are almost ready to hang you without trial and jury) but also have extremely high murder rates, many involving firearms. Colleges, universities, and public schools are "gun free" by law. Even most campus security officers are not permitted to carry firearms. A person who is determined to wipe out a bunch of people in a gun shooting spree is aware that he doesn't have to worry about some of his potential victims carrying a weapon. What if a couple of students at Virginia Tech had been carrying weapons or would have had quick access to them? Yea, I know -- it's crazy to suggest such a thing is it not? But numerous incidents across this country which don't make headlines show that when a citizen is armed in his home, for instance, and an intruder breaks in to rob and/or kill, the weapon in the hands of a homeowner has made a difference!
  
  
• Third -- BUT the big issue that is deliberately avoided by the high profile people on their anti-gun rampage is the massacre of about 100,000 unborn children every month is this republic. Talk about violence -- what do you call an intentional act that results in a human which God is forming in the womb being chopped and torn to pieces? We claim to be shocked when someone kills another person and then dismembers the body, placing the parts in garbage bags etc! Yet there is an eerie silence coming especially from those who try to convince us that if we take away the guns, then all the violence and the killing will be ended. In the right column of this BLOG is a section about the greatest massacre in United States' history. You can view photos of some of the victims -- and remember, they were just as special and precious as the 32 who were shot on the campus of Virginia Tech! But most U.S. citizens, including the frothing-at-the-mouth anti-gun people, couldn't care less!
  

Amidst all the media in their shark-frenzy attention given to Virginia Tech and newly released information on the person who did the shooting, there was a measure of good news -- a Supreme Court ruling which has upheld the ban on partial birth abortions, but the slaughter of thousands each week still continues -- so we as a nation are not off the hook by any means as the Creator of this universe sees it!

"For if you thoroughly amend your ways and your doings, if you thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbor, if you do not oppress the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, or walk after other gods to your hurt, then I will cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers forever and ever. Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot profit. Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods whom you do not know, and then come and stand before Me in this house which is called by My name, and say, 'We are delivered to do all these abominations'?" --- Jeremiah 7:5-10

A "Massacre" at Virginia Tech? Why Do They Not Face the One With Far Greater Numbers?

There is no doubt that our republic was shaken from one end to the other upon learning of the killing of at last 32 persons on the campus of Virginia Tech in the morning hours of April 16, 2007.

A minority of persons across this nation whose faith and commitment is centered in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are certainly praying for families of victims as well as so many others impacted by this tragedy. Even as we pray there are very elusive answers to so many questions which are being asked now and will continue to be asked in times yet to come.

As masses of people from TV, radio and print media milk this incident to the very last drop in the drive to upstage competitors there will be certain areas on which all of them will agree that are considered "off limits."

First, they will make the term "massacre" high profile -- it is dramatic and has great shock value, but they will never ever face the greatest massacre in U. S. history which continues unabated week by week with thousands of mutilated and murdered victims! When was the last time you saw those hypocrites speak of this massacre which has absolutely nothing that comes close by way of comparison when you examine the history of this republic all the way back to the 1700's? Are you willing to show more honesty than the media crowd by looking at the latest tally in light of certain time frames at A Quick Look At the United States' Massacre Tally!


Second, there is the refusal to face the hard reality that we are witnessing a "harvest time" when it comes to sudden outbursts of violence and mass killings. Since the rebel 60's settled in and we cast aside basic Judeo-Christian values on a widespread basis, beginning with "officially" kicking God out of our public school systems, we have instituted a destructive conditioning program for our young from the time they have been born!

Many of the media people who are "milking" the Virginia Tech tragedy are part of media empires that concoct programming under the guise of "entertainment" which conditions us to be prone to violence when we feel we just have to resolve some kind of "frustration" which has invaded our lives!

When a person is fed a daily diet of violence through media outlets (Hollywood produced junk, TV movies, games laced with violence, music and the rap garbage that is punctuated with violent expressions) then that person is "armed" and "loaded" with a hair trigger and some incident is all it takes to set that person off with tragic results.

One person observed on basis of a lot of statistics over past decades that it would take at least one generation or more if drastic changes were now made and a "purging" took place within the media entertainment industry of this cesspool quality stuff before positive improvement would begin to take place in our culture!

Will it happen? Not likely, because the immoral, violent and putrid stuff sells and the dominating philosophy is, "We give the public what it wants and fatten our bank accounts in the process!" Besides, it's our constitutional "right" to market this stuff which will turn our young Dr. Jekyll's into future Mr. Hyde's!

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 6:6, 7

This law of sowing and reaping not only applies to us as individuals and our personal choices, but it applies also on a collective basis to an entire culture and whether or not it seeks to obey God or reject His spiritual and moral laws and create an indescribable hell for itself!

Flying 3,000 Flags? Why Not Add 47.5 Million of Them?

A news release a few days ago mentioned that nearly 3,000 flags commemorating the victims of the 01-09-11 attacks on this republic will be flown during special services held this September at Shanksville PA, the Pentagon and the World Trade Center in NYC.

There has been a very heavy emphasis on this event and the loss of nearly 3,000 lives of those who were victims of terrorists' using commercial aircraft in their sinister plots. These "attacks" took place within just a few hours time back in September 2001.

Certainly it is fitting that the memory of those victims be honored in such a fashion. Families will grieve for the rest of their lives over the loss of loved ones on that fateful day.

Debate also continues as to whether those attacks could have been prevented -- a lot of "ifs" have been hurled toward persons and agencies of the federal government with no significant conclusion reached.

The shadow of hypocrisy falls across this land with hardly a person taking notice -- outrage spread across the land on the occasion of 9-11 with nearly 3,000 victims, but not a whimper that more than 3,000 persons are victims of mutilation and murder every single day in this republic -- oh, are you one of those deluded persons who insists that the unborn are just a "mass of tissue and blood?" Try telling that to God and see what His response is -- I would like to know what He tells you!

So, in addition to the 3,000 flags flying next September let's also add another 47.5 million to commemorate the mutilated and murdered victims of the United States' version of "holocaust!"

By the way, how about taking A Quick Look at the United States' Massacre Tally!

"For if you thoroughly amend your ways and your doings, if you thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbor, if you do not oppress the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, or walk after other gods to your hurt, then I will cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers forever and ever. Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot profit. Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods whom you do not know, and then come and stand before Me in this house which is called by My name, and say, 'We are delivered to do all these abominations'?" --- Jeremiah 7:5-10