A Call to Prayer out of Washington DC, Perhaps?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hypocrisy of the First Magnitude in DC -- AGAIN!

Below is the text of a fax which was sent earlier today to my reps in Washington DC, Senators Casey and Toomey and Representative Rothfus (12th District in PA).

Also pointed out is the repulsive hypocrisy of the present resident of the White House in Washington DC. He is making a big issue of the fact that 400 children were victims of the use of chemical weapons in Syria in addition to hundreds of adult victims. While he goes on a tirade about this and how we need to punish the leader of Syria for such criminal acts, there will be about 7 times that number of unborn children brutally mutilated and murdered in the United States today and each week day. Total number of victims, since the infamous Supreme Court ruling in 1973 declaring it is a woman's constitutional "right" to have her unborn child murdered, is now over 56 million!

September 4, 2013

To My Representative in Washington DC

Do not support military action against Syria at any time! Military action will only result in a quagmire with which we are totally unprepared to deal!

The president mentions about 400 children being victims of a chemical attack which took place in Syria. Please remind him that each day hundreds of unborn children are brutally mutilated and murdered here in the United States. What concern has he shown about these thousands of victims each week of the year? Total death toll is now at about 56 million since 1973!

Thank you for considering this request.

Clayton D. Harriger, Belsano, PA 15922
Phone: 814-749-6960

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But there is good news for the future so far as the followers of Jesus Christ are concerned -- many statements in the Scriptures make reference to the future, but one which summarizes it so well is found in the book of the Revelation -- "Then the seventh angel sounded: and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!'"

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

Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the LORD shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure: "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion." --- Psalm 2:1-6

Needed – New Dress Code for Washington D.C. Politicians Immediately!

News releases related to the U.S. Senate and its handling of “ObamaCare” legislation mentioned millions of dollars in bribery money going to the states of at least two senators in return for their vote in order to keep the legislation “alive!”

Yes, they usually wear dress suits with ties and the females also dress immaculately when they are doing whatever at the White House and on Capitol Hill. However, there is an urgent need to change the dress code. It has been a growing crisis ever since the November election of 2008.

Following the shenanigans of what has been going on for the past few months in D.C. it is time that the citizens of our republic insist on a new dress code to be worn when these people, starting with the president, are on the “job!”

In an effort to rally the required number of votes on key legislation bribery has been used. Two of the more notorious instances are millions of dollars going to two states in order to “buy” the votes of a senator from each of those states. And who knows how many other bribes have been involved during the past few months.

Then there is the intended closing of Gitmo and the transfer of the terrorist prisoners there to a prison in – a state that just happens to be Illinois – please tell my why I am not surprised! What kind of deal or combination of deals do you suppose went on there with the “political mafia” of Illinois and Chicago involved? Who will make big money out of that "arrangement?"

Once in a while we learn of the strong arm tactics, the bribery, the late night sessions, the "wheeling & dealing" and the literal “sneaky” moves made by those who are supposed to be “leaders” in government. A detailed list of these highly questionable activities is much too long for this brief space -- it is a kind of ethical and moral "cancer," didn't you know?

If a lot of this kind of stuff was done in the private sector, especially the bribery to buy votes, criminal charges would be filed, and the guilty perpetrators would be doing jail time. And the worst of it is the fact that it is our money they use in such criminal activity!

So in order to present a more accurate picture of the people who claim to “govern” in Washington D.C. let them wear clothing that reflects what they really are – one of two possible types of clothing. Either a black and white striped suit with the broad stripes running horizontally or a blaze orange one piece suit that has the bold letters D. O. C. (Department of Corrections) inscribed on the back!

That way all citizens would see these people for what they really are. Take a detailed look at their salaries and “perks” if you still need some convincing – then see where you can find the identical set up in the private sector! Yes, Virginia, it does make a difference when you have the power to vote on your own wages and extensive perk benefits, plus very little service time required in order to get a fat pension on top of it all!

I rest my case for having a mandated dress code for all elected officials in Washington D. C. as defined above.

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

The princes of Judah are like those who remove a landmark; I will pour out my wrath on them like water. --- Hosea 5:10

Her princes in her midst are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves that leave not a bone till morning. Her prophets are insolent, treacherous people; her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law. --- Zephaniah 3:3, 4

Too Blind to Realize That They Are the Real Threat, Not Us!

Reports coming out of the Department of Homeland Security have labeled a number of people as potential “terrorists” and a “threat” to the security of the United States. These include returning veterans, persons who oppose abortion, firearms restrictions, lax immigration policies, disagree with the president’s policies, etc. --- a miscellaneous number of media sources have given details on this nightmare

For the leaders of this people cause them to err, and those who are led by them are destroyed. --- Isaiah 9:16

The above identification “labels” by DHS are but a few which this agency with long extended tentacles under Secretary Janet Napolitano has revealed. When it’s all put together, the shocking discovery is that quite a bunch of us are in Madam Secretary’s “cross hairs” on behalf of her boss, B. Hussein Obama!

But wait a minute – this gang has it all wrong! In their blindness, coupled with a generous batch of sheer ignorance, they are the ones who are the real threat to the security of the United States. And B. Hussein Obama, acting as a charismatic pied piper, is leading the way.

The skids to disaster have been greased ever since the 60’s, but this present administration has found a way to apply even more grease.

• B. O.’s aggressive policies, local and foreign, that will result in greater numbers of unborn than ever before being destroyed!
  
  
• B.O.’s disregard for the day of worship which is to be given priority according to what the Creator of this mighty universe has to say about it!
  
  
• B.O.’s intentional choice to totally disregard the National Day of Prayer observance which sends a message loud and clear that government leaders do not believe that prayer is important to the well being of our republic.
  
  
• And under B.O.’s watch an incident in Afghanistan indicates how truly heathen we are getting to be – a soldier in Afghanistan received Bibles translated into the Afghan language, but before he was able to distribute them, chaplains confiscated them and destroyed them! Why? There seems to be a “policy” in force that forbids any of our military people from sharing their faith in Jesus Christ with Afghan citizens! It’s ok to shoot them and kill them, but it’s not ok to seek to lead them to experience forgiveness and peace with Jesus Christ, Who will ultimately be the Judge of all human beings.
  

A threat to the United States? Just go to Washington DC and you will see who comprises the greatest threat to our nation. Make your first stop at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and then move on to other locations such as the U. S. Capitol building, the Supreme Court, the Department of State, Justice, Treasury and other such entities that are making a significant contribution to the downfall of our republic!

Only God can provide real security for a nation, but when He and His holy standards are rejected by the majority, including the leadership, then there is no security for the future -- only God's negative response to a nation that has played the hypocrite as He demonstrates most dramatically that He will not be mocked and the law of sowing and reaping is still on the books!

"… only if they are careful to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that My servant Moses commanded them." But they paid no attention, and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than the nations whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel. And the LORD spoke by His servants the prophets, saying, "Because Manasseh king of Judah has done these abominations(he has acted more wickedly than all the Amorites who were before him, and has also made Judah sin with his idols), therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'Behold, I am bringing such calamity upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whoever hears of it, both his ears will tingle.’” --- 2 Kings 21:8b-12

Little Jack Horner Replayed!

Just about everyone has heard of Little Jack Horner at a very tender age. There may be some exceptions, but Jack is a prominent personality in nursery rhyme lore along with a number of others. He sat in a corner and munched on Christmas pie. At a certain point he seriously violated Emily Post’s standard of conduct when eating – he stuck in his thumb and pulled out a plum and said, “What a good boy am I!”

Little Jack Horner has been resurrected and it started back quite some months ago but really came to the forefront in November 2008 and then culminated in the inauguration of B. Hussein Obama as president of the United States on January 20, 2009.

While he is commonly known now as President Obama, he really is Little Jack Horner in disguise! Here are the ways we know it is really Jack:

• this is the guy who has already signed some highly questionable executive orders and there are more earth-shaking ones to come, but for now he will sign a financial Frankenstein that is erroneously termed a “stimulus” bill and then will say, “What a good boy am I!” His co-conspirators in Congress will enthusiastically agree!
  
  
• this is the guy that takes the word “extravagant” to a new high by flying all over the country in a Boeing 747, which isn’t cheap, and then tells you and me we have to quit running SUV’s, do some sacrificing and help to cut down on our dependence on foreign oil – after all that he says, “What a good boy am I!” – and a vast horde of citizens agree!
  
  
• this is the guy who says he is going to have high ethical standards in his administration and then appoints a bunch that has problems paying all taxes or they are under investigation for something or there are possible conflicts of interests -- and who knows what other kind of baggage some of these people are bringing along with them to their plush positions. But he’ll say, “What a good boy am I!” -- and a vast horde of citizens agree!
  
  
• this is the guy who said no lobbyists were going to be hired in his administration, and then turns around and gives a waiver to a powerful character in the lobbying business (related to the Department of Defense!) so that he can serve in the Defense Department – and he’ll simply say, “What a good boy am I!” -- and a vast horde of citizens agree!
  
  
• this is the guy of whom it is said that he is still in campaign mode and has yet to shift into the gear in which he actually begins to govern – it must be so, because he is city hopping all over the place – maybe he needs a weekly ego “booster shot” which can only come from the crowds who worship the ground he walks on! Certainly it could be expected that he would then say, “What a good boy am I!” -- and a vast horde of citizens agree!
  
  
• this is the guy who likes to throw out the terms, “God bless you. And God bless the United States of America,” but cannot find time to give public expression in acts of worshipping this God to Whom he makes reference. He can find time to play basketball, work out and do government “business” on the Lord’s Day, but to set an example before his family and the nation by giving public expression to his professed faith, he simply doesn’t – yet he will still insist, “What a good boy am I!” -- and a vast horde of citizens agree!
  

Granted, you might not hear him vocally say, “What a good boy am I!” And the reason is, he lets the mainstream media say it for him or the shouting crowds that he plans to visit on a regular basis, according to David Axelrod, who is in reality the Propaganda Minister for the Obama Administration. Just listen to him talk sometime and you’ll see – he will confirm repeatedly that B.O. is indeed a very good boy!

Before you go to sleep tonight, why not recite the record of Little Jack Horner. After you have done that, then think of how that has been dramatically updated and the new version of Jack lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC!

And the people kept shouting, "The voice of a god and not of a man!" --- Acts 12:22

And Jesus answered and said to him, "Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'" --- Jesus in a confrontation with Satan in Luke 4:8

Forked Tongue #3!

We were confronted with lots of campaign rhetoric by President B. Hussein Obama stressing that the “change” he was going to bring about would involve no lobbyists, transparency, accountability, a high standard of ethics, sacrifice etc. You remember such statements, do you not? It was like hearing one of those old vinyl 33 1/3 records which had become cracked and all you heard was a repeat of a few words or bars of music over and over again until you hit the arm of the player and got it out of the grove with the crack in it!

Let’s start with the ethics of talking “sacrifice” to the American people and mentioning such things as driving SUV’s (we need to quit that) and getting that thermostat set below 72 degrees (especially those who live in winter climate), etc. Here’s a guy that has not shown one single shred of evidence that he and his family are making some sacrifices and leading by example. He’s got that new monster of a limousine which cost a tad more than $1.39 and all the luxuries of the White House with tons of money involved (our money by the way). A comment by one of the staff indicated that President Obama keeps the thermostat set high because “he is from Hawaii” and he desires the high temperature – a temperature in which it was added, “you could grow orchids in there!”

His inauguration was the most outlandish ever in terms of money spent. A report indicated a party held recently at the White House featured steaks on the menu among other things – cost of the steaks? A modest $100 a pound! The guys that sold the Pentagon $100 hammers and $30 screws some years ago must have gone into the cattle business and are now selling meat to the White House! How do you suppose that strikes the low income families across the country and those millions who have lost their jobs?

There was vehement insistence that lobbyists would not be a part of the Obama Administration. But there’s that guy named William Lynn who has been chosen by the president to be Deputy Secretary of Defense – the #2 job in the agency! He was a registered lobbyist for the giant defense contractor, Raytheon Co., from 2003 through June 2008. He served in the capacity of being “senior Washington operations executive” for Raytheon. Will it be like going back home to the Pentagon? Anyway, he gets a “free pass” from the president with the appeal by someone speaking on behalf of the president that this Lynn fellow is very highly qualified and he is needed!

That seems to be the tune played each time there are some highly questionable ethical matters lurking in the background of some appointees such as H. Clinton (conflict of interests), the new Secretary of Treasury, Tim Geithner, with tax problems and the incoming Attorney General, Eric Holder, with some dubious activity in his background dating back to the Clinton era. It came to light that Tom Daschle also had tax problems – that is, paying all his taxes – seems he had “neglected” some! But on February 3 he announced he was withdrawing his name from consideration. Once in a long while there may be a small bit of good news coming out of Washington DC, but very seldom -- especially on the subject of ethics, etc.

On being “transparent” the opening hours indeed were a display of that as a myriad of pictures were taken as the new president signed a number of documents. One the big photo ops took place when he signed legislation that assured employees of equal pay for the same job rather than some (usually females) getting less than male counterparts for the same kind of work done. People were practically falling over one another as the bill was signed and the president handed the pen to one of the witnesses. They had just about everything at that one except a full fledged band giving a drum roll!

But this “transparency” is quite selective – on the day (Jan. 23) after the annual March for Life (mass protest of abortion) in Washington DC the president signed an order that changed things drastically -- no cameras or video recorders present at that one! There had been a standard in place in which our tax dollars could not be used for family planning organizations in foreign countries that perform abortions or encourage women to employ this route to take care of a problem pregnancy. President B. Hussein Obama, being an ardent supporter of abortion, reversed the policy so that now our tax dollars will help to fund abortions and counseling services which encourage pregnant women to murder the child whom God is forming in their wombs!


However, when you have circulated for years in the environment of Chicago and Illinois politics and cut your political eye teeth in that environment the word “ethics” has two meanings. One, it has to do with a Judeo-Christian standard of truth and righteousness as based on God’s revelation in determining what is right and wrong when it comes to human conduct, relationships and moral responsibility – this is totally alien to the Chicago brand of politics! There is still a minority of citizens who believe in that description as to what ethics is about. But when the word, ethics, comes from politicians in high places, it doesn’t mean a thing – it is simply employed to gain favor and approval of people so that they are led to believe that there is no longer a clear line between right and wrong – everything is simply a murky gray and we are the sole judges as to what is right or wrong, according to our unregenerate way of thinking and reasoning!

The president was given many millions of dollars in his quest to buy the White House. Now that he has purchased it, the time has now arrived for pay backs and ethics is something you can only briefly mention from time to time but cannot practice because of the Mt. Everest sized pile of those pay-back obligations!

The foremost Authority on human behavior addressed such issues as those cited above a long time ago and the standards have not changed. Unfortunately that Authority is ignored today within the circles of elitist power and wealth just as He has always been from generation to generation. But the time is coming when Jesus Christ will personally interrupt the flow of human history as King of kings and Lord of lords and when He does, the whole world will know what genuine ethics, transparency and accountability are all about! It will be far from a Sunday School picnic thing for those who may have tossed the word "ethics" around repeatedly but failed miserably to put it into practice!

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

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink, who justify the wicked for a bribe, and take away justice from the righteous man! --- Isaiah 5:20-23

Paving the Way to Destruction by Strokes of a Pen!

President Barack Hussein Obama by a series of strokes of his pen will do more to bring about the collapse and downfall of our republic than any president yet in the history of a republic known as the United States of America!

Today marks the 36th anniversary of the infamous Supreme Court decision in the case of Roe v. Wade in which it was ruled that a female has the "right" to destroy the child that God is forming in her womb!

This anniversary will be observed as it has each year since 1973 with a massive March for Life held in Washington DC. Efforts have been made to see further restrictions on this policy of destroying thousands of unborn children each week with the hope that ultimately Roe v. Wade would be overturned.

President Obama by both his past voting record as well as stated intent will do everything to insure that unborn children will continue to be mutilated and murdered in their mothers' (term used very loosely) wombs.

The White House web site (www.whitehouse.gov) provides this bit of information about the issue:

Supports a Woman's Right to Choose: President Obama understands that abortion is a divisive issue, and respects those who disagree with him. However, he has been a consistent champion of reproductive choice and will make preserving women's rights under Roe v. Wade a priority in his Administration. He opposes any constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's decision in that case.

While it has been said that the president has a higher than average IQ and has eloquent abilities in speaking and communicating, he ranks among the most foolish and unwise of leaders as he uses his pen in signing executive orders and legislation (FOCA for example) which will result in the widening and deepening of the trail of innocent blood in our nation as well as many foreign ones!

It is the primary issue, ranking above every other domestic concern, including the economy. The reason? God's clear revelation about His view of human life, His foreknowledge of humans, His involvement in forming them in the womb and His plan and purpose for them after birth.

When anyone makes a very stupid move to hinder what God wants to do with a human being, especially in the early stages of the development of that person, then there will be a high price to be paid -- more than our feeble minds can begin to comprehend. We have but to look back in history to see what past cultures experienced by way of disaster when human life became cheap and considered disposable, as easy as throwing a used Kleenex into the waste basket!

The president is already giving evidence that he will duplicate the blunders of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of long ago who was confronted with a demand from God, but refused to listen and led his nation on the path to unprecedented disaster. History does have a way being repetitive, does it not? Especially when it comes to the actions of the Creator of this mighty universe!

"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

Does This Little Guy Have Anything to Which He Can Look Forward?

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

His name is Owen and he reached the age of 1 year on July 19, 2008, the same day as a much older 1st cousin of his was getting married with the wedding being performed by his grandfather. The grandchildren on his father’s side of the family have quite a span in age – the oldest of the 9 grandchildren is 28 years old with Owen being the youngest.

Above you see Owen getting into one of his Christmas presents at his grandparents’ home on Christmas Day, 2008. It was an exciting time for him. He is a very adventurous little guy and always on the go. For him there is a big world out there to investigate. It is agreed in the family that he doesn’t like to be held in anyone’s arms – he has to be let down on the earth or the floor in a home – his legs are already churning in high gear when he hits the surface and off he goes! His grandmother H. already has confessed that she cannot keep him by herself – the reason is very simple – she says, “I could never keep up with him to make sure he doesn’t get into something he shouldn’t!”

But on to more serious matters in light of the question asked above about whether Owen and many others his age have anything to which to look forward as they grow up in what used to be a nation of some standards and principles.

Right now Owen could not care less who is president or who is going to be president – what persons comprise the U. S. Congress – what persons come forth with judicial decisions which more often than not cause further erosion of the moral and spiritual fabric of our republic.

At the age of 1 ½ years he will not be aware that the most pro-death administration in the history of our country will take control on January 20, 2009. Further, at this point in time he is unaware that the republic is unraveling at the seams due to its lack of respect for human life, its deeply entrenched idolatry, its pandemic sexual immorality, and its lack of respect for the one day in the week in which Almighty God is to be honored and worshipped. Also, he will likely be exposed to a deadly teaching in his young years in a public school system which attempts to brainwash us into believing that we humans have evolved from lower life forms.

However, within his family will be teaching and training that will counter the aforementioned stuff. He will be made aware that God also knew him before he was conceived in his mother’s womb as was the case with a man by the name of Jeremiah. He will be learning that through Jesus Christ there is a wonderful plan and purpose for his life.

And he will be made aware that human governments are unreliable and that we dare not place our hope and expectations for the future in elected officials – they will disappoint us constantly because they fail to face the root problem of the human race and therefore cannot provide satisfactory solutions to human problems – the most serious one has to be dealt with first.

Most important of all he will be informed that God has shown us that the human race will do a devastating repeat of those chaotic times in which Noah lived before the judgment of the flood and conditions with which Lot contended when he and his family lived in Sodom. But this is counter balanced by the possession of what the Scripture says is the “blessed hope” – a hope that centers in the personal return of Jesus Christ to this earth to set up His Kingdom and rule it forever!

No, he doesn’t have much to which to look forward so far as the future prospects of this country and the world at large are concerned, but he does have much by way of hope and purpose in living when his faith is centered in Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord and our soon returning King! And so it is for every person who chooses to march to the beat of a very different Drummer in times such as these!

And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. --- Matthew 24:4-13

Hold On -- The Last Word Has Yet to Be Spoken on That Monster Bailout Bill!

House to revisit bailout after Senate passes plan -- Senators add ‘sweeteners’ to the proposal, aiming to secure House’s vote –--- Auto sales fall; 1 in 5 dealers may close
--- a couple of headlines on the Internet, October 2, 2008

The scrambling continues in that place known as Washington DC as the U.S. Congress attempts to get that gigantic bailout bill passed and on to the president’s desk for signature. One headline said, “Senators add ‘sweetners’ to the proposal, aiming to secure House’s vote.” It has been noted that this stuff has increased the amount to much more than the original 700 billion dollar figure!

Yea, sure – isn’t it rather common knowledge that a lot of politicians have connections with the wealthy, including CEO’s and that generous contributions have always been a staple in their holding on to their coveted positions in DC? Plus you have that crowd known as lobbyists who put on the pressure when it comes to voting on things that have to do with money, and a guarantee that those who have tons of the stuff will be sure to hold on to it and get much more of it!

Nauseating details in recent days of what CEO’s of failed financial institutions were given by way of salaries, perks and those notorious “golden parachutes.” As reported by one person, they literally walked away with millions. It all translates into a thing called greed and giving the average American citizen an obscene gesture while they grab all they can as quickly as they can.

But we’ve got to hang on, folks, and realize that the last chapter has yet to be written – no, the U.S. Congress won’t write it, nor will the president, no matter how many bills he signs which will allow the guilty parties to get off with very little if anything by way of penalty.

What would be a very good thing which would send a clear message to those others in top level management who are doing about the same thing but so far have not seen their company/institution go belly up, is to take all the assets and property owned by those who were in the upper levels of management of the failed institutions. Let those funds be applied to the debts incurred by the loss due to financial failure.

Then let those upper level “managers” be given an annual income of the average family of four in this country and an average home such a family lives in provided for them. Further, let them pay what an average family of four would pay by way of obtaining insurance and health benefits. Give them a car such as one the average family of four would have.

Actually no jail time would be necessary – the more effective and fitting punishment would be for these people and their families who have been driven by greed for years to have to experience the struggles of an average family of four or more on a limited income in this republic. No longer having that mansion and domestic servants and whatever else by way of “homes” and “vacation get-aways,” driving luxury automobiles, sending the kids to those prestigious “ivy-league” universities and getting those special favors from politicians that the rest of us will never get, would be punishment enough!

And, yes, I already know – there will not really be any kind of true justice done regarding those who exhibited such irresponsible leadership, caused financial ruin, and still hold on to their fortunes – or as mentioned earlier, that these white collar people literally “walked away with millions!”

But there is good news in the midst of the bad news on this bailout and the criminals who got away with everything just short of 1st degree murder.

Jesus Christ will write the last chapter and have the last word – it’s simply a matter of time! And while within the ranks of those who profess to be “Christian” there are those who deny that He will do much of anything and that He isn’t coming back to this earth as King of kings and Lord of lords, there is a small minority that is fully persuaded that He will set this world right side up – He will control and rule it totally and will judge every human being personally – yes indeed, each one of us will give an account to Him as to what we have done with our lives and the material goods entrusted to our care! It's all spelled out in God's special revelation to us, if you'd care to look it up -- and then decide, does God mean what He says or does He not?

For those driven by their greed and lusts and who caused such financial chaos in countless ways, God has especially singled them out for condemnation:

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

Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death..... He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage. --- Proverbs 11:4, 28

As a partridge that broods but does not hatch, so is he who gets riches, but not by right; it will leave him in the midst of his days, and at his end he will be a fool. --- Jeremiah 17:11

Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." --- Mark 10:23-25

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. --- James 5:1-5

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. --- 1 Timothy 6:17

The above are but a few of God's statements about money and those who become enslaved by it, having made it their "god" and consequently have brought severe condemnation upon themselves in the process. It remains, that very few people can handle wealth and power in a responsible fashion for the betterment of not only their own lives but the lives of large numbers of people who are impacted by decisions which such persons make on a daily basis.

There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; and one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches. --- Proverbs 13:7

Uh, Just Another Question or Two About That 700 Billion Dollar Bailout!

"The Secretary's authority to purchase Troubled Assets under this Act shall be limited to $700,000,000,000 outstanding at any one time" --- a statement from U.S. Treasury Department legislative proposal for an asset-purchase fund as delivered to the Congress -- entire document was obtained by Reuters on Sunday, September 21, 2008

As financial chaos seemed to rule supreme for a number of days recently and announcements kept coming out of a place called Washington DC, it seems that big financial institutions had little to worry about – if going belly-up was in their future, why get into a state of deep distress about it? The government would come along on a rescue mission and bail them out – the president even took a lot of time to comment and state that it was necessary to do these acts of mercy in providing billions of dollars and keep these outfits afloat! And this was backed up by his Secretary of the U. S. Treasury, Henry M. Paulson, Jr.

Now, here is the first question – are the CEO’s and those who are 2nd in command of these financially strapped institutions as well as other upper level management people going to still receive all those plush salaries, lavish “perks” and “golden parachute” benefits? Shouldn’t this group be penalized for their very flawed “leadership” which contributed to the financial fiascos involving their companies/institutions? If the leadership had been careful, cautious and discerning in charting a course through rough seas, the “ship” would still be stable and not on the verge of capsizing! So if the captain causes the ship to end up on the rocks, he should not be rewarded should he?

Second question – will all these companies and institutions that are beneficiaries of the proposed 700 billion dollar “bail out” be required to pay back what they have received by way of a very expensive rescue from financial disaster? What arrangements will be made public regarding a pay back schedule? Also, to what extent will U. S. taxpayers be informed that their money used for the rescue operation will be returned to the U. S. government?

And while we are on the subject of the public being informed – will we taxpayers be told in detail what those top level people are being paid plus the “perks” and how all that has been reduced as the money for the bail out is being repaid to the federal government? Would it not be good if a sizable percentage of those CEO salaries were added to the repayments made each month?

Yes, I, along with many other people, at times am a dreamer – this happens to be one of those times, since we all know the answers to the foregoing questions, do we not? The mix of politicians with their meddling in business affairs along with wealthy and powerful people in the corporate world results in a concoction that is far from producing the smell of a rose!

Why should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity at my heels surrounds me? Those who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches, none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him; for the redemption of their souls is costly, and it shall cease forever; that he should continue to live eternally, and not see the Pit. For he sees that wise men die; likewise the fool and the senseless person perish, and leave their wealth to others. Their inner thought is that their houses will continue forever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. Nevertheless man, though in honor, does not remain; he is like the beasts that perish. This is the way of those who are foolish, and of their posterity who approve their sayings. Selah --- Psalm 49:5-13

What About the Those Other Victims Who Died on September 11, 2001?

U.S. marks anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks. Presidential candidates join in events; new memorial to be unveiled in D.C. --- Internet headlines September 11, 2008

September 11, 2008 – a date which has attracted a lot of attention due to its being the 7th anniversary of what has come to be known as 9-11, when nearly 3,000 lives were lost due to terrorist attacks involving the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington DC, and an aircraft crash in south central Pennsylvania. The latter resulted when passengers revolted against the terrorist hijackers. It is clear that the plane was headed for DC with either the Capitol or the White House as possible targets.

There will be much by way of observance in remembering that horrible time. It has also resulted in a kind of political “football” with politicians trying to make a little bit of “hay” out of this thing about what is necessary to insure that we are truly secure as a nation and the tragedy will never be repeated within our borders.

What has never made the news nor has it drawn even a minuscule of attention is the fact that on that same day and every week day of the year at least an equal number or more lives were and are violently snuffed out in these United States!

Is there any outrage expressed as was the case on September 11, 2001? Were any special observances held for these victims who were violently assaulted and murdered? Did the mass media which at times repeatedly showed us the fiery impact of the aircraft hitting one of the towers and the collapse of the towers shortly thereafter take any time to inform us of details involving the other 3,000 or more victims who died on September 11, 2001?

If one allows oneself to think about this a bit, one is forced to face the fact that there is more than tad of hypocrisy taking place – much attention focused on one solitary event happening on September 11, 2001 but nothing about the millions of victims prior to or since that date!

And so we continue our very narrow focus on terrorism and the victims of certain terrorist acts – it’s like we have deliberately placed on the sides of our faces a pair of those “blinders” such as horses wear, limiting our vision to that one solitary happening and living in a state of denial, pretending that millions of unborn children never really existed, nor were they ever mutilated and murdered in the womb! There are people around today who deny that the Holocaust never happened in Nazi Germany!

And if we do admit that such atrocities are taking place in our republic, we dismiss it as though it doesn’t really matter because it’s our “constitutional right” to engage in such practices – that is, until the Creator of this universe says, “Enough is enough!” None of us will want to be within the boundaries of this republic when Almighty God responds to this massive shedding of innocent blood!

If you are one who considers yourself to be an individual always willing to face reality, see By the Way, Did You Know? It provides a challenging experience of doing some shocking comparisons! A link at the bottom of that area will bring you back to this place. Or do you choose, as do most, to keep the blinders in place because you don't honestly want to face reality and what might happen in the future so far as this republic is concerned?

"Therefore you shall speak all these words to them, but they will not obey you. You shall also call to them, but they will not answer you. So you shall say to them, 'This is a nation that does not obey the voice of the LORD their God nor receive correction. Truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth.'" --- Jeremiah 7:27, 28

Before & After Experiences with Racism!

And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts......" --- Mark 7:20-23

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. --- 2 Corinthians 5:17

As stated in yesterday's post, there are some more things I want to mention relative to the issue of racism, but this one is more of a record of a journey from the very young years to what most would say are the "senior" years! So let's get going!

In my very young years, I never saw a black person. They did not live in the rural area where I was born and raised. My first view of a person of another race was at our church where a mission program was being held and the featured person was a Japanese -- before WW II. I was very curious about that person and noticed immediately that he did not look like white people in his facial features.

Later on I may have seen some blacks, but do not distinctly remember the occasion/s.

My first real exposure and contacts with blacks came when I entered the USMC and boot camp at Parris Island SC. There were some black fellows in our platoon, but nobody expressed any "racist" attitudes or feelings toward them -- we considered ourselves all in the same boat and worked together as a team in all that we did -- this was especially important on field day nights when we had to clean the barracks from top to bottom.

The only kind of "confrontation" during boot camp that might be called a "racist" matter, but really was not -- on November 10 which is the Marine Corps birthday, we were about at the end of boot camp training -- it was a day of partying of a sort -- at one point our DI's got out the boxing gloves -- the senior DI had done some boxing and learned that a black fellow in our platoon had done some also, so he challenged H. to a match. It wasn't long before we realized that H. was getting the best of the DI, but he seemed to hold back from "putting him away!" When asked about it later and why he didn't really put the DI down, H. replied as he rolled his eyes, "No, suh -- that man would remember the next day what I did to him and I would really pay!"

Then came schools at Jacksonville FL and Millington TN with blacks and whites in classes -- everyone got along -- we learned together -- ate together - slept in the same barracks, etc. -- no problems.

Then came assignment to duty at Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station in NC. Jean and I were just married and got an apartment in New Bern which was a few miles from the base. I had a car -- some others didn't. I was approached by a black fellow in my squadron who lived in New Bern and asked if he could ride to base with me. I told him yes and we became very close buddies. There were a couple of other fellows who also rode with me and helped with the driving expense. But H. (not the fellow in boot camp) was the kind of fellow who would do anything for you if he could -- a real friend. But he lamented to me more than once how he wished we could just go out together in the evening to a bar and have some beers together (understand this was in my BC days [Before Christ]). Segregation was the order of the day -- we could not go into a bar together -- all whites in one place and all blacks in the other!

I was much bothered by this -- I saw water fountains in the local 5 & 10 -- one marked "colored" and the other marked "white" -- when I took my dad to the bus station for his trip back home we stared a bit at the way the station was set up -- an area for the "colored" and a much nicer area for the "white" folks.

And that's the way it was in NC for the time we were there and I admit to being very uncomfortable with that "social" system -- that under certain circumstances a very close buddy who happened to be black and I, a white person, could not socialize! It was ok if we were in a foxhole together under fire, but that was about it!

Then came discharge from the USMC -- back in northwestern PA and work in a factory that manufactured mobile homes near Clarion PA. Months passed and then God did a most merciful and miraculous work -- I repented of my many sins, received Jesus Christ into my life as Savior and Lord. Right on the heels of that came the call to the ministry in the former Methodist Church. From the time of receiving Jesus into my life to the time of standing in the pulpits of 2 Methodist Churches in New Castle PA was about 20 months, give or take a few weeks!

I finished college and was on the way to seminary. Contact with black people during this period was rather limited, but occasionally we crossed paths from time to time.

During the time at seminary things were rumbling a bit in Washington DC -- something called Civil Rights legislation was being debated in the Congress and pressure was mounting to correct many injustices and prejudices which had taken place over time. Three of us from the seminary went up to Washington DC to participate in what was called a "vigil" by seminary students -- a visible witness in the capitol in support of the proposed Civil Rights legislation. Some eyebrows were raised a bit at the seminary I was attending since the pending legislation was considered to be a "liberal" effort! While at the site of the vigil there was another "protest" going on just a few yards away from us -- the American Nazi Party under the leadership of George Lincoln Rockwell was vehemently protesting the Civil Rights legislation. They were dressed in their khaki uniforms with swastikas and all, and had their signs and their literature.

At one point a couple of us went over to one of the young men who was on "duty." We asked him some questions about this issue of race and the treatment of the blacks, etc. I can say that I never saw so much hate expressed in words, facial expressions and in the eyes of a person in my entire life. But that moment also was a blunt reminder of that need, as stressed in yesterday's post, that the only remedy for this thing is to experience what Jesus said must happen -- one has to be born again!

The legislation eventually was passed and some changes began to take place. It was by no means perfect, but at least it was a start.

As time passed there came into being something called Affirmative Action -- a further attempt to right the past wrongs and in a sense, go overboard to correct the past wrongs by use of a "quota" system.

I found out that this can be more than a bit rough for white folks under certain conditions. I had a PA State Trooper and his family attending one of my churches when they moved into the area. He was a corporal in rank and was working hard to prepare for the rank of sergeant. Andy was good at his job -- tough but always fair. He was in on a bust of a huge load of marijuana taken off an airplane which landed at the Johnstown Airport and was in charge of destruction of those bales of the weed -- they soaked it down with diesel fuel and then set it on fire. He was highly respected among his peers and by his superiors.

The day came -- he took the test for sergeant and scored higher than anyone else taking the test. Did he get the promotion? Nope -- it was given to a black who scored lower on the test! The reason was that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania had put in place a "quota" system -- so many blacks had to be placed in the higher positions, in spite of not scoring high enough to earn the promotion as had been the custom.

So now we have a kind of racism of another kind rearing its ugly head, do we not? There were a host of explanations and reasoning as to why this was necessary. Is it appropriate to ask, "Do two wrongs make a right?"

What did Andy do? He quit the PA State Police and got a job with a major utility group, heading up its security system. Actually God worked this thing out for him in a wonderful way -- his pay and benefits were much better than if he had continued with the State Police! But the Commonwealth lost an excellent police officer!

Now then, how do you counsel a man such as Andy going through that experience? Do you just simply say, "Well, Andy, that's the way the little white ball bounces sometimes -- you'll just have to consider a bit of sacrifice in this -- just grin and bear it!"

In spite of the accusation of "spouting" off with Bible verses, I will continue to stand with the conviction that racism or any other social, moral or ethical problem can only be effectively remedied as each person meets the demands of Jesus -- and if that isn't done, the problems will continue to eat away at our culture as a fast growing cancer does within the human body!

Come to think of it -- perhaps Jesus should be compelled to attend the training event for racism. He didn't meet the quota system when He picked those 12 to follow Him, did He? At least not according to United Methodist Church standards as they are in place at the present time! There was not one female in that original group -- no other races were represented were they? Someone had better straighten Him out on this thing! Any volunteers?

But then if we don't pay much attention to His demands or to His personal claims regarding Himself (the "I am" statements) why be concerned with much of anything He did or said -- just follow our own ideas about how to level the playing field in our nation and in our world!

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

Piracy in State Capitols and the Biggie in Washington DC? What Else Can You Call It?

How about a change in the flags that fly over state capitols and the one over that big building in Washington DC which houses a group of persons known as the United States Congress?

You can easily recognize the one at the very top and it has always been identified with certain unscrupulous persons who go about taking money and valuables from other persons, usually at the point of a pistol or sword!

Yes, I know -- it is bordering on the insane to even suggest such a change! But stop and reason for a bit -- all I am suggesting that we try to have the flag truly reflect what has happened inside the buildings over which it flies.

While there are quite a few things that could build a case for the flag change, let's just cite one notorious instance.

It used to be a long time ago that a couple would marry and have children. They continued to work and accumulate some earthly possessions and get a bank account established -- miracle of miracles, maybe that bank account would build up and amount to a considerable amount of wealth! The time would come that the couple would arrange for drawing up a will that divided all the wealth and property among the children or perhaps they would include their church or a charitable organization in their will.

The day came when the couple exited this earthly life and their estate was divided and dispersed to the parties so designated in their will -- every single cent was passed on to the chosen persons, church or organization as so chosen.

But something happened eventually over time -- politicians, as corruption set in, got the idea that a couple having accumulated an amount of wealth should share a good portion of that with government, at the state level and the federal level. Presto, something called "inheritance tax" was born!

Basically these "pirates" in business suits and claiming to represent the best interests of their "constituents" have pointed the sword at the throats of the citizens and demanded to have a generous share of whatever a couple has accumulated before it is passed on to the selected parties in the will of the couple!

Now in all honesty -- is that right and just? Call it whatever you want, but piracy is a most accurate label to apply to this horrendous practice! We have reached a point where some mention is made of it and once in a while some rumblings may briefly occur in the capitols, but nothing is ever constructively done to correct this mass injustice.

And you'll notice that presidential candidates while professing that they will bring about desired "change" if elected, don't seem to mention this one in addition to the many other critical issues which are causing the nation to capsize!

I admit to being greatly influenced by the prophets of the Old Testament -- if we could resurrect them, the only thing changed in what they said would be names of people and locations -- such as Washington DC instead of Jerusalem!

For those who think this policy is quite acceptable -- that is, government at some level taking a generous portion of the estate of persons who have worked all their lives and want certain parties to receive ALL of that estate after those persons have passed on to the next life -- if this is considered an OK thing, then how about having a good heart to heart talk with God about it? Below you will see His feelings about such activity -- it happened centuries ago -- seems piracy is too often an ongoing thing when it comes to governing officials!

Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy people, and to get dishonest gain...... 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. --- Ezekiel 22:27; Zephaniah 3:1-4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it. Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, 'Thus says the LORD: "Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. Return now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good."' And they said, "That is hopeless! So we will walk according to our own plans, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart." --- Jeremiah 18:7-12

Three Prominent Buildings in Washington DC Are in Urgent Need of Repainting!

My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. If they say, "Come with us, let us lie in wait to shed blood; let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause.." ...my son, do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path; for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood. --- Proverbs 1:10, 11, 15, 16

Yes, indeedy – certain buildings in Washington DC are in urgent need of repainting! You may ask why this should be since everything looks pretty good from news photos and/or personal observations about the city, etc.

The three prominent buildings which need to be repainted are the White House, the Capitol Building, and the Supreme Court Building which stands not too far from the Capitol.

What color? There is only one appropriate color – blood red! Now, hold on for a moment – think it through and see if that color isn't a more accurate reflection of what the city is about as it hosts the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches of the federal government in a republic known as the United States of America.

White symbolizes purity, but by what stretch of the most carnal imagination could one conclude that Washington DC is a display of that very holy and noble trait? No, let's make it a color that tells us what kind of city it really is, not what it pretends or professes to be!

The blood of millions of murdered unborn innocent children must be laid at the doorsteps of these buildings and rest upon the heads of those persons who occupy those buildings!

January 22, 1973 will go down as a date much more infamous than December 7, 1941 – the Japanese sneak attack took a few thousand lives – what the Supreme Court did in January of 1973, with ongoing support by many in the Legislative Branch and indifference by others in that same branch of government, and no serious or prolonged objection from the Executive Branch, the toll is moving up toward 50 million victims! That’s an ocean of innocent blood since 1973!

So that everyone may know – people who see news video and published photos of those buildings – tourists who view them on site – let the White House, the Capitol, and the Supreme Court Building be repainted bloody red in color. That will more accurately reflect and witness to what we have become before the entire world – a nation which has devised its own special tailor-made version of “Holocaust.”

But perhaps before the paint is mixed and the cans opened, God will step in and do some things by way of action that will quickly remind all of us that we really didn’t get away with it after all. Furthermore, in our stupidity of throwing around that term, “constitutional rights,” we will discover too late that our warped interpretation of claiming it is a “constitutional right” to shed innocent blood does not supersede the moral laws of Almighty God Who had a special plan in mind for each one of those millions of victims!

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Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Now, son of man, will you judge, will you judge the bloody city? Yes, show her all her abominations! Then say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: The city sheds blood in her own midst, that her time may come; and she makes idols within herself to defile herself. You have become guilty by the blood which you have shed, and have defiled yourself with the idols which you have made. You have caused your days to draw near, and have come to the end of your years; therefore I have made you a reproach to the nations, and a mockery to all countries. Those near and those far from you will mock you as infamous and full of tumult.'"
--- Ezekiel 22:1-5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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