Is the Pig Flu Thing Being a Bit Exaggerated?

"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." --- Jesus speaking in Matthew 24:7, 8

Do you sometimes find yourself wishing you had a dollar for each time the expression, "swine flu," has been mentioned the last few days? If you did have a dollar for each time our zealous mass media referred to this alleged epidemic or pandemic, maybe before too long you could compete financially with Warren Buffet -- you know, he's the one who is supposed to be a multi-billionaire many times over and can show you how to make money even in these times of extreme financial stress!

OK, enough of that -- a short and sweet one this time -- enjoy because it doesn't happen very often around here at the Maverick's place!

Just ponder the item below and then ask, "Why do we not hear such a barrage each year about the large number of deaths occuring because of flu?"

It seems to be a pretty consistent thing each year -- quite a few thousand die in the United States because of something identified as "flu!"

Deaths information for Flu: An estimated 100,000 hospitalizations and about 20,000 deaths occur each year from the flu or its complications. (Source: excerpt from Focus On The Flu: NIAID) ... average of 20,000 to 40,000 deaths per year. (Source: excerpt from Microbes in Sickness and in Health - Publications, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: NIAID) ... in the United States more than 100,000 people are hospitalized and more than 20,000 people die from the flu and its complications every year. (Source: excerpt from The Flu, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID) ... In an average year, flu leads to about 20,000 deaths nationwide and many more hospitalizations. (Source: excerpt from What to Do About the Flu - Age Page - Health Information: NIA)

If you want to roam around the web site where the above statement appears, then go to Deaths from Flu Use return on your web browser to come back here.

Do you get the feeling that sometimes the mass media people are acting like a bunch of sharks immediately after someone has dumped a few gallons of blood into the water just to see what will happen?

I rest my case!

The Most Powerful god in the World Is in a Staggering Mode and Suffering Acute Anemia!

"You shall have no other gods before Me.” --- Exodus 20:3

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money…….lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…--- 2 Timothy 3:1, 2a, 4b

Millions would deny it, but it is true, no matter the objections – the most powerful “god” in the world is no longer that. In fact as suggested by the title, this “god” is in a staggering and quite weakened mode, suffering acute anemia in terms of monetary strength!

It is most appropriate to refer to this as a “deity” that dominates the thoughts and lustful desires of a majority of this world’s population in all nations. Furthermore, it has the allegiance of the poor as well as the very wealthy. It is not just in the corporate world that this “deity” has its devotees, but in governments among all nations as well. This definitely includes a debtor nation known as the United States of America!

This “god” is money! As mentioned, there would be a lot of vehement denials, but as the old saying goes, “The proof of the pudding is in the eating!” Where is it that major attention is now focused and has been for quite some time? Is it not on what is happening in the world of finance? Is not the evidence overwhelming that money is the “god” to which multitudes give attention day and night, and it is that toward which they expend energy in order to get as much as they can? And in far too many places are not highly questionable “ethics” employed in that quest, because this “god” has no ethical standards – get all the money you can by “hook or by crook” – and whatever you can get away with, whether you be in government or in business, it’s OK so long as you don’t get caught. And if you should get caught, if you have enough of the “green stuff” you can usually buy your way out of the situation with a high powered lawyer (whose ethics may also be highly questionable) or get a very mild sentence at most! Years ago a fellow got nailed for insider trading on wall street, spent a short time in a country club prison and then was released to go and enjoy the millions he had made illegally. His philosophy was that a little greed is a good thing!

The crisis has developed, not just in the United States, but talk is in regard to the “world economy” and how disaster has struck in many, many places around the world in terms of the money situation! There are protests in many foreign cities as people feel extreme frustration about what is happening financially and the negative impact that is having on their lives.

Now if we may turn our attention to the true and living God Who created a mighty universe of which this puny world occupies but a small spec of space – for the time being this God has permitted the chaos to take place since a majority has chosen to make money their “god.” However, it is wise to remember that the true and living God also chooses when He will bring judgment on false and totally unreliable deities which people take unto themselves. One of the most dramatic demonstrations of this was when Almighty God set the Israelite people free from their enslavement to the Egyptians and brought them to the promised land of Canaan. It is explained simply in such words as these:

“For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.” --- Exodus 12:12

Have you ever noticed that God is quite explicit in speaking to the issue as to Who should be God and the deadly danger of replacing Him with another deity?

Keep alert and see what all happens in days to come as this very popular “god” which so many members of the human race have set up for themselves comes increasingly under the “gun” of the One Who put this world together a long time ago by simple spoken commands! It will also be most interesting to see how government leaders and their “expert advisors” deal with the “god” which is suffering from acute anemia – and you do know, do you not, that this “god’s” blood runs green!

By the way -- do you see what God says will happen if a people who make the claim that He is their God, but they choose to make another deity or a number of deities dominant in their lives? How about reading that whole chapter -- it takes a while for God to detail all the calamities that will come on a nation that makes the fatal mistake of replacing Him with false and unreliable gods!

"So you shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right hand or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them. But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the country…” --- Deuteronomy 28:14-16

Like It or Not, He's Alive and Will Return Again to Planet Earth!

He Is Risen!

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. --- Philippians 2:5-11

It has been one of the most bitterly contested and opposed events in human history -- the literal bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, the One Who was brutally crucified and Whose body was placed in the tomb of a wealthy man from Jerusalem. Three days later He came back from the dead and appeared numerous times to quite a few people over a period of 40 days. As a chosen few assembled with Him on that last day He gave a few instructions and then visibly ascended up in the air as He returned to His heavenly Father.

A bit of a shock set in as a couple of angels appeared and reassured those followers of Jesus that the moment would come when He would return to earth, "in like manner" as they had seen Him go from them.

For a few of us, this Sunday will be yet another time to celebrate the greatest victory ever won over the greatest enemies of the human race -- the enemies of sin, death, and Satan and his vicious forces of evil!

We celebrate because we know:

• On basis of repentance of our sins, He in mercy has forgiven us.
  
• We now experience His peace -- condemnation and guilt have been removed!
  
• We experience His presence with us on a 24/7 basis!
  
• We experience His power to overcome the world with its many pressures and tempations -- that is, the promise of His Holy Spirit to dwell in our lives.
  
• We experience His purpose on a day by day basis -- life is not a "fate" whatever will be will be kind of thing -- Jesus Christ has a customized plan for us!
  
• We experience His promises, which are many, including His intention to return to this earth and establish His Kingdom -- this is referred to as the "blessed hope and the glorious appearing" -- see Titus 2:11-15 -- the Gospel in a nutshell and the responsibility of every Christian as he or she lives in expectation of Jesus' return to earth.
  
  
  
  • He will put down all opposing forces -- an international military machine which will be obliterated faster than a mosquito hitting the windshield of an 18-wheeler rolling at 80 MPH on Interstate 80 in Clarion Co. PA (I mention that due to traveling that section of I-80 from Brookville to Clarion occasionally and have nearly been blown off the road as those guys flew by me!).
    
  • He will judge all nations -- that is why it is good news that one of these days all politicians will be out of a job -- Jesus Christ will be in charge of the affairs of this world!
    
  • Jerusalem will be the "world capitol" -- another reason for reading the prophets of the Old Testament to see promises about the future glory of Jerusalem -- e.g. Jerusalem will be called a city of truth, a city safely inhabited, where nations will assemble to be instructed in the ways of God, etc!
    
  • Peace will be universal -- the dismantling of all military weapons -- no need for a military anywhere nor all the implements of war -- totally eliminated!
    
  • Even the animals will be at peace with one another -- the lion will eat straw like the ox, the wolf lying down with the lamb in peaceful co-existence! This isn't fairy tale stuff, folks -- it's promised in the Book -- see for yourself!
    
  • Just lots and lots of good things to look forward to -- because Jesus loves us, died for our sins to make forgiveness possible, rose again from the dead, and He's coming back again to earth -- AND no one will delay His return by even 1/10 of a second!
    

Yes, we will be assailed and the hostility coming from the world and sometimes from within the ranks of those who profess to be "Christian" will increase as time moves ahead. Jesus guaranteed that His followers will be hated and persecuted -- you can review that in John 15 and into John 16!

BUT there is one thing those who hate and despise us can never do -- they can't put Him back into the grave as much as they would like to -- and they can deny He is alive (and strange as it may seem, some preachers and church leaders even entertain this streak of raw unbelief) but when "He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own..." let the fools ramble on -- they won't be dead more than 2 seconds until they realize He is none other than King of kings and Lord of lords and the One Who will ultimately judge every human being born into this world from the time of Adam and Eve!

So, if you know Him personally as Savior and Lord of your life, celebrate that mighty victory anew this Sunday -- and rejoice with fellow believers -- we are a distinct minority, but numbers aren't the real issue -- the real issue is to be right with God, seeking to fulfill His purpose for our remaining days on earth while He tarries in His glorious return!

If you don't know Him -- ask His forgiveness and repent of your sins, in whatever form that rebellion presently exists -- ask Him to come into your life as your personal Savior and Lord. In the right column in this BLOG near the top is an area devoted to becoming a Christian and statements from God's Word as to how that can happen in your life, if you have not yet made that very critical decision.

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. --- John 1:10-13

An Email Which Really Made My Day!

I receive a lot of emails. The volume has increased over the years since the establishment of my web site, Circuit Rider's Range, back in 1998.

Due to the content of the Range, there are some very negative emails which come my way from time to time -- the kind which I cannot and will not quote to you due to language used. Sometimes I almost feel bad that I have caused some people's blood pressure to reach the mortal danger level -- note that I said, "almost!"

But there have been the supportive and encouraging kind as well. With Bob's permission, I am printing his email here as I received it:

Hey Clayton----Just a note to say, because I have so much idle time on my hands, I have been exploring your web site everyday and sometimes 2 or 3 times a day. Have read many of the articles and find them very interesting. There is one place in there where you ask the question, Will you meet me in Heaven? I can, with absolute
certainty say, that I will meet you in Heaven someday. Because of a very precious Mother who led me to the Cross of Calvary, I was able to settle that account with the Lord many years ago. Mother told me many times, beware, because Satan is still active upon this earth and will constantly be reminding you of your past. She always told me to be like that old mule dad had. We didn't need a line on him, but he had to have blinders on to keep him from being tempted from going to the right or left when we plowed corn. He could only see straight ahead. We have to be the same way, and keep our eyes and mind focused straight ahead on Jesus. She said, being a christian will not be easy, but knowing that the Precious Blood of Jesus has washed away your sins and they will be remembered no more. Never look back and let Satan tempt you. And believe me, he tries very hard. Past and present !!! I have been through many trials in my life, as you already know, but God has always sustained me. And for that, I give Him all the Praise and Glory. And thank Him every day. I just wanted to share this with you. Sometimes these winter days get pretty long. And yes, I will meet you in Heaven some day. As a matter I'm looking forward to it. And if for some reason I would leave this old earth before you, just remember, I'll be watching and waiting for you, and hope you will do the same for me. We have been good friends for nearly 35 years and been through more things than you could shake a stick at. Sometimes when I'm just setting here thinking, I start to laugh. If someone seen me they would think I was loosing my marbles. Well, keep up the good work and the faith. God's speed to you.

Take care, old friend,
Bob

The question to which my friend refers about meeting in heaven is discussed in detail at Meet Me in Heaven!

Another related subject is discussed at Reminders When Mansion Shopping! This one is important from the stand point of getting distracted (and maybe a bit envious) when we see the elaborate mansions people of wealth and influence have accumulated and lavished upon themselves over time.

Strange, is it not, that a majority of persons in our republic when making plans for the future limit those plans in terms of a few days, weeks, months, years, or to the point of retirement, but do not make any serious plans for that moment of crossing the great divide from time into eternity! The average rate of death is still one per person!

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." --- Spoken by Jesus Christ in John 14:1-3

I'm a Serial Killer, But I Quit Doing That -- Am I Off the Hook?

"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. And I will stretch over Jerusalem the measuring line of Samaria and the plummet of the house of Ahab; I will wipe Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down. So I will forsake the remnant of My inheritance and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become victims of plunder to all their enemies, because they have done evil in My sight, and have provoked Me to anger since the day their fathers came out of Egypt, even to this day.'" 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 21:11-16

As you know, once in a while we have these people who go on a killing spree over months or even years in some cases. What do you suppose would happen if one of these is not actually apprehended -- he just walks into a police station and says he has killed a lot of people, but he has "turned over a new leaf" in life and he isn't going to do it anymore. Does that mean that he is completely off the hook so far as society is concerned? Will the police simply say, "That's fine -- we're glad to hear that, and now we can close the books on your case. Just go on home and be about your business."

For some reason there would be an universal cry of protest -- this guy has to be brought to justice -- put on trial -- evidence presented -- and if found guilty, then given a sentence in keeping with the crimes committed -- he has to pay for all that killing of innocent victims!

The February issue of whistleblower magazine (yes, there are no capital letters in the name) by WorldNetDaily.com is devoted to the subject of ending abortion. There is a high note of optimism expressed that abortion will be ended, not so much by decrees and legislation changes, but more due to the fact that fewer doctors are willing to kill unborn children and bear the brunt of a stigma associated with such a practice -- after all, our basic view of doctors and the philosophy which undergirds their work is that they train and use skills to enhance and preserve life, not destroy it!

So, project ahead in time -- suppose it really does happen some way -- abortion is ended in the U.S. of A. Pro-life people shout and maybe even dance in the streets as they celebrate the ending of the U. S. version of "holocaust" -- pro-abortion people hold a mock funeral or some such ritual, and have buckets sitting around to collect tears rather than mangled remains of unborn children as had been the policy in this nation for decades!

Now back to our serial killer -- even though he claims he has "turned over a new leaf" and will no longer go about killing, is he off the hook? A majority at least would say he must stand trial and pay for his crimes.

So, what do you say about a nation which has deliberately mutilated and murdered millions of unborn children for decades? Are we off the hook because we finally got to the place where we don't do abortions any longer? Better think again on that -- and don't celebrate if it should happen in your lifetime and abortion is no longer practiced anywhere in the United States.

There is a pay day to face -- the "reaping" time will come due to the seed of "shedding innocent blood" which has been sown for decades! It's a guarantee because the Creator of this great universe has said so -- as you sow, so shall you reap -- and it applies to individuals and ALSO to nations as well.

So it's not a question as to whether God will call this nation to account for its slaughter of the innocent ones in the womb, but WHEN it will happen! It was years later after King Manasseh had died that God brought disaster on the ancient kingdom of Judah, but reference is made to Manasseh as to why it happened:

And the LORD sent against him raiding bands of Chaldeans, bands of S yrians, bands of Moabites, and bands of the people of Ammon; He sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD which He had spoken by His servants the prophets. 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 24:2-4

Now what objections can you raise that the God Who brought this universe into existence by spoken command should not deal with this United States as He did with that ancient kingdom of Judah due to an issue referred to as the "shedding of innocent blood?"

Will we really be home free if we stop the slaughter of the innocents even now? Stop and think about it -- this unique kind of "serial killing" has been going on for over 3 decades and tens of millions have been the victims!