You Believe Removing An Alleged Offensive Flag Is Going to Solve Your Problems? No Way!

And having called again the crowd, he said to them, Hear me, all [of you], and understand: There is nothing from outside a man entering into him which can defile him; but the things which go out from him, those it is which defile the man. If any one have ears to hear, let him hear. And when he went indoors from the crowd, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. And he says to them, Are ye also thus unintelligent? Do ye not perceive that all that is outside entering into the man cannot defile him, because it does not enter into his heart but into his belly, and goes out into the draught, purging all meats? And he said, That which goes forth out of the man, that defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, go forth evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickednesses, deceit, licentiousness, a wicked eye, injurious language, haughtiness, folly; all these wicked things go forth from within and defile the man. [Words of Jesus Christ in Mark 7:14-23 (Darby translation)].

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. [Words of Jesus Christ in John 3:1-3 (King James Version)].

Our republic is again caught up in controversy in the wake of the tragic mass shootings that took place in a church in Charleston SC. The focus of attention is now on the Confederate flag and its removal from public view. The reasoning behind this, at least in part, is the fact that the individual who did the killing at the Emanuel AME Church appeared to have an ongoing love affair with the Confederate flag!

And so, politicians and media people with high profile publicity and a rallying cry, “Get rid of that offensive flag!” have now placed before all of us an agenda that needs to be zealously pursued and consumated! An erroneous assumption is widely shared on this matter – somehow it is falsely believed that if we get rid of that flag which represents “hate” and “bigotry” of the worst kind, then we will have solved our problem in this area and consequently, no more mass shootings.

Bury every single Confederate flag and every article on which its image appears and it won’t change a thing in our culture.

The reason is simple – the vast majority of our citizens, including those in leadership roles, as well as the world population is in an unregenerate spiritual condition. Jesus Christ addressed this problem perfectly and with precision accuracy in identifying the many ways in which unregenerate persons will act. We are born into this world with a nature (inherited from Adam) inclined to defy our Creator and His laws, concentrating on ourselves! And when things do not go the way we think they should, we may even resort to violent acts to reach our goals! We stand at the head of the line – all others are to be subject to our desires, as unholy as they may be much of the time.

God’s revelation is crystal clear on how to establish a sane, serene, sensible, stable, and secure nation.

It begins with an honest confession in words something like this: “I am guilty – I am a sinner and deserve Hell – I take full responsibility for all my transgressions.” Then comes the part wherein one approaches and addresses God, asking His mercy and forgiveness. Proud people cannot ever bring themselves to do such a thing. But in honesty and humility one does this painful thing and then expresses the desire for Jesus Christ to come into his/her life as Savior and Lord. In the book of The Revelation at the close of the 3rd chapter Jesus says that He stands at the door and knocks, and if any person hears His voice and opens the door, He will come in and then the wonderful fellowship begins. He becomes a resident in the life of the person who has repented (turned from) sin! A miracle happens in this experience – the inner nature is transformed so that now there is an intense interest in the things of God, a hunger to know Him and become familiar with His holy Word, and to be obedient in serving Him on a daily basis.

As mentioned previously – you can destroy all the images of the Confederate flag in the entire world, but if there is no genuine repentance from sin, no desire to draw near to God, and no desire to be obedient to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, not only on an individual basis but also on a collective basis, everything will continue as it has in the past. In fact things will get worse as time goes on!

Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence. God has done all this. He has restored our relationship with him through Christ, and has given us this ministry of restoring relationships. [2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (God’s Word translation)].

Killing the Goose That Lays the Golden Eggs 2011 Style!

A man and his wife had the good fortune to possess a goose which laid a golden egg every day. Lucky though they were, they soon began to think they were not getting rich fast enough, and, imagining the bird must be made of gold inside, they decided to kill it. Then, they thought, they could obtain the whole store of precious metal at once; however, upon cutting the goose open, they found its innards to be like that of any other goose. --- This story is attributed to the 6th century B.C. Greek, Aesop.

If ever a fable has come true in human experience, the goose that laid the golden eggs has done so in 2011 in the republic of the United States.

Almighty God in His sovereign grace raised up our republic over 234 years ago. The nation was blessed with growth and prosperity. But there were times of painful conflicts within as well against foreign enemies. By God's grace the nation survived and was victorious over external enemies through the years. The last decisive military victory for the United States was at the end of WW II. The sole condition for the enemies was unconditional surrender. It's never been the same since 1945 in spite of being involved in conflicts even at the present time. Unfortunately as politicians have meddled more and more in military affairs we now have "rules of engagement" and we have to make sure we greatly reduce "collateral damage." The day will probably come when our military people won't be allowed to load their weapons until bullets are whizzing over their heads and/or penetrating their bodies!

Alas, I digressed a bit -- now to continue -- other things were happening as the republic grew more prosperous and powerful. Conflicts broke out at times in the work place. There were grave injustices taking place and certain industries had a strangle hold on workers. The coal industry at one point became notorious for its "company stores" and payment to miners in script instead of real money -- in effect this economic strategy held the miners and their families hostage to the company for which they worked -- a unique brand of enslavement.

The organized union movement changed the landscape and leveled the playing field over decades of time. This was very good for a while as certain abuses by companies were addressed and corrected, BUT the pendulum has moved to the very opposite position of that in which companies and their owners had all the power and full control.

We have now come to the point of outrageous union abuse which is impacting the entire nation in a most horrendous way. Powerful unions with very short-sighted leadership not only believe they can dictate and receive unreasonable wages, benefits, and retirement wealth, but they also reserve the right to determine who should hold elective office -- somehow these people feel they are superior (maybe infected with the Obama spirit) and know what is best in each election. What they really want are not public servants in office but puppets who will move according the will of the unions as they pull and manipulate the strings! It's good to have your own personal slave in the U.S. Congress, is it not -- it will mean more money in your pocket!

The root of the problem in this is that most unholy combination existing in unregenerate human nature known as selfishness and greed. This is why professional lobbying and political action committees are proving to be such a malignant curse to our nation.

The dominant attitude is "I'm first and I want the biggest slice of the pie before anyone else gets their fingers into it."

When you get a number of powerful unions and various special interest groups operating full speed with that self-centered and greedy attitude, then you have a guarantee for unprecedented disaster taking place in the future. To put it simply -- the goose that lays the golden egg daily has been executed!

For decades the idea has been that there is an endless supply of money held by companies, school districts, local and state governments, and of course, the great "Sugar Daddy" of them all -- the federal government itself! And with that view in mind a myriad of groups were unrelenting in trying to get the most of that money for their respective members and as far as each was concerned, "Let the rest of the country go to that very hot place where snowballs cannot survive!"

The goose is dead -- give it the last rites - no more golden eggs! Or to make reference to a more authoritative Source -- God has revealed that from time to time He will bring judgment on the gods that a nation has forged for itself. He gave a very dramatic demonstration of this when He brought the ancient Israelites out of Egypt at around 1400 BC. Specifically the Scripture mentions that the "gods" of Egypt were judged by the true and living God of the Israelites -- quite a calamity at that time to say the least!

The LORD will be awesome to them, for He will reduce to nothing all the gods of the earth; people shall worship Him, each one from his place, indeed all the shores of the nations. --- Zephaniah 2:11

And since money is a very influential and high profile "god" in the United States, it is simply a matter of time until the Creator of this mighty universe takes action and makes clear the fact that if money is your "god" you are in for a bitter disappointment of the first magnitude!

Stop and ponder a bit -- the federal government is trillions of dollars in debt -- state and local governments are for the most part deeply in debt and struggling with budgets that indicate the financial "well has run dry!" School districts which have had to contend with powerful teachers' unions and unreasonable demands also are in intense struggles over finances. The answer? Get more money! How? Raise the taxes! Ah, is that not what has been going on for years and years on a regular basis so that now the average worker has to labor for nearly 6 months of the year to pay all taxes at all levels, including those "hidden" taxes we hear nothing about?

Did you ever hear a song that was written some years ago titled, Yesterday When I Was Young and made popular by Roy Clark? Perhaps the powerful unions, lobbying groups, and special interest organizations should adopt that as their theme song -- we have now moved into the area where the final phrase of the song is becoming reality -- "The time has come for me to pay for yesterday when I was young!"

The goose is dead -- no more golden eggs!

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

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

Ready for Charlie Anonymous?

There are 12 Step programs for persons who are addicted to something -- we have Alcoholics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, etc. Is it now time that a Charlie Anonymous be established for those who are addicted to Charlie Sheen and all his antics?

Charlie Sheen has dominated the news of late to the point of crowding out that guy in Libya -- whose name is Quadaffi, or Khadafi, or Khadafy, or Gadaffi or Quaddafi or (insert your favorite spelling). Such heavy weights as NBC's Today show and Fox News gave extensive amounts of time to this person whose life is in a very tragic unraveling stage! It is crystal clear that media people are mesmerized by this guy Charlie Sheen for some unexplained reason.

His antics get top billing in the world of mass media communications. He is reported to be the highest paid actor in television. But that is not enough for Charlie. He is demanding a 50 per cent pay hike for his work in "Two and a Half Men." Maybe the poor guy just can't make ends meet with a salary of 2 million dollars PER EPISODE -- he wants it upped to 3 million dollars for each episode!

Among other things he is a prime example of the truth that very few persons can handle wealth and power in a responsible way. You see this massively demonstrated in Washington DC and state capitols throughout our entire republic on a daily basis.

But what is really wrong here? It is the fact that Charlie is demonstrating that when you become self-centered and try to run your own life apart from the grace of God, you are going to foul up in many different ways. Every human is born into this world with an inclination to ignore God and live a life that focuses on the self.

Long ago a man, whom God called to warn his generation of impending judgment and destruction if there was not massive repentance on the part of the citizens and their leaders (political and religious), made a most accurate observation about the human race -- "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).

Charlie Sheen, because he is very high profile, is showing millions of people what a disaster your life can become when you ignore the calling and claims of Almighty God through Jesus Christ that is extended to every human being on the face of this planet.

There will be those who may come to his defense and in light of statements just made cry out, "Who are you to judge?" The fact is that I am not making a judgment as such but simply conveying what Jesus Christ, the absolute Authority on all matters pertaining to human behavior and relationships, has to say.

First, He said we would really know who people are by the kind of "fruit" they manifest in their lives -- see Matthew 7:17-20. Their speech, conduct, and relationships will clearly reveal as to whether their primary motive in life is to seek and do the will of God or whether it's the person who stares back at them in the bathroom mirror each morning that is calling all the shots day by day until one is buried in a cemetery!

Second, He said we are to be "light" and "salt" in this world if we faithfully follow Him. That simply means we convey the light of God's truth, the reality of salvation from sin through Jesus Christ, and as salt, resist all evil in whatever form it appears. Charlie has provided no evidence in either speech or in conduct that he desires to be "light" or "salt" in the advancement of the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ! (See Matthew 5 about the salt and light responsibility).

Third, Jesus said that those who are faithfully following Him would experience hostility time after time in the world -- that is, hatred and violent acts under various circumstances, depending on where one is located. In some parts of the world there are places where Christians are violently attacked and even killed; others are beaten, tortured, and imprisoned. Here in the United States it hasn't reached that stage yet, but the hostility is growing in verbal attacks, court decisions, and certain negative reactions to the witness of Christianity. Charlie has provided no evidence that he has been on the receiving end of hostility because he is a follower of Jesus Christ.

Is there hope for Charlie? So long as he draws a breath and his heart continues to beat, there is that possibility that his eyes will be opened and by the grace of God he will see that his greatest need is to seek mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ, Who sacrificed His life on a Roman cross 2,000 years ago so that Charlie and all the members of the human race, including you and me, could be forgiven of all sin and be a part of Jesus' Kingdom forever and forever where there is no pain, no grief, and no trouble of any kind.

But in the meantime as the media prattles on about Charlie is it time to establish a Charlie Anonymous? Maybe you can be the one to start a chapter in your community!

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

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. --- Romans 6:23

Though I Didn’t Play by the Rules, This Is Still My Seat!

Registration begins June 11, 2009 at 7:00 AM in the IM Room --- from agenda information of the Western PA Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church

There is an interesting (and frustrating) phenomenon which happens each year in the W PA Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church at its gathering at Grove City College in Grove City PA.

This has been confirmed as taking place yet this year by a friend who is attending the event. I am not attending though even retired elders in full connection are expected to be in attendance. My blood pressure cannot tolerate what goes on there, including what is about to be discussed.

It is about the registration procedure. The hour is always officially set as to when the delegates can enter the IM area, pick up name tags, and then claim their seat by writing their names on the table tags where they will be seated for the plenary sessions of the conference.

But there are some very egotistical and selfish persons who feel the rule on the opening hour of registration does not apply to them.

I always tried to be early in line before the doors opened in order to get one of the seats which better accommodated my long legs (I am 6’2”) than did most in a rather cramped area of chairs and tables.

I was willing to pay the price to get my preferred seat – namely, get up very early, drive over a hundred miles, be at the door well before 6:00 AM (which was opening time years ago), and then proceed to claim my seat.

One year I drove through a heavy rain storm, was nearly involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler, was first in line when the doors opened at 6:00 AM for registration, and when I went to claim my seat, I saw many names already appearing on the table tags! This meant the seats were already taken although registration was only about 5 minutes or so “officially” underway!

I admit to being quite angered by this – a number of persons (most were preachers) had already placed their names and names of some of their friends on the table tags well ahead of the announced hour in which registration was to begin.

I wrote a letter to the bishop, cabinet members, and head of the Sessions Committee protesting this disregard for the rule on the time for registration to commence. We were always reminded that NO ONE would be permitted into the registration area before the opening of the doors at the stated hour!

I even offered to go in before the doors opened and blot out all names on the table tags with an indelible marker. After that enjoyable experience I would go out in the hallway and take my place in line with my brothers and sisters who respected the conference rule regarding the opening hour for registration.

My offer was refused as I knew it would be due to the fact that too many “church politicians” were involved in this violation who were part of the bishop’s “inner circle.” And you think the Wasington DC brand of politics is bad -- don't ever be down wind when the church brand blows your way -- the DC brand smells like a rose by way of comparison!

Obviously in W Pennsylvania there are pastors who totally forget that honesty, high ethical standards, and respect for the W PA Conference rules on registration apply to them as well as to all the others -- no exceptions! Earnestly pray that your church isn’t plagued with one of those characters – such a person will prove very quickly to be an obnoxious liability and not an asset to your church!

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. --- Philippians 2:3, 4

Ending the AIG Crisis – A Modest Proposal!

The wicked prowl on every side, when vileness is exalted among the sons of men. --- Psalm 12:8

As more details became available about happenings at AIG since the big bailout costing U. S. taxpayers billions of dollars and millions of dollars in bonuses given to persons who made a substantial contribution to the insurance giant’s financial woes, the resulting outrage was like a powerful volcano erupting, spewing lava and ash everywhere.

It is a subject that has dominated the news and the Obama administration being pressured to reveal its involvement or lack thereof through Treasury Secretary, Timothy “Turbo Tax” Geithner. It seems just as some questions are answered by someone in this monster fiasco then more questions are raised.

How to get this thing resolved? There is a “weapon” that has been available down through the centuries of human history, but very few view it as such. It is called prayer and it is an exercise in which one can engage and see some amazing things take place as Almighty God hears and responds to the appeals of His people.

The assumption too long has been that prayer is limited to doing things such as expressing thanksgiving, confessing sin, interceding on behalf of persons in need, and submitting personal concerns. But prayer is a weapon employed by a Christian on the offensive against evil, of which we have a substantial amount in our country and our world at the present time!

Note a statement made in Psalm 141:

Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men who work iniquity; and do not let me eat of their delicacies. Let the righteous strike me; it shall be a kindness. And let him reprove me; it shall be as excellent oil; let my head not refuse it. For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked. --- Psalm 141:4, 5

Did you notice the last statement? The “weapon” of prayer is deployed against the wicked! So here is the proposal for those who are on praying ground in relationship to God.

Pray in the following way:

• that God will rebuke those guilty of selfishness and greed – a visitation of calamity upon them and their families until they repent and make full restitution and that they will receive no satisfaction whatsoever from those millions unjustly received.
  
  
• that God will return upon their heads the fruit of their doings – this is a Biblical term and it works both ways – for those who desire to obey and honor God, there will come blessing and benefit – for those who are defiant, concentrate on themselves and pursue greed, to them will come chaos and eventually disaster of some kind!
  
  
• the ideal would be that all would truly repent and make things right, but that is highly unlikely in a time when selfishness and greed, especially at the higher levels in the government and the corporate world have the preeminence.
  

That same prayer can be applied to the federal government since highly questionable antics with careless and irresponsible use of the tax payers’ money is standard procedure. Whatever you do at this stage, you don’t pray, “God bless….” We’re dealing with a situation that requires desperate action if effective healing is to take place and our nation is be improved as a result. A surgeon doesn’t gently massage a cancerous tumor when he finds it inside a patient’s abdomen -- quickly he grabs his scalpel, cuts it completely out and removes it so the patient will live!

One does have to wonder – if God cut off all who are driven and dominated by selfishness and greed in the corporate world and in government at the state and federal levels, how many would be left?

So pray – God’s solution is always the best in the end of it all!

To You I will cry, O LORD my Rock: do not be silent to me, lest, if You are silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit. Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary. Do not take me away with the wicked and with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors, but evil is in their hearts. Give to them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavors; give to them according to the work of their hands; render to them what they deserve. Because they do not regard the works of the LORD, nor the operation of His hands, He shall destroy them and not build them up. Blessed be the LORD, because He has heard the voice of my supplications! --- Psalm 28:1-6

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. --- James 5:17, 18

Will God Be Issuing An Apology in the Near Future?

For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly….--- 2 Peter 2:4-6

It was Billy Graham who may have coined the expression, but if he did not, then he certainly stressed it quite a few years ago in his evangelistic ministry. That expression went something like this:

"If God allows us (the United States) to get away with our many sins, then He’ll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah!"

Never has there been a time in the history of our republic in which this question needs to be more seriously considered than right now. For years, ever since that statement was originally uttered, the descent into a moral, ethical and spiritual cesspool has been rapid and massive. It has involved millions of U. S. citizens of all ages throughout the entire nation.

The “spiritual floodgates” really broke open starting in the ‘60’s although there were numerous problems in the decades prior to that time. But in the ‘60’s the nation experienced what was known as the “sexual revolution” plus an official Supreme Court decision which basically banned God from the public school systems with Bible reading and prayer no longer permitted. A high school student in my youth group told of someone placing a sign on his school’s bulletin board which read, “In case of atomic attack the ban against prayer in this school will be temporarily suspended!” For some reason, the sign was quickly removed by a member of the school’s administration.

But that was by no means the end – about 10 years later, in January of 1973 the Supreme Court handed down another disasterous decision which said that it was a constitutional right for a female to have her unborn child mutilated and murdered if she so chose! Now, the words “mutilated” and “murdered” do not appear in the wordy decision, but if you will look at photos of the victims of the United States’ version of Holocaust, that would be the only conclusion you can come to – that is, if you are truly honest and willing to face reality! Harry Blackmun, Supreme Court justice and United Methodist layman, wrote the infamous decision. He was highly eulogized in United Methodist circles when he died. Wherever Harry is today there is one thing for sure – if you were able to engage in conversation with him, he would tell you that his views of human life and children before birth have drastically changed since he crossed the great divide into eternity – he now sees it God’s way!

As the God-rejecting snowball rolled down hill during the ‘60’s, the 70’s and through the turn of the century, it kept getting larger and larger. By no wildest stretch of human imagination can we now say that we are better off and are living on a higher moral plane than we were before those two monumental Supreme Court decisions took place.

Our massive shedding of innocent blood, idolatry, sexual immorality, violence, selfishness and greed continue to increase unabated. Our utter defiance of the standards which Almighty God has put in place for a culture to experience sanity, serenity, stability, security, sovereignty, and ongoing survival has come to the place where even a citizen of ancient Sodom would blush if he or she would walk the streets of one of our cities!

So, as you ponder the question about God’s possible apology to the citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah, what is the answer with which you come forth?

Somehow with all the searching of the Scriptures for over a half century, I see absolutely no indication that God will issue such an apology – in fact, the evidence is overwhelming that He will deal with this nation as He did with those ancient cities of long ago that demonstrated an attitude in which they gave God an obscene gesture. The prevailing mindset, including that of their leaders, was that they could live any way they wanted and not have to reap the harvest for their abominations later on down the road. We are clearly demonstrating that same spirit and traveling down that same path.

"Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.” --- Jesus speaking in Luke 17:28, 29

"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.” --- God speaking in Jeremiah 18:7-10
/

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A World in Convulsion!

Behold, the LORD makes the earth empty and makes it waste, distorts its surface and scatters abroad its inhabitants...... The earth mourns and fades away, the world languishes and fades away; the haughty people of the earth languish. The earth is also defiled under its inhabitants, because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, Broken the everlasting covenant....... The earth is violently broken, the earth is split open, the earth is shaken exceedingly. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall totter like a hut; its transgression shall be heavy upon it, and it will fall, and not rise again. It shall come to pass in that day that the LORD will punish on high the host of exalted ones, and on the earth the kings of the earth. --- Isaiah 24:1,4,5,19-21

Not a pleasant subject to approach under any circumstance for a number of reasons -- this thing of calamities and what are termed "natural disasters" taking place just about everywhere throughout the world.

While it is quite acceptable for the news media people to report the events and provide details as to physical damage, property loss, human injuries and number of lives lost, it is a general rule of thumb that you do not bring God into the picture!

After all, in the United States has it not been the practice in the past number of decades that certain boundary lines have been drawn by court edict with much of the population nodding empty heads in agreement that it should be so -- God is not allowed to enter into many areas of human activity -- certain properties are off limits! His Name is not so much as to be mentioned -- check out a number of graduation exercises at this time of year and note how "rules" have been spelled out in regard to high school graduates making any reference to God in their speeches!

But, alas, again I digress a bit -- a few of us believe on the basis of a totally reliable volume of information which Almighty God has made available that He does interact with His creation and with humans whether they like it or not and whether they are willing to accept it or not!

That revelation coming forth from the Creator and Sustainer of this mighty universe of which we are a very small part indicates that there is a climax to human history as we are presently experiencing it.

The basic progression is this:

1. Increased population accompanied by increased evil activity -- simple logic - the more sinners you have rebelling against God, the more evil you will have demonstrated!

2. Increased chaos and calamities among the nations of the world -- since about all the governing powers of the nations of the earth are in an unregenerate state, it follows that there will be tensions and conflicts constantly -- treaties and agreements will often be broken without a second thought.

3. Since the majority of the human population does not know God and is not the least bit interested in becoming acquainted with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ, then selfishness and greed will kick in and dominate -- it makes for a bad scene everywhere you go!

4. And since God in a sense gives humans all the rope they want for a while, it is simply a matter of time until the human race "hangs itself!" The law of sowing and reaping is always in effect, whether recognized or not. And it applies to individuals and to nations at the collective level!

5. It is a fact that God does chastise people and nations -- if chastisement does not produce the desired results, then He brings forth judgment! And He does bring forth various calamities and takes responsibility for it. But it seems where such information is revealed in His Word, then we respond by taking our censor's scissors and cutting out such statements with the attitude, "That has absolutely nothing to do with us today and does not apply!"

The foremost Authority on human activity and the destiny of all humans has spoken in regard to the home stretch of human history. Jesus indicated that increased chaos will be prominent as we enter into what are referred to as the "latter days" or the "end times." If you want the details just go to Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Mark 13. There is also a statement made by Jesus in Luke 17 in which He tells us that humanity will regress to conditions as they existed in the days of Noah before the judgment of the flood and the times of Lot when he lived in the city of Sodom!

Now here's the real shocker -- one would think that within the circle of those professing to be Christian there would be quite a bit of agreement on this subject, but if there is anything that causes high intensity conflict it is the subject of Jesus' return to earth and what events will precede His return to earth! Perhaps a comparable conflict would be the one over the issue of sodomy and lesbianism and the acceptance of these lifestyles within the ranks of those professing to be Christian.

Is Jesus going to return to earth? You will receive a wide variety of answers on that, ranging from yes, to maybe, to absolutely not! Do these chaotic events have any meaning to us? See the preceding list of possible responses.

But for a few -- what is happening throughout the world does have meaning in light of God's special revelation and reminds the remnant that we have to live in these days as short range pessimists with a long range optimism!

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. --- 1 John 3:1-3