Imagine No Malaria!

The ministry mission statement is: Imagine No Malaria is an extraordinary effort of the people of The United Methodist Church, putting faith into action to end preventable deaths by malaria in Africa, especially the death of a child or a mother.

Imagine No Malaria (Advance Special #3021190) The Illinois Great Rivers Conference has begun its campaign to raise between $2.3 and $3.5 million over the next three ...

Every 60 seconds, malaria claims a life in Africa. Millions of lives, needlessly lost each year. A continent. Entire nations…slipping away. Slipping through life ..

[the preceding are some texts with links on Imagine No Malaria campaign as a result of a search on Bing]

If you do a search on the internet using the phrase, "Imagine No Malaria," you will be amazed at the results which come forth. Links, links, and more links in this very high profile campaign which is directed toward eliminating the deadly disease of malaria in the continent of Africa.

As noted in one of the texts associated with a link, The United Methodist Church, has been very deeply involved the past few years since this issue attracted attention within the denomination. The bishops, district superintendents, pastors, lay persons, children and youth have become greatly involved. The conferences have rallied to raise a huge amount of money for the cause.

My wife and I have given support to the cause in the past. Certainly this is something that not only needs attention but action also required in order to eliminate the killer.

In one of the quotes above mention is made that every 60 seconds malaria claims a life in Africa. Then following that, "Millions of lives, needlessly lost each year." If the first statement about 1 life every 60 seconds is accurate, then the second statement is not. At rate of 1 every 60 seconds there would be 525,000 fatalities in a year's time of 365 days! That is hardly a "millions" figure, wouldn't you say?

As the campaign against malaria goes on there is another major issue and a possible slogan which is intentionally avoided in The United Methodist Church. You will not hear a bishop even quietly mention it in a very low volume whisper and the Council of Bishops will not publicly make a high profile statement, nor will their respective conferences pass aggressive resolutions about this thing which is nothing less than an abomination in the sight of Almighty God!

How about a campaign that holds high the slogan, "Imagine No Abortions?" One that is emphasized by the Council of Bishops with the same enthusiasm as they promote "Imagine No Malaria?" Tee shirts with "Imagine No Malaria" printed on them have been worn in a number of the annual conferences when they have been in session. How about printing up shirts that say, "Imagine No Abortions," and wear those during the annual meetings of the delegates?

On statistics, consider this - it was noted that there is 1 death every 60 seconds from malaria in Africa. In the United States, double that and then some -- in less than 1 minute's time 2 unborn children are intentionally mutilated and murdered as a result of a conspiracy between a pregnant female and a fellow who makes the absurd claim that he is a "doctor!" Isn't it the purpose of training a doctor to prepare him/her to use skills to enhance and preserve human life rather than deliberately destroy it?

That means more than 1,050,000 unborn children have been destroyed in a year's time in the "land of the free and the home of the brave" -- a nation in which historical documents point out that all persons should have "the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness!"

The bloody track record in the United States at this point in time (November 2012) is almost 55 million unborn children since some black robed people in Washington DC made the unholy and very deadly decision that it is a "constitutional right" for a female to dispatch her unborn child in pieces before he/she is born.

Ask a United Methodist bishop, or a district superintendent, or a conference official about malaria in Africa and be prepared for an extended conversation about the horrors of this thing, how so many are dying because of it, and what United Methodists are doing to eradicate it -- than ask about abortion and witness a sudden case of lock-jaw striking without warning! At the very best will come forth some words possibly that attempt in a feeble fashion to say, "It's a very complicated issue." Yeah, sure! There are a few of us (probably a very few) that do not see the dismemberment of a child whom God is forming in the womb (Jeremiah 1:4,5) as a complicated issue to be debated!

No, it is most unlikely there will ever come forth a bold, courageous, and confrontational statement about the "shedding of innocent blood" (to use God's words for this) and the fact that it has to stop or our republic will experience the devastating judgment of an angry God.

United Methodist silence on the subject will continue and the practice of destroying the unborn will continue -- that is, until Jesus Christ intervenes in His personal return to this planet and then the motto, "Imagine No Abortions," will become a reality in all nations around the world -- a lot of other good things are going to happen at that time also, simply because He has taken full control.

This commentary is stated by Clayton D. Harriger, United Methodist pastor who is a retired elder and member of the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. Presently serving as pastor of Gipsy Christian Church in Gipsy, Pennsylvania.

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You. --- Psalm 139:14-18

No Way, for Him or the Nation, to Be Blessed with Three Strikes Already Against Him!

The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me: 'He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, Like the tender grass springing out of the earth, by clear shining after rain.' --- 2 Samuel 23:3, 4

Barack Hussein Obama is seeking a second term as president of the United States of America. Will he win the election? Ardent supporters are not hesitant to affirm that he will. There are those, of course, who support Mitt Romney in his bid for that high office.

Mr. Obama has at least 3 strikes against him in terms of experiencing favor and blessing from Almighty God. God's special revelation (the holy Scriptures) to the human race is crystal clear on the solemn responsibilities that fall on those who are at the head of the governments of nations. They are to carry out their responsibilities in the fear of God -- that is, to have proper acknowledgement of and reverence for the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Further, that responsibility also involves exhibiting a humble spirit and seeking daily guidance from God as one governs.

What are these three strikes against Mr. Obama?

Strike One: Mr. Obama is a staunch supporter of the practice of mutilating and murdering children before they are born! As a member of the Illinois legislature he successfully stonewalled efforts to protect and do all that was necessary to protect a baby that survived an abortion attempt to end its life. In some very rare circumstances it has happened. So what do you do when there happens to be a survivor of the United States' unique version of "Holocaust?" In Illinois there was a concerted effort to pass legislation that would make it mandatory to do all that was necessary to protect and preserve the life of an infant that miraculously survived an attempt to take its life before being born. Mr. Obama was the main player in organizing and successfully arranging for the defeat of that legislation! In his view, you just let the surviving baby lay on a table without any care given until it dies! Or speed the process up a bit and just toss it immediately into a dumpster.

As president Mr. Obama is clearly on record as supporting the present policy which results in the mutilation and murders of thousands of unborn children each week. He will oppose all legislation that seeks to restrict the process of destroying unborn children in any way.

God's view and purpose for conceived humans is in sharp conflict with that of Mr. Obama and consequently it means that the president has a major strike against him as a result. It also means a forfeiture of blessings which God has the power to bestow upon him and the nation he claims to lead!

Strike Two: Mr. Obama has now gone on record as supporting sodomites marrying each other and lesbians marrying each other. This is as deadly a move as the one cited above when he in great ignorance chose to support the destruction of unborn children! God has explicitly addressed the issue of human sexuality in His special revelation to us. Marriage, as God established it, is strictly limited to the uniting of one male and one female in a holy covenant. This covenant is to last until death separates the husband and wife. Early in the book of Genesis God reveals that a man will leave his father and mother and cleave unto his wife and the two will become one flesh. Jesus, in the Gospel accounts, confirms this sacred union and makes reference to the Genesis statement. No where is there even a hint of approval of same gender coupling. In the strongest terms possible same gender sexual activity is condemned. But unregenerate human nature being what it is, and under the guise of "scholarship," the Scriptures have been twisted, distorted, and perverted on such an issue as this. At the present time in our culture it is almost a sin for a male and a female to marry and the greatest and most noble thing for a couple of persons of the same gender to get married in those states that now permit such a union to take place "legally!" So the president forfeits further blessings and favor from God for sanctioning that which God considers nothing short of an abomination!

Strike Three: Mr. Obama has been showing a shift in his attitude toward Israel. He is more at home with and supportive of the Muslim nations than he is with the nation of Israel. His treatment of the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, in recent months has been deplorable. Most recently as the Prime Minister visited the United States, Mr. Obama had no time to meet with him but was able to schedule a time to be with David Letterman on his program! To abandon support for Israel is something akin to committing national suicide. Under terms of the covenant God made with Abraham a blessing is in store for those who are positive in relating to the descendants of Abraham and a curse in store for those who relate in a negative way (see Genesis 12 on this). There is specifically a blessing pronounced on those who pray for the peace of Jerusalem and love the people (see Psalm 122).

Most important is the fact that God has great plans for the Israelite people and the city of Jerusalem in the future. It also needs to be noted that no people have been more hated and despised throughout the history of the human race than have been those descended from Abraham through his son, Isaac. For some time in the past the United States has been strongly supportive of Israel and at times the only nation standing by this country which some want to see wiped off the face of this planet! But there has been a decided shift in attitude and support since Mr. Obama has set up shop in the Oval Office located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC. In his book, Audacity of Hope, Mr. Obama made the statement, "I will stand with the Muslims, should the political winds shift in an ugly direction." (P. 261). He also made a more recent statement, "The future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam."

Other things could be also noted which are taking our republic down the road toward disaster, but the three just mentioned will absolutely guarantee that we cannot prosper nor can we survive much longer because the blessings of God are being obviously withdrawn. Deuteronomy 28 provides ample evidence that this is how it is right now!

Yes, Virginia, when you have had 3 strikes you are actually out -- you are done - finished - no longer up at the plate!

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

They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons, and shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; and the land was polluted with blood. Thus they were defiled by their own works, and played the harlot by their own deeds. Therefore the wrath of the LORD was kindled against His people, so that He abhorred His own inheritance. And He gave them into the hand of the Gentiles, and those who hated them ruled over them. Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand. Many times He delivered them; but they rebelled against Him by their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. --- Psalm 106:37-43

The Shedding of Innocent Blood – 21st Century Application!

They did not destroy the peoples, concerning whom the LORD had commanded them, but they mingled with the Gentiles and learned their works; they served their idols, which became a snare to them. They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons, and shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; and the land was polluted with blood. Thus they were defiled by their own works, and played the harlot by their own deeds. Therefore the wrath of the LORD was kindled against His people, so that He abhorred His own inheritance. --- Psalm 106:34-40

One of the earliest recorded statements employing the term, “shed innocent blood,” is found in the book of Psalms in the Old Testament. The practice of such goes back much earlier in human history.

The expression refers to a deliberate act in which an innocent victim is violently assaulted and his or her life is terminated! The very first instance of the shedding of innocent blood took place when a man by the name of Cain made a decision to murder his brother, Abel. (Genesis 4).

The circumstances under which the shedding of innocent blood can take place are widely varied. The result, however, is always the same – one or more innocent persons lose their lives because of violent acts perpetrated against them. The ages of the victims can vary greatly ranging from infants to the very elderly.

Records from more recent history indicate that motives for such activity were the elimination of what were considered “undesirables” for one reason or another or else a “purifying” by the racial group which held the reins of power in government. Nazi philosophy and actions during WW II is a shocking demonstration of this. The shedding of innocent blood by the Nazis amounted to at least 15 million or more.

In very ancient times certain heathen peoples became convinced that some of their deities could not be appeased unless a human being was offered in sacrifice. We have Biblical information on some details concerning these abominable practices. The Canaanite people threw babies into a blazing fire as a sacrifice to one deity named Molech. It was the only way you could keep Molech from getting mad and doing some nasty things to you!

Eventually the Israelites, who had been previously informed rather clearly that there was but one God and He was to be honored and obeyed, became corrupted by compromise and began to worship such heathen deities as Molech and others. Needless to say, God was more than a little upset about this as we learn from statements made in the Scriptures.

As we look at the scene in those days as the shedding of innocent blood became a rather popular way of life for backslidden Israelites, suppose we could have engaged in conversation with them -- what might they have said? “You ask why do we do this shedding of innocent blood? It’s practical and convenient – it’s a way of population control and we don’t have to be bothered with that kid which we didn’t want in the first place – just another mouth gone which we don’t have to feed anymore! We weave religion into the whole process with the understanding that Molech certainly has our best interest at heart!”

Realistically one would have to conclude that a civilized culture could never resort to such practices. Certainly a number of people who are sensitive to true justice and a realistic view of human life from God’s point of view would agree that the shedding of innocent blood is something to be avoided without exception.

However, the United States has been proving that it has been an exception for quite some time. Honesty dictates to a sensitive conscience that the shedding of innocent blood applies not just to every human being ever born, but to those who are yet to be born.

But we have leaders in government, including the president, and other people in high places as well as in organized groups who take a backslidden Israelite approach to the shedding of innocent blood – it’s convenient for a number of reasons and it is a “constitutional right” to do so.

There are even church “leaders” who sanction the practice – if they had lived centuries ago, they would have been the ones who would have seduced the Israelites to “try the Canaanite ways, because it looks like a good thing!”

An interesting thing exists in the United Methodist Church – lots of talk and “campaigning” for getting mosquito netting to combat malaria in Africa – we are told of at least 1 million children dying each year in Africa from malaria – but you won’t hear even one United Methodist bishop making an issue of the shedding of innocent blood in this country and the shocking fact that over 1 million unborn children are torn to pieces and murdered in their mothers’ (term used very loosely) wombs each year in these “civilized” United States!

Will it ever be stopped? Not likely – the spirit of Molech is deeply entrenched at all levels of our culture – well that is, it likely won’t be stopped until that day when Almighty God steps in and puts a stop to it – do you want to be around when that happens?

Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue has muttered perversity. No one calls for justice, nor does any plead for truth. they trust in empty words and speak lies; they conceive evil and bring forth iniquity………….. Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways; they have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace. --- Isaiah 59:1-4, 7, 8

"For if you thoroughly amend your ways and your doings, if you thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbor, if you do not oppress the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, or walk after other gods to your hurt, then I will cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers forever and ever.” --- Jeremiah 7:5-7

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
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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!

W A S H I N G T O N
D C

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

July 4th -- Celebrate or Grieve???

O R

Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Behold and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow, which has been brought on me, which the LORD has inflicted on me in the day of His fierce anger. --- Lamentations 1:12

It's a day which traditionally is supposed to be given to celebrating our independence when a small number of colonies broke free of domination by the king of England in the latter part of the 18th Century. Out of that conflict a republic was born with a heavy emphasis on freedom -- certain basic privileges such as freedom to assemble, to speak, to publish, and to worship along with other benefits as expressed in a document known as the United States Constitution.

BUT times have drastically changed as our republic observes its 231st birthday. Only a fool would deny that we have become bogged down in a spiritual, moral, and ethical quagmire from which we are unable to free ouselves!

As we ignite our fireworks and engage in our party activities, will we ignore the reality of the fact that we are now demonstrating before the world that we have become a 21st Century version of the ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah?

Our obcessive shedding of innocent blood, deeply intrenched idolatry, wide open acceptance of sexual immorality in all detestable forms, corruption of our young by teaching and example, and lukewarm religion which refuses to take God's special revelation seriously are taking us to a destiny which our human minds are incapable of comprehending when it comes to God's future response to all these abominations!

So as you watch the displays of fireworks, whether in your back yard or in some public setting, remember 2 things -- first, after the colorful displays have ended, all that is now left are burned out tubes and ashes, and second, do you care enough about the growing corruption of our beloved republic to do some serious confessing and praying?

"Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy people, and to get dishonest gain. Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, 'Thus says the Lord GOD,' when the LORD had not spoken. The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads," says the Lord GOD. --- Ezekiel 22:26-31