Why Fly a Shredded Flag?

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

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

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

And why is that, you may ask?

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

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

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

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

Some Refer to It As "Sextra Credit" -- Teachers in Sexual Relationships with Students!

NBC made a big deal out of what they called "Catching a Predator" -- that is, setting up the bait via computer and snaring a guy who thought he'd get a young teen-aged girl to be sexually intimate in some way with him! With cameras in focus the guy comes to the house where the alleged "target" of his raging hormones was supposedly living -- the host of the program confronts him in a dramatic way and then as the guy leaves a bunch of cops nail him as if he were carrying a couple of AK-47 assault rifles and enough ammo to hold off an army -- the guy is thrown to the sidewalk with cops covering him as thick as 2" icing on a chocolate cake!

But as usual, NBC is only consistent in its inconsistency as are most of those TV networks! What they don't even whisper about is something going on in schools across the country involving some teachers and students. But then, they couldn't stage this thing as they do the "predator" series and it would be rough to have a bunch of cops throwing an attractive school teacher to the ground in case she too was carrying an AK-47 in her bra!

WorldNetDaily.com has given time and space to this growing problem -- teachers sexually involved with students, with some of those students just reaching their mid-teens in age!

But something else stands out worse than the proverbial "sore thumb" in this growing epidemic and that is the way the court system deals with these offenders. They are very rarely ever considered sexual predators and more often than not a judge will let them off very lightly when it comes to sentencing as though to suggest, "You naughty little girl -- you shouldn't do things like that, so I'll put you on probation for a while and you can think about what you did!"

Go ahead -- check it out at The big list: Female teachers with students You'll find that the "justice system" is weighed in the balances and found to be very much wanting on this moral catastrophe of the first magnitude!

So we have an avalanche of questions -- how can these things happen? Can't these teachers control themselves? And if they are married, what's wrong that they would betray their husbands for an encounter in the back seat of the family sedan with a teen-ager?

One thing we have not really come to honestly confront in our culture as it wavers on its very unsteady foundation of spiritual, moral, and ethical sand -- we have had a good solid 4 decades+ of preaching that "Sex is fun with anyone or more than one anyone at the same time, anywhere, and at any time we may feel so overwhelmed with our carnal appetites!"

This cesspool level morality has come at us through the avenues of Hollywood films, TV programming, popular magazines, and books. There are those "talk shows" which delight in getting into this subject as well -- it always makes for big, big ratings! It has been demonstrated at a high profile level by noted celebrities as their bedroom antics are chronicled for us -- who is sleeping with whom and how many kids have been comceived in these romps which take place on a non-stop basis!

In far too many ways, it's still a "Monkey see, monkey do!" culture -- especially when it comes to this fascinating and very powerful part of us which is referred to as "human sexuality!"

Will we ever get turned around 180 degrees and begin to take seriously what our Creator has revealed about responsibility regarding sexual expression and experience? Will we as a culture really seek to know and then live within the boundaries Almighty God has established when it comes to this thing commonly referred to as "sex?"

Evidence at this point is unmistakably clear that we, as a nation, would rather give God an obscene gesture, find the nearest bed or whatever, and continue our mad dash to a judgment that human words cannot begin to describe and the human mind is totally incapable of beginning to understand!

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. --- 1 John 2:15-17

Have You Graduated Beyond the Bunnies & Eggs Thing?

Just as it is at Christmas time, the competition is fierce -- ads coming at you in all directions trying to persuade you to buy new clothes and lots of sweet stuff as you prepare for Easter. Of course those selling other kinds of merchandise are reminding you that it's spring time and you need a lot of their products for making it a much better spring than you've ever had before! And if you're hurting for some reason -- maybe you skinned your toe on your neighbor's uneven sidewalk, there's a zillion lawyers out there with repulsive ads telling you to sue and get "the money you deserve for your pain and suffering!" That way you can give your neighbor an Easter present he won't ever forget.

What is your reason for celebrating Easter, if you have managed to move beyond such stuff as that mentioned above? Are you able to lift your vision far beyond the little bunnies, chickens, and eggs -- the jelly beans and the flowers?

After gazing for a time on a central cross outside the city of Jerusalem with the body impaled upon it now removed, are you a bit excited? Does the excitement become more intense as you remember again that the grave was unable to hold Him in its deadly grip and that Jesus came out of that tomb three days after His slow and painful death on a Roman cross?


Even within churches claiming to be identified with the Christian faith there has at times been skepticism displayed when it comes to the literal bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. For a few of us, that comes as no surprise -- each century has produced a number who seem to take delight in denying that Jesus is alive, but our response is simple -- "You are badly mistaken -- I'm in daily contact with Him and we have conversation about many things. You can't carry on conversation with a dead person successfully!"

Let the skeptics ramble on in their blindness and stupidity, we know better as we continue to walk in fellowship with Him Who is King of kings and Lord of lords! So this Easter, let's check our vision again -- how far can we see? Do we see Him Who was dead for a brief moment and placed in a stone tomb, but is now alive and some day in the future will return to rule this world forever?

"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. And where I go you know, and the way you know." Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." --- John 14:1-6

If you are still at the bunny, chicks, eggs, and chocolate level, slip on over and take a look at How to Become a Christian -- you life just might be changed forever!

Why Did He Do It?

Want to upset some people in a split second? Just ask them to tell you why Jesus Christ died on a Roman cross! Of course, this assumes a rather important fact -- that you know beforehand by personal experience as to the reason, and that you haven't fallen for some of the heresy floating around this world as to why Jesus was executed on that cross.

Be aware that some of the heresy has penetrated the ranks of those who claim to be Christian in faith! There are those who say Jesus was just an ordinary human being such as you and I, and not God in human form -- that He set a rather noble example for us to follow and that is about the extent of it -- oh yes, He taught some pretty good principles which we should try to practice, if we should feel inclined to do so! And the main reason He ended up on a Roman cross as a common criminal is that He caused some trouble and if He had been smart, He would have kept His mouth shut and high-tailed it out of town, avoiding all that confrontation stuff!

Let's consult the divinely inspired record as to what it was all about -- just read a few statements which spell it all out:

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. --- 1 Timothy 1:15

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures....--- 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4

For the love of Christ constrains us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. --- 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: "Who committed no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth"; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. --- 1 Peter 2:21-25

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (satisfaction) for our sins. --- 1 John 4:10

Today is Good Friday -- a very special day for those who are followers of Jesus Christ, as we remember again His sacrifice of Himself on our behalf, give thanks and praise, and renew our commitment to do His will each day so long as He gives us breath to live in this world.

What does it mean to you?

Review How to Become a Christian and give thanks again for God's overwhelming love for each of us.

Have a glorious time this Sunday in celebrating Jesus' victory over sin, death, and Satan and his forces on our behalf!

And Here's Nancy P. -- AGAIN!

As each day passes it becomes more obvious that Nancy Pelosi and her cohorts are going to save us from ourselves whether we like it or not, and that we harbor absolutely no desire for such actions on her part!

And she is certainly taking advantage of her new position and power as Speaker of the House of Reps in Washington DC as never before in the few weeks since assuming that office along with making a host of braggadocio statements which have continued unabated to this day!

Off again on a high profile junket [def: to go on a junket or excursion. especially one paid for out of public funds] to the Middle East and "conversations" with Syrian President Bashar. This debacle does not sit well with the Bush Administration. But Nancy P. is on a mission not only to save us, but to save the whole world! And you know who is paying the tab for all these shenanigans, do you not? Why this gal will spend the last copper cent you have in your pocket and never blink an eyeball in the process!

While she, as have others who preceded her on such ventures, will consider herself an expert now on Middle East issues because she has been there and talked to people, she will not face up to at least two main facts:

• First, the reality of what Islam is about -- it is NOT a compromising religion nor is it tolerant of other religions, including Christianity. Because it is not in control and is not dominant here in the United States, a twisted picture has been painted of Islam -- but due to compromising here in the United States and a "tolerance" expressed by those who claim to be Muslim, it has become corrupted as has many segments of Christianity which also has its problems with compromise and toleration of what God has clearly denounced and condemned!
  
  In light of the books which are considered sacred and authoritative to their respective faiths, Islam and Christianity envision a world in which each is the exclusive faith -- they are totally incompatible with each other. Anyone who is not a Muslim is considered an unbeliever or an infidel, and likewise with Christianity -- one who has not received Jesus Christ is regarded as a sinner and under condemnation. The contrast in approaching unbelief is as different as day and night -- the approach of Christianity is a message of love and an appeal to turn from sin and receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord -- no gun to the head nor knife to the throat! If the message is rejected, so be it -- no retaliation is carried out if the message is refused. But in Islam deadly force can be used against infidels if they refuse to become Muslims in their faith and renounce all other religious practices, including Christianity! It is well known that in those nations where Islam is in total control such as Iraq, Iran and Saudi Arabia, Christianity is not permitted to be practiced openly. U.S. politicians have yet to wake up to this reality!
  
  
• Second, Nancy P. and the rest of the crowd in DC (and politicians in our state capitols as well) fail to realize that the blessing of God has been withdrawn from this nation in terms of the prestige and respect it used to hold throughout the entire world! We literally are on our own now -- no longer can we say that we have the blessing of God upon us in our world involvements, including our military actions! There will be those who will object vehemently to this suggestion, but think for a moment -- when was the last time the United States had a decisive military victory where the terms were unconditional surrender and those who were the enemy signed the documents without one single word of "negotiation?" There is also the evidence that since the politicians have handcuffed military commanders and have tried to dictate how the military is to do its "job" things have unraveled considerably as opposed to how military commanders operated in WW II and started to in Korea until Truman "fired" General MacArthur, and you remember how the Korean "police action" turned out, do you not?
  
  We are witnessing in a number of ways the truth of what happened to another nation at another time long, long ago -- here is how it is stated:
  

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. Look, the princes of Israel: each one has used his power to shed blood in you. In you they have made light of father and mother; in your midst they have oppressed the stranger; in you they have mistreated the fatherless and the widow. You have despised My holy things and profaned My Sabbaths. In you are men who slander to cause bloodshed; in you are those who eat on the mountains; in your midst they commit lewdness. In you men uncover their fathers' nakedness; in you they violate women who are set apart during their impurity. One commits abomination with his neighbor's wife; another lewdly defiles his daughter-in-law; and another in you violates his sister, his father's daughter. In you they take bribes to shed blood; you take usury and increase; you have made profit from your neighbors by extortion, and have forgotten Me," says the Lord GOD. "Behold, therefore, I beat My fists at the dishonest profit which you have made, and at the bloodshed which has been in your midst. Can your heart endure, or can your hands remain strong, in the days when I shall deal with you? I, the LORD, have spoken, and will do it. I will scatter you among the nations, disperse you throughout the countries, and remove your filthiness completely from you. You shall defile yourself in the sight of the nations; then you shall know that I am the LORD."' --- Ezekiel 22:1-16

Be assured that Nancy P. and all the others will keep right on doing what they have been doing -- basically, "...it's my way (for me and my party) and whatever it takes financially (more taxes) and more spending (we will spend our way to prosperity) and more debt (we'll ignore that) and obscene campaigning (millions upon millions of dollars) to be reelected and then hope U. S. citizens believe our propaganda about what great things we have done for the country!"

As noted at my web site previously -- there is good news in this colossal political mess -- a day is coming when ALL politicians will be out of a job -- in a sense, tossed out on their ear! Yes even Nancy P., Hillary C., Barack O., George B., Dick C., John M., Mitt R., -- well, you get the picture, do you not? Read about it at
Good News! A Day Coming in Which All Politicians Will Be Removed from Office! Just think, it'll be a great time -- I can hardly wait -- it's sort of like a 6 year-old waiting for Christmas on December 24th with excitement building like a giant snowball rolling down a slope!

Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the LORD shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure: "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, ' 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.'" --- Psalm 2:1-9

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

It's No Longer "Here Comes the Judge" But Look Out, Here Comes the Bishop!

Last summer following a lot of intensive meetings and "campaigning" the Western PA Conference of the United Methodist Church adopted a massive program under the name of "Believe Again!" -- this "strategic plan," which is quite possibly the most ambitious project ever launched by a conference, is supposed to bring about all kinds of results which will make United Methodist churches in the western third of PA more high profile and powerful in their ministries. Bishop Thomas Bickerton has been the spark plug in this venture which in some ways would make a Washington DC politician envious at the structure, the details, and the financing involved!

Here's the kicker -- most of the churches were to get a nice refund on payments previously sent in on pastors' health plans. Want to guess who came up with the bright idea to have those churches receiving reimbursements to sign the checks and turn them over to help finance this great "Believe Again!" campaign?

The pressure was about as high as it could get without blowing a valve -- not just on congregations but even worse, on the pastors also! Turn those reimbursements over to the "campaign!" Most seemed to go along, but some chose not to financially commit and to not turn over the reimbursement money they had received. Isn't this still supposed to be a republic where choices can be made without a lot of pressure to make a choice in favor of what certain leaders WANT??? Not if you are in a certain denomination and you have leaders who expect pastors and their congregations to march in lockstep like a bunch of programmed robots to their every demand!

Now the word is out that those non participating congregations are going to be asked to "reconsider" their decision about not contributing to the "cause" -- and then the bishop wants to meet with pastors and lay leadership to discuss why the congregations have not responded!

Will these actually be meetings where the bishop, smiling from ear to ear, attaches the strings and the Western PA Conference will reach the point where all the bishop has to do is yank the strings and ALL pastors and ALL congregations say, "Yes, sir -- whatever you say, sir -- your suggestions are our commands to carry out without question or objection!" Remember now, this will be done under a pretense of "piety" but with a not so well concealed threat that "if you don't pay now to the 'cause,' you'll pay a price later on down the road!" Retaliation has been known to have been employed in cases where pastors and/or congregations failed to "cooperate" when expected to do so!

BTW, you can see some comments about this "Believe Again!" campaign now underway in the United Methodist Churches in western Pennsylvania at Believe Again! OK! But What Is It That I Am Supposed to Believe? It has been written by yours truly. Enjoy!


On second thought, maybe someone can revive those old wringer washers from the age of antiquity and run those reluctant UMC congregations and their pastors through the wringer -- that should get every last cent out of them for the "campaign" with an additional "perk" wherein we can brag on 100 percent cooperation and support as we "Believe Again!"

And always remember -- intimidation is alive and thriving among the churches of the Western PA Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church -- would some of our brethren in the priesthood of the Roman Catholic Church please come give it the last rites? It's long over due!