The Making of High Quality Apple Butter!

Quote – "When are you going to be making any more of that good apple butter?" (or, "Do you have any more of that good apple butter for sale?") --- summary of inquiries about the annual October apple butter festival in Gipsy PA

I was, and still am, a United Methodist pastor holding ordained elder status in the Western PA Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. I retired after 37 years of active ministry in 1996. Over those years I was pastor of some churches which conducted fund raising events from time to time. In the latter years these usually consisted of dinners and/or bazaar type activities. These were simple to put together and did not require a long period of time, work and preparation.

Three years after retirement I received a phone call from a member of the Gipsy Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) located in Gipsy, Pennsylvania. The people were trying to find a pastor and my name had been passed on to them. I agreed to meet with them to discuss the possibility of working with them as their pastor on a part-time basis. The church is about 27 miles from where our home in the Belsano PA area is located.

In that meeting we reached an agreement with a rather simple “contract” – they can tell me to hit the road any time they want to, and I can walk out the door and never return any time I want to! Annual reporting is also quite simple -- one sheet of paper containing a few numbers given by my church treasurer and some other numbers which I put on it and in about 5 minutes it is on the way to our regional office!

So for nearly 9 years we have been in a ministry involving Gipsy Christian Church. We have been blessed during these years and have seen the church move forward a bit. Some information related to this is given at the church web site, address of which is given below.

One of the activities each fall in October is the making of apple butter the old fashioned way in copper kettles. It is the most ambitious project in which I have ever become involved. It amounts to about 2 weeks or more of preparation until we finally get to the day of our festival, which this year will be on Saturday, October 11, 2008 at our church hall (Gipsy Christian Church Hall) in the village of Gipsy.

We begin with plans outlined by the ladies’ Loyal Berean Class. We travel to Boyer Orchards in south central PA to purchase 42 bushels of a variety of apples, most of which are Macintosh and Cortland. Then these are washed and cut up. We cook them down in turkey cookers and run them through what is known as “squeezos” which extracts seeds and skin, leaving only sauce. Lots of time involved here, but the best is yet to be! At about 4:30 am the fires are started under the kettles which are filled with the sauce and the stirring begins. This is a process that goes on for about 11 or 12 hours with non-stop stirring -- there is always somebody at a kettle moving the paddle back and forth and occasionally in a circular pattern also. Four pennies are in the bottom of each kettle -- these are moved about over the bottom of the kettle by the paddle so that no sticking or scorching of the apple butter will take place. As excess water is boiled off and the sauce thickens, eventually sugar and cinnamon are added. After checking taste and consistency of the now formed apple butter the next stage is canning. The hot apple butter is poured into cans and lids tightened, which will seal upon cooling. It works a bit like an assembly line with each person having a job to do, starting with the filling of each container. Last year we had over 600 jars, consisting of quarts, pints and half-pints. So far this year we have made 7 kettles of apple butter and will be making a partial kettle for demonstration purposes on the day of our festival, October 11th.

It is not that this time consuming project is necessary because the people have to keep the church going with funds received from the festival. Most of the people practice tithing their incomes and the church tithes its income to mission outreach. And from time to time additional support for missions is given beyond the standard tithe taken from the monthly offerings received.

The main benefit is the privilege of working together and the fellowship which results in the congregation truly becoming “family” – the common faith in Jesus Christ which the people share makes this a wonderful experience each year and one to which they look forward with excitement – and perhaps, a little hesitation due to the knowledge of being quite exhausted when the sun finally sets on the day of the festival! But there is a unity of spirit in the venture as the people give liberally of time, abilities and resources. And when the time comes for the sharing of burdens, there is an exhibition of love and concern as the people pray intensely for one another. Likewise, there is much praise given as together we remember how gracious our God has been to all of us.

And then, as time rolls over the coming months, the subject of conversation will again turn to discussion of setting the date and making the plans for the next festival – AND telling people who ask, “Yes, we plan to have some of that good apple butter at our next festival!”

Details of this year’s festival and information related to the church are found at Gipsy Christian Church -- we invite you to stop by if you should be in the area – and be sure to get a jar of apple butter which cannot be duplicated by anything you get in a grocery store anywhere! Oh, yes -- you cannot leave without indulging in some of the delicious food that will be offered and that crowned with a home made apple dumpling or a piece of home made apple pie! Is your mouth watering yet?

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the LORD commanded the blessing; Life forevermore. --- Psalm 133:1-3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have You Let Them Know How You Feel?

SHOULD CONGRESS BAILOUT WALL STREET TO HELP MAIN STREET? --- headline on the Congress.org web site - September 29, 2008

They are poised to vote on the big "bailout" which involves 700 billion dollars. Lots and lots of discussion on this thing in private conversations plus all the media attention. What few people who may stumble on to these comments in this blog will have their thoughts on this.

The big question -- have you contacted your personal representatives in DC -- that is, the senators of your state and the representative of your congressional district?

Lately, I have heard a lot of complaining about the proposed bailout. How many have actually taken the time to phone or write a personal letter to those who will vote on this monster of a debacle?

And the question can be thrown back to the writer of this piece -- have you made contact with them? And the answer is "Yes!" -- surprise, just earlier at a little past 7 AM I talked with a staff member in Represenatative Murtha's office in Washington DC -- the fellow is on duty early this AM -- the senators will have to wait a bit -- their voice mail boxes are FULL! I wonder why!

A good source for running down the names, addresses, phone numbers and fax numbers is found at Congress.org

The bailout will likely pass and the president will sign it. As noted in an earlier post on this subject, it is also likely that the CEO's and upper level management people who demonstrated such irresponsibility in this mess will still hold on to obscene salaries, perks and related benefits -- it will hardly amount to a slap on the wrist in terms of penalty! These scoundrels do have political connections and their contributions will not be forgotten!

But there has to be the maintaining of a vision which reaches far enough into the future to realize that it will not always be like this -- one of these days our Lord Jesus will return to this planet -- and it will be, as framed in the words of the famous Gomer Pyle, "Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!"

So hold on folks -- Jesus will write the last chapter in human history and for those who long for and pray for His soon return, it will be ecstasy indescribable! Even so, come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20).

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. --- Isaiah 9:6, 7

Want to Fix the Country? Only One Place Where It Must Start!

Can They Reach a Deal? Bush presses lawmakers to move quickly on stalled economic bailout plan – stocks fall as bailout talks break down – WaMu seized, assets sold --- Internet headlines on September 26, 2008

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

As of this writing the first effort to reach a “deal” on the 700 billion dollar bailout of those institutions going under for the deadly third time has failed. The president assembled a host of leaders including the major party candidates for president in an attempt to get those billions rolling, but to no avail.

There was no end to the financial “arm chair quarterbacks” and their “expert” comments as to how it should be done as exhibited on cable news channels and sound bites on major network news programs.

So, since “arm chair quarterbacking” is in vogue at the present moment, how about adding one more – a Clarion County PA farm boy who lives out in the sticks – and who never served as a congressman, or a CEO or achieved the distinguished status of a bishop in a mainline denomination, or a district superintendent in the same, or even as a senior pastor of a church with a few thousand members!

Understand that this “formula” for fixing the country has not really been mentioned in all those discussions taking place among the powerful and wealthy leaders of our republic. Rest assured that this "formula" will deliberately be avoided even more so than exposure to the dreaded Bubonic Plague! Leaders in all fields of responsibility want absolutely nothing to do with the necessary action that has to be taken to restore this nation to what it needs to be and must be if it is going to survive!

But let’s mention it anyway – I do so in part in order to fulfill responsibility which I have in regard to the call Jesus Christ has given me and also that nobody will be able to say, “No one said anything about getting things set right with Almighty God.” As an aside, there are personal letters sent to the president, elected officials, media people and church leaders on an ongoing basis which focus on this issue.

In order for this nation to recover from the deadly *“graveyard spiral” in which it presently finds itself, both governing officials and church leaders will have to issue a loud and clear call that the entire nation will have to do something – this action must be top priority, even beyond the 700 billion dollars which has been the focus of attention for days.

*"graveyard spiral" - a term I learned from a friend who was a commercial pilot all his life and it applies to an aircraft spinning out of control with no recovery possible -- end result is a deadly crash!

A nationwide call to repentance from sin must be jointly issued by those who occupy positions of power, wealth and influential leadership. Citizens must respond and also personally pray for God to extend mercy and forgiveness.

Best example as well as words which can be repeated are found in Daniel 9 in Old Testament Scriptures:

Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, "O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments. Neither have we heeded Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings and our princes, to our fathers and all the people of the land. O Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but to us shame of face, as it is this day; to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those near and those far off in all the countries to which You have driven them, because of the unfaithfulness which they have committed against You. O Lord, to us belongs shame of face, to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, because we have sinned against You. To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him. We have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets. Yes, all Israel has transgressed Your law, and has departed so as not to obey Your voice; therefore the curse and the oath written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against Him. And He has confirmed His words, which He spoke against us and against our judges who judged us, by bringing upon us a great disaster; for under the whole heaven such never has been done as what has been done to Jerusalem. As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us; yet we have not made our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities and understand Your truth." --- Daniel 9:3-13

It’s about as plain as it could ever be stated, is it not? But there is a problem – first, too many don’t even want to consider what God wants, much less converse with Him about our national sin problems! Leadership too often is hung up on pride and that never permits one to be honest in admitting to ethical, moral and spiritual failure.

And we are unwilling to make a break with our pet sins – not just on the personal level, but just as critical, on the corporate level!

Here’s how it works – either we as a nation do confess and repent of our sins, or we continue to invite God’s chastising actions as we are now experiencing them and then His devastating judgments, if the chastising times do not produce the desired results!

Do you want the country “fixed?” Have you been talking to Almighty God about it? Or have you been deceived into thinking we humans can fix everything by ourselves, relying on our own abilities and resources?

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah. For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You in a time when You may be found; surely in a flood of great waters they shall not come near him. You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah. --- Psalm 32:1-7

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Can I Really Help a Terminally Ill Patient, If I'm a Terminal Case Myself?

Feds Plan Huge Bank Bailout - Paulsen: Hundreds of billions of dollars needed to address the problem --- Internet news headline, September 19, 2008

They do it again and again – those “bail-outs” of gigantic firms that have gone belly-up financially. And now the latest announcement of the bail out of banks which as Treasurer Secretary Paulson put it – “Hundreds of billions needed to address the problem.” President Bush and various officials are scrambling to deal with the issue as the stock market took a critical nose dive. After announcements of action to continue the "bail out" operation of various companies and financial institutions the stock market took off into the wild blue yonder with a big trail of GREEN! That is, for the time being.

Now there's a question here and it’s a legitimate one – suppose you are in over your eye balls in debt and a relative is on verge of bankruptcy and comes to you for financial help, would you or more importantly, could you give the cash needed to help that relative?

Think for bit -- here’s the federal government bailing out these big businesses, one after another, and “loaning” horrendous amounts of money – how? Our country is over 9 trillion dollars in debt and the hole is being dug deeper and deeper as time passes!

Isn’t this sort of like

• A terminal cancer patient in the last hours of life trying to console and comfort another cancer patient in the same condition as suggested in the title above?
  
  
• A blind man trying to lead another blind man across an eight lane freeway in the middle of rush hour traffic?
  
  
• An alcoholic trying to help another alcoholic recover as together they drink their 3rd bottle of Jack Daniels with 2 more bottles to go?
  
  
• A person who can’t swim jumping out of a boat in water 100 feet deep and trying to rescue another person who is going down for the third time?
  

Now then, if you dare, check what the latest is in regard to our national debt at
National Debt Clock -- use reverse feature to come back to this place. But notice while you are there the fact that this debt translates into over $31,600.00 per citizen in this country. There are other items of information and links at that location.

What is not recognized by high ranking officials in business and government is that money is a most uncertain commodity. Money is also a very powerful false "god" with people and organized groups of one kind or another (banks, companies, corporations, governments at all levels, etc.) willing to do anything and everything to get their hands on huge amounts of it! In fact, money may be the false "god" that holds sway over greater numbers of people in this country and in this world than any other "god" or "goddess."

Therefore the person applying common sense coupled with a keen sensitivity to spiritual reality recognizes that the true and living God Who created this vast universe by spoken command will at a time determined by Him bring judgment on the false deities which humans have established for themselves -- and this includes the "god" of money! In fact God has made a statement to the effect that He will "famish" the "gods" of this world.

And since I'm in a rather good mood at this point in time, I'll let you hunt that statement up -- I'll even help you by giving a hint -- it's in the Old Testament! There, I've narrowed it down for you -- really, I'm a nice guy, however there are times when people just won't let me be nice!

But alas! I digress -- while the U. S. government will appear to be successful for a time in "shoring up" the finances of the country, just keep in mind that it is like trying to shore up a mine shaft with timbers riddled by termites! Or to put it another way, it's like the government flushing money down an object that is considered an absolute necessity in every home!

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

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

Do You See the Red Flags Flying When Hollywood Jumps on the Bandwagon?

Hollywood's A-list was out in force at a fundraiser for Barack Obama with stars including Leonardo DiCaprio helping to amass an estimated USD 9 million for the Democrat's White House campaign. A dinner in a Beverly Hills mansion costing about 300 attendees USD 28,500 each also attracted director Steven Spielberg along with a bevy of actors such as Jodie Foster and Tobey Maguire, and comedian Chris Rock, reporters saw….. Singer-actress Barbra Streisand crooned at a USD 2,500 per-head reception at the swanky Beverly Wilshire hotel after the dinner, where the stars ate goat's cheese, roasted potatoes, filet mignon and asparagus. --- from Internet news release of September 17, 2008

Do you see those red flags flying – in fact, it’s like a sea of red waving in the breeze, is it not? Why are they there? Didn’t you know? Hollywood is jumping on B. O.’s bandwagon – it’s like a mass stampede!

It was reported on September 17, 2008 that B. O. attended a fund raising event at a Beverly Hills mansion in which those present paid $28,500.00 each to be in the presence of the Democratic presidential candidate. Later in the evening Barbara Streisand sang at the Beverly Wilshire hotel where many of the Hollywood elite were present. Again, raising money to help B. O. get into the White House in January 2009 was the objective.

It is estimated that 9 million dollars came into the Democrat Party’s pocketbook in these two gatherings and if so, would set a fund raising record for one night.

Why mention of the red flags – a kind of warning to us citizens in the republic of the U. S. A?

Keep in mind the following about the Hollywood bunch:

• they have made more than a tid-bit amount of contribution to the moral corruption of our culture by their example of playing musical beds and conceiving children out of wedlock accompanied by drug and alcohol abuse! All this amounts to a ton of grist for the rag sheets at check out counters which are gobbled up by people of all ages.
  
  
• they have manufactured what is supposed to be “entertainment” which is packed full of excessive violence, sexual immorality, and foul language including almost non-stop usage of the infamous “f” word!
  
  
• by lifestyle and life accomplishments in their works they have had an extremely negative impact on our culture, especially our youth and children. It’s been like feeding the young a daily diet of poison with the final result being their destruction.
  
  
• philosophically, these people have egos which make Mt. Everest look like a tiny mole hill by way of comparison and a world view which intentionally ignores the claims and call of a holy God Who created this mighty universe for His pleasure and purposes. If they took those claims and call seriously, the example they set and the work in which they are involved would be as different as a bright sunny day is from night at the midnight hour!
  

There are those who would quickly try to defend Hollywood to a point by saying there are some who do not live as described above and there are some who are involved in the producing of G-rated films etc. Granted, there a very few who may fall into this class, but it’s a bit like giving me a drink with a lot of arsenic and strychnine in it – you tell me those two ingredients are in the drink, but also quickly add that there are some vitamins also in the mixture and these are good for me! Thank you, no, but I don’t believe I will be helped because there are a few “good” things in such a deadly drink!

For the person who gives some thought to the issue – what Hollywood gets excited about, and is willing to pour millions of dollars into an “agenda,” is it good for us or will it lead to ultimate disaster further down the road?

"You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice." --- Exodus 23:2