A voice crying out in the wilderness
Thursday, December 21, 2006
I would just like to wish all my family, friends, business associates, and everyone out there a wonderful and Merry Christmas! May the Lord God bless you and keep you safe this New Year.
As for other's, who don't share this world view of this season, the following legal caveat applies:
"Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the generally accepted calendar year 2007, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere, and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishes. By accepting these greetings you are accepting these terms. This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for herself or himself or others, and is void where prohibited by law and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher."
For those who know the reason for the season: Merry Christmas!
Saturday, February 28, 2004
Immediately after creating the Declaration of Independence, the Continental
Congress voted to purchase and import 20,000 copies of Scripture for the
people of this nation. Patrick Henry, who is called the firebrand of the
American Revolution, is still remembered for his words, "Give me liberty or
give me death"; but in current textbooks, the context of these words is
omitted. Here is what he actually said: "An appeal to arms and the God of
hosts is all that is left us. But we shall not fight our battle alone.
There is a just God that presides over the destinies of nations. The
battle, sir, is not to the strong alone. Is life so dear or peace so sweet
as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it Almighty
God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me
liberty, or give me death." These sentences have been erased from our
textbooks. Was Patrick Henry a Christian? The following year, 1776, he
wrote this: "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this
great Nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on
religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, people
of other faiths have been afforded freedom of worship here."
Consider these words that Thomas Jefferson wrote in the front of his
well-worn Bible: "I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the
doctrines of Jesus. I have little doubt that our whole country will soon be
rallied to the unity of our creator." He was also the chairman of the
American Bible Society, which he considered his highest and most important
role. On July 4, 1821, President Adams said, "The highest glory of the
American Revolution was this: "It connected in one indissoluble bond the
principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity."
Calvin Coolidge, our 30th President of the United States reaffirmed this
truth when he wrote, "The foundations of our society and our government
rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to
support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically
universal in our country." In 1782, the United States Congress voted this
resolution: "The Congress of the United States recommends and approves the
Holy Bible for use in all schools." William Holmes McGuffey is the author
of the McGuffey Reader, which was used for over 100 years in our public
schools, with over 125 million copies sold, until it was stopped in 1963.
President Lincoln called him the "Schoolmaster of the Nation." Listen to
these words of Mr. McGuffey: "The Christian religion is the religion of our
country. From it are derived our nation, on the character of God, on the
great moral Governor of the universe. On its doctrines are founded the
peculiarities of our free Institutions. From no source has the author
drawn more conspicuously than from the sacred Scriptures. For all these
extracts from the Bible, I make no apology."
Of the first 108 universities founded in America, 106 were distinctly
Christian, including the first, Harvard University, chartered in 1636. In
the original Harvard Student Handbook, rule number 1 was that students
seeking entrance must know Latin and Greek so that they could study the
Scriptures: "Let every student be plainly instructed and earnestly pressed
to consider well, the main end of his life and studies, is, to know God and
Jesus Christ, which is eternal life, John 17:3; and therefore to lay Jesus
Christ as the only foundation for our children to follow the moral
principles of the Ten Commandments."
James Madison, the primary author of the Constitution of the United States,
said this: "We have staked the whole future of all our political
constitutions upon the capacity of each of ourselves to govern ourselves
according to the moral principles of the Ten Commandments."
Most of what you read in this article has been erased from our textbooks.
Revisionists have rewritten history to remove the truth about our country's
Christian roots. You are encouraged to share this with others, so that the
truth of our nation's history will be told. This information shared is only
a drop of cement to help secure a foundation that is crumbling daily in a
losing war that most of the country doesn't even know is raging on, in, and
around them....
Please share this with as many as possible and make the ill-informed aware
of what they once had.
Miller Delivers Floor Speech on 'Deficit of Decency' in America WASHINGTON
US Senator Zell Miller (D-GA) today delivered the following statement on the
floor of the United States Senate addressing several social issues facing the
country:
"The Old Testament prophet Amos was a sheep herder who lived back in the
Judean hills, away from the larger cities of Bethlehem and Jerusalem.
Compared to the intellectual urbanites like Isaiah and Jeremiah, he was just
an unsophisticated country hick. "But Amos had a unique grasp of political
and social issues and his poetic literary skill was among the best of all the
prophets. That familiar quote of Martin Luther King, Jr. about 'Justice will
rush down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream' are Amos's
words. "Amos was the first to propose the concept of a universal God and not
just some tribal deity. He also wrote that God demanded moral purity, not
rituals and sacrifices.
This blunt speaking moral conscience of his time warns in Chapter 8, verse 11
of The Book of Amos, as if he were speaking to us today: That 'the days will
come, sayeth the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land. Not a
famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the word of the Lord.
'And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east.
They shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find
it.'
'A famine in the land'. Has anyone more accurately described the situation we
face in America today? 'A famine of hearing the words of the Lord.' "But some
will say, Amos was just an Old Testament prophet - a minor one at that - who
lived 700 years before Christ.
That is true, so how about one of the most influential historians of modern
times? "Arnold Toynbee who wrote the acclaimed 12 volume A Study of History,
once declared, 'Of the 22 civilizations that have appeared in history, 19 of
them collapsed when they reached the moral state America is in today.'
"Toynbee died in 1975, before seeing the worst that was yet to come. Yes,
Arnold Toynbee saw the famine. The 'famine of hearing the words of the
Lord'. Whether it is removing a display of the Ten Commandments from a
Courthouse or the Nativity Scene from a city square. Whether it is
eliminating prayer in schools or eliminating 'under God' in the Pledge of
Allegiance. Whether it is making a mockery of the sacred institution of
marriage between a man and woman or, yes, telecasting around the world
made-in-the-USA filth masquerading as entertainment.
"The Culture of Far Left America was displayed in a startling way during
the Super Bowl's now infamous half-time show. A show brought to us courtesy
of Value-Les Moonves and the pagan temple of Viacom-Babylon.
"I asked the question yesterday, how many of you have ever run over a skunk
with your car? I have many times and I can tell you, the stink stays around
for a long time. You can take the car through a car wash and it's still
there. So the scent of this event will long linger in the nostrils of America
"I'm not talking just about an exposed mammary gland with a pull-tab attached
to it.
Really no one should have been too surprised at that. Wouldn't one expect a
bumping, humping, trashy routine entitled 'I'm going to get you naked' to end
that way. "Does any responsible adult ever listen to the words of this
rap-crap? I'd quote you some of it, but the Sergeant of Arms would throw me
out of here, as well he should.
And then there was that prancing, dancing, strutting, rutting guy evidently
suffering from jock itch because he kept yelling and grabbing his crotch. But
then, maybe there's a crotch grabbing culture I've unaware of. "But as bad as
all this was, the thing that yanked my chain the hardest was seeing that
ignoramus with his pointed head stuck up through a hole he had cut in the
flag of the United States of America, screaming about having 'a bottle of
scotch and watching lots of crotch.' Think about that. "This is the same flag
that we pledge allegiance to. This is the flag that is draped over coffins of
dead young uniformed warriors killed while protecting Kid Crock's bony butt.
He should be tarred and feathered, and ridden out of this country on a rail.
Talk about a good reality show, there' s one for you. "The desire and will of
this Congress to meaningfully do anything about any of these so-called social
issues is non-existent and embarrassingly disgraceful. The American people
are waiting and growing impatient with us. They want something done.
"I am pleased to be a co-sponsor of S.J. Res. 26 along with Senator Allard
and others, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States
relating to marriage. And S.1558, the Liberties Restoration Act, which
declares religious liberty rights in several ways, including the Pledge of
Allegiance and the display of the Ten Commandments. And today I join Senator
Shelby and others with the Constitution Restoration Act of 2004 that limits
the jurisdiction of federal courts in certain ways. "In doing so, I stand
shoulder to shoulder not only with my Senate co-sponsors and Chief Justice
Roy Moore of Alabama but, more importantly, with our Founding Fathers in the
conception of religious liberty and the terribly wrong direction our modern
judiciary has taken us in.
"Everyone today seems to think that the U.S. Constitution expressly
provides for separation of church and state. Ask any ten people if that's not
so. And I'll bet you most of them will say 'Well, sure.' And some will point
out, 'it's in the First Amendment.' "Wrong! Read it! It says, 'Congress shall
make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof.' Where is the word 'separate'? Where are the words 'church'
or 'state.'
"They are not there. Never have been. Never intended to be. Read the
Congressional Records during that four-month period in 1789 when the
amendment was being framed in Congress. Clearly their intent was to prohibit
a single denomination in exclusion of all others, whether it was Anglican or
Catholic or some other. "I highly recommend a great book entitled Original
Intent by David Barton It really gets into how the actual members of
Congress, who drafted the First Amendment, expected basic Biblical principles
and values to be present throughout public life and society, not separate
from it. "It was Alexander Hamilton who pointed out that 'judges should be
bound down by strict rules and precedents, which serve to define and point
out their duty.' Bound down!
That is exactly what is needed to be done. There was not a single precedent
cited when school prayer was struck down in 1962. "These judges who legislate
instead of adjudicate, do it without being responsible to one single solitary
voter for their actions.
Among the signers of the Declaration of Independence was a brilliant young
physician from Pennsylvania named Benjamin Rush. "When Rush was elected to
that First Continental Congress, his close friend Benjamin Franklin told him
'We need you. . . we have a great task before us, assigned to us by
Providence.'
Today, 228 years later there is still a great task before us assigned to us
by Providence. Our Founding Fathers did not shirk their duty and we can do no
less.
"By the way, Benjamin Rush was once asked a question that has long interested
this Senator from Georgia in particular. Dr. Rush was asked, are you a
democrat or an aristocrat? And the good doctor answered, 'I am neither '. 'I
am a Christocrat. I believe He, alone, who created and redeemed man is
qualified to govern him.' That reply of Benjamin Rush is just as true today
in the year of our Lord 2004 as it was in the year of our Lord 1776. "So, if
I am asked why - with all the pressing problems this nation faces today - why
am I pushing these social issues and taking the Senate's valuable time? I
will answer: Because, it is of the highest importance. Yes, there's a deficit
to be concerned about in this country, a deficit of decency. "So, as the sand
empties through my hourglass at warp speed - and with my time running out in
this Senate and on this earth, I feel compelled to speak out. For I truly
believe that at times like this, silence is not golden. It's yellow"
Tuesday, January 13, 2004
Only Half Of Protestant Pastors Have A Biblical Worldview
(Ventura, CA)-In his recently released book and a subsequent research
report on worldviews, author and researcher George Barna made waves by
citing statistics showing just 9% of all born again adults and just 7%
of Protestants possess a biblical worldview. That information pricked
people's curiosity regarding the worldviews of the nation's religious
leaders, prompting Barna Research to conduct a national survey on that
topic among Protestant pastors. The numbers are now in - and the outcome
may again shock many people. Read more about it here.
Monday, January 12, 2004
Paul Harvey Comments on "The Passion" by Mel Gibson
The majority of the media are complaining about this movie. Now Paul Harvey
tells "The rest of the story" . Most people would wait and see a movie before giving the reviews that have been issued by the reporters trying to tell all of us what to believe.
Paul Harvey's words:
I really did not know what to expect. I was thrilled to have been invited to
a private viewing of Mel Gibson's film "The Passion," but I had also read
all the cautious articles and spin. I grew up in a Jewish town and owe much
of my own faith journey to the influence. I have a life long, deeply held
aversion to anything that might even indirectly encourage any form of
anti-Semitic thought, language or actions.
I arrived at the private viewing for "The Passion," held in Washington DC
and greeted some familiar faces. The environment was typically
Washingtonian, with people greeting you with a smile but seeming to look
beyond you, having an agenda beyond the words. The film was very briefly
introduced, without fanfare, and then the room darkened. From the gripping
opening scene in the Garden of Gethsemane, to the very human and tender
portrayal of the earthly ministry of Jesus, through the betrayal, the
arrest, the scourging, the way of the cross, the encounter with the thieves,
the surrender on the Cross, until the final scene in the empty tomb, this
was not simply a movie; it was an encounter, unlike anything I have ever
experienced.
In addition to being a masterpiece of film-making and an artistic triumph,
"The Passion" evoked more deep reflection, sorrow and emotional reaction
within me than anything since my wedding, my ordination or the birth of my
children. Frankly, I will never be the same. When the film concluded, this
"invitation only" gathering of "movers and shakers" in Washington, DC were
shaking indeed, but this time from sobbing. I am not sure there was a dry
eye in the place. The crowd that had been glad-handing before the film was
now eerily silent. No one could speak because words were woefully
inadequate. We had experienced a kind of art that is a rarity in life, the
kind that makes heaven touch earth.
One scene in the film has now been forever etched in my mind. A brutalized,
wounded Jesus was soon to fall again under the weight of the cross. His
mother had made her way along the Via Della Rosa. As she ran to him, she
flashed back to a memory of Jesus as a child, falling in the dirt road
outside of their home. Just as she reached to protect him from the fall, she
was now reaching to touch his wounded adult face. Jesus looked at her with
intensely probing and passionately loving eyes (and at all of us through the
screen) and said "Behold I make all things new." These are words taken from
the last Book of the New Testament, the Book of Revelations. Suddenly, the
purpose of the pain was so clear and the wounds, that earlier in the film
had been so difficult to see in His face, His back, indeed all over His
body, became intensely beautiful. They had been borne voluntarily for love.
At the end of the film, after we had all had a chance to recover, a question
and answer period ensued. The unanimous praise for the film, from a rather
diverse crowd, was as astounding as the compliments were effusive. The
questions included the one question that seems to follow this film, even
though it has not yet even been released. "Why is this film considered by
some to be "anti-Semitic?" Frankly, having now experienced (you do not
"view" this film) "the Passion" it is a question that is impossible to
answer. A law professor whom I admire sat in front of me. He raised his hand
and responded "After watching this film, I do not understand how anyone can
insinuate that it even remotely presents that the Jews killed Jesus. It
doesn't." He continued "It made me realize that my sins killed Jesus" I
agree. There is not a scintilla of anti-Semitism to be found anywhere in
this powerful film. If there were, I would be among the first to decry it.
It faithfully tells the Gospel story in a dramatically beautiful, sensitive
and profoundly engaging way.
Those who are alleging otherwise have either not seen the film or have
another agenda behind their protestations. This is not a "Christian" film,
in the sense that it will appeal only to those who identify themselves as
followers of Jesus Christ. It is a deeply human, beautiful story that will
deeply touch all men and women. It is a profound work of art. Yes, its
producer is a Catholic Christian and thankfully has remained faithful to the
Gospel text; if that is no longer acceptable behavior than we are all in
trouble. History demands that we remain faithful to the story and Christians
have a right to tell it. After all, we believe that it is the greatest story
ever told and that its message is for all men and women. The greatest right
is the right to hear the truth.
We would all be well advised to remember that the Gospel narratives to which
"The Passion" is so faithful were written by Jewish men who followed a
Jewish Rabbi whose life and teaching have forever changed the history of the
world. The problem is not the message but those who have distorted it and
used it for hate rather than love. The solution is not to censor the
message, but rather to promote the kind of gift of love that is Mel Gibson's
filmmaking masterpiece, "The Passion." It should be seen by as many people
as possible. I intend to do everything I can to make sure that is the case.
I am passionate about "The Passion." You will be as well. Don't miss it!
Friday, November 22, 2002
Check out these great Links. They are worth your time, study and prayer.
The Elisa List: www.elijahlist.com
The Presidential Prayer Team: www.presidentialprayerteam.org
Koinonia House Online: www.chuckmissler.com
Crosswalk.com: http://new.crosswalk.com/
American Center for Law and Justice: www.aclj.org
Modern Technology has made it possible for countries all over the world to possess the means for controlling their own populations and to threaten other nations with mass destruction. It no longer matters whether a nation is rich or poor, large or small, first world or third world. Almost anyone can make or purchase weapons that 50 years ago could not even be imagined.
FULL ARTICLE: http://www.chuckmissler.com/strategictrends/weapons/situation.html
See also: • Iraq Weapons of Mass Destruction Programs: U.S. Government White Paper, released February 13, 1998 -- http://www.state.gov/www/regions/nea/iraq_white_paper.html
Thursday, September 12, 2002
Reprinted from a recently recieved email. I couldn't have said it better my self...
After hearing that the state of Florida changed its
opinion and let a Muslim woman have her picture
on her drivers license with her face covered, I believe
this is even more appropriate. Read on, please!
This is an Editorial written by an American
citizen, published in a Tampa Newspaper.
He did quite a job; didn't he?
IMMIGRANTS, NOT AMERICANS, MUST ADAPT.
I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we
are offending some individual or their culture.
Since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, we have
experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of
Americans.
However, the dust from the attacks had barely
settled when the "politically correct" crowd began
complaining about the possibility that our patriotism
was offending others.
I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a
grudge against anyone who is seeking a better
life by coming to America. Our population is
almost entirely comprised of descendants of immigrants.
However, there are a few things that those who have
recently come to our country, and apparently some
born here, need to understand.
This idea of America being a multicultural
community has served only to dilute our
sovereignty and our national identity.
As Americans, we have our own culture, our own
society, our own language and our own lifestyle.
This culture has been developed over centuries
of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men
and women who have sought freedom.
We speak ENGLISH, not Spanish, Arabic, Chinese,
Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore,
if you wish to become part of our society, learn the
language!
"In God We Trust" is our national motto. This is
not some Christian, right wing, political slogan.
We adopted this motto because Christian men and
women, on Christian principles, founded this nation,
and this is clearly documented.
It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of
our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you
consider another part of the world as your new home,
because God is part of our culture.
If Stars and Stripes offend you, or you don't like
Uncle Sam, then you should seriously consider a move
to another part of this planet.
We are happy with our culture and have no desire to
change, and we really don't care how you did things
where you came from.
This is OUR COUNTRY, our land, and our lifestyle.
Our First Amendment gives every citizen the right to
express his opinion and we will allow you every
opportunity to do so. But, once you are done
complaining, whining, and griping about our flag,
our pledge, our national motto, or our way of life,
we highly encourage you to take advantage of one
other great American freedoms,
THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.
Wednesday, September 11, 2002
After the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, which
killed six and injured 1,000; President Clinton
promised that those responsible would be hunted
down and punished.
After the 1995 bombing in Saudi Arabia, which killed
five U.S. military personnel; Clinton promised that
those responsible would be hunted down and punished.
After the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi
Arabia, which killed 19 and injured 200 U.S. military
personnel; Clinton promised that those responsible
would be hunted down and punished.
After the 1998 bombing of U.S. embassies in Africa,
which killed 224 and injured 5,000; Clinton promised
that those responsible would be hunted down and
punished.
After the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole, which killed
17 and injured 39 U.S. sailors; Clinton promised that
those responsible would be hunted down and punished.
Maybe if Clinton had kept his promise, an estimated
7,000 people in New York and Washington, D.C. that
are now dead would be alive today.
AN INTERESTING QUESTION:
This question was raised on a Philly radio call-in show.
Without casting stones, it is a legitimate question.
There are two men, both extremely wealthy. One
develops relatively cheap software and gives billions
of dollars to charity. The other sponsors terrorism.
That being the case, why is it that the Clinton
Administration spent more money chasing down Bill
Gates over the past eight years than Osama bin Laden?
THINK ABOUT IT!
It is a strange turn of events. Hillary gets $8 Million
for her forthcoming memoir. Bill gets about $12 Million
for his memoir yet to be written. This from two people
who have spent the past 8 years being unable to recall
anything about past events while under oath!
This woman wants to be president of the United States--
and there is a huge percentage of the voters who are
eager to help her achieve that.
P. S. Please forward this to as many people as you can!
We don't want this woman to even THINK of running
for President.
Remember: The Alamo
Pearl Harbor
9-11-01
The Clinton Years
All Truly American Disasters!!!
Tuesday, August 13, 2002
The office of Homeland Security has issued a terrorism alert.
No details yet...but the alert is for the San Francisco area that there is a "credible threat" of the Golden Gate bridge being targeted for being hit by an aircraft.
This comes from TruthOrFiction.com and the Elijah List as a credible alert.
To subscribe to THE ELIJAH LIST, go to: www.elijahlist.com
or join the 51,000 subscribers by sending a note to: elijahlist3@mindspring.com
Take the time to go through this one when you get the chance. This is very beautiful!
http://168.143.173.209/popup-frame.html
Friday, August 02, 2002
The new Archbishop of Canterbury will be appointed as an honorary Druid in August. The Church doesn't seem to get it does it?
Check out Copper.net as a dial up internet service. Its $9.95 a month (or $99.00 a year for more savings). There are local dial up numbers in most areas. A nice feature is it works without any additional software being loaded on your machine. You just use your browser and email program. This means it will work regardless of Windows version, etc. Let me know if you use it as I can get a referral.
Thursday, August 01, 2002
Giving this blog thing a try!
