REAL AND PRESENT DANGER

From My Perspective - - -

Question: Does the UNFAMILIAR equal the IMPROBABLE? FOX NEWS has developed a new interactive Website – www.foxnation.com – where the public can respond to different topics and news events. On that Webpage today, Newt Gingrich, former House Speaker and now a FOX News Contributor, has written: America at Risk: Two Novels President Obama Should Read. He writes, “Alex Berenson and William R. Forstchen have written two bold new novels which warn us that America is threatened by new weapons and new threats which seem unthinkable to our national leadership. Berenson’s THE SILENT MAN and Forstchen’s ONE SECOND AFTER describe truly catastrophic threats to America. These are not threats of suicide bombers, snipers, or even airplanes hitting buildings and killing thousands. We have two new novels which warn us of the catastrophic dangers which face America…Before you dismiss such writing as overblown or exaggerated, remember all the people who wondered after 9/11 why no one had thought of it — or even those who wondered after Pearl Harbor why we were taken by surprise. These are threats that could destroy American freedom as we have known it and possibly even destroy America as an organized productive civilization. Berenson writes about an Islamist suicide bombing group trying to use a nuclear weapon to destroy the Capitol during a State of the Union speech. Forstchen writes about an Electromagnetic Pulse attack which could come today from North Korea, Pakistan, Iran, Russia or China.” The questions are (a) What would an enemy use? And (b) How would they be able to make it happen?

“Berenson demonstrates convincingly that a crude Hiroshima-level atomic bomb is potentially attainable by terrorists for detonation within the United States. This would create an impossible security problem for a State of the Union scenario. Recent urban nuclear attack simulations run by William Bell and Cham Dallas and published in the International Journal of Health Geographics show thermal and fallout impacts from surface detonations of “primitive” 20 kiloton atomic bombs with horrific fatality plumes and mass casualties for urban cities. Forstchen accurately captures the horrendous implications of an electromagnetic pulse attack. EMP can be the product of a relatively low yield nuclear weapon if it is designed correctly. EMP effects have been known for at least 50 years. High altitude tests in the Johnston Atoll in 1962 resulted in electrical disruptions and equipment failures in Honolulu nearly a thousand miles away. A serious EMP attack would wipe out most-if-not-all electricity generation-&-transmission capabilities within its effective range (which could extend across the North American continent) and could incapacitate all electricity using-equipments including automobiles, radios and TVs, refrigerators, etc…most all American equipment is…very vulnerable…As Nobelist Tom Schelling memorably remarked long ago: There is a tendency in our planning to confuse the unfamiliar with the improbable. The contingency we have not considered looks strange; what looks strange is thought improbable; what is improbable need not be taken seriously.”

Consider these things with me - - - In Matthew 24:37-44, Jesus Christ says: “For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man…” In that day, something “unfamiliar” was about to occur – prolonged and heavy rainfall, and unprecedented flooding. Since it was “unfamiliar”, it became easy for the people of that day to consider it as “improbable”! This allowed them to scoff, ridicule, demean and disbelieve the unfamiliar. However, they did so to their peril. Jesus uses that event to make the following application: “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man…” The people in Noah’s day experienced both the unfamiliar and the improbable in a drastic way. Jesus goes on to say: “Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming…you must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect…” Do you want to be among those who choose to ignore the warnings and indications of real and present dangers? Will you risk the looming peril by relegating it to the unfamiliar and the improbable? When ways and means of escape are available, is it wise to ignore, disregard and refuse to accept them? Don’t wait until it is too late!

RENOUNCEMENT AND REPUDIATION

From My Perspective - - -

The process of renouncement occurs when one decides to – “to give up or put aside voluntarily; to give up by formal declaration; to repudiate; disown…” In this regard, the following article was published by BREITBART.COM entitled: “FOLLOWING ATHEIST TREND, BRITONS SEEK 'DE-BAPTISM'…” The summary of this action is: “More than 100,000 Britons have recently downloaded ‘certificates of de-baptism’ from the Internet to renounce their Christian faith. The initiative launched by a group called the National Secular Society (NSS) follows atheist campaigns here and elsewhere, including a London bus poster which triggered protests by proclaiming – ‘There's probably no God.’ De-baptism organizers say the initiative is a response to what they see as increasing stridency from churches -- the latest last week when Pope Benedict XVI stirred global controversy on a trip to AIDS-ravaged Africa by saying condom use could further the spread of the disease. The (Roman) Catholic Church is so politically active at the moment that I think that is where the hostility is coming from…In Catholic countries there is a very strong feeling of wanting to punish the church by leaving it. In Britain, where government figures say nearly 72 percent of the population list themselves as Christian, it is believed this ‘hostility’ is fueling the de-baptism movement…”

This movement is gaining international traction and momentum. The report continues: “We are in an interesting climate where Catholicism and other belief systems have moved into the public, pluralist arena, alongside secularists,…De-baptism movements have already sprung up in other countries. In Spain, the high court ruled in favor of a man from Valencia…saying that under data protection laws he could have the record of his baptism erased, according to a report in the International Herald Tribune. Similarly, the Italian Union of Rationalists and Agnostics (UAAR) won a legal battle over the right to file for de-baptism in 2002, according to media reports. The group's website carries a ‘de-baptism’ form to facilitate matters. According to UAAR secretary…more than 60,000 of these forms have been downloaded in the past four years and continue to be downloaded at a rate of about 2,000 per month. Another 1,000 were downloaded in one day when the group held its first national de-baptism day last October 25 (2008)…”.

The issue should not be defined and/or construed as one focusing on Infant Baptism (or Christening in some Churches) versus Age of Accountability and/or Adult Baptism. The issue is the Renunciation of any Christian identity in any so-called Christian Church. When the identity is with the Humanist/Secularist/Atheistic cause and movement, the Renouncing or Rescinding of one’s Baptism is merely an expression or token action that is far more significant than how one was baptized. It is an attempted Repudiation of any (a) belief in the Eternal God, and (b) asserting there is no reality or relationship to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. This is obvious from the reference to the bus poster in England: “There's probably no God.” This issue is present in our own nation as well, and has been for some time. The attack has been to remove “under God” from our Pledge of Allegiance, and “In God We Trust” from our currency. There has been some success on the part of this movement in terms of Nativity Scene Displays and the Singing of Christmas Carols.

Consider these things with me - - - Once Prayer, Bible Reading, Reference to God is removed from our society and culture, what will replace those meaningful realities? What will fill the void such action will cause in our society and culture? What about the soul/spirit of a person – what will replace God and Jesus Christ? Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 is a very meaningful passage. In verses 11 through 15 we read: “He has made everything beautiful in its time. HE HAS ALSO SET ETERNITY IN THE HEARTS OF MEN; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end…I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him…” The best a Secularist, or Humanist, or Atheist can do is to seek to eradicate God from Society and Culture. They can also personally deny Him. However – they cannot and will not destroy God. One day, they will have to bow down and acknowledge that Jesus Christ Is Lord to the Glory of God the Father – but – it will then be too late for them to repent, or to expunge their Renouncements or Repudiations.

AVARICE AND INDIFFERENCE

From My Perspective - - -

To say, we are living in uncertain and strange times, would be sharing a gross understatement. On the one hand, we have a nation who failed to pay attention and was indifferent when avarice (the insatiable greed for riches; inordinate, miserly desire to gain and hoard wealth) was rampant; while on the other hand, overreacting and over-reaching with proposed budgets and expenditures that are beyond imagination or comprehension. A British Member of Parliament addressed the Prime Minister while Parliament was in session and stated: “You can’t spend your way out of recession, or borrow your way out of debt!” However, on this side of the Ocean, we ignore that very sound principle.

Most have heard the saying: “Nero fiddled while Rome burned!” In our own way, the US Senate may be fiddling while the nation is drowning in debt and bankruptcy. What is the focus of the US Senate? In part, the Headline and Associated Press Report gives some indication. The Report states: “SENATE REVIEWING HOW COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS NO. 1” - Mar 25 03:47 PM US/Eastern By FREDERIC J. FROMMER… “Everyone from President Barack Obama on down to fans has criticized how college football determines its top team. Now senators are getting off the sidelines to examine antitrust issues involving the Bowl Champion Series. The current system "leaves nearly half of all the teams in college football at a competitive disadvantage when it comes to qualifying for the millions of dollars paid out every year," the Senate Judiciary's subcommittee on antitrust, competition policy and consumer rights said in a statement Wednesday announcing the hearings. Under the BCS, some conferences get automatic bids to participate in series, while others do not. Obama and some members of Congress favor a playoff-type system to determine the national champion. The BCS features a championship game between the two top teams in the BCS standings, based on two polls and six computer ratings. Behind the push for the hearings is the subcommittee's top Republican, Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah. People there were furious that Utah was bypassed for the national championship despite going undefeated in the regular season…”

Meanwhile, The President spoke about a topic of concern for the upcoming G 20 Conference to be held in London on April 2. He commented: “We have an economic, security, and moral obligation to extend a hand to countries and people who face the greatest risk…“If we turn our backs on them, the suffering caused by this crisis will be enlarged, and our own recovering will be delayed because markets for our goods will shrink further and more American jobs will be lost…The G-20 should quickly deploy resources to stabilize emerging markets, substantially boost the emergency capacity of the International Monetary Fund and help regional development banks accelerate lending…Meanwhile, America will support new and meaningful investments in food security that can help the poorest weather the difficult days that will come.” The question is: “How, Mr. President?” we have already ignored the sage advice of a British Member of Parliament: “You can’t spend your way out of recession, or borrow your way out of debt.”

Consider these things with me - - - Whether it was actual or not, Former President Bill Clinton’s statement: “I feel your pain!”, resonated with the poor and needy. In a similar way, there needs to be a greater sensitivity to and implementation of James 2:14-18 (The Message) “Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, ‘Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!’ and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup - where does that get you? Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense? I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I'll handle the works department. Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove…” We cannot allow avarice or indifference to prevent our responsible care and action toward those with genuine cares and needs! It’s true that we cannot help everyone, but at least we can assist as many as we can – by God’s Grace.

OBFUSCATION

From My Perspective - - -

Obfuscation is defined by The American Heritage Dictionary as: “To make so confused or opaque as to be difficult to perceive or understand…To render indistinct or dim; darken…” In a caustic sense, it is tempting to allow that as a better description of the Houses of Congress – the Houses of Obfuscation. Few of our circumlocutious politicians can give a simple cogent response to a direct question. They all have their “spin” and/or “talking-points” so well defined that they just parrot out their responses regardless of the question posed. It comes across as programmed, Washington-Speak, unclear diatribe. It has become all too easy to both ignore and turn off those who comment in such a manner.

During the program, 60 Minutes, there was a rare and poignant moment. Steve Kroft was interviewing President Obama regarding the economy, recession factors, etc. The President responded to a couple of the inquiries with laughter. POLITICO reports the moment in this way: “ President Barack Obama said he believes the global financial system remains at risk of implosion with the failure of Citigroup or AIG, which could touch off “an even more destructive recession and potentially depression. His remarks came in a 60 Minutes interview in which he was pressed by Steve Kroft for laughing and chuckling several times while discussing the perilous state of the world’s economy. You're sitting here. And you're— you are laughing. You are laughing about some of these problems. Are people going to look at this and say, ‘I mean, he's sitting there just making jokes about money—’ How do you deal with— I mean: explain….” The article goes on to state: “…Are you punch-drunk? Kroft said. ‘No, no. There's gotta be a little gallows humor to get you through the day,’ Obama said, with a laugh…”

One wonders if its construed as “gallows humor” by those whose employment is ended; savings accounts shrinking; investments lost; foreclosure possibility; recession obvious; fear of depression looming – where is the humor – gallows or otherwise – Mr. President. When our nation is stampeding toward bankruptcy and an uncertain future for the next generation – where is the humor, Mr. President? What is the “punch line”? Why is it so few are laughing? If its funny, why are so many anguished? Please! Explain the punch-line for us! One commentator mused: I guess I’ll have to retire on 40% of what I thought I had! Is that the joke, Mr. President? In case you haven’t noticed, no one is laughing!

Consider these things with me - - - It would be good if our nation could remember how good God has been to this nation and the abundance of His Blessings upon us. To forget this goodness and blessing is to relegate oneself into the realm of the foolish. Basically, a fool is one who “despises wisdom and walks in folly.” “The word for ‘fool’ is used in Scripture with respect to moral more than to intellectual deficiencies - The 'fool' is not so much lacking in mental powers, as one who misuses them. In Scripture the 'fool'...is the person who casts off the fear of God, and thinks and acts as if he could safely disregard the eternal principles of God's righteousness. Essentially, a fool thus chooses to disregard God and His wisdom (Unger’s Bible Dictionary).” Proverbs 12:15 states: “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.” And Proverbs 28:26 adds, “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, “But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.” It would be good to take note of a Proverbs 26:1-12. This section of Scripture addresses the subject of a “fool” and concludes with this declaration: “Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” We don’t need to travel this road as individuals or as a nation. We still have opportunity to return to the Lord Who stands ready to show us His mercy and His pardon. The fool will say: “There is no God! (Psalm 14:1)” The wise will Come To Jesus where there’s still room at the Cross for you!

DOZENS OF ZEROES

From My Perspective - - -

The International Herald Tribune, The Global Edition of the New York Times features this headline for Saturday, March 21st, 2009 – “OBAMA BUDGET PROJECTED AT $9.3 TRILLION IN NEXT 10 YEARS.” The gist of the article is: “President Barack Obama's budget proposals, if carried out, would produce a staggering $9.3 trillion in total deficits over the next decade, much more than the White House has predicted, the Congressional Budget Office said on Friday. The office's estimates of deficits in the fiscal years 2010 through 2019 "exceed those anticipated by the administration by $2.3 trillion. The deficits under the Obama plan would be $4.9 trillion more than the projected deficits if there were no changes in current laws and policies — what the nonpartisan budget office calls its baseline assumption…”

Several years ago, a crusty and gravelly-voiced Senator from Illinois – Everett McKinley Dirksen – remarked: “A million here, a million there, and pretty soon you're talking about real money.” Also, “I have said, with respect to authorization bills, that I do not want the Congress or the country to commit fiscal suicide on the installment plan.” And, “We are becoming so accustomed to millions and billions of dollars that thousands has almost passed out of the dictionary.” One wonders what this Senator might comment as we head toward “gazillions” (an extremely large, indeterminate number) with very little restraint and/or fiscal discipline. As a matter of fact, rationalization abounds and fiscal denial reigns. Even though “President Obama's budget director, Peter R. Orszag, conceded in a news briefing on Friday that annual deficits of 4 to 5 percent of gross domestic product, as envisioned in the office's report, are ultimately not sustainable", there seems to be no one allowing that bankruptcy is too close to be ignored. As a matter of fact, “Mr. Orszag insisted that administration officials remain confident in what he called the four key principles of the president's budget outline: (1) health care reform, (2) improvements in education, (3) energy efficiency, and (4) reducing the annual deficit in half by the end of the president's first term from the extraordinary levels it has suddenly reached because of the bailout and stimulus spending this year.” Even though “the startling new figures have enormous implications, political as well as fiscal…”, one wonders whether any definitive action will occur when the president's $3.6 trillion budget proposal for the next fiscal year, which begins in October, must be debated and approved.

Consider these things with me - - - Christian Financial Concepts shares the following sound counsel: “What does the Bible say about managing money? The answer can be summarized with a single word—wisdom. We are to be wise with our money. We are to save money, but not hoard it. We are to spend money, but with discretion and control. We are to give back to the Lord, joyfully and sacrificially. We are to use our money to help others, but with discernment and the guidance of God’s Spirit. It is not wrong to be rich, but it is wrong to love money. It is not wrong to be poor, but it is wrong to waste money on trivial things. The Bible’s consistent message on managing money is to be wise.” And to those who desire money but decline to be gainfully employed, Proverbs 6:6-11 declares: “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. What does this ultimately mean from those who are impoverished and/or deeply indebted? The word of caution is in Proverbs 22:7, “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” The overall advice that is given by Crown Financial or Dave Ramsey involves (a) find employment that will enable one to pay down debt; (b) eliminate credit cards as an alternative to cash purchases; (c) save to get what you need or want and pay cash for it; (d) stay away from loan/finance companies who assess exorbitant finance and insurance fees (such as, credit life, etc.). Follow a basic rule: If it sounds too good to be true – it is too good to be true! Learn to say “No!” to temptations and irresistible offers. If your outgo exceeds your income, your upkeep will be your downfall. Do your best to avoid debt. The Lord’s promise to supply for all your needs (not necessarily wants) is still operative. He can be trusted!

REVOLTING DEVELOPMENT

From My Perspective - - -

Many years ago, a comedy radio program entitled: “The Life Of Riley”, featured a very typical and ordinary hard-working character who was trying to survive and to make ends meet. When he was confronted by tenuous, frustrating or exasperating situations, his expression was always: “What A Revolting Development This Is!” One is caused to wonder how often Riley would be expressing – “what a revolting development this is!” – if he was a true character who was alive today. The Novelist, Ernest Hemingway is quoted as having mused: “You know that fiction, prose rather, is possibly the roughest trade of all in writing. You do not have the reference, the old important reference. You have the sheet of blank paper, the pencil, and the obligation to invent truer than things can be true. You have to take what is not palpable and make it completely palpable and also have it seem normal and so that it can become a part of experience of the person who reads it.” Another person observed: “Truth may be stranger than fiction, but fiction is truer.”

President Obama appeared on The Tonight Show on Thursday, March 19th. In the midst of his various comments he said in terms of “reinvestment” that “the rich can afford to pay more taxes…” I can almost hear Riley utter: “what a revolting development this is”! This entire concept of “reinvestment” is Washington-Speak for New Taxation that will essentially tax the wealthier Americans so additional Welfare and Benefits can be given to the poor, non-working, or under-achievers. This causes one to wonder where all of this “take from one to give to another” will end. It can be called many things – Welfare State, Socialism, Taxation Without Adequate Representation, etc. – but the bottom-line is that it is wrong, wrong, wrong from start to finish. People should be motivated to be productive! This system generates the spirit of entitlement! It is quite simply – “gimme, gimme, gimme” and “more, more, more!”

Some people have referenced this as a type of Robin Hood approach. More than 70 years ago, The Adventures of Robin Hood was popularized in film. The story is intriguing: “When Richard the Lionhearted, the King of England, is taken captive by Leopold of Austria while returning from the Crusades, his brother John takes power and proceeds to oppress the Saxon commoners. Prince John raises their taxes, supposedly to raise Richard's ransom, but in reality to secure his own position on the throne. One man stands in his way, the Saxon Robin, Earl of Locksley. Robin goes alone to see Prince John and announces to John's assembled supporters and a contemptuous Maid Marian that he will do all in his power to oppose John and restore Richard to his rightful place. He then escapes, in spite of the efforts of John's men. His lands and title now forfeited, Robin takes refuge in Sherwood Forest. One day, Robin and his men capture a large party of Normans transporting the collected taxes through Sherwood. King Richard returns to England disguised as a monk. Richard and his escort travel to Sherwood Forest to find Robin. Richard is soon restored to the throne; he exiles his brother, pardons the outlaws, returns Robin's title and possessions.

Consider these things with me - - - The essential difference between the fictional Robin Hood and the actions of our day is that Robin Hood was a defender of justice and what was right. He championed decency and order, and his activities underscored that point. The problem we have today, although complex, could begin with the Work Ethic. A “welfare State” will be a very weak one. We will (a) run out of assets and resources, and (b) we will lose the ability and motivation to defend ourselves. The Biblical focus is clear and unambiguous – II Thessalonians 3:10-12, “when we were with you, we gave you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.” In I Timothy 5:7-8, we read: “Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” We should not expect God to bless America when we so willfully ignore Him and His Word. We can only reply to the actions of our nation, elected representatives, and non-productive citizens: “What a revolting development this is!”

AN ENEMY WITHIN

From My Perspective - - -

The world seems to be adrift in a fog while trying to navigate through a maze that appears to be constantly changing. Searching for a horizon, one can detect no beacon - - no lighthouse - - no navigational guidance to see one to safety. The error is compounded when one discovers there was no preparation for a dense fog and no anticipation of a maze. Everyone assumed there would always be a beacon to guide one away from the treacherous rocks and shoals. Additionally, there was no anticipation of or preparation for a Tsunami and all the devastation and disruption that it caused.

As recovery takes place and rebuilding continues, it is sad to conceive of “An Enemy Within” that unexpectedly begins to corrupt from within. USA Today – March 18^th, 2009 reports: “Drywall From China Blamed For Problems In Homes.” The article states the following: “Real estate agent Felix Martinez thought he'd found his dream house when he bought the 3,500-square-foot beauty in Homestead, Fla., two years ago. Then…his large-screen TV mysteriously failed. Next, the air conditioner went. His bath towels smelled like rotten eggs. Visitors noted an odor in the house. Martinez says he's suffered new sinus problems and sleep apnea. His wife and son sneeze a lot. The walls in the home…were built with the same kind of Chinese-made drywall that tests have shown emit sulfur gases that corrode copper coils and electrical and plumbing components. Similar problems have been linked to hundreds of Florida homes. Tens of thousands of homes there and in other states could be affected…The issue also has revived concerns about quality-control procedures of U.S. companies that use Chinese-made products, following episodes in recent years involving contaminated toothpaste and pet-food ingredients, lead-tainted toys and defective tires imported from China…Chinese drywall imports started in significant amounts in 2005 as a result of a shortage driven by the booming housing market and rebuilding after Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma. In addition to lawsuits on behalf of Florida homeowners, a class-action lawsuit was recently filed by an Alabama home builder that has made air conditioning repairs on two dozen Alabama homes…A class-action lawsuit has also been filed on behalf of Louisiana homeowners…We know for a fact that this product is in Virginia, Louisiana and California…The breadth of the problem is just unfolding…”

One of the issues that needs to admitted and remedied is a growing absence of conscience. Profit and Gain – Greed Principles – are the guiding force in terms of what is produced and what is done. Accountability has been sacrificed for self aggrandizement. Integrity is obscured by rationalization. The spinelessness is seen in the growing number of recreants throughout the spectrum of our culture. The one who promotes himself by writing about The Audacity of Hope is correct in the use of one word, namely, “Audacity”!

Consider these things with me - - Even Jesus Christ had a recreant in His inner-circle of 12 Disciples. The Recreant was Judas – “apostate; false; unfaithful”! As John Milton would write: “Who, for so many benefits received, turned recreant to God, ingrate and false.” We are faced with a dearth (a scarce supply; a lack) of those who are marked by integrity and faithfulness to a right and just cause. This Enemy Within will have greater consequence than Sheet Rock from China. In both the stewardship of government, as well as The Christian Cause – there is a demonstrated failure to preserve the foundations and to adhere to the basic purposeful principles for life. The Apostle Paul would remind all of the value and benefit to stewardship when he wrote in I Corinthians 4:1-2, “It is REQUIRED in stewards that one be found FAITHFUL.” The New Living Translation states: “…a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful...” The Message translates it: “The requirements for a good guide are reliability and accurate knowledge.” Sixty years ago, Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote and produced the Musical, South Pacific. One of the romantic love songs included these lyrics: “Who can explain it, “…Who can tell you why Fools give you reasons, Wise men never try…Once you have found her, Never let her go.” That’s what we need in terms of conscience, integrity, accountability, decency, faithfulness – Once you have found it, NEVER let it go!

AWRY AND AMUCK

From My Perspective - - -

It’s difficult not to be focused upon the economic concerns of our nation and the world. Most citizens have experienced financial strain, losses, uncertainty and fears regarding the immediate and longer-term stability of employment, debt management, Social Security availability, investment recovery, etc. It seems to be abundantly clear that “financial bailout” is not focused upon the individual’s plight but has become more of a corporate welfare effort. The government stimulus package is costing this nation One Billion Dollars a day on average, and now the elected leadership is mentioning the need for another stimulus package as soon as possible. It is an understatement to suggest that our government and the economic activity are running both awry and amuck.

For someone or something to run awry means: “turned or twisted toward one side; not in a straight or true direction, or position; out of the right course; distorted…; aside from the line of truth, or right reason; unreasonable or unreasonably; perverse or perversely…” When someone or something is running amuck, it means: “In a frenzied and reckless manner.” The example of this was with the first $700 Billion Bailout of Banks, etc. There was very little guideline and almost no accountability factors built into the distribution of taxpayer funds to assist Banks and Corporations. For instance, Bank of America agreed to take over Merrill Lynch and to merge it into their corporation. Bank of America received $25 Billion Dollars from the Federal Bailout Funds. Merrill Lynch distributes bonuses that amount to approximately $5 Billion Dollars. We get an idea of this from an ABC News Report dated February 25, 2009: “The New York Attorney General's office declined to publicly comment on the matter…The bonuses became a subject of the investigation into Merrill's merger with Bank of America by Cuomo's office after the Attorney General raised whether the two banks -- which together received about $45 billion in taxpayer dollars -- worked together to arrange the early bonus plan just weeks before the merger was completed. The bonuses were awarded despite the fact that Merrill lost $25 billion in 2008 and posted greater than anticipated fourth quarter after-tax losses of $5 billion dollars. According to sources involved in the probe, Cuomo's office is seeking information about the individual awards of about 200 top employees. The top 14 got $250 million and the top 159 received over $858 million in bonuses. Overall, sources said, 694 employees at Merrill received bonuses in excess of $1 million. The bank's four top executives received $121 million.” John Thain, former CEO of Merrill Lynch, was choosing to remain silent about the pre-merger agreement regarding bonuses.

Consider these things with me - - - On March 13^th, 2009 – Chuck Colson wrote a column on Economic Lent. It included some of the following: “One obvious failure is our levels of indebtedness. As historian Niall Ferguson recently wrote, Western…governments, corporations and households are groaning under unprecedented debt burdens. Average household debt has reached 141% of disposable income in the United States and 177% in Britain. Our financial institutions…are in far worse shape. Some of the best-known names in American and European finance have liabilities 40, 60 or even 100 times the amount of their capital. While the Scriptures have something to say about the perils of indebtedness, they have much more to say about the human failings that prompted the unprecedented debt burdens, like greed and covetousness…We are now living with the wreckage caused by all this covetousness.” Bernie Madoff is an example of one who fed off of the covetousness and greed of those who believed they would receive 12% return on their investments. One investment firm states on its web-page: “Our objective is a high return with low risk. What Wall Street won't tell you, we will.” Churches and Individuals were led to believe they would receive a 9% return on their investment. Huge sums of money were “invested” that recently were valued at just 30 cents on the dollar. Just examples of how easily one can be beguiled into what is now representative of both being awry and amuck. In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus said: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

FOUNDATIONAL DYSFUNCTION?

From My Perspective - - -

For quite a while, we have been subjected to the hew and cry regarding the separation of Church and State. It surfaces regularly regarding the celebration of Easter or Christmas, or whenever a public religious display or expression is forthcoming. While the Pledge of Allegiance still retains the words, “one nation, under God”, and while our coins and currency continue to indicate, “In God We Trust”, nevertheless there is an ongoing effort to eliminate any reference to God or Christ – in public – in our nation.

Michael Spencer is a writer and communicator. He has recently written: “The Coming Evangelical Collapse”, in which he states: “Evangelicalism needs a ‘rescue mission’ from the world Christian community… Some will continue to see conservatism and Christianity through one lens and will engage the culture war much as before – a status quo the media will be all too happy to perpetuate. A significant number, however, may give up political engagement for a discipleship of deeper impact. Is all of this a bad thing? Evangelicalism doesn't need a bailout. Much of it needs a funeral. But what about what remains? Is it a good thing that denominations are going to become largely irrelevant? Only if the networks that replace them are able to marshal resources, training, and vision to the mission field and into the planting and equipping of churches. Is it a good thing that many marginal believers will depart? Possibly, if churches begin and continue the work of renewing serious church membership. We must change the conversation from the maintenance of traditional churches to developing new and culturally appropriate ones..”

Michael Spencer continues:”…Will the coming collapse get Evangelicals past the pragmatism and shallowness that has brought about the loss of substance and power? Probably not. The purveyors of the evangelical circus will be in fine form, selling their wares as the promised solution to every church's problems. I expect the landscape of mega-church vacuity to be around for a very long time. Will it shake lose the prosperity Gospel from its parasitical place on the evangelical body of Christ? Evidence from similar periods is not encouraging. American Christians seldom seem to be able to separate their theology from an overall idea of personal affluence and success…We can rejoice that in the ruins, new forms of Christian vitality and ministry will be born. I expect to see a vital and growing house church movement. This cannot help but be good for an evangelicalism that has made buildings, numbers, and paid staff its drugs for half a century. We need new evangelicalism that learns from the past and listens more carefully to what God says about being His people in the midst of a powerful, idolatrous culture…”

Consider these things with me - - - There are basic eternal truths that should not be ignored as Spencer’s thoughts are pondered and ruminated. The first truth pertains to what Jesus taught regarding the wheat and the weeds – Matthew 13:24-30, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds? He said to them, An enemy has done this. So the servants said to him, Then do you want us to go and gather them? But he said, No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn. The second truth pertains to the Lord’s declaration in Matthew 16:18, “…I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it…” The Lord has an eternal plan and we see parts of it gradually unfolding. It should not cause one any panic or undue fear because the Lord has determined a precise time and an exact moment when all of the absurdity and confusion of mankind will arrive at His Termination Point. Until then, in the ebb and flow of Christianity (so-called), one will realize disappointments and disillusionment. We must remind ourselves that positionally we (and The Church) are safe and secure in the hollow of our Lord’s Hand – and – nothing – ever – shall be able to remove us from His Grip or separate us from His Love!

ENFILADING

From My Perspective - - -

Those who serve their country during wartime and in battle areas know what it is to be subjected to an enemy who is relentless in enfilading. When a command is given: “Ready! Aim! Fire!” the troops respond with an enfilade. It is: “A firing in the direction of the length of a trench, or a line of parapet or troops, etc.; a raking fire; to pierce, scour, or rake with shot in the direction of the length of, as a work, or a line of troops.” Most have heard of the Gatlin Gun. It was first used in the Civil War by the Union Forces. The man who invented it – Dr. Richard J. Gatlin – wrote that he made it “…to reduce the size of armies and so cut down on the number of deaths by combat and disease.” That rationale has led to more sophisticated weaponry of modern warfare to the point where great numbers of people can be vaporized by nuclear weapons and combat soldiers can be wounded or die by the use of a variety armor piercing devices.

In the area of political debate, enfilading is a device and method used in terms of verbal attack where the desire is to marginalized a political opponent by either misquoting or by means of ridicule. Reference was made to this approach in yesterday’s post on the subject of “kerfuffling”! Accuracy and Truth are no longer championed. A statement is lifted out of context: “I want President Obama to fail…” and the enfilading begins. What gets lost in the immediate is that last year 51% of Democrats polled wanted President Bush to fail, and almost as many indicated that General Patraeus would lie to Congressional Committees about the War in Iraq. Why? Because they were not interested in the facts delivered by the Field General in charge of the Surge, but in their presupposition that the War was already lost. And so, Posters were circulated about a General who was serving his country that read: “Not General Patraeus but General BETRAY-US”! It not only sets out to marginalize, but also includes destruction of reputation, personal integrity, and the brilliant strategy and accomplishment of a career officer. In this instance, they failed! However, those given to enfilading are versatile and opportunistic. They shift their guns from Bush, Cheney to other targets and a different debate. Currently, it is Rush Limbaugh being portrayed as the “head of the Republican Party” even though he has never run for political office, nor has he sought to do so.

What must be remembered here is a more subtle strategy. Since the new administration has assumed responsibility for the nation, members of Congress have raised the issue regarding The Fairness Doctrine - “The policy of the United States Federal Communications Commission that became known as the Fairness Doctrine is an attempt to ensure that all coverage of controversial issues by a broadcast station be balanced and fair. The FCC took the view, in 1949, that station licensees were public trustees, and as such had an obligation to afford reasonable opportunity for discussion of contrasting points of view on controversial issues of public importance…” The lament has been that the airwaves are saturated with Conservative Talk Show Hosts, and there are few, if any, comparable Liberal Talk Shows on Radio. It cannot be denied that effort was made to have an entire network devoted to a Liberal Point of View. The problem – there was no audience committed to that network or such programming.

Consider these things with me - - - Those who represent the Truth will be subjected to verbal enfilading and be both marginalized and/or ridiculed along the way. Just look at the life of Jesus Christ and accusations that were directed at Him. In Luke 5:29-33, “And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners? And Jesus answered them, Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. And they said to him, The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.” The task of serving Christ is daunting and the road may lead one “through the valley of the shadow of death”, but at such times and in such places one must continually remember – even there – The Lord Continues To Be My Shepherd – and because He is, I have everything that I need and I can endure everything for Him!

KERFUFFLING

From My Perspective - - -

Some pithy statements from years ago were: “Look before you leap!”; and, “Think before you speak!” It seems that nowadays we find far too many who keep on speaking until they can think of something to say. The result is a growing confusion and considerable disorder. Perhaps we should conclude: “There’s a whole lot of kerfuffling going on! To kerfuffle is to be part of: “a disorderly outburst or tumult; a commotion.”

An example of this is based upon the recent address given by Rush Limbaugh at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). In his address, Rush Limbaugh reiterated what he had said previously regarding the economic direction of this nation. The context of what he said is the following: “This notion that I want the President to fail, folks, this shows you a sign of the problem we've got. That's nothing more than common sense and to not be able to say it, why in the world do I want what we just described, rampant government growth indebtedness, wealth that's not even being created yet that is being spent, what is in this? What possibly is in this that anybody of us wants to succeed? Did the Democrats want the war on Iraq to fail! They certainly did. They not only wanted the war in Iraq to fail, they proclaimed it a failure. There's Dingy Harry Reid waiving a white flag: ’This war is lost. This war is….They called General Petraeus a liar before he even testified. Mrs. Clinton said she had to, willingly suspend disbelief in order to listen to Petraeus. We're in the process of winning the war. The last thing they wanted was to win. They hoped George Bush failed. So what is so strange about being honest to say that I want Barack Obama to fail IF HIS MISSION IS TO RESTRUCTURE AND REFORM THIS COUNTRY SO THAT CAPITALISM AND INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY ARE NOT ITS FOUNDATION? WHY WOULD I WANT THAT TO SUCCEED?”

The phrase one hears most often in recent media presentations is: “I want Barack Obama to fail!” The statement is taken out of context – but – that best serves the purpose of those who wish to Kerfuffle (and encourage others of like mind to do the same thing). A Play by William Shakespeare, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING comes to mind at this point. A summary of the play indicates: “The mode in which the innocent Hero before the altar at the moment of the wedding, and in the presence of her family and many witnesses, is put to shame by the most degrading charge, false indeed, yet clothed with every appearance of truth, is a grand piece of theatrical effect in the true and justifiable sense.” The misrepresentation allows for the kerfuffle (the disorderly outburst and condemnation) that is not based upon fact or reality but upon supposition and rumor and innuendo. It could also lead to a ruined life and relationship.

Rush Limbaugh defends his position with these words: “…there's some people you can't say you want the President to fail. Ladies and gentlemen of the United States, the Democrat Party has actively not just sought the failure of Republican presidents and policies and now wars for the first time, the Democrat Party doesn't stop at failure. Talk to Judge Robert Bork or Justice Clarence Thomas about how they tried to destroy lives, reputations and character, and I'm supposed to say I don't want the President to fail? We're in for a real battle. We are talking about the United States of America -and there will always be an America, don't misunderstand me - we're talking about it remaining the country we were all born into and reared and grown into. And it's under assault. It's always under assault. But it's never been under assault like this from within before. And it's a serious, serious battle.”

Consider these things with me - - - The person claiming to follow Christ is obligated to insert “truth” into the culture of which we are a part. The words of Psalm 40:9-10 are very appropriate: “I proclaim righteousness…; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O Lord. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth…” Our guideline is given in Ephesians 4:15, “…speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” We are not to kerfuffle but to care and speak truthfully and lovingly as we defend justice and equity in a culture that is trending toward running amuck.

EXTRAPOLATION VERSUS INTERPOLATION

From My Perspective - - -

One of the several goals of the new administration in Washington, DC pertains to a form of Universal Healthcare. The suggestion is that 47 million people are without Health Coverage and the Government must assume the responsibility to provide coverage for all residing within our borders. That coverage will very likely provide coverage for those who are not yet citizens, as well as for those who are illegal aliens. In the address President Obama presented before the Joint Session Congress and to the nation made reference to the following: “The cost of health care now causes a bankruptcy in America every 30 seconds.” Is this true or is this a mischaracterization?

The issue rests upon extrapolation versus interpolation. The explanation and rationale for this can be found in The American Heritage explanation regarding Extrapolation and Interpolation. They are, “A mathematical procedure which estimates values of a function for certain desired inputs given values for known inputs. If the desired input is outside the range of the known values this is called EXTRAPOLATION, if it is inside then it is called INTERPOLATION. The method works by fitting a curve to two or more given points and then applying this function to the required input.” Gary Langer is Director of Polling at ABC News. He observes the following in his report entitled, “The Numbers”! In that article on March 05, 2009, he notes the following: “Medical Bankruptcies: A Data-Check (responses from the lead author of the Harvard study, Dr. David Himmelstein, are included) “President Obama’s kicking off his health care reform today in the worst possible way: with a mischaracterization of data. The cost of health care now causes a bankruptcy in America every thirty seconds, Obama said at the opening of his White House forum on health care reform. The problem: That claim, based on a 2001 survey, is simply unsupportable. The figure comes from a 2005 Harvard University study saying that 54 percent of bankruptcies in 2001 were caused by health expenses. We reviewed it internally and knocked it down at the time; an academic reviewer did the same in 2006. Recalculating Harvard’s own data, he came up with a far lower figure – 17 percent. A more recent study by another group, approaching it another way, indicates that in 2007 about eight-tenths of one percent of Americans lived in families that filed for bankruptcy as a result of medical costs. That rings a little less loudly than “one every 30 seconds.”

The ABC News article continues with these observations: “A good part of the problem is definitional. The Harvard report claims to measure the extent to which medical costs are ‘the cause’ of bankruptcies. In reality its survey asked if these costs were “a reason” – potentially one of many – for such bankruptcies. Beyond those who gave medical costs as “a reason,” the Harvard researchers chose to add in any bankruptcy filers who had at least $1,000 in unreimbursed medical expenses in the previous two years. Given deductibles and co-pays, that’s a heck of a lot of people. Moreover, Harvard’s definition of “medical” expenses includes situations that aren’t necessarily medical in common parlance, e.g., a gambling problem, or the death of a family member. If your main wage-earning spouse gets hit by a bus and dies, and you have to file, that’s included as a “medical bankruptcy.” When I asked the lead author, Dr. David Himmelstein, about his definitions of medical bankruptcy back in 2005, he said, “It’s a judgment call,” and added that any death, for example, “to our mind is a medical event.” A last problem was sampling: The Harvard researchers surveyed bankruptcy filers in five federal court districts accounting for 14 percent of bankruptcies nationally; projecting this to the other 86 percent is sketchy. Said Himmelstein: “Obviously the extrapolation is rough.”

Consider these things with me - - - Truth is vital and basic for every interpersonal relationship and for all government. Ephesians 4:25 [The Message] summarizes it this way: “What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.” This is as plain and simple as it gets, and if avoided – it is to one’s own peril – personally or governmentally!

BLUNDERBUSSES OR BRAINWASHED

From My Perspective - - -

There are several phenomena occurring. Today, Wednesday – March 4^th – there has been a solicitation an call for this to be a National Day of Prayer and Fasting. On www.christianpost.com the following article appears: CHRISTIANS TO HOLD NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER, FASTING FOR AMERICA by Jennifer Riley. She writes: “Christians nationwide are joining together for a national day of prayer and fasting for America on Wednesday. Participants will pray and confess their sins to God and commit to obeying His laws in hopes that God will rescue the country from its current economic crisis. America's greatest need is to cry out to God about the sins in America, humble ourselves in prayer and start obeying what God says in the Holy Bible…” Question: Where has this been publicized? Who knew? How many will participate?

At the same time, an article entitled, THE OBAMA ECONOMY, Wall Street Journal - March 3^rd, 2009 has been published. It reviews the financial plight of our nation and what they consider to be a root cause for the present state of affairs: “As 2009 opened, three weeks before Barack Obama took office, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 9034 on January 2, its highest level since the autumn panic. Yesterday the Dow fell another 4.24% to 6763, for an overall decline of 25% in two months and to its lowest level since 1997. The dismaying message here is that President Obama's policies have become part of the economy's problem. Americans have welcomed the Obama era in the same spirit of hope the President campaigned on. But after five weeks in office, it's become clear that his policies are slowing, if not stopping, what would otherwise be the normal process of economic recovery. From punishing business to squandering scarce national public resources, Team Obama is creating more uncertainty and less confidence -- and thus a longer period of recession or sub-par growth. So what has happened in the last two months? One negative revelation has been the way he has chosen to spend his scarce resources on income transfers rather than growth promotion. Most of his "stimulus" spending was devoted to social programs, rather than public works, and nearly all of the tax cuts were devoted to income maintenance rather than to improving incentives to work or invest. His Treasury has been making a similar mistake with its financial bailout plans. The banking system needs to work through its losses, and one necessary use of public capital is to assist in burning down those bad assets as fast as possible. Yet most of Team Obama's ministrations so far have gone toward triage and life support, rather than repair and recovery."

Meanwhile, Fox News Reports today: RUSSIAN SCHOLAR SAYS U.S. WILL COLLAPSE NEXT YEAR. “If you're inclined to believe Igor Panarin, and the Kremlin wouldn't mind if you did, then President Barack Obama will order martial law this year, the U.S. will split into six rump-states before 2011, and Russia and China will become the backbones of a new world order. Panarin might be easy to ignore but for the fact that he is a dean at the Foreign Ministry's school for future diplomats and a regular on Russia's state-guided TV channels. And his predictions fit into the anti-American story line of the Kremlin leadership. There is a high probability that the collapse of the United States will occur by 2010," Panarin told dozens of students, professors and diplomats Tuesday at the Diplomatic Academy… Vladmir Putin, the former president who is now prime minister, has likened the United States to Nazi Germany's Third Reich and blames Washington for the global financial crisis that has pounded the Russian economy…”

Consider these things with me - - - It is possible The End is nearer than most suspect. However, even if that is the case, the person of faith should remember and practice PSALM 20:6-9, “Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving might of His right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.” Many suggest that one should read the end of The Book (Bible) – We Win! God will prove Himself faithful to all who trust in Him. There’s a growing list of places and people who have duped many and are not worthy of trust. But The Lord – you can always Trust In Him – He Never Fails and is Always Faithful to His people!

ROBIN HOOD VIRUS

From My Perspective - - -

There is an abundance of commentary in terms of the Financial Markets and Meltdown in our country, as well as in the World Markets. Some of the commentary in this country allows that our current economic collapse is due to dishonesty, greed and mismanagement. Basically, permissiveness began to rule the markets and reality of values was pushed aside. People were permitted to borrow against a floating (ARM) interest rate on housing that had become inflated in value. Thus, the housing boom has become a housing bust.

It is very revealing to read an item in today’s news regarding Bank Of America. The story appears on Financial Times.Com and states: “Bank of America’s request for $20 Billion of government money to prop up its acquisition of Merrill Lynch was a “tactical mistake” that made the bank appear as weak as Citigroup, Ken Lewis, Bank of America’s chief executive told the Financial Times on Monday. Mr. Lewis vowed to stay on as chief executive of the North Carolina-based bank until it paid back the $45 Billion of government money it received under the US Treasury’s bank recapitalization program, possibly within two to three years….In hindsight, it was a tactical mistake because it put us in the same category as Citigroup…We could still have had 8% tier 1 capital after a $15 Billion loss but we wanted a cushion… it would have been better to request only $10 Billion for that purpose…that could have helped to curtail investor fears that further problems were in the offing. The scale of government assistance for Bank of America and Citigroup has helped fuel speculation that outright nationalization could be necessary for one or both banks. The fears have contributed to a 76 per cent drop in Bank of America’s share price since its acquisition of Merrill Lynch closed on January 1…”

A revealing phrase in the above article is – “BUT WE WANTED A CUSHION”! The Robin-Hood-Virus has a way of blinding ones reality factors and allowing for the greed factor to rule. Government Handouts of Billions of Dollars to those who are oriented to Capital Growth and Gain is the wrong remedy for the Robin-Hood-Virus. It seems as though we are bent in the direction of continuing this process and procedure with the soon to be announced Budget. Redistribution of Wealth has just begun! It is not even a clear view of the “tip of the iceberg” in terms of what lies ahead. We are Slouching Toward Gomorrah and Bankruptcy – and – there seems to be no way to slow or alter that momentum. At this rate, Capitalism will succumb to Socialism and the only concern will be – “WE WANTED A CUSHION” – corporately and personally.

Consider these things with me - - - It is never too late to correct ones direction and to get turned around. This is the serious possibility and goal of true HOPE. In the ministry of Jesus Christ, He clearly set before anyone who would follow Him the Cost Factors of doing so. In Luke 14:28-32, Jesus states: “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, This fellow began to build and was not able to finish. Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.” The question for this consideration is: “Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?” The Robin-Hood-Virus is now impacting the Dow Industrial Average and Stock Markets around the world. There is a basic loss of confidence. Investors can no longer trust those who chose to gamble away the investment and retirement funds of countless numbers of people. In this time of concern, or discouragement, or maybe even anxiety, we would do well to remind ourselves of the words from a Worship Chorus: “God will make a way, Where there seems to be no way; He works in ways we cannot see; He will make a way for me! He will be my guide; Hold me closely to His side; With love and strength for each new day, He will make a way, He will make a way! Let your Hope, Trust and Confidence be in the Faithful God Who will make a way, and Who will provide for all of ones needs, according to His riches in glory - by Christ Jesus!

FORMS OF FILICIDE

From My Perspective - - -

To indicate that our nation is living in changing and strange times is an understatement. What is occurring is something more than just a mere transition. If our nation shifts from being Capitalist to Socialist – that is a major revamping of the very foundations upon which we were founded. Additionally, if we somehow lose our moral compass and conscience as a nation, we will become directionless and susceptible to new behaviors that are borne out of a personal rationale that has freed itself from either ethical or moral values and standards. We are beginning to see sad evidences and consequences of these behaviors.

Last month (February 12), we were confronted and shocked by the headline that read: “Bridges TV Founder Charged with Wife’s Beheading”! This did not occur in some other country where beheading is a so-called “religious practice.” This occurred in Buffalo, NY at a radio station. Sadly, it leaves two children aged four and six deprived of their Mother and separated from their imprisoned Father. Also, we read and hear all too frequently about missing children and their subsequent deaths. A lurking question pertains to whether or not “filicide” lurks in the psyche of a growing number of people within our culture.

FILICIDE is not historically new. It is the deliberate act of a parent killing his or her own son or daughter. The word filicide derives from the Latin word “filius” meaning "son". In some cultures, killing a daughter who is deemed to have disgraced the family is a common occurrence (see honor killing). A 1999 US Department of Justice Study concluded that between 1976 and 1997 in the United States, mothers were responsible for a higher share of children killed during infancy while fathers were more likely to have been responsible for the murders of children age 8 or older. Furthermore, 52% of the children killed by their mothers were male (maternal filicide), while 57% of the children killed by their fathers were male (paternal filicide).Sometimes there is a combination of murder and suicide in filicide cases. There are some historical examples of Filicide:

• Ptolemy XII of Egypt had his daughter Berenice IV and her husband beheaded in 55 BC. This was after she had dethroned him and poisoned her sister, Cleopatra VI.
• Ivan IV of Russia (Ivan the Terrible) killed his son and heir to the throne in a fit of rage.
• Peter the Great of Russia had his son tortured to death, being present at several of the torture sessions and allegedly participating in some of them.
• Josef and Magda Goebbels poisoned their six children, in order to protect them from the invading Soviet Army, before committing suicide.
• Motown singer-songwriter Marvin Gaye was shot to death by his father on April 1, 1984.
• Professional wrestler Chris Benoit killed his seven year old son Daniel, along with his wife and himself, on June 23, 2007.

We also forget the example of Forms of Filicide in the Bible – (a) Cain killing his brother Abel; (b) the sacrificing of children to Molech in the fire (Leviticus 20:1-5). The force of the Lord’s intent is summarized in Leviticus 18:21, “Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the Lord.”

Consider these things with me - - - It is obvious that we need to return to our moral base and core values. In the midst of changing and difficult times, the compassionate Lord’s invitation remains as the clarion call to the troubled in heart, or soul, or mind – Matthew 11:28-30 where Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened - I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” REST for your soul! These words resonate for the confused, disenfranchised, uncertain, directionless, weary and oppressed. Just COME! Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near! Just COME! Implement Proverbs 3:5-6 (The Message): “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He's the one who will keep you on track.” You’ll be glad you came to Him!