Of Course

Judge drops all charges against Philly Christians

How could they do anything else? The whole thing was pathetic.

"The judge saw this case for what it is," Joe Infranco, senior counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, said in a statement. "This was the right response to an outrageous abuse of power to silence speech that some people didn't like.

"What took place here was a government crackdown on disfavored speech. The OutFest participants staged a national coming-out day on a public street using public funds, and then they tried to say it's a private event. That didn't make any sense, and neither did the actions of the police. …"

Outrageous abuse of power is right, how about taking the people responsible out of the system?

"This ends only the first chapter in the 'Philadelphia 11' saga. The next chapter is federal action against the officers and city of Philadelphia. We are still calling for the Department of Justice to investigate the corruption and profound abuse of power that we have seen in Philadelphia."

Good. I hope it works.

Islam And The Dead Parrot

You have to be familiar with the Monty Python sketch to get this and it's a long way around to make a point but it's true.

The sketch:

A customer enters a pet shop.

Mr. Praline: 'Ello, I wish to register a complaint.

(The owner does not respond.)

Mr. Praline: 'Ello, Miss?

Owner: What do you mean "miss"?

Mr. Praline: I'm sorry, I have a cold. I wish to make a complaint!

Owner: We're closin' for lunch.

Mr. Praline: Never mind that, my lad. I wish to complain about this parrot what I purchased not half an hour ago from this very boutique.

Owner: Oh yes, the, uh, the Norwegian Blue...What's,uh...What's wrong with it?

Mr. Praline: I'll tell you what's wrong with it, my lad. 'E's dead, that's what's wrong with it!

Owner: No, no, 'e's uh,...he's resting.

Mr. Praline: Look, matey, I know a dead parrot when I see one, and I'm looking at one right now.

Owner: No no he's not dead, he's, he's restin'! Remarkable bird, the Norwegian Blue, idn'it, ay? Beautiful plumage!

Mr. Praline: The plumage don't enter into it. It's stone dead.

Owner: Nononono, no, no! 'E's resting!

Mr. Praline: All right then, if he's restin', I'll wake him up! (shouting at the cage) 'Ello, Mister Polly Parrot! I've got a lovely fresh cuttle fish for you if you show...

(owner hits the cage)

Owner: There, he moved!

Mr. Praline: No, he didn't, that was you hitting the cage!

Owner: I never!!

Mr. Praline: Yes, you did!

Owner: I never, never did anything...

Mr. Praline: (yelling and hitting the cage repeatedly) 'ELLO POLLY!!!!! Testing! Testing! Testing! Testing! This is your nine o'clock alarm call!

(Takes parrot out of the cage and thumps its head on the counter. Throws it up in the air and watches it plummet to the floor.)

Mr. Praline: Now that's what I call a dead parrot.

Owner: No, no.....No, 'e's stunned!

Mr. Praline: STUNNED?!?

Owner: Yeah! You stunned him, just as he was wakin' up! Norwegian Blues stun easily, major.

Mr. Praline: Um...now look...now look, mate, I've definitely 'ad enough of this. That parrot is definitely deceased, and when I purchased it not 'alf an hour ago, you assured me that its total lack of movement was due to it bein' tired and shagged out following a prolonged squawk.

Owner: Well, he's...he's, ah...probably pining for the fjords.

Mr. Praline: PININ' for the FJORDS?!?!?!? What kind of talk is that?, look, why did he fall flat on his back the moment I got 'im home?

Owner: The Norwegian Blue prefers keepin' on it's back! Remarkable bird, id'nit, squire? Lovely plumage!

Mr. Praline: Look, I took the liberty of examining that parrot when I got it home, and I discovered the only reason that it had been sitting on its perch in the first place was that it had been NAILED there.

(pause)

Owner: Well, o'course it was nailed there! If I hadn't nailed that bird down, it would have nuzzled up to those bars, bent 'em apart with its beak, and VOOM! Feeweeweewee!

Mr. Praline: "VOOM"?!? Mate, this bird wouldn't "voom" if you put four million volts through it! 'E's bleedin' demised!

Owner: No no! 'E's pining!

Mr. Praline: 'E's not pinin'! 'E's passed on! This parrot is no more! He has ceased to be! 'E's expired and gone to meet 'is maker! 'E's a stiff! Bereft of life, 'e rests in peace! If you hadn't nailed 'im to the perch 'e'd be pushing up the daisies! 'Is metabolic processes are now 'istory! 'E's off the twig! 'E's kicked the bucket, 'e's shuffled off 'is mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisibile!! THIS IS AN EX-PARROT!!

The parrot for our purposes today is this: Islam is a religion of peace. That is one dead parrot if there ever was one. As Barbara Stock has said in The Sleeping World Is Awakening To The Dangers Of Islam

They maintained that as an American, I just was not intelligent enough to understand Islam. The mistake these ''intellectuals'' made is believing that I have any intention of ''understanding'' Islam.

It has taken me since 9/11 to realize that civilized humans cannot understand Islam. I am just overjoyed and somewhat relieved that the world is finally waking up in time to see the rabid dog coming its way disguised as Islam.

Virtually everything these people hear and see has been twisted in such a fashion that it is no wonder they hate the West and obsess over the Jews. What seems to be impossible to make these completely miss-informed Muslims understand is that they are being used and abused by those whose only desire is absolute power. For many, they are subjected to hours of hate-filled, incoherent preaching every Friday from their Mosque.

Instead of cowering, the world is beginning to look Islam in the eye and say, emphatically and collectively: ''NO! This will not be allowed.'' If it was a final crusade that Islam wanted, they have it.

I'm not so sure it's happening "in time" and it's happening much slower, especially here in the states, than she hopes. However, this I know: much bloodshed to come. All because of a dead parrot.

Incongruent

The Navy will commission its newest nuclear-powered attack submarine Jimmy Carter on Saturday, Feb. 19, during an 11 a.m. EST ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London, Groton, Conn.

An attack submarine named after President Jimmy Carter. There's something slightly amusing about that.

Thought Bomb

Ron Dart never ceases to amaze me with his observations that fly by most people and his ability to distill a thought to an easily understood concept. He can shift your perspective ever so slightly so you see things clearer and deeper than you ever thought you could. Here is a quote from "Whose New Covenant?"

So when God sends a prophet, it is not to tell us what good boys we all are. It is usually to tell us to straighten up and fly right. But there is another misconception about this. There is a viewpoint that says the Law of God is merely an arbitrary set of rules. God could just as easily have allowed us to commit adultery as to have forbidden it. Beyond that, He gave us a set of religious observances, and because we haven't maintained those religious observances, we have made God angry. The angry God is going to punish us because we have offended Him. Lest you think I am making this up, consider this. If you believe that Christ abolished the law, then you have to believe that the law was arbitrary and unnecessary in the first place. And therefore, God’s punishment is just as arbitrary.

Let me suggest an alternative for you to consider. Imagine for a moment that there is a fundamental standard of right and wrong conduct that grows out of the nature of man and man’s social interactions. Imagine that standard is expressed in the last six of the Ten Commandments and all the other laws that can be derived from these. Then, imagine that the first four commandments are given to be the guarantors of the last six.

In other words, the form of revealed worship of God keeps us mindful of our duties to God. And our duty to God guarantees our duty to our fellow man. This means that when we neglect our duty to God, our social fabric will eventually begin to unravel. And that is the time when God usually sends a prophet to tell us what we are doing wrong.

I highly recommend requesting the tape he is offering for insights you will not hear anywhere else. You will not be sorry.

The Comedy Store

Terrorists the world over are laughing their asses off at the prospect of a Marine being accused of murdering 2 Iraqi insurgents because they know they are fighting an enemy they can beat.

Al Qaeda knows it, Iran knows it, North Korea knows it and China knows it, too.

I Believe I'll Drive, Thank You

Neal Boortz recounts a recent run in with airport screeners.

I don't want to identify the airport ... but here's my latest TSA adventure. It happened over the weekend. As I approached the screening machine I was wearing a colored t-shirt (t-shirt of color, if you will) with an unbuttoned long sleeve sports shirt. The lady shoving the luggage into the machine told me I had to remove my jacket.

"It isn't a jacket. It's my shirt."

"Well you have something on under it."

"That's my undershirt."

"Well, you're wearing it like a jacket, so you'll have to take it off."

"What if I just button it?"

"That would be OK".

So .. I buttoned it up and went on through .... wondering just where they get some of these people, During that flight I couldn't help but think that my safety was dependent on a woman who couldn't tell a sports shirt from a jacket and who thought that by somehow buttoning it up all threats were removed.

Fifth Third

What does that mean anyway? 5/3 Bank (pronounced fifth third) needs a new name. What are they thinking?

Brutal Enough?

Are we really doing enough in this war on terrorism? Some are criticizing the U.S. for being too tough and are tying the hands of our troops in Iraq.

Ronald Dart takes a tough look at this question in A Brutal War.

And the Chilling thought that came to me as I read Buckley's words was that our enemies do not have rational thought available to them. They may fully expect the United States to respond massively, and they just don't care. And so, if they are able to pull it off, we will have massive, brutal loss of life in this country to such a degree, that for us to use a nuclear weapon would, not only be a just act of war, but a blessed relief.

And I am greatly afraid that it will come to that before we are finished. No, it will not be because we invaded Iraq. Remember that we had not invaded Iraq before 9/11 and we got it anyhow. No, it will be because we are who we are and we will refuse to be anything else. It will be because Jihad has been declared against us and we have no choice but to fight. It will be fight, or become slaves to Islam.

This is a transcript of a radio program he did. It's available on his website if you choose, at least for another week.

Now you may reasonably ask me what the Bible has to do with any of this. How can this shed light on the Bible, or the Bible shed light on this war? The answer is not going to please anyone, but we might as well face up to it. The answer is that you fight a war with whatever brute force is necessary to ensure that you don't have to do worse later. You brutally pacify a city like Fallujah in Iraq, and you do it the first time you threaten it. You don't back down or negotiate with criminals and terrorists. You kill them.

It doesn't sound very Christian does it? Well, so what? Isn't the United States supposed to be a secular nation? Why should our military be guided by Christian principles? Our foes are fighting a religious war based on perceived Islamic principles? Shouldn't we be allowed to fight the war by their rules if that is the way they want it? [And don't tell me these fellows don't represent true Islam. If that is true, why don't the billion or so good Moslems rise up against them?]

I will not apologize for sounding harsh. These are harsh times, and these are harsh truths. They should not be sugar coated.

No, it shouldn't.

A Better Ending

It turns out the story of the baby being thrown out of the window of a car was false. I am relieved to hear that. The woman that reported seeing the baby is actually the mother.

Jenne said the woman had kept her pregnancy a secret from her family and others. He said it turns out to be the case of a "disturbed woman" who gave birth and didn't want to keep the child -- so she made up the story about seeing the baby thrown from a car.

Still, there was no need to get someone else in trouble because of it. It's not in the article but on the radio they said the mother was on her way to the fire station and saw a white car with the occupants arguing and made up the story about them. Imagine if the police had found them?

The woman is in the psychiatric ward and the baby is doing fine. A relatively happy ending, all things considered.

Florida state law allows a mother to take a baby to any medical facility or fire station within the first three days after the baby is born without any questions asked. Sheriff's office spokeswoman Veda Coleman-Wright said that gives parents an option.

At A Loss For Words

I really don't know what to say about someone who could throw their newborn baby out the window of a car. It's not human. It would be terrible even if there were not all the choices available to this girl that there are. There is a law in Florida so you can bring your newborn into any hospital or fire department and just turn it over - no questions asked. Just turn it over safely. How many people would just love to adopt a newborn? And even though I don't recommend it, she could have aborted the baby when she first got pregnant and they would not have even told her parents. I don't know but they might have even done it at no charge. There are too many choices to feel sorry for someone who could do that to a baby. No, this is beyond sick, way beyond confused.

This Ain't Mister Ed

I didn't know a mule could do this. They have my respect. You have to see it to believe it.

You Can't Hide Hawaiian Eyes!

Congratulations to my cousin Rob and his wife Alissa on their new baby boy, Lucas Alexander. He was 21" and 7 lbs 4 oz. Rob says,

Both Mom and Baby are doing fine. Alissa and I got to the hospital at about 8:00PM on Saturday with Alissa looking forward to using lot of drugs this time for the birth (our first baby was drug free and Alissa was not up for going through that again!). Much to our dismay, Alissa was too far along in labor to receive any drugs and...well...uhhh...Lucas is here and Alissa is the best!

Lucas was born on Saturday, February 5, 2005 at 9:02PM in Merced, CA. Irma said he looks like Alissa.

Keep Dreaming

about a peace in the Middle East, despite a cease-fire agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. There is no change in the goal of the Palestinians, no matter how it looks on the surface.

PA TV: Goal is Israel's destruction

In the official Friday sermon broadcast last week, senior Muslim figure Ibrahim Mudyris explained that the diplomatic process can only achieve a return to the borders Israel had before the 1967 war. The final stage, he said will be the destruction of Israel "the way Muhammad returned there as a conqueror."

"We tell you Palestine, we shall return to you, by Allah's will, we shall return to every village, every town, and every grain of earth which was quenched by the blood of our grandparents and the sweat of our fathers and mothers," he said. "We shall return, we shall return."

"Our approval to return to the 1967 borders is not a concession for our other rights," he said. "No! ... this generation might not achieve this stage, but generations will come, and the land of Palestine ... will demand that the Palestinians will return the way Muhammad returned there, as a conqueror."

No land for peace here. They're just buying time.

Tiger In My Tank

I found some larger Tiger Barbs at a pet shop in Kissimmee and bought ten. The Jack Dempsey completely ignored them, and that's a good thing. I was hoping for that but you can never tell for sure. The next morning I could only find eight. The Jack would swim around as if the Barbs weren't there and the Barbs would clear a path if the Jack came near them and there was no sign of aggression. I couldn't figure out where the 2 Barbs went. It's possible they were eaten sometime during the night. I was nervous the next night and when I came home there were still eight. I felt better, but where did the fish go. One more night and there were still eight. Everyone was eating and happy. Suddenly I noticed there were nine Barbs, one of them showed up! Where was he?

The Barbs do the trick for me. They are colorful, active and large enough to stay out of the Jack's mouth. My plan is to get ten more, that should make a nice school. Now if I could only find that last Barb.

This could have gone the other way and I might have fed the Jack Dempsey a very expensive meal (relatively). You have to choose tankmates very carefully, especially when you are dealing with the larger Cichlids. They are extremely territorial and sometimes kill any new fish that pop up in their territory - usually the whole tank.

You Can't Defend The Indefensible

The left has that problem and their anger and hatred of all things conservative bear that out. People just can't admit when they are wrong. The more wrong and indefensible their position the more desperate they become, they lash out at the innocent.

Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. Genesis 4:8

Why? What did Abel do?

And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord.

Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering,

but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

So the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?

If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." Genesis 4:3-7

Abel did nothing wrong. It was Cain who did not get the offering right. Cain was angry because HE was in the wrong and he killed Abel because Abel did it right. Cain did what was right in his own eyes and Abel followed the rules. Human nature hasn't changed.

Jesus ran into this problem quite a few times and He was finally killed by those in the same mindset. The very first time He spoke publically, they tried to throw him over a cliff.

Then He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country.

But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land;

but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.

And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian."

So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,

and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff. Luke 4:24-29

Why? Because He told them the truth. He basically told them they were not nearly as close to God as they had presumed. After all, they were the chosen people, surely if God were working anywhere, it was with them. Jesus was the very God they claimed to worship, standing among them and teaching them (read John chapter 1, esp. verse 10). Not only did they not recognize Him, they tried to kill Him.

The worst offenders of this in our time are the Islamists. If you dare insinuate that they may be wrong you are suddenly on the death list. Talk about insecurity. The Western world is a witness that their world, their system and their religion doesn't work. Change their ways? No way, destroy the Western world. That's the path they choose to take. And if they can't destroy it they will terrorize what they can.

Human nature has not changed one bit.

Is Nothing Sacred?

First it was Milli Vanilli, then Ashlee Simpson, now the Pope may have used a prerecorded message at a recent show public appearance.

Journalists suspicions were raised when the pontiff's inaudible words at the beginning of the blessing were quickly followed by silence, clicks, and then a much clearer sounding - though still very hoarse - John Paul completing the blessing.

Earlier, as technicians made the usual sound tests ahead of the ceremony, Vatican correspondents were clearly able to hear a tape of the pontiff performing the blessing on loudspeakers in the Vatican press room.

It was this tape which appears to have been substituted for John Paul's extremely frail voice as soon as he faltered.

A Fool And His Movie

Bin Laden's film maker sues Michael Moore

A former close associate of Osama Bin Laden is to sue the film-maker Michael Moore for using his footage of the Al-Qaeda chief in the documentary Fahrenheit 9/11.

Deraz has started legal action in Egypt and America to seek compensation for use of his footage in Fahrenheit 9/11, the biggest-grossing documentary in cinema history.

Deraz claims he had not signed a distribution agreement with Moore or anyone else. “I was the only cameraman with the Arabs. All of those shots of Bin Laden talking in the cave, talking into his walkie-talkie, they were all my work

Moore says it's not his fault, the devil George Bush made him do it.

Rain on the Parade

Brazil cracks down on child prostitution

Fun seekers descending on Rio for perhaps the most carefree, gloves- off celebration in the world are being greeted with a sobering message this year: Illegal sex can get you 10 years in prison.

Seeking to crack down on an epidemic of child prostitution, the Brazilian government is targeting Carnival, the annual pre-Lenten festival during which the illicit trade reaches its zenith. The celebration begins today.

Or not. Depending on what you're there for.

Your Tax Dollars At Work

A research study was done to determine students, teacher and administrators knowledge and opinion of the First Amendment.

The goal of this $1 million research study was to discover the familiarity and belief of students, teachers and administrators regarding the First Amendment. The study primarily attempted to determine if there are any links between the beliefs of students and the presence of student media programs and the viewpoints of teachers and administrators. During the course of its research, the Knight Foundation surveyed 100,000 students, 8,000 teachers and 500 administrators at 544 public and private schools across the nation.

The results were, in a sense, shocking, but not surprising - Ignorance reigns supreme.

If students are not educated regarding their rights, we cannot expect them to have a serious commitment to the freedoms our country is supposed to profess. America's educational system has failed to provide our youth with adequate knowledge about the core values of our country embodied in the First Amendment.

Despite the fact that First Amendment rights can be taught, it is clear from the survey that there is a clear failure on the part of public educators to do so.

Not a surprise at all, I believe the only people who think the educational system is working are members of the NEA. Great public schools for every child? Sweet dreams.

I Can't Believe This Is Happening In The U.S.

Judge rules against Christians who preached to homosexuals

What happened to the First Amendment?

The group's attorneys had presented as evidence their clients' First Amendment rights were violated the fact that Assistant District Attorney Charles Ehrlich told an earlier court proceeding the Christians' religious speech was "hateful, disgusting, despicable words," and "fighting words."

So, if it's hateful, disgusting and despicable in the eyes of the left, there are no First Amendment rights? Did I get that right? But, if it's hateful, disgusting or despicable in the eyes of someone not on the left, too bad, you have to put up with it, it's protected free speech.

Ward Churchill is protected by free speech, there's no hate in this, is there? Oh, no. But the Bible is hate speech.

Homosexuality is sin = hate speech. Bush is Hitler = free speech.

All the hatred that was spewed by the left, especially at demonstrations throughout the country, against George Bush, the United States, conservatives, and Christians is all free speech, even when it borders on treasonous - or just plain crosses that line. OK, I got it now.

I think it's time to purge our justice system of judges who don't understand how our country works.

Decisions, Decisions

Muslim Dilemma: Kill Jews or Convert Them?

Some decisions are more important than others.

While the Palestinian Authority may come down clearly on the side of killing Jews for divine Islamic reward, other Muslims think converting Jews is even better. Although, they'll agree, killing Jews is still good.

I guess it's all good. Try to convert them, if not, go ahead and kill them. You can't go wrong with that, as long as they get those virgins.

I wonder what Muslim women get? Screwed?

Hot Tamale

I said last week we should overthrow Mexico and Joseph Farah must have read it because his newest commentary is Conquer Mexico.

So, I suggest maybe it's time to conquer Mexico. We're so intent on freeing 26 million Iraqis from a corrupt, barbaric tyranny. What about 100 million Mexicans? Don't they deserve a government of the people, by the people and for the people? How about truly free elections south of the border?

Maybe it's time to free Mexico. And worse, Mexico is proving to be a more serious national security threat to the United States than Saddam Hussein's Iraq was.

Mexico is authorizing an invasion of our country. It's an invasion designed to change the very character of our country.

Really, we need to just close the borders and deport illegals but for some reason the politicians just don't see it that way. That needs to change

Imagine you're a U.S. citizen entering Mexico illegally. Once there, you demand free medical care and English-speaking nurses and doctors. You also want free education for your child – in English. You also say you expect classes on American culture in the Mexican school system. You demand the right to vote in Mexican elections and you insist on bilingual ballots. Since, as an English speaker, you find it difficult to find regular work, you sign up for welfare. Next, of course, you demand a Mexican driver's license.

What do you think would become of you as a U.S. citizen if you tried this in Mexico?

That's right. You would wind up in jail, deported or dead.

We need to stop this stupidity.


Diane Alden has much more to say about it:

Borderline Insanity - Part I

Borderline Insanity - Part II

Some Things Never Change

That which has been is that which shall be; and that which has been done is that which shall be done; ...

... and there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9

Show Them the Truth

Church Groups Turn to Sonogram to Turn Women From Abortions

"Sixteen months ago, Andrea Brown, 24 years old and unmarried, was desperate for an abortion, fearing the disappointment of her parents and the humiliation she might face.

While frantically searching the telephone book one day, she came across the Bowie Crofton Pregnancy Center and Medical Clinic, a church-financed organization that provides counseling and education about sexual abstinence. The receptionist told Ms. Brown that the clinic did not perform abortions or make referrals but that she could come in for an ultrasound to make sure her six-and-a-half-week pregnancy was viable. When she did, everything changed.

"When I had the sonogram and heard the heartbeat - and for me a heartbeat symbolizes life - after that there was no way I could do it," Ms. Brown said recently as she revisited the clinic and watched her daughter, Elora, now 9 months old, play at her feet."

Ankle Biting Pundits posted some quotes from Planned Parenthhood, read them - I have a question.

My question to them is this: What is so horrible about a woman continuing her pregnancy? How could that possibly be a bad thing? There is something seriously wrong with promoting as many abortions as possible. It's sick. It's worse than sick, it's evil. Sorry, I know that's a concept you can't grasp. Nevertheless, it's true.

But we are all as the unclean thing , and all our righteousnesses are as a menstruation cloth. And we all fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

And there is no one who calls on Your name, who stirs up himself to take hold of You. For You have hidden Your face from us, and have melted us away because of our iniquities.

But now, O Jehovah, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our Former; and we all are the work of Your hand.

Do not be grievously angry, O LORD, nor remember iniquity forever. Behold! Look, please; all of us are Your people. Isaiah 64:6-9

Dumb, Dumber, Dumbest

I just had a guy come to my window, hand me a dollar bill, 3 dimes and a nickel, and ask me for $1.35 in quarters. This is the smart guy in this post.

And I just saw Ward Churchill giving an interview on Fox news. The guy is a lunatic and the very fact that he is considered a professor and works at a public university in the United States, teaching the youth of our country is a travesty and he should be fired immediately, along with the dean and anyone else who teaches anything like him. (And why was Bill O'Reilly making excuses not to fire him?) What he was saying didn't even make any sense - and that doesn't mean he's smart and should be a professor. There may be a fine line between genius and insanity but this guy has definitely crossed over that line.

It's not always good to think outside the box, it may be sitting in a cesspool.

Next, Islamists have taken G.I. Joe hostage and are threatening to kill him with his own toy gun. They probably got the doll from Ward Churchill.

There's a picture (of the doll) in this article. LGF and Wizbang have pictures of the doll in original packaging. PoliPundit has a little fun with it.

Religion of Murder

This is some sick stuff here. Christians stalked on Islamic website

It's chilling to see photographs of people who probably have no idea that they're on the website," he said. "Hamas's website would post self-congratulatory accounts of their attacks on civilians, but barsomyat.com's users are telegraphing their intended victims in advance."

The website seems to be down now. Hopefully arrests follow quickly.

The Blind

"Someone who does not know the difference between good and evil is worth nothing." - Miecyslaw Kasprzyk, Polish rescuer of Jews during the Holocaust, New York Times, Jan. 30, 2005

I haven't pointed out a Dennis Prager commentary in a while. This one is worth a read.

Since the 1960s, with few exceptions, one the greatest questions of good and evil, the Left has either been neutral toward or actively supported evil. The Left could not identify communism as evil; has been neutral toward or actually supported the anti-democratic pro-terrorist Palestinians against the liberal democracy called Israel; and has found it impossible to support the war for democracy and against an Arab-Muslim enemy in Iraq as evil as any fascist the Left ever claimed to hate.

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20

Right to Choose, Responsibility to Choose Right

There were nearly 3,600 abortions per day in 2000, 149 per
hour, about one every 24 seconds.

but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, so that he will not hear. Isaiah 59:2

U.S. Abortion Deaths Compared to U.S. War Deaths

Nice Try

He gets an "A" for effort.

In the throne room of King Nebuchadnezzar's palace, Saddam Hussein built much of the brickwork over the ruins. The original bricks are inscribed with words praising Nebuchadnezzar. Above these, Hussein's workers laid bricks inscribed with the words, "In the era of Saddam Hussein, protector of Iraq, who rebuilt civilization and rebuilt Babylon."

Saddam Hussein tried to rebuild Babylon, God said "No."

And Babylon, the glory of the kingdoms, the beauty of the pride of the Chaldeans, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.

It shall not be lived in forever, nor shall it be lived in from generation to generation. And the Arabian shall not pitch a tent there, nor shall the shepherds make flocks lie down there.

But the desert creatures shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of howling creatures; and daughters of ostriches shall dwell there; and he goats shall skip there.

And hyenas shall cry along with his widows; and jackals in palaces of delight. Yea, her time to come is near, and her days shall not be prolonged. Isaiah 13:19-21

The Proof of the Bible

Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On

Something strange is happening in the Indian Ocean.

Unusual events "unheard of in the history of seismology" have been recorded in the Andaman and Nicobar islands, with more than 120 such events being recorded in the last one month, according to seismologists.

Of these events recorded at BARC's Gouribidnur station in Karnataka, at least over 33 events were above 5 on the Richter scale, they said, adding "this is unusual and alarming as large amount of energy is being released so frequently."

Eleven events with surface wave of magnitude 5, indicating large amount of energy close to Nicobar Islands was also recorded, the seismologists said.

"Since yesterday, 16 events which range from 5.2 to 5.8 on the Richter scale have been recorded," they said.

I wouldn't plan a vacation to that part of the world in the near future.

A Uterus Coffin?

Click here to see pictures of fantasy coffins. Very strange, indeed. Animals, cars, a hammer, a shoe, a beer bottle and yes, a uterus.

While we're on the subject of coffins, don't ever dig one up, open it, take out the heart of the occupant, and eat it. Don't do that. Please. It's disgusting. I don't care if he is a vampire.

I'm Surprised

to hear there are towns in the United states that don't have phone service. Maybe it shouldn't, I never really thought about it before, I just thought we pretty much had the whole country covered as far as phone service was concerned.

Painted Into A Corner

Germany, Germany, Germany, your socialism is showing.

Women told, 'Work in brothel, or else'

"There is now nothing in the law to stop women from being sent into the sex industry," says Merchthild Garweg, a Hamburg lawyer. "The new regulations say that working in the sex industry is not immoral any more, and so jobs cannot be turned down without a risk to benefits."

Hey, if the state says it's not immoral, what are those woman complaining about? The state also says it's not murder to kill unborn babies and you have no quarrel with that.

Bow to the state-god and you get ... oh, nevermind.

It's Not My Job

A man spent eight weeks in jail in a case of mistaken identity. He could have been out sooner but, apparently, no one in the system has the job of actually confirming the identity of those they arrest.

"All I was asking for over and over again was for them [authorities] to fax my picture over to Texas," Collazo said. "All it takes is five minutes."

"In January, the Osceola County Jail obtained a copy of the fugitive's mug shot, which clearly does not match that of Collazo, according to jail documents. Jail officials said they play no part in verifying the identity of their inmates."

"I don't know if it's for us to determine the identity. We go by the paperwork we have," said the Osceola County Jail's interim director, Joyce Peach.

Play no part? Don't go to any extra effort, like actually looking at the picture. No one would check his story until the newspaper started asking questions.

"No one checked out his story until Thursday at Orlando International Airport, just as a Harris County, Texas, sheriff's official was about to escort him onto a flight to Houston. Collazo said that didn't happen until the Orlando Sentinel began making inquiries. After faxing Collazo's photograph to Harris County authorities, the cop handed over $45 for cab fare and told him he was free to go."

I hope he's smart enough to get a good lawyer and they should take the money he is awarded out of the paychecks of all those involved. Identity theft is a growing problem and it's getting worse because it's always someone elses job to check these things out. The victim has to investigate and figure everything out for themselves.

China Stays On Track

Long-range Bombers for Beijing

"Russia is now offering China one of its most advanced long-range bombers in service – the famed TU-22 "Backfire." As predicted by this reporter, Russia will use newly announced joint military exercises with China to showcase new weapons for sale, including the supersonic Backfire bomber."

The turtle keeps marching on.

"China is not purchasing Backfire bombers to battle low-level terrorists or put down dissidents at home. These bombers are aimed at America, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines.

Beijing and Moscow are not allies, nor partners in a new era. The battle in the North Atlantic predicted during the Cold war is restarting in the Pacific. Supersonic bombers, missile-attack submarines and nuclear weapons are directed at the U.S. homeland."

Just sayin'.

Perfect Sense?

Mexico threatens Arizona over anti-illegals measure

"A Mexican government official has threatened to use international courts to block an Arizona law meant to limit public benefits and voting rights to legal residents of the U.S."

How do they figure it is the requirement of one government to take care of the citizens of another government? If our goverment is not serious about stopping illegal immigration, and it doesn't seem to be, we might as well just overthrow Mexico and add another state to the union.

"Mexican officials have repeatedly complained about Proposition 200, which went into effect Tuesday. The statewide measure denies most taxpayer benefits to illegal aliens and requires state workers to report applicants for such benefits who may not be eligible. It also requires anyone registering to vote in the state to show proof of citizenship and bring a government-issued ID to the polling place."

Sounds like a great idea to me. I can't figure out why it would be any other way, unless committing national suicide was the goal.

Bassmasters Tournament

We went to the lake around 1pm and nothing was really going on, the most exciting thing was watching them set up this hot air balloon. There were alot of boats and trucks and people were setting up for the event.

This is the cockpit of one of the bass boats. Nice, but what caught my attention was the massive gas pedal. What's that all about? All the boats I looked in had one.

Here's James on the dock at Lake Toho. It was unusually quiet, just a few people standing around waiting for something to happen.

Move Along, Nothing to See Here

Another reality too unpleasant to admit.

Jihad in Jersey City

Yet, the media's focus hasn't been the horror of this kind of centuries-old anti-Christian persecution apparently coming to America. Instead, there has been a concerted effort, it seems, to downplay this gruesome slaughter as some kind of anomaly, to search desperately for motives other than religious hatred – in effect, to ignore the kind of oppression that Christians and Jews in the Middle East have been experiencing since Islam became dominant in that part of the world more than 1,300 years ago.

We'll just ignore the unpleasant truth and before long, everyday life in America will become more like this:

The Last Ten Minutes

And we'll make excuses for it then, too. There have already been some airline flights like it. That's terror. It doesn't have to happen all the time, it doesn't take alot of resources.

I will set My face against you, and you shall be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you shall reign over you, and you shall flee when no one pursues you. Leviticus 26:17

You should read that whole chapter. It has alot more meaning today than most people realize. God does not change, and if we behave in a similar fashion to ancient Israel, we can expect expect God to act in a similar way towards us. We have a chance, we are being given time to turn. He has left us alone because we demanded it, but He is warning us now of what will come if we do not turn and keep His commandments.

These things you have done, and I kept silent; You thought that I was altogether like you; But I will rebuke you, And set them in order before your eyes. Psalms 50:21

May God help us to understand.

Empty

That's what my fish tank looks like lately, since adding the 3 Iridescent Sharks. At first, they were swimming around quite a bit, but they have since all but disappeared. Even the Jack Dempsey has been hiding more than he used to, although he comes out and interacts with us enough to know he is OK. Most of the time, if I'm sitting on the sofa and looking at the tank, all I see is rocks and water. This is very disappointing.

My plan is to set up a smaller tank, buy some Tiger Barbs and grow them up to the point it is safe to put them in with the Jack. I want a little more flash in the tank. I thought about adding another cichlid but I'm afraid fighting would break out. I know fighting would break out! I really like Oscars and would love to add one. I have to give that more thought, I need a place to put him if it doesn't work out. An outdoor pond would be nice.

Bassmaster

Tomorrow the 2005 Bassmaster Tour kicks off right here in Lake Tohopekaliga. I just may bring the kids down there to see what is going on. Not much to see is what I'm thinking but I don't know. The kids would like to go to the lake anyway. I've lived here so many years and I've never been to one of these tournaments. I haven't even fished all that much lately. What's wrong with me?

Don't answer that.

Don't Eat and Drive - Especially in England

How police used 10,000 pounds to stalk route of an apple-eating driver

A Nursery nurse was fined 60 pounds yesterday for holding an apple in her hand while driving around a bend after police used a spotter aircraft, a helicopter and a patrol car to win the case.

I read over this article carefully hoping to find some reason for this other than holding an apple while driving. Nope, that's it. Her crime was holding an apple while negotiating a bend. That would be funny if it were a skit.

“We accept that there are times when you can drive with one hand but, in holding an apple while negotiating a left-hand turn, we consider you not to have been in full control.

Big brother needs to chill just a bit.

Cha Cha Cha Changes

Life on Earth snuffed out by global warming

Suffocating global warming is to blame for the worst mass-extinction on Earth, according to international researchers tracking the cause of the "Great Dying" 250 million years ago.

Until now, circumstantial evidence suggested that an asteroid wiped out more than 90 per cent of all marine life and almost 75 per cent of all land plants and animals, like that which took out the dinosaurs 65 million years ago.

Wait, forget what we said before, it wasn't an asteroid, it was global warming. Yea, that's it, it was global warming. We're sure now.

While she said the new findings were "significant" and "hard", she predicted they would not settle the debate entirely as scientists often found it hard to give up their favourite theories.

You can only get so many on the money train.

Spelunking

It's probably not a good idea to explore a cave with a bottle of whisky, especially if you're drinking it.

Man found after weeks in cave

"Wrapped in plastic sheeting, he said he ate wood and clay, which may have been the remains of the mushrooms."

In pitch blackness, there's no telling what he was eating. I don't think he wants to know. It could have been worse though, at least it wasn't an underwater cave. The first guy was stupid, the underwater cave divers are just plain crazy.

There is even a cave diving blog: Speleonet. 11 of 19 posts on the first page (as I write this) have to do with the death of a diver/divers.

I've been in my share of caves. Luray Caverns, Skyline Caverns (which was actually dug out by hand!), I'm sure a few others in Virginia which I don't remember, Carlsbad Caverns,Rio Camuy Cave in Puerto Rico and even a small cave in Japan which I went into completely alone after paying the 500 yen or whatever it was and being handed a candle (I kid you not). It was not a very large cave and actually came back around to the entrance, you couldn't get lost if you tried. It was a little creepy though, just having a candle. So, I understand the attraction of caves, but really, some things I just don't have to see.

A Blessing in Disguise

The other day I was cleaning my glasses and, much to my surprise, they broke. They were the kind with a one piece stem coming from the side of the lens and bending back to the the ear and were made of magnesium. They were very flexible and it really surprised me when they broke. I bought them about a year and a half ago at a Target and I went back there today to see if they had the same kind so I could just swap the lenses because I can't really afford to buy new glasses right now.

Well, they don't carry them any more. I was disapointed, but when she checked my information it turned out I had a 2 year warranty on them (I did not know that!) and I could get a complete new pair of glasses for about $35.00. Sounded like a deal to me! I picked out, with a little help, a pair made of titanium (because I like titanium and they are light, light, light), paid the $35.00 and now I have to wait a week to get them. The only bad part.

The wonderful thing is, I really needed to get new glasses anyway because these had been beat up by James quite a few times and they were also a bit scratched. I can see clearly through my sunglasses but with the broken pair things were a little weird because they were not aligned right and because of the scratches. I'm happy, happy, happy. $35.00!

A Catfish

Fish Discovered With Human Face Pattern

Looks more like a cat to me. At least they don't claim it's the virgin Mary.

And Now For Something Completely Different

I have no idea.

We Are Our Own Worst Enemy

Why Iraq prisoners no longer talking

U.S. military interrogators in Iraq tell Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin prisoners are doing far less talking since the publicity of the Abu Ghraib prison scandal and the crackdown on harsh techniques used in questioning them.

"Do you want to know why there are so many successful attacks – attacks that are not averted because of good intelligence?" asked one military source familiar with the situation. "Because we're getting next to nothing out of the prisoners. Our information flow has dried up."

Many of us saw this coming. Maybe if we offered them ice cream and told them we'd be their best friend. We really need to smarten up.

Dissatisfied

It is odd how man seems to be so dissatisfied with God. Seriously. We seem to think that we can improve on what He has done. It is one thing when we do this by creating a new Rose, or a new breed of dog. It is another thing all together when we think we can improve on His religion. And we do. If we weren't so busy improving on God's religion, there wouldn't be so many varieties of religions in the world. -- Ronald L. Dart - Galations

I got three new fish for the tank. I was concerned that the Jack Dempsey would kill any fish I put in there since he has been alone for so long. I wanted something colorful and lively and considered Tiger Barbs but they are too small at the size the pet shop has. A group of large adults would be nice though. I like Silver Dollars but they are too skittish and I was afraid the Jack would chase them down. I ended up getting these Iridescent Sharks, which turned out to be a bit of a mistake, although not for the reason I was concerned. I was not too familiar with them and did not know the eventual size of the fish. The card on the tank in the pet shop said 8 inches. The clerk said about a foot. That would have been fine.

I got them set up in the tank and they are getting along swimmingly with the Jack. He was mildly curious but he leaves them alone. Good. Now I went on the internet to look up these sharks and guess what? The pet shop was dead wrong about the size. They get huge, up to 52 inches long! Why do they sell these in pet shops and not tell you how big they really get? Realistically, hardly anyone would have the room to keep a fish this large and probably less would actually want to, there are more interesting large fish out there.

So now I have three of these sharks (not really sharks, they just call them that) and we'll have to see what happens.That's what I get for trusting the pet shop and not doing my own research. Too impatient I guess. James likes them and they are active, just like I wanted. Could be a bit more colorful though. I should have tried to find Clown Loaches now that I've done some more reading up. I haven't seen them around, though.

The moral, I guess, is - Don't buy Iridescent Sharks!

If you have to leave the pet shop empty handed and come back another day to make sure you get the right fish, do it.

No Way!!!

Man Discovers Four-Inch Nail Embedded In Skull

How does this happen? And in his mouth, no less! Must have been a hell of a toothache.

Tradition of Men

"I have repeatedly offered $1,000 to anyone who can prove to me from the Bible alone that I am bound to keep Sunday holy. There is no such law in the Bible. It is a law of the holy Catholic Church alone. The Bible says, 'Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.' The Catholic Church says: 'No. By my divine power I abolish the Sabbath day and command you to keep holy the first day of the week.' And lo! The entire civilized world bows down in a reverent obedience to the command of the holy Catholic Church." (T. Enright, C.S.S.R., in a lecture at Hartford, Kansas, Feb. 18, 1884)

"Nowhere in the Bible do we find that Christ or the apostles ordered the Sabbath be changed from Saturday to Sunday. We have the commandment of God given to Moses to keep holy the Sabbath day, that is the seventh day of the week, Saturday. Today most Christians keep Sunday because it has been revealed to us by the [Roman Catholic] Church outside the Bible." (Catholic Virginian, October 3, 1947)

"Which church does the whole civilized world obey? Protestants call us every horrible name they can think of - anti-Christ, the scarlet-colored beast, Babylon, etc., and at the same time profess great reverence for the Bible, and yet by their solemn act of keeping Sunday, they acknowledge the power of the Catholic Church." (Industrial American, Harlan Iowa; a published lecture by T. Enright, December 19, 1889)

"Question: Have you any other way of proving that the church has power to institute festivals or precepts?"
"Answer: Had she not such power, she could not have done that in which all modern religionists agree with her, -she could not have substituted the observance of Sunday the first day of the week, for the observance of Saturday the seventh day, a change for which there is no Scriptural authority." (Rev. Stephen Keenan's A Doctrinal Catechism, p. 174: Edward Dunigan and Brothers, New York, 1851)

"You will read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and you will not find a single line authorizing the sanctification of Sunday. The Scriptures enforce the religious observance of Saturday, a day which we [Catholics] never sanctify." (Cardinal Gibbons' Faith of Our Fathers, p. 111)

"It is well to remind the Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, and all other Christians, that the Bible does not support them anywhere in their observance of Sunday. Sunday is an institution of the Roman Catholic Church, and those who observe the day observe a commandment of the Catholic Church." (Priest Brady, in an address, reported in the Elizabeth, N.J. 'News' of March 18, 1903)

"Protestants...accept Sunday rather than Saturday as the day for public worship after the Catholic Church made the change... But the Protestant mind does not seem to realize that... in observing the Sunday, in keeping Christmas and Easter, they are accepting the authority of the spokesman for the church--the Pope." (Our Sunday Visitor, February 5, 1950.)

"If Protestants would follow the Bible, they should worship God on the Sabbath Day. In keeping the Sunday they are following a law of the Catholic Church." (Albert Smith, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, replying for the Cardinal, in a letter dated February 10, 1920.)

"If you follow the Bible alone there can be no question that you are obliged to keep Saturday holy, since that is the day especially prescribed by Almighty God to be kept holy to the Lord. In keeping Sunday, non-Catholics are simply following the practise of the Catholic Church for 1800 years, a tradition, and not a Bible ordinance.... With the Catholics there is no difficulty about the matter. For, since we deny that the Bible is the sole rule of faith, we can fall back upon the constant practise and tradition of the Church." (Francis G. Lentz, The Question Box, 1900, pp. 98, 99)

"Is it not strange that those who make the Bible their only teacher should inconsistently follow in this matter the tradition of the Church?" (Bertrand L. Conway, The Question Box Answers, 1910, p. 255)

You shall do your work six days, and on the seventh day you shall rest, so that your ox and your ass may rest, and the son of your handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed. Exodus 23:12

For in six days Jehovah made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore Jehovah blessed the Sabbath day, and sanctified it. Exodus 20:11

The United States of America and the Law of Liberty

The following was written by Ed Burson. It is part of a larger piece and I quote this part because it needs to be said and it builds on my post from earlier today.

Regardless of the lies to the contrary today, the government of our Nation was designed by Christians, using the Law of God as its foundations. Nowhere else in the world, will you find a nation whose laws are so inextricably connected to the Word of God!

It is the foundation of these Laws of God, in our Constitution, which HAS GIVEN US OUR LIBERTY!

It is this GLORIOUS LAW that developed such a rag-tag group of men and women, into the GREATEST NATION the world has ever known.

And the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 1 Corinthians 3:17

The degree to which we forsake this Law is the degree to which, we will lose our power and our wealth and our freedom!

Until very recently, our people have always understood, at least this much of the truth of God.

For over a hundred years, a very popular song, America the Beautiful, has been sung in churches throughout our land. It contains the revealing line, "America, America, God mend thine every flaw, confirm thy soul in self-control, thy LIBERTY IN LAW."

Our people have always understood this fundamental truth, until recently.

So speak and do as those who shall be judged by the Law of liberty. James 2:12

promising them liberty, they themselves are the slaves of corruption. For by whom anyone has been overcome, even to this one he has been enslaved. 2 Peter 2:19

Liberty is not the freedom to break God's wonderful Law! It is the freedom to keep God's Law! It is the freedom, which is automatically provided, because people ARE keeping the Law of God - the Ten Commandments!

When a people respect and honor the Law of God, they gain the freedom to pursue their own happiness, in any way they please.

The only thing we must learn is that we can NEVER allow our pursuit of happiness to take happiness away from others.

We do not inherently understand how to live like this.

That is why Our Creator gave us His Law.

A people who obey this Law become free from the fear of thieves, murderers, and rapists! They are free from the meddling interference of their own government and every other form of evil, we can imagine, because the Law of God restrains people, from doing evil things to one another.

We do not observe God's Law in order to obtain salvation, but in order to create an environment of trust and peace and genuine love, within our families and within the Church and within our nation.

When the entire world observes these laws, the result will be the same; worldwide trust, peace and genuine love between all of mankind!

The psychologists and the rest of rebellious mankind, shout, "Utopian nonsense!"

No, it ABSOLUTELY IS NOT "Utopian nonsense"!

When our nation preached these laws and taught them from their pulpits, even though they NEVER actually kept them very well, this was a much safer and happier nation.

Many of us remember those times. This was the fruit of even a half-hearted attempt at Christianity!

It is when our people began to stray, from this Royal Law of Liberty that the misery began to creep in.

Any student of history will notice that the periods of moral decline and wholesale departure from God's laws, were immediately followed by periods of financial upheaval and wars - ending in the death of many of our people.

Witness the "Gay Nineties," stretching into the second decade of the 20th century, followed by the great "War to End All Wars" and the "Roaring Twenties," followed by the "Great Depression" and World War II.

Following these horrific wars, we always find a relative time of moral stability. It doesn't require a prophet or even a genius, to see God's hand in this endlessly recurring cycle.

It is just like in your home. When children are running and screaming through the house and they are corrected, peace follows for a brief time.

The world scene is no different from this. The same rules bring the same results, regardless of where they are practiced.

Ashamed to be an American?

After spending 10 days in London with friends who were outspoken about their disdain for President Bush's policies, Berns Rothchild came home wishing she had a way to show the world she didn't vote for him.

"I sort of felt ashamed, and didn't really want to be associated with being an American," said Rothchild, who lives in New York City and voted for John Kerry.

Could it be that you are not, at heart, an American? Your thoughts and values are not even close to those of the founding fathers of this nation. America was founded on freedom, personal responsibility, freedom of religion, not freedom from religion (and the founders had a strong and outspoken faith in God), the sanctity of human life and small government (a Republic, not a democracy).

Face reality and stop trying to make America over into your image, because you can't change the foundation without destroying the house.

But then again, what you want is more important than anything else, isn't it?

How's That?

In which I take issue with Hal Lindsey on a couple of obvious errors in his essay, The ultimate tragedy

First, he presents the age old "immortal soul" doctrine.

But because of mankind's rebellion against Him, man now has two destinations in eternity. Every person who does not restore his relationship with God will spend eternity away from God in a place of isolation, torment and outer darkness.

He quotes John 3:16-19 but inadvertantly leaves out verse 15:

so that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Two opposites, everlasting life - perish. Dont' read into it, just read it. How 'bout Romans 6:23:

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Let's see, wages of sin = death. Gift of God = Eternal life. In Eccle 9:5-6 it says:

For the living know that they shall die; but the dead do not know anything, nor do they have any more a reward; for their memory is forgotten.

Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; nor do they any longer have a part forever in all that is done under the sun.

In Genesis 2:17 God says:

but you shall not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. For in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.

They didn't die when they ate the fruit, so did God lie? No, God wasn't talking about the death of their body. Read Hebrews 9:27-28:

And as it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment,

so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many. And to those who look for Him He shall appear the second time without sin to salvation.

Everyone dies once, that death is not the "wages of sin." In Job 32:8 we read,

But a spirit is in man giving them perception, even the breath of the Almighty.

This spirit in man does not die with the body, but is preserved, with no knowledge of the passing time, until the person is ressurected in the judgement.

Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. But rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Gehenna).

Our modern use of the word "hell" does not match the meaning of the word "Gehenna." Gehanna is a place. Read here for detailed explaination of Gehenna.

The truth is, the wages of sin is death. And all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23.

There is plenty that can be said about this subject and I cannot possibly cover everything here. The following links cover the subject in more detail, and more eloquently than I.

Is There Really A Hell Fire?

The Bible Does Not Promise Heaven

Do You Have An Immortal Soul?

You Can Take It With You

When I Die, What Happens Next?

You can read the truth in your own Bible, it's in there, but you must let go of the preconceived ideas you carry around with you.

But wait Hal, there's more! Hal Lindsey continues:

The Bible teaches that if a person dies before the age of accountability, he is automatically covered by the atonement of Jesus Christ because he didn't have the ability to make a decision.

No, it doesn't. Notice his complete lack of scriptural reference? That may be something he came up with to explain what happens to children when they die, but it is not the truth. Perhaps it brings him a little temporary comfort to believe that but he is fooling himself and those who listen to him; it really does them a disservice and hides the truth.

Sorry about the rant but it really bothers when someone who should know better, doesn't. Misinformation profits no one and hurts all.

Satan was surprised to see the Tree of the Knowledge of Good And Evil in the Garden of Eden. What Satan said was not entirely a lie, just a little misinformation mixed with truth.

And the serpent said to the woman, You shall not surely die,

for God knows that in the day you eat of it, then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as God, knowing good and evil. Genesis 3:4-5

And they didn't die, not right away.

The Choice

No Longer a Person

What's up with Consumer Reports casually inserting a box labeled "Abortion Options" in an article on birth control (More and Safer Options)? A bit too casually. And do they consider abortion one of the safer options? I know there are many people who wish everyone would just shut up about this and who would like abortion to be no big deal at all, but you can't change reality. It is always a big deal. It is taking a human life, no matter who or how someone redefines it. A rose, by any other name, is still a rose. Consumer Reports is being irresponsible with this report. By not mentioning any negative aspect of abortion they are leading people to make a very serious decision without all the facts. Perhaps they believe what you don't know won't hurt you but they are dead wrong about that. In fact, the combined decision of over 850,000 women who have had "legal" abortions in the U.S. every year (that's over 2300 a day!) is having dire effects on our country and our people. Worldwide totals must be staggering!

Brought to my attention by Worldnet Daily.

"America needs no words from me to see how your decision in Roe v. Wade has deformed a great nation. The so-called right to abortion has pitted mothers against their children and women against men. It has sown violence and discord at the heart of the most intimate of human relationships. It has aggravated the derogation of the father's role in an increasingly fatherless society. It has portrayed the greatest gift-a child-as a competitor, and intrusion, and an inconvenience. IT has nominally accorded mothers unfettered dominion over the independent lives of their physically dependent sons and daughters. And, in granting this unconscionable power, it has exposed many women to unjust and selfish demands from their husbands or other sexual partners." -- Mother Teresa

Do we understand what society really wants? They want the right to have sex whenever, with whomever, and however they want, and they want to do it with no penalty. This is a right that is beyond the power of any government to confer. How could we be such fools? It is one thing to engage in great social experiments, but did we have to experiment with our children?

We are now moving into the results stage of a social experiment so monstrous that it boggles the mind. The results may be irreversible. If not one more illegitimate child were born, if no more abortions were permitted, we would be generations recovering from what we have already done. But there is no sign that any change is in the offing. The American and Canadian governments are determined-the craziness will go on.

When I speak of our governments, I am not referring to any individual, institution, or political party. I am referring to a system that has a mind of its own and that is subject to no one. It is like a giant computer run amuck which no one can turn off. Its prime directive is to increase in power and control, and to destroy any opposition to its will. -- Ronald L. Dart

Who is the final authority on morality? Well, God is, of course. If then the final authority on morality is God, and if the state becomes the final authority on morality, then the state is god. If you have wondered at the growing hostility of our own government toward the "religious right," look no further. The God of the Christians is competition for the state-god.

We are headed for great conflict between church and state. When the founding fathers of our country penned the Constitution, they had no intent of making the church subordinate to the state. But the state-god will brook no competition. The first commandment of the state-god should be familiar: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." In the end, the state will insist on subordination or elimination of all opposition.

The state is powerless before many things, but doesn't know it. As the state grasps at more and more power to solve its problems, it will finally enslave its people. Men of earlier generations knew this-had experienced it. We seem to have forgotten. -- Ronald L. Dart

Quotes are from this essay: The Aborted Generation

Winter Cleaning

I started deep cleaning the fish tank yesterday and continued today. I took all the rocks out, brought them to the back yard and pressure washed them. Then I started pressure washing a part of the house and had to keep going because it looked funny with a clean spot. I only did the back today though. I need a ladder to do the sides. While I was at it I cleaned the deck, too. The fish tank is almost clean, I want to get every last bit of sediment from the gravel. I won't, you never can, but I need to do more. I found coins, sticks, crayons, tires from a toy car, pieces from the backing of an area rug and a necklace that said Joshua on it. (He was looking for that!) Of course, James was responsible for all that stuff in the tank, it looked like a real lake! Poor fish.

By the way, it reached 80 degrees today!

Same Old Story

The man who predicted the tsunami

A leading California geologist repeatedly warned Indonesian officials that an earthquake and tsunami would soon strike their shores, it emerged this weekend.

...was so frustrated in his attempts to get the attention of Asia's leaders that, in desperation, he began handing out fliers, posters and brochures to residents of the islands worst hit by the waves.

He spoke at churches and schools to tell people what to do in an earthquake.

"No one can predict exactly when an earthquake will happen, but it was clear that this area was at relatively high risk and such an event would definitely happen one day," he said after the devastation. "We told them it would kill people, wreck infrastructure and destroy livelihoods. But our warnings were falling on deaf ears. My team and I decided to bypass the national and local government and start warning people directly. I hope our efforts saved some lives."

Nobody ever listens to those warnings before the fact. Life is so good, nothing has happened in our lifetime, it couldn't happen to us - you've heard it all before. The warning was there, the information they needed was there, but they didn't want to hear it. It's always the same. It's the same with the return of Jesus Christ. The keys to prophecy are available, you can know them, the information is available. Seek (intelligently) and you shall find.

Now learn a parable of the fig tree. When its branch is still tender and puts out leaves, you know that summer is near.

So you, likewise, when you see all these things, shall know that it is near, at the doors.

Truly I say to you, This generation shall not pass until all these things are fulfilled. Matthew 24:32-34

Start here:

Christian Educational Ministries

Church of God Worldwide Ministries

GTA Evangelistic association

BibleStudy.org

And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:

They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.

Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built;

but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.

Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. Luke 17:26-30

Same ole, same ole.

A Great American

A Great but Misunderstood American

"And I tell you this morning, my friends, the reason we have to solve this problem here in America: Because God somehow called America to do a special job for mankind and the world. Never before in the history of the world have so many racial groups and so many national backgrounds assembled together in one nation. And somehow if we can't solve the problem in America the world can't solve the problem, because America is the world in miniature and the world is America writ large. And God set us out with all of the opportunities. He set us between two great oceans; made it possible for us to live with some of the great natural resources of the world. And there he gave us through the minds of our forefathers a great creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

Misunderstood indeed, read the essay for more of what Dr. Martin Luther King said about America.

Another Amazing Survivor Story

I saw this on the news a couple of days ago but just got around to looking it up on the web. Tsunami survivor found adrift at sea. 100 miles from shore and eight days and look at the picture! What is that? Branches from a tree? This is an incredible story, can you imagine being in his position?

Of Fish and Boys

I took the kids to the pet shop today after I picked up Joshua. I took James there the other day and he really enjoyed it and asked to go back, they have a shark he likes. Actually, last time he wanted me to buy the tank, the shark and a large moray eel. Aaah, no.

This time the girl recognizes him and they're talking and before you know it James is feeding the shark, a bunch of moray eels, and every else in sight, including an octopus. One of the eels started jumping out of the water! I think she knew what she was doing because she told me all about a 55 gallon tank and stand available for about $100.00 dollars. It's easy to say no when you don't have any money! I'd like to see the business succeed and all but I can't help you.

I would like to add a few more fish to my collection (of one - a large, old Jack Dempsey). The wife doesn't like the idea. She'll have to get used to it I guess.

And I Quote

"Species do not transform one into the other. They show stability from generation to generation, and my experiments demonstrate that fact. Isn't anyone listening?" -- Gregor Mendel (1822-1884), Father of Genetics.

"The theory of evolution is impossible.... Evolution is a kind of dogma which the priests no longer believe, but which they maintain for their people." -- Paul Lemoine (1878-1940), Geologist, Director of the Natural History Museum in Paris, President of the Geological Society of France.

"(It's as difficult) to understand a scientist who does not acknowledge the presence of a superior rationality behind the existence of the universe as it is to comprehend a theologian who would deny the advances of science." "Manned space flight is an amazing achievement, but it has opened for us thus far only a tiny door for viewing the awesome reaches of space. Our outlook through this peephole at the vast mysteries of the universe only confirms our belief in the certainty of its creator." "One of the most fundamental laws of natural science is that nothing in the physical world ever happens without a cause. There simply cannot be a creation without some kind of spiritual creator." -- Wernher von Braun (1912-1977), Space Scientist.

"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use." -- Galileo (1564-1642), Scientist of Optics, gravity, and Astronomy.

"I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in." -- George Washington Carver (about 1864-1943), Biology Scientist, Organic Chemist.

Classical Darwinism, as well as neo-Darwinism, maintains macroevolution is nothing more than extrapolated microevolution. But this extrapolation is precisely where appeals to observation stop and hand waving begins. The extrapolation in reality is nothing more than a gigantic leap of faith." -- John Baumgardner, Geophysicist, Plate Techtonics Research Analyst, Fluid Dynamics Scientist.

Many more available here: Scientists and God

Sinners Above All?

There is some talk that God (or allah) caused the Tsunami to punish sinful acts (fornication and sexual perversion) committed in those areas. Is this true? The theory just doesn't hold water. What makes them think those same sins are not being committed in every city, in every country around the world? What, it's worse in Indonesia? The Middle East is not a den of iniquity? America, Canada, Mexico, Europe, China, Columbia, Brazil? - name one country that doesn't have these things going on to some degree.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God Romans 3:23

Jesus spoke directly about just this sort of thing.

And some were present at the same time reporting to Him of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.

And answering, Jesus said to them, Do you suppose that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans because they suffered such things?

I tell you, No. But unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were sinners above all men who lived in Jerusalem?

I tell you, No. But unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Luke 13:1-5

Time and chance happen to all. Do something to help.

Neal Boortz did some investigating and recommends AmeriCares. They look pretty good in Charity Navigator

A Still, Small Voice

Then He said, "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. 1 Kings 19:11-12

The God Who Disappoints

10 Year Old Girl Recognized Tsunami Signs

Schoolgirl Saves Nearly 100 Lives

"I was on the beach and the water started to go funny," Tilly was quoted as telling The Sun. "There were bubbles and the tide went out all of a sudden. I recognized what was happening and had a feeling there was going to be a tsunami. I told mummy."

Some of the stories coming out are just so hard to take - heartbreaking - the death toll is beyond imagination, but there are also some amazing stories of survival. It makes you wonder if God, perhaps, had a hand in saving some of them. God works in subtle ways many times, like a 10 year old girl recognizing the warning signs of a tsunami she just learned about in school 2 weeks earlier and warning others of the danger.

Some people, the Archbishop of Canterbury in particular, are questioning whether God exists at all.

The Asian tsunami disaster should make all Christians question the existence of God, Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, writes in The Telegraph today.

Should it make all Christians question the existance of God? Well, I have to say the Archbishop of Canterbury does not know God. He has had a god of his imagination, as many have, but they have no relationship, they have not had prayers answered, they do not keep His commandments, don't know His plan, don't know what He is doing and don't know why. He has a job, he wears fancy clothes, makes signs with his hands and takes home a paycheck for a "respectable" position.

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.

He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1 John 2:3-4

If he knew God, he might question why God let it happen, he might even be angry about it, he would certainly be saddened to see it, but he would never question His existance - he would know.

In the wake of a disaster you should consider your life, things such as, why are you here?, what's it all about?, what happens when you die?, should you repent?

The tsunamis may not be near enough to cause you to really ask yourself these questions, life , after all, has a way of helping us to forget God. There is nothing like being in the midst of a disaster to bring God to your careful attention and I think that's one reason God let's them happen. And happen they will.

German Pope?

Rome's Next Choice?

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, the chief architect of Pope John Paul II's traditionalist moral policy, has long been a bugaboo for liberal Catholics. But they had stopped worrying that the German might one day ascend to St. Peter's throne. His hard-line views and blunt approach had earned him the epithet of panzerkardinal and too many enemies. Well, their worrying may now resume. Sources in Rome tell TIME that Ratzinger has re-emerged as the top papal candidate within the Vatican hierarchy, joining other front runners such as Dionigi Tettamanzi of Milan and Claudio Hummes of Sao Paolo. "The Ratzinger solution is definitely on," said a well-placed Vatican insider.

Interesting. Very interesting.