Tuesday, May 20, 2008

THE VIOLENT EARTH


The Violent Earth

I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake. Rev. 6:12.


Prophecy not only foretells the manner and object of Christ's coming, but presents tokens by which men are to know when it is near. . . . The revelator thus describes the first of the signs to precede the second advent: "There was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood."

These signs were witnessed before the opening of the nineteenth century. In fulfilment of this prophecy there occurred, in the year 1755, the most terrible earthquake that has ever been recorded. Though commonly known as the earthquake of Lisbon, it extended to the greater part of Europe, Africa, and America. It was felt in Greenland, in the West Indies, in the island of Madeira, in Norway and Sweden, Great Britain and Ireland. It pervaded an extent of not less than four million square miles. In Africa the shock was almost as severe as in Europe. A great part of Algiers was destroyed; and a short distance from Morocco, a village containing eight or ten thousand inhabitants was swallowed up. A vast wave swept over the coast of Spain and Africa, engulfing cities, and causing great destruction.

It was in Spain and Portugal that the shock manifested its extreme violence. At Cadiz the inflowing wave was said to be sixty feet high. Mountains, "some of the largest in Portugal, were impetuously shaken, as it were, from their very foundations." . . .--Sir Charles Lyell, Principles of Geology, p. 495. . . . "The earthquake happened on a holy day, when the churches and convents were full of people, very few of whom escaped."-- Encyclopedia Americana, art. "Lisbon," note (ed. 1831). . . It has been estimated that ninety thousand persons lost their lives on that fatal day.

How frequently we hear of earthquakes and tornadoes, of destruction by fire and flood, with great loss of life and property! Apparently these calamities are capricious outbreaks of disorganized, unregulated forces of nature, wholly beyond the control of man; but in them all, God's purpose may be read. They are among the agencies by which He seeks to arouse men and women to a sense of their danger.

Marantha, E. G. White, p.149.

THE BLESSINGS OF OBEDIENCE & CURSES OF REBELLION




Deuteronomy 28


1And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

2And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.

3Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.

4Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

5Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.

6Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

7The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.

8The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

9The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.

10And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.

11And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

12The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.

13And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:

14And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

15But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:

16Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field.

17Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store.

18Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

19Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

20The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me.

21The LORD shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest to possess it.

22The LORD shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish.

23And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron.

24The LORD shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou be destroyed.

25The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.

26And thy carcase shall be meat unto all fowls of the air, and unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray them away.

27The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed.

28The LORD shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart:

29And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore, and no man shall save thee.

30Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof.

31Thine ox shall be slain before thine eyes, and thou shalt not eat thereof: thine ass shall be violently taken away from before thy face, and shall not be restored to thee: thy sheep shall be given unto thine enemies, and thou shalt have none to rescue them.

32Thy sons and thy daughters shall be given unto another people, and thine eyes shall look, and fail with longing for them all the day long; and there shall be no might in thine hand.

33The fruit of thy land, and all thy labours, shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up; and thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway:

34So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.

35The LORD shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head.

36The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone.

37And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee.

38Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in; for the locust shall consume it.

39Thou shalt plant vineyards, and dress them, but shalt neither drink of the wine, nor gather the grapes; for the worms shall eat them.

40Thou shalt have olive trees throughout all thy coasts, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with the oil; for thine olive shall cast his fruit.

41Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but thou shalt not enjoy them; for they shall go into captivity.

42All thy trees and fruit of thy land shall the locust consume.

43The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low.

44He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail.

45Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee:

46And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever.

47Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things;

48Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.

49The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand;

50A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young:

51And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land, until thou be destroyed: which also shall not leave thee either corn, wine, or oil, or the increase of thy kine, or flocks of thy sheep, until he have destroyed thee.

52And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land: and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the LORD thy God hath given thee.

53And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, which the LORD thy God hath given thee, in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee:

54So that the man that is tender among you, and very delicate, his eye shall be evil toward his brother, and toward the wife of his bosom, and toward the remnant of his children which he shall leave:

55So that he will not give to any of them of the flesh of his children whom he shall eat: because he hath nothing left him in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee in all thy gates.

56The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter,

57And toward her young one that cometh out from between her feet, and toward her children which she shall bear: for she shall eat them for want of all things secretly in the siege and straitness, wherewith thine enemy shall distress thee in thy gates.

58If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD;

59Then the LORD will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance.

60Moreover he will bring upon thee all the diseases of Egypt, which thou wast afraid of; and they shall cleave unto thee.

61Also every sickness, and every plague, which is not written in the book of this law, them will the LORD bring upon thee, until thou be destroyed.

62And ye shall be left few in number, whereas ye were as the stars of heaven for multitude; because thou wouldest not obey the voice of the LORD thy God.

63And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it.

64And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone.

65And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind:

66And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life:

67In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.

68And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy you.

Monday, May 19, 2008

AT LEAST 10 ONTARIO SEARS STORES OPEN ON VICTORIA DAY...

At least 10 Ontario Sears stores open on Victoria Day despite govt warnings

TORONTO — At least 10 Sears Canada (TSX:SCC) stores in Ontario opened their doors to the public on Monday, even though the provincial government warned the company that it would be against the law to do so on Victoria Day.

Canada's second-largest department store chain had said it planned to hold special "private by-invitation-only" charity events, which it believed would be legal as an exemption under the province's Retail Business Holidays Act.

But the provincial government said that wasn't a valid exemption and the only stores that could open legally were those in designated tourist areas.

"It's clear and we told Sears," Greg Dennis, a spokesman for the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, said Monday.

"They asked us and we told them there is no legally authority to grant an exemption in this case, so they were told quite clearly that they don't have a legal authority to do this."

Still, stores in Belleville, Brockville, Cobourg, Cornwall, Sarnia, St. Catharines, Windsor and some in the Toronto-area were open for business. Some stores turned away customers that didn't have special invitations - which had been handed out during the week - but employees at other stores said they were open to anyone and everyone.

Fines for violating the retail act could range between $500 up to $50,000 but Dennis said it was completely up to the police to act on complaints from the public and then act accordingly.

He said the government would not get involved in enforcing the legislation.

"We don't tell police what to do," he said. "Enforcement is a police issue, we don't enforce the law we make up the law."

It was unclear how many stores Sears had planned to open on Monday but it appeared that some changed their plans.

Police in Hamilton and Sault. Ste. Marie said they checked into whether their local stores were open but found no one inside. Local media outlets had reported they planned to open.

Sears Canada spokesman Vincent Power said he wasn't aware of any stores that were fined by police or any complaints being filed.

He wouldn't comment on the company's talks with the government before deciding to open the stores.

Source: http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5h69LF6Grmmx0RNajLfd3FAXy-8rw

HEY G.B.: WANNA BUY SOME COMPUTER PARTS?

Published:

May 14, 2008
Op-Ed Contributor

Hey George Bush: Wanna Buy Some Computer Parts?

By Robert Paul Reyes


China will be hosting the Olympic Games this summer, and this has put the international spotlight on China's horrendous human rights record. Now it's soccer Moms and everyday folks, and not just aging hippies and Hollywood celebrities who are sporting "Free Tibet" T-Shirts.

China is a scofflaw state and doesn't respect intellectual property rights. The Chinese government tolerates the theft of everything from the latest Hollywood blockbuster to the newest version of the Windows operating system.

China is stealing technology from the United States -- everything from Dell computers to Boeing aircraft. That new" made in China" DVD player that you bought at Wal-Mart for only $25.99, it's probably an American or a Japanese who invented the technology.



China steals our technology to build better airplanes and computers, and uses their slave labor to sell us products contaminated with lead and heaven only knows what else.

When the clueless George W. Bush visits China for the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games, he should not only bring up the subject of Tibet, but also the pressing issues of intellectual property rights and piracy.

Newsflash to George W. Bush: Our real enemy is not Iraq, but China. They have launched a war against our economy, and they are using our stolen technology to defeat us.

Source: http://newsblaze.com/story/20080514163922reye.nb/newsblaze/TIBET001/Tibet.html

SECRET MASTERS ARE LOOMING,...

Published:

May 16, 2008

Op-Ed Contributor


Secret Masters are Looming, Is G. W. One of Them?


By Sean Stubblefield

Any secret society worthy of the name is bound to be shrouded in mystery, enigma and half-truths. Anything we know, or think we know, about these groups is questionable, because it is probably what they want us to know; composed of speculation, rumor and disinformation. Any alleged insiders claiming to reveal group secrets cannot be completely trusted, because either they've betrayed their sacred oath of loyalty to their group or they haven't.


Whatever we are told, or allowed to know, about them is likely to be in some way sensationalized, unsubstantiated, skeptical, harmlessly trivial or a mixture of fact and fiction; serving to create and enforce a particular reputation of power. For those not properly initiated, the whole truth of who these societies are and what they really do may never be common knowledge. Which is a cultivated tactic both deliberate and coincidental.


That which is forbidden or hidden tends to provoke curiosity; in absence of definitive answers, we guess and invent based on what little we do "know". So secret societies become mythic and religious in form and function- internally and externally, the subject of conspiracy theory, suspicion and imagination among the uninitiated. Proliferation of an unknown power often incites paranoid delusions laced with supposition, fear and intimidation. Our doubts frequently cause us to worry and imagine the worst.


What's the secret? And why? What are they plotting (against me)? The common assumption, although not necessarily accurate, is that if they are hidden, operating in secrets and shadows, then they must be up to no good. The anonymity of working behind the scenes permits a degree of mobility and liberty that moving out in the open may not, because they don't have to answer to anyone but themselves and their code.


Because they are always surrounded by mystery and mystique, a hint of doubt and intrigue persists.


All group signs, activities and attitudes are full of symbolic ruse and ritual, imbued with pomp and circumstance to encourage an impression of distinguished significance and grand purpose. Members are typically immersed in propaganda and instilled with a noble sense of duty (to a cause and/ or each other), delusions of grandeur, or some combination. People are often drawn to and inspired by icons of mythic proportions, which is why so many people are inclined to rally around a representative logo, flag or banner.


Secret societies are often attributed, both inside and out, with more power and importance than they may actually have, or deserve. Perhaps their greatest power is to engage the imaginations of people, whether members or not.


It is said that knowledge is power. The element of secrecy, being privy to restricted information and access, the appearance of prestige, serving a cause, the sense of rogue, the bonding rituals, and the aspect of being chosen by an elite agency appeals to the ego and one's need for purpose, creating an image in the minds of members of being special, important, powerful. All of this helps to facilitate commitment.


This identity of uniqueness is used to empower, motivate and manipulate members, consciously and subliminally, to do the group's bidding.


The Illuminati. The Free Masons. The Rosicrucians. The Millennium Group. The Arcanum. The Priori of Sion. The Skull and Bones.


Each of these groups listed profess to promote similar goals for serving or preserving their community (while serving themselves), though use their own agendas, methods and philosophies for achieving them.


Public information, such as it is, on these secret societies is already available and accessible. An expose book entitled Secrets of the Tomb, by author/ journalist Alexandra Robbins, for example.


And secret information is, well, secret. Only those on the inside can know, and only those at the top level of the inside can know for sure what goes on behind their closed doors. By definition, everything about a truly secret society is refutable and nothing is provable.


So I won't waste time and effort being unnecessarily redundant here by pretending to know something I don't and can't. Any such attempt would only be superficial and incomplete. Therefore, I'm just going to present some essentials.


About The Skull and Bones, here's what we do know:


Why the name Skull and Bones? Why is their logo a skull and crossbones?


On their headquarters in printed, "Wer war der Thor, wer Weiser, Bettler oder Kaiser? Ob Arm, ob Reich, im Tode gleich".


Borrowed from an Illuminati initiation ceremony, this translates as, "Who was the fool, who the wise man, beggar or king? Whether poor or rich, all's the same in death."


As I understand it, the symbol is a constant reminder not only of our mortality and the need to make the most of our time, but also that all members are united equally, all are brothers/ sisters.


The home of Skull and Bones, located at Yale University, is an imposing stone building known as "The Tomb" or "The Temple". Every year, 15 senior classmen (and, since 1992, women, as well) are chosen, or "tapped", by the existing senior class to join in forming a strong bond with their fellows-- known as Bonesmen, and groomed in order to develop an elite association with friends in high places. Those selected comprise a wide variety of archetypes and personalities, and are sworn to secrecy and silence upon initiation; confirming and denying nothing to outsiders, and reportedly everything to each other. 322 is said to be a holy number to them, because it is the year B.C. that Eulogia- the goddess of eloquence, to whom they supposedly pay tribute-- ascended to the pantheon of gods. The Skulls, as the name may be abbreviated, are also sometimes referred to as Chapter 322, The Order 322, The Eulogian Club and Knights of Eulogia.


President George W. Bush, whose father and grandfather became members, and is himself an acknowledged Bonesman, wrote in an autobiography, "My senior year I joined Skull and Bones, a secret society so secret I can't say anything more."


John Kerry, the democratic candidate and his political opponent in the last presidential election, is also a member. (this means that it might be irrelevant which of the two became president, because-- either way-- the Skulls would have an agent as P.O.T.U.S.)


The oldest of several secret societies based on the Yale University campus, The Order was founded in 1832. At least on the surface, it is fundamentally a fraternity/ sorority, but an organization that openly admits using its socio-political connections to advance its members into positions of political power and influence in government, business and finance. Like any fraternity, Skull and Bones is a kind of members-only club; its members become as family- in some cases, perhaps more important than family, obliged to support each other with whatever resources they have. According to them, they declare a commitment to each other, and to the community. By helping each other into power, they are better able to help others.


There have been three Skulls movies, based on a "true story", which use conjecture and fantasy to depict the rumors about this secret society's nefarious conduct.


Maybe the most relevant questions and genuine concerns about The Skull and Bones is the extent to which they do or don't abuse their system of nepotism and their quest for power. It is said that a man cannot serve two masters. Even if their stated intent is the pursuit of power for community service, can a person whose first and prime allegiance is to the interests of their society be trusted to fairly serve our society?


Is the good of the group always compatible and consistent with the good of their mission?


Is the group indistinguishable from its proclaimed mission of service?


And, indeed, is their vision for our community really in everyone's best interests, or just theirs? By what means are they held accountable?


Send Comments to: exastra@hotmail.com


Currently based in Houston Texas, Sean Stubblefield graduated Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Television Production. A philosopher poet, Stubblefield has been writing non-fiction for 15 years, and has penned eight books to date. His first book, Paradox: A Journey Inside Out is available today.


For More Information: www.myspace.com/exastral.


Source: http://newsblaze.com/story/20080516190147sean.nb/newsblaze/OPINIONS/Opinions.html



THEIR KINGDOM COME: DOMINIONISM'S QUEST...

Their Kingdom Come: Dominionism's Quest for Political Capital in the Emergent World Order

- by Paul & Phillip D. Collins ©, May 18th, 2008

Dominionism: Marrying Christianity to the Kosmos

In John 18:33, Pilate asked Jesus, "Art thou the King of the Jews?" In John 18:36, Jesus replied, "My kingdom is not of this world." The original Greek word for "world" is kosmos, which connotes an arrangement, system, order, or government. Jesus was not expressing derision for the physical world, but with the usurious political systems that had come to dominate it. Some Christians have construed this response as a rationale for indolence and have embraced an apathetic brand of political abdication theology. However, Christian proponents of political abdication fail to consider the transliteration of kosmos and the historical background against which the term was invoked. Jesus was not condemning political activism. Instead, He was condemning the world's political systems of that time, specifically the oligarchical model of the Roman Empire and its surrogate, the theocracy of the Pharisees.

(Read more)

Click on link below:

http://www.conspiracyarchive.com/Commentary/Dominionism_New_World_Order.htm

OBAMA'S TRUISM ON IRAN AND RUSSIA

Obama's Truism on Iran and Russia


True that!

Barak Obama, the Democrat presidential candidate has finally said something that I've wanted to say for quite a while. Mr. Obama stated that the U.S.S.R. (the Communist/Totalitarian state now called Russia) was a greater threat to the United States, than Iran is presently.
I'd go one step further still; I'd say that Russia today (KGB veteran Putin has hand-picked his successor, and yet, remains Prime-Minister) is a greater threat than Iran, North Korea, or Cuba have ever been. This is something that Putin reminded the United States on several occasion; even when Pres. W. Bush visited Moscow the last time; Putin has routinely implied: We can attack your country, anytime we want! When Bush wanted to install missiles in Poland, and in some other previous satellite of the Soviet Union (to protect Europe), Putin responded by reminding the Prez, that Russia will defend herself if she feels threatened. Now let us remember that whenever there is military conflict between Russia and the U.S., there is a high probability that it will escalate to a nuclear weapon exchange! This is something that has been anticipated since the 1950's. How can there be such a case of amnesia all of the sudden? One thing that is regularly forgotten is that Russia is a dictatorship, and has envied the U.S., and resented free enterprise, human rights, and religious liberty, since the Russian Revolution. How quickly we forget? Now, the CFR, and Trilateral Commission think thanks, along with PNAC, would have the "whole" world believe that Iran is the biggest threat to world peace. Or next, month the bogey-man stigma will be pinned again on North Korea? What myopia, what hypocrisy? When all the while the great Russian/Bolshevik/Communist/World Revolution, Russians have created the greatest land theft in history; Their empire spread like wild-fire from the Urals in Central Asia to the Kamchatka Peninsula, in the North Pacific Ocean. And something that is even scarier still; their sovereignty has stretched to settlements such as Naukan, on the Bering Sea less than 200 miles from Nome, Alaska. Here's the killer: The Russian lands are less than 50 miles from American, Alaskan territory. And yet, Iran is the biggest threat to world peace? Iran wants to enrich its uranium, or buy yellow-cake? Surprise, Russia has thousands of Nuclear "ICBM's" pointed towards American targets this very second!!!

True Lies

Another, much forgotten fact is the big yellow menace; I prefer to call it the Peking duck. Who right now is ducking from, and concealing all its known evils; and is playing footsie with our country. China is another potential threat to the United States. Yet, they are our favorite trading partner. It's been said that one of the biggest supporters of the American economy is China. Do you remember the rash of toxic goods coming to us from China, recently? From toys-to food-to toothpaste, the whole gamut? Well, our bureaucrats want us to believe that China is nice as rice. Remember, Tianamen Square? Now, we're more interested in the Sichuan earthquake (which is fine to a certain extent) rescue effort. But, soon the hoopla will be the China Olympiads. Celebrating games with a ruthless dictatorship? Sponsoring these events by American conglomerates such as Pepsico, McDonald's, as if China were a free nation? Yet, China parades her military might (missiles, rockets, super sonic planets, etc.) every May Day, and every other national holiday. Yet, Iran is the Threat? China has the bomb! China has rocket technology, a space program, produces more AK-47's than Russia, has a sophisticated international spy network; China even controls the Panama Canal (in our neck of the woods) and has a growing merchant marine industry. Yet, Iran is the threat?

Well, Mr. Obama, said a mouth full. Is he the only thinking person in the U.S. besides me? But, wait, it's not that simple. Mr. Obama is speaking what "The Governator" once called "true lies". Barak doesn't really stand a chance of becoming the President. He is a straw-man, and Hill the Shill, is another stage "prop" for the transformation of the Senator from Arizona, to the POW President. This will be the most militaristic administration our free country has ever seen! 100 years in Iraq, no sweat! In the world of magic, they always say that the hand is quicker than the eye. Well, this proves that maxim to a tee. They, Obama, Hillary and McCain are all in collusion on this side show. We're the paying public.

The Circus Conclusion (The Pop-corn factor)

Hurry, hurry step right up. Get your tickets, here! Pop-corn, peanuts, lemon-ade, right here! The greatest show on earth is about to begin. See the POW Senator from Arizona, that was held by the Viet Cong for 6 years, now he's the next president. See the Kenyan, Kansas, Indonesian-Hawaiian Senator from the Midwest, with the funny name, who doesn't stand a change in a million to become president. Lastly, see the Junior Senator from New York, ex-First Lady ,whose husband Bill Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives on December 19, 1998, now she's fighting tooth and nail to be president, yet, can only win people's pity.

All this may seem like an exaggerated view of what this race is about. But, think. Do you really believe all this melo-drama? They can't make this stuff up? Or did they? Now that last possibility is more plausible, I believe. It's a Three-ring Circus. Some truth may filter through the gibberish, but it's intended to be misleading, remember. It's show business! Did anyone mention, pop-corn? That's a great description of the whole shebang. True Lies and pop-corn?

Arsenio.

THE IRANIAN THREAT IS TINY COMPARED TO USSR

May 19, 2008

The Iranian threat is tiny compared to the USSR

For those of you who can’t watch clips online, Obama explained, “Strong countries and strong Presidents talk to their adversaries. That’s what Kennedy did with Khrushchev. That’s what Reagan did with Gorbachev. That’s what Nixon did with Mao. I mean, think about it: Iran, Cuba, Venezuela — these countries are tiny compared to the Soviet Union. They don’t pose a serious threat to us the way the Soviet Union posed a threat to us. And yet we were willing to talk to the Soviet Union at the time when they were saying, ‘We’re going to wipe you off the planet.’ And ultimately, that direct engagement led to a series of measures that helped prevent nuclear war and over time allowed the kind of opening that brought down the Berlin Wall.”

This strikes me as the kind of sentiment that’s hard to disagree with, but John McCain spoke in Chicago this morning, and went after Obama for saying the potential threat posed by Iran is “tiny” compared to the USSR during the Cold War.

McCain said, “Obviously, Iran isn’t a superpower and doesn’t possess the military power the Soviet Union had. But that does not mean that the threat posed by Iran is insignificant.” McCain went on to argue that Iran is playing a destructive role in Iraq and is “intent on acquiring nuclear weapons.” McCain concluded, “They might not be a superpower, but the threat the government of Iran poses is anything but ‘tiny.’”

Does McCain really want to debate this?

First, Obama didn’t say the possible Iranian threat is “tiny.” He said it’s “tiny” when compared to the Soviet Union. As Josh Marshall explained, Russia was, after all, “the world’s greatest land military power, with a massive strategic nuclear capacity that carried on a multi-decade ideological struggle” with the United States. McCain thinks it reflects poor “judgment” to recognize the obvious difference between a nuclear superpower and Iran?

Second, there’s a bit of a contradiction here. Over the weekend, the McCain campaign said Obama was giving Iran too much credit, offering Iran “the status of a super power akin to the Soviets.” Today, the McCain campaign said Obama isn’t giving Iran enough credit. These guys should probably coordinate talking points among themselves before going on the attack.

And finally, on the substance, Obama is so obviously right about Iran it’s hard to believe this discussion is actually happening. As Newsweek’s Fareed Zakaria explained a few months ago: “Iran has an economy the size of Finland’s and an annual defense budget of around $4.8 billion. It has not invaded a country since the late 18th century…. Israel and every Arab country (except Syria and Iraq) are quietly or actively allied against Iran. And yet we are to believe that Tehran is about to overturn the international system and replace it with an Islamo-fascist order? What planet are we on?”

Ultimately, McCain seems to believe diplomacy just isn’t worth it. We could engage Iranians directly, but Iran might, as a result, get stronger, and our discussions may not stem the country’s ambitions.

Here’s the thing: thanks to the war in Iraq that McCain is so fond of, Iran is already getting stronger and more ambitious. So why keep pursuing an approach that isn’t producing the results we want?

Source: http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/15589.html

Sunday, May 18, 2008

MONKEY SHINES, OBAMA, AND CURIOUS GEORGE T-SHIRTS

Supposedly, this past week at Mulligan's Bar in Marietta, Georgia; The bar owner was selling T-shirts with a Curious George caricature holding a peeled banana, below the illustration an OBAMA in '08, title.


Is This Obama '08 Curious George T-Shirt Racist?

Photo (courtesy) http://www.allenhuntshow.com/

Are you surprised? I'm not.
He's half Black, which as far as most people in the USA are concerned, he's 100% Black; and totally unfit to be the Commander in Chief and live at the White House.
Jim Crow mentality is alive, and well in 2008. Ain't much changed, but the date!
.

Way down beyond the Swanee River......

Arsenio.



**********************************



Huckabee Jokes About Gun Aimed at Obama

May 16, 2008 5:42 PM

ABC News' Kevin Chupka Reports: Former GOP hopeful and Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee is back in the news this week, making a splash when he took a hit at Senator Barack Obama during the annual National Rifle Association meeting.

Huckabee made an off-color joke during his speech in Louisville, Kentucky, when a loud bang was heard off-stage.

"That was Barack Obama," Huckabee quipped, "He Just tripped off a chair. He was getting ready to speak. Somebody aimed a gun at him and he…he dove for the floor."

Watch the VIDEO HERE.

Huckabee was always quick on his feet on the campaign trail. There was the time the lights went out in the auditorium and he suggested it was a sign from God to wrap up his speech, or the time a cell phone
rang in the audience and Huckabee suggested it might be a McCain supporter calling to tell him to leave the race. But, did this one cross the line? After all, a joke about Obama's safety runs a fine line given that Obama accepted Secret Service protection quite early in the race for fear of violence against him.

The question remains, how might this effect Huckabee's chances at landing the coveted slot at the bottom of the GOP ticket? Earlier in the week, a U.S. News and World Report blog quoted a top McCain fundraiser as saying Huckabee topped the list for potential GOP vice presidential candidates. After a week of buzz pertaining to just such a possibility, did Huckabee shoot himself in the foot today in front of the NRA? Perhaps only John McCain knows.

Calls to the Huckabee camp for comment were not immediately returned.



Source: http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/05/huckabee-jokes.html

"NEW AMERICA VERSUS AMERICAN CENTURY..."

"New America versus American Century Daniel Yergin, Zbigniew Brzezinski, James Woolsey and the Hegelian Dialectic",
503 words from a 2,903 word article:

As Daniel Yergin and his Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA) attack the well-supported reality of Peak Oil – again – and Peak Oil educators shoot down Yergin and CERA’s unsubstantiated claims – yet again – we should take a step back from the minutia of the debate and examine the situation as a dialectical construct.

The Hegelian Dialectic: thesis – antithesis – synthesis

Hegel never used “thesis – antithesis – synthesis” to describe his dialectics, but this has come to be the simplest explanation of what he was describing. For every thesis there inevitably arises an anti-thesis: for every opinion or position there is always the opposite opinion or position. The Hegelian Dialectic is essentially the process of conversation and debate striving towards an agreement (synthesis) between opposing views to form a new understanding (thesis). But once we arrive at a new thesis there is, of course, a new anti-thesis, and thus the process continues. The more exclusionary control that can be exercised over this process within public debate (think Democrats & Republicans / neo-cons and neo-liberals / right & left), the more control the elite can exercise over the masses.

A man who operates with precision and mastery in the dialogue of public policy decision making is Zbigniew Brzezinski; former National Security Advisor to President Carter (a Democrat), co-founder of the Tri-lateral Commission and registered Republican. In his now infamous book titled The Grand Chessboard, published in 1997, Brzezinski laid out the geo-strategic importance of the Middle East and Central Asia as being the regions where the next major global conflict(s) would take place. In this book Brzezinski says the “imperial mobilization” necessary to commandeer the world’s remaining hydrocarbon reserves would be hard to embark upon without a catastrophic and catalyzing event on par with Pearl Harbor.

A group of men who call themselves the “neo-cons” took up Brzezinski’s chessboard and created The Project for a New American Century (PNAC). In 2000 these men took the Whitehouse. The neo-cons also recognized that a “catastrophic and catalyzing event, like a new Pearl Harbor,” would benefit their dreams of imperial mobilization. Well, the new Pearl Harbor they all publicly prayed for came and went, and just as they had predicted, it helped to speed up the process of American imperial mobilization.

But now Brzezinski is singing a much different tune. When Israel embarked on its failed war in Southern Lebanon, Brzezinski publicly stated the following on numerous occasions:

These neocon prescriptions, of which Israel has its equivalents, are fatal for America and ultimately for Israel. They will totally turn the overwhelming majority of the Middle East's population against the United States. The lessons of Iraq speak for themselves. Eventually, if neo-con policies continue to be pursued, the United States will be expelled from the region and that will be the beginning of the end for Israel as well.

Brzezinski publicly voiced this strong opinion on July 20, 2006 – about one week after Israel invaded Lebanon – at The New American Foundation American Strategy Program, where Daniel Yergin sits on the Board of Directors.

Source: http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/IndividualItemPages/PostOilBulletinIssueNumberFour.html


BUSH SAYS MIDEAST PEACE NEEDS 'TOUGH SACRIFICES'

Bush says Mideast peace needs 'tough sacrifices'

George W. Bush (L) holds talks with Hosni Mubarak

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SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (AFP) — US President George W. Bush said on Sunday that peace in the Middle East was possible by the end of the year but that it needed action on both sides and "tough sacrifices".

Bush, on the final leg of a Middle East tour, also again took aim at archfoe Iran over its nuclear drive and criticised the nations of the region over the lack of political freedom and human rights.

"I firmly believe that with leadership and courage, we can reach that peace agreement this year... This is a demanding task, and it requires action on all sides," he said.

"Palestinians must fight terror and continue to build the institutions of a free and peaceful society. Israel must make tough sacrifices for peace and ease restrictions on Palestinians."

Bush wraps up his tour with a speech to the Middle East World Economic Forum and talks with regional leaders, facing Arab scepticism over the chances of Israeli-Palestinian peace with negotiations so far failing to make any visible progress.

"We said very clearly we are seeing progress," US National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley told reporters, hinting the president could visit the region for a third time this year.

"But we are not at the point where the president is going to have a meeting with (Palestinian) president (Mahmud) Abbas and (Israeli) Prime Minister (Ehud) Olmert to try to declare a vision."

According to a copy of his address to the forum in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, Bush called on the world to prevent Tehran from obtaining the nuclear bomb and to isolate Iran and its closest regional ally Syria.

"Every peaceful nation in the region has an interest in stopping these nations from supporting terrorism," Bush said.

"To allow the world's leading sponsor of terror to gain the world's deadliest weapon would be an unforgivable betrayal of future generations. For the sake of peace, the world must not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon."

OPEC member Iran has repeatedly denied seeking the atomic bomb and says its nuclear programme is aimed solely at generating energy.

Bush also called on regional states to confront Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, "which is attempting to undermine efforts at peace with continued acts of terror and violence."

Israel is mulling possible action against the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip to try to end rocket attacks by Palestinian militants, although Egypt is trying to mediate a truce.

Bush urged Middle East nations to oppose the Shiite movement Hezbollah in Lebanon, where fighting this month between pro- and anti-government forces killed 65 people and pushed the country to the brink of new civil war.

"We must stand with the people of Lebanon in their struggle to build a sovereign and independent democracy. This means opposing Hezbollah terrorists, funded by Iran, who recently revealed their true intentions by taking up arms against the Lebanese people," Bush said.

Feuding Lebanese political leaders are holding talks in Qatar aimed at ending the crisis.

Bush also criticised Middle East states for their repression of democratic activists and the plight of political prisoners, in comments likely to embarrass host Egypt, which Washington has repeatedly criticised for the state of its human rights.

"The time has come for nations across the Middle East to abandon these practices, and treat their people with the dignity and respect they deserve," he said, calling for the release of political prisoners.

On Saturday, the US leader pledged to Abbas his determination to help achieve the "dream" of a Palestinian state, despite stagnant peace talks.

However, Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina laid the blame for the slow pace of negotiations squarely on Israel, saying that "what Bush dreams should be implemented on the ground."

He said despite US pledges to help broker a deal by the end of Bush's term in January, all final status issues remain unresolved, adding: "Time is running out."

Bush began his tour in Israel where he addressed parliament as the Jewish nation marked the 60th anniversary of its founding, sparking Arab anger over his perceived bias towards Israel.

The WEF meeting, dubbed the Davos of the Middle East, will bring together 1,500 people, including heads of state, business leaders and ministers from 55 countries, under the theme "learning from the future."

Source: http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hQKpBe-AoMDWsmux3jI5PZMOJ6eg

PELOSI ENDS IRAQ VISIT...

Pelosi ends Iraq visit after talks on vote, security: officials

Nancy Pelosi (L) speaks with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki

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5 hours ago

BAGHDAD (AFP) — US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi discussed Iraq's upcoming provincial elections and security issues during a flying visit to Baghdad, officials said Sunday.

The US congressional leader, who flew in to the Iraqi capital on a unannounced visit Saturday, left after talks with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and her Iraqi counterpart Mahmud Mashhadani, embassy spokeswoman here said.

"She flew out last night," the US embassy spokeswoman Mirembe Nantongo said.

She declined to give details of the meetings, but Iraqi officials said they discussed the October provincial elections and the security situation in Iraqi cities.

The Pelosi visit came as President George W. Bush was also visiting the Middle East. Pelosi had earlier said that she wanted much of the 158,000 US troops deployed in Iraq withdrawn by the end of this year.

Pelosi visited Baghdad as Iraqi security forces backed by American troops kept up a major crackdown against the Al-Qaeda in the northern city of Mosul, which is regarded by the US military as the last urban bastion of jihadists.

Maliki's office said Pelosi promised "renewed US support" for his government and declared that Washington "would stand by efforts to achieve security and stability and ensure national reconciliation in Iraq."

The Iraqi premier had flown to the capital from Mosul where he has been directing the latest offensive that is said to have netted some 1,100 suspects since Wednesday, according to the Iraqi defence ministry.


Source: http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hUto6UMXNVWHIT4u3uEZ4eRSynkA



IN THE VALLEY OF DECISION

Joel 3

1For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,

2I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.

3And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink.

4Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompence? and if ye recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head;

5Because ye have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried into your temples my goodly pleasant things:

6The children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold unto the Grecians, that ye might remove them far from their border.

7Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will return your recompence upon your own head:

8And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the LORD hath spoken it.

9Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:

10Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.

11Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.

12Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.

13Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.

14Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

15The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.

16The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

17So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.

18And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth out of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.

19Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.

20But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation.

21For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwelleth in Zion.


*Bolds and Italics added.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

OUR LADY SPEAKS TO HER BELOVED PRIESTS


The book, TO THE PRIESTS, OUR LADY'S BELOVED SONS, is a most precious gift from the Mother of God. She chose it as a means to spread her work. It contains her messages which, since July 1973, she has been communicating to Fr. Stefano Gobbi through what, in theology, are called interior locutions. Hence in the opinion of Fr. Gobbi's spiritual director, "they are neither the fruit of personal meditations, nor a questionable literary contrivance."

This book is a motherly exhortation in simple language, not a theological treatise.

"It has been the instrument for carrying to the hearts and souls of so many beloved children the voice of the heavenly Mother, the manifestation of my maternal plan, my invitation to receive you all within the refuge of my Immaculate Heart.

How should this book be read? With the simplicity of a child who is listening to his mother...

What do I say in this book of mine? I trace out a simple and beautiful road, but a difficult one, oh how difficult! It is necessary to travel it, if you wish to live the consecration. I teach you how to live; I form you in a practical way to live with me...

...Then you hearts will be inflamed with love, your souls will be illumined by my light, and I will transform you interiorly to lead you to do each day what pleases the Heart of Jesus" (21-1-84, #282b-i)

"Read it, my beloved sons, meditate on it, live it!" (28-1-84, #284j)

In synthesis it contains the doctrine of St. Louis de Montfort, the path of Spiritual Childhood of St. Therese of Liseux, and the way to live the Message of Fatima.

Translated into more than twenty languages including Maltese, it has been printed in hundreds of thousands of copies.

COPIES OF THE BOOK may be obtained from the centres listed below (Voluntary contributions make possible its continued distribution)

MALTA
Dun G. Mifsud Bonnici
c/o The Curia
Floriana VLT 06
Tel: (+356) 2590 6307

Tel: 238012

CENTRO INTERNAZIONALE
Movimento Sacerdotale Mariano
Via Mercalli 23
20122 Milano
Italia

ITALY
Centro di distribuzione del Libro
Potalivo P. Paolino
c/o Grafiche Ballerini
Via Nazionale Adriata Nord 444
65123 Pescara
Italia

ENGLAND
Father Michael J. Gaughran
"Lyndhurst", Park Road
Waterloo
Liverpool L22-3XE
England

IRELAND
Rev. Michael Maher, S.M.
Chanel College, Coolock
Dublin 5
Ireland

USA
Fr. Albert G. Roux
P.O. Box 1
St. David - Maine 04773
Usa

CANADA
Rev. Laurence J. Faje, CSB
1515 Bathurst Street
Toronto, Ontario M5P 3H4
Canada

AUSTRALIA
Rev. Eugene Szondi
P.O. Box 301
Huntsville NSW 2220 Australia
Moviment Marjan Tas-Sacerdoti - Marian Movement of Priests
Father Gobbi meets the Pope
*******************
P.S. To the Priests, Our Lady's Beloved Sons
(original title: Our Lady Speaks to Her Beloved Priests).
In the book:
(5th English Edition: July 1979)
Nihil obstat: + Zbigniew Josef Kraszewski
........................Vicar General
........................Archdiocese of Warsaw
.
.
Beginning on page A13 [Addendum], titled:
ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY: (A pledge)

It reads as follows:
We further promise you the greatest loyalty to the Gospel, of which we shall always be genuine and courageous heralds, even, if necessary, to the shedding of our blood. We promise loyalty to the Church, for whose service we have been consecrated.

Above all, we wish to be united with the Holy Father and the Hierarchy, firmly adhering to all their directives, so far as to form a bulwark of defense against the movement of dissent against the Magisterium that threatens the very foundation of the Church. Under your maternal protection we want to be the apostles of this sorely needed unity of prayer and love for the Pope, on whom we invoke your special protection...Ending on page A14.

Arsenio.

MEGACHURCHES' CHRISTMAS SHOWS ARE THEATRICAL LURES



Megachurches' Christmas shows are theatrical lures

by: DAHLEEN GLANTON Chicago Tribune
12/25/2007 12:00 AM

SAVANNAH, Ga. -- During the Christmas season, thousands of people take a pilgrimage to a 52-acre site on the grounds of the Savannah Christian Church to experience the birth of Jesus in a make-believe Holy Land.

They take a boat ride across a massive lake into Bethlehem, where they mingle with the townspeople who greet them with fresh water, fruit and assorted cheeses. Roman soldiers on white horses lead them along a lighted path, where they encounter the three wise men with a live camel resting at their side. They look on as the archangel Gabriel appears at Virgin Mary's home and tells her that she is carrying a child. They watch an evil King Herod, who plots to kill the newborn. Finally, they arrive at the manger, standing close enough to touch the crying baby Jesus.

The dazzling journey provides spectacular entertainment for visitors for just $5. But there is a bigger payoff for the church that puts on the production. At the end of the hour-and-a-half trek, pastor Cam Huxford stands on a stack of hay in front of the group and extends an invitation for them to attend services at his church.

In an age of megachurches that thrive on huge congregations that sometimes number 20,000 or more, elaborate Christmas productions that can cost $1 million have become a valuable marketing tool. Gone are the days of angel costumes made of white sheets and tinfoil halos. With the proliferation of megachurches, holiday pageants have gone Hollywood.

The Cirque du Soleil-styled production at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Ill., features live "angels" swinging from the ceiling like acrobats, a professional violist and a mist-filled stage. The "Imagine Christmas" program is expected to draw 95,000 people this year and is broadcast on a local television station on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The $1.3 million Christmas pageant at First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., featuring pyrotechnical displays that light up the stage, is choreographed by professional Broadway producers.

Every year, megachurches strive to outdo the year before, putting on elaborate interactive productions with live animals, period costumes and professional sets and lighting. With such large congregations, there is no shortage of volunteers. In many cases, the actors are church members, as are the stagehands, directors and set designers.

The programs are an attempt, church leaders said, to give back to the community while spreading a spiritual message.

"Christmas has become so commercial now that people are upset to say 'Merry Christmas,' " said Huxford, whose production, "The Journey," requires more than 1,000 volunteers, about a fifth of the 5,100-member congregation in Savannah. "This event reminds people of the true meaning of Christmas -- God's love for all people."

Willow Creek, which first presented the "Imagine Christmas" program last year, aims to entertain, something officials acknowledge the public has come to expect. But it is no different, they said, than what Jesus did to attract large followings -- performing miracles in public like feeding 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish.

"In today's world, the church must compete with movies and even restaurants for audiences. Everybody wants to be entertained," said Susan DeLay, who handles public relations for Willow Creek. "People who might not go to church might come to see a Christmas pageant, and if we can share Christ through this, then yeah!"

Some religious experts said such extravaganzas are mostly about drawing people in to fill the thousands of stadium seats in those massive sanctuaries on Sunday mornings. In doing so, they rely on a new advertising technique known as experiential marketing, which essentially takes the fo cus off a product, which is not unique, and places it on the experience, which can be one of a kind.

"It has nothing to do with the Christmas message. . . . It's selling a sensation, an experience," said James Twitchell, a professor of English and advertising at the University of Florida. "What competitive churches understand is that you are not going to sell your service on the basis of doctrine because it's all the same. When people go to church they . . . want to know if there's a good show. And often that's not coming out of doctrine, it comes from music, theatrics and the sound system."

In 2005, the last year for which numbers are available, there were 1,210 Protestant churches in the U.S. with weekly attendance over 2,000, nearly double the number that existed in 2000, according to the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. Most of them are clustered in fast-growing states such as California, Texas, Florida and Georgia, and they bring in an average of $6 million a year, according to a survey by the institute.

Though megachurches deny that they are in competition for members with smaller, more traditional churches, the lure of bright lights and theater has had an impact. According to Twitchell, author of "Shopping for God," small country churches are closing at a rate of about one every eight days.

"They can't say they're in the business of shutting down the corner church because that's not very Christian-like. But that's exactly what they are doing," said Twitchell.

While the megachurch phenomenon began thriving in the 1970s, pageants and religious theatrics became popular in the U.S. in the early 20th century, according to religion historian Jeanne Halgren Kilde. During the 1920s, evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson's Angelus Temple in Los Angeles presented plays in a 5,300-seat auditorium-style temple as a means of spreading her "Foursquare Gospel." Other evangelicals began picking up on the concept.

"Now we've become such a visual culture that we expect things to happen this way. Megachurches have set the standard," said Kilde, author of "When the Church Became Theatre: The Transformation of Evangelical Architecture and Worship in Nineteenth-Century America."

Twitchell said the staging of elaborate Christmas pageants comes naturally for megachurches.

"These are operations that are in show business. They have state-of-the-art jumbo video screens. They have rock-concert-quality audio," he said. "If you go to the services, you are not sitting on pews, you are sitting on cineplex movie seats."





Copyright © 2008, World Publishing Co. All rights reserved

Source: http://www.tulsaworld.com/common/printerfriendlystory.aspx?articleID=071224_1_A16_spanc34042

JESUS FEEDS 5000: THE BREAD OF LIFE

John 6

1After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.

2And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.

3And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.

4And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.

5When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?

6And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.

7Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.

8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him,

9There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

10And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.

11And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.

12When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

13Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

14Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

15When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

16And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,

17And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.

18And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.

19So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.

20But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.

21Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.

22The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone;

23(Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)

24When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.

25And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?

26Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

27Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

28Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

29Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

30They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?

31Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.

32Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

33For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

34Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

35And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

36But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.

37All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

38For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

39And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

40And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

41The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.

42And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?

43Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.

44No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

45It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

46Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.

47Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

48I am that bread of life.

49Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.

50This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.

51I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

52The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?

53Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

54Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

55For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.

56He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

57As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.

58This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

59These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

60Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?

61When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?

62What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?

63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

64But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

65And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

66From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

67Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

68Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

69And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

70Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

71He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.