October / November 2006

Dear ones,

A retreat is planned. A Believers' Retreat is tentatively scheduled for 22-25 March 2007, depending on reservations. If you plan to be with us, contact Marty by Wednesday, 18 Oct.; call her at 270-965-2174, or e-mail her at mmmck@bellsouth.net. The Retreat Board will meet on Saturday, 21 Oct.; please pray for the board to receive guidance.

HALLOWEEN/HOLIDAYS MATERIALS AVAILABLE
Halloween will soon rear its ugly head; in fact, retail outlets have been promoting its ghoulish trappings since August. Don't forget that we have two excellent and inexpensive resources for Christians. The pamphlet, Festival of Death, thoroughly explains the origins and meaning of Halloween; and the little booklet that has gone around the World, Holidays and Holy Days, contains the facts about all the major holidays. Both are inexpensive enough to buy in quantity to use for teaching materials, or to give away. Festival of Death is only 15 cents, which is exactly what it costs us to publish it. Holidays and Holy Days is only $2.50 (less in quantities of three or more). You will be wise to order early.

CHRISTMAS PLAYS AVAILABLE FREE
We are offering on our Web site a couple of Christmas plays written by my daughter, Sally, and her husband, Joe. One is called Joseph and Mary-Great Expectations and is a series of brief exchanges between the two. Each scene can be performed on a separate Sunday in advent, or the entire play can be performed at once.
The other drama is a comedy called Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Mysterious Holiday. Sherlock Holmes and Watson have been transported to a 21st century American city and have incurred amnesia. They soon perceive that a holiday is being celebrated, but the people they encounter won't tell them what the holiday is (i.e. the prevalence of "Happy Holidays" and studied absence of "Merry Christmas."). So they try to discover what the nature of the holiday is by observation and embark on the Adventure of the Mysterious Holiday. This one is hilarious, but with a serious message. The skit can easily be performed by a youth group or drama group; or you may simply enjoy reading it just for fun.

If interested, go to our Web site. You are free to download and use either, or both, of these Christmas plays. If you do not have access to the Internet, call the office and we'll send you one or both in the mail.

IS GLOBAL WARMING KILLING THE PLANET?
We are bombarded with dire warnings that the Earth is warming dangerously. The polar ice caps will melt, we are told, sea levels will rise, and generalized disaster will follow. What is to be the cause of these increasingly high temperatures? We are told repeatedly that it is because we have too many people on the Earth, and too many cars, trucks, buses, bulldozers and airplanes, filling the air with greenhouse gases, destroying the ozone layer protecting our atmosphere. In fact, this past July was the second hottest July on record for the 48 contiguous states, averaging 77.2 degrees, and that should send the fear levels soaring.

But wait-if this super-hot July was only the second hottest on record, when did the hottest July occur? The hottest July on record, averaging 77.5 degrees, was in 1936! Rounding out the three hottest Julys on record, in third place at 77.1, was 1934. The hottest July on record, and two of the three hottest on record, were in the mid-1930s! Think of that! In the mid-1930s, only the wealthy and upper middle classes had autos, the air was not filled with jet aircraft, because they didn't exist, most farm machines and delivery vehicles were pulled by horses and mules, and both the U.S. and world populations were less than half of what they are today.

Could it be that there is another side to the "global warming" issue? Absolutely. It is indisputable that there are natural cycles in weather and climate. There are well-qualified scientists on both sides of the debate, and those promoting the global warming hysteria tend to be on the left politically, in favor of global government and population control (the Al Gore/Kyoto Treaty group). But we have all been repeatedly subjected to the TV close-ups of the melting glacier, dripping ominously into the sea; so what about that? A NASA study, published in the Journal of Glaciology (2005), followed ice mass changes in Iceland and Antarctica from 1992-2002. It revealed that the total ice loss was equivalent to a sea level rise of one 250th of an inch per year. At that rate (assuming no cyclic weather patterns, which we cannot validly assume) it would require 1,000 years for sea levels to rise about 2 inches, and 20,000 years to rise about 3 feet; it appears that we don't yet need to head for the hills. There is no room here for a thorough airing of the debate, but if you will request it, we will gladly send you a copy of an excellent op-ed piece on the subject by our friend and Florida journalist, Dick Corbeil, which inspired this brief summary. (CBS/AP/NOAA)

THE REAL TRAGEDY OF JON BENET RAMSEY
The news media have recently been engaged in a feeding frenzy over the confession of a very sick American in the murder of poor little Jonbenet Ramsey. Major stories are even built around what he ate and drank on the flight from Bangkok. He was already under arrest in Bangkok on child pornography charges, and was awaiting a "sex change" operation there when turned over to American authorities. Definitely not your ordinary guy next door. But he was lying about the murder-apparently seeking the attention, which he definitely got. Most of us were sick of the subject.
Regardless of the media circus, however, the fact is that 10 years ago, the child was murdered in her own home; she may or may not have been sexually abused. That's tragedy by anyone's definition, and many believe that her parents are the guilty parties.

But there is a greater tragedy in the case, one that gave rise to the murder; and that tragedy lies in the fact that the little girl was never allowed to be a little girl. Unusually pretty in an adult way, her parents put lipstick and makeup on her, dressed her in provocative adult clothes, and taught her to sing and dance in sexy, adult ways. They entered her in beauty pageants and talent shows; they turned her, entirely unnaturally, into a miniature sex symbol. Should we be surprised then that sick men noticed this and were attracted? So, as I see it, there is a greater tragedy than little Jonbenet's brutal murder, and that is the way she was robbed of the chance to be a little girl. And, in terms of this greater tragedy, her parents are definitely the guilty parties.

CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS: POINTS TO PONDER
As there is increasing conflict between Christians, Jews and Moslems, permit me to pose three points to ponder:
1. In Iraq, Shiite and Sunni Muslims consider each other to be heretics. Their response? They blow one another up in their mosques and markets, and then blow up the grieving families at the funerals of the innocent Muslims they murdered. Do we see Baptists and Methodists blowing one another up like this-or even having the thought?

2. Terrorist attacks in England and the U.S. have recently been prevented because British police have infiltrated Muslim mosques with undercover agents and learned of their plans. Have you noticed that they have not found it necessary to infiltrate Presbyterian, Methodist, Anglican, Baptist, Catholic or Pentecostal churches in order to prevent violent atrocities?

3. If the Muslim haters of Israel should be disarmed, but not the Israelis, what would be the result? It would be peace. On the other hand, if Israel should be disarmed, but not the Muslims, what would be the result? The result would be the extermination of the Israelis.
Are the obvious answers not revealing?

BUT WHAT ABOUT NORTHERN IRELAND?
At this point, some will think of Northern Ireland, where Catholics and Protestants have been in conflict since World War I with much blood shed. But, although many think of that as a religious conflict, it really is not. That conflict is political. In Ireland, the division is over independence for Northern Ireland (and loyalty to Great Britain), versus separation from Great Britain and forced union with the Irish Republic. Even on an emotional level, the conflict is more a matter of hatred of the British or the IRA terrorists, than hatred of Protestants or Catholics. Christians did shed a great deal of the blood of other Christians in the Middle Ages and early Rennaissance; but, thanks be to God, we have outgrown that.

GOT A MINUTE?
Someone has had a great idea. Growing numbers of Christians are making a commitment to pray for one minute each evening at 8 p.m., Central Time (9 Eastern, 7 Mountain, and 6 Pacific Coast Time). The commitment is to pray for only one minute, for the nation, our troops, and for the will of God on Earth. Got a minute?

OLD LINE DENOMINATIONS CONTINUE TO CRUMBLE
The "old line" Protestant denominations, once ablaze with life and life-changing power, continue to crumble. Why? They long ago abandoned the unchanging Bible as their basis of faith and practice, replacing it with the ever-changing intellectual opinions of man. Striving to be intellectually respectable, politically correct and "inclusive," they are inevitably arriving at the denial of the Jesus of the Bible and His claims of uniqueness (e.g., John 14:6). Membership, attendance and giving continue to decline, and entire congregations of faithful Christians leave their denominations. In September, a large congregation in Oklahoma voted 967-36 to withdraw permanently from the liberal Presbyterian Church (USA). (ANS, et al)

DID WE ATTACK OURSELVES ON 9/11?
Speaking of the Presbyterian Church (USA), its official publishing house has published a book denying that Al Quida terrorists conducted the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Washington, D.C. Really. Instead, the book claims that Bush did it. Yes, Westminster/John Knox Press has joined the small group chorus of irrational, irresponsible voices claiming that we did it to ourselves on 9/11 and blamed it on radical Islamic terrorists. The author of the book (I won't mention his name) is a professor at Claremont School of Theology in California. And, incidentally, the same Presbyterian publishing house has, in recent years, also published several books promoting homosexual behavior. Can we wonder why decent, God-serving Presbyterians are leaving the PCUSA in droves? (ANS/WND/CT)

"SORRY, BUT THE TRINITY JUST WON'T DO!"
As if there weren't enough self-destructive madness in the Presbyterian Church (USA), the delegates to the recent General Assembly voted to "receive" a policy paper on changing the names of the persons of the Trinity. Really, I'm not making this up. The problem, as they see it, is that it is so unbearably masculine. Suggested replacements for the biblical "Father, Son and Holy Ghost," unquestioned by orthodoxy for 2,000 years, include "Mother, Child and Womb," and "Lover, Beloved and Love." One disgusted pastor responded, "Why not call them 'Huey, Dewey and Louie'?"
Earlier in the convention, delegates sang a new version of the Doxology, in which all masculine nouns and pronouns referring to God were replaced with less offensive ones. Is the God of the Universe laughing over this silliness, or weeping, or is he grinding His teeth in fury? I would not want to risk it. (AP. et al)

EPISCOPALIANS: JESUS IS NOT THE ONLY WAY
Continuing its free-fall into self-destruction, the Episcopalian Church (USA), at its recent General Convention, voted to continue same-sex "blessing ceremonies" and rejected the validity of Jesus' declaration that He is "the way, the truth and the life, and no man cometh to the Father but by me." Jesus, who spoke the words of John 14:6, was no less clear when He warned that if we deny Him before men, He will deny us before the Father in Heaven. What could be more serious than that? (ANS)

MORE ON PRISONER TREATMENT AT GITMO
As shrill, irresponsible, ignorant (or simply dishonest) American voices from the political left continue to make accusations of maltreatment and torture at our military prison at Guantanamo Bay ("Gitmo"), some additional facts will be helpful. Each prisoner is given clean, comfortable clothing, which is washed regularly for him. In addition, each is given appropriate religious garments, also washed regularly for him, a copy of the Koran (in the language of his choice), which he has plenty of leisure time to read, and Muslim chaplains to minister to his spiritual needs. In each private cell, there is an arrow painted, showing the direction to Mecca, so he can pray while facing in the required direction. In the meantime, these pampered murderers of the innocent, who have gained an average of 18 pounds since capture, have been committing an average of three assaults a day on our Army guards. The assaults range form throwing urine and feces on the guards, to punching and choking through the bars, and attempted murder. These are facts, not shrill accusations. (Fox, et al)

THE DEATH OF REASON
About 36 years ago, a London preacher placed two signs on his parsonage with Scripture verses on them; one was Genesis 1:1 ("In the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth."), and the other was II Corinthians 6:2 ("Behold, now is the day of salvation."). Today, the owner of the property has been ordered to remove the small signs or face jail and a 2,500 Euros fine. Why? Because they are considered "advertising." The current owner of the home is a Hindu optician, and he is refusing to take the verses down, saying, "I am not a Christian, but it is a positive message for the community. The council has no respect for God. The signs have been there as long as people can remember. It isn't doing anyone any harm…it's ridiculous." In a related case, the council charged a Methodist church 75 pounds for erecting a cross on the church grounds, ruling that the cross is "an advertising billboard." (London Daily Mail)
NOTE: The British are ahead of us in the process of purging God from public life; but we are on the same downward slide, and this problem could be coming to your neighborhood soon.

ANCIENT BIBLE FOUND-WHAT IS THE OLDEST MANUSCRIPT?
What do you suppose is the oldest known surviving Bible manuscript? Most of us would guess the Dead Sea Scrolls. When they were discovered by a shepherd boy in 1947, they took us back 1,000 years beyond what were then the oldest known manuscripts, which dated from about 800-900 A.D. Most of the Qumran (Dead Sea) manuscripts are believed to date from about 150-200 B.C. But they are not the oldest-not even close. The oldest known Scripture writing was discovered in 1979 in a Jerusalem tomb. It is a quotation from the priestly blessing prescribed in Numbers 6:24-26 ("The LORD bless thee and keep thee; The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace."). The ancient Hebrew script is carved into two small silver amulets or frontlets, and they date from the 7th century BC, the time of the building of Solomon's Temple. (IMG)

"TOLERANCE" APPLIES ONLY TO THEMSELVES
The homosexual activists consistently cry for tolerance; they, however, are consistently intolerant of those who don't agree with them. And they are often not just intolerant, but hostile and abusive. Provincetown, Mass., a beach resort on Cape Cod, has a long history as a destination for vacationers. Now, however, it is increasingly a mecca for homosexuals. This past summer, there were many complaints of taunting and abuse of heterosexuals, by militant homosexuals, who called the normal people "breeders." (FOF)

THE "MORNING AFTER PILL" LEGALIZED
The so-called "morning after pill" which is an after-the-fact contraceptive, has now been approved for over-the-counter sales to women 18 and older. For younger girls, it will require a prescription. Its active ingredient is the same as that in ordinary birth control pills; but in the "morning after" version, it is in a much higher dose. Does it make sense that the contraceptive pill requires a physician's prescription, when the much-higher dose of the same drug doesn't? Of course not; and, anyway, can we believe that minor girls will not get their hands on the new pills? Similar restrictions don't keep minors from obtaining alcohol and tobacco products. (ANS)

"SOMEHOW...WHEN I WASN'T LOOKING, HE BACAME A MAN"
One of the tough things about being a parent is the time when we must let our children go, stepping out into their own lives to grow as adults; but if we don't let go, it can't happen. Craig and Marsha Stafford of Denham Springs, La., are going through that now. Their son, Hunter, enlisted in the Marine Corps. He survived Boot Camp at Parris Island and graduated with honors in June. From Parris Island he went on to Advanced Infantry Training (AIT) at Camp Lejeune, where again it took all that he had and the prayers and encouragement of his family, but he made it. Hunter will be the first to tell you that it was the prayer support that got him through. But he wants to be a reconnaissance (Recon) Marine, the toughest track of all, and he was one of only 25 out of his company to be selected as candidates. Of the 25, he was one of only seven chosen for Recon training, where there will be another culling by high attrition. Recon Marines are special operators; they operate behind enemy lines; their everyday training is hazardous (parachuting, diving, exiting and entering submerged submarines, etc.); their combat operations are even more hazardous. They operate in small teams, isolated, on their own (a Navy Seal friend, who does the same things, said to Hunter, "Welcome to the thinking world.") It gives a parent pause, to say the least.

The following is from Craig, Hunter's father: Hunter recently said to me, "Dad, our goal is to get in and get out without ever being detected. If I get into a firefight, it is because something went terribly wrong. But if I do, have comfort in knowing that I will be with the best trained men in the world." Talk about a lump in my throat! As a parent, it is hard to step back and let go. I am trying. I have recently come to realize that somehow, overnight, when I wasn't looking, Hunter changed from a little boy into a man.

MILESTONES
Died 12 April - Prof. Albert E. Radford, my graduate school professor at Chapel Hill, mentor and friend, in Columbia, Mo. He was a veteran of the war in Europe, and a man of quiet brilliance, and amazing strength of character and integrity. He left his footprints on my life.

21 July - Mrs. Bertha Thompson, mother of longtime Christian friend, Don Thompson, in Baltimore. She was 10 days short of her 93rd birthday.

20 August - E.V. ("June") Bryant, Jr, my cousin and one of the best men I ever knew, in Bradenton, Fla. He and his wife, Jo, had been married 68 happy years.

A FINAL WORD
Treasure and use each day as if it were your last, and never give up hope; God has a limitless supply of new beginnings, and He makes beautiful things out of broken pieces.

You are precious,

(Sources: AFAJ-American Family Journal; AFRN-American Family Radio News; ANS-Agape News Service; AP-Associated Press; BBC-British Broadcasting Corp.; BP-Break Point; BPr-Baptist Press; C-Charisma; CBN-Christian Broadcasting Network; CR-Congressional Record; CSN-Calvary Satellite Network; DR-Drudge Report; EP-Evangelical Press; Fox (Fox News); FOF-Focus on the Family; FRC-Family Research Council; GN-Good News Magazine; HC-History Channel; IMG-Israel My Glory; JP-Jerusalem Post; LAT-L.A. Times; Mil-Military Magazine; NR-National Review; NewsMax.com (NM); NW-Newsweek; NYP-New York Post; NYT-New York Times; PBS-Public Broadcast System; PWB-Pastors' Weekly Briefing; RTLB-Right to Life Education Foundation Bulletin; RTLGC-Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati; USAT-USA Today; USNWR-U.S. News and World Report; VOM-Voice of Martyrs; WM-World Magazine; WP-Wikipedia; WND-World Net Daily; WT-Washington Times; WW-Washington Watch.)