April 2007 / May 2007
Dear ones,
Several of our readers have pointed out an error in our lead article in the last issue. According to snopes.com there is no deadline for registering cell phones with the National Do Not Call List. The rumor, which continues to reappear periodically in e-mail circulation, seems to have its origins in the fact that several of the large cell phone companies really are cooperating in a project to compile a national directory of cell phone numbers. Fear that the telemarketers will gain access to such a national directory has given rise to these e-mail warnings.
So what is the situation? At the moment, telemarketers do not have access to cell phone numbers. Although some cell phone companies are not cooperating, the directory project is very much alive; and, despite assurances from the directory project that the numbers will not be sold or given to telemarketers, there is no guarantee; in fact, because of the value of such data, it is almost a certainty that telemarketers will eventually obtain the directory. Although, at the moment, it is not necessary, you can register your cell phone with the National Do Not Call List (I registered mine, as a test, before approving the last issue). If you do, as the article stated, your number will be protected for five years, and the protection can be renewed. Again, the toll-free number for registering any phone number (cell or conventional) is 888-382-1222; your number can also be registered on the internet at www.donotcall.gov.
OUR CARTOONS AND OP-ED COLUMNS
One of the very best things we have done at Words for Living is the addition to our web site of the cartoons of Joe McCormick and the columns of Richard Corbeil. You will find them on our home page. The columns and cartoons are replaced weekly, but are then archived so that all (like these newsletters) are available for the past year.
Personally, I am swamped with more things to read than I can possibly give my attention to—it is perhaps my greatest ongoing problem. Yet even I find Joe's comic wisdom, always scriptural, a welcome refresher; and Richard's knowledge and insights so good as to be "must reading." Both end with an apropos passage of Scripture.
PROMINENT LESBIAN FINDS FREEDOM IN JESUS
Charlene E. Cothran was a prominent lesbian activist; she was also publisher and editor-in-chief of the black-homosexual-oriented magazine, "Venus." She says that she had been a lesbian "all my adult life." But she is changed now: "I have recently experienced the power of change that came over me once I completely surrendered to the teachings of Jesus Christ." After a discussion of the issues with a pastor she says, "A river of tears flowed as Jesus washed me and forgave me and redeemed me for his work." In the February issue of "Venus" she has published a cover article titled, "Redeemed--10 Ways to Get Out of 'The Life' if You Want Out." In the article she tells the story of her forgiveness and cleansing, and she says that her magazine will henceforth be a voice for the liberation to be found only in Jesus. Have you noticed that the establishment media have ignored this amazing news story? And do you think they would have remained silent if a prominent Christian had renounced his faith and embraced the homosexual life? Of course not! Such a sordid story would probably even displace the sick media binge over Anna Nicole what's-her-name.
The article contains some wonderful statements by Charlene that can't be included here because of space limitations; however, we will send a complete copy of the story as a gift to all who request it.
NOTE: You should get the magazine, or go to her web site (www.venusmagazine.org) and see the difference in the "old" Charlene, on the left side of the home page, and the "new" Charlene on the cover of the 23 March issue; it is strikingly wonderful! (BP/AFNN)
SMALLEST BABY EVER TO SURVIVE
Amillia Sonja Taylor was born 24 October 2006 at Baptist Children's Hospital in Miami. She weighed a little over 9 ounces and was 9 1/2 inches long. Four months later, in late February, she went home weighing 4 pounds. She survived bleeding in her brain and other complications, and lived to become the record survivor for premature births at 21 weeks and 6 days of gestation. Because she was conceived via in vitro fertilization, it is possible to know her gestation age precisely. Her parents, Eddie and Sonja Taylor, are giving God the glory for the miracle. (BP)
ARCHEOLOGY FINALLY FINDS KING DAVID
Until recent times there had never been any mention of David in ancient literature, outside the Bible. Thus secular scholars argued that there had never existed such a person as David, King of Israel. He was, they declared, just another of the myths contained in the Bible. Then, in 1993 there was discovered near Dan, in northern Galilee, an inscription on an ancient victory column in which a Syrian king listed his triumphs over his enemies. Among the enemies listed is "the House [or Dynasty] of David." The same year, a French scholar, an expert on the famous "Moabite Stone" in the Louvre, was able to piece fragments of the stone together to read "House of David." Archeology has now proven the doubting scholars wrong, as it always has. These inscriptions were dated to a period about 150 years after David's time, but clearly indicate that there had been such a figure, one who established a Hebrew dynasty. The Bible wins again! (NYT/BBC/BAR)
BUT WHY SO FEW MENTIONS OF DAVID OUTSIDE THE BIBLE?
But why, do you suppose, inscriptions about David have been so scarce? It is probably because those ancient pagan kings had monuments made only to declare their victories—never their defeats. And, while David was King of Israel, they had no victories—only defeats. He was the only Hebrew king to defeat all his enemies, fully occupy the Promised Land, and then subjugate all the pagan kingdoms around him. Simply stated, no defeats meant no pagan monuments with your name on them. Other Israelite kings appear on pagan monuments, but not David, for he was never defeated.
But what about David's own records? He erected no monuments to himself. His records were preserved, accurately and in detail, in the records of the kings of Israel. And these carefully preserved records have come down to us in our Bible.
JOINT CHIEFS CHAIRMAN ATTACKED FOR SPEAKING TRUTH
Marine Gen. Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in a 12 March interview with the Chicago Tribune, was asked his opinion of the Defense Department's "don't ask, don't tell" policy concerning homosexuals in the Armed Forces, where homosexual acts are crimes and cause for dismissal. General Pace, an unapologetic Christian, defended the policy as a fact of law. He then stated his personal belief that "homosexual acts between individuals are immoral, and that we should not condone immoral acts." He compared homosexual acts with heterosexual adultery, which he said he would also not tolerate. General Pace immediately became the target of a firestorm of criticism from the usual suspects: the liberal media and their celebrity and political friends. Under enormous political pressure, he expressed regret that he had expressed his personal opinion, rather than simply supporting the policy; but he has refused to retract his statement, a rare display of conviction and courage for a man in his position, but entirely in character with his reputation for fearlessness and honesty. (Chicago Trib/WND/FOF, Fox, et al)
POLITICIANS RESPOND TO GENERAL PACE
Response from politicians, to General Pace's comments, were predictable, with immediate attacks from members of Congress. Particularly interesting was the response of Senator Hillary Clinton. Hillary's response was that she had no opinion: "That is for others to decide." It is my humble, personal opinion that Hillary Clinton would not recognize a moral if one introduced itself by name, defined itself, and then bit her. However, for what her opinion really is, read on. (WND)
HILLARY (SECRETLY) ENDORSES "GAY MARRIAGE"
In early March, Hillary Clinton made a speech before the Board of Directors of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest homosexual pressure group; the meeting was closed to the press. In the speech, about which you and I were never supposed to hear, Hillary endorsed every major goal of the militant homosexuals. She endorsed "gay" marriage (she didn't use the "M" word, but spoke of "civil unions") and endorsed full marriage benefits for same-sex couples. She said that she intends to make sure that "gay" couples can adopt children, endorsed "hate crimes" legislation, the Employment Nondiscrimination Act, and vowed to fight to repeal the Armed Services' "don't ask don't tell" policy for separating open homosexuals from the service. The meeting was secret, because she doesn't want you to know this. (BP/AFNN)
WHO AND WHAT IS BARAK OBAMA?
In 2004 Barak Obama appeared on the political scene like a meteor, one not previously known to exist. While only an unelected candidate for the senate he was chosen to be the keynote speaker at the 2004 Democrat Convention. This was not only an amazing honor, but a move calculated to position him for greater things. He immediately became a media darling, and was quickly elected to the Senate from Illinois. Just as suddenly, Obama, whose only political credentials are two years in the US Senate, has become the leading Democrat candidate for the 2008 presidential election. Reminiscent of the sudden prominence of previously unknown Jimmy Carter in 1980, and Wendell Wilkie in 1940 (most of you won't remember this one), Obama appears to have rocketed out of a phone booth with a big "S" on his chest, and has an excellent chance of being the Democrat candidate in 2008. But who is he? From whence does he come? You will not find the answers in the puff pieces published by the establishment media, so I have dug it out and summarized as follows:
Name. Barak Hussein Obama (even this is difficult to nail down, but we will get to that). For political reasons, he plays down his Muslim background and does not use his middle name in public utterances.
Origin. He was born in Honolulu in 1961 to an African (Kenyan) Muslim father, Barak Hussein Obama, Sr., and white Kansas-born Ann Dunham. Barak says that his father, although reared Muslim, was "a convinced atheist."
Background. His parents separated and divorced when Barak was 2, his mother later married Lolo Soetoro, a Muslim, and the family moved to Indonesia. There, young Barak became known as "Barry Soetoro," and lived there from age 6 to 10. At age 10 he moved to Hawaii where he lived with his maternal grandparents and attended a private prep school from 5th grade until graduation in 1979. At some point he changed his name back to Barak Hussein Obama. He attended Occidental College for 2 years, transferred to Columbia and graduated in political science in 1983. He worked in public assistance programs in Chicago and in 1988 entered Harvard Law School, graduating in 1991. Back in Chicago he worked as an attorney in civil rights and voter registration programs. He also taught at the Univ. of Chicago Law School. Elected to the Illinois Legislature, his record was that of a liberal. He has a half-sister, born to his mother and step-father; both parents are dead. He is married and has two daughters, ages 8 and 5.
Religion. Until recently he has denied that he was ever a Muslim. Confronted with the evidence, he now admits that he was reared a Muslim, but insists that he was not a "practicing" Muslim. His 1st grade teacher at a Catholic school in Indonesia says of him, "Barry was a Muslim." In 3rd grade he transferred to a public school where he was also registered as a Muslim. Like the other students there, he attended weekly lessons on Islam. His school friend from those years says that he and "Barry" attended the mosque together. In his autobiography, "Dreams from My Father" Obama states that he studied the Koran, and describes his school as "a Muslim school."
Today, as evidence of his "mainstream" identity, he points to his membership in the United Church of Christ (henceforth "UCC"). The UCC is an ultra-liberal denomination that long ago rejected the Bible and basic Christian doctrines, and passionately embraced the usual list of left-wing political issues. In other words, one can be almost anything and be comfortable in the UCC, except a Bible-believing Christian or a constitutional conservative. But there is more to it; Obama's congregation is a strange one, even for the UCC. According to its (Trinity UCC) web site, it emphasizes "the Black family," "the Black Community" and "pledges allegiance to all Black leadership who espouse and embrace the Black Values System." A local Christian columnist, Eric Rush, who watches the church, says that the leadership pushes a cult-like "Black separatist agenda." He contends that Obama's church "worships things African to a far greater degree than they do Christ." He also writes that the teachings and writings of the pastor, Jeremiah Wright, "appear to be more Marxist than Christian." (Wickipedia/AFNN/NM)
PROMINENT TERRORIST LEADER CONFESSES
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (henceforth "KSM"), one of Osama Bin Laden's top Al-Qaeda assistants, was captured in 2003 and has been held ever since in US custody. He speaks English and is reportedly a 1986 graduate of North Carolina A&T University. At a hearing before a military tribunal in mid-March, the terrorist chief confessed to almost everything for which Bin Laden has been responsible. Among many other things, he claims to have been the overall master of the 9/11/01 attacks "from A to Z." And he boasted that he had personally beheaded American journalist Daniel Pearl: "I decapitated with my blessed right hand the head of the American Jew, Daniel Pearl, in the city of Karachi, Pakistan." And he added, "For those who would like to confirm, there are pictures of me on the internet holding his head." (BBC/AP/Fox/WND/BP)
YET ROSIE O'DONNEL DEFENDS THE MURDERER
According to left-wing, lesbian, TV talk show hostess, Rosie O'Donnel, we are the villains in all this—not KSM. She expressed sympathy for the bloody-handed arch-terrorist, and claimed that he had been tortured at Guantanamo Bay, "robbed of his humanity," and that his confession has come only after having a "hood over his head and being beaten to death" (strangely, after being "beaten to death" he is now appearing alive before the tribunal). As "proof" that this nice man was abused until he finally confessed, Rosie held up a photo of KSM, saying "And look, this is the picture they release of him." The problem with her "proof" is that the scruffy, angry photo of KSM was taken 4 years ago, at the time of his capture. Kelly Boggs, Baptist Press columnist, points out Rosie's amazingly naïve world-view. She has previously stated that conservative Christians are more dangerous than Muslim terrorists; she has also said that we should not fear terrorists because, after all, they are just "moms and dads." With tongue in cheek, Boggs suggests that Rosie be appointed ambassador to a militant Muslim country "crawling with terrorists." He suggests that she is so compassionate and understanding that in no time, "she will have them renouncing their terrorism and singing 'Kumbaya'." (BP/WND)
MICHAEL MOORE'S "FAHRENHEIT 911" ON AL JAZEERA
Michael Moore's film "Fahrenheit 911" is not a documentary—it is a piece of blatant propaganda, created to paint the president as the villain in the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. Even honest liberals acknowledged the film as an obvious attack on the administration (and conservatives in general). However, if any still need convincing, consider this: the film was aired on Al Jazeera, the leading terrorist Muslim TV network, to commemorate the 4th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. (WP/Congressional Testimony, et al)
AL JAZEERA "AS AMERICAN AS APPLE PIE"???
You may be amazed to know that Al Jazeera, the leading Muslim terrorist network, not only has bureaus in the Arab world, but in London, Cairo, and around the World. The bureau for North and South America is in Washington, DC. That's right—Al Jazeera now has a large base operation in our nation's capitol. According to their web site, you can find them at 1627 K St, NW, 11th floor. They have recruited their staff from such places as BBC, CNN, ABC and CNBC, They, of course, claim to be just honest, objective, newsmen. The Washington Post has called Al Jazeera for the Americas "as American as Apple Pie"; I will leave the interpretation of that to you. (Wickipedia/WP.com)
LEFTIST DOCUMENTARY EXPOSES MICHAEL MOORE AS A PHONY
Two left-leaning film makers, who set out to make a documentary in praise of Michael Moore, discovered that he is in fact a deceiver. Canadians Rick Caine and his wife Debbie Melnyk were "admirers and fans"; they intended to make a film that celebrated Moore. As a result of their research, they "ended up very disappointed and disillusioned." Once the pair began asking questions they quickly began to meet with hostility from Moore and those around him, culminating in their being thrown out of Moore's appearance at Kent State and having Moore's sister knock their camera away. They still admire Moore for popularizing the modern documentary, but are disillusioned with the way he has deliberately deceived the public to advance his agenda. "If you have to sell out your values and principles in order to get at a greater truth, where does that leave you?" said Debbie, "If we think it's wrong for the government to lie and manipulate, how do we think that [those on the left] doing it is the solution?"
Their film about Moore, "Manufacturing Dissent," debuted at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Tex. in March. (WND)
A THOUGHT WORTHY OF REMEMBERING
The shepherds shared, with all who would listen, what they had seen and heard at the Savior's birth (Luke 2:18). Concerning this, my dear Christian friend Dottie Blood of Orlando expressed a thought worthy of remembering. She wrote, "They were amazed at what the shepherds told them—they were changed by the miracle in the manger. People are changed [today] when they see us with the miracle of Jesus in the manger of our hearts."
MILESTONES
Born 3 Feb 07 - Evan Clay Crandall, at 7 lbs., 5 oz, to Susan Schoder Crandall and her husband Scott, in Vail, Colo. Susan is the daughter of our good friends Warren and Margo Schoder from Christian Retreat days.
Died Sept 06 - Richard Kania, in Asheville, N,C,, after a very long period of disability. Richard was a long-time friend, a dedicated patriot, and a brilliant observer of current political affairs.
7 Feb 07 - Eddie Ferguson, Tompkinsville, Ky., in Louisville where he had lived with his daughter and our friend and former employee, Mary Beth Bowles for the past 4 years. He was a fine Christian man, an infantry veteran of the 1944 battles for Europe, where he was wounded and evacuated from the Ardennes (the Bulge). He was the personification of the citizen soldier, the farm boys who fight our wars, and pay the everlasting price.
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: AFNN-American Family News Network; AFRN-American Family Radio News; AP-Associated Press; BAR-Biblical Archeology Review;BBC-British Broadcasting Corp.; BP-Baptist Press; C-Charisma; CBN-Christian Broadcasting Network; CR-Congressional Record; CSN-Calvary Satellite Network; 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; NM-NewsMax.com; 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; W-World Magazine; WP-Wikipedia; WND-World Net Daily; WT-Washington Times; WW-Washington Watch.)