Words For Living Ministries

April/May 2001

Dear ones,

Spring has come at last, after a very long, and very cold Winter. Good days are coming, and there is much to share, so let's get started.

A WEB SITE COMING!

Being basically conservative and reflective, I have been slow to decide that this ministry should have a web site. However, in February the Board of Directors agreed with me that it is time, and things have moved quickly ever since. Our Web Master is Bill Lee of Leesburg, Va., who also created and manages the site for Intercessors for America. Our domain name (address) is www.wordsforlivingmin.org; it is already registered, but the site won't be "up" until sometime in April. One advantage will be that we can make much more information available than limited space permits in this newsletter, and there will be photographs. You will be able to see us, where we are, and many of the things we do. Watch for us "on the web."

MORE ON THE SHROUD OF TURIN

Last issue, I reported the existence of a sudarium, a head cloth which had been placed over the head of a crucified man while still on the cross. The blood stains are type AB; lymph and lung fluid are consistent with those of a crucifixion victim. Blood type, stain patterns, and other scientific evidence (far too much of it even to be summarized here) seem to prove that the cloth covered the face of the man who was wrapped in the Shroud of Turin, whoever he was. Unlike the history of the shroud, which has great gaps, the sudarium has a documented, unbroken history, from Jerusalem to its present location in Oviedo, Spain; this would date the shroud in the 1st century A.D. Some of the scientific evidence is truly amazing! If you would like a copy of an extensive article on the face cloth, contact WorldNetDaily.com; if that doesn't work, contact this office and we will send a copy. (Note: the identity of the crucified man of the shroud is uncertain, and the spike wounds in the wrists seem not to agree with accounts in the gospels; but it is extremely interesting.) (WND Wed. 4 Oct 00)

THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

The 2000 presidential election was probably the most corrupt in U.S. history, with Democrat activists bussing unregistered voters to the polls to vote, some Democrat precincts reporting vastly more votes for Gore than there were total registered voters, people bused to vote for Gore in more than one precinct, signing false names, etc. Last issue I promised more on this topic in this issue; but I think we have heard enough of all that, so I'll leave it behind in the sordid past.

THE CLINTONS LEAVE THE WHITE HOUSE, TRASHED AND PILLAGED

After eight sordid years, the Clintons, who disgraced the presidency and took it to new lows of indignity, corruption and crime, are gone; and their exit was in keeping with the entire eight years. White House offices were left trashed, with vulgar graffiti on the walls, telephone lines cut, other phone lines misdirected to wrong offices, computers vandalized and graphic pornography left in them (interspersed with blank paper in the printers), and voice mail greetings replaced with obscene messages. They did obscene, animal things on carpets and tipped over desks. This was the work of emotionally adolescent staffers emulating their leaders. Meanwhile, upstairs, Bill and Hillary were pillaging. They took 70 art works, donated to the White House (not the Clintons) and had them shipped to Arkansas. They left with perhaps a quarter-of-million dollards in solicited new furnishings for their separate new homes. But their finale redefined self-absorbed, adolescent, bad taste. After inauguration, Pres. Bush graciously made Air force One available to the Clintons and selected friends, to fly them to New York. When the plane returned to its hangar, it had been stripped! Gone were all china, silverware, towels, sheets, blankets, etc with presidential seal (even all the ordinary toothpaste!). Within 48 hours, much of the plunder was appearing for sale on the internet! May God restore to the presidency its former dignity and virtue. (ANS/Various)

RUDE TREATMENT OF THE POPE

I have know all too well that Bill Clinton is insensitive and utterly self-absorbed, but even I was amazed at his treatment of the Pope. When, as President, he visited the Vatican he seems to have treated the Pope with insensitive rudeness. According to the Pope's surgeon, Dr. Gianfranco Fineschi, John Paul II, never one to complain or criticize, said, after Clinton was gone, that Clinton was "the only leader I did not manage to have a proper conversation with.... I was speaking, and he was looking at one of the walls, admiring the frescoes and the paintings. He was not listening to me." I doubt that you have heard this from the establishment media. (World)

THE REAL JESSE JACKSON

Jesse Jackson, self-appointed spokesman for black America, and self-appointed spiritual counselor for Bill Clinton, brazenly boggles the mind. In very recent weeks it has been revealed that he has misused tons of money from his non-profit, tax-exempt organizations to pay off a pregnant mistress, activist Karin Stanford (who was heavily on the payroll of "Rainbow Coalition"), to move her to California ($40,000), buy a house for her, and pay $10,000 monthly child support for their illegitimate daughter. All this has brought to light much about misuse of tax-exempt money; for example, of $12 million taken in by his Citizens' Education fund, only $47,000 was spent on education. In the last year, he spent $614,000 on travel; interestingly, $450,000 of that was paid for by the national Democratic Party, shattering his tax-exempt claims of political neutrality. There is much more, including yet another illegitimate child, but consider this: while all this was going on with Jesse and his expensive mistress, the "Rev." was "counseling" Bill Clinton concerning his pecadillos with Monica. And consider this comparison: Jim Bakker, of PTL fame, went to prison in disgrace for similar misbehavior and has never recovered; Jesse Jackson gained favor by exiling himself from public life for two whole days, before forgiving himself, and is even more adored by the media than he was before! (PWB/ANS, et al)

A POINT TO PONDER

States with the least restrictive gun control laws experience only one-sixth of the murders with guns that are suffered in states with the most restrictive gun control laws.(AFR, et al)

BREAD MINISTRIES - A GREAT RESOURCE

From time to time we recommend a ministry that will bless you. One such is Bread Ministries, located at Bethlehem Acres, near Arcadia, Florida. Their primary function is to produce and publish a uniquely fine Christian magazine, "Bread for God's Children." I picked up my first copy of "Bread" in 1972, and it has blessed our family ever since. Originally a children's magazine founded by our late dear friend Anna Lee Carlton, writer/retired teacher, it very naturally grew to be a resource for God's children of all ages (hence the name change). Our dear friends Judy and Clay Gibbs now lead the work at Bread. To receive a free copy of "Bread," or more information, call them at (863) 494-6214, e-mail them at bread@sunline.net, or write to P.O. Box 1017, Arcadia, FL 34265-1017.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR CHILDREN SEE?

The public library was once considered the safest place a child could be; however, under the virtual control of the American Library Association (ALA), they have become increasingly dangerous for children. Why? Because of ALA's determination to expose them to mental and spiritual poison in books, videos and computers. Especially computers. Children not even using the computers can see in passing the vivid images on the screens; but the danger is greater for those using them. The same problem exists in unsupervised use of computers at home (another place where children are supposed to be safe). A survey by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children found that one child in five between the ages of 10 and 17 has received unwanted sexual solicitation online. Do you know what your children are seeing? (PWB)

THE PARENTS' TELEVISION COUNCIL

The Parents' Television Council is a watchdog group which evaluates the wholesomeness of television programming. In February the Council presented the first Steve Allen Legacy Award, for excellence in family-friendly programming, to the program "7th Heaven." Parents can consult the Council's ratings of TV programs by consulting their website at HYPERLINK http://www.ParentsTV.org (if you don't know how to do it, your children probably will).

THE CULTURE WAR CONTINUES

The tax-supported Brooklyn Museum of Art, which in 1999 displayed a picture of the Virgin Mary with pornographic genital cutouts stuck on it and spattered with elephant dung, has done it again. In an exhibit of the work of contemporary black photographers, there are two blatantly blasphemous, anti-Christian works. One, which depicts Jesus at the Last Supper as a nude woman with her arms outstretched, is by Renee Cox; she calls it "Yo Mama's Last Supper." The other, by Willie Middlebrook, is a topless woman on a crucifix. No comment necessary here. (ANS/AFRN)

HOMOSEXUAL LUTHERAN WILL MINISTER TO YOUTH

Rev. Craig Minich, 28, an open homosexual, was ordained in March at St. Paul Lutheran in Oakland, Calif., despite refusing to take a vow of celibacy. He is slated to head a joint youth ministry for three area Lutheran churches. (Religion Today/ANS)

DAY CARE WORKER ABUSED MANY TODDLERS

A Nevada day care worker was arrested in March for sexually assaulting more than 25 toddlers entrusted to his care, and videotaping the assaults. Gary Hanneman, 33, was arrested after police found 500 videotapes of his crimes (such sex criminals like to relive the events via videotapes). He was licensed and had passed local police and FBI background checks before being hired. Is your child safe? (ANS/AFRN)

ABORTION TRAGEDY - REALITY CHECK

A woman is suing her abortionist for bungling the job. Pregnant with twins, she had gone to have them both aborted. Some months later, she gave birth to one of them; with one arm and one leg ripped off, one of the babies had somehow survived. So the abortionist is being sued. And now that child is facing life with one arm, one leg, and a mother who had intended to have it killed. (Janet Parshall/WW/AFR)

THE LIBERAL METHODIST HIERARCHY AGAIN

The gap continues to grow between the multitude of dedicated, God-fearing, Bible-believing Methodists, and the radical, liberal hierarchy and bureaucracy of the United Methodist denomination. The increasing radicalism at the top of the denomination's structure (those in power) continues to produce a growing stream of good laymen and ministers, leaving the church they love; but the slamming doors of empty Methodist churches at the grassroots, don't seem to have any moderating effect on the power structure at the top. A recent example is a videotape series, "Faith and Reason," in which credentialed "authorities" state that Jesus was not divine (i.e., God in flesh), deny such bedrock doctrines as the trinity, the virgin birth, and resurrection of Jesus, and declare such beliefs as "unimportant." The Rev. Mark Tooley, a leader among concerned Methodists, says, "It's just the same old, stale, liberal, outdated theology that goes back to the early part of the 20th century." Among the "experts" contributing to the series is retired Bishop Jack Spong, a prominent promoter of the "gay" agenda. (AFRN/ANS) And, speaking of Methodist self-destruction, read on...

A METHODIST SONGBOOK PROMOTES FEMINIST "GODDESS" WORSHIP

A recently published United Methodist song book titled, "In Faith We Sing," contains some of the radical feminist theology of the "Re-imaging/imagining" community. This outlook attacks the scriptural image of God as Heavenly Father, replacing Him with pagan goddess worship, particularly worship of Gaiah, the Earth spirit, and Diana, Roman goddess of the Moon, the hunt, and fertility. One of the songs, "Womb of Life," refers to God as "Mother, Brother, Holy Partner...." And asks God to "aid the birthing of the new world yet to be." One called, "Bring Many Names," refers to "strong Mother God," to "old, aching God," and to "young, growing God," denying the timeless, unchanging God of the Bible, and promoting the concept of a young, vital, feminine goddess. Still another song is "Mothering god, You Gave Me Birth;" well, I'm sure you see the picture. (PWB/ANS/AFRN)

METHODIST HIERARCHY AND U.S. "IMPERIALISM"

The United Methodist Board of Church and Society may have hit a new high (or low) in its radical leftist activism. In its official journal, "Christian Social Action," the Board has called for - and I'm not kidding - "liberation" of Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Guam from U.S. colonial imperialism. The Board, which lobbies Congress from its multimillion-dollar headquarters in Washington, D.C., revealed its consistently anti-American views in failing to mention genuine examples of imperial aggression, such as Red China's holding of Tibet against the will of the Tibetan government and people. Mark Tooley, of the Institute on Religion and Democracy, calls the Board "an embarrassment" to Methodism, and says their journal has "all the freshness and relevance of an aging back issue of 'Pravda' or the 'People's Daily Worker.'" (ANS/AFRN)

DUKE UNIVERSITY INVITES "GAY" "WEDDINGS"

Duke University, historically affiliated with the Methodist Church, is now promoting the "gay" agenda, including "sensitivity" training for students and staff, and now invites use of its beautiful chapel for "gay" "marriages" (I insist on quotation marks for both these words, for there is nothing gay about being homosexual, and whatever they want to do in dual white wedding gowns, or dual tuxedos, it can't be Christian or Jewish marriage [or Moslem, for that matter]). (PWB/AFRN/ANS)

RED CHINA , FORCED CHILD LABOR AND DEATH

While Red China continues to enjoy Most Favored Nation trade status (and don't let the name change to "Normal" fool you), school children die in a hazardous job. During the first week in March, more than 40 school children were killed in an explosion and resulting fire at their school. The children were being forced to make dangerous fireworks during the school day; the fireworks, of course, were to be sold - probably here. And, while the ChiComs get school children blown away and burned up in forced child labor, they continue to deploy missiles aimed at Free China (Taiwan) and our west coast cities. (ANS/AFRN)

FETAL CELL THERAPY HITS MAJOR SNAG
Living cells taken from unborn babies are in great demand for medical research; it is this demand that primarily drives the market for aborted baby parts. Perhaps the flagship study of this kind has to do with baby brain tissue, used to transplant into the brains of Parkinson's disease patients. The concept is that the healthy baby brain cells will grow in the patient's brain and reverse the disease. Actor Michael J. Fox, himself a Parkinson's patient, is the leading public spokesman for this research, which does much to drive the market for partial birth abortion. Well, it isn't going well. In fact, a March article in the New England Journal of Medicine reports that baby brain implants are causing uncontrollable twisting and jerking in 15 percent of the patients in a controlled study. One of the researchers, Dr. Paul Greene of Columbia University describes the side effects as "catastrophic," "absolutely devastating," and "tragic." His position is clear: "No more fetal transplants." All the baby brain tissue was obtained from abortion clinics. (NYT/ANS/AFRN)

PRESIDENT BUSH AND THE UNBORN

President Bush has voiced his intention to keep his campaign promises, and is already doing so. One critical such area is the protection of the sanctity of life. He has already begun to reverse Clinton executive orders that expanded abortion overseas, and has promised to sign a law against the barbaric infanticide called partial birth abortion (a bill which Clinton twice vetoed). Gov. Tommy Thompson, the new Secty. of Health & Human Services, has begun to research the dangers to women in using the abortion drug RU-46. Feminists and others on the far left don't seem to care about dangers to women's health from RU-486, post-abortion syndrome or the breast cancer connection, as long as they protect abortion on demand at any cost; it is the Holy Grail of feminism. So now, it appears, we will have a president and cabinet committed to protecting the innocent unborn, and to telling the truth about health risks to women. If you would like to encourage him (them), e-mail an "attaboy" at president@whitehouse.gov.

TRAGIC DEATH AND CELEBRITY STATUS

On 18 February race driver Dale Earnhardt was killed in the last lap of the Daytona 500. It was a tragedy. He was 49, and was engaged in a hazardous undertaking; he did it for fame and fortune. He had reportedly earned $41 million in winnings, and ten times that amount in endorsements and souvenir sales. He enjoyed the benefits of the wealthy, including a private jet. His race car was meticulously serviced; every part of it was new - there was not a worn part in it. The news was full of the story of his death; there was a national outpouring of grief.
Two weeks earlier, seven soldiers of the U.S. Army were killed in the crash of two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters in a hazardous night training mission in the mountains of Hawaii. It was a multiplied tragedy. They were all very young - most of them 18 or 19; when you figure in the hours they kept, they were working for something like minimum wage. They were doing it in defense of their country. The aircraft in which they died were 15-20 years old, and dangerously worn out due to Clinton administration Defense spending restrictions which had required removing parts from one aircraft to make another flyable. Their deaths went largely unnoticed, as do the deaths of so many non-celebrities doing selfless things.

A DEFENSE AGAINST E-MAIL HOAXES

There is a growing number of false stories making the rounds on e-mail, accepted as truth and forwarded. I suppose the hoaxers do it for a variety of reasons; some, I believe do it to make the Christians/patriots look gullible and dull of mind - and succeed. The most common type seems to be the phony virus warning, but they come in many forms. Last issue I gave you a place to check on the validity of virus warnings (Snopes.com). I have since learned of a Christian ministry that evaluates e-mail hoaxes of all sorts, and always from a Christian point of view. David Grant operates the service, and the web address is www.LIEmails.com. His e-address is david@LIEmails.com; postal address is 108 Heather Drive, Slidell, LA 70458; phone (985) 781-0830.

MARTY'S CORNER

After the Paducah, Ky., shootings, Dennis Prager wrote a column in The Wall Street Journal entitled "When Forgiveness is a Sin" saying that he was "appalled and frightened by this feel-good doctrine of automatic forgiveness." He was referring to a growing trend to declare people "forgiven;" it has the flavor of I'm okay, You're okay, as if feeling the pain of facing sin is the ultimate thing to be avoided. "It destroys Christianity's central moral tenets about forgiveness. Even by God, forgiveness is contingent on the sinner repenting." Prager is a Jew who believes that a vibrant Christianity is essential to the reversing of America's moral decline.

Pushing automatic forgiveness is the calling card of "the religious left." Various books with study guides professing to be about grace are used in church Bible studies. Each should be weighed on the scales of the gospel, not just accepted because they're popular. Philip Yancey in his book/study guide on grace says, "Grace is a gift, free of charge, on the house. You only have to do one thing to receive a gift: open you hands." Overlooked by Yancey is that a vital part of opening our hands is repentance. He also quotes Gordon MacDonald, one of Clinton's three "spiritual advisors" as saying, "Grace is the one thing the church has that you can't get anywhere else." Think about that... is it the church which has the authority to dispense grace? Scripturally, only God through Jesus can give grace.

What we are seeing is the rekindling of what Dietrich Bonhoeffer called cheap grace - something he declared to be "the deadly enemy of the Church." Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, Communion and absolution without confession, a worldly feel-good doctrine with no desire to actually be free from sin itself, only from any consequences of sin... grace without the cross. We'll compare cheap grace and costly grace in the next newsletter.

ARE YOU FATHERS DOING YOUR JOB?

God assigns special responsibilities to Christian fathers, and one of them is to function as spiritual leaders in their families; in a sense the father is the priest in his home, and therefore has priestly responsibilities to his family (Deut. 6:4-7). (In homes without a father, the responsibility passes to the mother.) Ideally, the father should take the lead in "training up his children in the way that they should go" (Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4). At the very least, the father should be praying for each member of his family (and I take that to mean my wife, my children, their spouses, and my grandchildren), by name, each day. Morning is the preferred time for this priestly prayer; Jesus taught us to pray, "give us this day" - not, "give us the day just ending." So, fathers, are you doing at least this much? If not, the time to start is NOW; get on your knees, lift the name of each member of your family before the Lord, and ask Him to protect, guide and bless each one that day. If you have no wife or children, then pray for your nieces, nephews, etc; if you have so many that it is difficult to remember all the names, make a written list. If you do nothing else as priest in your home, at the very least, pray for each one of yours, by name, each day. The blessing, as usual, will be yours. Be a man. Be a leader. Start now!

MILESTONES

Born