Let me sing for my well beloved a song of my beloved about his vineyard. My beloved had a vineyard on a very fruitful hill. He dug it up, gathered out its stones, planted it with the choicest vine, built a tower in its midst, and also cut out a winepress therein. He looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes. "Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, please judge between me and my vineyard. What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? Why, when I looked for it to yield grapes, did it yield wild grapes? Now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will take away its hedge, and it will be eaten up. I will break down its wall of it, and it will be trampled down. I will lay it a wasteland. It won't be pruned nor hoed, but it will grow briers and thorns. I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain on it." For the vineyard of Yahweh of Armies is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for justice, but, behold, oppression; for righteousness, but, behold, a cry of distress.**** 5:1-7

Contrary to what is thought by many, the Bible, God's Word to us, is NOT intended merely to be memorized for gold stars in Sunday school nor debated over in Theological Seminaries -- It is rather God's "Book of Instruction" for humanity. 1 Corinthians 10:11 tells us that, "Now all these things happened to them (OT) by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come."

There are many in this nation (USA) who believe that God choose and blessed us in a special way. If this is true, turning our backs on Him, disregarding His word and principles, casting Him out of our social structure, and "whoring after false gods" is definitely NOT the way to go, as was demonstrated by the history of Israel. God made it VERY clear in the OT that what happened to them was the definitive act of His "own hand", that their eyes might be opened to see their error and return again to Him. We have done all that Israel did to offend their God -- and MORE -- and in my eyes, I see the consequences unfolding upon us as a people and a nation.

In this treatise, I am only going to look at a part of God's message to Israel as recorded in Isaiah chapters 3 and 5 -- and how I already see the same fruit of OUR rebellion appearing within OUR society. There is a similar observation written by me a number of years ago appearing [ HERE ] if you wish to read it.

As a nation and as a people, our "moral compass" is broken. We are lost and neither know where we are nor where we are to go. We have no measuring stick to gauge standards of action -- no ABSOLUTE points of reference -- ONLY the shifting sands of the "dogma of relativism" (if it FEELS right - DO IT !!). We are a society of, "each man (woman) doing that which seems right in THEIR eyes". We have, as they say, "thrown out the baby with the bath water". We have rejected "dead religion" and with it have discarded the Living God. We have rejected the ROCK of His Word and seek to build society upon the Shifting Sands of Human Opinion.

Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine (Jesus), and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it didn't fall, for it was founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn't do them will be like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell -- and great was its fall. **** Matthew 7:24-27

It is said that the "truly mad" are not aware of their madness and the "truly drunk" are not aware of their drunkenness. Likewise, we today - mad in our humanism and drunk with our egotistic folly - parade our moral nakedness like some kind of "badge of glory" for all to see, and rush onward toward the precipice like a herd of lemmings !! Our TV and movie screens broadcast our moral bankruptcy; our radio and "music media" advertise our intellectual bankruptcy; our children advertise our social bankruptcy; and our "gay" churches, parades and unions advertise our spiritual bankruptcy.

For, behold, the Lord, Yahweh of Armies, takes away from Jerusalem and from Judah supply and support -- the whole supply of bread and the whole supply of water; For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen; because their tongue and their doings are against Yahweh, to provoke the eyes of his glory. The look of their faces testify against them. They parade their sin like Sodom. They don't hide it. Woe to their soul! For they have brought disaster upon themselves. **** 3:1,8,9

The average individual commences from the time they complete school until the day that they enter into the grave to CEASE exercising the learning/discerning/judging faculties that God has endowed them with !!

They go through their WHOLE lives indiscriminately absorbing the "social milieu" which surrounds them much like a sponge absorbs water. Their "thinking" consists SOLELY of the brainwashing that the surrounding media and society subject them to. The average person is surrounded -- 24/7 -- by a "social soup" of mediocrity, vulgarity and adolescent sophistry. The media bombard and poison their senses with (for the most part) talentless, vulgar, inane drivel. They believe that they are thinking-reasoning-conversing, when in reality they are merely mouthing meaningless platitudes memorized by rote -- spreading malicious gossip heard from others -- or replaying "info-bites" from their favorite media source.

We pride ourselves upon our "priceless humanity", and yet a computer can do the same level of "thinking and reasoning" as does the average individual -- namely -- responding to the data that has been fed and programmed into it !!

Instead of "growing upward toward mature adulthood", our society is dedicated to insuring that its denizens remain forever trapped in a land of childish adolescence -- playing with continually more expensive toys -- squabbling over games of position, possession, power, prestige, sex and money -- and never outgrowing the childish obsession with themselves and "what is MINE".

Until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, Christ; This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts; and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth. **** Ephesians 4:13-24

What is TOTALLY lacking in MUCH of today's "media presentation (music and movie)" is the fundamental concept of TALENT and ANY degree of expected intelligent discernment on the part of the audience.

In the music, pleasing musical harmony and meaningful words have been replaced by repetitious noise, discordant clamor, mindless screaming and childish-inane babbling.

In the movies, talent in the form of dialog, acting and meaningful story-line (plot) have been subrogated to "wow-wee" technical effects, car chases, gratuitous / mindless violence, explicit sex scenes, endless "shoot-em-up" scenes, and dialog that is below the intelligence level of babbling morons. Watch some of the current crop of movies carefully, especially those labeled as "comedies", and observe the characters. If you do, and your discernment has NOT already been deadened, you will note that these characters portray a spirit of absolute imbecility, especially the male characters !

A "teenage" movie that was popular a while back says it all in the title, "Dumb, dumber and dumbest". That is what the "media moguls" want to make of our children !! Add to this spirit the current uncontrolled wave of drug abuse flooding the world, and what better recipe could be found for destroying a people and a nation. Our enemies need not fight a war with us -- they need only to wait until the day when we are so diseased and corrupted within that they can merely take over control !!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe it's a poor standard - and maybe not - but if media reflects the soul of the society, look at and listen to movies and songs from the 1940's, 50's and early 60's -- and compare them to today's. What happened to the soul of our nation -- when did it die ??? Truly "they die young in this neck of the woods" -- ESPECIALLY the souls of the children !!

I consider art and music to be a microcosm (a miniature model of something) of society. Through them, society exhibits it's heart, mind, soul and spirit -- its temperament !! During the 1950's and early 60's, the "pop" music reflected a theme of innocence, sentimentality, hope and young love. During the latter part of the 1960's, the theme turned to resistance toward authority, rebellion, hopelessness and despair. As we moved into the period of the 1970 - 2000's, increasingly the theme has become one of hatred of and insolence toward authority - total abandonment of all that was considered "good and moral" by society and a wanton flaunting of all that is opposed to these qualities - talent being replaced by blatant sexuality and sensuality. What was once concordant and pleasing "music" has been replaced by talentless, tasteless, discordant noise and screaming - and lyrics being dragged down to the lowest levels of obscenity, inanity and vulgar drivel.

I remember once hearing or reading a comment to the effect that if the artist's canvas reflects the outpouring of his/her innermost soul, what is being exhibited as "ART" in many circles today must represent a "catharsis of pustulated diarrhea" on the part of many so-called "artists" !!

I want to paint an analogy in reference to our "sexual appetite" similar to one used by C. S. Lewis in one of his books, to illustrate my view of our current taste in "entertainment media". Consider for a moment that you walked into a restaurant, and the buffet table was spread with an assortment of animal excrement of all varieties (human included). The patrons went up and served themselves from this offering with various attitudes of relish and delight, indicating that they considered it a "gourmet feast".

Now, after your initial reaction of revulsion and disgust, you would have to conclude that this group of people has, in some manner, had their sense of taste and perception toward WHAT constitutes human food vastly and seriously perverted, twisted and distorted !! So, I believe, has the "god of this age" done to the discerning faculties of those who live under his "dark reign". It does NO good to point out to them what I consider to be the obvious, for their tastes have been so warped that the "excrement of tortured and vile psyches" now parades and passes itself off to these as "art and entertainment".

One concept that I want to dwell upon for a while is contained in verses 4 and 12. I have watched as this phenomenon has steadily crept, like a ravenous cancer, through increasing sectors of our society.

I will give boys to be their princes, and children shall rule over them. As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them.

In the case of Israel, it was literally true - as part of their judgment, God gave them inexperienced youth and even children as their rulers. In the case of our nation, so far at least, it is only figuratively true. We are increasingly becoming a youth (or CHILD) dominated culture. At one time the social cliché went, "Children should be seen and not heard". I DO NOT say that this was a good situation - I merely make reference to it. Now however - and I DO say that this is an extremely grave situation - the pendulum has swung to the other extreme, and parents make little idols out of their children. Society worships at the alter of "YOUTH", and what we worship, we imitate.

Our entire media culture is youth dominated. Most movies are geared toward the adolescent mentality, acted by and often produced by adolescents (if NOT in age, certainally in mentality!). The quote "music scene" is entirely youth oriented. You can not even go into a store or restaurant without having your senses assaulted by some "adolescent crooner" (usually possessing ZERO concept of talent). Society has become so imbued with and indoctrinated by this "subliminal noise", through a constant background of TV-radio-recorder saturation, that we are no longer even consciously aware of it. Activate your awareness ON PURPOSE sometime, and you will note that, outside of Country Western circles, there are NO adult level musicians and popular singers (as there were a few generations ago). Country Western is no better, with its obsession with loose sex, drugs, and personal problems.

Our retail marketing is certainly youth-centric, encouraging the mentality that to be young-sexy-beautiful-IN is everything -- to be achieved at ALL costs. Products are developed to be "Youthcentric". Often more effort is put into the "look-and-feel" of products, such as computer software or media devices, then is invested in its functionality (Apple and Microsoft are good examples). I see one automobile ad that runs continually that bases a large part of its argument for purchasing their particular model upon the fact that it has mp3, bluetooth and satellite radio capability. Now these MAY be nice "trinkets", but are they REALLY the basis for purchasing a car ??

So pervasive has this "social neurosis" become that no longer are our children growing UP to become responsible adults, but our "adults" are growing DOWN to become irresponsible "children" of the worst sort -- not "childlike", but rather "childish" !! Our "adults" continually fill their minds with the adolescent "media drivel". Woman and men alike, rather than going on to maturity, seek to act and LOOK like spoiled adolescents.

One of the lead characters in a TV show that I enjoy watching (Stargate SG1) epitomizes this phenomenon perfectly. Jack O'Neil (Colonel) is the leader of the SG1 Stargate Exploratory Team. Rather that being presented as a mature, 30-40 year old, responsible military explorer and leader - his persona, dialog and personality is MUCH MORE in keeping with that of a wisecracking, smart-mouth teenager !!

We have proudly marched from the era when, by 16-18 years of age, young men and woman had moved into areas of responsibility - often teaching or working in the family farm, ranch or other business as functioning ADULTS -- to where CHILDREN of 30 something spend their idle hours playing with super-expensive computer game systems or other such toys, wondering what they will be and do when (IF??) they GROW UP !!!

There was a book out many years ago called, "The Greening of America". There should be another today called, "The Dumbing of America", where the goal is to reduce ALL to the "lowest common denominator". In better ages of yesteryear, students were taught to THINK - now they are merely left to STINK. Does it concern anyone that at the present rate of our scholastic and intellectual decline, WE may soon become one of the "Third World Countries" ??

The hypocritical aspect of this social "Child Worship" is that though we may put the children on a pedestal, we DO NOT really love or care for them. Parents are too busy (making money or taking care of their OWN concerns) to devote the time and attention (and EFFORT) needed to raise their children and instill in them proper values. They are too immature to take responsibility for those that they brought into this world. Though a parent might kill anyone who would even SUGGEST that their prized "little Johnny" or "little Mary" might be guilty of some wrongdoing, yet these same "good parents" murder, through abortion, millions of little ones EACH year !!! Also, criminal child abuse and homicide by parents have climbed to unbelievable proportions.

I have observed with increasing sadness and disgust (especially at beaches), that in years-gone-by, families were composed of father-mother-and multiple children. NOW they are more often composed of ONE adult, perhaps ONE child and a proliferation of DOGS !! I guess that if you tire of a dog, you can still take it to the pound. You can't do that (yet) with children. Also, there is not too much chance of your dog growing up to become a delinquent alcoholic / drug user.

We claim that we wish to "protect" our children by essentially isolating them from ALL forms of meaningful correction through school, church, and even family that would mold their negative and destructive tendencies and behaviors. In the place of those who know (and love) the children on a daily basis, we have set up "Big Brother Social Services" psychologists and workers with their "Dr. Spock" theories of how to guide children -- which basically amounts to "DO NOTHING" until it is too late. Then, as our prisons become fuller and fuller of criminals that we have NO idea how to deal with, the experts throw up their hands in despair and wonder what is wrong with society !!

Many of these theories stem from the TOTALLY naive and fallacious belief that "children are born pure (blank slates), with NO tendencies (either toward good NOR bad) inherently contained within them". God, on the other hand, tells us that we are ALL born tainted by SIN -- the separation from God and the TOTAL oblivion to HIS Plan and Way, and the TOTAL immersion in SELF and in OUR plan and way. We are ALL lost without the needed reuniting with His Spirit - CHILDREN included. Perhaps what rankles our modern day sentimentalists is the idea that their NEW IDOL -- Children -- should NOT be perfect and spotless. Thus, they perhaps reason, that if their idol is despoiled, who will save them from the obvious pending disaster ??

The human mind is more deceitful than anything else. It is incurably bad. Who can understand it? (The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it? -- KJV) **** Jeremiah 17:9

For there is no distinction, for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus **** Romans 3:22-24

Isn't it interesting that these "Humanistic Philosophers" don't seem in the slightest bit perturbed by the fact that there is not a shred of actual evidence to support their theories, and that all actual OBSERVATION would tend to negate rather than reinforce them. This same blind disinterest toward FACTS can be noted in their "Theory of Evolution", their "Big-Bang theory of creation" and the theory that "homosexuality is a natural (and therefore GOOD) part of the evolutionary landscape". Did you ever note that Christians are derided for being unable to offer satisfactory "proof" to support THEIR Beliefs (theories), but those of the "New Age Rulers" are supposed to just be accepted at face value with NO further PROOF than merely "they say so !!"

Have you ever watched a scene similar to this one in a department store or supermarket: Little Johnny (or Mary), accompanying said harassed mother, decides that they want an item. The mother says, "No, you really don't need that", and returns it to the shelf. Little Johnny grabs it off the shelf and starts shouting, "Get it for me -- I want it -- I want it". Soon Sweet Johnny is on the floor kicking, squirming, crying, shouting and throwing a full fledged tantrum. What is Harassed Mother doing to control this situation ?? Usually, she starts off by trying to "reason" with the child (first rate Dr. Spock philosophy). That failing, she "threatens" him (her) with some dreaded doom when they get home. Resulting in no better response, she degenerates to pleading and begging the Little Dear to, "Please stop, please get up, please don't act like this - when we get home, I'll have a special treat for you" - etc., etc., ad nausium. In the end, she throws the item (and maybe a few extra) into the shopping cart and hurries to get out of there as fast as possible.

So what has "Little Johnny (Mary)" learned from this (and MANY other instances). He (she) has learned that, ultimately, THEY are in control, the threats and demands of "authority" are meaningless, and anarchy will get them what they want. Most of all, they learn (or so they BELIEVE) that there are REALLY no consequences for their actions. Just WHAT kind of adults do you think that they will grow into ??

Granted, in theory, SOME within the system are truly concerned about legitimate child abuse, which IS a heinous crime and NEEDS to be addressed. The rest consists of the "social manipulators", fostering THEIR misguided, worthless and destructive humanistic sentimentality upon ALL of society. It is interesting that as the mania over "child sexual abuse" has grown out of all proportion, the NUMBER of sexual offenders has also grown. The penal system is becoming so clogged with these "offenders" that they don't know what to do with them. It is almost as though, "if you LOOK hard enough for a problem, you will most assuredly FIND it in abundance!"

Earlier, I mentioned our children being "robbed of their childhood", and so they are. Children 8 or younger exposed to drugs, girls pregnant by 12, young boys of 12 acting like neighborhood "toughs" - cursing, vulgar, obnoxious, rebellious, drugs, smoking -- the innocence of youth destroyed. Then there are the teenagers, already "old in the ways of the world" by 16 -- minds fried by drugs, armed with heavy weapons, often criminals, tough, bitter, full of hate, girls with one or more children - no hope, no dreams, no love, no home - their motto, "Do it to others before they do it to you !!"

Know this, that in the last days, grievous times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; holding a form of godliness, but having denied its power. always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so do these also oppose the truth; men corrupted in mind, who concerning the faith, are rejected. **** 2 Timothy 3:1-8

Whether or not these are the "Last Times", I do NOT profess to offer an opinion. In any case, as referenced to Timothy's day, they are certainly "latter times". One does NOT need to be a believer in the Bible to see the truth of Timothy's prediction -- he (she) needs ONLY to have a mind, ears, eyes, and to be an HONEST individual. Look at society around you, read the papers, listen to the news, watch the movies, especially watch TV, listen to the "music". Compared to society as little as 70 years ago (the 1950's), the social structure, people, and ESPECIALLY our young (12-19) have become corrupted and vulgar beyond belief.

Violence, ignorance, sexual promiscuity and vulgarity have become the NORM !! Respect, courtesy, consideration, modesty, gentleness, meekness have become laughable -- ESPECIALLY in the eyes of said youth. Femininity in woman is looked upon with disgust and derision by much of the very womanhood. Everywhere (papers, media, youth circles) you see "Attitude" applauded and "Godliness" ridiculed. "Attitude" in these circles means (among other things) acting arrogant, ignorant, vulgar, tough, uncouth, with a total lack of respect and regard for authority and the rights of others.

Men suffer from identity crisis, no longer knowing what they are, having been brainwashed by the media stereotypes and the feminist propaganda. They abandon their responsibilities to their wives, children, homes, jobs -- and become dropout adolescents -- modeling their "manhood" upon the media stereotypes. Increasingly, these consist of the vulgar, violent "man" with a gun on each hip and "one between his legs", carelessly blasting and drinking his way through society - void of integrity, honor, compassion or morality. The opposite media stereotype of the "American male" is the insipid, vulgar, brainless, incompetent, "ULTRA-adolescent" -- who is so nauseating that even a self-respecting 13 year old should turn away in disgust.

There is only ONE model of manhood that God is interested in. At the "trial" of Jesus Christ before Pontus Pilate, Pilate made the comment, "Behold THE man". Behold HIM indeed !!

More and more movies depict the man as being the bumbling, wimpy incompetent - and the woman as being the decisive, strong, capable leader. The problem is -- in TOO many homes -- this is EXACTLY the situation. If there IS a man in the home, he is useless toward the functioning of said home -- and too often, it falls to the woman to assume the position of leadership, which she picks up as a matter of survival for her and her children. This is too often true EVEN in Christian homes.

The people will be oppressed, everyone by another, and everyone by his neighbor. The child will behave himself proudly against the old man, and the base against the honorable. .... My people, those who lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths. Yahweh stands up to contend, and stands to judge the peoples. Yahweh will enter into judgment with the elders of his people, and their leaders: It is you who have eaten up the vineyard. The spoil of the poor is in your houses. What do you mean that you crush my people, and grind the face of the poor?" says the Lord, Yahweh of Armies. **** 3:5,12-15

Woman fare little better, however !! How many divorced woman do you know who have commented that, "they wouldn't have made it thorough their divorce if it hadn't been for the support of 'Little Johnny' or 'Little Mary'". Now this may sound so touching (??), but shouldn't it be the responsibility of the PARENT to care for the CHILD - NOT visa versa. What price did this "support" take out of "Little Johnny" or "Little Mary" ?? What part of THEIR precious childhood (that they will NEVER again get back) were THEY robbed of ?? Divorced fathers are equally (if not MORE so) guilty of this robbery. Neither men nor women can claim innocence in this arena of divorce. It is one of the more obvious manifestations of our "selfish, childish" society.

We live in the era of the "Sex Goddess". Feminine (and Male) sexuality is used to advertise, promote, and sell almost EVERYTHING.

I spoke of modern "music" earlier. Note the "pop" music scene. Most of the "singers" are young girls, most sound about the same, and their primary "talent" is the ability to parade around at concerts, on TV and MTV in a state of near naked seduction.

In movies, the rule seems to be - "If you can't have a good plot with good acting, you CAN have a lot of young female bodies writhing around in various states of undress." More and more movies - especially those directed to "youth audiences" - are depicting the male members as "witless, incompetent losers" and the young female star(s) as the heroines who save the day, often by means of their "sexual wiles".

On TV and in magazines, naked (or near naked) feminine sexuality can be seen everywhere as the prime motivational factor. Young girls are paraded around as so much fodder for the advertising mills. Sex all but sells female (and for its part, male) fashions. The state of near nakedness that our young girls parade about the street in would never have been even conceived of, let alone tolerated, 70 years ago !!

We wring our collective, social hands that sexual assaults run epidemic --- and hide our heads in the sand as we blindly ask, "WHY" ??? The blind, ignorant HYPOCRISY of our society !! We would rather sacrifice our very children that we claim to hold in such high esteem to the "gods of the marketplace", rather than face harsh reality and exercise the backbone as parents needed to actually protect them.

Moreover Yahweh said, "Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with outstretched necks and flirting eyes, walking to trip as they go, jingling ornaments on their feet; therefore the Lord brings sores on the crown of the head of the women of Zion, and Yahweh will make their scalps bald." **** 3:16,17

It seems that even back in the days of ancient Israel, God had a word for present day "Corporate America". I believe that the following verses address those that, by means of massive corporate conglomerates - almost immune to the "hand of law" - do their work of greed and corruption by slowly squeezing the lifeblood out of America and its citizens, while depositing it into the bank accounts of the "Mega-rich". These "Corporate Barons", as they have always done, steal from everyone else in order to enrich themselves. When their work is complete, what is left are the worthless droppings of their entrails. Take present day note: the securities frauds, the banking crisis, the automobile bailouts, the real estate fiascoes, the retirement fund scandals, etc., ETC. !!

Woe to those who join house to house, who lay field to field, until there is no room, and you are made to dwell alone in the midst of the land! In my ears, Yahweh of Armies says: "Surely many houses will be desolate, even great and beautiful, unoccupied. For ten acres of vineyard shall yield 5.8 gallons and 6 bushels of seed shall yield 0.6 bushels (only one tenth of what was sown)" **** 5:8-10

I don't think that much comment needs to be made by me regarding the "leaders" of our nation, whether that be political OR business. After Nikon and Clinton, the election scandals, as well as the massive corruption and incompetence witnessed in the corporate economy, I believe that our national assessment of leadership is pretty LOW. Long ago did government replace "statesmen" - who cared for the good of the Nation - with "politicians" - who cared ONLY for the good of THEMSELVES. The increasing lack of "Justice" in the courts of our nation - from lowest to highest- may be one of the major causes of the like rise in lawlessness. Why did we originally break away from England if not to be freed from an oppressive, unjust government ?? Read more [ HERE ] in an article entitled, "Justice - or the Lack Thereof".

I think that it is a crime to see Christian leaders make fools of themselves by claiming that we began going wrong when prayer was taken out of the public schools. This was merely ONE SYMPTOM of the fact that America HAD been going wrong for some time. Today, not only prayer, but God also have been officially banned from MOST public institutions. Godless "leaders" (and teachers) have set themselves up to rule (and teach) -- NOT even by the will of the people (those whom they SUPPOSEDLY rule or teach FOR) -- but according to THEIR OWN PERSONAL, twisted opinions as to what THEY deem to be right and wrong (supreme and lower court judges as prime example). As for the people, most have abandoned any faith in so-called "authority" and each goes about, "doing that which seems right in THEIR own eyes".

Woe to those who rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; who stay late into the night, until wine inflames them! The harp, lyre, tambourine, and flute, with wine, are at their feasts; but they don't respect the work of Yahweh, neither have they considered the operation of his hands. Therefore my people go into captivity for lack of knowledge. Their honorable men are famished, and their multitudes are parched with thirst. Therefore Sheol (the place of the dead) has enlarged its desire, and opened its mouth without measure; and their glory, their multitude, their pomp, and he who rejoices among them, descend into it. Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood, and wickedness as with cart rope; Who say, "Let him make speed, let him hasten his work, that we may see it; and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near and come, that we may know it!" Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Woe to those who are mighty to drink wine, and champions at mixing strong drink; who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice for the innocent! **** 5:11-14,18-23

There is an old saying, "Be careful what you wish for because you just MIGHT get it". In the case of this nation (as He did with Israel), because we did NOT wish to have the One God rule over us, He gave unto us our collective desire to have the "god of THIS world" rule over us instead. We may be foolish enough to believe that "FREEDOM" is having NO ONE in authority over us, but that is only rank delusion. Real freedom - freedom to be ALL that God created us to be and to do - is ONLY achieved when we yield ourselves - heart, mind, emotions and will - over to God without reservation. A "pop" singer once commented in one of his songs, "everyone gotta serve someone". When the "god of THIS world" rules over us, we are only fodder to feed his purpose and appetite !!

Knowing God, they didn't glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man. Therefore, God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator. For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting; **** Romans 1:21-28

They did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. Because of this, God sends them a working of error, that they should believe a lie; that they all might be judged who didn't believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. **** 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12

Therefore as the tongue of fire devours the stubble, and as the dry grass sinks down in the flame, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust; because they have rejected the law of Yahweh of Armies, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. Therefore Yahweh's anger burns against his people, and he has stretched out his hand against them, and has struck them. The mountains tremble, and their dead bodies are as refuse in the midst of the streets. For all this, his anger is not turned away, but his hand is still stretched out. He will lift up a banner to the nations from far, and he will whistle for them from the end of the earth. Behold, they will come speedily and swiftly. **** Isaiah 5:24-26

Perhaps many of you did NOT find these words to their liking. I can understand that. If what you were seeking were "choruses like honey to soothe your troubled mind", you can find plenty of these coming from BOTH secular and "christian" preachers on TV and in person. Such is NOT the calling that I received from God.

For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables. But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry. **** 2 Timothy 4:3-5

In the Book of Revelations 3:15-18, these words from God to the assembly (church) in Laodicea are recorded:

"I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth. Because you say, "I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing;" and don't know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see."

He could equally well write these words today to the United States !!

Since we as a nation have done, as did the nation of Israel, in saying to our God, "We will NOT have you to rule over us" --- He has said to us as He said to Israel:

"Behold, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me from now on, until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'" **** Matthew 23:38,39

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution, as adopted in 1791, reads as follows:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or * prohibiting the free exercise thereof *; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

It points out that the TYRANNY that we need to fear is NOT from the president, corporate giants, nor some religious group. It is rather from atheist, activist federal judges who believe that they are not only above the Constitution of the US which they are sworn to uphold, but are equally above ANY "supreme authority" !!

Fools say to themselves, “There is no God.” They sin and commit evil deeds (are CORRUPT); none of them does what is right. **** Psalms 14:1-5