"I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out." -– John Wesley

The earth is also defiled under its inhabitants, because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.
--- Isaiah 24:5 (NKJV)

It is time for You to act, O LORD, for they have regarded Your law as void. Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold! Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way.

--- Psalm 119:126-128 (NKJV)

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

--- 2 Timothy 4:3,4 (NKJV)

• A Little More Confessing from Theo!
• Before anything else, how about a Selah Moment!
• Take a Good Hard Look at the Chaos!
• Are You Familiar with Affirmation?
• To Elevate Blood Pressure Even More, Look at These!
• A rerun of Jeremiah's time!
• Same Gender Sex Lifestyles Can Be Transformed!
• Theo at Work Checking our a Squealing Sound!
• Oh, Oh - Green Light Flashing for Abortion!
• UMC Bishops are hush hush on this one!
• Other Areas of the Range Where Abortion Is Discussed
• Alvin's Observation
• A Contrite Theo -- a Miracle on the Range!

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Hello again -- I wish I could say, "Welcome," however this is a most unpleasant place to enter, just as some other areas on the Range are also unpleasant which deal with issues that a majority of people prefer to completely avoid! Reality is not easy to face, and the reality of what is happening within the United Methodist Church is something large numbers of UM's themselves refuse to face -- they seem to want to take the approach of one who has leprosy putting on a new suit of clothes, going out and socializing, and pretending everything is just fine! The doctors who have diagnosed the disease are considered ill tempered trouble makers lacking in compassion and understanding! But with a deep sense of shame I must admit I see the bitter fruits of my influence when I was in a corrupted condition many decades ago -- I sowed a lot of spiritual "tares" during that time and now you see the tragic harvest -- seed does sprout and bear fruit you know! As you proceed you will see that CR has compiled a considerable amount of information which proves beyond all doubt that the UMC is in more than a minor convulsive state of affairs!

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A Selah Moment (stop and think about that!)

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But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the LORD, and of justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin. Now hear this, you heads of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel, who abhor justice and pervert all equity, who build up Zion with bloodshed and Jerusalem with iniquity: her heads judge for a bribe, her priests teach for pay, and her prophets divine for money. yet they lean on the LORD, and say, "Is not the LORD among us? No harm can come upon us." Therefore because of you Zion shall be plowed like a field, Jerusalem shall become heaps of ruins, and the mountain of the temple like the bare hills of the forest. --- Micah 3:8-12 (NKJV)

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Take a Good Hard Look at Some Chaos!

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That there is wide division in the UMC is no secret -- go to Cornet: Covenant Relationships Network Main Page which is devoted to same gender relationships and dedicated to church wide acceptance of same -- go to Signers of Statement of Commitment to see the infamous "list" of those who have signed and committed themselves to doing same gender ceremonies if asked to do so, Judicial Council decision of August '98 notwithstanding!!! -- or go to In All Things Charity and see a statement which clergy and laity have signed which roughly translated says, "We don't care what the Discipline says!" When you get to that page, you will have to click on certain links to get more info. For the clergy signed statement on doing same gender convenant ceremonies go to Statement of Commitment Regarding Same-Gendered Covenant Services -- note that there are 3 statements involved -- clergy and laity statements of "conscience" which support the right to perform same gender ceremonies, however, these clergy are not on record as stating that they will do such ceremonies themselves and the Statement of Commitment in which clergy (notice the number and the conferences represented) have said they will perform same gender ceremonies -- please read these statements very carefully and determine whether or not there is more than a little distortion of Wesley's phase, "...in all things charity"! And as mentioned above, the lists of all signers of these statements by individual conferences are also available, so that you can know who signed what.

Take a look at Affirmation" which advertises itself as "United Methodists for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Concerns" -- this caucus group definitely has plans for General Conference Y2K -- both Cornet and Affirmation really pulled out the stops on the March 25, 1999 trial of Greg Dell --[details were also spelled out in Greg Dell Trial] -- so keep informed, and if you have never prayed about this whole issue before, you better start praying now!

But hey, not to worry folks -- we'll fix it all up with another dialogue session -- that's in vogue these days, you know -- so get ready and prepare yourself by digesting Dialogue on Homosexuality!

For a kind of overview of the same gender coupling "crusade" -- a sort of "evanglistic" crusade with a most peculiar bent -- go to The UMC's Version of the Energizer Bunny!

What could some future headlines in the UMC be? Want to see possibilities? Go to United Methodist News from the Future! Best you sit down and fasten your seat belt when you read 'em!

For a complete listing of publications produced withing the United Methodist Church you can go to UMC Publications and Periodicals - browsing through these will quickly tell you why the UMC is more than qualified for the title, "A House Divi\/ded!"

Aw, why can't we just focus on the good being done and forget all this negative stuff?

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To Elevate Blood Pressure Even More, Look at These Links!

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Hey! Want to elevate your blood pressure even more if possible from what you see just above? Check out Christian Social Action - May 98 issue -- yes, this is a publication within the UMC -- main page is at Christian Social Action -- and you can go to Board of Church & Society for more information on that group and other issues of their magazine -- need to elevate a bit more? Then check out their Word from Washington and Peace with Justice. Hmmm -- and CDH alias the Circuit Rider has been accused of being radical!!!!!!!!!!!!

Want to read some more crazy stuff? In a July 24, 1998 issue of Newscope a fellow talks about a "historical" Jesus not being really significant -- it's the "existential" kind that is important!! And that Wogaman fellow doesn't like the "H" word -- that word which is the name of a very, very warm place!! Oh, oh -- Circuit Rider will probably take me to the woodshed over this one! So for interesting news tid bits go to Newscope and get more information -- you can browse through some back issues. Are you getting the picture why the term, "House Divided," is very appropriate for the United Methodist Church?

Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: "Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall; for from the prophets of Jerusalem profaneness has gone out into all the land." Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; they speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the LORD. They continually say to those who despise Me, 'The LORD has said, "You shall have peace" '; and to everyone who walks according to the imagination of his own heart, 'No evil shall come upon you...' I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in My counsel, and had caused My people to hear My words, then they would have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their doings...therefore they shall not profit this people at all...for you have perverted the words of the living God, the Lord of hosts, our God."
--- Jeremiah 23:15-17,21,22,32,36

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

--- Colossians 2:8

Same Gender Sex Lifestyles Can Be Transformed!

The same gender coupling crowd likes to cry "Foul!" when it is reported that Jesus Christ has touched and transformed some of their own -- it's like, "Jesus, don't go meddling in our lives!" And then the media culture (both religious and secular) is reluctant to publish the facts on these happenings - doesn't look good for those pushing the same gender coupling lifestyle on our culture! For a couple of miracles in this area of life visit Ann Paulk and John Paulk! Also, check out Family Research Council June 2 Release! Now for those of you who don't like this, take your complaint to the One Who changed these people, and see if He agrees with your objections to what He has done in bringing peace, purpose, and hope into their lives! But before you do that, maybe you best review what He went through to make those miracles possible - look at Amazing Grace - All for Us!!

Oh, hello again -- ooops, you caught me in my work suit! CR wanted me to check the machinery here. He said he heard a lot of squealing and figured the gears needed some lubrication. But that's not the problem -- must be squeals from some of the UM visitors that are in a state of shock -- ummm, wonder how loud a bishop can squeal? I was pretty sure it wasn't in the gears because I am more faithful in that responsibility than I was in my influence in centuries of church history! Again, I apologize for my appearance.

A Green Light for Abortion!

Watch the little number cruncher for about
60 to 90 seconds and see what happens!

Unborn Babies Killed since Roe vs. Wade January 1973

Members of the UMC hierarchy especially get upset if you suggest that the UMC places its "sanction" on abortion on demand -- but hey, read the first part (and most significant) of the official statement of the UMC pertaining to abortion! Let's see now -- in spite of trying to dress this up in pious terminology, the fact is that any woman by terms of this statement can get an abortion if she wants one -- all she has to do is say, "This pregnancy is unacceptable to me -- I could be damaged from it!" And about that phrase of using abortion for birth control -- might as well have omitted that in the first place! You object? OK -- just stand outside an abortion clinic for a few hours and ask each woman entering who is planning to destroy her unborn child if this is her method of birth control and see how many "Yes" answers you get! Ah ha, gotcha! Most tragic in this drama repeated to the tune of about 1.3 million unborn being destroyed each year is the fact that we are so blind to the reality that God is going to make a response to this senseless slaughter, and no one will have to question in that moment as to what is happening! But it will be a little late then to make it right -- you know, reassemble all those mangled parts and put them back into the womb as they had been in the original state, and then say, "Look, God, we fixed it all up just as good as new, so how about withholding this judgment action you had planned for us?" Ah, anyone want to guess His answer on that?

Par. 65 J) Abortion – The beginning of life and the ending of life are the God-given boundaries of human existence. While individuals have always had some degree of control over when they would die, they now have the awesome power to determine when and even whether new individuals will be born. Our belief in the sanctity of unborn human life makes us reluctant to approve abortion. But we are equally bound to respect the sacredness of the life and well-being of the mother, for whom devastating damage may result from an unacceptable pregnancy. In continuity with past Christian teaching, we recognize tragic conflicts of life with life that may justify abortion, and in such cases we support the legal option of abortion under proper medical procedures. We cannot affirm abortion as an acceptable means of birth control, and we unconditionally reject it as a means of gender selection. We call all Christians to a searching and prayerful inquiry into the sorts of conditions that may warrant abortion……” --- 1996 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, p. 90

Very few, if any, members of the UMC hierarchy would be willing to endure a lengthy exposure to Victimized by Abortion -- how about you? And after pondering over those tragedies, are you willing to speak up, be heard, and insist that the UMC pro-abortion stance has got to be changed?

Then after looking at those victimized by abortion, do you think they can take a look at what is just below?

Here is what the UMC "chief shepherds" sweep under the rug,
keeping lips absolutely locked, glued, and sealed!

Go where UMC bishops fear to tread and tour the United States Holocaust Gallery -- honestly now, do you think any UMC bishop will take the "tour" or even take a long solemn pause in front of the sign below and then follow up with a statement about what he or she has just observed?

For more on this go to Fighting for Your Life!
And United States Holocaust Gallery
And Justice Denied!
A variety of subjects related to the issue of protecting the lives of the unborn!

Then after taking a "prayerful" look at all of the above, do you suppose the "chief shepherds" might then issue a strong "PS" to the "Children's Initiative?" You know, one that says something like this --

"We regret that we have not given proper priority
to the violent destruction of thousands of unborn
children on a weekly basis, and appeal to all those
involved in these acts of violence to immediately
terminate such involvement and financial profit!"

We don't have an official polling booth here, but if you want to let me know your thoughts on whether that "PS" stands a chance of becoming reality, just send me an email by clicking on:

Harry Blackmun, UM layman and Supreme Court justice, was eulogized to high heaven and then some upon his exit from this world -- an appropriate epitaph by one artist pictured a tombstone with Harry's name on it -- then the word "Born" with date of birth and the words, "Because his mother was pro life" and then below that the word "Died" and below that "38 million, because he wasn't!" One thing for sure, Harry sees human life, born and unborn, from God's perspective now! What makes this interesting is the fact that Harry authored the notorious Roe v. Wade decision back in 1973 which "legalized" abortion on demand in this country!

A Follow Up! [March '00] In Minnesota, a spending bill funding the commission of a bronze bust of the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun, author of the Roe v. Wade decision, for display in the Capitol of Blackmun's home state, was resoundingly defeated. Blackmun, who said of his years on the bench that he wanted to be remembered for his treatment of the "little people," legalized the killing of about 35 million of them.

[Source: The Federalist 24 March 2000]

Other areas on the Range where the subject of abortion is mentioned:

Human Life Is Sacred
Fighting for Your Life!
United States Holocaust Gallery
USA 'gods' on Parade!
Circuit Rider's Shooting Range

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And now, Alvin would like to have a word with you!

"As I said before in the UM Connection area, it is nothing short of tragic that you are plagued with this denomination thing! It's even worse that your UMC denomination is torn asunder by conflict and division. But I have learned enough about your past history to know that it wasn't always this way. In the early decades there was a high degree of unity among your pastors and laity. Most of this was the result of the approach they took to your God given writings -- the vast majority actually believed these to be inspired of God and the final authority in matters of faith and practice. But after that Theo fellow did his thing in his corrupted condition, that critical area of unity so essential to strength, influence, witness, and growth was lost -- many of you refuse to believe it but whether you want to accept it or not, you are a powerful witness to one thing -- the law of sowing and reaping as spelled out in your God given writings!"

Again, I must apologize for my appearance in my bulky work outfit -- more construction to do you know -- and also I need to apologize for my outburst back at the Circuit Rider's This 'n That area at the south side. All things considered, my boss isn't all that bad of a fellow -- he is really "hard nosed" about some things having to do with right and wrong and of course that has stirred people up a bit at times! But when you get to really know him he can even be almost human at times -- why you might even actually enjoy conversation with him over a cup of coffee, a soda or tea. He quit the "hard stuff" many years ago when Jesus came into his life. Well, enjoy the rest of your tour and don't forget, please sign the Guest Book, OK?

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Special Announcement! Just to let you know that there are efforts being made to challenge the crazy stuff such you see happening around the UMC these days, take a trip over to Called to Higher Ground! -- examine the statement -- do your own kind of endorsing if you feel so led -- just remember, a number of UMC bishops have already done their endorsement thing! So, why shouldn't you?