Parting Shots on the Passing Scene!!
Circuit Rider's Shooting Range Index
Monkey See, Monkey Do...!
"He interacts very well with TV. He sees someone fall down, he falls down." Comment by Valerie Barney, mother of a 2-year-old boy, on the harmless effects of watching TV, as she responded to an Academy of Pediatrics study suggesting toddlers watch too much TV. Ah, just a nuisance question on that -- and if he watches someone murder someone else?????
[Source: The Federalist August 12, 1999 Vol. #99-32]
What If Your Planned New Home Were Deliberately Destroyed?
As you have already seen at CR's Cauldron, the Circuit Rider is quite intense about this abomination commonly called abortion. The Circuit Rider sometimes has posed this question for people to think about (that is, if they dare) -- suppose you were building your dream home -- it had been planned for years and years -- now it's about to become a reality -- in fact, just another 3 months or so everything will be complete as interior final finishing is completed -- the home will be "born" and ready for the purpose for which you designed it -- how would you feel if the Circuit Rider took a bulldozer some night and just tore that home all to pieces -- tiny, tiny pieces?? Upset -- mad -- outraged, you say? Why? Well, let's just think about this -- how do you think God feels when someone trained to use his skills to preserve and enhance life invades the womb and tears to pieces a human in the making for which God has had plans before this world ever existed? Come on now, be honest and try to describe what God's feelings must be about that!! Review again the clear evidence of God's view of humans, His identification of them before conception & birth, and of course a beautiful plan for them on earth. See Jer. 1:5; Psa. 139:16; Eph. 1:3-6.
One for Our Justice (?) System!
Judge Gives "Evil" Couple Their Due!
An indignant Judge Henry duPont Ridgely some time back sentenced Amy Grossberg and Brian Peterson to time in prison for the killing of their new born son. The judge noted that "selfishness" was involved in causing the death of a child "...whose life was of no less value than any person in this courtroom." Grossberg and Peterson gained notoriety when it became known that they killed the baby they had conceived and discarded its body in a garbage bin behind the motel where the child had been born. The state had determined that the child died of massive head injuries.
Hmmm -- one could wonder if the Judge Ridgely is also indignant over the fact that doctors get paid handsome sums for mangling and killing babies whom God is in the process of forming in the womb for His high and holy purposes! And further, is he at all indignant about the "selfishness" involved in the massive head injuries inflicted on thousands of infants being born (according to statistics not easy to come by), and the fact that the "doctors" (term very loosely applied) who committed the killings go free and get rich in the process?!!!!
For Grossberg and Peterson, it was a matter of poor timing -- or maybe they didn't consider an appeal that they were simply doing a partial birth abortion -- but then, the judge would have put them away for practicing medicine without a license! Do you ever get a bit bothered at times at the rampant and repugnant hypocrisy of today's system of justice -- it's far easier for a judge and the prosecutors to jump with both feet on a couple of teenagers than it is upon rich doctors who make big bucks as they systematically kill thousands of unborn or partially born children on a daily basis!
Of course we have yet to witness the full response of the Creator of this universe to this perverted justice system which permits wholesale destruction of those whom He identifies before conception and birth and for whom He has a special purpose in life!
A Horror Story out of Pittsburgh PA!
Circuit Rider has in his possession a video of an abortion being done at a Pittsburgh clinic which was shown on a cable network channel and amounted more to a propaganda effort in promoting abortion as a "good thing," insuring the "constitutional rights" of women!! CR says, "It was one of the most repugnant things I ever saw (even exceeding the daily diet of
vulgarity, 'sex is fun with anyone, anytime and anywhere' and slow motion splattering of blood and guts which the movie & TV industry feeds our society under the false label of 'ENTERTAINMENT'?????) -- a teen ager on the table with a "doctor" (??) making light hearted chit chat and chewing gum like crazy as he proceeded to destroy that unborn child just as nonchalantly as though he were removing an unsightly wart from a person's finger! I'll never forget it as long as I live and would not take any amount of money to be in his shoes when it comes to standing before Almighty God Who had a high and holy purpose for that child that was so callously destroyed! Of course, that is probably a case wherein there may be "devastating damage" resulting from "an unacceptable pregnancy" and therefore this is another abortion that is reluctantly approved under United Methodist Church "policy" -- of course the policy statement also says we can't affirm abortion as an acceptable means of birth control, but how many women are going to admit that they are using that method of child destruction as their preferred means of birth control -- would be a good poll question wouldn't it, or stand outside the clinic in Pittsburgh and ask the "patients" this question as they leave, "Madam, is what you just did your favored method of birth control?" and see how many say, "Oh, yes -- I find it very effective and it works every time -- Dr. Gum Chewer is very efficient!" "
If you dare, take a good look at sample "results" of the work of "Dr. Gum Chewer" and his breed....
If you want to take the "quick tour" then head on over to United States Holocaust Gallery -- if you want to see more, then take a look
at Baby Parts for Sale! Big money being made in this lucrative "business!" Use the reverse feature on your browser to return here.
Circuit Rider says it like this, "Folks, we are a badly deceived nation of fools of the first magnitude if we believe that Almighty God is not going to make a shocking and devastating response to this mass "shedding of innocent blood" -- the ancient Canaanites didn't get away with it -- ancient Israel didn't get away with it when they adopted the Canaanite practice of child sacrifice -- the only difference is that they permitted theirs to be born and live a short spell -- we sacrifice ours in the womb!!!"
Would Jesus Measure Up to Be a Bishop in the UMC?
Would Jesus meet the "qualifications" to become a bishop in the United Methodist Church? Prior to the 1996 General Conference a "list" was circulated in the W PA Annual Conference which detailed the desirable qualities for a person to hold the office of bishop. We were encouraged to submit names of persons whom we felt would be good candidates for the office of bishop. One desirable quality was that the candidate would be TOLERANT of other viewpoints! You know -- stuff that appears in these "pronouncements" from time to time where a lot is said, but always in such a way that nobody will be offended and the effort is made to embrace all viewpoints, including those opposed to God's clearly defined moral standards, because we are all one big "happy family" -- right?
Jesus would be disqualified right from the start -- in fact He was extremely intolerant of some "other viewpoints" -- read Matthew 23 and recall His rebuke of a group whom He regarded as hypocrites and on another occasion a rebuke of some who "erred" because they did not know the Scriptures nor the power of God! While it happened a long time ago, it sounds like He was dealing with a problem that seems to rear it's repulsive head in every generation since! For sure, Jesus would flunk out on the tolerance issue! Knowing Him as I have these many years, I really doubt if He ever aspired to be a bishop anyhow and likely hasn't lost too much sleep over it! Personally, I prefer Him to be the way He is -- no nonsense and uncompromising -- other viewpoints that conflict with His are totally unacceptable, no matter how many resolutions are passed! Hmmm - does sort of put one in an awkward position if one claims to represent Jesus Christ on one hand and yet one claims to be "tolerant" of other view points at the same time, doesn't it???? Oh, you know... some of His statements about being hated by the world if we really identify with Him, and some people thinking they are serving God if they get rid of His followers!! Check John 15 & 16 in case your memory is a bit hazy on this!
One Last Shot!
As you can easily see, there has been a lot of mention on the Range about the issue of abortion -- there is a reason for
that -- a society can sink no lower than when it systematically destroys large numbers of a future generation! In fact we have managed to exterminate a number
that amounts to more than 22 per cent of our total population over a 50 year period! Tens of millions of unborn children have been exterminated according to numbers
reported, but that does not include the huge number exterminated in early weeks of pregnancy by taking pills which are never reported! It is the one thing that will incur the wrath of a holy God quicker than any other thing -- and as a society we certainly have a lot of other things as well going for us that stirs the anger and disgust of Almighty God! This not just a plain, everyday run of the mill sin -- this is an abomination -- sin intensified many, many times over!! It is the "shedding of innocent blood" that God so intensely despises! Read the Old Testament prophets and see for yourself -- especially Jeremiah and Ezekiel.
The fact of our wholesale acceptance of a value system that has consistently de-valued human life in many areas is painfully obvious -- not just destruction of the unborn -- but the treatment of people as mere numbers in the corporate world of business -- the "demotion" of the status of our women to a very low level wherein they are deceived into believing that they must be involved in combat roles in the military to be "equal" (??) with men -- that they must compete in the corporate world, climb the pyamid, break through the oppressive male dominated executive structures or they can't possibly find "fulfillment" (which is usually measured in nothing less than a fat 6 to 7 figure annual salary with lots and lots of "perks")!
To be a homemaker and a mother is regarded as unfulfilling, degrading, and total failure (at least according to the dominant mind set at the present time)! Take a look at God's design for the family and responsibility of the individual members, that is, if you dare -- go ahead, He's made it plain enough!! Today it is a tragedy that the highest calling of God to make a contribution that can and will never be matched by any human male is bypassed for something that is greatly diminished in terms of value and lasting significance -- sort of like a person who is offered a luxurious steak dinner with all the "trimmings" and rejects it preferring to eat garbage out of a can the contents of which have set out in the hot summer sun for a week -- 
um um good!!
I point to the mother of Moses as a supreme example of God's highest calling and the impact of a faithful mother -- what made Moses make that awesome decision to reject all the wealth, power and prestige of Egypt as he got older, and this in spite of having been trained by Egypt's best and most learned teachers? Come on now -- let's hear it -- who was the one person who really made an impact on this man, Moses, that he turned out the way he did ... that he reached a point wherein he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter and chose to suffer affliction with the people of God? She didn't have that much time with him, but she sure made what little time she did have count for time and eternity!! Of course, she never rose to be CEO of the First National Bank of Egypt either, but then do you suppose that the God Who put this universe together by spoken command is really grieved over that particular "failure"????
This is not to suggest that a woman is "absolutely" forbidden to enter the market place and compete there -- the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 had business "savy" and used it on occasion, but it is extremely clear that her top priority was her family and that she sensed this to be her highest calling -- her love and devotion to them and instilling in them a reverence and respect for Almighty God -- consequently, her children arise up and call her "blessed" -- something that is obviously missing from the average American household of today's generation!
Politics - You Know I Can't Leave That Alone, Right?
From time to time there may be some comments (?) shared which relate to those 6 figure salaried people (those poor little guys & gals only
make $174,700 -- and with leaders nearly $20,000 more and with all getting lavish "perks" that defy human imagination -- these people claim to represent us in
that ethical and moral quagmire sometimes referred to as Washington DC! From time to time there are efforts to increase salaries and add to perk benefits --
let's see if they try to sneak another one in the back door as they have done in the past!!
Any of you senior citizens getting increases in your income that brings it to that level? And don't forget -- as mentioned above,
all those "perks" to go with it -- no wonder one person labeled this bunch "The Imperial Congress!"
Are you going to just grumble a bit or scream and protest -- get those letters out and tell them it's nothing short of hypocrisy to claim to represent
citizens whose average income is a mere drop in the bucket compared to what those "imperialists" are making in a year!! Go ahead, check out
those "perks" -- hospitalization, retirement benefits and all kinds of stuff, plus "expenses" for staff and offices -- if you want to see an example of
cancerous bureaucracy out of control, look at Washington DC! Take a look at perks they have but you do not at Congress' Perks You Do Not Have
If they want to really portray themselves for what they really are -- paste feathers on
their suits and put a hooked beak on their face -- vultures are a more accurate portrait!! Too harsh, you say??? You haven't been into the Old Testament
prophets lately have you? Check them out and see what they say about the political powers of their time who thrived on greed, dishonesty, abuse of power,
failure to insure true justice coupled with their practice of a consistent rejection of God's standards of ethics and morality -- and after you have spent some
hours there -- uh, no, make that DAYS, take another look at Washington DC and the state capitol situations!!!!!!
And how about this: The republican form of government is the highest type of government; but because of this it requires the
highest type of human nature -- a type nowhere at present existing! -- Herbert Spencer
Hey -- are you mad at the politicians?? Remember that little game about a salary increase usually
played behind the scenes! Now's your chance to let them know on that or any other issue having to do with the health and survival of this nation -- if nothing
else, ask them what they are doing about The National Debt, not the "deficit" -- for getting in touch with a
senator go to U.S. Senate or for a representative go
to U.S. House of Representatives -- easy to run them down on these links, plus you get a picture and you can
see what they look like -- uh, no further comment on that, although it's mighty tempting!! -- send them an email and let them know how you feel -- get those
computers in DC smoking from overload -- who knows, it may be for once they might just listen!! For a bigger picture to see what
bureaucracy is really about take a look at The Legislative Branch of the U. S. Government. Those politicians might even snap up your letter and digest it just as quickly as Mr. Toad is doing as he sets a noble example for them!!
Oops -- Miscounted -- Still One More!
Just a simple question -- does anyone have an answer? The Bishops of The United Methodist Church have launched an "Initiative" on behalf of children and their many needs -- according to the Bishops, we need to be doing something about the poverty, the hunger, the many kinds of abuse taking place which victimize children, including physical and sexual violence. No doubt about it -- these are problems that need to be addressed and dealt with -- it is a growing thing, just like a deadly malignancy! In active ministry we attempted to be involved in projects that were dealing with those kind of problems.
The question -- why do the Bishops "draw a line in the sand" and never mention the violence being done to the unborn victims of our society? Is it not a violent act when tools are used to destroy a human whom God is forming in the usually peaceful sanctuary of the womb for His purpose -- you know, especially that one called "partial birth abortion"?? -- where the "doctor" (term used very loosely) punches a hole in the baby's head, sucks out the brains, then pulls the body out and of course it is then disposed of just as easily as though he had blown his nose into a tissue and threw it in the bathroom waste paper can!!
Tell me, when was the last time you heard a bishop, or a district superintendent express outrage at these assembly line style atrocities committed on an average of over 3,700 times per day in these "civilized" (??) United States? Ours in the W. PA Annual Conference certainly keep a quiet mouth on this matter involving violence done to unborn children -- they don't hesitate to speak up on other pressing issues, but on this one -- a strange, deathly silence -- just as dead as the victims of the American version of Holocaust!
Just wondering folks -- whether anyone has an answer on this one, which reveals a very painful inconsistency that is more obvious than a big pimple on the nose of the queen of a beauty pageant! Oh yes, in the time it took to raise this question and the issue involved there were about 100 more victims to be added to the list of over 39 million!!
We see and experience a very limited amount of heart ache, pain, distress, and sorrow in this present world because we are finite human beings -- we cannot begin to fathom what it must be for Almighty God to see continually the total misery and chaos which the members of the human race bring upon themselves due to massive rebellion against Him, both personally and corporately -- it helps sometimes to try to get some perspective on this, in spite of our extreme human limitations -- take a look atAmazing Grace - All for Us! -- use the reverse feature of your web browser to return here.
Oh, before you leave, the Circuit Rider would like for you to slowly ponder the following statements -- uh, these were originally produced by that One Whom CR says is the "greatest Theologian" ever to produce written works on Planet Earth -- perhaps it will help someone at least to see why we are in the pathetic state of moral, ethical and spiritual confusion as a society in which we find ourselves wallowing at the present time!
2 Peter 2:1-7: But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.
Isaiah 5:20: 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!
Proverbs 14:12: There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
John 14:6: Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
1 John 1:7: But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 Peter 1:13-19: Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your sojourning here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
(All Scriptures quoted from NKJV)
Copyright 1998 > 2023 Clayton D. Harriger