THE BIBLE:
The Bible is made up of two major parts; the First Testament which is believed by the Jewish community as the Word of God (Jehovah) and the Second Testament (along with the First Testament) which is believed by the Christian Faith Communities as the Word of God (Jesus Christ).  The Bible was written over a 1500 year period by over 45 Authors and contains 66 books.  Because the Bible tells a consistent story of the ‘Good News of Jesus Christ’, those of us who are born again believe that the whole Bible (Scripture) is God-breathed. 

What is the Message of the Bible? 

Matt.  5:17-20   The Bible gives us God’s commands.
(a)   The Ceremonial Laws direct us to worship and love God, they still apply today.
(b)   The Civil Laws direct us for daily living and the principles behind the commands are timeless and should guide our
        conduct; they still apply today.
(c)   The Moral Laws (The Ten Commandments) direct us and require strict obedience and reveals the nature and will of
       God; they still apply today.

Luke  24:1-12    The Bible reveals the Living God to us.

Heb.  1:1-3         The Bible introduces us to Jesus Christ.

In contrast, now let’s look at the Koran (Quran)

 THE KORAN:
The Koran is the sacred book of the Muslims.  The Muslims believe the angel Gabriel revealed the book to the Prophet Muhammad in two major revelations, with the later revelations taking precedence over all previous writings.  The revelations began in A.D. 610 and continued to be added to after A.D. 622 until Muhammad’s death in A.D. 632.  The early Chapters and Verses of the Koran where put into action by Muhammad and his followers for the first 12 years but
resulted in little success in converting others to Islam.  The methods used where not confrontational and did not include military warfare.  The early Koran teaches humility of spirit, temperance, bravery, and justice.  The later revelations turned Muhammad and his followers into warriors determined to spread Islam.

Muhammad was poisoned in A.D. 632 and died.  The Koran (One Book) was written by one man during about 22 years of his life.  Muslim’s believe it to be the Word of Allah.

Since the Koran is mostly made up of commands and the later commands take precedence over the earlier commands, than we know that all Muslims believe in war being allowed to win the battle over non-Muslims.  The word for war is Jihad
and all Muslims must either fight the war or support the war with their money; it is a command and if they don’t do this, they will be burned up in a fiery hell.  Finally, The Koran requires that Muslims must live under Sharia Law.

Attempting to constitute Sharia Law worldwide is one of their commands and therefore a religious duty.  Sharia is a totalitarian means of controlling and ordering society.  Muslims under Sharia Law are allowed to make treaties with
other governments and break them at any time it suits them.  Muslims under Sharia Law are allowed to tell lies if it helps Islam to succeed.  Muslims under Sharia Law are to build Mosques over their enemies' valued Churches or other
attacked land and buildings.  The New York Mosque will be considered the victorious symbol over the Twin Towers and the United States of America under their Sharia Law principle of Taqiyya.

Sharia is Islamic Law:
The following information is adapted from Dr. Peter Hammond’s book: “Sharia, Terrorism, and Islam; The Historical Roots and Contemporary Threat”:

“Islam is not a religion, nor a cult; in its fullest form, it is a complete, total, 100% system of life.  Islam has religious, legal, political, economic, social, and  military components in its ‘total life system’.  The religious component is required to confront boldly all components of any other life system.

Islamization begins when there are sufficient Muslims in a city/county/state/country to agitate for their religious privileges.  When politically correct, tolerant, and culturally diverse societies agree to Muslim demands for their religious privileges, some of the other components of Sharia always creep in as well.”

Sharia is the set of rules by which Islam controls the population of its people, including rules of dress, religious rules and beliefs, introduction of Halal food (Clean by Islamic standards), jobs for Muslims, legal, political, economic, social, and military components in its ‘total life system’ set of rules.”

Here’s how it works to take-over another population’s life system:
“As long as the Muslim population remains around 2-5% in any given area (city/country), they will be for the most part, regarded as a peace-loving minority, and not a threat to other citizens.  This is the case in the United States, but in many  cities in the states where the Muslims have their own large communities, they have begun to proselytize from other ethnic minorities and disaffected groups, often with major recruiting from the jails and among street gangs, and those of our society who feel that they no longer will have the advantages of financial security or freedom to succeed (about 48% of US citizens). 

As their growth comes faster than they can expand their closed communities and build new Mosques; they have begun to impact adjoining communities, such as in New York on Fridays at 2-4 PM by closing streets so that they can pray to Mecca, thereby stopping all traffic on those streets.  Our police have been ordered not to intervene.  At this point the Muslims have begun to ask (demand) that they not be required to participate in the buying of insurance since they regard it as gambling.  Notice that the Muslims as well as other specific religious groups are not required to buy insurance and will not be fined under the new Healthcare Law.  This Healthcare Law is the establishment of Dhimmitude and Sharia Muslim Diktat in the United States.

Dhimmitude within Islam is the method of controlling non-Muslim populations through taxation on the non-Muslims’ only, as a coercive means of converting non-Muslims to Islam. 

Between 5-10% Population in an Area:
“Muslims will exercise an inordinate influence in proportion to their percentage of the population.  For example, they will force supermarkets to provide Halal food, they will ask government to allow them to rule themselves (within their areas of concentration) under Sharia Law, and they well begin to use their own security forces, women will become chattel, outsiders will not be welcome to their areas and their children will only attend their Madrasses.

Above 10% Population:
“When Muslims approach and exceed 10% of the population they begin to Increase lawlessness as a means of complaint about their conditions such as burning cars, hair-triggered rioting, jihad militia formations, sporadic killings, and Christian churches and Jewish synagogues are burned.  Islam (Sharia Law) requires all Muslims to either participate or financially support Jihad.  Jihad is defined as the declaration of war on non-Muslims.”  Jihad has been declared on the USA since 1989.

Personal Knowledge from the Author, Leon Uris, ‘The Haj’:
“'Before I was nine, I had learned the basic canon of Arab life.  It was me against my brother; me and my brother against our father; my family against my cousins and the clan; the clan against the tribe; the tribe against the world, and all of us against the infidel.

“It is important to understand that in some countries, with well under 100% Muslim populations, such as France, the minority Muslim populations live in communes, within which they are 100% Muslim, and within which they live by Sharia Law.  The national police do not even enter these communes.  There are no national courts, nor schools, nor non-Muslim
religious facilities.  In such situations, Muslims do not integrate into the community at large.  The children attend Madrasses. They learn only the Koran.

To even associate with an infidel is a crime punishable with death.  Therefore, in some areas of certain nations, Muslim Imams and extremists exercise more power than the national average would indicate.  Today's 1.5 billion Muslims make up 22% of the world's population.  But their birth rates dwarf the birth rates of Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, and all other believers.  Muslims will exceed 50% of the world's population by the end of this century.”


Let’s review what the Bible say’s about Murder, War, and Protecting the Church:

THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT:  Do not Commit Murder

What does the Bible say about Murder?  (Key Words:  Murder//Execute/Hurt/Kill))

Gen.  4:  1-26     Murder is a crime against someone made in God’s image.  Murder is a crime against our Creator and a
                           fellow creature.

Deut.  5:  1-33    Anger can be a form of murder.  We need to commit to the opposite of hatred and murder through love
                           and reconciliation.

James 5:  1-6    Oppression of the poor is a form of murder.


How can conflicts be avoided?  (Keywords :  Avoiding Conflict/War/Adversity/Disagreement/Opposition)

Joshua 22:  9-34     Conflicts can be avoided through negotiations.

Sam. 3:  1-39           Conflicts can be avoided by finding a common goal.

James 4:  1-12         Conflicts can be avoided by remembering their source.
 

What can we learn from conflicts?  (Key word: Facing Conflicts/War)

Acts 5:  17-42           Sometimes conflict is inevitable.

Luke 12:  47-53        Real allegiance to Christ will create conflicts .

Acts 15:  36-41         God can often use conflict for His purposes.

Gen.  14:  13-24       We must prepare for conflict in advance.


Definition of War (Dictionary):
The state of a declared armed fighting between nations.  A state of hostility, conflict, or antagonism.

What are the responsibilities for those in Authority?   (Keywords: Government/Leaders)

Deut. 17: 1-20       Those in authority are ultimately responsible to God.

1 Sam. 8:1-22        Government cannot solve problems of faith.

 
What are the responsibilities for those under Authority?    (Keywords: Government/Leaders)

Deut. 16: 18-22         Those under authority are responsible for choosing good leaders.

Romans 13:1-14       Those under authority are responsible to God, then the state.   Those under authority must be loyal
                                   to the source of all authority.

Titus 3:1-8                 Believers should cooperate with authorities wherever possible.

Acts 5:29                   Obey God rather than Man.


How important is learning how to apply the Bible’s teachings?   (Key word:  Application)

Num.  9: 1-11            God’s standards apply to everyone.  The same laws apply both to you and to the foreigners living
                                  among us.

2 Chron.  17: 1-9      God’s Word must be known in order to be correctly applied.

Neh.  8: 1-12             Applying the Bible leads to freedom.

2 Tim.  3: 10-17        God’s Word applies to all areas of life.

 
Does God want Christians to protect the Church?   (Keyword: Church)

Rev. 2:1-7                 God cares deeply about the Church!  The Lord of the universe knew each of the seven churches and
                                  their precise situation.  He praised believers for their successes and told them how to correct their
                                  failures.  He wants the Church to reach its greatest potential.  The group of believers with whom
                                  you worship and serve is God’s vehicle for changing the world.

We must take it seriously—God does.


FACTS ABOUT ISLAM/MUSLIMS:

Muslim beliefs VS Christian beliefs:

1.     Muslims worship ALLAH, the Moon god of Mecca (Hindu Religion).
2.     Christians say God (Jehovah) is love, Muslims say Allah is not love.
3.     Christians call God (Jehovah) Father; Muslims say Allah is not father.
4.     Christians say God can be known personally; Muslims say Allah can not be known.
5.     Christians (and Jews) say God made a covenant with Abraham to give the Promised Land to Isaac and his
        descendants; Muslims say the covenant is to give the land to Ishmael’s descendants.
6.     Christians say Jesus was born of a virgin; Muslims say he was made of dust like Adam.
7.     Christians say Jesus is the Son of God; Muslims say Jesus was a messenger from God.
8.     Muslims say their sins can be forgiven if they kill an infidel (non-Muslim).
9.     Christians say the Messiah is Jesus; Muslims say their messiah is called The Mahdi.
10.   Christians (and Jews) say the Messiah is a descendant of King David; Muslims say Messiah is a descendant of
        Muhammad.
11.   Christians say the Messiah will never die; Muslims say Messiah will reign on earth for 7 years and then die.
12.   Christians say the Messiah will save Israel; Muslims say the Messiah will conquer Israel.

All non-Muslims must be forced to submit to Islam, or must be killed.

When Muslims become the majority in any country, they must control the government.

Muslim’s are in a Holy War (Called Jihad) until Judgment Day.

There are approximately 1.5 billion on the face of the earth practicing Islam.

About 70% of the Arab world supports the Jihad Ideology; which means that they will either go to war or support the war with money.

About 10% of the Arab world is willing to die killing Americans and Jews that works out to a 150 million person army!

Militant Muslims believe:

• All non-Muslims are their enemy.
• All non-Muslims must be forced to submit to Islam.
• All territory that has ever been controlled by Muslims must be brought back under Islamic rule.
• When Muslims become the Majority in and Country or State, or City they must control that level of government.
• The Jews are only temporary residents of Jerusalem and Israel.
• All Muslims are in a Holy War (Jihad) until Judgment Day.

“Signs are growing that the terror group 'Hezbollah' has expanded its smuggling routes into the US over the Mexican Border!  07/15/2010   Sue Myrick (R-NC) is asking the Department of Homeland Security to investigate.”  Maybe this is why our American Muslims are so quiet and not speaking out about any atrocities.

Can a good Muslim be a good American?  This question was forwarded to a friend who worked in Saudi Arabia for 20
years.  The following is his reply:

Theologically - No...     Because his allegiance is to Allah, The moon God of Mecca.

Religiously -   No…      Because no other religion is accepted by his Allah except Islam  (Quran, 2:256) (Koran).

Scripturally – No…       Because his allegiance is to the five Pillars of Islam and the Quran.

Geographically - No… Because his allegiance is to Mecca, to which he turns in prayer five times a day.

Socially –    No…         Because his allegiance to Islam forbids him to make friends with Christians or Jews.

Politically – No…         Because he must submit to the mullahs (spiritual leaders), who teach annihilation of Israel and
                                    destruction of America, the great Satan.

Domestically – No…   Because he is instructed to marry four Women and beat and scourge his wife when she disobeys
                                    him (Koran 4:34).   A Muslim man can occasionally have a prostitute for one hour.

Intellectually – No…      Because he cannot accept the American Constitution since it is based on Biblical principles and he
                                     believes the Bible to be corrupt.

Philosophically – No… Because Islam, Muhammad, and the Quran do not allow freedom of religion and expression...
                                     Democracy and Islam cannot co-exist.  Every Muslim government is either dictatorial or
                                     autocratic.

Spiritually – No…         Because when we declare 'one nation under God', the Christian's Goal is loving and kind, while
                                     Allah is NEVER referred to as Heavenly Father, nor is he ever called love in The Quran's 99
                                     excellent names.

Therefore, after much study and deliberation....Perhaps we should be very suspicious of ALL MUSLIMS in this country.  They obviously cannot be both 'good' Muslims and good Americans.  Call it what you wish, it's still the truth.  You had better believe it.  The more who understand this, the better it will be for our country and our future.

The religious war is bigger than we know or understand.

Can a Muslim be a good soldier???   Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, opened fire at Ft. Hood and Killed 13.  He is a good Muslim!!!

Footnote: The Muslims have said they will destroy us from within.

SO FREEDOM IS NOT FREE AND WILL NOT BE FREE IN THE FUTURE!


Allen Coburn

Many of the latest scientific discoveries using the Hubble Ultra Deep Field experiments and other recent Astronomical and Cosmological experiments answer questions about the purpose of the universe, its measurements, its structure, and its history.  Seeing these findings and understanding them helps explain why we’re alive at this juncture in cosmic history; as well as insights to humanity’s future.  The most obvious purpose now recognized by the majority of astronomers for the origin, characteristics, and history of the universe is to provide a suitable home for physical life – humanity in particular.

Astronomer Hugh Ross tackles many of the most pressing cosmos “Why” questions in his book entitled, “Why the Universe is the Way it is?”  For example:

• Why is the universe so vast?
• Why is the future of the cosmos so bleak?
• How is the universe changing?
• What are the Natural Laws and how do they affect us?
• What are the primary measurements of the universe?
• How did we get/receive/calculate the measurements of the universe?

Another book entitled, “A Brief History of Time,” written by the famed British theoretical physicist Stephen Hacking is a must read (Best selling science book of all time).

Scientific curiosity arises from, the desire for humans to understand the way things work.  People want to understand how things like gravity, electricity, magnetism – as well as living organisms – function.  Spiritual curiosity is driven by the quest of meaning and coherence.  This source of cosmic “why” questions combines reason, imagination, logic, and speculation.  Some of these questions are simple (though not easy) and direct, such as:  “Why do I exist?" or “Why do I care?” or “How do I feel about people and things?”

Arrival of the 21st Century and telescopes powerful enough to help us look back in time, even as far back as the initial moments of the cosmic existence now exist.  Because light takes time to travel through space, astronomers never witness the present.  They only measure the past.  For example, when astronomers observe the sun, they see it not as it is now but rather as it was about eight minutes and twenty seconds ago (the amount of time required for light to travel from the sun to the earth).  Likewise, because the Andromeda Galaxy lies 2.1 million light-years away, we see what was happening in the Andromeda Galaxy 2.1 million years ago. 

The Right Age:  Thanks to modern technology, astronomers today have access to images that show what was taking place in the universe many billions of years ago.  Several independent measurements establish with high degree of certainty that the universe is, indeed, 13.73 billion years old.  Astronomers can directly observe all of cosmic history from its beginning until the present! 

The Right Size:  The sheer enormity of the universe is enough to make anyone feel inconsequential.  Few people can relate to what astronomers and physicists face everyday – their measurements of how vast, massive, energetic, and ancient the universe really is.  Its features, include the enormity, are virtually impossible to visualize.  The universe:

• Has a mass density that can be measured.
• Appears to have been manufactured to certain specifications.
• Carries passengers.
• Burns fuel and emits exhaust.
• Moves forward (Though it cannot reverse direction).
• Is capable of slowing down and speeding up (Though it can not stand still).
• It won’t run forever.

The Right Volume:  In 2005 astronomers measured an area smaller than 1/10th of the moon for 278 hours and measured the entire universe that included all regular galaxies since the beginning of the universe.  The calculation of the number of galaxies is 200 billion that hold a total of 50 billion-trillion stars.

The Right Mass-Density:  Volume gives one indication of the universe’s enormity; mass density gives another.  All the stuff that makes up the universe includes:

• Dark Energy (Self-stretching property “pepples” of the cosmic space surface) is 71.2% of the mass of the universe.
• Exotic dark matter (particles that weakly interact with ordinary matter and light) is 21.3% of the mass of the universe.
• Ordinary dark matter (particles that strongly interact with light) is 4.35% of the mass of the universe.
• Ordinary bright matter (stars and star remains) is 0.27% of the mass.
• Planets (a subset of ordinary dark matter) are 0.0001% of the mass.

This inventory began with an exhaustive compilation by Princeton cosmologists Masataka Fukugita and James Peebles in 2005 and finished in 2008.

The Right Visibility:  One of the 140 fine-tuned wonders of the universe is the amazing gift that most people take for granted:  the ability to see into the distance.  Clarity makes a great deal of difference when it comes to seeing, measuring, exploring and understanding the cosmos.  If human observers were located in the universe where most stars and planets reside; we would be blind to the realm we live in.  Fortunately, we are in the darkest area of the Milky Way Galaxy and the Universe.

The Right Mass for The Right Elements:  For those who have not studied astrophysics may not know that the universe must be as massive as it is or human life would not be possible.  The density of protons and neutrons in the universe relates to the cosmic mass or mass density.  That density determines how much hydrogen, the lightest of the elements fuses into heavier elements in the first seconds of cosmic existence.  And the amount of heavier elements determines how much additional heavy-element production occurs later in the nuclear furnaces of stars.  If the density of protons and neutrons were significantly lower (than enough to convert about 1% of the universe’s mass into stars), then nuclear fusion would proceed less efficiently.  As a result, the cosmos would never be capable of generating elements heavier than helium – elements like carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, sodium, and potassium, which are essential for any kind of physical life.  On the other hand, if the density of protons and neutrons were slightly higher (enough to convert significantly more than 1% of the mass of the universe into stars), nuclear fusion would be too productive.  All the hydrogen in the universe would rapidly fuse into elements as heavy as, or heavier than iron.  Again, life-essential elements (Carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, etc.), including hydrogen, would not exist.

The Right Mass for the Right Expansion Rate:  The rate at which the universe expands throughout cosmic history critically depends on its mass density.  According to the law of gravity, the closer any two massive bodies are to one another, the more powerfully they will attract each other.  Therefore, the closer various bits and pieces of mass are to each other in the universe, the more effective they will slow down the universe’s expansion.  Conversely, the farther apart those bits and pieces are, the less “braking effect” gravity has on cosmic expansion.  A universe with less mass density would not form stars like the sun or plants like earth.  And with only a little extra mass, the universe would expand so slowly that all stars in the cosmos would rapidly become black holes and neutron stars.  The radiation gravitational disturbances from black holes and neutron stars would also make physical life impossible anywhere in such a dense universe.  The mass of the universe is so fine-tuned that two life-essential features simultaneously:

• Just the right amounts and diversity of elements including heavy elements.
• Just the right expansion rates throughout the cosmic history so that certain types of stars and planets form at just the right locations and at just the right times.

The Right Amounts of Heavy Elements:  Uranium and thorium (heavy elements) are obscure and dangerous, but they play a critical role in making Earth suitable for humans.  The radiation they release provides nearly all the energy that drives and sustains plate tectonics.  And the energy produced by these elements also helps sustain Earth’s magnetic field.  Earth’s continents and oceans coexist due to plate tectonics.  Tectonic activity also helps compensate for the changing luminosity (brightness) of the sun throughout its history.  Given the importance of uranium and thorium in serving the needs of advanced life, the best possible time for an advanced-life-habitable planet to form would be when these heavy elements reach their peak occurrences.  This age matches the timing of the Earth’s formation 4.5662 plus or minus0.0001 billion years ago.

The Right Carbon Balance:  Physicist Victor Stenger points out that only a tiny fraction (0.0007) of the mass of the universe is carbon.  However, without Carbon, physical life is impossible.  No other element displays the rich chemical behavior needed to form the range of complex molecular structures life requires.  Given that physical life must be carbon-based, why make the universe with so little carbon?  Researchers have found that the quantity of carbon must be carefully balanced between just enough and not too much, though essential for life, can also be destructive to life.  Too much carbon translates into too much carbon-monoxide and methane.  However, the greenhouse properties of carbon dioxide keep the planet sufficiently warm and the vegetation growing at the proper rate.  One of the wonders of earth is that it is carbon-rich and carbon poor.  It carries enough carbon for life but not so much as to interfere with life’s atmospheric needs, such as the appropriate pressure and density for efficiency operations of lungs and a temperature range (and variability) that supports a wide diversity of active, advanced species. 

Just the Right Terrestrial Age for the Support of Humanity:  A number of terrestrial and solar system reasons account for the necessity of an additional 4.57-billion-year delay before the arrival of advanced life on the cosmic scene.  As stars go, the Sun ranks as one of the most stable and benign stars we know of for the support of advanced life.  However, all stars, including the sun, exhibit some flaring activity.  In the Sun’s case, that flaring subsided to a minimum level when the Sun reached about 4.5-4.6 billion years of age.  So advanced civilization would not have been viable until less than 50,000 years ago.  Advanced life on Earth needs a rotation rate very close to 24 hours/day.  Tidal interaction with the Moon and Sun has steadily reduced Earth’s rotation rate from its initial 2 or 3 hours/day down to its current 24 hours/day.  (This took 4.5 billions years.)

In addition, advanced life needs lots of free oxygen in its planetary atmosphere.  It took 3.8 billion years to build up the beginning level of Oxygen at 1% to the current level at 21%.  Also, to maintain human life, continental landmasses and their plate tectonic activity needed approximately 4.5 billions years to change from a “Water World” to having 29% of the surface of the Earth, land.  Finally, within the last 5 years we have seen and measured the total universe, we have determined that there was a single moment in the past when the universe began (The big Bang Theory).  We will begin to lose the capability to measure the universe, and universe’s ability to sustain humanity will end within 40,000 years!  

What is the Bottom Line?  Science has proved that the universe was created to support humanity at this very time and in the only safe place in the universe, so that mankind could see and measure the universe we live in!  Science has proven there is a creator God who precisely planned that humanity might know of God and that the Bible written down thousands of years ago precisely told about this creation in the exact order of its development so that we would know God , His Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit.  And finally, having been told about the future for believers in Jesus Christ; we will have eternal life in a New Heaven and a New Earth, Amen.


Allen Coburn

I am compelled to present the following article by Bill O'Reilly here.  I find myself in agreement with Mr. O'Reilly less and less as time goes by.  He is often focused on sideshow symptoms rather than root causes and cures.  He is much too apt to deny truth until it becomes so obviously undeniable that no viable option remains.

But even when focused on more frivolous issues or ranting on some symptom of the decay, he is more often right than outright wrong.  In the following piece he has put his finger on an issue that is (and I say this in all earnestness and with full conviction) destroying the nation.  If the culture does not change, this nation has but one or two more generations before it is utterly and fundamentally changed forever.

Did you watch "The Bible" series?  If you did not, you missed a unique opportunity to have scripture come alive and become more real than any number of Sunday School lessons, Bible School, or even (with few exceptions) sermons could offer.  Yes, there were instances of theatrical "license".  Yes, there were some "modern interpretations" sprinkled amongst the stories.  But it was almost purely a faithful presentation of the Old Testament and New Testament scripture.  Very moving, very thought-provoking, and very inspiring.

It was so powerful that both I and my wife, Terri, could not help but actually dream of the narratives for days after each installment and upon completion of the series.  I know not everyone will find the series as gripping and moving; however, like Bill O'Reilly, I just don't understand the zombie thing.  What I do understand is that it is a clear indicator of the values, principles, and belief system of our younger generation.  And I do understand the clear implications this has for the future of this nation.


Bill Cochrane
_________________________________

On Easter Sunday evening, a TV show about good and evil aired on the History Channel -- the final installment of "The Bible" miniseries in which Jesus is executed.  AMC ran the season-ending episode of "The Walking Dead" -- the series where zombies try to eat the brains of human beings.  One footnote:  The world might have been a better place had the zombies preemptively gotten to the guy who thought up this series in the first place.

Anyway, the zombies won.  They beat Jesus in the ratings, especially among viewers ages 18 to 49.

What lesson can be derived from Jesus losing to the walking dead?  Well, it proves that about 12 million Americans want to see blood and gore.  Wait -- there was plenty of that in the Bible's crucifixion scenes.  Maybe the zombie viewers simply wanted cheap thrills.  Yeah, that's it.  Cheap thrills triumphed over a spiritual experience.  Cannibalism beat baptism.

Base entertainment almost always beats highbrow stuff.  But watching flesh-eating zombies on Easter does put a different spin on things, does it not?  I mean, how soon can we digest dismemberment on television after eating our baked ham dinner?  One hour?  Two?

At least Jesus was in context.  The New Testament says the son of God rose from the dead on Easter.  The zombies rise from the dead whenever their makeup is finished.

Honestly, I have no idea what this zombie phenomenon is all about.  Way back in the 1960s, I saw the first modern zombie movie:  "Night of the Living Dead."  Things were creeping along OK until a little girl turned into a zombie and tried to eat her mom.  At that point, my entire group decided enough was enough, and we bolted out of the theater.

But today that scene would be tame.  Now zombie kids will eat their entire families if given the opportunity.  Depravity doesn't even begin to cover it.  Apparently, we Americans have an unending appetite for gross behavior.  Pun intended.

What must Jesus think?  Here he is, being nailed to the cross by smirking Romans and getting trounced by TV zombies at the same time.  The prince of peace preached that we all should love our neighbors as ourselves.  I do not believe that Jesus would condone eating your neighbor even if you are dead.

Many folks who like this zombie business freely admit it's a low form of entertainment.  "But so what?"  they say.  It's fun to envision yourself outsmarting zombies, blasting them to hell with shotguns and then escaping to some tattoo parlor.  I guess that's fun in some precincts.

But not for me.  I threw in with Jesus even though the guy who played him looked a bit like Spicoli in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High."  Sure, I knew how the miniseries was going to end, but there are worse things you could do on Easter Sunday -- like watching man-eating zombies.

All I know is this:  When Jesus appeared to the apostles after he died, thank God they did not have access to AMC.


Bill O'Reilly

Alright, I know I've posted entries featuring this timeless song before.  For those who know the actual history of this hymn, you know why it is even more compelling, more joyful and uplifting than even it's beautiful melody and wondrously marvelous lyrics seemingly could achieve.

I suppose the reason I cannot get enough of this hymn is that I know how flawed I am.  I know how much I need the amazing grace for my own salvation.  How can a man in this world expect to survive Judgement Day without the amazing grace?

And, I know, you like me have heard this hymn performed by many wonderfully talented vocalists and musicians.  We most often hear it in emotionally rueful, tearfully grateful refrains.  Or with mournful bagpipes and orchestral overtures.  Almost always it is delivered with a deliberately slow and graceful pace and sound, with an humbled, but joyous sound of praise.

All befitting.  All beautiful.  All promising of redemption and reunion.

You have, I feel certain, never heard this hymn sung like this before.  Never with such exuberantly joyous power.  Never with such celebration.  Never with such enthusiasm.  And yet, not losing any of its meaning or weight.  In fact, it increases in its effect and meaning.  You just gotta see and hear this!

Amazing Grace is sung by a 10-year-old Brazilian lad who cannot speak English.  You will note his unfamiliar pronunciation of certain words.  Although he does not speak English, he obviously knows -- and feels -- the meaning and import of the hymn he sings.  It brought tears to my eyes -- and I think you'll react in much the same way.

Enjoy!


Bill Cochrane

Every once in a while, someone with extraordinary talent and vision will produce something that makes your jaw drop.  In my opinion, that just happened again, brought to us by Mark Gee from the magical land of New Zealand.

The following is a three minute unedited, un-retouched video taken with a telephoto lens.  I'll let Mark tell you about the amazing video below in his own words, here.  Look at it in a moment, if you will.  Just don't get too technically analytical.  This is so much more than incredible photography.

For now, please just clear your mind and behold a familiar wonder appearing to you in a new and special way.  Enjoy another compelling reminder of the wonder of it all and where we are and the "Power throughout the universe displayed".

Wow factor:  Off the Scale.


Bill Cochrane

Whatever may come, whatever shall befall....  let us never forsake the blessing of Salvation and true Foundation.

Put faith nowhere else.  May God save America.


Bill Cochrane

Here is a wonderful, insightful, and cutting to the core sermon by Pastor Charles Garrison of Calvary Memorial Church.  Pastor Garrison uses the lessons of 2 Daniel and Genesis to crystallize the lessons for these times and the eternal truths about what is occurring today in our regal realm.

I am continually amazed and moved by the sermons of Pastor Garrison.  This sermon is from January 20, but it is no less relevant today.  If you missed service today, or if you are receptive to a great sermon, a pertinent message, and wise counsel, take a few minutes to learn from this man of God.


Bill Cochrane

On May 27, 1999, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colorado, was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee 's subcommittee.  What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful.

What he was to say should be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert!  These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal.  There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness.. The following is a portion of the transcript:

"Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the hearts of men and women.  We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence.  The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain.  Their blood cries out for answers.

The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field.  The villain was not the club he used. Neither was it the NCA, the 'National Club Association'.  The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain 's heart.

In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA.  I am not a member of the NRA.  I am not a hunter.  I do not even own a gun.  I am not here to represent or defend the NRA -- because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter 's death.  Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended.  If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel 's murder I would be their strongest opponent.

I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy -- it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies!  Much of the blame lies here in this room.  Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves.  I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best.

Your laws ignore our deepest needs,
Your words are empty air.
You've stripped away our heritage,
You've outlawed simple prayer.
Now gunshots fill our classrooms,
And precious children die.
You seek for answers everywhere,
And ask the question 'Why?'
You regulate restrictive laws,
Through legislative creed.
And yet you fail to understand,
That God is what we need!


Men and women are three-part beings.  We all consist of body, mind, and spirit.  When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc.  Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation 's history.  Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries.  This is a historical fact.  What has happened to us as a nation?  We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence.  And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs -- politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA.  They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that continue to erode away our personal and private liberties.  We do not need more restrictive laws.  Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors.  No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre.  The real villain lies within our own hearts.

As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in school.  I defy any law or politician to deny him that right!  I challenge every young person in America, and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools.  Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain.  Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him.  To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA -- I give to you a sincere challenge.  Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone!

My daughter 's death will not be in vain!  The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!"



Darrell Scott

Here is another great sermon from Pastor Charles Garrison of Calvary Memorial Church of Southern Pines, NC.  This is a follow up to last week's sermon in which Pastor Garrison speaks to the condition of our nation and the outcome of the November 6 elections.  As the Pastor says, "There is no sense in sugar-coating the message."

Hear and heed.


Bill Cochrane

"Socialism Steals the Hearts of Men"

This is a great sermon from Pastor Charles Garrison at Calvary Memorial Church in Southern Pines.  The story of Absalom is a lesson for the nation, particularly this year.  I have read the story of Absalom before, but in recent years it has become more and more obvious that we -- and all future generations -- are being warned.  I find it profoundly disturbing how many people are blinded by their heart's desire and vote knowing nothing.

Listen, if you will, to a great sermon delivered at a great time!  Thank you Pastor Garrison!

Reference:  II Samuel, Chapters 15

Bill Cochrane
(videography by Craig DeSpain)