SHUT THE HELL UP!

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LISTENING TO GOD
by Charles Stanley
copyright: 1996
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No, I assure you, I’m not cursing with that review title; I mean it in the literal sense: One cannot be LISTENING TO GOD and simultaneously hearing the hellish voice of “this world.” [John 14:30]
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Several years ago, a friend in Alabama sent me a number of VHS tapes on which she had recorded Sunday sermons by CHARLES STANLEY that were broadcasted on TV.  I was unfamiliar with him at the time, but he was her favorite man of God.  Now, I’ll admit, I’m not the biggest fan of TV evangelists – I’d sooner take my chances with a used car salesman or a politician.  (OK, not the politician; I just tossed that in for effect.)  And though I’m not what one would call a “proper” Christian, I was impressed with Dr. Stanley - theological disagreements notwithstanding.  No, he isn’t funny like Adrian Rogers, he doesn’t have the powerful oratory talent of John Hagee, he doesn’t possess the charismatic presence of the legendary priest from the Russian Orthodox Church, Yoey O’Dogherty.  But what Charles Stanley DOES have going for him is a thorough understanding of the deepest Spiritual principles; he is grounded in The Word Of God (a.k.a., The Holy Bible).
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I recently purchased LISTENING TO GOD by Charles Stanley because 2006 has been – Spiritually speaking – my worst year since accepting the Atonement of Jesus Christ a dozen years ago. (Every year ending in the number six for the last three decades has been bad for me.  My personal 666?  Just joking.)  I even stopped meditating after more than eleven years of daily practice. Yeah, it’s been a rotten year!  I thought that this book might reignite my passion for meditation (or “sitting before the Lord” as Dr. Stanley likes to call it).  And it did.  I’m now “shutting the hell up” for a period each day and listening for my Creator’s “still small Voice” again.  [See 1 Kings 19:11-13]
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It surprised me to find that Stanley had written many things that I have so often said in counseling others over the years.  For instance:
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“If you are going to develop a relationship with another person, you have to converse with that person in some manner.  That means both talking and listening.” [pg. iv]  (* STMcC: When a person has learned to hear God, I call it having a “realationship” with Him!)
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“I believe God dearly loves to see Bibles that are marked with oil from our fingers... and noted with dates and insights.” [pg. 1]  (* STMcC: My Bible is loaded with margin notes.  If you want God to clarify some Biblical passage for you, write a “?” next to it in the margin and then wait, watch, and listen.)
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“We may be trying to understand the Bible solely with our minds, which is always futile.  The Bible is a spiritual book.  It speaks to and is applied to the spirit.” [pg. 10]
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“It is not enough that we comprehend the truth.  We must be conformed to the truth.” [pg. 13]
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“God works from the inside out.” [pg. 109] (* STMcC: Charles Stanley is correct, but do you know why?  Because “the Kingdom of God is within you.”  See Luke 17:21.)
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A Catholic friend of mine at work does not believe God actually speaks to us. He is wrong!  My own transformation began on January 14, 1992, when I clearly heard God speak in my mind. He gently but effectively admonished me by merely asking me two questions, and my own answers were the rod of correction.  Only an unfathomable, creative God could have pulled that off! Years later, He urged me to sobriety by saying with crystal clarity in my head, regarding alcohol, “It’s a false God.  It’s a false God.”
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And that brings up another point. Stanley mentions the fact that often, God will send us a message and then confirm it. [See Genesis 41:32]  Note that God repeated Himself in calling alcohol my false god.  Although God usually communicates with us in subtle but unmistakable ways, (the “still small Voice”), Charles Stanley is right:  “We must never limit God in the methods that He uses to speak to us.” Because occasionally He can even use the sledgehammer approach...
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Once, I woke up to find that in the night, my truck had been moved nearly horizontally in its parking spot.  I had to track down a fellow and ask him to move his vehicle so I could back mine out.  My faith had weakened and I had been depressed recently and the message seemed to be, “You’re out of alignment.”  I pondered the bizarre event all day – it was unexplainable – and pulling back into my parking space that night after work, I thought: Well, if that’s REALLY a message from God, He will send a confirmation soon. In this case, "soon" meant 45 seconds later when I found myself locked out of my apartment by the internal chain on the door. When I finally managed to wake my Brother, who let me in, he insisted that he had not chained the door (we lived alone), and I believe him because he’d never done it before, and it never occurred again. It seemed my depression and lack of faith was "locking me out of my realationship with The Lord". I got the message.
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I also believe that on three occasions, God has sent angels to me with words of encouragement. But this sort of realationship with The Creator is really built in silence, LISTENING TO GOD.  There is nothing like Bible study (not reading, but studying) and meditation to make us conscious of God’s Love and Presence in our lives.  (A great Bible companion is the book [link> LEARN THE BIBLE IN 24 HOURS by Chuck Missler.)
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LISTENING TO GOD by Charles Stanley is 5-Star material in a 4-Star presentation. His writing, while brimming with profound insights, is a tad bland – similar to some of his sermons.  And while he does illustrate some points using personal experiences, it is always in the vaguest of terms – not detailed enough to make them truly compelling.  Still, this book is too important to downgrade from five stars.
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I have found it best to begin every meditation session with a prayer for someone else, especially an “enemy” [see Matthew 5:23,24], and also a slow, thoughtful recitation of The Lord’s Prayer [Matthew 6:9-13] And once you’ve initiated a daily meditation program, never stop (unlike that maroon, Stephen T. McCarthy). Well look, I’m gonna shut the hell up now and go listen for The Voice of Heaven, so... SHHHhhhh.....
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~ Stephen T. McCarthy
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IT'S STILL "MYSTERIOUS" TO ME!

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THE MYSTERIOUS BIBLE CODES
by Grant Jeffrey
copyright: 1998
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The Equidistant Letter Sequence (ELS) Codes are a fascinating subject and possibly one of Man's greatest "archaeological" finds. There appears to be much to learn yet, but this discovery cannot be dismissed.
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Grant Jeffrey's 'THE MYSTERIOUS BIBLE CODES' is an interesting although flawed look at the ELS Codes, which he has touched upon in some of his earlier books. The cornerstone of this publication is chapters 6 & 7 which address the discovery of the Aramaic name for Jesus (Yeshua) encoded in Old Testament passages concerning the coming Messiah and Redeemer of Mankind. For example, amazingly, "JESUS IS MY NAME" is encoded in the "Suffering Servant" prophecy of Isaiah 53. It appears here and only here.
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Twice in the year 2000, I wrote to Mr. Jeffrey. I related how I was a volunteer for a Prison Outreach Program and sometimes utilized his book - making it available to inmates - but I needed clarification on a couple of flaws or typographical errors concerning ELS Codes that he claimed could also be found in some of the Greek New Testament passages.
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On page 171 (hardcover) he states that the Greek name for Jesus is located at a 5-letter skip interval in 1st John 5:13, but I was unable to find it in the Greek passage illustrated there. Also, on page 173 he states that the second smallest skip interval for "Jesus" is encoded every 8th letter in Matthew 24:30, which contradicts his later claim on page 176 that the second smallest skip interval for "Jesus" is encoded every 7th letter in John 21:17. These are mutually exclusive statements. I did include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with my queries, but I have yet to receive a reply. I know we call it "snail mail" for a reason, but this is ridiculous!
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Jeffrey delights in pointing out how the names of all the apostles and other personages close to Jesus can be found encoded in Isaiah's "Suffering Servant" passage. While it IS intriguing that "Judas" does NOT appear in this passage, Jeffrey neglects to inform his readers that these same names consist of such few letters that they also appear well over 1,000 times throughout the book of Isaiah!
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Some of Jeffrey's books do contain valuable information and are worth reading. But because he tends to sensationalize and because most of his facts can be found in the books of other writers, it may be advantageous to search other sources first. In his book 'THE MILLENNIUM MELTDOWN' (1998), Jeffrey stated that the Y2K computer problem WOULD precipitate "a global crisis, the scope of which we have not experienced since World War II... this appointment with destiny cannot be postponed or avoided." THAT BOOK (which thankfully I bought for only an inflated 25 cents in 2002) damaged his credibility forever in MY BOOK!
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While I wholeheartedly recommend that you explore the ELS Bible Code topic, I suggest that you acquire [link> 'BIBLE CODE BOMBSHELL' by R. Edwin Sherman instead. Sherman's book is easily the best on the subject as of this date.
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Grant Jeffrey opportunistically cranks out nearly a book a year that is second-rate because it never includes an index. ('The Mysterious Bible Codes' is no exception.) Also, each book closes with a proselytizing chapter which - while he may feel it is his obligation to "The Great Commission" - I find grating. I feel that if the facts are persuasive, they will bring the open-minded to Christ without excessive cajoling.
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I read the Bible from Genesis through Revelation every year and still I find much of Jeffrey's contemporary Christian dogma unsupported by Scripture. I don't think he would appreciate that. But then I didn't appreciate my polite inquiries being ignored either. I guess Grant and I have now balanced our BOOKS (Galatians 6:7).
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~ Stephen T. McCarthy
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MURPHY’S LAWS (The Spiritual Variety)

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SONGS OF GOD
by Joseph Murphy, D.D., PhD., LL.D., D.R.S.
1979
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It’s kind of funny how I came by SONGS OF GOD by Joseph Murphy, D.D., Ph.D., LL.D., D.R.S. (Man, that’s a lot of “letters” after his name, isn’t it? Is that supposed to add weight to what he has to say? Well, it certainly adds alphabet – no argument there! But then Moses, Elijah, King David, John The Baptist, Christ Jesus, and Saint John didn’t need any additional “letters” behind their names in order to get my attention.)
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A couple of years ago, I posted on Amazon.scum a review for [link> The Holy Bible From The Ancient Eastern Text, translated by George Lamsa. Sometime later, a woman living in the South if I recall correctly (Selma, Alabama?), posted her own review in which she contradicted a point I had made in my review. It was immediately apparent to me that she either misconstrued my meaning or else she didn’t have a real firm grasp on the interrelationship of the Old and New Testaments. I thought I would be “a funny guy” and explain it to her. So, I went to the library, found her listed in her local telephone directory, and made a long distance call:
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“Hello, this is Stephen T. McCarthy. Does that name ring a bell?”
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“Um. Kind of.”
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“Do you remember a review for The Holy Bible that you posted on Ammyland?”
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“OOOHHHHHhhhhh...”
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Well, I thought it was pretty hilarious, but she sounded a bit like a Southern Belle caught in the headlights. Anyway, we had a pleasant (and rather expensive) conversation; I explained my review’s meaning to her, and she made me promise to read one of her favorite books on spirituality: SONGS OF GOD by Joseph Murphy, D.D., Ph.D., LL.D., D.R.S. (I don’t know what all those letters stand for, other than the D.D. for “Deputy Dog”, of course. I realize it’s really “Dawg”, but I’m trying my best to keep this review very highbrow.) Anyhow, I always come through on my promises (even if their fulfillment sometimes takes years), and I recently finished my Southern friend’s recommendation, although she’s undoubtedly forgotten all about me and my promise... wherever she is.
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I had a mixed reaction to SONGS OF GOD. Overall, I would say it’s a worthwhile book that unquestionably contains some real insight into the deeper meanings of some of The Bible’s Psalms, and Murphy, D.D., Ph.D., LL.D., D.R.S. brings to light some of the great spiritual principles that are rarely recognized and activated by the minds of even very devoted students of God’s Word. These principles are classified as “New Thought”, which in varying degrees was promoted by the schools of Christian mysticism such as Christian Science and Unity. With time, New Thought underwent a kind of metamorphosis and emerged as the more occultic “New Age” teachings which enjoy such popularity today.
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While I do gingerly recommend an investigation into the New Thought system, I also strongly warn against its very dangerous cousin, the New Age movement, with its misplaced angel worship, channeled “bibles”, and deliberate seeking for and development of psychic “gifts.”
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Some of the positive aspects of SONGS OF GOD includes:
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* The recognition that there is only One Power... namely, “God.” (It is the dualism in Man’s mind that allows for the manifestation of error, i.e., “evil.”)
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* The Law Of Faith. (It is our faith in God that is the catalyst for the expression of His Love in our experience. Without our faith, half of the ingredients in the recipe is missing!)
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* The “Sin” of Fear. (Amazing! Murphy, D.D., Ph.D., LL.D., D.R.S. discovered Job’s “sin.” Many years ago, I too discerned this important lesson in the book of Job only through determination, diligent study, and prayer. I never knew that anyone else had found it.)
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* The Creative aspect of the mind. (God’s Word tells us that He created us in His Image, and He is a “Creator.” Is it any wonder then that His children have imaginative minds and such a capacity to bring into manifestation – or to “create” – the pattern that the mind dwells upon?)
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* On page 216, the author reveals his awareness of the ability to materialize and dematerialize that Jesus displayed. Something else that I also recognized by careful Bible study, but never heard acknowledged by another Scripture student... until now!)
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Some of the negative aspects of SONGS OF GOD include:
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* An irritating amount of repetition.
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* Too many long-winded, impromptu prayers composed by the author, when simple Bible verses would have as adequately and more economically conveyed the same principle.
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* Numerous carelessly written expressions bound to confuse spiritually immature seekers (i.e., neophyte metaphysicians) regrettably leading to the error of self-enthronement. (I don’t believe this was deliberate on the author’s part, but one must be exceedingly careful not to inadvertently mislead the student into even greater egoism. After all, that was the “original sin”, and what we are all hoping to unlearn.)
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* A few passages in which the author is simply in error (unenlightened) and in effect, spreading misinformation (e.g., His misunderstanding of the purpose behind early Christian martyrdom. Did Murphy D.D., Ph.D., LL.D., D.R.S., mean to imply that he was further along the spiritual path than were Saints Peter and Paul? Oh, come on! Likewise, his “explanations” for the pillars of cloud and fire that assisted the Israelites in their wanderings are utter nonsense!)
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* At times, the author almost seems to be concocting metaphysical dogmatism on the fly; that is, inventing preposterous symbols, and offering no evidence to support his wild reinterpretations. Examples: “Mother” in PS. 51:5 means “universal subjective mind”?
“Heathens” in PS. 98:2 have “no reference to other human beings”?
The “man” and “woman” in 1 COR. 11:7-8 are our conscious and subconscious minds respectively?
BONG!! "Wrong! But thanks for playing, Mr. Murphy, D.D., PhD., LL.D., D.R.S. As a consolation prize, Vanna Offwhite has a lovely briefcase for you to keep all your extra letters in.”
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I sincerely wish I could have given SONGS OF GOD a higher grade than I did because it DOES illustrate very nicely some of the higher Spiritual laws. But it also contains a pretty fair amount of passages that I find objectionable. I can recommend it, but also urge you to offer up a heartfelt and faithful prayer to Jesus for Spiritual insight and guidance before reading it. You’ll need elevated discernment to separate the wheat from the chaff.
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The writings of Murphy, D.D., Ph.D., LL.D., D.R.S. are HIGHLY reminiscent of the similar New Thought teachings of JOEL GOLDSMITH. Other than The Holy Bible itself, The Infinite Way books of Goldsmith (especially “A Parenthesis In Eternity”, “The Master Speaks”, and “The Art Of Meditation”) had a more profound influence on my Spiritual understanding than any other publications. Goldsmith teaches the same principles, but I feel his writing makes an even greater impact – his imagery and way with words being more powerful – and I would gingerly suggest that anyone determined to explore these “New Thought” mystical concepts peruse the aforementioned titles.
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But again, great caution and advance prayer to The Master (Savior, King, Christ Jesus) is urged, as Goldsmith was a 33rd degree Freemason. The “in-the-know” spiritual students realize that this should set alarms sounding, bells ringing, sirens blaring, red lights flashing, eyes closing and minds praying for protection and guidance. Although my eventual, rather in-depth investigation into Joel Goldsmith never turned up anything “shadowy” beyond his Masonic affiliation, when one plays with the Freemasons, one is dancing in the fiery furnace of Nebuchadnezzar. And unless you’ve got the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you’re liable to get burned. Proceed... with caution.
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~ Stephen T. McCarthy, S.A. with a Ph.D. in B.S., and an S.O.B. who’s S.O.L.
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GIVE ME THAT OLD TIME RELIG-- er... BLASPHEMY

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LIVES OF THE MASTER: The Rest Of The Jesus Story
by Glenn Sanderfur
published: 1988
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Let's be clear about two things right from the start:
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1) By REINCARNATION we mean the concept that a soul might activate more than one human body at different times. This is commonly confused with SOUL TRANSMIGRATION which theorizes that souls can inhabit the bodies of dogs, cats, and other animals, and even ostensibly inanimate objects such as rocks and raindrops. There is much evidence to support the former belief and not a shred of evidence to support the latter.
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2) Despite the vehement denouncing of it by contemporary Christian theologians, REINCARNATION is a Biblically-sound belief that is prevalent throughout both Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible. There are a great many Bible verses that allude to reincarnation, and some Bible passages even remain unintelligible until the moment reincarnation is applied to them.
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The idea that Jesus Himself may have incarnated multiple times will seem a greater blasphemy to most Christians than reincarnation in general. And although I don't personally take a hard and fast position on this, I do lean heavily toward it. The idea seems to be implied in several Biblical passages. For instance: "Though He (Jesus) was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered." (Hebrews 5:8) This seems to hint at earlier lifetimes in which The Son suffered as a result of disobedience and from those sufferings He learned obedience. Based on what we learn of Jesus from The Bible, one could accurately say that Jesus suffered as a result of His obedience to God, but it would NOT be correct to say that He learned obedience by suffering, because from His earliest Childhood we see Him being obedient to God's Will. ("Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" --Luke 2:49) At no point was He disobedient. And so Hebrews 5:8 seems to imply AT LEAST one earlier lifetime for Jesus.
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It's hard not to appreciate the humility and simplicity of Glenn Sanderfur's writing in 'LIVES OF THE MASTER' and the research that he shares. The book makes compelling arguments and the sheer amount of evidence that Sanderfur presents will surprise a great many readers. There is more than ample food for thought in these pages. But there is also a downside:
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For many people the reincarnation concept becomes a stumbling block. Reincarnation is the patience of God in action (as I like to refer to it) and like all Divine Laws, the system works whether one is aware of its existence or not. Reincarnation is sometimes turned into a false idol by students who make too much of it and lose sight of the fact that what one does with their present circumstances is far more important than learning how they arrived at their present circumstances. Reincarnation can be very helpful, but it can also be misunderstood and misapplied, becoming detrimental to spiritually immature individuals.
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Much of the information in 'LIVES OF THE MASTER' is derived from pseudepigraphic writings. My limited study of the pseudepigrapha leads me to believe that those texts were justifiably not canonized. Another source of information is the Edgar Cayce readings which have proven to be both accurate and (often) inaccurate.
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I was once so dedicated to the Cayce readings that I even visited Edgar Cayce's hometown and gravesite in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. But decades of study led me to the conclusion that the readings sometimes originated from highly "questionable" sources. One reading actually admits this! (*See my review for 'The Edgar Cayce Companion' by Ernest Frejer, titled, 'Danger! You Are Skating On Thin Ice', posted at Amazon.com on 2004, July 25th.)
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In a few chapters, Sanderfur quotes Manly Hall as an authority. Manly Hall was a prolific Masonic writer and, like other "adepts" in the Masonic Order, was a luciferian.
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"When the Mason learns that the key to the warrior on the block is the proper application of the dynamo of living power, he has learned the mystery of his craft. The seething energies of Lucifer are in his hands", Manly wrote in 'Lost Keys Of Freemasonry'.
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In his book 'Twelve World Teachers', which is quoted from several times in 'Lives Of The Master', Hall doubts the crucifixion of Jesus and states that, "in a sense the Last Supper concluded the ministry". This exhibits such a woefully inadequate understanding of (if not a deliberate deception about) the Messianic mission of Jesus, that quoting ANY passages from Hall's book casts Sanderfur's book in a very bad light! And whereas contemporary Christianity suffers from nearsightedness and a rigid, confining theology, the New Age movement is dangerously occultic at best, and downright luciferian at worst. For this reason, I recommend Glenn Sanderfur's 'LIVES OF THE MASTER', but I do so very, very cautiously.
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This book may be helpful to you "if you are willing to receive it" and have "ears to hear". But it could also be a hindrance to your Spiritual development and lead you down a very dark path. Honestly, I strongly suggest that you pray about it. Too often I have used my "reasoning" ability to make decisions and later regretted them. But whenever I have gone to The Father or His Son, Yeshua, with a question, and then waited patiently for the answer, I have NEVER been led astray. Should you read 'LIVES OF THE MASTER'? Don't ask me. Ask the ONE who knows!
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~ Stephen T. McCarthy
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“ROPE” THAT “CAMEL” AND LET’S GET IT STRAIGHT FROM THE DROMEDARY’S MOUTH

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NEW TESTAMENT ORIGIN
by George M. Lamsa
published: 1976
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The first real Bible I ever owned was the New King James Version, given to me as a gift, and it served me well for several years. But as my understanding improved and my thirst for water drawn from the deeper parts of the Spiritual well drove me into more scholarly directions, I eventually came to realize that the English version of [link> THE HOLY BIBLE FROM THE ANCIENT EASTERN TEXT translated from the Aramaic language by George M. Lamsa represented the most accurate and trustworthy rendering of God’s Holy Spirit-inspired Word.
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Lamsa’s native tongue was Aramaic and having grown up in the Near East with the ancient customs, and using some idiomatic phrases known since the time of Jesus, he was eminently qualified for his chosen life work of giving the world an English version of The Bible from the original Aramaic (the same language that Christ spoke).
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NEW TESTAMENT ORIGIN by George M. Lamsa is a small exposition that presents the author’s basic argument that “no portion of [the New Testament] was originally written in Greek”, but rather in Aramaic, the language of the common man in The Holy Land during the first century. If true, this means of course that the many Christian “scholars” who slave over the subtle shades of meaning of Greek words in order to gain greater insight into Biblical passages are sweating over foreign language copies of the original scrolls.
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My copy of this book is the 1976 edition with the bright green cover. While the NEW TESTAMENT ORIGIN is written in a very plain, straightforward and persuasive manner, my only complaint is that it could have been expanded with additional material. I know that this material exists as some of it appears in the Introduction to Lamsa’s Holy Bible translation, as well as in his 'IDIOMS OF THE BIBLE EXPLAINED AND A KEY TO THE ORIGINAL GOSPELS', which I also own.
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Lamsa explains his position with the use of sound logic and reasonable assumptions and the accumulated force in his thesis is bound to surprise many who are willing to put aside their dogmatic assertion that the New Testament was originally written in Greek long enough to weigh the evidence with an open mind. Lamsa writes that “Aramaic and Hebrew are the two closely related Semitic languages in which all sacred Jewish literature is written” and that the Gospel, written to sway and enlighten the Jews first, would have been written in the language commonly spoken by them at that time, makes perfect sense.
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Lamsa points out that “The Greek version contains many Aramaic phrases and passages directly transliterated from Aramaic documents, such as Talita Komi, Eli Eli lmana skabachtani, Raca, Rabuni, Abba and Maraeta.”
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In Chapter XXII he utilizes several examples of where the Greek translator’s limited understanding of the Aramaic originals he was working from created errors that become apparent only when compared with the words used in the Aramaic texts from the Eastern churches. Although I found some of the examples used to illustrate this same point in the Introductin to his translation of The Holy Bible to be more compelling, Lamsa does make one especially potent cultural point in NEW TESTAMENT ORIGIN: Acts 18:3, in the Bibles that are based upon the Greek scrolls, tells us that Saint Paul earned his livelihood as a “tentmaker”. According to Lamsa, that was improperly translated from the Aramaic word “lawlarey” which means “saddlemaker”, and furthermore that “there is no such occupation as tentmaker in the Near East. The tents are made by women in their own homes. There are, however, many expert saddlemakers who travel from town to town making saddles and leather goods.” Well, Lamsa was certainly the one Bible translator who would know!
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In 'The Holy Bible: From the Ancient Eastern Text', there are some startling differences between some verses based on the Greek manuscripts and those based on the Aramaic. I highlight a few of them in my review of that publication on this website. But if there is a real “smoking gun”, I would say that it comes in the form of the confusion over the Aramaic word “gamla” which can mean either “camel” or “rope” depending upon the context. Bibles based upon the Greek tell us in Matthew 19:24 that Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” A camel to a needle is a “non sequitur” to say the least, but a rope to a needle is in keeping with the imagery and displays a very obvious and organic relationship. Is it mere coincidence that “gamla” means both “camel” AND “rope” in the Aramaic, yet Greek-based Bibles conjoin a camel and a needle, creating a wildly nonsensical match? Is it not pretty evident that the Greek manuscripts were first copied from Aramaic originals by a translator not sufficiently knowledgeable with the latter language to avoid making such a contextual mistake? (Surprisingly, Lamsa did not include this example in his NEW TESTAMENT ORIGIN, though perhaps it does appear in the later version of it.)
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The following may not be of interest to everyone, but I feel it worth mentioning that in the book [link> 'Bible Code Bombshell' -- the most current of the academic publications I have found on the Equidistant Letter Sequence (ELS) code believed to be contained in The Bible -- the question appears: “Do Bible Codes Show Up Only In The Old Testament?” and author R. Edwin Sherman answers, “Highly improbable ELS groupings have been discovered in preliminary research of the Aramaic New Testament. Since Aramaic uses Hebrew letters, available code search software can be used to research the ... Aramaic New Testament. More work needs to be done ... before conclusive results can be presented.” How odd that an ELS code has never been found within the Greek version of the New Testament, but that it may be present in the Aramaic Bible.
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I enthusiastically recommend NEW TESTAMENT ORIGIN by George M. Lamsa to anyone seeking to expand their knowledge about the language of Scripture. I own The Holy Bible in the King James Version, the New King James Version, the New American Standard version (largely considered to be the most “literal” translation from the Greek), and the George M. Lamsa translation, and while I do occasionally compare verses from these four texts, I long ago came to accept that when it comes to The Holy Bible, the version derived from the ancient Aramaic represents “the final word” in God’s Word.
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~ Stephen T. McCarthy
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THE REAL "SUMMER OF LOVE"

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JOY IN THE JOURNEY: 10 Years Of Greatest Hits
by Michael Card
released: 1994
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Michael Card's Greatest Hits compilation was released in 1994 -- one of the best years of my life. I recall hearing the song 'WHY?' for the first time in my (then) girlfriend's car, just as we were entering the Eastbound I-10 onramp at Sepulveda Boulevard. Only a couple of months earlier, on April 6th, while alone in an apartment in a grungy area of Los Angeles, I was quite unexpectedly driven to my knees, where Jesus Baptized me with The Holy Spirit. I didn't exactly know what had happened to me, or why. I only knew that I was suddenly changed somehow.
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Obviously, that was a special year for this reviewer, and when I heard Michael Card sing, "WHY DID THEY NAIL HIS FEET AND HANDS WHEN HIS LOVE WOULD HAVE HELD HIM THERE?" it perfectly described the Fire I felt inside me and the Love that I knew Jesus has for us! I asked my girlfriend to replay that song several times. For me, that remains one of the greatest lines ever written about my Savior King. And although I don't play it often, 'JOY IN THE JOURNEY' always takes me back to that magical year of rebirth.
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Michael Card does not have a particularly great voice, but it adequately conveys the obviously heartfelt convictions of his nicely crafted Gospel songs. What makes Card special is his lyrics; he is Christian Rock's premier wordsmith, able to create songs around deep theological concepts. He overreaches at times ("...the universe fell from His Fingertips"; "...He sent His only Son and so became a Holy Embryo"), but that's the cost of creating fresh, unique expressions and attempting to translate the Mystery into song. There may be an occasional misstep, but there's no doggerel verse here -- just first class Christian poetry sung with sincerity, and sometimes backed by surprisingly powerful "electric" passion ('Known By The Scars'; 'Scandalon'; 'So Many Books'; and my favorite track, 'Know You In The Now'). I'm rarely impressed by the lyrics of most songwriters, but consider these lines:
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HE CANNOT LOVE MORE AND WILL NOT LOVE LESS
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WE IN OUR WEAKNESS BELIEVED WE WERE STRONG / HE BECAME HELPLESS TO SHOW WE WERE WRONG...
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FOR THE POWER OF PARADOX OPENS YOUR EYES / AND BLINDS THOSE WHO SAY THEY CAN SEE
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THAT IS THE MYSTERY, MORE THAN YOU CAN SEE / GIVE UP YOUR PONDERING AND FALL DOWN ON YOUR KNEES
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NO FICTION AS FANTASTIC AND WILD / A MOTHER MADE BY HER OWN CHILD
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TO HEAR WITH MY HEART, TO SEE WITH MY SOUL / TO BE GUIDED BY A HAND I CANNOT HOLD
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TO TRUST IN A WAY THAT I CANNOT SEE / THAT'S WHAT FAITH MUST BE
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THERE IS A JOY IN THE JOURNEY, THERE'S A LIGHT WE CAN LOVE ON THE WAY
THERE IS A WONDER AND WILDNESS TO LIFE, AND FREEDOM FOR THOSE WHO OBEY
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TO BE SO COMPLETELY GUILTY, GIVEN OVER TO DESPAIR
TO LOOK INTO YOUR JUDGE'S FACE AND SEE A SAVIOR THERE
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Now THAT'S what I call "writing!" Most of these tracks are enthusiastic and catchy. If they played this stuff more often on Christian radio I'd tune in once in awhile.
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Michael Card's 'JOY IN THE JOURNEY' puts joy in my journey, and it calls to mind my personal "Summer Of Love." And when this world douses my spirit, 'JOY IN THE JOURNEY' can fan my embers into a Divine Flame again. Brothers and Sisters, I think you'll like it too.
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~ Stephen T. McCarthy
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DAVID VERSUS GOLIATH REVISITED

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ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS BASEBALL CAP
by New Era Cap Company
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"...For who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of The Living God? ... Then David said to the Philistine, 'You come against me with a sword and with a spear and with a shield; but I come against you in the name of The Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. ... And all this assembly shall know that The Lord saves not with sword and spear; for the battle is The Lord's and He will deliver you into our hands'... And David put his hand in his bag and took thence a stone, and slung it..." 
~ 1 Samuel 17
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Certainly there have been many upsets in world history: Buster Douglas knocking out Mike Tyson; the Jets beating the Colts in Superbowl III; the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team triumphing over the Russians. Of course, when Al Gore lost the 2000 Presidential election to George "W", he was plenty "upset", too! And there's no denying that when Eve tasted the forbidden fruit, she really "upset" the applecart.
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One of the biggest upsets in the world of professional baseball was the 2001 World Series when the New York Yankees, 3-time world champions with the most storied legacy in professional sports (and not coincidentally the deepest pockets) met the 4-year-old underdog Arizona Diamondbacks -- a team comprised mostly of has-beens, cast-offs, and overachievers. It was supposed to be "no contest" and it very nearly was, but not in the manner that the Yankees had imagined.
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After many years of inattentiveness to baseball, something about that team from Airheadzona caught my eye early on. Come-From-Behind Victory after Come-From-Behind Victory was gradually making a believer out of me. ("My gosh!", I thought, "They really remind me of the '88 Dodgers -- 'The Little Team That Could'.")
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I'll never forget my Brother walking into the room one June afternoon and stopping to stare, dumbfounded. He looked at the TV. He looked at me. He looked at the TV, and back at me. "What're you doin'?"
"I'm watching the ballgame," I answered.
"What! Are you a Diamondbacks fan now?" he asked incredulously.
"Well, I watch 'em once in awhile," I confessed.
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By July I had informed my Ma (the REAL D-Backs fan) that she could get me a Diamondbacks baseball cap for my upcoming birthday.
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September 2001 saw history's most devastating attack on U.S. soil occur in New York. It was quickly followed by the most exciting World Series in baseball history: David (Arizona) versus Goliath (New York). Even if the result had been reversed, I'd still be calling it the greatest Fall Classic ever played (although admittedly less gleefully). The record book shows that David prevailed over Goliath (again), 4 games to 3, in a Series that saw great pitching, 3 remarkable last-gasp victorious finishes, and one historic drubbing: the D-Backs "must-win" Game 6, which ended  AZ 15 -- NY 2. (*It was REALLY 16-2, but the umpire horribly missed one call at home plate. And that STILL makes me mad!)
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My Brother and I had driven to our Ma's house to watch Game 7 with her. With Airheadzona losing 2-1, Mariano Rivera struck out the side consecutively in the 8th inning, and my Brother headed for the door. He was sure it was over and that The Wealthy Giant had purchased yet another championship. But I had been watching this little team all season long. "I don't think you should leave just yet," I nearly cautioned him. But then I thought: No, let him go if he has no faith.
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I sat down next to my dear Mother and said, "I might as well watch the end of it with you." I later learned from my Brother -- who had the game's broadcast tuned in on his car radio -- that when Mark Grace led off the bottom of the 9th inning with a single, he stomped on the accelerator and got to our apartment's TV just in time to catch the final, astounding Come-From-Behind Victory of the Diamondbacks' improbable 2001 season.
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For me, the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball cap symbolizes every unlikely victory against overwhelming odds. It is an excellent way to tell the world that you support life's underdogs, its overachievers and never-say-die combatants. It says to all of the philistines that you believe in the little guy -- David over Goliath; you believe that dreams DO come true; a determined person CAN fight City Hall; and that money doesn't necessarily determine every outcome! You, too, can own and wear this Everyman badge and silently celebrate every "David's" victory. Of course, this cap is also a pretty decent way to keep the bright, hot sun outta yer eyes and off of yer headbone.
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The hat is made in the U.S.A. by New Era, a company that has been in the baseball cap business since 1920, and supplies the actual Major League Baseball clubs with theirs. This is really Big League and top quality. It's life-affirming headwear. You ladies shouldn't shy away from purchasing this authentic piece of Diamondbacks' uniform either. You may be interested to know that some guys find a baseball cap on a woman to be unexplainably cute!
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True, this is the Arizona D-Backs' "road" cap, and every game of the 2001 World Series was won by the "home" team, but here in Phoenix, we all prefer the logo on the road cap. (A rattlesnake in the form of the letter "D".) And since it's predominantly black, it goes with everything, and is acceptable attire at Airheadzona black-tie affairs, as well as our funerals. Visit us sometime and you'll see 10 to 15 "road" caps on Phoenician heads to every 1 "home" cap worn.
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After the D-Backs dethroned the mighty Yanks and broke their magic spell (N.Y. hasn't been able to BUY a championship since), naturally, the loud-mouthed New Yorkers loudly protested that Arizona "just got lucky". Let's see what the 2001 World Series statistics have to say about that...
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AZ. TEAM STATS:
65 Hits / 31 Earned Runs / 17 Walks / 3 Errors / .264 Batting Avg. / 1.94 Earned Run Avg.
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NY. TEAM STATS:
42 Hits / 14 Earned Runs / 16 Walks / 8 Errors / .183 Batting Avg. / 4.41 Earned Run Avg.
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The Diamondbacks were superior in virtually EVERY SINGLE IMPORTANT CATEGORY! We may be pretty stupid here in Airheadzona, but we don't call that "luck"; we call that, "A good, old-fashioned azz-whuppin'!" We call that, "Bringin' the Phoenix Heat!"
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The truth is that the Yankees were very fortunate that a couple of last-minute heroics snatched victory from certain defeat. This Series really shouldn't have gone beyond 5 games. But then that's what made the 2001 World Series baseball's best!
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Remember the great Series and celebrate the overachievers everywhere by proudly donning the ultimate underdog's baseball cap. No, the "D" doesn't only mean "Diamondbacks", it also stands for "DAVID".
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~ Stephen T. McCarthy
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NON-FICTION FROM A NON-CHRISTIAN

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AMERICA'S GODLY HERITAGE
by David Barton
published: 1993
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In 1993, a friend and coworker loaned me his videocassette of David Barton's 'AMERICA'S GODLY HERITAGE'. Knowing that I was not what the "orthodox" Christian Church would call a "Christian", he said almost half-apologetically, "I think you might find this interesting... but I don't know. Maybe not." Instead, he should have handed me the tape with immense boldness!
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It is a great understatement to say that I was totally unprepared for the information contained in 'AMERICA'S GODLY HERITAGE'. Like most Americans, I had been brainwashed into believing that "SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE" was some foundational principle in our form of government. I had been conditioned by our social engineers (academia; the judiciary; the media; and the scoundrels that we continually send to Washington D.C. to represent us) to accept the seeds of secular Socialism. And being too "busy" (read: lazy) to read "THE SUPREME LAW OF THE LAND" for myself (Pssst. It's called, 'THE CONSTITUTION'), I didn't know any better. Shame on me! 'AMERICA'S GODLY HERITAGE' convicted me of my ignorance, and viewing it was the first step I took on my way to becoming a bona fide "American patriot".
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I am appalled by how often I find deceivers misrepresenting the truth in their Amazon.com reviews; taking information out of context in order to distort it and deliberately mislead others. Often their own words expose the fact that they are not even familiar with the material they are pretending to review.
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On the Amazon.com product page for 'America's Godly Heritage' we have a self-proclaimed "Christian HISTORIAN" who, ignoring the fact that the vast majority of America's Founding Fathers were members of orthodox Christian churches, seizes upon statements from a few of the less religious Founders to paint an inaccurate picture. And quoting the Treaty of Tripoly out of context hardly reveals the whole story behind it!
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Our "Christian HISTORIAN" neglects to tell us that . . .
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John Adams said, "The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were... the general principles of Christianity."
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John Jay declared, "Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty -- as well as the privilege and interest -- of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers." But what did John Jay know? He was only the original Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and one of the 3 men most responsible for the Constitution!
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Our "Christian HISTORIAN" would have us believe that the "Father Of His Country", George Washington, was not a Christian. This is the same Washington who told his troops at Valley Forge:
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"To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to laud the more distinguished character of Christian." The same Washington whose June 14, 1783, prayer for the U.S.A. included this plea: "Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy Holy protection... Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." You'll find that on a plaque in St. Paul's Chapel in New York City, and at Pohick Church, Fairfax County, Virginia, where this supposed "non-Christian", Washington, was a vestryman from 1762 to 1784.
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Yeah, our reviewer is a "Christian HISTORIAN" like I'm a six-year-old Hindu girl from Dogbreath Falls, Minnesota!
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As of this date, "Christian HISTORIAN"'s total Amazon.com content consists of only 3 reviews: 2 of them bashing David Barton, and the third one praising some Rock album with "driving distorted guitars with a tinge of punk and attitude". Just what one would expect from a "Christian HISTORIAN", right? The title for his review of 'America's Godly Heritage' is "THIS IS FICTION". I agree with his title, but only if it is referring to the review he posted below it!
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'AMERICA'S GODLY HERITAGE' holds a wealth of surprising information, and David Barton has so much to tell us that he must deliver it in double-time fashion. This tape probably won't "entertain" you, although it will quite possibly shock you! But this is just the tip of the iceberg. His masterpiece of research is the scholarly tome 'ORIGINAL INTENT: The Courts, The Constitution, & Religion'. David Barton is the owner of many original documents from the Founding era, and he maintains a great website: www.wallbuilders.com
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The "Christian HISTORIAN" says that America was not founded on Judeo-Christian principles, but was intended as a secular nation. This "non-orthodox Christian" says he's wrong! Believe who you will.
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The 39 men who signed the U.S. Constitution concluded it with, "Done in convention by the unanimous consent of the States present, the seventeenth day of September, in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven."
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Now which "Lord" do you suppose America's Founders had in mind? Fauntleroy?
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~ Stephen T. McCarthy
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H-ARK! THE HERALD ANGELS' WINGS!

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IN SEARCH OF THE LOST ARK OF THE COVENANT
by Robert Cornuke and David Halbrook
published: 2002
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I was just poking around in a little Christian bookshop at Lake Arrowhead Village in August of 2001, when I happened upon Robert Cornuke's IN SEARCH OF THE MOUNTAIN OF GOD. I was intrigued by the photos right away and bought it. I've now read 4 of Cornuke's books in 4 years. Not too bad for a dude who turns his nose up at the Indiana Jones movie series!
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Ol' Cornuke really accumulates those "frequent flyer" credits. He's traipsed all over the world in search of archeological evidence supporting the historicity of The Holy Bible: Egypt and Saudi Arabia in search of the real Mount Sinai; Turkey in search of Noah's ark; Malta, seeking signs of the lost shipwreck of Saint Paul; and Africa, looking for the mysteriously missing Holy Ark Of The Jewish Covenant. Man, by now Ol' Cornuke's dogs must be really barking! OK, so what if he has to soak his feet in Epsom salts from time to time -- what a cool ride he's taken us on, eh?
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I'll confess that I wasn't overly impressed with the first half of IN SEARCH OF THE LOST ARK OF THE COVENANT, as it chronicled the legend of the Ark's removal to Ethiopia from ancient Jerusalem (which I was already somewhat familiar with) and Cornuke's first excursion into Africa in search of answers. It was in the second half of the book, as the archeology of Bible passages turned up clues, that I really got sucked into the story.
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This is not surprising, as I am really fascinated by Bible study. I consider the Holy Book to be the cosmic crossword puzzle -- an exciting source of mystery which, for the person willing to deeply study and contemplate it, slowly unveils far-reaching answers to Man's most urgent questions.
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One thought that leads me to believe that the Ark still exists somewhere is that there is no written record of an invading army capturing it from the Jews and removing it from their Temple. The Ark would have been a prestigious prize for an enemy to boast of possessing -- certainly the world's most noteworthy booty at least until KC And The Sunshine Band came into prominence in 1975 and '76. To my knowledge, no ownership claim was ever made by another nation. And if the Ark does still exist, Ethiopia must certainly be considered the most likely location, for reasons outlined in Cornuke's book.
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An Ethiopian man named Haile, serving as an official government museum curator, gives Cornuke a firsthand account of the Ark's appearance after he and two companions stole a peek at it. According to Haile, all three of them were immediately knocked to the ground by an unseen force. The other two died shortly thereafter, and Haile was quickly losing his eyesight. I found this interesting in that it seems to closely parallel the experience of the soldiers who, in trying to impose their will on Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, were unexplainably knocked to the ground. (See John 18:3-9) And yet, at the same time, I find this curious because, considering that the Life, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus supplanted any other representation of God in the physical world, I would expect the Ark, if it still exists, to now be devoid of any mysterious power, and serving merely as a symbol. I don't know what to make of Haile's account... if it is truthful.
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The most original idea put forth in Cornuke's book is that the "Mercy Seat" -- the gold covering with its cherubim (angels) and their downward sloping, outstretched wings that sit atop the Ark -- will actually serve as the Throne for Jesus when it is brought back to Jerusalem at His return. That's a pretty wild concept, to be sure, but read the book, and you'll see that it actually does have some merit. A very intriguing theory worth considering!
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If, like me, you really enjoy exploring the intricacies of The Bible in search of its greatest nuance, you will undoubtedly find IN SEARCH OF THE LOST ARK OF THE COVENANT well worth reading. If deep Bible study does not particularly interest you, you probably won't make it to the end of the book. Either way, I recommend starting with Cornuke's best book, IN SEARCH OF THE MOUNTAIN OF GOD, then read THE LOST SHIPWRECK OF PAUL, and finally, this one. I suggest skipping IN SEARCH OF THE LOST MOUNTAINS OF NOAH altogether.
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So, do I really believe that the ancient Holy Ark of The Covenant resides in the Chapel Of St. Mary Of Zion in Axum? I'd say that there's a very strong possibilty of that. I don't know that I'd go so far as to bet my life on it, but I'm fairly certain that I'd be willing to bet YOURS!
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~ Stephen T. McCarthy
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MOVE OVER, DAN BROWN; THE BIG DOG'S IN TOWN!

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BIBLE CODE BOMBSHELL
by R. Edwin Sherman
published: 2005
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As of this date, I have posted on Amazon.com 74 Reviews, 24 "So You'd Like To..." Guides, and 18 Listmania Lists. Now let's imagine, just for the sake of argument, that in reading through my Amazon "stuff" you happened to notice that the word "dog" appeared in one form or another in virtually everything I'd posted -- all 74 Reviews, all 24 Guides, and all 18 Lists. Would you accept that this might have occurred by SIMPLE CHANCE? Or would you be convinced that it was indicative of a deliberate design?
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If you answered "possibly SIMPLE CHANCE", then there is a strong "CHANCE" that you, my dear friend, are rather "SIMPLE" in mind... not that there's anything wrong with that. But I have some marvelous business opportunities I'd like to discuss with you!
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Well, the hidden Equidistant Letter Sequence (E.L.S.) codes that are illuminated in 'BIBLE CODE BOMBSHELL' are astronomically more indicative of intelligent design than even the ubiquitous "dog" hypothesis that I fabricated above.
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For example: Isaiah, chapter 53, from the Bible's Old Testament (documented to have existed at least 100 years before the birth of Christ, and more likely about 700 years prior) is a prophecy concerned with the coming of a Suffering Servant who would atone for the sins of mankind. Cloaked within that chapter at equidistant letter sequences are over 1,600 encoded references to Jesus, etc. Included are phrases such as "HE OFFENDED. THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS. HE IS RISEN INDEED" / "AND IN HIS NAME, AS HE COMMANDED, JESUS IS THE WAY" / "AND WHERE ARE THEY? THE SANHEDRIN IS FINISHED" / "FATHER, THE ASCENSION OF JESUS IS HEAVENLY" / "GOD WILL HAVE HIS OWN DAY" / "JESUS THE GIFT IS MASTER AND MY LORD" / "WONDER! JESUS IS THE TRUTH" / "JESUS IS SALVATION" / "MARY IS THE MOTHER OF GOD" / "DREADFUL DAY FOR MARY" / "SON OF ELOHIM" / "TRUE MESSIAH" / "WHO IS JESUS? MASTER"
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R. Edwin Sherman, an acknowledged expert in statistical analysis, has determined that the odds of these references, and the many others, appearing by chance beneath the plain text of Isaiah 53, are less than 1 in 2,189 followed by 192 zeroes. Meaning: There's effectively NO CHANCE!
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On page 78, the author concludes, "What has been mathematically proven is this: it is an established fact that the author of Isaiah 53 knew at least a century in advance the key details of the life and death of Jesus. In other words, the occurrence of this miracle has been scientifically established." And that does not even begin to factor in all of the encoded phrases found in Ezekiel 37, and other Biblical passages. (And you thought Dan Brown's silly 'DA VINCI CODE' was good stuff?)
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There's still much to learn, but in the "dog-eat-dog" Bible Code debate, R. Edwin Sherman has "unleashed" the "pit bull" of Bible Code publications to date. He answers the skeptics' arguments and shows conclusively that at least some portions of The Bible were encoded by a prescient Superintelligence. Yes, the code exists -- that's not the question now. The question has become: Will it affect how you live your life in any appreciable way?
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2005, DECEMBER 10th ADDENDUM:
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I find that one reviewer has panned this book by casting aspersions on the author's facility with the Hebrew language. He writes, "It should be mandatory for an author of Bible codes to be able to at least read Hebrew but unfortunately it is not."
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Since R. Edwin Sherman is not a Hebrew expert, he collaborates with one. As 'BIBLE CODE BOMBSHELL' clearly states, all of Sherman's research is closely examined by Holocaust survivor Nathan Jacobi, Ph.D. Jacobi (an agnostic) received a Ph.D. in physics from Weizman Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel. He received an M.Sc. in physics and a B.Sc. in mathematics from Bar-Illan University in Ramat-Gan, Israel. He is a retired college professor with more than 30 years of research, development and scientific computing in applied physics, aerospace and geophysics. He has taught atomic and molecular physics, quantum mechanics, college algebra, trigonometry and analysis, analytic geometry, and calculus -- in Israel and the U.S. Jacobi received a thorough education in both Biblical and contemporary Hebrew. He reads the news daily in Hebrew, converses with his wife in Hebrew, and has taught Hebrew for several years.
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There are people who hate the Truth, and that's their prerogative as free individuals. But it should be mandatory for a reviewer of a book to have at least read the book he reviews. And YOU can quote ME on that!
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~ Stephen T. McCarthy
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DANGER! YOU ARE SKATING ON THIN ICE!

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THE EDGAR CAYCE COMPANION
compiled by B. Ernest Frejer
published: 1995
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As a third generation 'Cayce-ite', I spent the better part of two decades intensely studying the Edgar Cayce Readings. I was a long-time member of a Cayce 'Search For God' study group, and for two years I was a volunteer correspondent for the Cayce Foundation's (Association for Research And Enlightenment - A.R.E.) Prison Outreach Program. So, my personal history with this material is extensive. But after circumstances compelled me to initiate an objective re-examination of my metaphysical teachers and their teachings, I arrived at a conclusion that forced me to back off and entrust my Spiritual development exclusively to Bible study, prayer, meditation, and the Divine Guidance ensuing from these practices.
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To be sure, there is much information of great value within these pages. Cayce was a benevolent soul whose psychic readings helped bring physical healing to scores of people. This is documented fact and The Holy Bible tells us "a tree is known by its fruit" and "a house divided will not stand". (Matthew 12:25, 33) THIS work was of God. 
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In one reading (#1152-5) Cayce stated, "DID YOUR LORD BLEED WHEN THE NAILS WERE DRIVEN IN HIS HANDS AND FEET? DID HE GIVE UP THE GHOST? DID HE DIE? YEA. FOR AS HE GAVE, WITHOUT HIS DEATH -- YEA, WITHOUT HIS RESURRECTION -- THERE IS NO HOPE IN MAN'S ESTATE.' And in another (#422-1) he said that spirits or entities must be tested: "IN EACH EXPERIENCE ASK THAT THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE LIFE, THE DEATH, THE RESURRECTION OF THE JESUS, THE CHRIST... OTHERWISE, GET THEE BEHIND ME, I WILL HAVE NO PART WITH THEE." 
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According to The Holy Bible (1st John 2:22; 4:1-3; 5:1) Cayce could not have made statements like these but by inspiration of The Holy Spirit. 
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That the Light of God can be found in many of his readings is indisputable and clearly evident in this collection of excerpts which includes a valuable section on SPIRITUAL IDEALS and gems such as these: "Why worry when ye may pray?" (#2981-1); "You'll not be in Heaven if you're not leaning on the arm of someone you have helped." (#3352-1); "When individuals hold a grudge they are fighting the God within themselves against the God within the individual... towards whom such is held." (#1304-1); and the EXCEEDINGLY IMPORTANT WARNING: "(In meditation) never open self... without surrounding self with the Spirit of The Christ, that ye may ever be guarded." (#440-8) 
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The section on HUMOR is very brief, but it's a hoot! For example: 
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Q: woulD it be better fOr the body to remain in bed without movinG about? 
A: It'll move when you give it the Castor Oil. (#348-18)
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Q: How much better am I? 
A: 37.3% (#567-4)
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Hide not skeletons in thine own closet, for they rattle when ye least expect them. (#3246-1) 
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So, what's the problem then? Cayce's readings are NOT ALL correct and they sometimes originated from spiritual darkness! In reading #1472-14 he said, "IT IS NOT MEANT THAT INFORMATION GIVEN THROUGH THIS CHANNEL SHOULD BE INTERPRETED AS BEING INFALLIBLE." In #531-2 he posed the question, "WHAT PREVENTS THE INFORMATION FROM ALWAYS BEING ACCURATE, OR BEING WHOLLY OF UNQUESTIONABLE NATURE?" before continuing on with an impossibly convoluted answer! 
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This is YOUR Spiritual development we're talking about here; no small matter! Do you REALLY trust your own judgement sufficiently to always be able to discern which of Cayce's readings are Divine and which are a demonic deception? MANY of his Earth changes prophecies have proven to be inaccurate. Jesus did not return in 1998 (#5748-5); The poles did not shift in 2000 or 2001 (#826-8), et al. 
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Yes, I know experientially that Cayce's 3-Day Apple Cleanse Diet is efficacious, and clearly he supernaturally gained insight into the anti-cancer Vitamin B-17 content of (bitter) almonds (see #1158-31 and read WORLD WITHOUT CANCER by G. Edward Griffin and ALIVE AND WELL by Dr. Philip Binzel, Jr.) 
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And yet, in another reading (#3180-3) he inexplicably makes the absurd statement that "AN ALMOND A DAY IS MUCH MORE IN ACCORD WITH KEEPING THE DOCTOR AWAY... THAN APPLES. FOR THE APPLE WAS THE FALL, NOT THE ALMOND." Not only does the apple have nothing whatsoever to do with the "Fall" of mankind (the word "apple" does not even appear in the entire book of Genesis), but in fact, apple seeds contain as much or more concentrated Vitamin B-17 than bitter almonds do! 
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In other readings (#1152-11 & #470-10) Cayce dubiously praises things that my independent studies have conclusively shown to be luciferian in nature! In #364-1 he says of Theosophical literature: "AS TO WHETHER THIS INFORMATION IS TRUE OR NOT, DEPENDS UPON THE CREDENCE INDIVIDUALS GIVE TO THIS CLASS OF INFORMATION." Is this not bovine excrement of the highest order? Can a less helpful and more non-committal position be conceived? 
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Over the years I developed a theory to explain how Cayce's God-given Gift became polluted and why his 'HEALTH' readings are considerably more reliable than his 'LIFE' readings. But the bottom line is this: Do you really wish to risk the condition of your mind and soul by trusting in these pages when a sincere appeal for (and faith in) The Father and Son's Guidance, serious Bible study, prayer and PROPER (!!!) meditation is all that's required in order to get you SAFELY where you want to be? Not to mention saving you $16.00 (See my online guide titled "Would You Like To... DEVELOP A REaLATIONSHIP WITH GOD" Parts 1 Through 4.) 
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Naturally, it is for each person to decide just what course they wish to sail. I apologize for the unseemly length of this review, but I felt that this was important and that I ought to share my thoughts with you. Thanks for considering them. 
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HOSANNA!
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~ Stephen T. McCarthy
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Wind Your Watch and "WATCH!"

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END-TIME PROPHECIES OF THE BIBLE

by David Haggith

published: 1999

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Simply stated, DAVID HAGGITH has written the most exhaustive and Spiritually mature book on eschatology that I have encountered. About five years ago, a gentleman who owned a mobile bookstore expressed his appreciation for me by insisting that I select any item from his stock. I had not heard of David Haggith, but because of my deep interest in Bible study, his tome 'END-TIME PROPHECIES OF THE BIBLE' caught my eye. I can tell you without hesitation that I would have been every bit as pleased with my choice even if I had paid full price.

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The first question that will be raised by people Biblically aware, but a bit naive is: Why study the Last Days when Jesus said that they will arrive like a thief in the night; no one knows the day or the hour of their coming, and they could be far into the future? 

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There are several ideas to take into consideration here. First -- Jesus said, "Of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven." (Matt. 24:36) Note that He spoke specifically of days and hours, not necessarily decades or years. HAGGITH says on page 121 that looking at it this way is "being hyperliteral".  I don't think so. Jesus chose His words carefully. 

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Furthermore, what might have been unforeseeable two thousand years ago, may be quite perceivable now. Also, if it was still going to be unpredictable even when the age was nearly upon us, why did Jesus bother giving His closest apostles clues to watch for? In Matthew 24 & Mark 13, The Master tells Peter, James, John and Andrew the signs (situations) that will be prevalent on the Earth and related to the end of the world (AS WE KNOW IT!) and His imminent return. Why did He go to the trouble to elucidate the scenario if NO ONE would be capable of discerning the time? And He even concluded with the admonition, "What I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"

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Significantly, the Old Testament book of Daniel (also concerned with eschatology) closes with another indication that as the time draws near, at least some of God's people will have foreknowledge of the timing of Tribulation events: And the angel said, "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified... and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand." (Dan. 12:9,10 - NKJV) 

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It makes sense then to study this subject, especially since several Biblical prophecies concerned with the timing of these momentous events indicate that we are about to enter into the age in question. (Even if Mr. Haggith does not overtly make such a bold statement.

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There are many books on the market that address this subject and most all of them in a more sensationalistic manner. But HAGGITH's approach is very sensible and evinces a highly developed Spiritual understanding. His respect for God's Word and his humility is evident throughout the book. For example, on page 408 he states, "Judgment, as St. John's Gospel emphasizes, is going on all the time throughout our earthly existence." That would appear to be a basic premise, but one you will find eluding many of the more well-known Christian commentators! 

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On page 450, Haggith observes that, "Humility comes from confidence in the goodness and justice and love of God." There is much wisdom in his writing that goes beyond a strict adherence to the book's primary theme. His equating the patterns of Biblical truth and prophecies with fractals, and his observation that "Jesus never did a miracle that wasn't a metaphor for spiritual truth" are just two more examples of his great insight, no doubt derived from a warm association with The Holy Spirit. END-TIME PROPHECIES OF THE BIBLE also has a wonderfully extensive index that will make it easy for the reader to refer back to certain topics at a later date.

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DAVID HAGGITH also understands the necessity to refrain from inflexible positions when exploring the nature of Biblical prophecy. This idea, and his personal humility, shine through in this excerpt from page 459:

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"Simply linking passages as I've done in this book can distort meaning if the wrong links are forged. If the reader sees a more natural fit for any prophecy than where it has been placed, he or she should explore that connection. ... It's best to keep one's opinions about God's revelation fluid and allow the God who makes all things new to shape one's opinions over time and to reshape oneself in the process. A dogmatic stance on words the Bible, itself, describes as ultimate mysteries belittles the greatness of God. It presumptuously assumes that the human mind can fully comprehend God's mysteries."

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END-TIME PROPHECIES OF THE BIBLE is a very thorough, thought-provoking, open-minded, and scholarly study. As far as I know, it is the best book of its kind. If you are very serious about exploring the Bible and seek publications that will help you to develop the capacity to examine theological concepts from a variety of perspectives, this book will surely be a welcome addition to your personal library. Other than Salvation, it's the best thing that I ever got for free!

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~ Stephen T. McCarthy

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