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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MOTHER’S NATURE!

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MOTHER TERESA
starring Olivia Hussey
2003
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Tagline: 
“HER HEART FOUND THE FORGOTTEN, 
HER FAITH FOUND A WAY.”
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On September 5, 1997, when Mother Teresa died, I did something that I rarely do when a person dies: I cried. I didn’t cry out of mourning for Mother Teresa; I knew that she was now getting a well-deserved rest and reward. When a person leaves their physical instrument, they are flying closer to God, so I had no reason to be sad for Mother Teresa. I cried for the world because this sorry, old, dilapidated and Spiritually poor globe had just lost one of its most prayerful and positively influential examples of Christ’s Love for His brothers and sisters!
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I have never been Catholic, and I never will be, but Mother Teresa remains one of my favorite personal heroes. She would probably top my list of “Greatest Figures Of The Twentieth Century”. I can think of no one from my lifetime who more exemplified the manner of life that I believe Jesus Christ calls us to live. I am nothing less than astonished and severely humbled when I think of her and the women who volunteered to work as she did. As I recently wrote in an E-mail to a new friend, “There was probably no stronger woman (or man) from her generation.” The thought of her and her Missionaries of Charity really stirs my heart.
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I gave a DVD copy of 'MOTHER TERESA', starring Olivia Hussey, to Good Friend Melanie for Christmas this year. (I gave her a couple of other good things, too, because that’s just the kind of guy I am.) But she enjoyed the movie so much that I borrowed it from her one day and watched it that very night. And I enjoyed it just as much.
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It begins with Teresa’s “calling within a calling” when she observes how the abandoned sick are dying like dogs in the streets of Calcutta, and she receives a sign from Jesus that she is to serve “the poorest of the poor”. She subsequently embarks on an awe-inspiring journey to see the Face of her Lord in the poor, and to show them the Face of His Love in exchange. The film ends just two years before her death, when, in a revelatory moment, she realizes the folly of her Association, and in essence, rediscovers her roots; “returns to the streets” in her “disorganized” Way - in a manner of speaking.
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Throughout this lifelong journey, Mother Teresa must overcome myriad obstacles, some in the form of human beings who, from their materialistic world-view, can’t possibly understand her mission or have faith in her intentions; and some in the form of natural hardships and the opposing work of God’s unseen antagonist. The movie gives us a glimpse of some of the “miraculous” coincidences, where somehow Mother Teresa always seemed to get bailed out of an impossible situation by an equally invisible Friend. (In actuality, there were many more miracles related to Mother Teresa’s life than are depicted here!)
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Olivia Hussey, a real beauty in her youth but always a very serious actress, gives a very nice, understated performance. It’s a bit uncanny how much she looks like the older Mother Teresa, and it’s nearly preternatural how she mastered the aged nun’s stooped but determined walk! There are good, suitably subtle performances across-the-board, but Emily Hamilton, in the small role of Anna, deserves special mention. She played every note EXACTLY RIGHT in the poignant scene where she learns of her unfortunate fate and how she will be required to support Mother Teresa’s work in the future. And the brief scene in which she later learns that Teresa was not offering her mere platitudes was one of my favorites in the picture! (It darn near made me “moisty.” OK, it did... but just a little.)
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My only negative observations have to do with the cinematography and musical score. I feel that the film should have imitated Mother Teresa’s life in its approach, by adhering strictly to the most simplistic or austere style. Instead, on a few occasions, we get some creative flourishes: dissolving images, artificial angles and “artistic” lighting. And in a couple of places, the music becomes a shade too dramatic or intrusive. These aspects of the film should have all been kept to the most basic level possible in accordance with the unadorned life that Mother Teresa espoused. But this is only a minor complaint on my part, and these things will not significantly undermine your viewing experience.
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Let’s face it, it’s really impossible to cover the scope and influence of the life of Mother Teresa in a single two-hour movie, but I feel that 'MOTHER TERESA' does about as fine a job as one could reasonably expect. If you want a good overview of her life and you want a lesson in what a beneficial difference one faithful and hard-working person filled with the Love of Christ can make in this world, then by all means, make it a point to see this film. And be prepared to be put to shame, like I was.
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“We are called upon not to be successful, but to be faithful.” 
~ Mother Teresa
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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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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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WOULD YOU LIKE TO... SEE 'IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE' COME TO LIFE?

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[I originally published this online on December 4, 2005.]
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FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS I WORKED AS A VOLUNTEER CORRESPONDENT FOR A RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION'S "PRISON OUTREACH PROGRAM". IT PUT ME IN CONTACT WITH MANY PEOPLE INCARCERATED AROUND THE COUNTRY. THE STRONGEST RELATIONSHIP THAT I DEVELOPED WAS WITH A YOUNG MAN -- I WILL CALL HIM "FRED" -- WHO WAS IN A FLORIDA PRISON. I HAPPENED TO MENTION IN A LETTER THAT 'IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE' WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE MOVIES. HE ANSWERED THAT THE MOVIE HAS A GREAT EMOTIONAL IMPACT ON HIM BECAUSE OF AN INCIDENT THAT HAD ACTUALLY TAKEN PLACE SOME YEARS EARLIER.

I'VE CHANGED ALL OF THE NAMES BECAUSE IT WAS PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE AND I NEVER REQUESTED PERMISSION TO REVEAL HIS IDENTITY, BUT HERE IS AN EXCERPT FROM "FRED'S" DECEMBER 4, 1999 LETTER RELATING THE DETAILS TO ME:

"Jim West (my grandfather) passed away in October of 1990 and as it was, I was already 'off the chain' and headed for serious problems. I was 17 at the time and I remember clearly standing at the wake, shaking hands with too many people, dressed in a suit with combat boots (my punk rocker days), stoned out of mind and reason. My best friend Katy was with me and though she and I were no longer intimate, I was more interested in getting away from that dreadful funeral to be with her and my friends.

"Anyhow, Christmas of 1990 was miserable. I lasted about an hour and finally took off in a rage, unable to cope with all of my aunts, my mom and grandmom, and other family members' tears and emotional misery. Looking back I realize they were dealing with his death as best they knew how and it is healthy to grieve and not stuff feelings. My solution was to get wasted.

"Christmas 1991 was even worse for me. I had recently had my first major run in with the law and was out on bond. I was living with my mom and step-dad at the time because my grandmother was too afraid of me. Mom and Rob are both alcoholics and drug abusers and though one might think this would make us compatable [sic], it actually only complicated matters.

"That Christmas Eve, they came home from a party in quite a state and my step-dad in a drunken rage picked a fight with me and threw me out. It was ugly. He smashed my T.V. through the window and threw me a bag of dog-food saying I might need it when I got hungry. I had my own car and left with the few things I could grab. I went to my grandma's and although she was reluctant to let me stay, she let me spend the night. The next morning she went to Mom's for X-mas and though she tried to convince me to go with her, pride over the night before would not allow me to do it. I ended up doing my usual: drinking like a madman and smoking out. I was driving around town, drunk and out of my mind, swimming in self-pity and decided I was going to end it all, take my own life. I hit the interstate and headed for the big bridge I would jump from.

"Then the miracle happened. On the other side of the bridge is a rest area where I intended to park my car and as I pulled in, parked, and drank some more, I noticed one other car in the rest area and I noticed someone slumped over the wheel of the car. Curiosity filled me, and a sense of urgency and I got out and walked to the car. Slumped over the wheel was a very old woman who I could tell was crying. She cracked her window as I motioned to her and I asked her if she was okay and could I help her somehow.

"She looked frightened (no wonder in the state I was in) but began to explain to me that she was from Tallahassee and had driven over to be with her daughter for Christmas. She had been lost for hours and was confused and at wits end and not even knowing where she was now or what direction to go. She told me where her daughter lived and I happened to know where it was. I offered to show her the way and she followed me. When we passed her daughter's apartment complex, she did not pull in but flashed me and we pulled into a small nearby store.

"At this point, she tried to offer me twenty dollars. I refused. She told me that when she was a little girl the world was a kind place but in her 70 years it had become ugly and she had believed there were no miracles left. She told me I changed her mind, the world was still full of miracles. She hugged me. She wished me a Merry Christmas. She got in her car and drove away. I sat down on the curb and bawled like a baby.

"I don't know if you believe in angels but I do. She was an angel, whether an angel in humanity or an actual celestial being, but the real miracle was that whether she knew it or not, she saved my life. The miracle was hers and she gave it to me.

"I decided at that point to go to my other grandmother's house. I ended up having a Christmas I will never forget. Oh, as I was driving to Granny's for Christmas, there was a $100 bill in my pocket that was not there before. I guess the old woman stuck it in there when she hugged me. God bless her wherever she is! (Just an aside...I noticed that you mentioned It's A Wonderful Life in your last letter. I love that movie. Do you see any similarity in it and my story?)

"Merry Christmas and may the Light of Christ shine on you always.
Romans 8:28. --Brother Fred"

I THINK THAT FRED'S EXPERIENCE IS ONE OF THE MOST "WONDERFUL" TRUE CHRISTMAS STORIES I HAVE EVER HEARD. I HOPE YOU LIKED IT, TOO.

BLESS AND BE BLESSED!

~ 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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DON'T SLIP ON THIS ROTTEN BANANA PEEL!

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[This review was originally published at Amazon.com on Wednesday, May 18, 2005]
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INHERIT THE WIND
starring Spencer Tracy
1960
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I recently rented INHERIT THE WIND to see for myself if it was really as bad as I'd heard. It was. I am astounded to find how many reviewers have excused its massive deviation from fact under the banner of "entertainment." Has our capacity to evaluate information diminished to the point that we are no longer able to differentiate between simple entertainment and pure propaganda? When a movie presents a supposedly intellectual argument, and paints EVERY SINGLE MEMBER on one side of that argument as a buffoon maroon, but shows the other side as thoughtful, open-minded and humanitarian, you can bet the farm that you're being propagandized!
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Some reviewers have equated the movie with an indictment of the horrors of "McCarthyism". These folks have been twice-bamboozled! Obviously they don't do any independent research, but just ingest whatever gets fed to them. Click HERE if you want to learn the truth about Joseph McCarthy and "McCarthyism".
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INHERIT THE WIND pretends to portray the famous 1925 Scopes "Monkey Trial" with a little dramatic license. This movie strays SO FAR from the facts that even saying it is "based on" the actual event renders that term so elastic as to be meaningless!
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John Scopes is renamed Bert Cates (Dick York), Clarence Darrow becomes Henry Drummond (Spencer Tracy), William Jennings Bryan becomes Matthew Harrison Brady (Fredric March) and Dayton, Tennessee, becomes Hillsboro, Tennessee. The playwrights, Jerome Lawrence and Robert Lee, did not alter the names because they thought they could improve on them, but so they could legally reinvent history. The idea was to twist the truth and present it as entertainment "based on" a true story, knowing that over time, the drama will become accepted as factual by the masses. And it worked! Look how many of us grew up thinking that INHERIT THE WIND was an essentially accurate account of the "Monkey Trial."
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All of the Christians (believing in "Creationism") in the movie are portrayed as emotionally-overwrought, brain-dead bigots. Paint any other group with such a broad brush and you'll be in court for the rest of your life, but here in Amerika, it's always "open season" on Christians. Hardly sympathetic to both views, in reality, Darrow called Christianity, Bryan's "fool religion".
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Contrary to some opinions, the acting does NOT make INHERIT THE WIND worthy of your time. Fredric March and Claude Akins are mere caricatures, but they're not to be blamed as Brady and Reverend Brown were written as cartoon blowhards. Tracy's naturalistic performance is enjoyable, as usual, but Tracy was ALWAYS Tracy from film to film -- there's nothing new here. Gene Kelly was fine as the cynical, MENSA-Donkey newspaper reporter, but it was a simple part to play. The best, most sympathetic performance was actually turned in by Florence Eldridge as Mrs. Sarah Brady. Now her I believed.
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If you're interested in comparing the events portrayed in the movie INHERIT THE WIND with the REALITY of the 1925 "Monkey Trial", to see just how far the playwrights deviated from truth, click HERE and go to my guide titled "WOULD YOU LIKE TO... STOP FALLING FOR SPENCER TRACY'S MONKEY BUSINESS?" You'll be surprised -- no, SHOCKED at how seriously the movie distorted the facts in order to condition people to the dogma of Darwinism!
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~ Stephen T. McCarthy
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WOULD YOU LIKE TO... STOP FALLING FOR SPENCER TRACY'S MONKEY BUSINESS?

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[This guide was originally published at Amazon.com in March of 2005, and it was largely based on a chapter in the 1999 book TORNADO IN A JUNKYARD: The Relentless Myth Of Darwinism by James Perloff. I give the book my highest recommendation.]
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THE PROBABILITY OF HIGHER LIFE FORMS EMERGING BY CHANCE ARE COMPARABLE TO THE ODDS THAT "A TORNADO SWEEPING THROUGH A JUNKYARD MIGHT ASSEMBLE A BOEING 747 FROM THE MATERIALS THEREIN."
~ eminent astronomer, Sir Fred Hoyle, 1981
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"AN HONEST MAN, ARMED WITH ALL THE KNOWLEDGE AVAILABLE TO US NOW, COULD ONLY STATE THAT IN SOME SENSE, THE ORIGIN OF LIFE APPEARS AT THE MOMENT TO BE ALMOST A MIRACLE, SO MANY ARE THE CONDITIONS WHICH WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE BEEN SATISFIED TO GET IT GOING."
~ Nobel Prize-winning, DNA co-discoverer, Dr. Francis Crick, 1981
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The movie INHERIT THE WIND (1960) pretends to portray the famous 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial with a "little" dramatic license. John Scopes is renamed Bert Cates (Dick York), defense attorney Clarence Darrow becomes Henry Drummond (Spencer Tracy), prosecuting attorney William Jennings Bryan becomes Matthew Harrison Brady (Fredric March) and Dayton, Tennessee, becomes Hillsboro, Tennessee.
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The playwrights did not alter the names because they thought they could improve on them, but so they could slander without fear of a libel lawsuit. The idea was to distort the truth and present it as "entertainment", knowing that over time, the drama will become accepted as factual by the masses.
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All of the Christians ("Creationists") in the movie are portrayed as emotionally-overwrought, brain-dead bigots. Paint any other group with such a broad brush and you'll be in court for the rest of your life, but here in Amerika, it's always open season on Christians.
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Let's compare INHERIT THE WIND (ITW) with REALITY and see if we can't detect some deliberate dishonesty...
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INHERIT THE WIND (ITW): Cates is arrested by the town fathers while teaching Darwin's Evolution in class and is jailed. Later an angry Christian mob threatens to lynch him, and he is injured when a zealot throws a rock through his jail cell window.
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REALITY: The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) placed several advertisements in Tennessee, offering to pay all expenses for the person who would help them challenge the Butler Act (State law forbidding the teaching of Evolution in public schools). Scopes was recruited. He was not jailed at any point because it was only a finable offense. Scopes confessed in his autobiography that as a substitute Science teacher, he couldn't even recall actually teaching Evolution. (Incidentally, the ACLU was founded by Roger Baldwin who served as its executive director for 30 years and who wrote in his Harvard reunion book that "Communism" was his "goal". See the book: THE ACLU VS. AMERICA: Exposing The Agenda To Redefine Moral Values by Alan Sears & Craig Osten.)
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ITW: Drummond is given a rude welcome by the narrow-minded Christian townspeople. He is portrayed as a brave underdog fighting an unjust system.
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REALITY: A friendly crowd greeted Darrow at the train station and the town held a banquet in his honor. Darrow was not a lone warrior fighting against a stacked deck; the ACLU imported a team of lawyers and "experts."
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ITW: Brady bellows, "The people of this State have made it very clear that they do not want this zoological hogwash slobbered around the schoolrooms!" And he says, "The way of Scientism is the way of darkness."
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REALITY: Bryan was a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. At the trial he said, "Give Science a fact and it is not only invincible, but of incalculable service to man."
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ITW: Brady illustrates his narrow-mindedness by stating that he has never read Darwin's 'The Origin Of Species' and that he "never will."
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REALITY: Bryan quoted extensively from Darwin's writings in the Dayton courtroom.
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ITW: The judge refuses to allow Darwin's texts to be admitted as evidence in the case.
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REALITY: Bryan himself offered Darwin's 'The Origin Of Species' as evidence into the trial.
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ITW: Brady is portrayed as an obnoxious boor with a penchant for delivering long windy speeches.
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REALITY: Bryan didn't even speak in court until the 4th day of the trial, by which time Darrow had engaged in considerable oratory, including a 2-hour speech on religion and bigotry.
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ITW: Drummond is refused the right to put Evolution "experts" on the stand to testify.
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REALITY: Darrow declined to put his experts on the stand for fear of Bryan's cross-examination. Instead, he had them submit affidavits. (Ironically, most of the Evolutionary "evidence" Darrow's experts discussed -- Piltdown Man, useless vestigial organs, embryonic recapitulation -- are now discredited ideas.)
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ITW: Brady betrays the trust of Cates' fiancee by putting her on the stand and forcing her to testify to things about Cates that she revealed confidentially to Brady the night before. Later, she sobs to Brady's wife, "If he could do such an evil thing, he must be an evil man. And everything he stands for must be evil too!"
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REALITY: Scopes had no girlfriend and no women were ever called to testify in the case.
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ITW: The jury finds Cates guilty and he is fined $100. Outraged by the small fine, Brady delivers an irrational, impassioned speech, suffers a heart attack and dies in the courtroom.
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REALITY: After putting Bryan on the stand and trying to make him look foolish, Darrow changes the plea of Scopes to guilty, ending the trial. Darrow did this in order to prevent Bryan from questioning HIM on the witness stand, and to keep Bryan (who died 5 days after the trial) from making a closing argument. Darrow admitted in his autobiography that he had intended to employ this tactic from the beginning of the trial. The ACLU's purpose for the trial had been merely to disseminate Darwinism and publicly assail Christian fundamentalism.
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I have only scratched the surface of the discrepancies between INHERIT THE WIND and REALITY in this guide. If TRUTH matters to you at all, pick up a copy of TORNADO IN A JUNKYARD: The Relentless Myth Of Darwinism by James Perloff. Most of the material for this guide was borrowed from chapter 17 of that outstanding book for laymen.
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All these decades after the release of "WINDY", in the "genuine" SCIENTIFIC community, Darwinism is as dead as Darwin, and Microbiology and Physics are well on their way to circumstantially proving that a Supremely Intelligent Designer is responsible for life as we know it. Chapter 7 alone ("Vegas Odds On Life") of TORNADO IN A JUNKYARD will put Darwinism to rest for anybody with half an ounce of grey matter in their skull and honesty in their heart!
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As for you RADICAL ATHEISTS lining up to post your negative comments against this guide, keep this in mind: They will NOT...
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1) Alter the Truth one whit.
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2) Affect me in the least.
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3) Convince me that YOU exist!
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Now go have a really nice day!

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~ Stephen T. McCarthy
(2005, March)
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THIS AIN'T NO BABBLING BROOKE! (Part 1 Of 2: The Introduction)

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Most of the time, I am reading 3 nonfiction books at once: I am always engaged in working my way through The Holy Bible between January 1st and December 31st with a daily reading schedule; I have one book in my tiny office where I do my "paperwork" when the mood strikes; and I have a third book to read whenever I'm not drinking at the bar.
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Have you ever been quoted in a book published by someone you've never even heard of before?
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In January of this year, I wanted to find something I had posted on an Internet site but I couldn't remember where it was. So I did a Google search with some keywords or phrases to see if I could locate it. One of the search results I got seemed odd. It looked as if someone whose name I was not familiar with had quoted me, so I clicked on that, and here's what I found:
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In 2008, the following book of 231 pages was published.
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UNITED WE FALL:
Ending America's Love Affair With The Political Center
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by Phil Neisser
Praeger Publishers
Westport, Connecticut
London
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Phil Neisser is Professor and Chair of the Department of Politics at the State University of New York at Potsdam. He is co-editor of 'Tales Of The State: Narrative in Contemporay U.S. Politics and Public Policy' and numerous articles critical of the idealization of centrist politics.
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The inside flap of the book gives the following description of the publication:
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UNITED WE FALL argues that today's harmful levels of polarization in American politics can be ratcheted down only by giving up the twin notions that the center is the sweet spot for political efficiency, and that all differences deserve equal weight in the democratic balance. The American people need, instead, to embrace a political credo of civic engagement, confrontation with open ears, and spirited debate. The commonplace "United We Stand" must be supplanted by the insight that democracy is strongest where it acknoledges and formalizes real division.
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But surely bipartisan rancor in America and extremist violence around the world are symptoms of too much disagreement -- not too little? No, asserts the author. The root cause of political violence of all stripes is the failure of opposing camps to engage each other openly and persuasively on their genuine and irreconcilable differences.
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...And so on and so forth...
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From my Google search result I wasn't able to see what quote from me the author had included in his book, only the note indicating where he had gotten it. The notation on page 208 said:
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31. Stephen T. McCarthy, October 7, 2005, customer review of Tale [sic] Brooke, One World (End Run Publishing, 2000), http://www.amazon.com (accessed September 17, 2007).
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Like a dog who smells a cat roaming around on the other side of a closed door, I wanted to open that door (or open that book), but I wasn't willing to pay much money to scratch that itch. However, I soon found an inexpensive, used Oklahoma library copy of the book for sale online and also found I had free money (accrued credit card points) that I could use to get it without paying a cent. So, I ordered it.
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I found myself quoted on page 81 of Chapter 4: United We Stand and Conspiracy Thinking:
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Page 80:
United We Stand is just one of the obstacles. Conspiracy thinking, because of its erroneous conceptualization of power, is another." ...
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Page 81:
"Each grand conspiracy theory is actually several, as the assumption of successful secrecy allows theorizing to spin into endless variation. One believer's list of conspirators includes the "talking heads" in the media, "International Bankers, Secular Humanists, 'Progressive' Educators, New Age Gurus, The United Nations, American Politicians, Secret Societies, Fabian Socialists, Darwinists, [and] Marxists," all of whom are said to be "working in concert to construct the New Age World Order." [31]
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As stated above, Neisser was quoting me from a review I had written and published in 2005 at Amazon.com for the book ONE WORLD by Tal (not "Tale") Brooke. Today, you would not find that review at that website because one of the information gatekeepers, who work for the evil-doer Jeff Bezos, removed all of my BigBitch.com reviews. People like me, who know too much and aren't shy about sharing what we know to educate others, we must have our voices silenced by those who work for "the ruler of this world".
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However, I have good news! Although Phil Neisser wrongly tried to cast doubt on the facts I shared, and despite the fact that Amazon.com tried to make my review of ONE WORLD disappear from the Internet, I saved a copy of it which you can read by scrolling down one blog bit or by clicking HERE.
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As for Neisser's book, I'm finally about ready to read it. I just put it in my tiny office where I do my paperwork. (It's near the sink, right next to the room deodorizer.) After I finish reading it (assuming I will finish it) perhaps I'll critique the crap out of it and post a review of it on this blog. ...Or not.
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~ Stephen T. McCarthy
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THIS AIN'T NO BABBLING BROOKE! (Part 2 Of 2: The Review)

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For 'Part 1 Of 2: The Introduction' click HERE.
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ONE WORLD
(Special Millennial Edition Of 'When The World Will Be As One')

by Tal Brooke
published: 2000
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ONE WORLD by Tal Brooke is really nothing less than the ideal primer on the full scope of that oft repeated phrase "The New World Order". It provides a quick but incisive glimpse of every facet of this diabolically deceptive Cubic Zirconia. 
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When the epiphany occurred for me many years ago, and I suddenly saw the Big Picture of my intensive studies, I entertained the idea of writing a book that would pull together all of the seemingly disparate threads of "The New World Order" to illustrate for my readers the full weave of the specious utopian dream. But shortly thereafter, I encountered Brooke's ONE WORLD and realized that I had been beaten to the punch. That's fine. As long as the Truth has been elucidated by SOMEONE, it didn't need to be me.
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I can still clearly recall that night, sitting at my desk and believing that I was engaged in two separate studies: religion and politics. And then suddenly, in a moment, it was as if the curtain on the stage was pulled back to reveal all of the props, the painted backgrounds, and the costumed players who were acting out the play titled "The New World Order", just as it had been penned by the unseen playwright -- the prince of darkness. I was astounded to realize that all of the different scenes actually formed acts, and that the acts formed a unified but very dark story. I found there were no independent nor secular parts. They all coalesced into a single production. And to carry this analogy one step further, one could argue that [link) The Holy Bible is the review written by a Critic who has seen the dress rehearsal. He says it's a bad show, and it will close before its scheduled run is completed. And since the Critic owns the theater, we can take His Word for it.
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One can separately study the different arms of the Shiva-like New World Order entity: G. Edward Griffin's, THE CREATURE FROM JEKYLL ISLAND: A SECOND LOOK AT THE FEDERAL RESERVE will give you a full understanding of the money powers behind it -- the muscle, the bodyguard. NONE DARE CALL IT TREASON: 25 YEARS LATER by John Stormer illustrates and totally PROVES (with countless footnotes to sources) the myriad machinations of the political realm. Walter Martin's THE KINGDOM OF THE CULTS goes into the spiritual forms it can assume and the sophism it employs. David Barton's ORIGINAL INTENT: THE COURTS, THE CONSTITUTION AND RELIGION examines the legal bulwark of the entity and the judicial means by which it seeks to undermine the foundation of the Truth that opposes it. Or TORNADO IN A JUNKYARD, by James Perloff, which unveils the pseudo-logical secular birthright that it claims and then uses to suck in those adherents who lack a Spiritual bent. And I don't propose that ONE WORLD should be read in lieu of any of those other titles, but ONE WORLD serves as an excellent overview that, like a road map, can be used to graphically perceive how these many paths converge at a predetermined "place" even when the traveler may have had a different destination in mind.
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Tal Brooke writes with great power, passion, intellect, and lucidity! He has a creatively-infused mind that can transform thoroughly researched nonfiction into a book that reads like a page-turning suspense novel. Like me, he is an "Idea Bulldog" who once he has gotten a grasp on the target, shakes it out violently and relentlessly until every piece has come loose. And now it can be observed and examined from every imaginable angle so that a full understanding of the machination can be obtained, and the functioning of its gears understood. 
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A couple of years ago I loaned my copy of ONE WORLD to a friend and later asked her if Tal Brooke's writing reminded her of anyone she knew. "You!", she answered. She recognized the inner "GRRRRR!" that Brooke and I share. In many respects, ONE WORLD is the book I would have written if Tal Brooke had not. (Now whether I could have pulled it off nearly so successfully may be quite another matter.) A couple of his chapters that castigate what I call "McChristians" brought to mind an essay I wrote many years ago, which segues into another observation...
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Tal Brooke is a Born Again Christian and writes pointedly from that worldview. That's OK, because it is largely correct. But Brooke misses the nuance on a couple of occasions when he fails to recognize the subtlety that separates the wholly deceived New Ager from the kernel of truth that does exist in some "New Age" teachings, and which is responsible for pulling the person with that mindset into the arena completely. 
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For example: On page 57, he correctly identifies the "cornerstone of the New Age movement: MAN IS GOD." But on page 83 he lumps in with that definition the Gnostic idea that man is a "spark of the Divine." But these are NOT synonymous. In the first, it is argued that God does not exist apart from the mind of man, whereas in the second, the "spark" is not substantive apart from the Divine Flame that gives it birth and meaning. 
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Brooke also dismisses the concept of reincarnation, with its ties to the New Age school, as being antithetical to the message of The Bible. This is simply not so. (See my 4-part online guide (link:] REINCARNATION AND THE HOLY BIBLE) 
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The prince of darkness, the ruler of this world cannot draw people to himself by feeding them a diet comprised entirely of lies -- that's too easily discerned even by the nitwit. His genius is in mixing his leaven (a Biblical symbol for sin and evil) with the overarching truths that call naturally to the mind of man, and which the mind can enthusiastically embrace. Not recognizing that the dough also contains the leaven (poison) that the devious cook has intended for him, the man ingests and assimilates it and afterwards, unwittingly sends his compliments to the chef. (See Matthew 13:33 & 16:5-12) But having recognized the devil's leaven, Brooke has chosen to run the entire meal down the garbage disposal. I don't really have a problem with that. For most people, erring on the side of caution is preferable to running the risk of contracting food poisoning!
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Like Brooke, I had to learn of the New Age evil the hard way. He was once a personally-selected disciple of the false messiah Sai Baba of India, and followed him for 2 years. (See his intriguing book, AVATAR OF NIGHT.)
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I was a misguided, third-generation student of the Edgar Cayce readings. (*Cayce was once asked by a seeker, "Would a study of THE SECRET DOCTRINE be of benefit?" His answer in reading #470-10 was, "The study of any portion of same would be of benefit, but only in so far as it will enable the self to open for that which may be given in its meditation. Commence, and then we may aid." THE SECRET DOCTRINE, in case you don't know, is one of the premier New Age "bibles." It was channeled by the luciferian Theosophical Society-founder Helena Blavatsky and contains the frightening assertion that "the Great Serpent of the Garden of Eden and the 'Lord God' are identical." -- Vol. 2; pg. 132. You get that? Lucifer is god! Thanks for recommending a book containing that great truth, Edgar!)
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Later, I spent 5 years intensely studying and practicing A COURSE IN MIRACLES. After nagging doubts forced me to appeal to Him for the Truth, imagine my chagrin at having Jesus Christ reveal to me in no uncertain terms that -- despite the clear-cut claim of A.C.I.M. -- He, Jesus, DID NOT dictate the Course and that it is actually a demonic deception! Not everyone's ego can admit to being duped after investing so much time and dedicating so much energy to a path; not everyone can go back to the drawing board despite the embarrassment. Brooke and I both deserve credit for that much at least.
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I cannot concur with ONE WORLD in its totality, and a book of this nature desperately calls for an index, which unfortunately has not been provided. But don't think that I do not strongly suggest that you acquire, study, and take very, Very, VERY seriously Tal Brooke's book, because I certainly DO recommend it without reservation! This is one of the most important and penetrating books you could read about the times in which you live. Take me seriously, YOU!
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"Imagine no possessions -- I wonder if you can -- No need for greed or hunger -- A brotherhood of Man", John Lennon sang in IMAGINE, a song he proudly described as "virtually a communist manifesto." But when Lennon died, his estate was worth many, many millions of dollars. For tax purposes, he owned Hereford Cows that he had never even seen. Like all Utopia salesmen, when he denounced private property, he meant YOUR private property, not his own. He wasn't practicing what he preached, but then they never do! It's Liberalism's trademark.
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In the current issue of the Phoenix New Times is a review of the book THE SPACE BETWEEN THE STARS by Deborah Santana, wife of the famous Rock guitarist, Carlos. The article mentions that when she became pregnant in 1974, the couple's meditation guru, Sri Chinmoy, advised her to seek an abortion, which she did. This was the same Sri Chinmoy who served as the interfaith chaplain to The United Nations. 
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It's a shame that this "guru" urging the nations of the world to seek Peace, Love, Understanding, and Equality, didn't urge that any of those great virtues be shown to the individual that Deborah Santana was Divinely ordained to carry in her body. That's because there is no real truth to the Utopia that the New Age promoters pay lip service to. These are simply hypocrites, figuratively (and sometimes maybe literally) selling their souls to demonic forces and selling their twisted idealism to undiscerning and unsuspecting men and women. Peace for the Earth will not come by a Rock star's manifesto, a guru's advice, or the appearance of a Maitreya. It will come only when The Son of God returns and brings it with Him, as promised.
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Until then, do yourself a favor and purchase ONE WORLD if you want to see how the incestuous relationship between the Media's Talking Heads, International Bankers, Secular Humanists, "Progressive" Educators, New Age Gurus, The United Nations, American Politicians, Secret Societies, Fabian Socialists, Darwinists, Marxists, and Technology is working in concert to construct the New Age World Order -- the dark prince's inky social condition. (Even if all of these ideologues do not recognize their dark, spiritual benefactor.) 
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And lest anyone be tempted to suspect that Brooke has reached conclusions that require a stretch of logic, he opens ONE WORLD with this succinct and transparent quote from Madeleine Albright's 1997 Harvard University commencement speech: "Today, I say that no nation in the world need be left out of the global system we are constructing." 
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Do read Tal Brooke's somewhat futuristic book before it becomes merely a history book. This Brooke will carry you, the reader, to the stormy sea of the coming New World and then identify the sly sharks that swim in it, so that you will not make the mistake of becoming their chum.
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~ Stephen T. McCarthy
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