Greetings! and Shabbat Shalom!

1. Teddy Bear Dunked in Commode - Reminder of Counterfeit Baptism
2. Cause and Effect in California: Gay Marriage and "Acts of God" Wildfires
3. Follow up: Insight into Subject of Clinton's Ominous Meeting

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1) Teddy Bear Dunked in Commode - Reminder of Counterfeit Baptism

* content expanded and moved here: Olympic Ceremony Symbolism - Part One

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2) Cause and Effect in California - Gay Marriage and "Acts of God" Wildfires

The Lord's judgment has begun, as many have observed, some rather personally. Sometimes the cause and effect relationship between the behavior and decisions that are due judgment and the outpouring of that judgment are rather direct. I believe this is the case regarding the recent wildfires and a Supreme Court decision.

Cause:

6/10/2008 - MSNBC - This article shows the matter being sales pitched to the public as an economic benefit, appealing to greed.
"The gay marriage ruling could give a big, sudden boost to California's sputtering economy, with thousands of same-sex couples from across the nation expected to converge on the state when the decision takes effect June 16. Hotels, restaurants, florists and other wedding services are reporting a flurry of business."

"The timely economic infusion has been noted by Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who twice vetoed bills that would have legalized gay marriage but has supported the court's decision. 'I hope that California's economy is booming because everyone is going to come here and get married,' Schwarzenegger told the California Chamber of Commerce."

6/16/2008 - MSNBC
"Dozens of gay couples were married Monday after a landmark ruling making California the second U.S. state to allow same-sex nuptials went into effect. At least five county clerks around the state extended their hours to issue marriage licenses, and many same-sex couples got married on the spot."

Effect:

7/4/2008 - IHT
"Since a series of dry lightning strikes ignited more than 1,500 wildfires across central and Northern California on June 21, more than 520,000 acres, or 814 square miles, of range and forest land has gone up in flames."

08/05/2008 - SJMN "A dry lightning storm in June set off more than 2,000 wildfires in the state."

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3) Follow up: Insight into Subject of Clinton's Ominous Meeting

In a recent email update (August 7), I reported on an ominous meeting. The Washington Post had reported that Bill Clinton had held a meeting at the Russian Tea Room in New York City with the sponsors of his Clinton Global Initiative with no media allowed. Given the history of the organization, driven by the man with notable history, I felt something important was at hand. Within a day the headlines were dominated by reports of a major escalation in the conflict between Russia and Georgia, both formerly of the Soviet Union. I have no inside information about whether that scenario was a topic discussed at the meeting. However, as one watching signs, knowing the marked history of the CGI makes anything done hush hush worthy of note. We watch, we pray for wisdom and insight. (Hmmmm. Interesting choice of locations for the meeting.)

Friday, August 8, 2008 - Yahoo News

I find "no media allowed" rather amusing since at least three sponsors are media moguls. (Ted Turner (Founder of CNN, WTBS), Rupert Murdoch (major shareholder, chairman and managing director of News Corporation (News Corp)), Richard Parsons (Chairman of the Board of Time Warner)) Certainly, nothing of the CGI public statements of agenda would seem to require secret meetings, but this organization is not what they seem to be. I have reposted an article on CGI connecting it with the covenant of Daniel 9:27: A Firm Covenant with the Many

In closing, I'd like to make a comment about media and journalism that most of you already know but some might not, and others may just need a reminder. First, I believe nationalism is a sin, unless you happen to be for Israel. If you have repented of that sin and can see America as simply a nation Yahweh uses to accomplish His purposes, with His help you can read news without bias and receive insight into the bias of the news. I say news, but little of the content is actually news. It is what the spin doctors present as news. Have you seen "V for Vendetta," the 2006 action-thriller film? I recommend it for something of an example of what we're really looking at. It is simply propaganda. So many lies on every hand. Only the report of the Lord is trustworthy. Seek Him for the facts and truths. The "media" keep selling what they will. Just don't buy in. If you haven't yet given a sober consideration of 9/11/2001 and considered the implications, isn't it time you took responsibility for in what and in whom you have faith?

Bob Schlenker
The Open Scroll