That Israeli missile fired from an F-16 over Gaza took out an Hamas terrorist leader and his entire family, but also a lot of Palestinian civilians. Ariel Sharon was apologetic about the latter. Still, he called it "a great success" to finally get Shehadah. The U.N. and E.U. both expressed disapproval as Hamas vows revenge and peace talks collapse again. I thought about "Christmas in July" that's been observed some places in this country, and longed for the Prince of Peace to reappear in His own native land.   As I read from Luke about the shepherds arrival in Bethlehem that night of Nativity (in the NewRSV), I noted that Mary "treasured all these things in her heart." It was clear that such divine intervention is our true wealth, rather than the stock market. We see that Enron's downfall last year has been exceeded by Worldcom's, which is twice as big. Friday's plunge on Wall Street was followed by a nearly "black Monday" which is probably carrying over to this Tuesday morning while I write. So the eleventh verse from Ps.119. echoes that experience of Mary on nativity night so long ago: "I treasure Your word in my heart, that I might not sin." Even the number of the verse seems to conquer signs of calamity as the nine stands boldly amid both elevens, 11911. Now as we have heard "chapter eleven" being invoked again, with this largest bankruptcy in American history, we can sense anew our Lord's warning, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth...but lay up treasures in heaven." Or his words to the rich, young ruler: "Go sell all that you have and give to the poor. Then come and follow Me." The rich young ruler didn't do it then, but some think that later he's the Levite from Cypress named Joseph whom the Apostles renamed Barnabus after he finally obeyed, having accepted Jesus as his Savior and Lord (Acts 4:36&7). Bar is "son" and Nabus is "consolation." So he was their "son of consolation" amid all their need. Instead of saying that corporation CEOs had "cooked the books" thus causing today's collapse, I think we should say they "crooked the books," making them sons of economic disaster.   And banks have become a target of doubt for making them such fantastic loans.

Hospitals are also getting flack over reports from a study showing how many deaths result from their lack of proper hygiene. It seems as ironic as the recent exposures within the Catholic church: a place that seems the most safe is fraught with peril. Infections caught in hospitals is the fourth cause of death. The CDC has listed 90,000 last year across the nation. What a shocker. Then a report on hormone replacement therapy for women that showed dangers in continued use of estrogen has added more alarm about health.

Now there's an added worry about our aviation industry that got so much federal subsidy right after 9/11, drunken pilots. Two guys from AZ have been called on the carpet by AmericaWest, for "flying high" with passengers aboard.   Banks, churches, and now airlines! What's next? The central text of the Bible, Ps.118:8, tells us the way to go: "It is better to take refuge in the LORD, than to put confidence in mortals." At this time of year, I know the heat for prison inmates gets sever. They can have fans but no air conditioners. Yet those who come to chapel have Bibles and really study them. I'm glad to be associated with Glen Simonsen who teaches the International Lesson straight from Scripture. He gets the Word of God out where it's so badly needed. This is the season of prison riots, but GOD's word helps men keep their cool. And with confidence being shaken everywhere, we need to drink more than ever the cool, clear water of the Word, our Bible. Sent e-mail message From: josepha@webtv.net (Joseph A Hazlitt) Date: Fri, Jul 26, 2002, 8:24am To: p

What a funeral that was on TV out at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove CA. Four or five thousand came to say farewell to little five year old Semanth Runnion. Too bad the guy in jail for raping and strangling her couldn't have been already convicted, because the Orange county sheriff was so certain he had the right man. Was good to see a sheriff being the main hero in these days when police are so often vilified. They have to be so technically correct today that offenders get a big advantage if any detail is improper. Just look at the report that was our Wednesday headline, "Illegal search leads to dropped charges." Seems that a sheriff has to be a Pharisee to get convictions these days.   Amazing to me that there are so many guys wanting the job, five running for election.   But the gals all want to be county treasurer. Now why that gender difference?   One for the power and the other to keep our money?

Now there's a hassle developing over fast food chains. We"ve been hearing that obesity is a major health problem in America. So some guy is trying to sue them because he's so over weight. How's that for passing the buck? Yet the lawyers are able to draw comparisons to the huge fines laid on tobacco companies and it may just turn into a class action. I saw fifteen billion as the money fast foods make each year. And we know how the legal eagles would like to get a slice of that. It was reported that McDonalds had already paid twelve million to head off such trouble. Fasten your seat belt for the wild ride ahead.

I dread to see the creation of that cabinet level Homeland Security Agency because it will be a fantastic expense of billions and billions to employ some 200,000 keeping watch for terrorists. Looks like the plan to get volunteers in a "tips" program of warning has gone down the tube. Since it's our president that wants the department, I guess I'll go along. But bureacracy so seldom solves problems; just adds to them instead. If only all the laws we've had on the books had been enforced, our nation wouldn't be so full of illegal and undocumented aliens. But Bush just had to take over a situation that had already developed.   The only good memory I have of days before him were reports of a budget surplus. Though I considered them to be phony. Now our Congress can't even adopt a budget it appears. We just go on with "continuing resolutions."   At least the stoçk market rebounded Wednesday. Let's hope that continues and that we seek first the Kingdom of GOD and His righteousness. You know I mean that as individuals. Just don't have enough faith to expect it from the whole nation, thought it should be America's goal.   Come Lord Jesus ASAP

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