Volume 14 Issue 8 - August 1999 WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE? "These things also belong to the wise, it is not good to have respect of persons in judgment." (Proverbs 24:23) Before the launch of this eye-opening article, it must be made crystal clear that we do not advocate, nor have we ever advocated violence, murder, or mayhem to drive child-killing back to hell from whence it came. We deplore the misguided attempts to stop the shedding of innocent blood by becoming and using the same means the puppets of the devil use in the death camps throughout America to exterminate God’s precious unborn children. Our tactics which we have consistently relied upon are the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom at these sin-centers and the peaceful application of God’s Word to individuals, families, churches, and the community at large that tolerates this barbaric practice. We would never even dream of using violence to coerce or to be used as an instrument to accomplish God’s purposes of ending this reign of terror in our land. Our trust is in the power of regeneration. Our trust is in the convicting presence of the Holy Ghost that compels men to seek the truth that will set them free. Our trust is in Biblical Christianity that leads to repentance and peace with God. Our trust is in a changed mind and a transformed heart that cannot be imposed by murder, torture, or coercion, it must be embraced by those who perceive their need for redeeming grace. Having stated our position, we now turn to shine the light of truth upon the darkness that exposes the Clinton Administration for what it truly is, the lap-dog of the abortion industry. The hypocrisy, the pagan inconsistency, and the blatant discrimination is absolutely sickening. As you read the following statistics compiled by the U.S. Department of Labor, we pray the disparity, the disproportion, and the outright respect of persons that is afforded murdered abortion providers as compared to other murdered Americans will outrage you. The years 1993-1997 are the years that unfortunately claimed the lives of six abortion providers. Work-Related Homicides 1993-1997 U.S. Department of Labor 1) Garage and Service Station Attendants___________________________________121 2) Construction Workers, Garbage Collectors, etc_____________________________217 3) Restaurant and Motel Managers______236 4) Fast Food Employees, Counter Workers_______________________________322 5) Cab Drivers/Chauffeurs____________377 6) Business Executives and Administrators______________________________432 7) Convenience Store Cashiers, Store Clerks___________________________1,058 8) Abortion Industry__________________6 Only 13% of these work-related homicides were domestic, co-worker, or client related. The bulk of these murders were randomly committed for a variety of reasons. Notice the huge disparity between the number of murders committed against other workers of businesses and those involved in the wholesale slaughter of innocent children at abortion mills. Why is it, we don’t see the Clinton and Reno "Dog and Pony Show" holding press conferences for people murdered in other work-related homicides, as we do for those who die at abortion mills? Why is it we don’t see the Clinton Administration assign with our tax dollars Federal Marshalls to guard all these other businesses that have a much higher rate of murders and yet have no problem sending these same Federal Marshalls to be the personal body guards of abortionists? There were 1,058 store clerks murdered while 6 died at abortion mills and yet, if you called the Feds to report a store clerk murdered, they will tell you it is a local police matter. Why is it when a local abortionist dies it automatically becomes a Federal matter? Why no Grand Jury Investigations, F.A.C.E. Bills, and Injunctions that create Gospel-Free zones at abortion mills happening at other businesses when there is much more murder, violence, and mayhem being perpetrated there? How has this grisly trade become the "sacred cow" of this Administration and garnered for itself the most favored business status in America? Could it be that the Clinton Administration considers abortionists more valuable or more worthy of protection than other Americans who obviously are in much graver danger? Again, while we are not condoning in any shape, form, or fashion violence against those who work in the abortion industry, there are still some more questions that need to be answered. Why is it when Abortionist Bernard Slepian was gunned down in Buffalo, NY, Janet Reno held a press conference promising to use the full weight of U.S. power to bring the murderer to justice, but never mentioned, nor promised this same response by our government to the twelve other Americans who were murdered that very same day? In fact, Ms. Reno never even mentioned these other American’s names. Why is it our government is spending millions of dollars, has assigned 200 FBI agents, put up a million dollar reward, and placed Eric Rudolph on the FBI’s most wanted list, when there are far more dangerous serial killers on the loose in America? Eric Rudolph, by the way, is a suspect accused of bombing a Birmingham abortion mill which killed a "security guard" and wounded a "nurse." He is also a suspect in bombing an abortion mill, a "gay" club, and the Olympics in Atlanta. You can be assured, this Administration knows it can never stop the violence at abortion mills once a person decides to commit capital murder and is willing to be executed for it. They know full well that no amount of F.A.C.E. Bills or any other "laws" can prevent that. The truth is, they take these draconian measures, not to stop the violence at abortion mills, but to remove from them all effective peaceful opposition. In fact, before the Clinton Administration, there were no murders committed at abortion mills. But since they have utilized the full weight of our government to crush peaceful, pro-life, Christians, the violence has escalated. Thus fulfilling President John Kennedy’s warning, "If you make peaceful protest impossible, you make violent revolution inevitable." The bottom line is, there is something terribly wrong once you truly examine these figures. Our government has become the bloody lap-dog for the "Death Merchants" in America. It is high time this nonsense stopped or else at least stop this blatant hypocrisy, by showing the same concern for all murdered Americans. THE DAYTON APOLOGETIC "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." (Jude 3) Supposedly, on August 23rd, in the year of our Lord 1999, the case of the U.S. government vs Operation Rescue, Flip Benham and I, along with 7 others will commence. We have been charged with the infamous F.A.C.E. Bill which makes it a Federal crime to peaceably intervene to protect the lives of unborn children who are made in the image of God. Typically, in the opening round of the judicial process it is a foregone conclusion that we will be found guilty as sin. Traditionally, we have fared just slightly better in the appeal process, though what can you expect from a system that believes the ripping apart of little babies in the womb is a protected Constitutional right? This is the same system, by the way, that will send you to jail for a year along with a five thousand dollar fine if one would dare to harm an eagle’s egg or nest. Apparently, this Administration finds a bird in an egg far more worthy of protection than a human being in the womb. God help us! Though, I have been cautioned not to write this article because the U.S. government can use it against us, it is imperative that Jesus Christ be lifted up and the truth of His Word be proclaimed, regardless of the repercussions. For this case is not us, Operation Rescue, or even abortion, it is about "Who is Lord?" and "Whose laws are to govern in the affairs of man?" It’s about Jesus Christ and His revealed will being accomplished on earth as it is in Heaven. Therefore the following are some prayerful thoughts put to paper concerning this upcoming case. Most likely, we will not be permitted to speak these heartfelt convictions in this court of "law," so this will be sent to the judge, prosecuting attorneys, Janet Reno, and Bill Clinton after they have found us guilty for being Christians who love our Lord and our neighbor as ourselves. 1) First of all, we are not anarchists and do have an abiding respect for all lawful authority, but as Christians, when man’s law comes into conflict with God’s law, we must obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29). We do not promote civil disobedience, but Biblical obedience. This distinction is crucial in understanding the spirit, the message, and the actions that we have taken. We believe in Biblical submission to civil authority by trusting God and continuing to do good, in spite of threats by government to cease and desist righteous action in the face of legalized evil and injustice. There are two laws which are being violated here today, "Thou shalt not kill," and "Do not trespass" to protect innocent lives that are scheduled to die in violation of God’s law. I will submit to you, whether or not it be right to hearken unto "Do not trespass" more than "Thou shalt not kill," you be the judge. 2) Secondly, we are not violent criminals that shoot abortionists, nor bomb clinics, though sometimes we have been treated as such. We are Christians, governed by the gospel of Jesus Christ, therefore the end does not justify the means. The same God that judges the purity of man’s motivations, intents and convictions also judges the manner in which man acts upon those convictions. It is clear, evil practices do not accomplish righteous purposes. We cannot become what we are seeking to end. The Bible is precise on this matter. "Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21)." It is good to peaceably and non-violently intervene to protect innocent babies in the womb who are scheduled to die, though they have committed no crime that is worthy of death. Obviously, the U.S. Government considers this an evil, criminal act that needs to be punished. Thus fulfilling God’s woe upon our nation that calls evil, good, and good, evil (Isaiah 5:20). 3) As Christians, we are obligated and duty-bound according to God’s Word to "Speak for those who cannot speak for themselves" (Proverbs 30:9). The Bible commands in Proverbs 24:11,12, in the Living Bible translation, "To rescue those unjustly sentenced to death, do not stand back and watch them die, for God who know all hearts, knows yours, and He knows you knew." In Psalms 82:3,4, God Almighty declares, "Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy, deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked." It is in fulfilling these, as well as many other commands from Holy Scripture, that our livelihood, finances, and quite possibly our freedoms stand in jeopardy. Though these proceedings certainly present a danger to us personally, we are more concerned about the danger that will be done to our system of government, law, and justice if these Scriptures are not fulfilled. Let me explain, we have briefly presented the Biblical and spiritual foundations that state the intent and motive that will probably accomplish little in justifying our actions before this earthly court (though we are assured of vindication when we stand before the Heavenly one). Be that as it may, the bottom line is, there are also political and governmental implications that are inherent in our actions and this subsequent case. It is clear that our Founding Fathers recognized the need for checks and balances to restrain the avarice of man, to correct injustice, and to suppress tyranny and oppression that specifically relates to civil government. In their collective wisdom they gave us a precious gift called the redress of grievance. When we go to these modern day death camps of America, we go not only armed spiritually with God’s Word to do battle with the powers of darkness that are lying, killing, and destroying the humanity for which Christ died to redeem, but we also go to peaceably assemble to redress this grievance of legalized child-killing in America. Surely there is a legitimate grievance with a practice that violates our national covenant of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. A grievance that betrays the sacred trust of government that is ordained by God to protect life and stop the shedding of innocent blood. A grievance that violates fatherhood, motherhood, and the oath of good medical practice that was to promote health and life instead of this senseless brutal killing of the innocent. In light of this, instead of our government allowing this peaceful redress of grievance to run its course, which historically, eventually made the necessary adjustments and corrections that preserved our integrity as a nation, we find ourselves the target of this same government. A government that finds itself in a precarious position of perverting the system it has sworn to uphold in order to continue to defend the indefensible, the murder of unborn babies. A government whose obvious goal is to crush this redress of grievance before it has the chance to change America, by bringing this holocaust to an end. There can be no doubt that abortion would have ended years ago if only our government had not been the willing dupe that bolsters this bloody, abominable industry. I plead with this court and all those who are involved in this travesty of justice to consider your ways. Consider why our federal government has created this witch hunt that threatens, badgers, fines, arrests, jails and legislates peaceful, pro-life Christians off the streets of our land. Why is America today afraid of redress of grievance? Could it be that we will one day awaken from our drunken blood-lust to find our Emperor has no clothes on? I beg of you to proceed with caution and rethink your legal position. Please consider what will happen to our legal system if you consolidate the full force of the U.S. Government to crush this redress of grievance in order for this current corrupt system to continue to defend the indefensible. Seriously consider what further damage may be done to our government, law, and justice in trying to stop the inevitable. Abortion will end in America. It is not a matter of if, it is only a matter of when and at what cost to our nation. Will you be part of the solution that will end this reign of terror or will you stubbornly defend the problem at the expense of our nation’s future? "THE WEEK" IN FLORIDA We just returned from our trip to Florida/Georgia and what a trip it was! The adventure began on Mon. night when we preached at a teen church called "Hearts on Fire." About 7 souls were saved. (including our 7 yr. old daughter, Charity!) We did a skit called "This is Your Life" where Rusty is judged and goes to hell. It impacted her to tears as she surrendered her life to Jesus Christ. On Wed. our time with the Youth Explosion (a youth camp at Christian Retreat) began. Rusty preached to over a 1,000 young people 3 times and had a private meeting with over 50 youth pastors from across the nation. Flip Benham and his twin sons joined him to challenge the youth pastors. Each meeting the altars were filled with young people surrendering to Christ’s Lordship and pledging to join the Gentle Revolution to make a difference in their generation. On Thurs. we participated in the "Tell the Truth"Campaign, in which a group of committed Christians, led by young people(!) held graphic abortion signs at St. Armond’s Circle, the hub of the cultural elite businesses of Sarasota. What we found was underneath the facade of makeup, fine clothes, shining jewelry and quaint shops, the literal demons of hell manifested as the light of truth shined in the darkness. While Flip was preaching to the city of Sarasota, a man came right up and cut his microphone cord! After the system was restored, a 19 yr-old Josh (dubbed at our KLI ceremony last year) took over and began preaching. It wasn’t long before a beautiful sophisticated woman came up with scissors in hand to attack him! Intervened by Linda McGlade, she continued to push Linda away, aiming to destroy the sound system. She literally picked up the PA system and began to run with it, until she dropped it. Enraged, she picked it up and began throwing it to the ground. Flailing wildly, she broke away from the group of Christians who witnessed her attack and ran up the street past a crowd of applauding store owners and customers. Undaunted, we continued to preach the gospel, only now with police protection. Our children got quite an education on what happens to Christians when they boldly proclaim the truth in love, even in the most chic of places. At the exact time in another area of St. Armond’s, a nicely dressed woman grabbed a young man’s sign, Scott Heldreth, from behind him, threw it to the ground and began stomping on it. (Interestingly, we hardly ever get such a physically aggressive response from the "bad side of towns.") Thurs. night began the Kingdom Leadership Institute. The opening rally was used to prepare the young people to deal with the godless injunction which was being used to create a gospel-free bubble zone at their local death camp. There were a few brave Christians who were willing to cross the line, violate the injunction, preach the gospel, save lives and let the "Powers that Be" know that Christians are not 2nd class citizens. Those who were willing to cross the line could have faced up to 6 months in jail. The only way to get out would be to "purge" themselves and recant of their Christian pro-life activities. Well, praise God, by virtue of this willingness to suffer harm for righteousness sake, the City backed up, recanted, and took the injunction away and the abortion mill closed its doors, while the Church was at the Gates. These were major victories that indeed show that God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all could ask or think. We continued the KLI training and instruction on Sat. and ended the event with a public baptismal service at Manatee Beach. We publicly preached the Gospel on the sound system, challenging the 7 candidates of baptism to be true disciples of Christ and plunged them in the waters, raising them up to newness of life. Thanks to all of you who prayed for this trip and for the advancement of His Kingdom. We appreciate it very much. A WORD TO SARASOTA "Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people." (Jeremiah 9:1) This message was written by Linda McGlade in a tract that we passed out throughout the city of Sarasota. Flip also preached it on the streets with such power that my heart broke as I wept uncontrollably for Sarasota and America.
IN KING JESUS’ SERVICE, Rusty Lee Thomas |