Beware of "The Daniel Plan"

     I've not been shy about voicing my opinion of various programs and strategies that today's Church incorporates to fill the seats in their mega-sanctuaries.  Why is it so important to make the Church parallel the world?  Aren't we supposed to separate ourselves from the world and offer them something they can only get through faith in the Lord?
     In this vein, I want to share a flagrant attempt to minister to the flesh of mankind, instead of to their spirits.  Expressing the common theme of weight loss that is often associated with the advent of each New Year, I ran across a warning about a tempting series being led by Rick Warren, the controversial evangelical preacher.  Apparently, the program has been around for a few years, and is still publicized on the Saddleback Church website.  It promotes fasting as a means to a healthier lifestyle, as well as a technique to obtain direction from God in your life.  Titled Daniel Plan: 40 Days To a Healthier Life, it is purported to be based on the Biblical concept of fasting.

     In the Bible, God's people often combine fasting with their prayers in order to stir up their zeal and renew their dedication and commitment to Him.  Fasting, in the Biblical sense, is meant to get our minds focused on our need for God, and to draw nearer to Him.  But in developing this plan for weight loss and dedication to the Lord, Rick Warren has obtained the services of three doctors with questionable credentials, when it comes to the Christian Church.  And you should know that the subtitle for The Daniel Plan is Merging Faith and Functional Medicine.  We will find out exactly what that means as I introduce you to the so-called medical experts.
     Dr. Mark Hyman, Dr. Daniel Amen and Dr. Mehmet Oz  where the key contributors to the Daniel Plan, and all have strong ties to either the New Age movement, or non-Christian faiths.  Dr. Hyman is a practicing Buddhist and he has studied the correlation between living a long life and the ancient Indo-Tibetan practices of meditation and training the mind.  You can check out his philosophy on this article he wrote, How the Dalai Lama Can Help You Live To 120.  
     Dr. Amen allegedly promotes a non-Christian form of meditation known as Kirtan Kriya, which is a 12-minute meditation exercise involving chanting that has its origins in Kundalini yoga.  What is this particular form of yoga?  Kundalini yoga is a type of yoga that attempts to arouse and raise the kundalini, believed to be Shakti or "creative divine energy" which supposedly sleeps in the form of a coiled snake at the base of the spine. It employs pranayama or breathing exercises, visualization, asanas (body poses) and mudras (hand positions) along with chanting and meditation to awaken and then raise the kundalini.  This gets into the promises of  "awakening the third eye", and "gaining the knowledge of God" -- very dangerous ground!
     Next, is Dr. Mehmet Oz, who rose to fame with the help of Oprah Winfrey, who featured him on her show.  Dr. Oz and his endorsement of alternative health remedies recently came under fire during a Senate subcommittee hearing on weight loss scams.  But it may be even more important to recognize that he is a practicing Muslim of Turkish-American descent, who, along with his wife, is a follower of Emmanuel Swedenborg, a cult leader who died in 1772. Swedenborg was a Swedish Protestant fundamentalist who turned to spiritualism later in his life and became a famous trance medium. He claims to have turned to the occult after receiving a vision of Jesus in which the Lord asked him to abandon his profession as a scientist and devote himself to theology.
     What do all three of these physicians have in common?  A belief in some form of meditation or mysticism.  And Rick Warren is bringing them into the Church?!?!  By loosely tying their secular and religious philosophies to the Biblical principles of "fasting and prayer", it is my opinion that Warren is guilty of false teaching and leading the Church astray.  And the carrot he is dangling before his flock?  The one thing that his church members seem to want more than a true and authentic relationship with their Creator ... to lose weight!  But I'm afraid that their involvement with what is deceptively called "contemplative prayer" could actually be the devil's instrument.
     After reading a personal account of someone who attended an inaugural launch of the program at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church, there are so many buzz-words that set off my spiritual alarm system ... references to the Egyptian pyramids and how "man can do anything he puts his mind to"; healing "communities" that will "live sustainably" and "change the world"; and "Spiritual connection" in the nonphysical realm through meditation.  I just want to categorize this heresy as a combination between Agenda 21 and the Occult.
     To make matters worse, apparently the three doctors introduced themselves as a Jew, a Christian, and a Muslim; and announced that they were "all the same" underneath the skin.  Sounds kind of like an ecumenical and One-World Religion sales pitch to me.
     But there is one thing that I want you to take away from this blog post today (and do your own follow-up research; especially if this program is being offered in your church).  The Daniel Plan is just one tentacle of what is called Emergence Christianity (which morphed out of the Emerging Church movement).  And one of the most dangerous tenets of The Daniel Plan is called Contemplative Spirituality, which according to the Lighthouse Trails Research Project, is "A belief system that uses ancient mystical practices to induce altered states of consciousness (the silence), and is rooted in mysticism and the occult; but is often wrapped in Christian terminology. The premise of contemplative spirituality is pantheistic (God is all) and panentheistic (God is in all)."
     When proponents, like Rick Warren, attempt to liken the Biblical concepts of "fasting and prayer" to Contemplative Spirituality, they are teaching false doctrine.  One of the methods of the "Mind Science" that the three good doctors are promoting has, as its goal, to empty and free the mind and empower oneself.  But there is danger in emptying one's mind and opening it to "commune with the divine".  Satan's demons love nothing more than an empty mind in which to take up habitation.
     Nowhere in the Bible are we taught to pray and fast in order to empty our minds.  We are not to seek a supernatural "experience", but to focus on the Word of God.  Indeed, we are to fill our minds with "those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable." (Philippians 4:8) .... and the only One who fits that description is Jesus Christ.
     So don't be fooled if your Church is offering a community-based, spiritual "experience" that uses the "meditative" aspects of prayer and fasting to lose weight.  I mean, just read back over that last sentence ... does it sound like anything Jesus would have proposed?  Isn't He our model on how to live a Christian life?  Run as fast as you can from The Daniel Plan -- and your church, for that matter, if they are promoting this heretical and dangerous program.  Have nothing to do with any "spiritual tradition" that is practiced by other faiths.  Any ritual, or practice, or belief system that suggests you can draw closer to God and does not exalt Jesus Christ, is clearly false.  The only way to commune with God is through His Son.  Beware of the wolves that lead their sheep to slaughter!

If you are interested in a more comprehensive study of the Daniel Plan, I would highly suggest that you read this article by Justin Edwards.  

Psalm 19:14   "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer."
   

You Can't Take Our Heroes Away From Us!

     Well, that didn't take long!  Nearly as soon as the news broke that the movie American Sniper was breaking all kinds of box office records, the haters in Hollywood came unglued.  Michael Moore and Seth Rogen couldn't wait to denigrate the memory of Navy Seal, Chris Kyle.  I wonder if they've even seen the movie.  But, as evidenced by the 10,000+ comments to their disrespectful tirades, the public doesn't give a damn what they think.  
     It is quite apparent that the Haters, and others like them, do not understand why millions like myself, who saw the film, sat in reverent silence as the final minutes on screen showed the motorcade carrying his body for burial at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin.  I don't think they can even imagine why thousands of people lined the 200-mile route along Interstate 35, during a cold, rainy day, to pay tribute to a man who stood for the American values of God, Country, and Family.

Paying tribute to a hero 

     And I guess there's our explanation why they hate the success that this movie is enjoying ... they hate everything that Chris Kyle held dear.  They hate God; they certainly hate the America that we love and that Chris Kyle fought to protect; and they hate the family values that teach love and respect for all three principles.
     How it must gall them to see a movie like American Sniper be liked, admired, and supported by so many people!  But their hate has so blinded them, that they can't see past it.  They can't see that the movie stands for so much more than the politics of the Iraq War or the reputation of Chris Kyle as "the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history."  I think I can speak for most who stood in endless lines throughout this past weekend to see the movie .... this film captures not only the heart and soul of a patriotic American, but the tremendous toll that our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have taken upon our military and their families.  And we need to recognize that!  Perhaps better than any other vehicle, American Sniper puts American civilians in the shoes of a combat service member.  We see -- and feel -- what our government has asked our military to do, supposedly on our behalf.  (I applaud the movie for keeping the storyline focused on the impact on Chris Kyle and his family, rather than bringing the Military-Industrial Complex into the picture).  And I hope that the film will start dissolving the psychological and emotional barriers that have occurred between members of the military and the civilian public.
      I read a very well-written review by an Iraq War veteran, Paul Rieckhoff, who is CEO and founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).  In his article, Mr. Rieckhoff stated, "The film exposes the incomparable distance we’ve created (and irresponsibly allowed to grow) in this country between what is now essentially a warrior class and everyone else. It’s tearing open a shameful national boil of a discussion that’s been bubbling below our collective skin for far too long. And with that, it performs an exceptionally important public service in a way only film can."
     Of course, Mr. Rieckhoff views this distance from the warrior class, and seems to view the civilian class as disconnected and disinterested.  I will agree that this is true of some people.  And I understand that it is only natural for those who have experienced the horrors of this war to sequester themselves among fellow warriors.  We cannot possibly understand what they have witnessed and endured.  And any attempt on our part to connect with them has been difficult; from our inability to share their experience, to their reluctance to include us.  That conversation couldn't even take place between Chris and Taya Kyle!  It would be impossible between the Military and the American Public.  Yet, I wish there could be a way for our warriors to understand that so much of the public wanted that conversation; wanted to be able to express our support and our pride, but it was never encouraged, often awkward, and there seemed no way to bridge the divide.
     American Sniper has shown the public the way that war looks, sounds, tastes, smells, and feels ... and it is truly haunting.  It is haunting because of the raw pain Chris Kyle experienced on his way to becoming a legend and a national hero; haunting because this embattled man's job was to take lives in order to save lives; haunting because he felt he hadn't done enough to ensure that more warrior's came home; and haunting because he was on the path to discovering a new purpose, and recovering his joy for life.    

     Hollywood can try to distort his legacy all they want, but we Texans are very proud of our heroes; of men like Chris Kyle and Marcus Luttrell who stand up for old-fashioned and politically incorrect values.  I have had the opportunity to meet Mr. Luttrell and Chris Kyle's parents.  How can one ever express to them what it means to you as an American citizen to know that men like them are willing to take a stand against Evil?  How do you say "thank you" and let them know you will never forget their sacrifice, nor take their service for granted?  Perhaps American Sniper can be the beginning of this much-needed conversation.  The Iraq War has divided much of America.   Maybe this film will be the beginning of reconciliation between those who fought and those who always believed in them.

Psalm 144:1    "Blessed be the Lord my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle—"


   
   

Mark 12:30

"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart..."

    How many times have we read this familiar Scripture?  We know it is important, (along with loving God with all our soul, mind, and strength) because the premise is repeated throughout the Bible; and three of the four Apostles quote it directly in their epistles.  

     In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, each of the writers presents the narrative of the Pharisees testing Jesus about the commandments.  In each of these Gospel renditions, Jesus teaches that loving God is the greatest (and primary) commandment, and out of that will come the second commandment: to love others as we love ourselves.  

     But Mark's gospel provides a richness and a depth that goes beyond the other two.  First of all, he quotes Jesus as saying further, "There is none other commandment greater than these."  And this is why I chose this particular Scripture today.  You see, I am writing this because I need to explore if I am loving God with all my heart.

     At this particular season in my spiritual life, I am questioning if I am really loving God as He commands.  I desperately want my heart to be consumed with love for Him!  I have no doubts about my desire to seek Him, my longing to know more of Him, or my wish to glorify Him and tell the world about His saving Grace.  But there are times that I wonder if I love Him as much as He is worthy of being loved.  

     It is easy to say we love God, isn't it?  But what should that feel like?  I can tell you what it feels like to love my husband, because there is no love of another person that compares to it.  But the love of my God is to be greater than that; I am to love Him with ALL my heart, or as some Bible translations say, with my WHOLE heart.  

     I honestly believe that loving God in this way should bring me to my knees in the magnitude of it, and that it should illicit tears of joy and awe --- not in a conspicuous fashion as to boast of it, but in the secrecy of my private moments with Him.  After all, the heart is the center of our powerful emotions and desires.  What affects our lives (our affections) are borne here, and impacts how we conduct our lives.  It is in our human nature to cling to whatever we have affection for.  Shouldn't God be at the top of that list?  I confess that, too often, He is in the background when He should be center stage.

    Which leads us to another well-known Scripture:  "For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.” (Matthew 6:21).  Intellectually, I know that God is my treasure.  And I know that my heart loves what I treasure.  But is God my Supreme treasure?  Is He my all-consuming Treasure?  If He was, shouldn't I feel it, and know it?  Am I not loving Him enough; as completely as He ought to be?  

      I have searched for answers to my dilemma, both within Scripture and in notable commentaries, and they all seem to portray loving God with all your heart as including a decision to pursue Him; to studying the Bible and what it says about the glory of who Jesus is and what He has done; that this will grow a love for Him in your heart.  I actively do these things, but I sometimes wonder if I have somehow stifled the growth of my love through the distractions of this world.  I want to know what it feels like to devote all my heart to Him.  

     I know this sounds like I am on a never-ending circular debate, and perhaps the scribe in the following verses of Mark 12 is the key to my answer.  Apart from his fellow Pharisees, the scribe seeks Jesus to tell him that he recognizes the Truth of the commandment.  Furthermore, he states that he knows that loving God with all our heart, understanding, soul and strength (and loving our neighbor as ourselves) pleases God more than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices that Israel has to offer.  Jesus's answer validates the scribe's understanding and He tells him "Thou art not far from the kingdom of God."  

     Jesus is encouraging him to continue in furthering his understanding and knowledge of what pleases God -- he is told he's "not far" from the kingdom of grace and glory.  Perhaps loving God with all my heart is a process; a journey.  Maybe it's not about static emotion and feeling, as much as it is about a continual pursuing of Him.  Perhaps my heart cannot be wholly consumed with love for Him until I have reached the full capacity of the discoveries of Himself that God will deposit in my heart.  Just maybe, by seeking ever-greater time and intimacy with Him; of being conscious of how I express my love of Him to other people, I can make pleasing Him the focus of my heart, my mind, and the works of my soul.  And I have a feeling my heart will swell with the joy of loving Him in all my ways!

What Are We Afraid Of?

     After nearly a month without Fox News, due to their feud with Dish Network, I must admit that it was kind of nice to take my eyes off scripted news reports and discern my own perceptions of world events.  So, as I cautiously returned to Fox's version of the news yesterday morning, I guess I shouldn't have been surprised to see the same old reluctance to tell the truth.

    The anchor, Bill Hemmer, was informing the audience that ISIS in Iraq had released a new round of propaganda photos, and he warned us that, not only were they graphic, but that Fox had made the decision not to show the most disturbing ones.  He then followed his advisory with three photos:  two men who had been crucified after being convicted of a theft; a woman being stoned on the grounds that she committed adultery; and an image of a hooded man being thrown from a roof for being gay.  The faces were all blurred or blocked out.  I guess these images were deemed "acceptable" by the media giant.

     But PLW and I were both disgusted by what we saw as the cowardice of Fox News -- and all media, for that matter -- for refusing to present the truth.  ALL of these sentences were carried out as a result of Sharia Law.  That part of the story was never told.  I guess the narrative they wanted to present was "This is the action of a radicalized version of Islam".  But I have a real problem with that rendition of "the news"... it is not the complete truth.  These actions by ISIS are the implementation of Sharia Law, which is a primary tenet of the faith of Islam.  It is the moral code and religious law of that ancient religion.  That begs the following questions:  "Has Sharia Law been corrupted?"; "Do all followers of Islamic faith adhere to Sharia Law?"; and "Will Muslims denounce these actions being perpetrated in the name of Sharia Law?"  Don't you think this is part of the discussion we should be having to help determine the true nature of the threat against us?

     Here are some of my further thoughts:  First of all, by refusing to show the untouched versions of ALL the horrific images, the media is attempting to sanitize the images; and in so doing, they diminish the full impact of ISIS's demonic actions.  While the media hesitantly declares these acts evil, and the need to defeat these enemies of the West, I want to shout at the TV, How do you defeat something you are not allowed to see or watch?  Ignoring these images, will not make them go away!
     But before we can defeat this enemy, we also need to come to terms with the fact that this battle is spiritual in nature, as well.  The army of ISIS is very real ... don't get me wrong!  And Sharia Law is their goal; their methods of forcing their ideology on the world are physical and brutal.  They are flesh and blood.  But we cannot deny, nor ignore, that this is a battle that wages in Heaven, as well.  Satan is simply repeating his age-old system of destruction.  As long as he can continue to deceive man, and influence groups like ISIS, his plan is working.  I guess I'm naive to think that the media could recognize that.

     So, it all plays nicely into the hands of those who wish to destroy us.  ISIS's propaganda message then becomes:  There's no place to hide; you might as well submit (to Sharia Law), or else this is coming to a neighborhood near you.  They've certainly made those threats clear.  We saw it in Paris, last week.  And there's no counterpoint from the media!  Every terrorist attack seems to be reported as an isolated event; and if a connection is made between ISIS and Islam and their presence in the West, there is a reluctance to call them the Enemy, or a rush to reduce the significance of their recruitment success.  And the merits of faith and corrupted religion are never mentioned.  Why are they afraid to portray the truth?  I can't help but believe that it is all orchestrated -- the mainstream media invent the truth, and leave social media to distort the truth, creating a muddled mess of flawed reporting and distorted discussions -- resulting in a populace that is unable to effectively organize or coordinate a defense against its earthly -- or spiritual -- enemy. 

     I could go into a long discussion of the spiritual warfare in which we find ourselves engaged; of the spiritual wickedness found in the powers and principalities that rule earthly leaders from the supernatural (heavenly) sphere.  But the American people don't want to hear that.  They haven't even been diligent in demanding the truth about what's going on before their very eyes!  I would submit that we've been waiting since 9/11 for the world to get on the same page and admit who our enemy is; but Satan has been successful in disguising his players and dissuading us from any spiritual discernment.  And look what we have reaped from allowing ourselves to be so deceived.  

     Unless the people of the earth throw off the shackles of fear and the false mantra of tolerance, Evil will not be abated.  It is growing; spreading and becoming more virulent.  How do we counter it? We must first see it for what it is, and remove the veil from our eyes.  And we are not to repay evil with evil.  (I know that is difficult for a lot of people).  But we must shower the throne room of God with prayers for our enemies; as Paul says, "in so doing, we will heap coals of fire upon their heads" -- not in an act of vengeance, but as an instrument of God's will to melt the hardness of their hearts.  Can we possibly turn this tide of obvious wickedness?  Only with God's help.  Even in the midst of such horrors, God will use this Evil for His purpose; to bring us to our knees, and to shine His light into the midst of the Darkness.  Seek the Truth and stay focused on Him!

1 John 1:6    "If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth."

The Obsolete Man

     The title of this blog post is taken from a famous episode of The Twilight Zone; that strange TV series of the early 60s that showcased the genius of its host, producer, and writer, Rod Serling.  As so often, with TVs and Movies, we can see predictions of the future, as if the producers know something that we don't, and are surreptitiously either warning us, or gloating, over their superior knowledge.
     I think you will find this particular episode of the anthology series rather interesting. As Mr. Serling introduces the opening scenes of the show, he describes a feeble little man (Mr. Wordsworth) standing before a tribunal of the State.  As the Narrator, Serling announces, You walk into this room at your own risk, because it leads to the future; not a future that will be, but one that might be. (Camera pans to Narrator) This is not a new world: It is simply an extension of what began in the old one. It has patterned itself after every dictator who has ever planted the ripping imprint of a boot on the pages of history since the beginning of time. It has refinements, technological advancements, and a more sophisticated approach to the destruction of human freedom. But like every one of the super states that preceded it, it has one iron rule: Logic is an enemy, and truth is a menace. (Camera switches to the convicted man) This is Mr. Romney Wordsworth, in his last forty-eight hours on Earth. He's a citizen of the State, but will soon have to be eliminated, because he's built out of flesh and because he has a mind. Mr. Romney Wordsworth, who will draw his last breaths in the Twilight Zone.
     It appears that Mr. Wordsworth has been declared obsolete because the State has outlawed books.  Therefore, his job as a librarian, is no longer needed.  However, as his name declares, this librarian still sees worth in words, and he will not give up his occupation easily.  But notice the response of the Chancellor of the State:  Since there are no more books, Mr.Wordsworth, there are no more libraries, and, of course, as it follows, there is very little call for the services of a librarian. Case in point: A minister. A minister would tell us that his function is that of preaching the word of God. And since it follows that since The State has proven that there is no God, that would make the function of a minister quite academic as well....
     The good Mr. Wordsworth then loudly proclaims that THERE IS A GOD!  To which the State angrily replies that they have declared there is NO GOD, and therefore his opinion, as well as he, himself, are obsolete.  Mr. Wordsworth responds by saying, "I don't care!  I am a human being!  I exist ... and if I speak one thought aloud, that thought lives, even after I'm shoveled into my grave.
     The State shouts back, DELUSIONS! The Bible, poetry, essays, all kinds, all of it are opiate to make you think you have a strength, when you have no strength at all!!!  After some further derision of Wordsworth's delusions of the human state, the Chancellor and his Board of the State passes judgment on the humble little man.  Mr. Wordsworth is pronounced obsolete and he is to die, in a manner of his choice, in the next 48 hours.  But he has another plan....

     He asks to be able to choose his own method of death, and that it take place in his apartment.  This is rather unorthodox, but the request is granted, and he invites the Chancellor to meet with him just prior to the carrying out of the sentence.  The Chancellor accepts and finds the little man surrounded by the books he loves so much, and which the Chancellor abhors.  A discussion ensues, whereby the Librarian and the Chancellor discuss the lessons learned from the State under Hitler and Stalin; how they dealt with people they deemed obsolete and undesirable.  The Chancellor gloats, But their error was not one of excess it was simply not going far enough! Too many undesirables left around, and undesirables eventually create a corp of resistance. Old people for example, clutch at the past and won't accept the new. The sick, the maimed, the deformed, they fasten onto the healthy body and damage it. So WE eliminate them! And people like yourself, they can perform no useful function for The State, so...we put an end to them.
     The little Librarian lets the Chancellor rant about how proud he is of the methods they use to eliminate useless people and how proud he is that it is televised so that the rest of the citizenry can see it is useless to fight the State.  Then the little Librarian reveals his secret plan ... he had decided to die by a bomb exploding in his apartment.  The Chancellor is then horrified to find that the door has been locked and he cannot escape; apparently he will suffer death along with the Librarian.  He then calmly asks the Chancellor how he plans on spending his last moments before dying?  As for himself, the Librarian, sits down in a chair and begins to read from this beloved Bible:  The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want .... Defend me from them that rise up against me. Deliver me from the workers of iniquity and save me from the bloody men. For lo, they lie in wait for my soul... The fool that said in his heart"There is no God". The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there were any that did understand and seek God...  (There are tears in his eyes).
     By this time, the Chancellor is panicking, and screaming, In the Name of God, let me out!  In the last seconds before the bomb goes off killing the Librarian, he tells the Chancellor, Yes, in the name of God, I will let you out.  The next scene is of the Librarian sitting calmly in his chair, clutching his Bible, as the Chancellor cowers in fear under the stairs.  The bomb explodes and is televised across the country.
     The next image is of the Chancellor entering the Court Room of the State, where the crowd is chanting, Obsolete!  Obsolete!  He is pronounced guilty of disgracing the State, being a coward, and therefore serving no function.  He is dragged, whimpering from the room.  We next see Serling, as the Narrator, pronouncing, The chancellor, the late chancellor, was only partly correct. He was obsolete, but so is the State, the entity he worshiped. Any state, any entity, any ideology that fails to recognize the worth, the dignity, the rights of man, that state is obsolete. A case to be filed under "M" for mankind—in the Twilight Zone.

     This particular episode originally aired in 1961.  That's over a half century ago, and yet in God's timeline, it is barely a blink of His eye.  Do you not think that He knows the schemes of men and the spirit of Satan that lives in the wicked?  And men like Rod Serling must have been given great discernment to try to warn us of the days to come.  The themes that included the totalitarianism of the State, their efforts at euthanasia, collectivism, and the destruction of God and religion in society were way ahead of their times.  I invite you to watch the full episode on Youtube, and to read the entire manuscript.  I think you will find that we are seeing the culmination of Evil's ongoing plans to destroy the relationship between God and man.  It is worth your consideration, and still gives ample warning, these 53 years later.  Enjoy!

2 Corinthians 2:16-17   "To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ."
  

Is This Our New Normal?

     Are you like me, and finding it hard to remember what it was like to have days free of worry or concern over the affairs of the world?  When was the last time you remember a day without a headline screaming about a terrorist attack, or the imminent collapse of the economy?  The problem is, those topics used to seem like some obscure or vague threat.  We could pretend that these scenarios were just a vision of some whacked-out conspiracy nut.  Besides, there was plenty of good news to keep our minds focused on a rosy future ... like reports that the jobless rates were falling, the end to our foreign wars, and even our surge in energy independence.
     The space of time between reports of terror attacks, or downturns in the economy, were long enough that we could convince ourselves that they were just blips on the radar.  All the talk of End Times events were just the rants of religious fanatics, right?
     Of course, September 11, 2001 was the moment that we were all shaken out of our comfortable existences.  We began to look outside ourselves and see that the world truly was interconnected ... and beginning to spiral out of control. And I do not find it coincidental that 2001 was the year that PLW and I took a u-turn in the direction of our lives, and decided to trust God to lead us down His path, rather than the one the world prescribed.
     Although I found learning to trust Him to be a frightening period, it was never-the-less, a time of spiritual growth and a moderate, but increasing, period of prosperity.  I guess it was 2008 when I realized that I was in for another period of adjustment and spiritual growth.  I realized that there were forces outside our control that would effect our future --- not only how we lived and existed in the world, but that our spiritual life would also be tested.  I'm sure many of you have experienced the same journey.  Yet, the periods of smooth sailing were still there, and we could hope that the serious troubles were yet years away.
     But it seems, with the advent of 2015, that we have crossed over into the Twilight Zone.  It's like we have passed into some new dimension, from which there is no return.  And the Enemy is renewing his attacks on old fears and attempting to keep us from turning to God.  Even my most skeptical friends --- you know the ones; those who smirked every time I expressed my opinion that this country was still in the crosshairs of the terrorists --- are now admitting that we are vulnerable, in the wake of the Paris attacks.  The hint of "lone wolf" attacks are now being replaced with reports of worldwide "sleeper cells".  We can no longer ignore the warning signs.
     And speaking of vulnerable ... how quickly has our economy become susceptible to collapse?  In just a few short weeks, the price of a barrel of oil has thrown the world's economy into a tailspin, and the booming Texas and North Dakota oil/gas exploration is experiencing a terrifying slide.  In the last few years, this industry sector has single-handedly kept Wall Street afloat.  The downward price of oil was good for the consumer, but the panic over diminishing company profits was felt at the New Year's opening bell on Wall Street.
     Yes, I'm afraid we must face up to it; this is our new normal.  And, yes, it appears to project a dismal and declining future.  If you measure it by the world's standards, I would have to agree with you.  BUT, it is also an opportunity to develop a new normal, a new pattern of living.
     We cannot make the negatives disappear.  I'm afraid they are here to stay.  Our Lord told us we would experience them all -- the wars, the diseases, the famines, the persecution, the earthquakes, men being offended, false prophets, lawlessness, and love grown cold -- and in the Revelation to the Apostle John, we see that they will increase in number and speed and intensity.  I'm pretty sure we're in what He called "the beginning of sorrows."
     But our new normal can transcend these troubles and perils.  We can turn from these disturbing trends and center our lives on seeking the face of God.  I know that sounds trite, and simplistic.  But when we immerse our minds and our hearts on drawing nearer to Him, we are insulated from the events of the world.  All the comforts and so-called security of this world will fade away, but if our life is centered on serving God and others, then our minds cannot be tempted by the lies of the devil.
     Our new normal may look nothing like the contented past we enjoyed, or the future we planned; but it can be richer, and more productive, and even more peaceful when we are not seeking the rewards of this life, but instead focusing on running a good race for the next.  We're in a race now, to make it to the finish line, and I want nothing of the old normal to hold me back.  I will gladly embrace the new if it means conquering my fears and reaching for eternity.

Isaiah 43:19    "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
   
   

Be Careful What You Worship

   

In the wake of the murders in Paris, the world appears to have come together to proclaim their love of liberty, free speech, democracy, and unity.  Media and journalists from around the world have vowed that they will not give way to any attempts to silence their voices.  At the center of the argument for the right of freedom of the press is Charlie Hebdo, the satirical newspaper that, until this past week, was primarily known for its cover.  From what I can tell, it was not hugely successful in France; in fact, most Parisians felt it was distasteful  -- which is a mild word; disgusting is more like it (just google sample covers and you will see why I call them blasphemous) -- and its readership was actually small in comparison to more popular publications like Le Monde.
     But, everyone in Paris recognized Charlie Hebdo's covers because, as an article by Jonathan Scriven in The Spectrum points out, the magazine "satirizes, offends, provokes, shocks, and denigrates .... everyone."  So, because of the attacks on its editorial offices, Charlie Hebdo has become a symbol for liberty and freedom; not only for the French, but the world.  As such, it finds itself with a louder voice and a wider audience.
     The world has now rallied in support of the first Charlie Hebdo cover since the murder of 12 of its staff members.  As CBS News website reports, the cover "shows a weeping Muhammad, holding a sign saying "I am Charlie" with the words "All is forgiven" above him. Zineb El Rhazoui, a journalist with the newspaper, described the cover as meaning that the journalists were forgiving the extremists for the killings."  There is an accompanying two-page spread "claiming that more people turned out [in the public rallies] to back the satirical weekly, "than for Mass."
     While I applaud the new editors of the magazine for defying the efforts of Islamic extremists to frighten them from representing freedom of the press, I think we must make sure that we see the world's new heroes in an accurate light.  I say this, because of the underlying disparagement of religion and faith that may be going unnoticed.  I say this because the lead editorial, in the irreverent manner of the magazine, extolled secularism and doubled down on their goal of ridiculing religion.
     The editors made sure the world understood their position.  The editorial read in part, "For the past week, Charlie, an atheist newspaper, has achieved more miracles than all the saints and prophets combined. The one we are most proud of is that you have in your hands the newspaper that we always made."  Message received.  Even in the midst of such carnage, Charlie Hebdo will refuse to consider the majesty of God.  In fact, they will make themselves "like a god"; feeling themselves worthy of adulation, glorification and praise for what they have accomplished, and for their stand against religion.
      Just make sure you pay close attention to exactly what it is that will be praised and promoted in the coming days.  It is my understanding that the French take great pride in their separation of church and state; in effect, they have developed what might be called "State Secularism".  It is this secularism that Charlie Hebdo advocated and championed.  But have they forgot that they weren't the only victims of last week's horrific slaughter?  There was a religious component to the hate spawned by the Islamists.  It was the Jewish community, and that's an important fact that must not be diminished.
     In our idealism, and in our rush to make this horrendous tragedy about the freedom of expression, doesn't that also include the freedom to express your faith?  We must not ignore that Jews and their faith were a deliberate target of the terrorists.  (In fact, there is some suspicion that the policewoman that was killed before one of the terrorists overran the Jewish supermarket diverted him from his true target:  a nearby Jewish school).  The world also needs to take note of the growing anti-semitism in Europe, and protect the rights of Jews and all faiths, as much as they are willing to protect the freedom of thought and the written word.
     I was saddened to read in The Jerusalem Post, "that the response of some on the radical Left in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo massacre was to attack Jews – once again – and encourage publication of anti-Semitic cartoons, supposedly for “balance.” " So, you see, freedom of religion and religious expression is undeniably under assault.
     When an unabashedly atheistic magazine, such as Charlie Hebdo, freely ridicules all facets of religion, and is raised to nearly Divine status, I can't help but be concerned that their anti-religion agenda is being given too big of a spotlight.  I am not advocating censorship; but neither do I celebrate an anti-God ideology.  So, while I applaud the new leaders of Charlie Hebdo for not bowing to terroristic threats, I want to make sure that we don't lose perspective on the underlying, yet transparent, derision of faith that is receiving so much publicity.  And whether they recognize Him or not, even Charlie Hebdo's staff will one day see Jesus Christ coming with all the angels and all the nations will be gathered before Him.  It will make the crowds that gathered in Paris, on Charlie's behalf this past week, seem like nothing.

Acts 17:29    "Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man."

Giving Thanks

     The topic of this short post might seem inconsequential, but I think it has great ramifications.  So, I want to ask you a series of rather off-the-wall questions.  Does your family enjoy meals together?  I mean do you follow the Leave It To Beaver model and sit down together to a shared meal while you converse over the events of each family member's day?  Or are you all so involved in your separate lives that meals are eaten individually and at odd times and places?
     More importantly, how many of you deliberately and reverentially give thanks before every meal?  I mean, do you take the time to gather your family together and honor God for providing the food that sustains you, and thanking Him for offering His beloved Son as a sacrifice for your sins?  And do you do it every day, or just on special holidays like Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving? On the other hand, do you refrain from saying Grace before a meal if you are out in public; or do you bow your head, indifferent as to how it is perceived by others?

"Saying Grace" by Norman Rockwell (1951)

     I ask this because I am happy to say that I am seeing an increase in this tradition; not only among my family and friends, but among strangers in public.  Where once people were reticent to make a show of their faith, I am now witnessing more spontaneous and confident demonstrations of their gratefulness to a faithful God.  I'm not talking about pretentious or conspicuous displays of religiosity, but rather quiet and private expressions of gratitude for blessings encountered.
     Additionally, where once one might have been eyed with cynicism or contempt for praying before dining; I am now seeing a respectful reception of the practice.  And I am thankful for small blessings.   Even in the midst of the ugliness the world has to offer, people can still recognize our obeisance to our Lord.
     In fact, I ran across a small notice on some obscure website about a restaurant in Winston-Salem, North Carolina that offers a surprising deal: if patrons pray before their meal, they receive 15 percent off their bill.  As the owner of the restaurant explained, "For me, every plate of food is a gift. And I never take that for granted; so when I see someone in a restaurant honoring their gratefulness at my table...it touches my heart."  Guess what?  It touches God's heart, too.
      I don't want to dwell overly long on the subject, but I'm kind of fascinated as to 1) why it seems to be important to show that we are not ashamed of our faith, and 2) what message it gives those who are not Believers.  Perhaps among those of us of faith, it is one small thing we can do that shows our allegiance to our Savior.  In some small way it is taking a stand against the culture and its efforts to remove God from the foundations of our lives and the nation.  It is a uniquely personal way to show the world that you are grateful.  And it says, "I am a follower of Christ, and I put Him first before my own needs."
     And maybe to the spectator, it exhibits that "something special" that we possess; that quality that they can't quite figure out.  If nothing else, it shows the confidence we have in openly sharing our faith and our thankfulness.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if our simple act of giving thanks could create a curiosity and a desire for what we have?
     There's no heavy message in today's post, and no great call to action.  I just want you to consider how often we are blessed each day in this country, and think about how often you express gratitude for those blessings. The next time you sit down to enjoy a meal, whether as a family, or by yourself,  think of how fortunate you are to have food to eat, and how many people around the world would love even a portion of what has been set before you.  Don't take it for granted and take the time to offer a simple prayer of thanks to Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord Who Provides.  I promise you nothing will ever taste sweeter.

Acts 27:35    "And when He had said these things, He took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all He broke it and began to eat."

Critical Crossroad

     It seems to me that mankind is at a turning point.  Among the latest news coming out of France is the statement that Islamic jihadist "sleeper cells" have been activated in the country.  Police have been asked to avoid internet communication and to keep their weapons close at all times.  Along with these alerts, we are hearing from international experts that the tide of violence we have seen in France will soon be promulgated worldwide.

World leaders head the march in Paris

     Frankly, those of us who know our Bibles have been wondering when the world would come to this conclusion.  The signs have been there for so long.  Don't misunderstand me; I am thankful that the political correctness seems to have abated (at least for the moment) and that people in positions of power are willing to tell the truth.  At least, there seems to be no hesitation in mentioning the word "terrorism", or laying the responsibility directly at the feet of radical Islam.
     It has been somewhat encouraging to see Muslims begin to speak out against the monstrous acts of barbarians who claim to represent the faith of Islam.  I applaud the leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas -- both designated terrorist groups by the U.S. State Department -- for condemning the actions of the Paris, France murderers.  Other Muslim religious leaders have also called the killings over the last few days a "heinous crime", and "reprehensible and ugly and violent and inhuman and brutal practices … [which] have insulted the messenger of Allah and the religion of Allah and the prophets and the book of Allah and the nation of the Muslims more than his enemies insulted him."
      It was heartwarming to see an estimated 1 million-plus people in the streets of Paris, marching arm-in-arm, in solidarity against terrorism.  The leaders of Western nations, along with Muslim countries, and the Prime Minister of Israel, led the march through the streets of Paris.  Conspicuously absent was any important representative of the United States, and I suspect that will make headlines for days or weeks to come.
     But it was the common man who made the largest statement by their presence.  As reported by Reuters, "Some commentators said the last street presence in the capital on this scale was at the Liberation of Paris from Nazi Germany in 1944."  It is eerie to consider that this connection was made, considering that one of the attacks was directed at a Jewish Kosher market in the heart of Paris, and resulted in four dead, and four critically wounded.
     Yes, it is good to see righteous anger against the ruthless killings, and an apparent awakening to the threat of a radical ideology that has declared war on the world.  But is it too little, too late?  And can the tide of mayhem really be stopped?  Already, there are other marches in Europe, conducted in the same of open societies and tolerance.  And, once again, if you believe in what the Bible tells us, we know that an unholy hell is going to be unleashed against the Jewish people, and those who are followers of Jesus.  The threats are there; out in the open, for all to see.  Anti-semitism is on the rise in Europe.  A war has been declared against us "infidels", and -- I don't mean to sound cynical -- but one million people marching in the street will not change the course this world is set on.

Millions rally in Paris against terrorism

     We are at a critical crossroad!  The world has come together to voice their weariness and opposition to the brutality against their fellow man.  But that is not enough!  Can there be further agreement that we need to renew our covenant with the God of the Universe?  Unless the peoples of the world recognize that the only way out of the debacle before us is to recognize Yahweh and fall to our knees and ask His forgiveness, then I'm afraid that the show of solidarity, all the good speeches, the declaration of war against terrorism, and the tolerance amongst religions and governments will not stop the speeding train that is edging the world towards annihilation.  You see, while all those solutions are good, they are temporary.  That is putting our trust in man to solve our sinful nature.
     But, can you imagine millions of people in all the streets of the world, marching and praising God, and asking for deliverance from this Evil that is threatening us all?  Which march is more likely to actually have an impact on the schemes of the Enemy?  Only God can interrupt the eventual conflagration, and grant us a delay in what will surely be increasing episodes of violence, terror, and suffering.
     All of mankind is at a point where a crucial decision must be made that will have far-reaching consequences for the inhabitants of earth.  We can fall to our knees and change our direction, or we can continue to stiffen our necks and follow the same path.  Prayer is our guide to making the right decision and avoiding more destruction and death.  Now is the time to get in step with God!

2 Chronicles 15:4    "But in their distress they turned to the LORD God of Israel, and they sought Him, and He let them find Him."


   
   

Proverbs 18:10

The name of the Lord is a strong tower.

The righteous runs to it and is safe.

    I am sure that I have noted this Scripture in the past, but I think it warrants repeating at this time.  Christians around the world are experiencing a wide arrange of emotions ... anxiety, outright fear, and overt persecution.  Yet the Apostle Paul tells us that "God has not given us a spirit of fear".  And King Solomon wrote this Proverb to give us wisdom during times such as this; to give us the ability to live a godly life in an ungodly world.

     So how does this wise Scripture instruct us?  First of all, it tells us that the name of the Lord is all that we need.  It is sufficient for our needs.  And He has many names that we know Him by ... LORD (Yahweh, or Jehovah); Adonai (Master); El Roi (The God Who Sees); Jehovah-Rapha (The LORD Who Heals); El Olam (The Everlasting God); Jehovah Jireh (The LORD Will Provide) ... and many more. 

      But what is important is the image Solomon gives us of that Name ... a strong tower.  What a great mental picture!  We can take rest in this tower when we are worn out from the trials of life.  It is a sanctuary when Evil pursues us; where we can be "lifted up" or drawn closer to God.  His Name becomes a fortress against our enemies.  There is enough for us in this tower, and in who we have discovered God to be through all that He has shown us -- both individually, and as the whole Body of Christ -- to provide for us at all times, especially these difficult ones.  

      There is wealth laid up in this tower for us; riches of God's Grace and Mercy and Love -- enough to sustain us for a single moment of tribulation, or for a lifetime.  And this tower is STRONG; constructed with all the attributes of God, as well as His covenant with us, and His promise of Salvation through faith in His Son.  This tower -- a safe refuge for all God's people -- is impenetrable, unconquerable, and unable to be captured or broken into.  

      But it is only a strong tower if we know how to make use of it.  We must be righteous through our faith and our prayer; through our example and devotion to God; and to our total dependence on Him. And we must run into it, for the same reason God established the ancient cities of refuge for those who committed unintentional deaths.  A murderer could flee to this city for refuge from the avenger—the family member charged with avenging the victim’s death (Numbers 35:19)—until the case could go to trial. The congregation would judge to find if the attacker acted unintentionally. If he did, he would return to the city of refuge and live there safely until the death of the high priest who was in office at the time of the trial, at which point he could return to his property. If the attacker left the city of refuge before the death of the high priest, however, the avenger would have the right to kill him.

     These cities of refuge are symbolic of Christ, our High Priest, in whom sinners find a refuge from the destroyer of our souls.  In turn, the tower is representative of our Redeemer, as well.  As long as we remain righteous, abide in Him, and He indwells us, we are safe.  This picture of refuge should give us great comfort.  We should be able to steady our minds from fear; to live above the attacks of this world and the Enemy.  Picture yourself safe inside this tower from the storms raging outside.  It is a warm, and inviting haven; replete with all the sustenance we need for our souls.  I picture "a table prepared for me in the midst of my enemies", and the soft glow of my Savior's presence. So, picture your own strong tower, and wrap yourselves in the only security that will protect you in the day of trouble.  Put your trust in Him, and you will be safe!