Personal thoughts: Keeping Hope Alive In a Battered America

Today is Veteran's Day, and I'm thinking of all the men and women who have served in the wars of this country, dating back to the American Revolution. I'm grateful for their service to our nation; for the sacrifices they made in the name of Liberty and Freedom. The wars that they fought in were not always for virtuous causes, and sadly, there were too many who profited off of them at the expense of millions of young lives throughout the existence of America. 

And that brings me to the other thoughts occupying my mind these days ... we are rapidly approaching the 250th anniversary of our nation. While many consider the United States an empire, and therefore wish to come to the foregone conclusion that "empires rarely last over 250 years", I'm not willing to give up on us just yet. First of all, I don't consider America an empire. While empires are usually distinguished as being a central power which exerts control and power over conquered territories and peoples, occupying those territories and enslaving the conquered peoples, America has favored the promotion of democracy and self-determination, and post World War II, has championed national independence and sovereignty. Additionally, our American culture is most often voluntarily embraced, rather than enforced.

I know that we are not a perfect nation and there are those who will argue that our expansion and acquisitions of Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines in recent history, along with our military interventions and economic influence, argue for the "empire" label. The debate is legitimate, but my purpose for writing today covers whether the idea that America still exists as the land of opportunity where people can still dream of the freedom of self-determination, economic self-sufficiency, security, and the hope of a peaceful and prosperous future. Some call that "the American Dream". I like to think of it as God's will for all people.

But I cannot deny that, as a civilization, I see the warning signs of our decline. We are experiencing economic decline [due to government overspending, inflation, and excessive taxation]. We certainly have political instability, and the growing threat of marxist/socialist ideologies within our educational and political institutions, is causing social upheaval. And when the governing power grows increasingly centralized in Washington D.C., rather than being determined by a representative democracy among the people, it fractures our founding principles of individual liberty and self-determination. Finally, the deterioration of our moral and spiritual belief systems serves to cause division and decay within our society. The loss of faith, in both our religious and societal institutions, has the potential to be the final blow to this "great experiment" called The United States of America.

So, now that I've cited the current woes of our nation, I want to tell you why I still have hope for us. At the heart of America lies a legacy that I believe still offers the embers of Freedom and Faith; waiting to be revived and restored in the hearts of those who appreciate and honor the liberty that America can provide. I grew up loving the ideals of our nation's history -- that when we work hard, we can be rewarded with opportunities to make our dreams for our families come true; and that at the heart of the American populace is a shared identity, but also the right to disagree and express our differences. But we must remember that unique heritage. We cannot let our history disappear from our schools or our collective memories. It must be taught and preserved, or the core values and identity of America will be lost.

All I have to do is watch the various newscasts of young people being interviewed across our land to discover that they cannot name the country we fought that gave us our Independence. Some do not even know the name of our first President, nor who wrote the Declaration of Independence. They cannot even name one of the Ten Commandments. Civics classes have been removed from most school curriculum, along with the statues and names of the Founding Fathers. Remember when we memorized and recited the intro to the Gettysburg Address? They have no idea what that is or why it is important to our history. 

Yet, I have hope when I read the our U.S. Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, is praising an Independence Day Ceremony activity book that teaches children about our American ideals of liberty, limited government, and Judeo-Christian values -- and in less than 15 minutes, to accommodate their attention span. I have hope, knowing that there is a growing number of parents who home-school, and a growing number of college-age young men and women who are now recognizing the extraordinary good that is in America. I am grateful for the dedication and commitment that the late Charlie Kirk instilled in these young people. Through his example, I have hope they will become the leaders of tomorrow, instilling the goodness that is America, while rooting out the dangerous seeds of materialism, radicalism, and anti-God ideologies.

I want to reiterate that I know America is not perfect. We have made lots of mistakes, and have tried to correct them. We still have a ways to go. But in the midst of the lawlessness and false identity that is trying to overtake this country, I see rays of sunlight and hope. I have faith that God is not done with us yet. I am encouraged by those who have the courage to stand up and call for unity and shared purpose; to bravely pronounce their faith in God and seek to join hands with our fellow citizens of all colors, ethnicities, and creeds in order to preserve this great land in unity. And, by the way, did you know there is an actual American's Creed? Here's a key except: 

I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.

I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies. -- Written by a public servant, William Tyler Page in 1917, accepted by the United States House of Representatives on April 3, 1918. How appropriate for Veteran's Day! Thank you to all our veterans who answered that call.

So, I hope you will continue to pray with me for the future of our nation... that we might sustain the hope and promise that is the United States of America, and that it is God's will that we persevere in righteousness for generations to come, turning away from all evil influences and keeping His statutes forever. Amen!

Romans 15:4    For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

The Corruption in "The Days of Noah" is Being Repeated, Just as Jesus Said!

It's been more than 15 years since I first began writing about Genesis 6 and the perplexity that this subject has caused the established Church. And I believe perplexity is the proper word to use in this instance. It means "inability to deal with or understand something complicated or unaccountable". Throughout the centuries, the topic of what happened in Genesis 6:1-4 has been mysterious, debated, and contested throughout the Western Church. And it still is!

My husband, Mark,  and I host a small Home Church in our home, and I proudly call us a group of Christian "misfits". We come from all denominations and backgrounds, and the one thing we all have in common is that we were hungry for more knowledge about the God we love and serve, and our established Churches were not feeding us. Some, like Mark and myself, tried various churches to get our questions answered but always seemed to come away disappointed. Our questions couldn't be answered, and we were often counseled to stay within the rigid theological explanations that our spirits discerned were incorrect. So, we jumped into studying the Bible for ourselves, and found it not only fascinating and full of supernatural wisdom, but seemed to be encouraging us to go even further. 

The first question that we could never get satisfactory answers to was the ever-popular and controversial passage in Genesis 6:1-4 ... When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. Then the Lord said, "My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years." The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown."

What exactly happened in those  infamous four verses? I say they are "controversial" because they have been a sticking point for many a congregation throughout the millenniums since the Bible was written, and are currently a topic of great import in these days. And that's the real purpose of this post -- to wake up those who are not aware of the literal truth of Genesis 6:1-4 and how the consequences of that fateful event are still impacting us today. So, I'm going to try to give you a synopsis of what happened in the distant past and then connect it to the warning that Jesus gave us ... that in the End Times, there would be events like those during the days of Noah. I hope to show you that what He was describing is occurring today and what we need to be prepared for. 

So, if you are interested in reading some of my older posts that go more in-depth on what the Bible says about the Nephilim and what was actually happening between the Fallen Angels and the daughters of men, you can read here, here, and here. 

But these are the bare facts you need to know and where I stand today ... Because the established Church is unable to admit the possibility that the Fallen Angels came down from Heaven, mated with earthly women, who then produced children that were a hybrid race of giants, or semi-divine beings, they have had to come up with explanations that, while they may seem logical, are patently false. They attempt to explain the "sons of God" as the righteous descendants of Seth (the third son of Adam and Eve), who was also the six times great-grandfather of Noah. They go on to explain the "Daughters of men" as the ungodly descendants of Cain, Seth's brother. They explain away the description of the Nephilim as "giants" by construing they may simply be dictatorial, oppressive, and controlling "giants of men", in terms of how they wielded their power and exercised their violence.    

But ancient writings such as 1 Enoch, and early Christian Fathers such as Tertullian, Irenaeus, and Justin Martyr all confirm the angelic interpretation.  The Hebrew term for "sons of God" is bene ha'elohim, and scholarly debate throughout the centuries has settled on determining who were the "sons of God" , and what was their relationship with the Nephilim. According to the Book of Enoch and the writings of Second Temple Judaism, (Jewish religious and cultural practices developed between the construction of the Second Temple upon the return of the exiles from captivity in Babylon and its destruction in 70 A.D), the term "sons of God" (bene ha'elohim) refers to angelic beings.

In summary of how history has viewed the story of Genesis 6:1-4, I can say this: As I noted, Enoch, Tertullian, and Justin Martyr took the narrative at face value; that the Fallen Angels had violated God's heavenly order and produced gigantic children. Later theologians like St. Augustine and the early church became uncomfortable with the implications of that model and moved the needle towards a more human explanation, known as the Sethite View. But we can't ignore passages in the New Testament like 2 Peter 2:4, and Jude 6, both of which allude to Angels who left their "proper dwelling" (Heaven) and committed ungodly deeds; who are held in chains in hell until the day Jesus comes to execute His Divine judgment. 

And that brings us to how this extraordinary story has eternal implications for us, and why I see "the days of Noah" in our future. You see, the Fallen Angels not only cross-bred with human women, producing the Nephilim hybrids, but because they corrupted God's divine order even further by cross breeding species, they created a nightmare of genetic engineering, which we call chimeras, defined as "an organism consisting of two or more tissues of different genetic composition, produced as a result of organ transplant, grafting, or genetic engineering. Chimeras are often referred to as the mythological creatures that appear on ancient castle walls, or in cave dwellings -- with a lion's head, a goat's body, or a dragon's tail. But those stories have existed for centuries because they were real. And here's the real kicker ... as the Nephilim died, they had no hope of reuniting with their Creator in Heaven, and their disembodied spirits were condemned to wander the earth until the Day of Judgment, which means they are still here! 

And today we are producing human chimeras as noted by author Alice Park in a 2021 article in Time magazine ... "In a ground-breaking experiment, researchers have successfully created the first human-monkey chimera. The work, published in the journal Cell, describes the first embryo containing both human and monkey cells that was cultured for 20 days...which the scientist [who created it] hopes will now apply to humans." Here's the thing, God specifically states in Deuteronomy that He prohibits mixing together that which was to stay separated -- different kinds of seeds, animals, yarn, and yes, humans with other species. No other species besides man is made in God's image, and we are not to be polluted and corrupted by anything that does not hold the Spirit of God. 

Each "kind" has it's own God-designed "flesh", called Nephesh in Hebrew, and that word transcribes to "soul" in English, but also insinuates "life", describing living beings, including humans and animals. Unfortunately, the Bible doesn't offer as much clear-cut language as some of the extra-Biblical texts do, and that explains a lot of why Christians and the Western Church aren't as educated on Genesis 6:1-4. "Extra-biblical" has long been considered an abomination in the Western Church because it is not found directly in the text of the Bible, and therefore not considered "inspired". But these writings can be useful in providing additional context, historical records, accepted traditions, writings and reasoning from early church fathers, as well as noting that content from Enoch, Jasher, and Jubilees can help us understand details and historical background that Scripture leaves out. But we must use careful discernment in applying the entirety of these extra-biblical texts to God's Truth. We must rely on the Holy Spirit to reveal to us what is consistent with the infallible Gospel message. [NOTE: There are passages from these extra-biblical texts that are repeated verbatim in the Bible. For instance 1 Enoch 1:9 appears as Jude 1:14-15. Is God inviting us to search out more of Him with the Holy Spirit's guidance?]. 

So, as I wrap up my thesis on the corruption that happened in Genesis 6, and the fact that Scripture says the abominable Nephilim (defiled, hybrid creations) "were on the earth in those days [of Noah] and afterward, it seems to speak to the idea that the Flood did not wipe them off the face of the earth. I don't have any way of definitively explaining how they remained, or continued, but we know that although Noah was declared "perfect in his generations" [which included his sons], we also know that there were Nephilim tribes post-flood. There has been all kinds of conjecture as to how that could happen, and to be honest, no one can say for sure. There are projections that there might have been a second incursion of Fallen Angels ... or that one of Noah's sons' wives might have had Nephilim genes. At this stage of the game, I don't really need to have that answer.

It is enough for me to be understanding that in Noah's day, God proclaimed all flesh to be corrupted, debased and degenerate, and He vowed to destroy mankind from the face of the earth. It's not hard to see that the genetic manipulation that created the first-generation Nephilim is still being propagated with our modern experimentation with mRNA technology that alters the fundamental biology of our God-created bodies. Nothing has changed. Humans are injected with chimeric vaccines and chimeric cancer chemotherapy. The generations in Noah's day corrupted the human image of God that He called good. But God's spirit cannot dwell in genetically modified beings. Maybe we're not using the exact same methods, but the results are the same: mixing different DNA and creating beings without God's signature in them. 

What do we think is going to happen? The move towards transhumanism -- integrating humans (with and without corrupted DNA) and computers is creating godless vessels; host bodies for the disembodied spirits of the Nephilim (demons); opening gates and portals for these demons to once again flood the earth. And so they have continued to this day. 

I'd like to end with this quote from the website, The Wise Wolf... "The most damning parallel [from the Days of Noah and today] is this: casual acceptance. People eating, drinking, marrying right up until Noah entered the ark. No alarm. no panic. Critical detail: the pre-flood world didn't stumble into darkness screaming. They walked in calm, convinced they were progressing. Genetic manipulation felt like medicine. Chimera creation felt like science. Corrupting all flesh felt like evolution. Transcendence.

Right now, scientists edit human embryos and call it therapeutic. Create human-animal chimeras and call it research. Build artificial intelligence and call it tools. Smash particles hunting the "God particle" and call it physics. Every step justified. Every threshold crossed with peer review and ethics approval. Nobody thinks they're the villain. The pre-flood world didn't either. They didn't know what they were building until it killed them".

We're doing exactly what they did ... corrupting God's image and He will not put up with it for long. And quantum computers are going to speed up the destruction and any chance we have of turning back. Christ uttered those prophetical words 2000 years ago ... As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be at the coming of the Son of Man. For those of us who can see what's coming, please don't stop warning the unconvinced. They are our friends, our family members, and our neighbors. Jesus has warned us, and we're following the model of those who lived in the days of Noah. We're corrupting our flesh and destroying mankind. Jesus won't wait much longer. 

Genesis 6:5    The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 

 

It's Increasingly Difficult To Think Of Ourselves As "A Christian Nation"

I know that the title of this post is a painful thing to swallow. You may be involved in an active Church, and part of a group of faithful followers of Christ. In your immediate sphere of community, there is evidence that Jesus is known. But when you are able to look -- really look -- beyond what constitutes family and friends, and are willing to see with open and honest eyes, I think you have to admit that our nation has fallen far from what Jesus asks of us.  

And what He desires from us is pure living; to not only reject the world [and all it offers] but to renounce it. What does that mean? It means we can't just break agreement with the idea of the sins of the world, but we must actually disown "the hidden things of shame" -- and going even further, we must forbid even the approach of the things disowned [according to the Greek definition of the word "renounce"]. As you can imagine, that's going to require radical change in the way we live our lives in this 21st Century of compromise with the world.

If we are to consider ourselves true "Christians", then we must become "little Christs", willing to give up all our ownership of this world and our own desires, in favor of what He calls us to. Attending Church each Sunday, or giving up that major sin you know is wrong, is not enough. That's what I think Jesus sees as shallow faith, and allows us to hang on to everything else that we profess to have renounced and disowned. Following Jesus in a life that imitates His comes with a price. It involves true sacrifice and surrendering all in order to follow Him in truth and spirit. If we, as a nation, could do that then think how we would appear to this world.

So, take a good look around -- look at your own home and family; your community or town; your state; and then the whole nation. Can any of us truly declare that we are following Christ -- that we have disowned the world? Consider Luke 14:33 ... So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not [carefully consider the cost, and then for My sake] give up all his own possessions. NOTE: Jesus is not asking us to live in poverty, but to be willing to surrender everything that is ours to Him and His influence [physically, emotionally, and spiritually]. That means our relationships, our plans, our desires, everything material that is ours, up to and including our lives. That's why He says "carefully consider" ... it's a high cost.

Some of us have already been willing to pay the price; we have considered the individual cost and it's all been worth it. But look at our nation! We are far from even considering the cost, let alone be willing to pay it. I'm afraid our nation is unwilling to disown all that brings it pleasure, riches, and a convenient and accommodating lifestyle. As a society, we don't want to even consider renouncing what the world offers, let alone actually separating from and disowning it. The cost is too high! But we have no idea of the price God will exact from us because of those choices.

We only have to look at the Book of Romans to see a very clear picture of what it could cost us. When a righteous nation no longer lives by faith, it quickly morphs into rebellion ... For although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, and they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts darkened (Romans 1:21). God has warned us in His Word that when we choose rebellion over walking in faith, He will remove His hedge of Protection from our nation and allow our sin to multiply. He will give us over to "the lust of our hearts for impurity, that our bodies might be dishonored among us" (Romans 1:24).

So, what has that looked like in the United States of America? I lived through the 1970s when my University Health Center handed out birth control like candy, and the morning-after pill was readily available, no questions asked. Planned Parenthood "free clinics" began popping up in the neighborhoods close to campus, where an inconvenient pregnancy could easily be terminated. To say that that generation "exchanged the truth about God for a lie" is an understatement! Romans 1:26 says "For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions". The Amplified version says "degrading and vile passions". The rebellion that began with "free love" expanded to the lust that resulted in homosexuality or "exchanging the natural function for that which is unnatural". And that acceptance and compromise we bought into has now grown into including transgenderism as a viable option for this generation.

Our hedge of protection has not only been removed, it's on the verge of being obliterated. We have not only rebelled against God's ways that afforded us 200 years of national blessings, we seem to have forgotten Him in the last 50 years! Our Judeo-Christian foundation has crumbled in favor of adopting pagan beliefs and traditions. Our unity in faith has resulted in apostasy and Cultural Christianity. I fear that the Bible no longer is the moral guide among those who call themselves "Christian"; they don't even know or read the Word! Ecumenicalism, or the theological idea that all religions are the same, and all Gods are the same, is also a rejection and rebellion against the One True God, as stated in the Bible.

I'm sorry to say that all this is leading to a conclusion that apostasy and lawlessness are quickly destroying our Christian footing in this nation. Charlie Kirk (an outspoken Christian activist) and Brian Thompson (CEO of United Healthcare) were murdered because someone disagreed with an opinion or were dissatisfied with the way a company conducted business. As true Christians, we deplore these heinous and evil acts, but our outrage hasn't changed the dark path our nation is descending upon. To me, it's pretty obvious that God has decidedly stepped back, removed the hedge of protection from our country, and allowing our rebellious natures to destroy this once great nation.

Just like it was in the days of Noah, we have reached a stage of unrepentant immorality and violence. We rightfully could ask how long before God's cup of wrath is full? Yet, we have Hope and a Promise! As the faithful remnant of this age, we have the glorious knowledge of understanding that Jesus is about to enter our realm from Heaven! As dark as this nation and the world are looking, we know that the Light of Heaven is about to shine upon us. All the pieces of God's eternal plan are falling into place and our nation will tremble at the Presence of our Creator. My spirit is fervently praying that my fellow citizens and brothers and sisters in Christ will count the cost of their rebellion and come to realize their sin is not worth losing eternity over. 

Wake up, my nation! Return to your first Love, and once again become known as a Christian nation; a people after God's own heart! Repent, call out His Name, destroy the High Places where you have worshiped and sacrificed to false gods! Enter into Holy communion with Him who calls us to purity of heart and spirit. Let us rejoice once again in His favor and grace, as we disown all that is not of Him. Amen and Amen!

Jeremiah 18:7-8     If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. 

Socialism, Islamism, Globalism: The Triple Threat Against Western Civilization

While listening to a morning radio broadcast, I heard an interesting conversation regarding the alignment of various movements, each determined to demolish or destroy Western civilization. The subtle advancement of this coalition of Socialism/Communism, Islamism, and Globalism, while having different goals, has now resulted in their adoption of the age-old axiom of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend"... and their common enemy is Western civilization and its primary Judeo-Christian foundation.

And, here in America, that belief system has made it easy for each of these groups to build in strength and influence due to the very things that have made us great as a nation. Alex Newman, an award-winning international journalist, author, and educator sites our belief in the values of human life, personal responsibility, individualism, God-given rights, and liberty as reasons these movements are united in hatred of the U.S. and the West. Because we have a Constitution, with a Bill of Rights that protects our freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and the right to petition the government, it has made it easy for each of these movements to take advantage of these rights to promote their ideologies.

Make no mistake, taken separately, each of these movements have stark differences that would find this temporary unity at odds with each other. But, when it comes to their goals for the future, they understand that in order to see their world vision(s) come to fruition, America must fall and be destroyed, not only as an ideal, but in physical reality. They hate everything we stand for.

But why should we be surprised that this coalition is coming into power? The signs have been there for awhile; they have not been hiding in the shadows. While we have made brief counter punches that briefly stopped the advancement of these different movements and ideologies, we let up on the pressure, and each group waited patiently, all the while slowly eroding the very measures we had in place to protect our values and strength as a nation.

I look back on my posts circa 2014-2015 and the emergence of the idea of a Muslim Caliphate, starting in the Middle East. In case you've forgotten, a Caliphate is an Islamic state led by a man with dual power. That leader is both the supreme religious leader and a primary political leader also known as a Caliph, or successor to Mohammed. The Caliph closely follows, and strictly adheres to, Sharia law over the land. In Great Britain and in Michigan, Texas, Illinois, and New York, here in the States, there has been a growth in the desire to establish Muslim communities, as well as Sharia-compliant American financial institutions [some of which donate a percentage of their profits to openly jihadi groups] -- see this article. While I am not declaring -- nor do I believe --  that every Muslim citizen advocates Sharia law, I submit that we need to safeguard our republic by: 1) ensuring we protect freedom of [all] religions and faith in this country, and 2) carefully vetting every man or woman nominated to the office of U.S. District Judge, in order to guarantee that our individualism and God-given rights are secured. Our Constitutional laws are not compliant with Sharia law, and we must protect and secure the freedom of every citizen.

But it is not just radical Islamism that threatens the West. An article, written by Philip Carl Salzman, on the Frontier Centre for Public Policy website points out that radical Socialists and Communists hate Western Capitalism, which they see as a system of oppression and inequality. They view Capitalism and the U.S. government as the primary representative of Western hegemony, another word for authoritarianism, totalitarianism, dictatorship and tyranny. They do not align with Islamists through the lens of conflict, colonialism or foreign interventions. But, Salzman writes there is a similar approach they both take, which involves advocating for demographic and political influence as a means of spreading their ideology. That seems to be the method being employed in the race for New York City Mayor, in which a Democratic Socialist [promising free buses, universal childcare, and city-run grocery stores] also allegedly has ties with controversial Imam Siraj Wahhaj, an unindicted co-conspirator of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. 

Then you have the Globalists, who are operating in the background, seemingly encouraging both groups in their criticisms and condemnation of Western values, oftentimes funding [in secret] their demonstrations and violent dissent. Globalists have also been welcomed in establishing footholds in the West through the United Nations, Global Climate and Green initiatives, and Global Banking. They are committed to the complete erosion of Western culture and values, and it is time that we recognize this reality. If we expect to survive beyond our 250th anniversary as a nation, we must actively engage in defending the principles we were founded on, and preserving our free society. We can no longer remain complacent and watch these anti-American ideologies infiltrate and fundamentally transform our schools and academia, our justice system, and our political institutions. How can we expect to live in freedom, if we continue to give it away?

In summary, I recognize that this is a fine line to walk, and it is the American and Christian way to honor our neighbors and our differences. This is not an indictment of citizens who wish to worship differently than I do, or have different political views. That is the beauty of what defines America and the West. But it is a warning to not slumber during this tumultuous time in the world and in history. We have a very real Spiritual Enemy who wishes to destroy our nation, our hopes and dreams, and the lives of ALL our citizens -- even those who hate the "American way". We have been blessed to have been born in a country that glorifies the Creator of this world. But we have also squandered those blessings and are now about to reap the cost of that negligence. For the sake of our generations, let us stand strong and defend all that is good in this country. 

James 1:25    But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it -- not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it -- they will be blessed in what they do.    

      

 

   

   

Something Doesn't Feel Right ... Technology and the Spirit of Deception!

I pray that I can accurately express what my spirit is trying to show me. And I will admit that I haven't quite discerned the totality of the spiritual picture that is beginning to emerge to my soul [which is my mind, emotions, and free will to act on what God is showing me]. But I can say this ... my soul is closing in on a vision that, while disturbing, is being brought to my attention by the Holy Spirit. More importantly, I must spiritually examine this new insight in order to hear correctly what I'm to do with what is being revealed. In other words, my spirit is alerting my soul that we must be careful to correctly discern current events so that we might not be deceived by technology and those who would use it to corrupt the Bible's true  theology and our understanding of God's plan for the End Times.

Technology ... To me, the very word insinuates the possibility of deception. I don't think we can dismiss the feasibility that technology can [and has been used] to misrepresent the truth in our culture and the world. The ability to create manufactured images that look real is a deception within itself, and the fact that Hollywood is in an uproar over AI actress Tilly Norwood [who threatens the livelihood of real-life actors] should be the canary in the coal mine for the rest of us. And have you ever questioned whether Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin actually walked on the moon 56 years ago, or if it was all fabricated in a TV studio? Those are just two simple illustrations of the potential for technology to deceive us into believing what is not true. 

The advancement of Artificial Intelligence in all areas of our lives has been astounding! Recent figures show that in 2025, 50% of internet content is AI generated. And it is predicted that by 2026 that number will be 90%! The rate at which AI content is infiltrating our media and communications spheres is deeply disturbing to me. And the fact that so many people (both young and old) are unable to distinguish an image of real art from an AI-generated image shows the depth to which our populations are relinquishing their ability to use critical thinking. And furthermore, they applaud the AI piece as if it has the same significance as the real painting. The truth is that Technology and machines will never replace the creativity that humans can express and have been given by our Creator. Buck Brannaman, an acclaimed horse trainer, said, "Whether it's horses or whatever it is you do, it doesn't become an art until your soul goes into what you do". Need I remind the masses that Artificial Intelligence [and technology] don't have souls?

Let me be clear, just because internet content is made using Generative AI doesn't necessarily mean it's factually wrong. But we must not receive it without researching and evaluating the information being shared. My concern is that people have become so dependent on the created content on the internet for their truth, that it has become the sole arbiter and judge of what is true. And let's not forget the ability of AI to enthrall and captivate the masses. Because Technology has also created our need to be entertained, it has become fertile ground for deception at the highest levels. And that includes the spiritual realms.

As Christians, I think we can agree that we are seeing signs of the End Times in our world. And I believe there is a Spirit of Deception that has invaded our lives and which speaks to the presence of falsehood and deceit in the world. Bible Wisdom Hub is a website that speaks to this truth. This Spirit is operating as a spiritual force or influence that is seeking to lead people astray from God's Truth and into darkness. The Spirit of Deception is portrayed as a cunning and manipulative entity that works to distort reality and cloud our judgment. Furthermore fallen humanity is ripe for being the prime target of Satan, who is "the father of lies". And he has incorporated his followers and cohorts in convincing us of the truth of his deception, even to the point of using Technology to introduce his false prophets and teachers into our awakening anticipation of Christ's Return. I cannot stress it enough -- it is vitally important that we stay vigilant and firm in our faith to resist the schemes of these imposters. 

I want to ask you a question ... Have you noticed an increase in Tech giants, political figures, and cultural idols enter into the conversation on faith, the End Times, the Anti-Christ and the Beast System? Mind you, these topics are important subjects to understand, and I would love nothing more than to believe these people are truly seeking more of God. But something doesn't feel right. 

Anyone who is walking in Truth and Spirit with God knows that the Holy Spirit is guiding us and counseling us on what to focus on in the cultural narrative. And, believe me, I am well aware that my discernment is so different than the average American. But, like me, can you see that Tech moguls, political leaders, and cultural superstars can be used to spread false spiritual/Biblical information and knowledge in order to (not only) deceive the uneducated, but to convince even the Elect to buy into their false Biblical ideology in order to achieve their goals. Just because they are quoting Scripture, or seem to be promoting End Times theology doesn't mean they are messengers from God. Even Satan knows Scripture.

And I sense the longing in the younger generations for more meaning to life -- even a softening on living a technology-infused life. We are seeing what looks like the beginning of a tidal wave of Awakening to the Truth and Promises of Jesus among this group of young people. But I'm also sensing that they are a rich, enticing, and potentially profitable environment for the Titans of Technology and Politics. If these deceivers can speak the language of Revival and win over the 20-30 age groups, just think of how much influence they can have in the next decades. Scripture is a powerful weapon in defeating Evil. Jesus showed us that when defeating Satan's temptations in the wilderness when He began His ministry.  But Scripture, when used as a political weapon to deceive the innocent or the unlearned, can lead the masses astray. 

Have you ever asked yourself, "Why are these Tech billionaires warning us of the dangers of AI, when they are the ones who created it, are profiting off it, and advancing its capabilities"? Why are they creating more invasive uses for AI, and at the same time, predicting an apocalyptic end for mankind? Why are software companies (Palantir) named after an all-seeing orb controlled by an evil wizard in the movie The Lord of the Rings? Maybe I'm wrong -- but I'm suspicious when these Billionaires, who have never [to my knowledge] declared their faith in Jesus Christ, suddenly start appearing on popular podcasts using religious language and themes, like "demonic" and their desire to "carry out God's command to see His will done on earth, as it is in Heaven". And can you honestly trust these Tech moguls who develop companies like ACTS 17 Collective, [stands for Acknowledging Christ in Technology and Society]. Incidentally, Acts 17 is a recounting of how Paul [a Jew] and Silas entered into the synagogues with the intention of sharing the Gospel and winning converts to Christianity. 

Could this be the model that Satan is planning to use to deceive the Technology generations  -- joining a false faith message to the deception component of technology to lead people away from the narrow gate and onto the wide and broad road that leads to destruction? Be careful and wise! Do not fall into the trap of idolizing men -- even those who have a heart and reputation to represent God's Truth. They can be used by Satan's unGodly emissaries to build "godlike" organizations and AI systems whose goal is to ultimately control and destroy humanity. So, to sum it up, I can't see the whole picture yet, but my spirit is on edge and flashing warning signs. The Holy Spirit is keeping this in focus, and I will trust Him to unveil God's Truth and give me the discernment as I need it. Please join me in praying for clear and decisive knowledge and understanding. Thank you, Lord, for all you reveal to me. Amen!

Matthew 24: 4-5       Watch out that no one deceives [and misleads] you. For many will come in My Name, [misusing it, and appropriating the strength of the name which belongs to Me], claiming "I am the Messiah," and they will deceive many.   

Seeing The World Through A Kingdom Lens

In 2023, I published a book, titled Through A Kingdom Lens: Discovering What The Church Lost. I was acutely aware that God's purpose for "the Church" was not being fulfilled.  First of all, Jesus did not come to earth to establish a Church, or buildings, in which His followers were to sit and be led by men according to their understanding  of who He was. He came to establish and extend His Kingdom of Heaven [and its government] to earth. 

The late Dr. Myles Munroe has been a huge influence on my journey with the Lord. Before discovering his writings, sermons, and videos, I was unfamiliar with the concept of the Kingdom of Heaven. The Bible would soon open up to me as I came into the knowledge of Dr. Munroe's definitive and authoritative definition of a kingdom: "It is the governing influence of a king over a territory, impacting it with the king's will, his purpose, and his intent; producing a citizenship of people who reflect the king's culture, nature, values, and morals."

It is a foundational tenet of our faith that we see Jesus as the King of both Heaven and earth. With that in mind, let's continue with Dr. Munroe's thesis. "Jesus came to manifest His wisdom and execute His will with His Nature (which is Glory), and to fill it with His sons. Furthermore, He created and ordained mankind as His governmental representatives on earth." [NOTE: In the Greek language, the term for this body of people is EKKLESIA]. "The people living under that rule or government are known as citizens of the kingdom. There is a ruling document, or constitution (called the Bible) and moral laws to follow; ideals and standards by which the citizens are expected to live. Jesus, as the King of God's kingdom, presently lives and rules from His home country, Heaven. But He has sent a Governor (the Holy Spirit) to transform us, teach us, train us, and change us into citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven and to establish a kingdom culture on earth." 

I hope by now, it is easier for you to understand that wherever God is, it is His domain. He created it. Heaven is where He dwells and where He has all power and authority. It is where His sphere of influence is declared and exercised. It is where His Kingdom is firmly established. But, we need to understand that Jesus expanded that kingdom and sphere of influence, giving the power and authority of God's kingdom citizenship to those here on earth who choose to follow and obey Him. 

With what I believe is a clear and accurate description of God and His authority that is given to us in the Bible, I became increasingly frustrated with my discernment that the modern Western Church has lost that identity. How can we look at abortion, child and adult pornography, child and adult sex trafficking, the international drug trade, the corruption and greed in our nation's government, and the myriad of other ways we've offended God, and not conclude that "the Church" has lost its way in fulfilling their mission? As the earthly arbiter and intercessor of God's Word here on earth, can we honestly say the Church has done a good job of reflecting God's culture, nature, values, and morals? Just look at the state of our country, and the answer is clearly NO!  

But let's expand our view even more, and take a look at the world. I think the modern view of Christianity is from a succinctly Western perspective. And most American Christians are focused on their faith from their own personal viewpoint. In other words, we need to understand that Jesus came to change the world, and to return it to His Father's standards in Heaven. But Jesus talked about the world and all that would happen in it, and to it, as Satan increased his will and influence on the hearts of mankind. And we can clearly see the ways his lies have corrupted this realm and inhibited the ways, morals, and government of God's Kingdom on this planet. The world is made up of men, and men have certainly lost their focus on establishing the Kingdom of God on earth.

The peoples of the world desperately need the government of the Prince of Peace to be established, bringing order out of the disorder, and His Light into the darkness that is surrounding us. Here's the sad truth: The earth does not look like Heaven. In fact, the "gates" (ruling power) of Satan are fighting back whenever and wherever the Ekklesia makes strides to transform any territory. Do you remember in the Bible, when Paul and Silas traveled to Thessalonica, and they were causing an uproar among the citizens with their message of the Kingdom of God? This is how the citizens described Paul and Silas's influence ... "These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another King, Jesus."

We need to see and understand that Paul and his companion were turning the WORLD SYSTEM upside down! We need to be doing that in our day! We need to be dethroning human kings and calling out groups of believers to stand in opposition to the worldly systems of our day, and to act as representatives of our Heavenly King! We need to see ourselves as independent from kings and politicians and we need to agree to become ruled by God's system of government through the Holy Spirit. Instead of being in opposition to the world system and the leaders it has enticed to follow its dictates, our governing body of "the Church" has enslaved itself to the world system, becoming religious organizations (identified as "businesses.") Instead of operating in opposition to the world system, churches too often look just like [or promote[ the systems of the world. 

I want to conclude by stating that I have not lost hope in either the Church or the world. I intend to continue my mission and assignment to turn my little corner of the world upside down as an ambassador of my true home, the Kingdom of God. As I watch the world spiraling ever closer to destruction and war, I know it is crucial that I persevere in carrying forth our King's message of love, service, and sacrifice. But I am also aware that I will be hated, just as Jesus said I would. I am praying that the fire that was lit with the assassination of Charlie Kirk, (and all those that have come before him, and will come after), will continue to burn in the hearts of faithful men and women. 

Finally, there's a bigger picture I hope I can paint for you ... Every single person born on this earth was a pre-existent spirit being, created before the foundations of the world. We have all been sent to earth to live in this host body, with the plan that we will reconnect with our Creator, declare our allegiance to His Kingdom, receive His Spirit, and begin to carry out our assignment to advance the Kingdom of God, thereby defeating all the works and plans of Satan; defeating his dark kingdom as we deed those territories back to the jurisdiction of the Kingdom of God. We're in the spiritual battle of the ages. Be vigilant; be intentional; walk in your Kingdom identity, power, and authority. We have been called by God, and our King goes before us!

Matthew 6:9    Our Father who is in Heaven, uphold the holiness of Your Name. Bring in Your Kingdom so that Your will is done on earth as it's done in Heaven. (Common English Bible) 

Mature Christians: Do Not Fear Our Old Age! We are Vital to the Kingdom!

I'm going to touch on a subject that is important to approximately 1.1 Billion people worldwide who are over the age of 60. This is the number of aging Christians who are entering what should be our "golden years". In America, approximately 56 million people are over 60 years of age, and 76% of them (approximately 42.5 million) identify as Christian. [NOTE: Take these internet statistics with a grain of salt, but they will suffice for our conversation.]

Not only are we, who are in that age group, seeing increasing persecution due to our faith, but also are experiencing increasing bias towards us because of our age. That's called Ageism, and it can be noted that we are targeted by the internet and mass media. They push a social agenda that is obsessed with youth. They promote negative feedback that associates aging with decline and loss, instead of wisdom and resilience. I, personally, experienced it just the other day when trying to explain a banking situation to a young woman who was probably a late Millennial. Her attitude, tone of voice, and dismissive manner displayed her thoughts that I couldn't possibly understand the complicated world of banking management that she occupied. The real problem was that she didn't bother to listen to me, and as she talked over me, she missed out on the essential facts of my problem. 

But her attitude is one that is adopted by many of her generation, and those who are younger. They are the "internet generation"; those who have been raised with technology as a constant in their lives. Anyone older than that is considered incapable of navigating modern life, and therefore nonessential and expendable according to their social prejudice. In contrast, Native Americans and Middle Eastern cultures have a more favorable view of their elderly. But don't be discouraged! There's another who values those of us who identify as both mature and Christian. It is our Savior, Jesus Christ, and I am going to share what He says about our worthiness, our usefulness, our effectiveness, and our significance in the world as we grow ever closer to His return. 

First, let me explain that the encouragement you're about to read, is largely the teaching of a prominent Christian apologist, whom I will reveal at the end of this article. I want you to concentrate on the words of wisdom from Scripture that he shared, which lit my spirit on fire and made it clear that I (along with everyone over the age of 60) are very important to bringing His Kingdom into this Age and to welcome His return. Please take the time to read his inspiring words ...

"For too long, the world has told us a lie about what it means to grow old. It whispers that aging means weakness. That these final years of life are meant for fading, for stepping back, for silence. But today, hear this shocking truth from the lips of our Savior... Your final years are not years of decline. They are years of Divine design! The world may say you are slowing down. but Jesus says you are stepping into your greatest season of eternal purpose! Do not believe for one second that your time is finished. Do not believe that your story is ending. For the Lord Himself declared, 'The last shall be first and the first, last' (Matthew 20:16). That is not just a statement about Heaven's order. It is a reminder that the season others call your last may actually be your most powerful, your most fruitful, your most glorious!

Think about it! Abraham was 75 when he received the  Promise. Moses was 80 when the burning bush lit up his destiny. Caleb was 85 when he declared, 'I am still  as strong today as the day Moses sent me out.' Heaven's calendar does not measure years the way the world does. In God's economy, your latter days are not your weaker. They are weightier. They carry the fullness of wisdom, the richness of testimony, and the urgency of eternity. Hear the Apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 4:16 ... ' Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.' Yes, our strength may falter. But the Spirit within you grows younger, stronger, more vibrant, more alive in Christ as the years go by. 

Hear this: Our final years are not a curse! They are a calling. They are not an end. They are a new beginning of deeper intimacy with the One who has carried us every step of the way. We have carried burdens, faced trials, and walked valleys that the younger generations have yet to experience. We have tasted the bitterness of life and the sweetness of God's deliverance. These years have forged in us a faith that is unshakeable. Can you see it? These are the years when our voices carry the most weight. Our prayers move the heaviest mountains. And our testimonies pierce the hardest hearts. 

And here's the real truth you need to grasp: Your life on this earth may be approaching sunset, but in Heaven, the sun is only beginning to rise. So, do not call these years, your final years. Call them your crowning years. Do not call them your fading years. Call them your fruitful years.  These are the days when God is shaping your legacy, when the seeds you have planted in faith begin to blossom, and your example becomes a torch for those walking behind you.

Do not believe the lies of the Enemy who wants you to think that your best days are gone; that you are finished; that there's nothing left for you to do. Here's the truth Jesus wants you to know: ' Your journey is not winding down. It is pressing upward.' Heaven counts these your richest years! The world may look at you and see age, but heaven looks at you and sees a soldier of Christ preparing for glory! Lift up your head in Christ! Do not walk in despair, but in expectation. For these years are not the fading echoes of yesterday, but the trumpet sound of eternity drawing near. Your last years are not your weakest years. They are your most victorious years in Christ.

Too often the world paints a picture of old age as a time of loss ... loss of strength, loss of relevance, loss of usefulness. But Heaven tells a very different story.  God's Word proclaims,  "The righteous will flourish like a palm tree. They will grow like a cedar o Lebanon. They will bear fruit in old age. They will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, The Lord is upright. He is my Rock and there is no wickedness in Him" (Psalm 92:12-15). Old age in the eyes of God is not decline! It is abundance. It is the season when your roots run deep. It is when your faith is proven, and when your life declares His righteousness with a strength that youth cannot yet understand.

These years of your life are a gift designed to display what only decades of walking with God can produce. Wisdom that shines like light, patience that mirrors Christ, and faith that can move mountains. Do not forget the promise written in Isaiah: "Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He. I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. I will sustain and I will rescue you" (Isaiah 46:4). You see, God does not step away as you grow older. He steps closer. He does not leave you to stumble. He carries you. His design is not abandonment, but sustaining. His design is not weakness, but (His) strength made perfect (in you).

So, how does God want you live in these years? The answer is clear. He calls you to live as bearers of fruit; as carriers of hope, as voices of Truth to a generation that desperately needs wisdom. You are not meant to fade into silence, but to rise as elders of faith who proclaim, "The Lord is upright. He is my rock!" Every wrinkle on your face is not a sign of loss [of youth], but a mark of testimony. Every gray hair is not a symbol of fading but a crown of honor. As Proverbs say, "Gray hair is a crown of splendor. It is attained in the way of righteousness."

There is much more that this Christian leader had to say, and I will leave you with a link to listen to the entirety of his faithful encouragement.  So, I join him in witnessing that we do not need to despise these years when the wrinkles appear, and our hair turns gray. We do not need to mourn them, for they are not empty but filled with divine purpose. And they are filled with opportunity. These years are our chance to mentor, to guide, to intercede, to pour out our wisdom and faith, to share our treasures of heaven that we have kept for a time such as this. 

The younger generations may run faster than we can, but they lack the depth of faith that we carry. Know that these later years are rich with purpose and usefulness for the Kingdom of God. Rise up now! Shake off despair! We are not to retreat, but advance for the cause of the Kingdom. This is our moment to shine brighter, love deeper, serve bolder, and to live with urgency. Our King is coming!! Our reward is waiting! Our call to serve is clear and needed! So, let us join together and Go Forth for the glory of God and the hope of eternity. That's why we are here! Amen.

Now, I want to reveal the author of this inspirational piece of writing. Unlike those of us 60 and over, he is actually young and has inspired both young and old alike with his faithfulness. The author is Charlie Kirk, who I'm sure expected to embrace his own words when he entered into his later years. But I thank the Lord for speaking to his heart to pen what so many of us need to hear today. Thank You, Lord! And thank you, Charlie! We older Christians needed to hear this. You can access the full video here.   

 Matthew 25:21     His Master said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; Come, share in the joy of your Master."        

Christians: Wake Up! Prepare to Persevere in the Midst of Persecution!

 

As Watchmen on the Wall, my husband joins me in warning Christians to wake up to the very real possibility that we are entering into a season of Biblical persecution. Believe me, it gives me no pleasure to give these kinds of warning, but the Lord has made it clear that failing the assignment Ezekiel was given in Chapter 33 holds the same consequence for those of us who are to also fulfill that role. The Lord says in verses 7-9: "I have made you [Ezekiel] a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them a warning from Me. When I say to the wicked, 'You wicked person, you will surely die', and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved." 

Just like Ezekiel, those of us whom the Lord has called to be watchmen, are held to the same standards and accountability for the consequences faced by the people. Ever since September 1, 2001, I have heard The Church pronounce 2 Chronicles 7:14 as their mantra ... "If my people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land".  As is all too evident, the healing has not come, and we must be honest with ourselves. We've been good at reciting that verse, but our sin, as a nation, has only grown. Not only have we not humbled ourselves before the world, but our nation's leaders have become even more greedy, more prideful, and more corrupt. 

As a nation, we have not turned from our wicked ways. In fact, our sins have risen to new heights of wickedness. Our children are trafficked for the sexual desire of evil men; we have allowed them to get caught up in the social contagion of gender dysphoria, rejecting their God-given identity; and the level of violence and murder [for simply having a difference of opinion] is threatening to engulf this nation in the flames of terrorizing bloodshed and discord. And where has the Church been?!? The signs have been there for over 20 years! Yet too many members of Christian Leadership have chosen to put blinders on to what the Lord has been showing all of us. They didn't speak up because it might threaten their popularity and numbers of members. And let's not forget that people quit giving to the coffers of the Church if the message is too negative. They will not heed the true Word of God, and leave to go where their ears are tickled.

And Godly Christian men and women have also been deceived by the false teachings that we could solve the sins of our nation by putting the right political leaders in office. And then there is the promise that we are on the verge of a Revival. Oh, Lord, how I hope it is true! We are seeing what seems to be a great awakening since the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and I am praying that it grows into a true Spirit of Revival. Only time will tell if it is sustainable. And I say that because there's also a spirit of Rebellion that is also in the world to counter the hope and promises that Jesus's Return is near. And part of the Watchman's assignment is to deliver the bad news that no one wants to hear. That's what the Book of Jeremiah is all about. And the warnings the prophet brought to the people of Judah are the very same ones the modern Watchmen are hearing and proclaiming. And the response is the same ... the people don't want to hear them. I advise you to read these excerpts from Jeremiah to get a sense of where we're at.

But know this ... I will continue to share the warnings I receive from the Lord and implore the people of this nation to come out of the world and see the Evil that is being prepared for us by our Enemy and his Beast System. Christians need to remove the mask they've been living behind and pay attention to what the Enemy and his proxies on earth are openly showing us. Just in the last week, there has been a greater number of voices and articles warning of attacks against American Houses of Worship. Especially alarming is the latest issue of The Islamic State 's weekly newsletter, al-Naba, which is translated "The Tidings" or "The News" in Arabic, and refers to a portion of the Koran which discusses themes related to the Day of Judgment.

Sources who have translated the content of the newsletter warn that it gives explicit language of a diverse list of attack methods "to make the hearts of the Jews, Christians, and their allies bleed". [NOTE: I will not reveal those methods in the context of this blog. My purpose in writing today is not to glorify the Evil, but to be the voice of warning for the Body of Christ to get ready to persevere through the coming persecution]. We must educate ourselves and be familiar with the hate that is being instigated by Evil and its partners. Have you been paying attention to the violence that surrounds the protests over Gaza and Palestine? We must come to understand that we are in a spiritual war and the battle encompasses politics, religious factions, and conflicting ideologies.

Can you see how the stabbings, vehicle rammings, shootings that target churches and Christian individuals, synagogues, Christian schools, and public faith-based events are becoming viable targets of Satan to thwart the Spirit of Revival? Are you able to discern the rise of Evil in these instances -- or does your normalcy bias dismiss them and keep you blinded? If you aren't seeing the increase in these kinds of demonic occurrences, then you are putting yourselves and your communities at risk. Just the other day in Texas, three suspects were arrested after shooting a Christian youth baseball coach who knelt on the field to pray with his team. And today, people died in a mass shooting attack at a Church in Grand Blanc Township in Michigan, and the Church was set on fire. 

But it's not just Christians in America that are being targeted and persecuted. The Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) has issued a new report that states "that ethnic and religious violence in Nigeria has claimed the lives of nearly 56,000 people over the last four years". In addition, the Nigeria-based human rights Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law reports that more than 7,000 Christians were killed through July of this year! And please don't look away from these alarming reports because those numbers aren't being seen in the U.S. or the West ... yet. Remember -- God is no respecter of persons. He shows no favoritism or partiality  based on a person's race, nationality, or social status. Satan's greatest persecution is targeted towards the followers of Jesus Christ. He knows his time is short; and he knows that Jesus is close to mounting up for His Return, and Satan wants to kill and destroy as many lovers of Christ as he can before Jesus brings His Judgment.

So, I do not write this to scare you. I write this because the Lord wants you to be prepared and endure what's coming for the sake of your testimony to those who still need to know your Savior for themselves; to win souls for Christ; and to defeat the Devil's plans. And I want you to know that I absolutely trust God for His Protection, but preparing for the persecution that Jesus told us would come is not a lack of faith. It is a way to love and prepare the flock so they can continue to defend the faith without fear. I encourage all Christians to pray for the persecuted and the targeted. Let us encourage each other to persevere in the midst of persecution. It is by our example that we will glorify the Lord before our enemies. May God bless us, defend us, and encourage our souls and spirits. Amen!

James 1:12     Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the Crown of Life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

 

Awakening or Revival? Where is Charlie Kirk's Death Leading Us?

Whether you are a Believer or not, I cannot imagine that the outpouring of faith at the Memorial Celebration for Charlie Kirk this past weekend did not affect you. For those who were disturbed by [or antagonistic towards] the display of faith by the crowd of 200,000 people who arrived to honor him, it was a picture of the influence Charlie had in stirring up the hearts of people to embrace demonstrable faith in Jesus Christ. 

To be honest, I was surprised to see the negative and hateful remarks on social media, as well as the vitriolic speech by talking heads in the media. I guess I shouldn't have been. Satan hated that display of Christ's Love towards Him and each other. Even more startling to me was the report by the Barna Group and Gloo on the State of the Church. First let me explain who these two research groups are. Barna Group is a Christian research organization that provides data and insights on the trends affecting faith, our culture, and the ministry today. Gloo is an AI-powered community engagement platform that was designed to use machine learning to understand the individual needs of a community.  [NOTE: I'm a little concerned that a machine might be able to lead those engaging with it towards research results that meet the pre-determined bias of its creator. Are they authentic results? Just my opinion].

Now to the research results that were reported on September 3, 2025, exactly one week before Charlie Kirk's assassination. According to ChurchLeaders.com, both Barna Group and Gloo revealed "a historic shift in church attendance. For the first time in decades, younger adults, specifically Gen Z (ages 13-28) and Millennials (ages 29-44) are now the most regular churchgoers". What happened? First of all, these are the same age groups that were isolated during the pandemic of the early 2000s. So let's think about the consequences of that isolation. 

It seems [to me] that when the Covid pandemic started, Gen Z were the kids who ranged in age from 8-23, when schools were shut down and students were forced into being kept apart from physical contact with their peers. The Millennials were older and either just beginning their careers or climbing the ladder, and they, too, suffered from being isolated and disillusioned at home in front of their computers. This resulted in both generations becoming divided into two distinctly different groups. Both groups became hungry for a connection, meaning, and purpose in their lives. But the isolation created a vacuum and a void in the lives of these impressionable young people. And that gap, left by the loss of a significant part of their identity, would be filled with either Good or Evil; a purpose or meaninglessness/lack of direction; and Jesus or the devil.

Group One found a longing for the spiritual, and a deeper relationship with Jesus for their identity and purpose. Group Two found their meaning and direction in chat rooms that were perfect breeding grounds for the lies of the Enemy. Combine this with the trend of older adults whose faith had become "lukewarm", and those who identified with Group Two and had no foundation of faith to support their sense of aimlessness .... the perfect opportunity to malign the Church and faith as a means of comfort and connection. These kids and young adults found both comfort and connection through gamer platforms, violent video games, exposure to inappropriate content of a sexual and/or societal nature -- all of which can [and did] lead to social isolation and hindering their development of real-life social skills. When you don't feel like you belong, the devil will introduce you to some of his followers. 

Our society is showing signs of this division; between those who seek Jesus and those who revile Him. And in the midst of these last 5 years since the height of the Pandemic, God sends Charlie Kirk into the fray. Actually, Charlie volunteered. He knew what his purpose was and told God, "Send me". Charlie approached the differences in a new way. With a heart to see everyone come to a personal relationship with His Lord and Savior, Charlie invited these kids [who had become isolated and lost] to engage in a conversation about the issues of their generation. No topic was off-limits ... discussions about abortion, gender identity, racism, and faith, itself, were opportunities for him to reach the aimless who were looking for something to believe in. He challenged them to think for themselves. And in the midst of the conversations and debate, it was an opportunity to introduce them to Jesus who knew exactly what their purpose was. And thousands of this generation responded with the hope they were seeking.

So, now we are all hearing words of hope and expectancy ... Revival and Awakening!  Such promising words! We must pray for them! But, in all due respect, I offer a word of caution... Is there a difference between the meanings of these words, and what are the signs we can recognize that we are experiencing them authentically? An Awakening is a hunger and a stirring up of our spirits as God sovereignly pours out the Holy Spirit to cause an impact in our culture. A Revival in the Church is more than that. Yes, a true Revival begins with this kind of awakening. In fact, a Revival is the spiritual reawakening of a lukewarm Church who has been content to rest in its prosperity, its reputation in society, its ability to entertain the masses, and sadly, personal identity and recognition among its members. In other words, it tends to serve itself instead of the lost of the world, whom Jesus came to save.

I do not intend for this post to be a condemnation of the Church, but hopefully, to inspire genuine reflection. Have we forsaken our first love (the passion with which we first came to Christ)? Have we become ensnared by the rituals, just going through the motions, and no longer experiencing the joy of serving the Lord? Has the Church compromised with the world and incorporated the world's values into our theology? [Remember that Jesus said Satan is "the prince of this world" (John 14:30), and Paul said he was the "God of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4) -- how much has the Church partnered with the devil by staying silent about sin in the world?] Have we tolerated false teaching that undermines the spiritual life and power of God's True Church?

Yes, the Church needs a Revival! And the Church needs to be Restored to its original power! But I'm not sure we can call this amazing supernatural hunger for the Word of God that we have seen ignited [by God] through Charlie Kirk, "a Revival" just yet. We can most definitely call it an Awakening! And it's a beautiful movement in the Spirit across our land. So now we need to pray that it continues and grows in strength. There have been several magnificent awakenings in our country since America's inception. When we were still colonies, Jonathan Edwards reported that one of the signs of spiritual awakening was that young people were being drawn to the faith. Hallelujah, we are seeing that again today! 

But here's the thing ... The seed planted in Awakenings must be watered in order to grow into pure Revivals! Awakenings don't simply evolve into Revivals. We must understand the importance of divine intervention for spiritual revival [and pray for it]. In addition, we must see sustained fruit if we are to call a movement a genuine Revival. In fact, there have been several Awakenings throughout history, and sometimes Revivals followed, only to dwindle in passion and pass into oblivion. 

History shows us that Jonathan Edwards' First Great Awakening in America (1741) declined due to division within the Church over theology. A Second Great Awakening took flight in 1790, nurtured by Edwards' grandson, Timothy Dwight, but it was not sustained either. Since then, Awakenings among college students came to life during the American Civil War; movements in the 20th Century such as the Student Volunteer Movement, Youth for Christ, Young Life, Campus Crusade for Christ, Azusa Street, the Jesus Movement, and now, through the ministry of Turning Point USA. 

Some resulted in short periods of authentic Revival. But as you can discern, these "awakenings" and "revivals", while not resulting in the restoration and regeneration of the Church as Jesus desires, are reasons to be grateful for the fresh wind of renewal that we have witnessed over the last week. God is at work, once again, among our young generations. Praise the Lord! Will you join with me and all the generations by praying that this latest Awakening will continue to stir up hearts and spirits and lead to a multi-generational (and real) Revival that will sweep our land and around the world? And, Lord, I fervently pray, "Let it begin with me!"  

Psalm 85:4-7      Now restore us again, O God of our salvation. Put aside Your anger against us once more. Will You be angry with us always? Will You prolong Your wrath to all generations? Won't You revive us again, so Your people can rejoice in You? Show us Your unfailing love, O Lord, and grant us Your salvation. 

   

     

Caution: The Love of Many Will Grow Cold. How You Respond Matters!

It didn't take long. Less than a week after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the dark side has rallied its physical and spiritual troops to continue their torrent of hate and misrepresentation of those who have chosen to honor Charlie's life as a brother in Christ. Whether they agreed with him or not on his politics or opinions of the culture, millions saw him as a human being with God-given rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. 

Charlie was definitely pursuing what made him happy. He felt the call of God on his life to encourage this generation to think for themselves; to live a righteous and Godly life; and to speak boldly and courageously about saving this country, incorporating their faith into every thing they do and say. I honestly think that Satan was surprised and shocked at the response of millions who rallied to the memory of Charlie and what he stood for. I think it knocked the kingdom of darkness back on its heels. But within just a few days, the attacks began in earnest ... the laughing and mocking of his brutal death; the vile remarks began showing up on social media; and the deluded and deceived began making personal attacks, whitewashing any and all who honored Charlie with a broad brush of racism, misogyny, and hatred because we have different opinions. To make matters even more offensive, their accusations were false. And incredibly saddening, many of these anti-Charlie critics identify themselves as "Christians".

I know this, because I have recently [but not surprisingly] been attacked for my thoughts on the impact of Charlie's life and death. It was the very epitome of Matthew 24:12, And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many will grow cold. I was shocked to read the message I received because it came from someone whom my husband and I had kind of taken under our wing and ministered to; allowing Jesus to use us to deliver them from emotional trauma [and all that results from that kind of pain] into the glorious freedom of His love. There has been no contact for several years and then the email arrives painting us in a false light and criticizing us for being hateful followers of Charlie Kirk, who was categorized as racist, misogynist, and a hypocrite in his faith. It didn't take long to understand that trying to have a rational conversation was only increasing the harsh rhetoric. There was no desire for reconciliation; only a lust for condemnation.

I should have made no effort to answer the first time, and just ignored the angry outburst. I naively hoped that I could present our case and understanding would win the day. I am not going to share my thoughts about what was behind the attack, because I am not going to plant seeds of hate that are being sown into our citizenry by Satan and his minions. Instead, I want to caution everyone to prepare for similar aggression and hostility. It is a form of persecution that, I believe, will grow stronger and wider in the days to come. If we are truly followers of Christ, then we must come to understand that this was prophesied by our Lord, Himself... If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you... this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated Me without reason."  

Understand this: you will be hated without reason. But God has chosen you to be in the world at this time for a reason. Like Charlie, we are all here to represent Jesus in a world that is growing cold and dangerous. How will we respond? We know, as the Bible informs us, that people will be lovers of self and self-focused [narcissistic], lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, unholy and profane, unloving [and devoid of human affection], brutal, haters of good, and much more [2 Timothy 3:2-5]. So, again, I ask -- how will you respond? We saw how Charlie chose to answer his critics -- with boldness, facts, and a spirit that enjoyed debate, always ending the conversation by glorifying his God, whom he served with delight and courage. The end of 2 Timothy, Chapter 3 tells us to "Avoid such people and keep far away from them."

Now, I believe that advice is given to us when there is still a chance to circumvent the hatred, and restore harmony between the parties. But I also believe that the Enemy does not want that to occur in the aftermath of this assassination, and has unleashed a new level of iniquity and willful rebellion against God and His people. I pray harmony and reconciliation can be restored, but I don't think that is Satan's plan. In response, God gives us 2 Timothy, Chapter 4: He charges us to "preach the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it is not -- keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable; whether convenient or inconvenient; whether welcome or unwelcome." Subsequently, we are "to correct, in love, those who err either in doctrine or behavior; warn those who sin; exhort and encourage those who are growing toward spiritual maturity with inexhaustible patience and faithful teaching".

We are already seeing signs of what the Bible calls "the time to come" when people won't tolerate God's Truth, but will only listen to false teachers and prophets who satisfy their own desires, and who support the errors and deceptions they are holding onto. They will adopt the narrative that is spoon-fed to them by Satan's partners in the arena of public discourse -- those man-made arguments and false indictments that will keep the masses stirred up and in emotional turmoil. But what does Jesus tell us to do?  He cautions us in 2 Timothy 4:5 to "be clear-headed [and calm and cool and steady] in every situation; to endure every hardship [without flinching]; to do the work of an evangelist; and to fulfill [the duties of] our ministry".  

Jesus, Himself, accomplished this task as He neared His crucifixion and death. And I don't think it's too much of a stretch to say that Charlie Kirk fulfilled that same purpose. We are to do the same. I don't think we can deny that iniquity is abounding in this moment, or that the love of many of our fellow citizens has grown cold. I am spending some serious time with the Lord struggling with how to manage my flesh over the Evilness and Lawlessness that resulted in Charlie Kirk's assassination, and how to endure the false accusations over the intentions of my heart. Matthew 24 assures us that if we stand firm and endure until the end, we will be saved from the wrath of God against the rebellious and receive the hope and promise that we will dwell with Him for eternity. Furthermore, the Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations. 

So, how am I going to respond? Forgiveness has to be an essential part of my response, as hard as it is for my flesh to accomplish that in those moments when the world's attacks are strongest. And prayer will be a part of my process, as well. My neighbors, who are good, Godly people soothed my soul and spirit when they remarked that sometimes, the best thing we can do is pray for those people who are rebelling against the Kingdom and trust God to do what we cannot. Amen to that! And Lord, may we all glorify You in these difficult and dangerous days. May we be bold and courageous in our faith, as Your Servants were at the dawn of Christianity.

Acts 4:29-30      And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to Your servants to continue to speak Your Word with all boldness, while you stretch out Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the Name of Your Holy Servant [and Son] Jesus.