A Modern Woman's Perspective On The Kingdom of God on Earth


Showing posts with label Global issues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Global issues. Show all posts

April 1, 2023

Can You See The Global Reset Now? (Part 1)

 


In 2021 my husband and I met with a group of Christians and gave a presentation called "The Global Reset Meets the Kingdom of God". We had received a strong prompting from the Holy Spirit to educate Christians on what we could see coming in regards to the social, political, and economic changes that were about to ascend upon the world. Because we have such a strong Biblical worldview, it was easy for us to see and connect the dots from history, and we were compelled to try and warn those within our sphere of influence to prepare for a spiritual battle.

 We have always taken Ezekiel 33:1-6 very seriously, discerning that we have an obligation to warn others when the Lord reveals that "a sword is being brought against the land". In 2008, the Lord had given us both visions of what was to come in the future [although we only received in part, and through the ensuing years He began showing us more as we were able to receive it]. But in 2021, it was time to share what we had learned so far. In this post [and the following one] I will share the presentation, and hope to help you see the battle we are in from a spiritual perspective so you can know how to pray and petition God to deliver us. 

Prior to developing the presentation, I wrote the following in a September, 2020 blog post. This statement is a good lead-in to my purpose for sharing the presentation and writing this post today ... "Have you noticed how often we are hearing about "a global reset" in our national dialogue? It seems it's become the media's new mantra across the entire spectrum of political ideologies. And that's because the powerful banking and business leaders, government officials, and social activists around the planet are seeking to reset and transform all aspects of our societies and economies. They have become willing accomplices with Satan's dark forces to propagate massive deception. Promote the deception hard enough and long enough and a spiritual stronghold becomes a habitual pattern of thought in the lives of individuals, communities, and nations. Spiritual strongholds can even dominate churches! Both in the culture of the United States and in the Western mindset, [in general], Satan has been able to build a stronghold that convinces people (whether Believers or not) that the supernatural does not exist in this Age. (Unfortunately, Satan's followers believe in this truth [of the supernatural] all too well!) Therefore, there is a denial of the influence of demonic spirits in the lives of many Christian peoples and nations. When disbelieving Christians don't accept the reality of spiritual strongholds and demonic forces, Satan's kingdom of darkness is free to continue operating in the world".  

But this Satanic agenda didn't just come about overnight, and it is important that we recognize its origins in the modern world, how it is being perpetuated, and how it plans on culminating in definitive victory. It is precisely because we lack the knowledge of how Satan has been working in the world that he has been able to deceive mankind for so long. And because I am primarily writing to my fellow Americans, I invite you to read my article The Founding of America: What Is The Truth? as a prelude to the rest of this post. 

From this point on, I am going to show you the progression of an agenda that has been working for the last 250 years that leads right up to what we are experiencing today. My theory begins in 1776, when Johann Adam Weishaupt founded the Illuminati in Bavaria. He was a professor of law and of canon law [as a Jesuit]. He was initiated into his local Masonic lodge and used Freemasonry to recruit for his own secret society, with the goal of perfecting "human nature" through re-education to achieve a communal state with nature, freed of government and organized religion.  This aligns perfectly with what careful observation will reveal is the partnership between Freemasonry, the New World Order, and the Anti-Christ spirit to advance Satan's kingdom on earth and prevent the Kingdom of God [and His ambassadors] from reclaiming dominion of the world. I find it particularly interesting that this attack originates at the same time that the United States of America [based on Christian principles] is being formed. We need to understand that from the outset, America had a target on its back!

Read what can be considered Weishaupt's manifesto or mission statement: "The great strength of our Order lies in its concealment; let it never appear any place in its own name, but always covered by another name and another occupation. None is fitter than the three lower degrees of Freemasonry. The public is accustomed to it, expects little from it, and therefore takes little notice of it .... We must win the common people from every corner. This will be obtained chiefly by means of the schools, and by open, hearty behavior, show, condescension, popularity, and toleration of their prejudices, which we shall at leisure root out and dispel". Perhaps the most disturbing statement we find in Weishaupt's thesis is this: "The most wonderful thing of all is that the distinguished Lutheran and Calvinist theologians who belong to our order really believe that they see in it [the Illuminati] the true and genuine sense of Christian religion. Oh, mortal man, is there anything you cannot be made to believe"? Satan has infiltrated the Church for centuries, which has undermined the effectiveness of our religious institutions to advance the freedom Jesus died for and came to establish.

Let's fast-forward nearly 100 years to 1867 and this prophetic statement by Karl Marx: "My object in life is to dethrone God and destroy capitalism." Just another building block towards a Global Reset. And the partners of the devil are patient and long-suffering. They will wait for decades and centuries while the deception they have sowed bears its fruit. 

History moves us into WWI and the establishment of international bankers and the profits obtained by war. The One World Government, also characterized as a New World Order, is all about acquiring unlimited wealth [and keeping it] by setting up a worldwide dictatorship of the banking families and a banking system for all times to come. 

The route to this dictatorship is paved by manipulated strife, instability, chaos, confusion, perpetual bloodshed at an increasing and horrific scale, world wars, depressions, homelessness, famine, devastation of countries and their "rebuilding", bondage of debt, spying, and the end of personal privacy as well as free thought. Thought control, debt bondage, and disregard for human life is integral to this set up. Historian Alan Brugar has estimated that for every soldier that died in WWI, the international bankers made $10,000! Over 9 million military personnel died in that war. That is a profit of over $9 Billion in 1918 dollars! It was a profit deal! In reality, the international bankers traded in human souls, which is the same charge God made against Satan in Ezekiel 28: By your great wisdom and by your trade, you have increased your riches and power, and your heart is proud and arrogant because of your wealth --.Revelation 18:11-13 takes it a prophetic step further for the nation and cities who have profited from human grief ... merchants of the earth will weep and grieve over her, because no one buys their cargo (goods, merchandise) anymore; merchandise which included "the trafficking of the bodies and souls of people".

In his farewell address in 1960, President Dwight Eisenhower left us with two warnings. First, he warned "The combination of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry has implications, economically, politically, and even spiritually on our nation. We must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence of the military/industrial complex. The potential for a disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist... As we peer into society's future we must avoid the impulse to live only for today, plundering, for our own ease and convenience, the precious resources of tomorrow. We cannot mortgage the material assets of our grandchildren without risking the loss also of their political and spiritual heritage". Sadly, Mr. President, our leaders in all spheres of this nation did not listen to your prophetic words. I'm afraid we've done exactly what you warned us against. 

As I end Part 1 of this two-part presentation, I hope you can see how all the building blocks have been put into place to bring us to this moment in history... the plan to transform all aspects of our society and economy; the deliberate re-education of our citizens to rid this nation of religion and a free, capitalistic economy; the use of "open, hearty behavior" to achieve the ultimate transformation they desire [think of the riots during lockdown and the recent violent crimes on the streets of America]; the infiltration of the Church by an order of men who do not believe in God; and the international banking system that has enslaved millions of people through debt, world wars, famine, and currency manipulation. In case you haven't noticed, we're reaping the effects of this Anti-Christ agenda this very moment, and it looks like it is unrecoverable, except for our belief in a supernatural God who can deliver us in a moment ... if He chooses to redeem us. 

We know that it is God's plan to bring redemption to all mankind because He loves what He has created! But He is also a just and righteous God and is not above disciplining those He loves when they sin outright or when they carelessly waste the blessings He has provided. I truly believe that the strongholds we have allowed to grow up in this country can be defeated by supernatural means as we battle in the spirit for the heart and soul of our nation. But time is running out and we have much work to do! In Part 2 of Can You See The Global Reset Now? I'm going to conclude with what recent history is showing us about the Reset and the plan for a new world order. And then I'm going to share what is going on in the spiritual realms and how we can partner with Heaven to defeat this diabolical agenda. Stay tuned!

#globalreset #internationalbanking #illuminati #freemasonry #newworldorder

1 Thessalonians 5:5-6   We do not belong to the night nor to darkness. So then let us not sleep [in spiritual indifference] as the rest [of the world does], but let us keep wide awake [alert and cautious] and let us be sober [self-controlled, calm, and wise].


 

one is fitter than the three lower degrees of Freemasonry; the public is accustomed to it, expects little from it and therefore takes little notice of it

He was initiated into the Masonic lodge and used

April 29, 2020

"Be Still And Know That I Am God" Is More Significant Than Ever

    

     "Be Still".... these are the first words of Psalm 46, verse 10, and represent a new lifestyle and behavior for most of the peoples and nations of the world. This pandemic that has come upon the earth has forced us to slow down and withdraw into a state of solitude. In America, we've never had to be still before; we had the freedom to fill our lives with all kinds of activities and distractions. But this stillness has been mandated by the powers of this world, and leaves mankind with a choice.... what will I fill this solitude with?
     The Psalmist gives us a most excellent option .... we have the opportunity to take our time to get to know God. No more excuses for not spending the time or effort to seek Him in His Word. Instead of looking for ways to fill your quarantined hours with empty pursuits and diversions, why not dust off that Bible that has been tucked away in a drawer, or actually open the one you have prominently displayed on a table as evidence of your Christian faith?
     And the psalm gives us lots of reasons to make getting to know God our number one priority, and in light of the state of the world, why this might be a good time to pursue Him. To begin with, He is a safe and powerful place to find shelter and protection in times of trouble. And I think the fact that over 3 million confirmed cases of Covid-19 in 210+ countries, resulting in over 216,000 deaths qualifies as a time of great sorrow and trouble [if you can believe the statistics put out by the World Health Organization].
     In addition, the Psalmist writes, when you know who God is, and who you are in Him, there is no need to fear, "even if every structure of support were to crumble away" (The Passion Translation). I'd say the loss of jobs, the uncertainty in the stock market, oil prices crashing, and the predicted shortage of food supplies qualify for that scenario. But when you know God, all that plus verse two and three's threats of "earthquakes and the raging roar of stormy winds and crashing waves" [predicted for the 2020 hurricane season] cannot erode our faith in Him.
     We are promised the constantly flowing river of Living Water from the Throne Room of God, which provides sustenance for our souls and spirits during this drought of worldly provision. When we truly know Him, we know He is our Life Force! That river of Living Water flows right from the heavenly city of the God Most High into His holy dwelling places, which is us -- we are His temple on earth!
     I have often remarked to my husband that if devastation came upon this country [in whatever form] and it resulted in our way of life being radical changed to a solitary and survival existence, I would relish the absence of the world system and embrace the chance to begin seeing the works of God all around me. I am prepared that He can bring both ruin and revival, but I truly believe we won't have to strive to see Him in the midst of all that competes for our attention now. He will be easy to behold for anyone who wants to see Him. He will be exalted throughout the world for those who will receive Him.
      Our world situation is the "beginning of the birth pangs" that Jesus says foretell the wars and famines; from the shaken earth; the deception from false prophets; and the lawlessness that will increase. But He tells us that if we can endure and keep our hope through it all [until the end] then we can experience Eternal Life [and deliverance from Death].
     Yet, sadly, I see people who are using this time of stillness and solitude to seek answers through astrology and Tarot cards; through humanistic thinking and rationality; and through their soul, rather than their spirit. It break's my heart to see dear friends and loved ones looking at this world situation through the devil's dirty veil. They have never had a better time in their life to take their eyes off the world and look to the heavens. How can they not consider that there is a Power greater than their own limited mind? They stubbornly cling to the words of men, rather than giving The Word a chance to open up realms of understanding that no man can offer. They simply refuse to surrender what they view as their human superiority to a higher Authority or Power, not realizing that His authority and power [and yes, even the Mind of Christ] can be theirs. And it dwarfs any that they can realize on their own through an astrological chart, a tarot card reading, channeling an occult spirit, or years of psychotherapy and medications. There's a reason the most valuable card in the Tarot deck is called The Fool.
     So, I truly hope that mankind will come out from under the delusion of their own significance and knowledge, and take advantage of this time to actually be still and make an attempt to get to know their Creator. It is important that we listen for His voice -- not looking to the politicians or talking heads for the way forward; and especially discerning the false messages of the false prophets. It is the perfect time for all mankind to be still and experience the presence of God. Be still and know that He is with us in this time of crisis!

Psalm 73:28     But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works.

March 20, 2020

"Who Knows If You Have Not Come To The Kingdom For Such A Time As This"

    
     The title of today's post are the immortal words of Mordecai, the Jew, to his adopted daughter, Esther, the queen. According to the Bible, Esther's husband was King Ahasuerus, who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces. According to the history books, he was the Achaemenian king Darius I, ruler over what is now Iran. 
     Mordecai has gotten wind that there is a plot to kill all the Jews in the kingdom, and while Esther, herself, is a Jew, it's been kept secret from her husband, the king. Mordecai implores Esther to go before the king and plead his favor, asking him to spare her people. But Esther reminds Mordecai that it is the law of the land that if anyone goes before the king unbidden, death is the penalty. Mordecai then tells his daughter that, as a Jew, she cannot expect to escape the destruction coming against all Jews, and that if she chooses to not help, that God will send His relief and deliverance from another source, and her father's house will perish. Then he speaks the words that I believe apply to us in this generation ... "Who knows if you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Esther's response ... to gather all the Jews together and ask them to fast on her behalf as she approaches the king, even though it is against the law. "If I perish, I perish" are her words that echo across the centuries.
     As the fears that accompany the spread of COVID-19 cross our land, we must contemplate if we are facing destruction of Biblical proportions. I will admit to you that it is hard to know what to believe. Can we believe the media reports that this is a true pandemic? Is the whole situation politically motivated to bring down the President's economy? Are all the shutdowns of businesses that result in loss of paychecks and jobs really necessary? Is the vaccine safe? I'm not sure we will ever know the unvarnished truth about these concerns, but no one can deny the effects this virus has had on our nation and the world. Frankly, I'm not sure we have seen such fear and panic over the future since the Great Depression and WWII. 
     But if you are a Kingdom-believing Christian, where does all this leave you? Can we truly live in a "Kingdom mindset", not letting the affairs of the world shake our faith and trust in our Father and King? I can't explain it, but I actually find myself calmer than I have been in other "near collapses" in our recent past. It's as if my spirit has been waiting for "the big one", and it's actually a relief. 
     You see, I can understand that God has been preparing me for such a time as this -- a time in which nothing of this world is secure. Money to pay bills, buy food, or take care of loved ones is not  guaranteed. Our health is at stake. For most of us, our homes and possessions may well be threatened as our economy teeters on the brink of crashing. We have never faced a more uncertain future in our lifetimes. And that uncertainty can breed doubt and fear. Where is God in all this? Is He hearing our prayers?
     I can assure you that our Father in Heaven hears our voices. And He is not absent in this situation. But as we face increased isolation in our society, we Christians have to decide what our response is going to be. I cannot answer for others, but I can tell you that I have always felt that there would one day be a tremendous trial come upon the world, and I would have the opportunity to not only experience it, but stand for the Lord. Notice, I did not say that I would be tested. That infers that God has given His approval for the trials the world is experiencing. 
     Instead, I recognize that much of the panic and hysteria that people are encountering comes from their lack of relationship with God, and their misplaced worship of the conveniences that the world offers them. Many Christians are guilty of this! We have fallen into step with society and the culture and worship our status, our wealth, our power, and our comfort. Many of us spend more time with our Facebook friends than we do with our Father in Heaven. We have not sought His will in how we should live our lives, but instead have chased after our own desires and yearnings. We have not fed on the Word of God, but have indulged in our appetites of unrighteousness and greed. 
     And now that may all come to a halt. There is talk of mandatory shutdown of the nation for an undetermined amount of time in the hopes that the spread of COVID-19 can be curbed. Everything in our world will change. There will be people who cannot afford food if they aren't receiving a paycheck. Our medical system, transportation system, banking system, food distribution system, utilities system, political system, and yes, even our religious system will be challenged -- especially our religious system.
     Will people blame God? Will they curse Him in the midst of their despair? Will they try to bargain with Him? Or will they fast for strength and wisdom, and then humble themselves, and pray and seek His face and turn from their wicked ways? Will the Church rise up and see this for the opportunity it is? For this is a time when not only can the world reset, and begin to look more like it was created to be, but Believers can begin to walk in their true Kingdom identities and take back Kingdom authority over those worldly systems that have gone so far astray.
     This is the time to reclaim the earth for the Kingdom of God! It is a time, in the words of the late Dr. Myles Munroe, to "establish the governing influence of our King over the territory called Earth, impacting it with His will, His purpose, and His intent, producing a citizenship of people who reflect the King's culture, nature, values, and morals". Doesn't the world need that? Doesn't our nation? And don't you want to be a part of that? 
     I am watching people expressing their fears over what the future holds while I am calm and filled with anticipation and expectation. I believe the Lord is about to do a great work in the lives of millions of people. And as always, everyone has a free will choice how they will receive His invitation. Satan has had his way for far too long and is, even now, trying to wield his power as ruler of this dark world to destroy peoples and nations with this virus and ruined economies. The battle over mankind is intensifying. But what the devil means for evil, God will use for His good. We can see ourselves as being born for this time and join with God to glorify Him in the midst of the coming trials. This is an amazing time to spread the Gospel of the Kingdom and to see God sow into the hearts of people. 
     It is an exciting time to be on the earth. It is a favorable time to be a worker in the Kingdom. It is also a dangerous time. The rulers in the spiritual realms, along with the authorities, the cosmic powers over this present darkness, and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places are all going to fight back against the Kingdom of God. We can expect to be embattled and we must prepare for casualties; yes, even martyrdom. I know that's not an idea that brings comfort, but just like Queen Esther, we must stand firm, declaring, "If I perish, I perish". Nothing is secure in this new world we find ourselves -- not even our lives. But there is one thing we can count on for sure... Jesus has paid for our victory! And just as Mordecai exhorted Esther, we can choose to be a part of that victory or not, but we can be assured that if it is not you or me, "God will send His relief and deliverance from another source". I want to be part of that source! I was born for such a time as this, and you are, too! Our Father in Heaven, use me to help bring Your Kingdom to earth and heal our land!

Isaiah 43:18-19    "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 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."

 

September 30, 2016

The Political, Theological, and Spiritual Aspects of "Globalism"

     That word globalism ... It is a word bandied about in this political season, and depending on who is using it, it can mean a common-sense word for the necessary global exchanges in an increasingly interconnected world -- like trade, legal immigration, and the cooperation and sharing of ideas across borders.  Think of it as kind of a benign worldwide partnership, if you will, with no borders to hinder relationships.  But, in the hands of malevolent minds, it turns into an ideology and near-religion; focused on a one-world government.
     What concerns me is the effort to equate globalism with Christianity.  Those who promote the secular belief in globalism will tell you that just like the Church, their ideology is global; and just like the Kingdom of God, there are no borders.  But here's the question that they can't -- or won't -- answer:  Exactly how does the Kingdom of God fit into this collective ideology?  Who decides the value systems of that global cooperative?
     Because, as I have discussed before, the Kingdom of God is the government of God; how He rules His people, as King, through His people.  It is the realm in which He rules, and it is His rules that we are governed by.  Are the globalists prepared to accept that condition?  I think not.  And that's because a world in which globalism rules will be a world in which the righteousness, justice, and peace of Jesus has no place.  Globalism spawns a world of evil and injustice; rather than peace, there is conflict; and rather than joy, there will be misery.
   

     There is one thing we better get clear on ... it doesn't matter whether it is a politician, the United Nations, or the Pope touting globalist ideology; it will mean that there will be no truth, or mercy, or knowledge of God in the land.  The social justice message [justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within the world] is one meant to soothe our guilty souls over the injustice perpetrated by godless men.  Globalists will promise it, but they cannot deliver.
     To begin with, the very idea of no borders or boundaries is antithetical to our knowledge about God and His character.  The Bible is full of examples of God setting boundaries, beginning with the boundary He set for Adam and Eve to abstain from eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  Later, throughout the Old Testament, God establishes boundaries and borders for the nations, with the Bible stating in Job 12:23, He makes nations great, and destroys them; he extends the boundaries of nations and disperses them.
     And now that very knowledge of how God established the nations is threatened by this humanistic religion focused on globalism.  The Globalists claim that the world can come together in a spirit of human cooperation and understanding; that there is a global "truth" that can bind us together as one.  But true wisdom and understanding always begin with the knowledge of God.  When the people of the world forsake the knowledge of God, soon truth and mercy are both gone. Truth must be rooted in something more than our personal opinion, and mercy means going beyond our own self-interest.
     If the world adopts this globalist attitude and policies, the knowledge of God will be left behind.  And when truth and mercy are lost, there is no longer any restraint against our human nature.  We already see that idea promoted in our advertising campaigns ... No rules, just right; Just do it; Break all the rules; Peel off your inhibitions and find your own road ... The message is the same: You make your own rules. You answer to no one. You are the one that matters. Your universe revolves around you. You should only restrain yourself if you want to.
Tower of Babel:  The world tries its hand
in another failed attempt to control humanity.
     But here is what we need to deeply understand:  When man will not, or cannot restrain himself, bloodshed and destruction follow.  And that is at the heart of the anti-Christ spirit at work in the globalist ideology.  An article by Fay Voshell at The American Thinker website stated it perfectly:  "Like the Christian vision of the universal Kingdom of God, the religion of secular globalism claims universality, but [it] is an earthly minded substitute for the Church universal. The Christian vision sees the Church universal as God's kingdom ruling the earth. The religion of globalism sees an earthly, utopian world order in which all men pay allegiance to elite priests who rule over a World City without national borders."  Isn't that ultimately what Nimrod was trying to accomplish at the Tower of Babel?  
     Ms. Voshell goes on to point out that the idea of "globalism" is really nothing new.  This idea of a "new world vision" is the same one that has given birth to all empires.  "Whether the vision of Hellenization dreamed of by Alexander the Great; whether the vision of eternal Rome ruled by demi-god Caesars; whether the vision of a Thousand Year Reich ruled by a noble race; whether the vision of a global communist international brotherhood in which the common man was to reign -- the actualization of the imperial, earthly vision of man is always the same. Human beings are regarded as units to be ruled by powerful others. Human beings are enslaved."
     It is all the same message, from the same Anti-Christ spirit, meant to strip us of our individual uniqueness; take away our belief in something greater than ourselves; and ultimately replace the Judeo/Christian concept of the human being with a de-gendered, robotic and compliant unit -- a nonperson who is merely a number in the  soulless world collective.
     It really all comes down to this ... the political and social concept of globalism is a useful tool for God's Enemy to introduce an anti-Christ religion that believes in nothing [and everything] -- all at the same time.  But that is no real faith at all.  When we are all reduced to a unit, or some other kind of nonentity, we have nothing to be loyal to, or faithful to.  We do not see the value in a human being, let alone see ourselves as spiritual beings made in the image of our Creator.  And then we have nothing to believe in, and we are easily enslaved to a new world order in which the Enemy determines our value.  It is a world governed without God's moral system and righteousness, without His Truth, without His Justice, and without His Love and Mercy.  The catchwords of universalism, secularism, and globalism are meant to appeal to our human desire for world peace and equality among all men.  But, in reality, they are designed to strip us of our unique individualism and our identity as a distinct and unequaled Child of God.  We don't need a new world order ... we all need to identify as citizens of the Kingdom of God.  And when that day comes, it will be YHWH's system of government and His authority that will rule and reign on this earth!

Daniel 2:44   "And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever..."





   
   

June 5, 2015

Are We Giving Up Spiritual Territory?

   
     I will admit that I do not have the latest figures, but what I have learned about the large amounts of U.S. land owned by foreign countries and corporations has alarmed me.  Did you know that, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), foreign investors hold an interest in 25.7 million acres of U.S. agricultural land?  And that figure is from December, 2011!  I can imagine that this USDA figure has climbed significantly in the nearly four years since it was released.
     A summary from the 2011 USDA report discloses the following:  Forest land accounted for 54 percent of all foreign held agricultural acreage, cropland for 19 percent, and pasture and other agricultural land for 27 percent. Foreign holdings of U.S. agricultural land were relatively steady from 2000 through 2006; between 2006 and 2007, there was a significant 3.6 million acre increase. Since 2008, there have been moderate increases each year ranging from 1.3 to 1.5 million acres. Between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011, there was an increase of 1,490,781 acres.
     The state of Texas has the largest amount of foreign held U.S. agricultural land with 2,894,563 acres.  Maine has the second largest amount of foreign held agricultural acres with 2,877,965.  Washington has the third largest amount of foreign held agricultural land with 1,671,102 acres, which is 7.6 percent of its privately held agricultural land!  Sixteen percent of Maine’s privately held agricultural land is held by foreign investors; this is approximately 11 percent of the reported foreign held agricultural land in the United States.  Remember, these figures are nearly four years old, and we know that with the state of our economy, millions more acres have likely been sold.  I do not think it is exaggerating to suggest that foreign holdings in this country are increasing at an alarming rate.
     How does it make you feel to know that when the Chinese purchased Smithfield Foods for $4.7 billion, they suddenly owned 460 large farms and became the top employer in dozens of communities all over the United States… or that Zhang Xin, CEO of Soho China , joined forces with the wealthy Safra family (of Banco Safra fame) of Brazil to buy a stake in the General Motors Building in New York City?  The New York Times reported last year that Dalian Wanda Group, another Chinese developer, is planning to build a greenfield luxury hotel in Manhattan.
     Writer Michael Snyder shared the following information in a 2013 article: "The Chinese have made trillions of dollars flooding our shores with super cheap products, and now they are using some of that money to buy land and property all over America.  For example, there is now a proposal to construct a multibillion dollar “China City” that would span approximately 600 acres in a remote area of New York state.  This “China City” (that is actually what it would be called) would be located on Yankee Lake in Sullivan County, New York.  The plans anticipate large numbers of Chinese businesses, plenty of homes for Chinese immigrants, a Chinese high school, a college, a casino and even a theme park.  And the first 600 acres is only for “phase one” of the plan.  Ultimately, the goal is for “China City” to cover more than 2,000 acres.  Those promoting this plan say that it will be a great way for New Yorkers to learn to appreciate Chinese culture.  So should we be concerned that the Chinese want to place a little slice of communist China right in the heart of New York state?"
     Then there are the reports of a recent outcry against California’s exports of water-rich products, like almonds and pistachios, to countries like China, in the midst of the state's historic drought.  Isn't that a poor use of domestic resources?  Is it really moral to enrich a Chinese corporation at the expense of U.S. citizens?  Is this a picture of the New Global Economy?
"The Worship of Mammon" by Evelyn de Morgan
     For me, as a Christian, these questions aren't simply a matter of political and economic consequences.  Yes, we have willingly sold our national heritage and agricultural lands to foreign investors, and I feel a certain sense of betrayal -- all in order to serve Mammon, the Biblical expression of greed and material wealth.  In fact, during the Middle Ages, Mammon was often personified as a deity, and sometimes included in the seven princes of Hell.
     So, perhaps you are beginning to see my concern, and a greater significance to this "giveaway".  This nation, land, and its people were originally appointed by God to glorify Him.  And now with foreign intrusion, we have been exposed to foreign gods, and all the spirits that come with them.  Did not our God tell us how he felt about allowing this encroachment upon His territory?  "If you transgress the covenant of the Lord your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them. Then the anger of the Lord will be kindled against you, and you shall perish quickly from off the good land that he has given to you.”  I don't know about you, but it couldn't be any plainer to me.
     How we've forgotten that He gave this land to us!  And we have no idea how it offends Him to share this territory with foreign gods and their influences.  Now the question becomes how long will it take to "perish" off this good land?  Looks like we're well on the way.

Jeremiah 5:19   And when the people ask, 'Why has the LORD our God done all this to us?' you will tell them, 'As you have forsaken me and served foreign gods in your own land, so now you will serve foreigners in a land not your own.'

January 22, 2015

The End of Days: Connecting the Dots

     Third World countries have long suffered from epidemics, unexplained diseases, and poor health conditions.  But the peasants of Central America, India and Sri Lanka have been suffering from a mysterious and rare type of chronic kidney disease (CKD) that until recently, was perplexing to both doctors and scientists.   According to a recent AP report by Margie Mason, the disease has killed up to 20,000 people over the past 20 years and sickened another 70,000 to 400,000.  Over the last two years, more and more evidence is pointing to toxic heavy metals; like the kind found in the pesticides that peasant farmers use to kill the weeds in their fields.
     In 2013, the Center for Public Integrity reported that the Council of Health Ministers of Central America was successful in adopting a declaration that formally recognized the disease.  Interestingly enough, in 2011 the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention played a part in defeating such a move by El Salvador to declare the disease a top priority in Central and South America.  Now, why do you suppose that would be?  Let me give you a hint .... our old friend, Monsanto.
     Of course, the CDC tried to say the risk factors for the disease came from heart disease, cancer and diabetes.  Never mind, that according to Truth-Out.org, CKD "is now the second leading cause of mortality among men in El Salvador. This small, densely populated Central American country now has the highest overall mortality rate from kidney disease in the world. Neighboring Honduras and Nicaragua also have extremely high rates of kidney disease mortality. In El Salvador and Nicaragua, more men are dying from CKD than from HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and leukemia combined. In one patch of rural Nicaragua, so many men have died that the community is called "The Island of the Widows" ".
      And never mind that two chemicals in particular have come into the crosshairs of investigators in both El Salvador and Sri Lanka: one, a common herbicide used to control weeds, and glyphosate, which is the active ingredient in the world’s most popular herbicide, Roundup.  And, you guessed it ... Roundup is a product developed by Monsanto.
     Of course, Monsanto's website claims that glyphosate is safe to use, claiming:  Glyphosate binds tightly to most types of soil so it is not available for uptake by roots of nearby plants. It works by disrupting a plant enzyme involved in the production of amino acids that are essential to plant growth. The enzyme, EPSP synthase, is not present in humans or animals, contributing to the low risk to human health from the use of glyphosate according to label directions.
     But it all seems to be sleight of hand to me.  See if you can follow the progression here .... In 1994, Roundup -- including the ingredient glyphosate -- is named one of the "Top 10 Products That Changed the Face of Agriculture".   Then, in 1996, the first "Roundup resistant" GMO crop of soybeans was introduced by Monsanto; which resulted in the emergence of the first glyphosate resistant weeds.  So what does Monsanto do?  They develop seeds, including soy, corn, canola, alfalfa, cotton, sugar beets and sorghum, that are glyphosate resistant.
      And wouldn't you know it?   As of 2009, Monsanto's glyphosate Roundup products, which include its GMO seeds, represented about half of Monsanto's yearly revenue.  Now, let me see if I have this correct ... Monsanto's glyphosate-resistant seeds are engineered to allow the farmer to drench his fields in the herbicide to kill off all of the weeds.  But if the glyphosate-infused herbicide enters the groundwater and soil, thereby causing the kidney disease among the peasant farmers, isn't Monsanto accountable?
     Do you want to hear something even more despicable?  Our government has been pressuring El Salvador to buy GMO seeds from Monsanto rather than indigenous seeds from their own farmers!  They have even threatened to withhold almost $300 million in aid unless El Salvador purchases Monsanto's GMO seeds. However, the GMO seeds are more expensive, and they are not adapted to the Salvadoran climate or soil.
     There are those who will say, "Maybe the US government is unaware of the connection between glyphosate, Monsanto and the killer kidney disease.  Or maybe it's simple greed that puts Monsanto's profits above the health and lives of poor farmers."  But I'm afraid it could be something even more sinister.  As the Minister of Health for El Salvador explained, "This is a disease of poor people [who work in the fields]."  And I have long felt that a goal of the world's Elite is to control the population of the poor -- to the point of complete eradication.  And that brings us directly to one the Elitist of the Elite, Bill Gates.
     As the website Natural Society points out, "Bill Gates believes the density of the population in poor areas is too big, and with his depopulation plans he can ‘solve’ that problem. Consider his huge buyout of Monsanto stock – he owns millions of shares of Monsanto and Cargill stock, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation keep scooping it up. He owns more than $23 million worth, or 500,000 Monsanto shares."  All you have to do is connect the dots.
     The Bible tells us that the End Times will see disease and plagues, as well as the hearts of men growing cold.  When you consider the massive wealth that is behind the GMO movement and the population control agenda, it doesn't leave much doubt as to what the plan is.  We are David fighting Goliath.  El Salvador's Health Minister pretty much laid it on the line .... “Ah, Monsanto!” she said, a look of consternation crossing her face.  “They are the ones that will be fighting us.”

1 Timothy 6:9   "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction."
     


December 17, 2014

Could This Become Our Nightmare?

   
     No more excuses!  Everyone in this country should be fully awake now.  The horrendous massacre of innocent students in Peshawar, Pakistan is to be condemned by every human being on the planet.  But lest we think that this is a nightmare in some far-off land, we need to quit fooling ourselves and pretending that we are somehow exempt from such atrocities.
     We have a real enemy, people! It is an enemy that has broadcast their plans to strike us from within.  And from the 2004 Beslan school massacre, carried out by Islamic terrorists to this one in Pakistan, the surest way to devastate any nation is to harm its children.  So let's not be naive.  It is by the grace of God that we have yet to suffer such a tragedy.
    It is time the American people got real about what we are facing.  It is time we made plans to protect our most innocent citizens.  Read William Forstchen's Day of Wrath, and you will see how easily this threat could be carried out against our politically correct society.  Ignoring the extent of the depravity ... reports of headless children; teachers burned alive in front of students; suicide bombs placed amongst the children ... will not make it disappear, or less likely to occur again.  And we must not make it easy for the terrorists to commit such a horrendous campaign on our soil.
     Do you think they aren't aware that our schools are "gun-free zones"?  And do you think that well-armed and well-trained teachers just might be a deterrent to their evil plans?  When are we going to realize that the Western mindset of civilized and rational behavior is no defense against ancient cultures that celebrate cruel and savage attacks to demoralize their enemy?
      And for all those who, in recent days, have criticized the CIA and their advanced interrogation methods as "torture", I would ask you to consider this ... if you knew that your child was going to be in that Pakistani school this morning when the terrorists stormed through a cemetery to launch their attack, would you approve of a water boarding session -- or a few nights without sleep -- of one of the terrorists in order to gain information to stop the possibility of your child being shot, beheaded, or worse?
     I have heard people referring to the CIA methods as "barbaric" and "diabolical".  While, I absolutely hate the idea of war and what it makes men do to each other, I cannot equate interrogating a prisoner to the merciless and monstrous acts of these terrorists.  It is they, who are the barbarians.  And, unfortunately, what we may be called upon to do to stop Evil incarnate, goes against everything that our faith asks us to do in serving our fellow man.  While I never want to take another person's life, I have decided I must adopt the attitude of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German pastor who faced the worst that the devil could throw at him, in the person of Adolph Hitler.
     Pastor Bonhoeffer made the difficult decision to become involved in an assassination plot against the Fuhrer.  As he struggled with his conscience, he came to the final conclusion that God would have to understand that his decision was based on the need to stop such heinous evil.  He would take his chances at the throne of God, instead of living one more day doing nothing to stop Hitler's atrocities.  Have you given thought to the idea that we, too, may soon be faced with similar dilemmas?
     It is time that we come out of our national fog.  It is time that we see our enemy for who he is.  It is time that each individual must decide what he is willing to do to protect himself, his family, and his nation.  And it is time that we turn back to our God in repentance and supplication to "Deliver us from Evil."
     This is more than a matter of law and order; Evil does not respect the rules of a society ... it demands chaos, ruin, and death.  Are we going to wait until it targets our children, or are we going to get mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually ready to defend what's ours?

Psalm 44:5    "Through You we will push down our enemies; through Your name we will trample those who rise up against us. For I will not trust in my bow, nor shall my sword save me. But You have saved us from our enemies, and have put to shame those who hated us. In God we boast all day long, and praise Your name forever."     

September 8, 2014

State Department and Scripture: It Just Doesn't Work!

   
     Last week Secretary of State John Kerry announced the appointment of Texas lawyer Shaarik Zafar as the State Department's special envoy to the Muslims of the world.  Then he went on to give a rambling discourse on the U.S. strategy on "religious leader and faith community engagement."  He also claimed that "religion matters", and this motto had become "the mantra in the State Department on foreign policy."  (Unfortunately, it appears that only one religion matters, and Christianity didn't make the list).
     He then went on to make some disconnected claims that the fate of Muslim countries and the U.S. are linked together; that it is "laid out in Scripture" that our fates are joined together in a shared sense of stewardship of the earth... to protect God's green earth, and to confront climate change.  All this came together in a disjointed policy statement that we have a "responsibility from God" to protect vulnerable Muslim countries.
     Is he really serious?  Especially, in the wake of Muslim atrocities in the Middle East?  And what the heck does climate change and global warming have to do with Muslim outreach?  I'm sorry, but I am really confused as to the purpose of the State Department ... who exactly are they working for?  According to their official website, their mission seems to be multi-layered:  1)  The U.S. Department of State is the lead institution for the conduct of American diplomacy and the Secretary of State is the President’s principal foreign policy advisor. The Foreign Service is a corps of some 13,000 employees dedicated to representing America abroad and responding to the needs of American citizens living and traveling around the world.  2)  Since 1789, their mission has been to provide for the safekeeping of the Acts, Records, and Seal of the United States and other domestic duties, such as the U.S. census and the management of the U.S. Mint.  3)  Today, the primary responsibility of the U.S. Department of State and its employees is to fight terrorism, protect U.S. interests abroad, and implement foreign policy initiatives while building a freer, prosperous and secure world.
     Seems to me, that the focus has shifted more to foreign initiatives, rather than protecting our interests abroad, or fighting terrorism (since our government seems to think that the ISIS situation is "manageable").  In that light, just what is Mr. Zafar concentrating his efforts on?  According to the Washington Post, "America's Ambassador to the Muslims" has spent the last few years zeroing in on the civil rights violations, police surveillance and TSA screening of fellow Muslims.  Now he will be in a position to possibly influence America's Muslim-related policies.
     But that may not be enough for many Muslims around the world.  Many feel that the current administration is not doing enough in making Muslim outreach a high priority in government policy.  Apparently, celebrating Ramadan in the White House does not go far enough.  So, now Zafar will be focusing his energy on faith outreach.  Does the State Department really think this is the best policy for dealing with a faith that has become radicalized; with an extremist group that doesn't recognize any religion but their own perverted version of Islam?  Do they think that declaring a new faith-based position will somehow change the course of events and put the Caliphate back in its box?
     To be fair to Shaarik Zafar, he has a daunting task before him.  According to the Washington Post article, "His goals chart for the office includes developing a plan to combat Shia-Sunni sectarian violence and trying to discourage American foreign fighters from traveling to conflict areas."  I'm sorry, but that ship has already sailed!  No "ambassador" from America (whether Muslim or not) is ever going to be able to solve the Shia-Sunni conflict, and how does he plan on stopping American foreign fighters, when we can't even establish a policy to profile such people?
     Then there is this ridiculous mission statement:  Zafar says he will focus primarily on “pushing open doors” — on matters where cooperation is likely. Two of the State faith office’s top priorities are climate change and entrepreneurship. Another priority is promoting “the creative economy” in Muslim communities overseas, helping them powerfully tell stories through film or art that may help further U.S. foreign policy goals. 
     Zafar is actually going to Hollywood to try to jumpstart that last brilliant idea. And apparently he thinks he can find common ground through the area of sports, too.  Now there's a high priority issue for Muslims around the world!  Can he really be serious?  Don't they get it?  Those who hate us in the Middle East hate us because of who we are ... period.  They don't care about solving global warming, or building "creative businesses"; and they don't need our help telling their story ... they just want to kill us.
     Yet, somehow the State Department thinks that because our President's popularity is exorbitantly high in the U.S. Muslim population (72% approval rating according to Gallup), that they are on the right track.  Zafar admits that his position will not be popular with Muslim-dominated countries such as Pakistan, the Palestinian territories, Jordan, Turkey and Egypt, where he must admit to their leadership that he has no influence on policies of war.  Yet somehow the State Department thinks they can reach out to these anti-American regimes through faith and film and football.  I just find it extremely ironic that the State Department, whose primary responsibility is to protect our interests abroad, is more concerned about appearing conciliatory, and promoting Muslim interests here at home.  Their thinly disguised attempt to use Scripture to bolster their strategy is offensive.

Matthew 22:29     "But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God."

September 1, 2014

A "Churchill" Moment?

     I happened to catch just a few moments of British Prime Minister David Cameron's press conference on Friday.  At first I couldn't believe my ears ... a world leader who actually perceives the very real threat of Evil that exists because of the Islamic State (ISIL), and is not afraid to propose a comprehensive plan to stop it.
     Noting that the barbaric murder of American journalist James Foley appears to have been committed by a British jihadist terrorist, Cameron took the lead in addressing what other leaders in the world are reticent to admit.  He was announcing that he had raised his nation’s threat assessment to its second-highest level, in the wake of reports that 500 British jihadists had fought with the Islamic State army, and now were on the verge of returning home.
     These threat assessments and levels have become almost common fare since the September 11th attacks, and we tend to hear the issuance of them with a somewhat cynical ear.  The rationale for their announcement is never straightforward nor transparent; we're always left wondering if it serves some political benefit.  Not so, with PM Cameron.
     “The root cause of this threat to our security is clear,” he said. “It is a poisonous ideology of Islamic extremism.”  Boy, he couldn't have been any more candid, if he tried.  Furthermore, he warned of the danger of a policy of continued concessions:  the problem of ISIS “cannot be solved simply by dealing with perceived grievances over Western foreign policy” and it cannot be “appeased.”
     It's no wonder that of all the former Prime Ministers, Winston Churchill is Cameron's favorite.  While Churchill's history is long, often contradictory and controversial, and even flawed, he was the leader Britain needed in her critical hour.  His courage, his persistence, and his dedication to the purpose of saving his homeland against the aggressive and evil Nazi regime proved that he was the right man for the right cause at the right time. He didn't hold anything back, nor make false promises. He knew the road to victory would be long, dark and bloody.
     While history has yet to record what impact Cameron's speech may have on the future of the Western world, he did his part in stating the obvious:  “We are in the midst of a generational struggle against a poisonous and extremist ideology that I believe we will be fighting for years, and even decades.”  Does he stand alone in his bold pronouncements?  We, here in the U.S. apparently "have no strategy" yet, and the rest of Europe seems impervious to the impending peril of a robust, confident and violent Caliphate.
     In light of Saudi King Abdullah's statement this weekend, other world leaders would serve their countries best by following Cameron's example.  King Abdullah warned, "If we ignore them (ISIL), I am sure they will reach Europe in a month and America in another month ... It is no secret to you, what they have done and what they have yet to do. I ask you to transmit this message to your leaders: 'Fight terrorism with force, reason and (necessary) speed'."
     Cameron made it clear that he intends to do just that: "We’ve already taken a whole range of measures to keep our people safe. We are stopping suspects from travelling by seizing passports. We’re barring foreign nationals from re-entering the UK. We’re depriving people of citizenship and we are legislating so we can prosecute people for all terrorist activity, even where that activity takes place overseas... We’ve taken down 28,000 pieces of extremist material off the internet this year alone, including 46 ISIL related videos. We have made clear that those who carry ISIL flags or seek to recruit to ISIL will be arrested and the material seized."  Are you listening in the halls of Congress and at the White House?
     Cameron also talked about shying away from sweeping new government powers that would hinder the freedom of British citizens, while strengthening the laws they do have.  I must admit that I have an aversion to anything that smacks of our own Patriot Act, and we will have to see if he is true to his word.  But I did like his remarks in which he stood up for, and championed, the British way of life: "Britain is an open, tolerant and free nation.  But we cannot stand by and allow our openness to be confused with a tolerance of extremism, or one that encourages different cultures to live separate lives and allows people to behave in ways that run completely counter to our values. Adhering to British values is not an option or a choice; it is a duty for those who live in these islands. And in the end it is only by standing up for these values that we will defeat the extremism, protect our way of life, and keep all our people safe."  A Leader of a country who extols its exceptionalism ... now that's a breath of fresh air!
     In the end, I don't really know if Prime Minister Cameron will follow through on the promises of his spirited rhetoric.  And I am no political scientist; I can only hope that he is what he appears to be --- and history demands he be --- a man with the moral obligation to stop Evil.  But I do think that Cameron at least recognizes the very real threat that faces not only his country, but Europe, the West, and ultimately, the whole world.  Once again, as in 1940, a British Prime Minister must take the reins and lead his nation against a formidable force hell-bent on dominating the world.  Will Cameron be this generation's Churchill?  He needs to be.
     The words of Churchill in his first speech as Prime Minister would serve Cameron just as well today:  "You ask what is our policy. I will say, it is to wage war with all our might, with all the strength that God can give us, to wage war against a monstrous tyranny never surpassed in the dark, lamentable catalogue of human crime.  You ask what is our aim? I can answer in one word: Victory. Victory at all costs. Victory in spite of all terror. Victory however long and hard the road may be. For without victory there is no survival."  May God hold back His righteous judgment just a little longer.

Psalm 94:16     "Who will stand up for me against the wicked? Who will help me against evildoers?"
   

August 21, 2014

"The Battle For The Free World Is In Iraq"

     I believe there is a very important article on the Christian Broadcasting Network that deserves your attention.  It has been difficult for us Americans to know the truth of our involvement -- or of our planned participation -- in fighting ISIS in Iraq.  We receive confusing messages of "airstrikes" but "no boots on the ground"; of fighting this terrorist movement, yet letting the Iraqi forces defend themselves.  But this article will give you new insight to just how important how part could be.   
     This week, the formidable fighting force of the Kurdish Peshmerga (which means "Those who face death") were successful in seizing control of the strategic Mosul Dam from ISIS.  The terrorist army had threatened to destroy the dam, releasing a 30-foot wall of water upon downstream cities, including the heart of Baghdad.
     CBN News was able to interview one of the district commanders of the Peshmerga, who supplied some valuable information for us, as Americans:  "When they (ISIS) controlled this area, they started to kill people, kidnap women, and slay people in the streets.  This is the way they control other areas. They persecuted Yazidis and Christians and threatened the Christians to either convert to Islam, pay the tax, or be killed."
     While stressing that they are willing to fight the jihadist terrorists, the Commander underscored two very important facts:  ISIS is better armed than the Peshmerga forces.  Therefore, they need the West and the U.S. to 1) provide them with much-needed weapons and 2) they need training on how to effectively use these weapons.
     But perhaps the most important aspect of the Kurdish involvement is that they see themselves as the point of the spear in the battle against ISIS.  "Right now Kurdistan is fighting the terror on behalf of the whole free world," the Kurdish commander said. "The terrorists of ISIS have gathered here from everywhere in the world, and they pose a threat to countries all over the world, from Australia to Europe and other countries."
     "The battle of the whole world moved here to Kurdistan," he continued. "Because we are the people of this region, we know how to fight against ISIS. We know the area and we know what we need to do, so this is why we need the support of the world in order to stand against ISIS."
     It is quite apparent that they know what is at stake.  Fox News reports on just how passionate the Peshmerga are about their part in this battle against Evil.... old soldiers are coming out of retirement (from around the world!) to rejoin the ranks of Kurdistan’s legendary Peshmerga fighters.  They are hardened combatants; they have years of experience in fighting Saddam Hussein's formidable army, as well as their ancestral enemies, the Turks.  In addition, tribal battles have made them among the most fearsome fighters on the planet.
     Plus, there is the added dimension of the courage and strength that the older soldiers offer the Peshmerga.  The new, younger officers say "they are buoyed by the knowledge that their heroes are alongside them and that they will happily follow them into battle."  This unique trend personifies a deeply ingrained Kurdish tradition -- that of deep familial and inter-generational respect. In each unit, one retired soldier is assigned to ten younger ones.
     Then, as reported by Fox, there is the especially poignant story of Sherdyl Rwandzi, 49, a taxi driver from Bournmouth, England.  He moved back to Kurdistan six months ago at the urging of his wife and stepmother, so he could join the “battle for humanity.” He recalled his wife telling him, “If you don’t fight for your country, then the foreigners will take it -- and what will your children have left?”
     In truth, what will any of the world's children have left, if ISIS is not stopped?  They have have made their goals well-known, even announcing their presence in Ferguson, Missouri!  They intend to conquer the world in the name of their evil fanaticism.  We, in the United States, had better wake up to the realization that we are the end goal, and if they succeed in Iraq, they will be emboldened to continue their advancement of persecution and death.  The Kurds recognize what is at stake.  Do we?

Genesis 9:6    "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image."

August 7, 2014

More Pestilence and Plagues

     Ebola has captured the attention of the world and is producing fear throughout the populations.  But there is another threat waiting in the wings, and it is beginning its offensive ... Cholera.  You have to search for any news or reports on this new peril, but both Reuters and IRIN (Integrated Regional Information Networks) are sounding the alarm.
     IRIN is a humanitarian news and analysis service, under the auspices of the UN, that covers parts of the world often under-reported, misunderstood or ignored.  According to this source, there has been "a cholera outbreak in northern Cameroon which has killed at least 75 people and infected some 1,400 others since April."  The disease has been a recurrent problem in the country due to the scarcity of water, poor public health care, and improper hygiene.
     This threat is also exasperated by Nigerian refugees who have flooded neighboring Cameroon in an effort to escape the bombings and attacks by Nigeria’s Boko Haram Islamic extremist militia.  According to local health authorities, more than 26,000 cholera cases have been reported in Nigeria since the start of the year, and now it threatens to extend to western parts of Central Africa.
     A UNICEF representative in Cameroon reports, “We are monitoring the situation. It’s a worry because there is a risk of regionalization towards Chad, Central African Republic if we do not curb the spread. We hope that the security situation will allow community mobilization to go on.”  But the shortage of health care workers could hinder the containment of the disease, and preventing cross-border infections is a high priority.
      Reuters reports that the mortality rate for those infected ranges between 1 and 50 %, depending on access to treatment.  A similar outbreak in Cameroon killed more than 4000 people in 2011/12.  The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) said some 60,000 refugees have fled into Cameroon, Niger and Chad from northern Nigeria.  Some of them are carrying the disease.
    To be sure, it is a complex situation in Africa.  Between the poor health practices, too few health workers, and refugees from Nigeria's militant Boko Haram, Cameroon is fighting an uphill battle.  Add the fact that Nigeria recently reported its first Ebola claims, and you can see a crisis in-the-making.
     But West Africa is not the only hot-spot for Cholera.  Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam is also under threat of a cholera outbreak.  The Thanh Nien Daily News reports that contaminated surface water in the form of fecal bacteria is 10 times higher than safe levels.  The Minister of Health warns, “Cholera [can] quickly explode into a major outbreak. In the long term, it can spread and develop new and more fatal strains. I suggest that we take determined action for the safety of a city of more than eight million people."  Just imagine, in a city of that size, what the fatality numbers could be if this disease is not contained.
     So now we have two potential epidemics on the horizon.  Many in the 21st century have probably thought we were immune to the devastating consequences of history's major plagues.  But there have been seven cholera pandemics in the past 200 years, with the seventh pandemic originating in Indonesia in 1961.  Since the 19th century, there have been tens of millions of deaths due to cholera.
     Clean and sanitary water supplies are necessary to stop the spread of Cholera and oral rehydration with electrolytes is essential for recovery.  Similarly, balancing fluids and electrolytes to counter dehydration is also crucial in treating Ebola.  But now we see the world suffering from extreme drought and the availability of a dependable water supply is becoming more scarce.  So will vaccines become the "go to" solution?  Or is this just a convenient "method" of the Elite to control the world's population?
     I hate to sound so pessimistic and conspiratorial, but modern scientists would have us believe that there is nothing that man cannot conquer through the god of science; yet we have a disease (Ebola) that they admit they cannot conquer, and there is no known cure.  When Jesus tells us in Luke that there will be "upon the earth, distress of nations, and perplexity", He is telling us that in the End Times there will be no solutions for such things as wars, famine and pestilence.  Man will fail in his dominion over the earth ... and boy, have we!  We do not have the remedy ... He does!
     I do not know if these outbreaks of deadly diseases and viruses will be a tool in the hand of Satan, but I do know this --- I can only rely and trust on the saving grace of God; on the gift of salvation and eternal life through my faith in His Son.   Should these things come to pass, I will be looking up, for my redemption is close at hand.  We must help others to realize that the time is near.

Psalm 91:1-3     "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty . . .  For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence."

April 7, 2014

New Armenian Genocide Is A Sign of Times To Come

     I have a very good friend who is proud of her Armenian ancestry.  Although she is the second generation born and raised in America, she grew up knowing of her grandparents and extended family's struggle during what is known as the "Great Crime" by those who experienced the genocide of the Armenian people in their native homeland, now known as Turkey.
    Although denied by successive regimes in Turkey, the Armenian genocide has been documented by eyewitnesses, photographic evidence, and survivors.  Just Google "Armenian Genocide" and click on Images; does that look like it didn't exist?  Most historians agree that it was a deliberate and calculated genocide:

Christian Armenian girls crucified in 1916
More than one million Armenians perished as the result of execution, starvation, disease, the harsh environment, and physical abuse.  A people who lived in eastern Turkey for nearly 3,000 years [more than double the amount of time the invading Islamic Turks had occupied Anatolia, now known as “Turkey”] lost its homeland and was profoundly decimated in the first large-scale genocide of the twentieth century.  At the beginning of 1915 there were some two million Armenians within Turkey; today there are fewer than 60,000….  Despite the vast amount of evidence that points to the historical reality of the Armenian Genocide --- eyewitness accounts, official archives, photographic evidence, the reports of diplomats, and the testimony of survivors --- denial of the Armenian Genocide by successive regimes in Turkey has gone on from 1915 to the present.

     Now, according to The Christian Post, under the leadership of Prime Minister Erdogan, Turkey is once again aiding and abetting the displacement and death of Armenian Christians.  Just a few weeks ago, as reported by Raymond Ibrahim, "In the early morning hours of March 21st, al-Qaeda linked Islamic jihadis crossed into Syrian territory from the Turkish border and launched a jihad on the Christian/Armenian town of Kessab. Among other things, "Snipers targeted the civilian population and launched mortar attacks on the town and the surrounding villages." Reportedly eighty people were killed.  Eyewitnesses say the jihadis crossed the Turkish border into Syria, "openly passing through Turkish military barracks. According to Turkish media reports, the attackers carried their injured back to Turkey for treatment in the town of Yayladagi."
     The jihadis later made a video touring the devastated town. No translation is needed, as the main phrase shouted throughout is Islam's triumphant war cry, "Allahu Akbar" (or, according to Sen. John McCain's translation, "thank God").
     The significance of this latest transgression against the Armenian people, and the role Turkey plays in it, should not be lost on the world.  In a written statement, the International branch of the Armenian National Committee had this to say:

Armenian Christian in the village of Kessab
For months, we have warned the international community of the imminent threat posed by extremist foreign fighters against the Christian minority population in Syria. These vicious and unprompted attacks against the Armenian-populated town and villages of Kessab are the latest examples of this violence, actively encouraged by neighboring Turkey. We call upon all states with any influence in the Syrian conflict to use all available means to stop these attacks against the peaceful civilian population of Kessab, to allow them to return to their homes in safety and security. In the last one hundred years, this is the third time that the Armenians are being forced to leave Kessab and in all three cases, Turkey is the aggressor or on the side of the aggressors.

     While the Armenian population is at the center of this massacre, it should not be ignored that Christians are the focal point of these attacks as well.  This is not only a Turkish-Armenian campaign of death, but a Muslim-Christian.  Decades and centuries may pass by, but the battle remains the same.  In the 1915-1918 Genocide, Armenians were crucified along with Assyrians and Greeks -- their Christian faith being the common denominator.
     Just as then, Christian persecution is reaching alarming rates.  Ibrahim reports that Turks taunt their crucified Armenian victims by saying things like “Now let your Christ come and help you.”  Just last January, an 85-year-old Christian Armenian woman was repeatedly stabbed to death in her apartment, and a crucifix carved onto her naked corpse.   Another elderly Armenian woman was punched in the head and, after collapsing to the floor, repeatedly kicked by a masked man.   According to the report, “the attack marks the fifth in the past two months against elderly Armenian women,” one of whom lost an eye.  Elsewhere, pastors of church congregations with as little as 20 people are targeted for killing and spat upon in the streets.  A 12-year-old Christian boy was beaten by his teacher and harassed by students for wearing a cross around his neck, and three Christians were “satanically tortured” before having their throats slit for publishing Bibles.
     Yet the world remains silent, and denial is the mantra.  From Indonesia in the east to Morocco in the west, from Central Asia in the north, to sub-Sahara Africa—Christians are being persecuted, killed, raped, enslaved, tortured and dislocated.  It's only a matter of time, my friends.  It's a battle as old as Isaac and Ishmael, and it's been raging since that very day.
     If you think that the fate of these Christians has no bearing upon you; that somehow you are safe and protected here in the "Land of Opportunity", I would caution you to not be so naive.  We are the plum; the prize.  No other Christians on the face of the earth are as despised as we are by the Enemy.  I would urge you "to put on the complete armor of God" (His Truth, His Righteousness, His Peace, Your Salvation, Your Faith, and the Power of God's Word); to pray earnestly; to be alert on behalf of your fellow Christians, and to be fearless and confident in your defense of our faith.  The Storm is gaining momentum around the world, and I feel that it is approaching us.  Stand firm and hold your ground ... for His Sake!

Matthew 5:11-12      "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."