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, 2014

What Does It All Mean?

     Once again, I am astounded at the news stories that support my Biblical world view.  And even if you aren't particularly religious, you would do well to take notice of how quickly significant events are happening, and the serious effects they could have on our lives.
     First of all, we are seeing another rash of earthquakes.  Friday's 5.1 magnitude earthquake in Los Angeles was the second substantial tremor in two weeks.  On March 17th, the city experienced a 4.4 magnitude quake.  Locals are tending to dismiss this one along the Puente Hills fault line as of less importance since it wasn't on the famous San Andreas Fault.  But the U.S. Geological Survey estimates that if "the Big One" hits along the Puente Hills fault, it could kill 3,000 to 18,000 people and cause up to $250 billion in damage.
     Then there was the 4.8 magnitude quake that rocked Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming near the border with Montana.  The quake on Sunday was the most powerful to hit the park since 1985, giving rise to the speculation that the Yellowstone Super Volcano might be getting active.  (My father barely escaped the massive 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake in southwestern Montana, which measured 7.3 – 7.5 on the Richter scale and caused a mountain to be reduced to rubble; so this naturally caught my attention).
     Now, you might be thinking that this is nothing to get worked up about; a couple of moderate earthquakes is par for the course.  But SHTFPlan.com is reporting that there is more going on under the surface of the earth than you might be aware of.
     For instance, there were more than 100 aftershocks after this recent LA earthquake.  And Oregon has seen an unprecedented amount of activity:  recently, more than 100 earthquakes  occurred in a matter of a few days; landslides, mysterious booms and rumblings underground, and a 20-foot sinkhole that swallowed a woman and her dog.  Over the past month, Oklahoma has experienced more than 130 earthquakes.  But it's not just the U.S. that is feeling the earth shake.  Peru has felt several dozen earthquakes in the last month, including a massive one that measured 6.3.  Chile was hit by more than 300 earthquakes in a seven day stretch; 41 of those earthquakes were stronger than magnitude 4.5.
     It's not just what's happening under the earth's surface that has me concerned.  It is also what is happening in the air.  And perhaps the news item that sends the most shivers down my spine is the report of the ebola virus outbreak in Africa.  I can't help but picture the scenes from the 1995 film Outbreak, starring Dustin Hoffman, in which a fictional Ebola-like virus called Motaba breaks out in Zaire and later in a small town in the United States.  The film was quite graphic in its portrayal of the fever, rash and hemorrhaging side effects, along with the drastic measures taken -- including martial law -- to control the spread of the virus.  (Interestingly enough, a real-life outbreak of the Ebola virus occurred in Zaire only a few months after the film was released).
     Only now, this terrifying hemorrhagic fever is for real, and has spread rapidly from the west coast of Africa in Guinea to neighboring Sierra Leone and Liberia.  At least 70 people have died in Guinea in the last few weeks, but the most frightening aspect of this virus is that in just the last week, it has traveled 526 miles to Conakry, Guinea’s capital city of two million people.
     The Ebola virus seems to remain isolated in Africa for the time being, but if one infected individual boards an international flight to Europe, South America, Asia or the USA then all bets are off.  We would likely see a deadly contagion like the modern world has never seen.  World health officials are reporting that if even a single case pops up in the United States or Canada it could cause mass panic, and for good reason. Nine out of ten people who contract the virus would likely perish.  This is a very serious situation.
     But equally serious is the instability of the world's economy and global peace.  China is jockeying to become the next Economic Superpower, while Russia is flexing its military muscles and setting its sights on the Baltic countries, Finland, and even making its presence known in Cuba and South America.  (More on this tomorrow).  It feels as if the ground is literally and figuratively shifting under my feet.
     You see, I know the prophetic message that the Lord has given all of us through His Word.  There will come a time when He's had enough of man's cruel and brutal behavior towards each other; and when our offenses towards Him have reached the limit.  He will then intervene in the world's affairs and will cause these kinds of earthly disturbances.  He will send plagues and deadly diseases upon mankind.  He will manipulate nations, saying "I will turn you around and put hooks in your jaws to lead you out with your whole army--your horses and charioteers in full armor and a great horde armed with shields and swords."  In short, He will break His silence and allow His judgments to be manifest upon the earth and all mankind.
     Why now, you might ask.  These occurrences are no different than nature's prior disasters in history; or the Black Plague in the Middle Ages; or the changing of the political landscape and the rise and fall of nations that have transpired for centuries... technology just allows us to be more conscious of these events.
     True, God's creation of man and planet have suffered similar periods of devastation, evil and chaos since the dawn of time.  But He clearly tells us that there will be a limit to His patience, and He will demand our allegiance and obedience.  There will be millions who will suffer during these times; yet they will continue to mock Him and refuse to acknowledge Him.  But He will allow the destruction and ruin to happen, while giving mankind one last chance to accept His gift of salvation.
     So, are these the "birth pangs" that the Bible speaks about?  Are these the signs that we are to take our eyes off the distractions of our selfish lives, turn, and look up?  I feel a strong urging that time is short for those who do not know Him.  Please try to help someone by telling them about God.  At the rate things are happening, each day could be the last chance they get to save their soul.  Listen to our Savior ....

Matthew 24:7-8     "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, diseases and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows."
   


March 24, 2014

Making Sense of Crimea

     To be honest, I don't have anything but the most elementary understanding of what is going on in Crimea. But maybe that's where most of the truth lies; because I don't believe that the Kremlin, the White House, or the Media is presenting an unbiased or accurate report of what is unfolding.  That seems pretty obvious when the back and forth between the Super Powers only creates a murky image wrought by political machinations.  Thanks to the BBC Europe offices, I will attempt to provide a very basic view of why Crimea is such an important news story.
     On a purely historic level, one can get a pretty good picture of an underlying source of conflict.  Crimea is a region in the far south of Ukraine, and is situated as a peninsula on Ukraine's Black Sea coast.  The country of Ukraine came into existence in 1991, with the breakup of the old Soviet Union.  Within, Ukraine's population of 44.6 million people, Crimea is home to somewhere around 2.3 million people; a majority of whom identify themselves as ethnic Russians and speak Russian.  This region voted heavily for the recently deposed President Viktor Yanukovych, and in fact, many of them believe he was the victim of a coup (probably fostered by the West) after he refused to sign an association agreement with the European Union.  They think that this event gave the separatists in the Crimean parliament the opportunity to engender a vote for joining the Russian Federation and a referendum on secession from Ukraine.
     The demographics of the Ukrainian population lends some credence to this theory.  Ethnic Ukrainians make up 24% of the population in Crimea according to the 2001 census, compared with 58% Russians and 12% Tatars, who are Muslim and were once the majority before being deported in large numbers by Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in 1944 for alleged collaboration with Nazi invaders in World War Two.  (The irony of that fact is that Stalin was, himself, the biggest collaborator with Nazi Germany and rivaled Hitler with his extermination of "undesirables" -- but that's rarely admitted in today's revisionist history lessons and an entirely different subject matter).
     Crimea's attachment to Russia goes back over 200 years, when it was annexed by the Mother Country in 1783.  Moscow held the dominant power over Crimea until they ceded it to Ukraine - then part of the Soviet Union - in 1954.  That has been a serious point of contention for the ethnic Russians in the region.  So, as you can see, there is certainly some evidence and an emerging picture of a region whose population is primarily Russian, speaks Russian, and considers themselves Russian; therefore viewing annexation by Russia as a good thing.
     What is not being made clear to the general population in the West, through their media outlets, is that Crimea is an autonomous republic within Ukraine, electing its own parliament, with a prime minister appointed with approval from Kiev.  So now those members of the Crimean parliament have appointed a pro-Moscow leader, Sergei Aksyonov, who wants Crimea to unite with Russia, and called for a referendum to be put before the voters.  They were asked to vote between two choices:  1) Are you in favor of re-uniting Crimea with Russia as a constituent part of the Russian Federation?  2)  Are you in favor of restoring the Constitution of the (autonomous) Republic of Crimea of 1992 and retaining the status of Crimea as part of Ukraine?  The results of the March 16th referendum were reported by election officials:  97% of voters had voted in favor of joining the Russian Federation; local media alleged voter fraud, while some feared that Russia was orchestrating violence in Eastern Ukraine as a pretext to invading those regions.
     The heads of government in Ukraine's capital of Kiev declared this referendum to be illegal (although in the Ukrainian constitution, Crimea is allowed local referendums).  The UN's Security Council attempt to pass a resolution that would make the referendum null and void was vetoed by Russia.  And now the West has declared that they will not recognize the results of the referendum.
     But does the West really have the right to condemn or control this turn of political events (especially if they had a hand in orchestrating it)?  Would the citizens of Wisconsin want Germany, for instance, telling them that their contested election of Scott Walker was invalid?  We experienced the same political battles between segments of the population as Crimea.
     I know that this is a rather simplistic view, and Wisconsin did not have troops amassed on their border, but it's never a good idea when we stick our noses in the business of other countries.  As for Russia's interpretation of the situation, their defence laws allow military action overseas to "protect Russian citizens" -- just as ours do.  Furthermore, President Vladimir Putin has defended Crimea's decision to stage the referendum as "based on international law".
     But here's the other side of the coin:  Through a series of Declarations and Agreements in the 1990s, Russia clearly recognized the existing borders of Ukraine (which includes Crimea).  But now Russia has multiplied its military forces in Crimea without the consent of Ukraine. It has allegedly deployed them outside of agreed military infrastructure; taking control over key installations, such as airports, and have even gone as far as surrounding Ukrainian units.  Looks an awful lot like an act of aggression to me!
    So who is right?  Aren't the citizens of Crimea legally citizens of Ukraine, regardless of their Russian proclivities?  So isn't it Ukraine's responsibility to protect its citizens, and thereby making Russia's claim that it is "protecting Russian citizens" a reach?  Yes, Moscow claims that former President Yanukovych requested armed intervention during the recent riots in Kiev.  But since he was deposed by Ukraine's Parliament, he no longer legally represents the Ukrainian people and his request is invalid.  Conversely, the new Crimean regional authority, whose request for intervention was also cited by Russia, lacks the legal power to take such a step, since it is still a part of Ukraine.
     This is why the situation in Crimea is so dangerous.  Who is going to blink first?  If Russia can somehow instigate the government of Ukraine into making a move in response to Russian troops on their border, then they can use the excuse of defending their troops and ethnic kin as a reason to escalate.  Does anyone think that Ukraine can stand up against the might of the Russian military?  And do we want to take that same gamble by interfering in this regional and ethnic conflict?  Isn't this conflict essentially a civil war between Ukraine and Russia?  Look how well we have managed to engineer these kinds of struggles in Syria and Egypt!
     I guess my concern is that so many who know more than I do, are warning that we are sitting on the brink of another World War.  Will cooler heads prevail?  Or is this the hook that God puts into Gog's jaw that draws the world into Ezekiel's End Times prophecy?  We do not know the timing, but far be it from me to refute the possibility.  I only know that, ultimately, God is in control.  All I can do is pray, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done!"

Ezekiel 38:4   "and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal. I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army..."

March 18, 2014

As The Internet Goes, So Goes Our Freedom

   
     I'm more than a little perplexed over our government giving up its authority over the internet.  Perhaps I view it from a typical Western perspective ... the nation that was founded on the unique principle of individual freedoms seems the best qualified to oversee the technical management of the world wide web; especially since we are the ones who invented it.
     Granted, our reputation for freedom and privacy has become a little tarnished lately -- Edward Snowden's revelations about U.S. surveillance techniques have contributed to that.  We may no longer be the nation that our Founders envisioned, but I don't think that I want to see a "global entity" in charge of domain addresses and content.  For the moment, there is a free exchange of ideas and opinions, and one can almost always find the truth because it is still available on the net if you are discerning and vigilant.
     But what happens when China, Russia, Iran, or dozens of other countries gain more control?  By the way, these very nations are already pushing for more authority over the Internet through the International Telecommunications Union, a United Nations agency.  China, Russia, Iran and the United Nations ... now that's a combination that conjures up a vision of freedom, doesn't it?  I'm sure individuals will be allowed to speak freely and openly, right?  And I'm positive that the leaders of these authoritarian countries will gladly allow criticism of their regimes, and there's no need to worry about domains being shut down or voices being silenced.
     Which leads me to this thought ... Is it just me, or does the world seem to have gone mad?  Malaysian airliners disappear amid a wide array of conspiracy theories that can't be dismissed outright.  Voices in Russia and the U.S. trade taunting threats of nuclear annihilation, against a backdrop of political machinations in which we don't know who is to blame.  Advocates for Transhumanism promise eternal life as a cyborg, and genetic modification is the new "miracle cure".  The world's economy is teetering on collapse and we seem to be one "event" away from a total cataclysm.  Parents are discovering that they no longer have control over their children's health care, education or discipline; your children are the property of the State.  And last, but not least, the truth about God is being removed from everything -- from our military to our national discourse, and sadly, even in our churches.
     But do you know how I can even make these statements?  Because there is a free dissemination of information on the internet!  As broken as our governmental system is, do you think we would know about the genocides in Rwanda and Darfur, if it were not for the internet?  Would we be able to continue to uncover what happened in Benghazi without the internet?  Would we know how Iran's nuclear program is growing, or the increasing threats against Israel?  Would we know about the growing assaults on our First and Second Amendment rights without the internet?  And without the web, would we have the opportunity to research what's really in the Bill - whether it's before or after Nancy Pelosi has signed it?  
     You see, no matter how much of the information on the net is compromised or propagandized, the truth is out there, and it's free and limitless.  Once the Global authorities get there hands on regulating it, or some dictator decides to assume control, you can bet that they will not allow an unrestricted flow of information to be available to the masses.
     Perhaps this circumstance is simply one more nail in the coffin of mankind's right to speak, act, or think as he wants; the power of self-determination and free will that God granted us.  While the U.S. government assures us they will watch the transfer of power "carefully", do any of us think we will ever see the innovation. the explosive growth of commerce, or the free flow and diversity of ideas that have been the essence of this internet age?  It will be interesting to see how this plays out, and who lines up as the winners and losers.  Don't count on it being us.

Proverbs 4:7    "The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight."

March 4, 2014

The Devil Is In the Details

     Today's post is kind of a fast-forward from yesterday's thoughts, and shows what we have reaped from not paying attention to who has been running the country.
     I ran across an interesting article on the website for Dave Hodges' Common Sense Show.  In the article, he presupposes that there is indeed a secretive power elite (called the New World Order) with a globalist agenda, conspiring to eventually rule the world through an authoritarian world government.  Of course, they can only accomplish their goal by replacing sovereign nation-states through carefully orchestrated events and propaganda that present this agenda as the natural progression of human history.  Got that?
     Ok, Mr. Hodges suggests that there are five "variables", or factors, that these global elites must control in order to suppress an individual's or nation's freedoms.  Let's take a look at these factors, and his hypothesis on each one, and see if this is/could happen in America.

     Factor #1:  The Media:  Six corporations control 98% of the media. These same six corporations virtually control everything that most people see, hear and subsequently believe. The CNN’s and FOX networks have successfully turned the majority of our people into sheep who are willing to accept any form of dictatorship so long as it is endorsed and glorified by the news media.
      I must admit that I know far too many people who take the so-called "news reports" from CNN, MSNBC and FOX as "the gospel".  "I heard it on FOX News" is often their confirmation that they've heard the truth.  What they don't understand is that the powerful men that own these corporations, also control the narrative that the talking heads spew.  Don't be fooled!  These men have their own agendas, which are mirrored by what, and how, "news stories" are reported.  The reporters are not necessarily independent journalists and are, more often than not, hired lackeys of their commanding bosses.
     The hope we have lies in the alternative media that consists of independent researchers and bloggers who owe their allegiance to no one.  We must be discerning in accepting their "facts" as truth, but for the time being, they provide an influential option to the ever-declining state-run media.
     Factor #2:  Social Factors:   The majority of Americans still believe in hard work, their religion and traditional family values which honors the sanctity of marriage as defined in the Bible. Through the control of the media and an increasing control of the government, Americans are being forced into glorifying every form of behavior, previously considered to be perverse and the traditional values of the American family are under attack by the media, Child Protective Services and the education system.
     It doesn't seem that long ago that everyone shared a "let bygones be bygones" social philosphy ... as long as we didn't inflict physical harm upon each other, Americans were willing to be tolerant of different opinions about lifestyle choices.  But now there is developing a deep divide in this country, and an extremely vocal minority is demanding, in authoritarian ways, that everyone should adopt their ideas and ways.  Instead of truly following a policy of "freedom of choice", we (the Christian conservatives) are being forced to comply with the intolerant dictates of those who once blamed us for intolerance.
     But the one thing that these social tyrants, whether Elite or not, cannot control is our minds and hearts.  They may pass laws that restrict our actions, but they can never legislate our values and our morals.
     Factor #3:  Economics:  One unelected entity controls the nation’s banks, The Federal Reserve. The same people control all governmental legislation for all economic policies including the Stock Market. When the super elite get caught with their proverbial hand in the cookie jar and suffer major economic losses, they simply steal from the people and call it a bail-out. As a result, we have had the bail-out, the son of bail-out and the grandson of the bail-outs.
     We cannot deny that since The Federal Reserve's inception in 1913, the dollar has never been the same.  And now they have themselves backed into a corner with all the money they have printed.  There are all kinds of scenarios that the so-called conspiracy theorists (but are they right?) suggest .... Russia, China and India will soon be purchasing Iranian oil in gold and bypassing the dollar as the only medium of exchange (i.e. the Petrodollar);  this will lead to false flag provocations both abroad and at home, which will result in martial law and the global suppression of citizen opposition.  The NWO would be ushered in!
     If this scenario is true and plays out, it will be more important than ever that individuals be prepared with long-term food storage and survivalist plans.  The longer you can keep from being sucked into their system of control by growing your own food and trading and bartering, the harder it will be for them to force you to "get in line".
     Factor #4:  Military:  If the super elite have made serious miscalculations on the path towards establishing a New World Order, the handling of the American military is a prime example.
     From all appearances, the American military offers us a semblance of hope against the designs of the NWO.  But that will only last as long as each service man and woman holds tightly to their oath of defending the Constitution.  One cannot ignore the struggle for the heart and soul of our military when we see the firing of over 260 senior command military officers, and the downsizing of the military to pre-WW II numbers.
     Do the young recruits embrace (let alone know) the proud history of our military?  Will the American people continue to support our returning veterans and stand shoulder to shoulder with them to defend this great nation?  The NWO cannot succeed if the Military stands strong and unwavering.
     Factor #5:  The Government:  The NDAA, Executive Order 13603, the Patriot Act, NSA spying, the use of the election fixing electronic voting machines, force feeding us GMO’s, the punishments of whistleblowers, the alleged militarization of the law enforcement, the corruption in the halls of Congress, and so much more ....  all lead to a NWO-like conclusion.  
     Our national election process is due for some massive changes.  Term limits would be a good start.  But it's obvious that our political process is drowning in misconduct, profiteering and criminality.  The Elites pre-determine our next Leader, and the people's voice is discounted.
     Now all that is changing with the advent of active grassroots organizations and bold Americans who are becoming involved in their government for the first time.  We need new voices and fresh blood!

     Ultimately, we need to realize that it doesn't matter if you actually believe Dave Hodges and subscribe to his theory of a New World Order, or an elite group of people who seek global control.  The truth lies within the pages of the Bible.  The Good Book tells us that such a time will come and the real key to defeating these powers is for this nation, and all peoples of the world, to turn back to God.  Because, in case you don't realize it, the entities behind the NWO are the Enemy's elect; they are doing his dirty work.  Can't you see his fingerprints all over their agenda?  And we need to remember that even if it looks as if they are defeating us -- that the Enemy's plan is taking hold -- there is always a remnant that will never give in, never consent, and never surrender.  There is always hope!  Let others take their marching orders from the Fallen One; I will play by God's rules and victory will be mine!!

Romans 8:38-39      "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
   

February 3, 2014

Are They Planning A Pandemic?

    I know many will think this is just another of my paranoid speculations, but anytime a "warning" comes in such specific language, laying out perfect scenarios and timelines, then I gotta wonder if the fix is already in. What I'm referring to is the evidence that the H7N9 strain of the bird flu has mutated and crossed over to humans; and then this statement by Dr. Thomas Frieden, the Director of the Center for Disease Control, last week:  "Authorities should definitely be alarmed and get prepared for the worst-case scenario."
     So why should we take this warning siren any more seriously than all the other flu scares?  (ASIDE WITH MY TIN FOIL HAT FIRMLY IN PLACE: If you are watching the TV series, Revolution, it is suggested that the government intentionally infects the populace.)  But I digress... back to the question at hand.  Is it possible that this warning is for real?  As Mac Slavo at SHTFPlan points out, the officials at the CDC and the World Health Organization are laying out the steps to "a perfect storm" that could result in a world-wide pandemic.  Follow the development: According to the WHO, the H7N9 bird flu virus is one the most lethal influenza strains ever identified. The first case appeared in China in late February and has since spread to many others.  Of the nearly 250 officially confirmed reports of human infection since last year, a quarter of those infected have died.  These are laboratory confirmations, so in all likelihood there are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of others who may be infected with the virus that haven’t received medical attention.
     OK, you say, it's pretty much contained in China.  How does that translate to a pandemic?  Think about world events coming up, and you'll see just how easily it could be spread.  January 31st was the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year, and billions of Chinese will be celebrating and on the move, creating ripe conditions for the spread of the influenza virus from those already infected.
     Next, imagine that just one person becomes infected, but hasn't shown outward signs of the disease, and gets on a plane to come to the Winter Olympics.  Now you have a whole plane full of people breathing that re-circulated air, becoming potential victims.  That's not even considering all the people from all over the world that will be attending the Olympics, and then returning to their home countries.  It's the perfect breeding ground for the perpetuation of a world-wide pandemic!
     Also, keep in mind that Eastern China's goal of becoming a global economic, financial, trading and shipping hub means that businessmen from around the world are flying into and out of Shanghai and Beijing at record numbers.  When the WHO's China representative releases figures showing that half the people infected with H7N9 had no contact with poultry, then anyone is a potential carrier.
     Seem far-fetched?  Maybe. Then there's the other side of the conspiracy coin, as presented by NatureNews.com.  We know that both the WHO and the CDC routinely hype infectious disease for the primary purpose of pushing vaccine sales.  Remember when the WHO declared a "phase six pandemic" on the last big influenza scare, and then it was revealed that most of the decision makers at WHO were receiving financial kickbacks from vaccine manufacturers?  Could this just be another vaccine hype?
     The problem is, we just don't know.  Both scenarios seem plausible, so what are we, the average citizen, to think or do?  First of all, I am a student of Bible eschatology and very aware of the prophecy of the Fourth Seal in the Book of Revelation.  Death will be released and one-quarter of the world's population will die by plagues, disease, and the beasts of the earth.  If H7N9 mutates to transmission rates of other flu viruses, which is certainly a possibility, then we could well be looking at a mass global pandemic – and according to WHO the H7N9 is mutating 8 times faster than a typical flu virus.  And I have long heard rumors that deadly viruses are manufactured by the Super Powers as bioweapons to be transmitted among unsuspecting populations.  Sounds like "the beasts of the earth" releasing Death to me!
     So, whether you credit the Bible, conspiracy theories, or the natural spread of disease, for the likelihood of a pandemic, it appears as if the so-called "experts" are preparing for the worst.  What should you do?  Some very basic advice is to be prepared in advance to isolate yourself should an epidemic break out.  Stay out of malls, schools, airports and grocery stores.  Have a store of water and food so you can quarantine yourselves and be self-reliant.  Stock up on face masks, and make sure you have an ample supply of all prescription medications on hand, as well as pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins.  The key is not to panic, and to be prepared physically and spiritually.  It is not only our bodies that will be under attack, but our way of life, and our spiritual health.  Whether this is another phony scare or not, we must stay vigilant and prepared!

Luke 21:11    "There will be great qearthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven."

 



January 28, 2014

Faithful Clergy Take Their Stand

     Yesterday, I attempted to shed some light on the perilous situation in the country of Ukraine.  As the world stands on the brink of yet another civil war, the clergy and the Church in Ukraine are speaking out.  I find their words brave and inspirational.  I wish the Church in the United States could share in this calling, and speak as forthrightly and truthfully to our fallen state.  Here, in part, is their exceptional appeal to their fellow countrymen and, indeed, to the world:

Beloved Brothers and Sisters, Fathers, Concelebrants, fellow Citizens!

     Our country finds herself on the brink of chaos. We are witnessing an escalation of confrontation and violence, which encompasses wider and wider circles of our citizens. We mourn and pray for the repose of the people who were killed during clashes or perished of illegal actions. There can be no excuse for murder, violence, abuse and neglect of human dignity no matter in the name of what and by whom it is done.
     Despite calls by the leaders of the Ukrainian churches and personally by the Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine Vladimir, the government has not taken steps to resolve the conflict, stop the violence and start a real dialogue. The situation escalated to the limit when it appears that the opposition is unable to control the mood of the protesters. “Disband the Maidan [Independence Square]” in such a situation is impossible, and forceful dispersal will lead to the beginning of the Civil War, in which there will be neither losers nor heroes.
     What is happening in Ukraine today is judgment day for all parties and for everyone: for authorities, opposition, churches, public figures and for each person.  “For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God” – says the Lord. In this situation, we Christians must be the first to take responsibility for our actions, emotions, calls and prayers.
     Our Christian principles are the Lord’s commandments. Nothing can justify the violation of the commandments. “Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud” – these are the basic norms, and the one who trespasses them puts himself outside the boundaries of Christianity.
     “For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy; yet mercy triumphs over judgment. ” – the Orthodox Church reminds us of these words today in the liturgical reading of the Epistle of the Apostle James (2:13). Yet instead of mercy we often become today witnesses to lawlessness, abuse, cruelty. We implore everyone: Come to your senses! The judgment of God is for everyone. The Lord might not give us time to repent. The measure of lawlessness overflows very quickly when it is filled by those who consider themselves Christians.
     Listen to the words of the prophet Isaiah: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter .... Therefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against his people, and he stretched out his hand against them and smote them, and the mountains quaked; and their corpses were as refuse in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away and his hand is stretched out still.  He will raise a signal for a nation afar off, and whistle for it from the ends of the earth; and lo, swiftly, speedily it comes!” (Isaiah 5:20-26).
     Is this the future we want for ouselves and our children? There is still time to stop. We call on all parties to end the violence and illegal actions. Only truth and goodness can defeat evil that is encompassing us...
     From politicians we demand the restoration of dialogue to find a peaceful way out of the social crisis. Our politicians – pro-government and opposition – must come to their senses, must begin to live according to the rules of law and solidarity, to stop cheating and deceiving. Only the restoration of mutual confidence among politicians and in the community can be the beginning of a new page of history of Ukraine.
     We call all Christians to fervent prayer for Ukraine! Our country, like ancient Israel, will either find the strength for the peaceful transformation and start living according to God’s commandments, or will become a thing of the past as one who has turned away from God’s blessing.
     Still, our efforts are not enough. There is still a need for political agreement to begin to live heeding the law of God and of man, while respecting the rights and dignity of citizens, and maintaining social cohesion.
     Today our political leaders will determine whether this nation will be blessed. And we all need to pray that politicians have the wisdom, courage, and mutual trust to start a new life. Whatever decision politicians adopt, the people, and especially Christians today must prove themselves as people with dignity and conscience.

     Wow!  There was no attempt to soft-sell the message here!  The Church in Ukraine has taken the bold step of calling the government to account for their injustices, and the people for their failure to live according to God's commandments.  In addition, they are calling Christians to pray for their leaders and to react in Christian love and mercy.  They are not afraid to call out the evil that is threatening to encompass them, nor proclaim that the Judgment of the Lord has come to their land.  That is what the Church is supposed to do!  They remind their fellow countrymen what could happen if they turn away from God's blessings, and they pray that He will give them one more opportunity to repent.  
     This is a message that could just as easily apply to the United States of America.  Where are our Church leaders?  Where are these bold pronouncements against our transgressions? Oh, that this cry for cooperation, repentance, and regeneration would sweep our land; from church pulpit to the heart of government.  I do not want to wait until we are on the precipice of what the Ukrainians are experiencing before we hear these warnings from the Church!  I'm afraid that, by then, it may well be too late.

Revelation 2:4-5    "But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent."

January 27, 2014

Why I'm Focusing On The Ukraine

     If you are like me, you are living hectic lives, trying to balance your spiritual life with your physical life.  There are so many sounds and images that assault our consciousness; most of it expressing conflict and dissension across all facets of our life, including politics, religion, social issues, and economic matters.  And it's worldwide!  We don't have the time nor the desire to know all that we should about these discourses, but every once in a while, there is one particular issue that persists at the back of your mind.  It won't leave you alone, and you know you should pursue it; you are supposed to learn something from it.  For whatever reasons, I kept coming back to the situation in the Ukraine, and what I have learned has, I think, profound implications for us here in America.
     I ran across an article on The Business Insider, written by Taras Ilkiv, the editor-in-chief of a Ukrainian news site.  For the past seven years, he has written about the political and economic climate in Ukraine and lived and worked in Kiev, the heart of the protests.  So he knows what he's talking about.  Here are the issues that he says the Western world has gotten wrong, and what he would like us to understand...

     1.  Western media outlets are pointing a finger at the disagreement between the European Union and its neighbor, Ukraine, over the latter's deterioration of democracy and the rule of law as the reason that civil unrest has broken out in the Eastern European country.  But Ilkiv says the reason that a million people turned out in protest at the end of November has more to do with the total corruption of the government, the burden of over-taxation experienced by the middle class, and the lack of justice and honesty by officials in regard to national security.
     2.  International observers credited the 2010 election of Viktor Yanukovych as fair and democratic.  Since then he has sentenced and jailed his opponent to 7 years in prison, blaming her for allegedly promoting unscrupulous gas contracts with Russia that caused a gas crisis in 2009, and saw Russia cutting the gas supply to its Ukrainian and European customers.  President Obama is ignoring the situation, while President Putin enjoys the benefits of the contracts.  But the people of Ukraine are the ones who have suffered.
     3.  According to Mr. Ilkiv, there is an informal vertical power structure that surrounds President Yanukovych, and that results in an imbalance of power.  He has established a chain of command, where all power structures, tax agencies, prosecutors and courts are directly subordinated to his will.
     But that's not all.  Some of the most profitable sectors of the Ukrainian economy are under its control.  And this power structure has managed to expand its power base into media outlets, which in turn are reluctant to criticize the authorities.  The Ukrainians have no independent media sources and rely on the internet to get their truth in the news.  But even that is under threat, because Yanukovych signed a law that allows anybody to close any websites without trial or warning because of the slightest complaint. Journalists face enormous pressure and huge campaigns to discredit them, and bodily harm has even come to a few.
     4.  As you can imagine, if you disagree with this regime, recrimination is the name of the game.  The pressure of courts and prosecutors is brought to bear against anyone who dares to speak out; property is confiscated, and a newly signed Presidential act allows a person to be sentenced without his or her presence in the court.  Not since Stalin have such tactics been in force.
     5.  The opposition against the current regime is fractured and ineffective.  Three different political factions are vying for the role of opponent in the 2015 elections, but they are either the "old party" of elected-but-discredited; the radicals who want to use violence to push out the regime; or a popular retired boxing champion.  None have a majority of support, and the ineffectual standoff has disappointed the radical faction and resulted in bloody confrontations and riots in the capital city of Kiev.
   
     6.  Perhaps the most disturbing piece of information that has come from Taras Ilkiv is the existence of  the 'Berkut' special forces, troops that are part of the Ministry of Interior.   According to Mr. Ilkiv, "Though they have had no official status, they are formed of police officers specially trained to suppress the uprising. Their number is small — only four thousand — but they are particularly severe and receive a good salary for their work."  If there is any good news in this state of affairs, it is that Ukrainian forces are reporting that the Ukrainian army has refused to defend the regime of Yanukovych and fight against the people.
     7.  The good people of the Ukraine have taken notice that the U.S. and the rest of the West are largely ignoring their plight.  They do not believe that the West is interested in helping them stand for democratic ideals.  And what should be most alarming is this statement by Mr. Ilkiv:  "Additionally, there were rumors in the local press that America agreed to give Ukraine to Putin in exchange for increasing U.S. influence in Syria and other hot spots."
     8.  The Ukrainian people are determined -- and prepared -- to fight for their rights.  The protestors have descended upon the Square of Independence in Kiev and brought with them their tents, field kitchens, a stage; they have erected a makeshift hospital, provided private security and even set up an impromptu university.  The discipline of the protestors is to be admired.  Alcohol is not allowed and they have erected barriers against regime assault.  Their actions are telling the world that they are fighting for their future.

     So, while our media may not be reporting the full extent or magnitude of what is going on in the Ukraine, I think we can get a pretty good picture from Taras Ilkiv's narrative.  Sounds pretty scary, doesn't it?  And eerily reminiscent of the Arab Spring.  America has always stood on the side of freedom, independence and democracy, yet once again we are silent against oppressive governments.  Will this be a repeat of the uprisings in Syria and Egypt, and are we seeing the ramifications of another tyrannical oligarchy?  What does this bode for the rest of the world?  The tactics used by the Ukrainian President sound all too familiar and hit a little too close to home for my comfort.  Are you paying attention?  I think we would be wise to keep our eyes on Ukraine, and pray for God's justice in the world.  Tomorrow, I would like to share with you the bravery of Ukrainian Church leaders in this matter.  Oh, that our own faith leaders would be so direct and outspoken!

Proverbs 25:26    "Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked."


   










   

December 27, 2013

The Public Needs To Know: Radiation Risk Is Real!

     A few days before Christmas USA Today reported that Alaska Airlines had canceled 24 flights after flu-stricken pilots and flight attendants called in sick.  During that same time period another 14 flights were cancelled, supposedly due to bad weather.  In fact, an airlines spokeswoman stated that a "very unusual" cold and flu season was affecting the Pacific Northwest hub, and the entire region was impacted.
     Couple that bit of news with this report I found on the Before It's News website:  Hundreds of Alaska Air flight attendants were struck with mysterious illnesses causing them to lose their hair, develop lesions, and sustain unusual rashes.  Original reports claimed that these maladies were due to their new flight uniforms which contained tributyl phosphate, a toxic organophosphorous compound linked to skin problems.  Ok, that might be a plausible explanation; but so is radiation poisoning.
     And humans are not the only ones seeing these "unusual" health issues.  Both marine life along the Pacific Northwest coastline; and the polar bear, ice seal, and walrus populations, are all experiencing the same kinds of symptoms.  When you combine these facts with the timing and the related incidence at the Fukashima Daiichi plant, one cannot dismiss the possibility of a looming radiation disaster.
     These symptoms appear to go beyond the potential causes cited by scientists and biologists; namely, viruses, bacteria or other mysterious factors.  Which leads to a very disturbing picture ... why is the public not being told of the possibility of nuclear fallout?  What is to be gained by keeping silent and failing to warn citizens of this very dangerous health hazard?  And if the fallout is reaching our shores and airspace, what, if anything, is being done to combat it?  Before It's News suggested in this same article that "radiation detection flights" are indeed being conducted by the military.  It will be interesting to see if the public is ever informed of the findings of these surveys.
     But it is not only internet websites raising the specter of radiation poisoning from Fukashima.  Maxim Shingarkin, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s State Duma Committee for Natural Resources recently had this to say:  “Currents in the World Ocean are so structured that the areas of seafood capture near the US northwest coast are more likely to contain radioactive nuclides than even the Sea of Okhotsk which is much closer to Japan.

     As if that's not frightening enough, his Russian colleague, Vladimir Slivyak, Co-chairman of the Ecodefence international ecology group, said this:  “ ... It took years after Chernobyl to make detailed conclusions about the scale of nuclear pollution. We are having a similar situation with Fukushima [...] We’ll probably know the consequences of this accident in 10-15 years.  It is clear that a large amount of fish, sea weeds and everything the ocean contains has been polluted. It is clear that this pollution spreads all over the Earth. It is clear that vast territories have been polluted in Japan itself. All this is generally clear. But we need research to provide more details and this will take a long time.”
     Then there's this finding by nuclear expert Arne Gundersen, who says there is evidence that a nuclear cloud dispersed over the Pacific Northwest shortly after the the catastrophic failure of the Fukashima Nuclear power plant in March of 2011.  "One of the scientists we work with had air filters, continuous air monitors, set up in Seattle and we could clearly show that the average person in Seattle was ingesting about 10 hot particles a day into their lungs. No matter what you do you can’t get that out, the particle size was such that once you breathed it in, it lodged in your lung […] What people in Seattle could have done were to put air masks on, but of course by the time we got that data and analyzed it, it was May and the worst of the cloud had already passed."
     Lesions, rashes, radioactive particles in our lungs, and injured marine life ... it's hard to ignore these signs of radiation poisoning.  And we haven't even discussed the danger of eating seafood from the Pacific Ocean!  Never mind the so-called "experts" who will tell you that the Ocean is so big it will dilute the radioactivity.  Do you really want to take the chance of feeding your family polluted seafood?  Are you willing to risk any variety of cancers that can result from radiation poisoning?  Just think of the billions of people who rely on the Pacific Ocean for fishing, drinking and recreation.  And how many more instances of airborne pollution can we expect?
     The bottom line is this:  there is more than tourism and food supplies at risk here.  The lives of people and animals are under threat from this deadly exposure.  We deserve ample warning and the truth!

Psalm 135:6    "Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps."

     

December 23, 2013

Asian Trade Treaty: Thank God For the Alternative Media!

     If it wasn't for the Alternative Media, we'd still be in the dark about more government secrets.  Leave it to the Canadian Free Press to shed some much-needed light on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).  Never heard of it?  Me neither.  You can actually scour the internet for plenty of opinions on this Trade Treaty, but nowhere have I found the Mainstream Media informing the public about it.
     As further reported by the New American, it is a secret so-called trade agreement that is on track to be completed by the end of 2013.  Or at least, it is expected that President Obama will call on Congress to approve the TPP in early 2014.
      Just like the massive 2,000 page Affordable Care Act (that Congress had to pass in order for us to find out what was in it), this treaty has 29 chapters, but only 5 of them have to do with trade.  Michael Snyder of The Economic Collapse Blog, says, "Most Americans don’t realize this, but this treaty will fundamentally change our laws regarding internet freedom, health care, the trading of derivatives, copyright issues, food safety, environmental standards, civil liberties, and so much more."  He goes on to say that if Wikileaks had not secured access to the TPP draft, there would be next to nothing known about it. It posted a 95 page, 30,000 word document that was "horrifying." Writing about it on his blog, Kurt Nimmo, who edits and writes for InfoWars.com, noted that there are provisions within the treaty for implementing “a transnational ‘enforcement regime designed to supplant national laws and sovereignty with a globalist construct. The TPP is by far the largest and most oppressive economic treaty devised so far."
     The Canadian Free Press quotes William F. Jasper, an author and a senior editor of The New American, who calls the TPP “bigger and more dangerous than ObamaCare”; noting that “In November 2009, President Obama announced his intention to have the United States participate in a so-called trade agreement known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership. I say "so-called" trade agreement because 80 percent of the proposed agreement deals with a great many issues beside trade," deeming it “an all-out assault on our national sovereignty.”  
     “It would unconstitutionally transfer legislative powers from the U.S. Congress, our state legislatures, and our city and county governments to multi-national corporations and unaccountable international bureaucracies at the World Trade Center.”  And if that doesn't shock you, this revelation from Jasper will surely scare the bejeezus out of you!  "Incredibly, it would also transfer judicial powers from our federal and state courts—which are bad enough—to globalist TPP judges, regional tribunals, and the World Trade Organization.” The treaty would “confer huge advantages on foreign businesses and large multinationals, while at the same time putting companies that operate here in America—especially small and medium enterprises—at a competitive disadvantage. American businesses would remain shackled by the regulations of EPA, FDA, OSHA, etc. while their foreign competitors could operate here unimpeded by those same strictures.”
     Even The Huffington Post is warning of the ramifications of this secret legislation, reporting that the result of its passage could be the criminalization of small-scale copyright infringement, and households being disconnected from the internet under laws that punish unauthorized downloading.  Internet providers would be forced to do more monitoring of their subscribers, and it would be easier for governments to remove websites, critics say.  And RawStory.com provided this scary little tidbit:  Ongoing talks between Vice President Joe Biden, who was in Asia earlier this month, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew and Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker focused on the President's push to convince Congress to offer him Trade Promotion Authority — which would allow him to fast-track trade deals through Congress --- and I'm assuming that authority would include keeping Congress and the American people out of the process.
     So where is the MSM on this important piece of legislation?  Why all the secrecy, and why the pressure to fast-track it?  Is this just another vehicle to sublimate the power of the American constituency to a global entity?  Has Congress become that irrelevant?  All these questions deserve answers.  The sad fact is that we are likely to receive none.  The Trans-Pacific Partnership appears to be just one more hindrance to American sovereignty and liberty.

2 Corinthians 4:2    "But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's Word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God."

December 9, 2013

What In The World Is Going On?

     For those of you who think I am just a little on the fringe, this post will probably confirm it.  But in keeping with my biblical world view, I can't ignore what is right in front of my eyes.  Just yesterday, I was astounded as I read the numerous headlines giving us notice of all the geophysical disturbances occurring around the world.  In a single day, one site listed the following "troubles coming upon the earth":
•  Oklahoma was hit with another earthquake; this one a mere 4.5 on the Richter scale.  But consider this:  the Associated Press reported this week that there has been a surge of earthquakes in Oklahoma and northern Texas in recent years.  In fact, AP said more than 2,600 quakes struck Oklahoma this year; most of them registering at magnitude 2.0 or less.  In 2010, there were around 1,000 and in 2011, nearly 1,500 quakes.  Do you find it as interesting as I do, that in just 3 years the number of earthquakes has risen over 150%?
•  Then there is the new study by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.  Granted, anytime I hear or read "Climate Change", I'm skeptical; but the aberrant weather we've experienced lately tends to make me consider these reports a little more seriously.  Coming on the heels of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, which has killed more than 5,000 people, the words of Sir Brian Heap, president of the European Academies Science Advisory Council, hold considerable weight.  Listen to what he had to say:  Given the tragic events this year in the rest of the world and the recent IPCC report, EASAC feels obliged to draw attention to the growing impact of extreme weather in Europe.  So what is Sir Brian warning Europeans about; and what, specifically, are these "extreme weather events" likely to be?  I can summarize his predictions in a few chilling words .... here is what he is warning his fellow citizens to expect:  KILLER freezes, floods and heat waves that will devastate Britain during the next 30 years.
•  Then there was the headline that warned of potential eruption hazards from 14 active volcanoes in Turkey.  Do you find it incredible that all the churches spoken of by Jesus in the Book of Revelation are located in this very part of the world?  And speaking of volcanoes, Indonesia's Mount Marapi erupted yesterday, sending an ash plume nearly one quarter mile into the air.  Combine this with the news that the Klyuchevskoi volcano in far east Russia has been erupting sporadically since August (and sending an ash cloud nearly 4 miles high just two days ago!), and the discovery that a  new island off the coast of Japan has grown 3.7 times since November 20th, when it emerged as a result of undersea volcanic eruptions far south of Tokyo.  Can you really ignore that something spectacular is happening on the earth?
•  Then there are the dramatic weather changes we're experiencing right here in the US.  Just last week, here in Texas, we were basking in mid-80s shirt-sleeve weather.  In a matter of a few days, we are  suffering below-freezing temperatures, and a wintry blast of weather that includes ice and snow.  While this is highly unusual for us, even the northern tier of states who are accustomed to winter, are experiencing temps 20-40 degrees below normal.  Minus 20 and below are common in Montana, Idaho and the Dakotas, and it was an incredible 50 degrees below zero in Minnesota!  This is not normal, folks!  And we haven't even talked about the various comets that scientists are warning us about!
     And all this unusual weather is taking a human toll.  The aftermath in the Philippines is catastrophic.    Tornadoes, storms and earthquakes across our Central Plains have taken a terrific toll.  The volcanic ash around the globe will effect crops and the food supply of many.  And it sounds like the freeze is on, in both Europe and the US.
     Do you think this is all coincidence, or could it be the prophecies of the Bible coming true?  The Book of Revelation tells us that there will be cosmic disturbances; and that "something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea" (Revelation 8:8); and that the heavens will be struck, the sun darkened, and the grass burned up.... I don't claim to know the exact meaning of how these phenomena will be executed upon the earth, or how they will be manifested, or even how these current weather events are connected to the above-mentioned Bible verses.  But I know that all these are (and will) effect mankind and cause great suffering.  I just find it hard to ignore what I see as extreme and out of the ordinary weather events; and I am not content with writing them off as "man-made".
     We would do well to pay attention to all these separate events; take notice of their increase and their severity, and then look to the One who created this planet.  It will be a time when we will want to be secure in our relationship with Him.  Until then, I have a feeling that we will be seeing more and more stupendous headlines.

Revelation 7:2-3    "Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads."

August 10, 2013

An Egyptian Christian's Perspective

     It is hard to get the truth behind the images coming out of Egypt.  Who do we trust?  Are the violent skirmishes between the pro-Morsi Muslim Brotherhood protestors and the Government forces a picture of reality?  Or is there more to the story?  The following are excerpts from an article written by Ramez Atallah, who serves as general director of the Bible Society of Egypt and vice chair of the Lausanne Movement.  The Movement was the brainchild of evangelist Billy Graham, who sought to re-frame the Christian mission in a world of social, political, economic, and religious upheaval. The Church, he believed, had to apply the gospel to the contemporary world, and to work to understand the ideas and values behind rapid changes in society.  That is certainly the case in Egypt today, and Mr. Atallah gives us his first-hand account:

   
     In response to a plea from the Minister of Defense, an incredible number of people took to the streets of Cairo on July 26 to show their solidarity against the aggressive and disruptive behavior of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) protestors. Like they did on June 30, the "Silent Majority"—who usually sit at home and watch political events on their TV screens—voted with their feet, taking to the streets in very large numbers.
     People went to the demonstration sites from every conceivable place. It was an amazing night of celebration and jubilation, affirming together an Egypt where all are respected as equal citizens.

     Highlights of July 26th Demonstrations  
1.  Christians eating with Muslims in public squares during the Ramadan breaking-of-the-fast. This unprecedented act of unity between Christians and Muslims has never happened on this scale in Egypt.
2.  When the call to break the fast was announced at sunset, all church bells in Egypt rang in solidarity with their Muslim compatriots.
3.  With an estimated 40 million people on the streets, remarkably few incidents of violence, petty theft, and harassment of women were reported.
4.  The euphoria of the people lasted all night as massive crowds again expressed their rejection of the "Political Islam" agenda of the MB.

     What You See On Your TV Screens

   So why are the media giving you a completely different impression of what's happening in Egypt?
     What you've seen are the "other" demonstrations by ousted MB supporters. For the past month they have been camped on major streets in Cairo and elsewhere to angrily and often violently protest Mohamed Morsi's removal as president. On Jazeera, CNN, and most other Western channels, instead of showing the millions of happy and peaceful demonstrators, the cameras only focus on tens of thousands of angry protestors as well as shocking photos of wounded and dead victims of pro-Morsi demonstrations.
     While much of what you see in the media is true, it represents a selective perspective of what's really happening. The claim that the MB are "peaceful demonstrators" runs contrary to the violence and brutality we're experiencing on our streets. Anyone with the misfortune of walking or driving close to one of their demonstrations is taking his life in his hands. (Many of my friends have had close calls.) The real nightmare, however, is for those who live close to the sit-ins. They are becoming increasingly angered by the complete disruption of their daily lives.
     Most Egyptians, despite their disdain for the MB, oppose Egypt turning into a police—or worse, army—state and have been putting much pressure on security forces to be restrained in their response to the MB agitators. Most of us yearn for a civil state run democratically.


What Happens Next?
     Many of you have experienced similar sit-ins during the Wall Street demonstrations in the United States and others in London, other European cities, and Turkey. In all these cases, the police used force because the demonstrators were unarmed. In our case, however, it's difficult to use force against people who will retaliate violently.
     Please pray for the Egyptian leadership as they try to figure out a way to disband the demonstrators without shedding blood.
     At the Bible Society, we're working hard to produce materials that will help encourage Egyptians to love their fellow citizens even if they disagree with them politically. The widespread hatred against the MB is very worrisome.
     Please pray for us as we communicate the radical, biblical mandate to "overcome evil with good" (Rom. 12:21) and to love even those we consider our enemies (Matt. 5:44).

     Are you as surprised as I am at this seemingly credible report?  What is the agenda behind Western news agencies showing the violence and upheaval?  Is it to paint the Egyptian security forces in a negative light, and to garnish sympathy for the recently ousted Muslim Brotherhood, who still claims that "democracy" is their goal? This article appeared August 5th on the Gospel Coalition website. 

Isaiah 9:2      "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined."  





July 19, 2013

Putin and the Church in Russia

     At first glance the two terms seem incompatible and at odds with each other.  But according to a report on Fox News, they have formed at least a cautious alliance.
     Unlike America, which goes to great lengths to keep religion and politics separate, President Vladimir Putin has given his blessing to Spas TV.  "Spas", which means "Savior" is a satellite television channel affiliated with the increasingly powerful Russian Orthodox Church.  The station recently filed with the government ministry to take their transmission to the national level.
     Launched in 2005, Spas TV claims to have an audience of about 10 million households in Russia. Funded with donations from Orthodox businessmen, it features talk shows and educational programs that have criticized evolution and railed against such Western ideas as liberal democracy, feminism and gay marriage.
     So why would a former KGB agent in the godless Soviet Union now embrace a political partnership with the Church?  When you look at the numbers, it makes perfect sense.  According to the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, 101.1 million people identified as Orthodox Christians in Russia, making up 71 percent of the population.  Compare that to the American Religious Identification Survey, in which 73-76% of Americans claimed to be Christian.  But that seems to be where the comparison stops.
     Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Russian Orthodox Church has been completely revamped after being virtually nonexistent under decades of communist rule.  It has gone from an underground vestige of the era of czars to a galvanizing political force.   “The rebuilding of the Russian Orthodox Church has been massive,” Paul Valliere, a Butler University professor of religion told FoxNews.com. “It is like a completely different country than it used to be because the church, it is back. The church has a role of visibility in almost every sector of life.”  We, in the United States, seem to be doing everything we can to diminish the effectiveness of the Church.
     The history of the Russian Orthodox Church is fascinating.  Traditionally, it is said to have been founded by the Apostle Andrew, who is thought to have visited Scythia and Greek colonies along the northern coast of the Black Sea. According to one of the legends, St. Andrew reached the future location of Kiev and foretold the foundation of a great Christian city.
     The Church survived two centuries of Mongol rule in the 13th-15th centuries, and an internal fracture in the 17th century.  For the next two hundred years, it expanded and grew until it found itself in the middle of the Russian Revolution and a Communist takeover, which led to a marked decline in the power and influence of the Church.  Those were the dark days.
     Now it seems as if the Church has returned to its historic place in relation to the State.  Although the State takes precedence, the Church has prominent second billing and acts as a balance to the State, while remaining subordinate.  While one might be suspicious of Putin's faith life, the Church's doctrine of repentance plays heavily into their willingness to accept his belief as genuine.  It is also pointed out that he has long had a soft spot for the Church; even wearing a cross while he was a KGB officer (given to him by his mother), and he has been seen often in church since the end of the USSR.
     I think we can all agree that the thought of repentance is hopeful thinking, and wearing a cross and church attendance do not guarantee a saved soul.  But nevertheless, I find it interesting that while our country seems to be drifting away from its Christian roots, that Russia is once again embracing its heritage of Christian faith.  It goes without saying, that the Devil is in these details!  And anyone who has read Ezekiel, Chapters 38 and 39, knows the historic role that Russian plays in eschatology.  It will be interesting to see how Putin plays out his new role of "religious leader".  God's plan is never boring!

Matthew 7:15     "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves."
   







July 9, 2013

Are You Ready For This?

     I sometimes feel as though I am beating a drum that no one hears; that if my fellow Christian Americans can avoid the headlines, then they can convince themselves that there's nothing to worry about.  Well, I'm going to bang the drum louder.  And it doesn't really matter if you count yourself a Believer or not, but you should take a good hard look at the headlines below.  They all appeared in a single day on the website, Worthy.com.  As human beings, how can we continue to ignore these threats?

•  Morsi Muslims "Rage" Against Copts - In the days leading up to the successful anti-Morsi petition by the Egyptian people, Morsi's supporters began threatening Christians via Muslim Brotherhood-run mass media outlets. When Morsi was finally forced from office, Islamist broadcasts blamed both Egypt's military and its Christians, whose blood they vowed to spill in revenge for the former's coup.  Dozens of churches have been vandalized and destroyed, along with the personal homes and businesses of Coptic Christians.  The latest headlines are predicting a bloodbath, and the death toll is now over 50, and rising.

•  Pakistan Militants Threaten To Kill Christian Lawyer - The chief lawyer defending Christian women who were reportedly sexually abused by activists of Pakistan's ruling party said that Muslim militants have threatened to kill him if he and his legal team continue with these cases, along with those that include attacks on a Christian neighborhood and rape.

•  Free Syrian Army Massacres Christian Village - Around 350 armed militants forcefully entered the homes of Christian families who were all rounded-up in the main square of the village and then summarily executed.  Syrian army sources said they only reached the village after the massacre, resulting in clashes with militants who included both Turkish and Chechen jihadis.  The situation for Syria's religious minorities have become increasingly worse as Free Syrian Army affiliated Islamist organizations are free to engage in ethnic cleansing operations in a country where kidnappings, executions and assassinations have become all too commonplace.

• Christians Slain By Islamists in Nigeria - In the last six months, more than 100 Christian farmers have been killed or injured and almost 100 churches destroyed in attacks by armed Muslim Fulani herdsmen.  The Reverend Johnson Kikem had this to say, "It's because we have refused to bow to the god of Islam, and so the plan is to forcefully Islamize us.  It is part of the Islamic agenda to impose sharia on Christians in the northern part of Nigeria."  Kikem said Islamic extremists are believed to be arming Muslims and encouraging them to attack Christians.

•  Iraq Christians Fear More Violence After Church Attacks, Killings - We in the U.S. are under the false assumption that the war has ended in Iraq and everyone is peacefully co-existing.  Not so!  Just consider these facts that have recently been reported:  1)  Assyrians, one of the main Christian groups in Iraq, are once again the target of violence as part of a wider anti-Christian campaign by Islamic militants that began in 2004 when the first church was bombed  2)  Since 2004 at least 15 church leaders were kidnapped, including seven priests and three deacons who were murdered, while five priests were released after ransom was paid.  3)  Additionally, 73 churches were attacked or bombed since June, 2004.  4)  Women have been especially targeted, with at least 13 young Christian women being abducted and raped, causing some of them to commit suicide.  Militants were reportedly also demanding that Christian women be sent to the mosque to be married off to Muslims.  5)  The terror group Al-Qaeda has also moved into an Assyrian neighborhood to collect jizya, a special tax levied on a section of an Islamic state's non-Muslim citizens.  Approximately 500 Assyrian shops in a market were burned in one night.  6)  Anti-Christian forces were also seen blockading Assyrian villages, while Christian children were kidnapped and forcibly transferred to Kurdish families.

•  Syria Militants Behead Catholic Priest, Two Others - The graphic killing was posted online as an alleged warning to others who would be so bold as to practice their faith.  The Archbishop of the Catholic Church in Syria states that this tragedy underscores "The whole story of Christians in the Middle East" that "is marked and made fruitful by the blood of the martyrs of many persecutions."

     Need I go on?  Because believe me, I could.  These are not isolated nor random headlines.  They are becoming increasingly commonplace and are graphic indications of the threat that Christianity is under throughout the world.  I say The World, because I do not think America will escape our share of persecution.  Indeed, if you are truly paying attention, then you have already seen the early suggestions of coming violence.  And in case you think that these evil forces can determine whether you worship Jesus Christ or not, you better think twice.  Because whether we, as a nation, officially recognize it or not, they view America as a Christian nation.  Kind of ironic, huh?
     Here are just a couple of examples of what our future could look like .... Back in February of 2013, Yusuf Ibrahim, a muslim in New Jersey, shot two Christians in the chest at close range,  beheaded them, and buried their bodies, heads and hands in separate graves.
     This is not a new phenomena, either.  In June of 2010 David Wood, with other Christian Evangelists of Acts 17 Apologetics, were arrested by the city police near the Arab International Festival in Dearborn, Michigan, and charged with “breach of the peace”.  When arrested, the Evangelists were peacefully speaking with passers-by and distributing the gospel of John.
    And are you familiar with the story of Arab author Alaa Alsaegh, who immigrated to the U.S. from Iraq in August, 2011?  He was attacked by Muslims on the streets of St. Louis, Missouri. They stabbed him and carved a Star of David into the flesh of his back.  Why?  Because he  had published an Arabic language poem titled “Tears at the Heart of the Holocaust” on the website ArabsForIsrael.com.  The poem expressed his love for the Jewish people and his sorrow over their fate in the Holocaust.
     There are countless other examples of individuals who find themselves under undue scrutiny for simply stating their Christian beliefs on social media.  They are threatened with loss of jobs, "investigation", or other forms of persecution.  True, we, here in America, have not yet seen the extent of violence being perpetrated against Christians in the Middle East.  But when we turn a blind eye to foreign influences within our government and culture, and turn the other cheek when our faith is forcibly removed from the town square ( or a pitcher's mound in Busch Stadium, for pete's sake!), then we shouldn't be surprised when the cancer that is spreading across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe manifests itself right here in our homeland.
     So don't be surprised when it shows up in a neighborhood near you.  Satan and his evil minions are becoming emboldened by the fervor of anti-Christian sentiment across the globe.  We must prepare ourselves spiritually and physically for what Jesus told us would be our fate if we followed Him.  So please pray for our fellow Christians around the world, and for their protection, as well as ours.  We will endure for our Lord and we will not be defeated!

1 Peter 4:12      "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you."