Schemes, Secrecy and Conspiratorial Plots

   

     Did you know that there is a movement to legally bypass the Electoral College in the voting process?  Neither did I, because it is silently and stealthily being accomplished behind the scenes and without any mention by the media.  In fact, this campaign is nearly 61% of the way towards accomplishing its goal.
     According to World Net Daily, the National Popular Vote (or NPV bill) is gaining steam as it seeks to obtain the consent of the majority of the 538 votes in the Electoral College.  If successful, this scheme would award electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote instead of the winner of the popular vote in each state.
     Here's how it is happening:  The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC) is an agreement among various U.S. states and the District of Columbia to replace their current rules regarding the apportionment of presidential electors with rules guaranteeing the election of the candidate with the most popular votes in all fifty states and the District of Columbia. Coming in the form of an interstate compact, the agreement goes into effect once it is law in states, that together, have an absolute majority of votes (at least 270) in the Electoral College.
     And here's how it gets interesting:  According to Wikipedia, an interstate compact is an agreement between two or more states of the United States of America. Article I, Section 10 of the United States Constitution provides that "no state shall enter into an agreement or compact with another state" without the consent of Congress. 
     Consent can be obtained in one of three ways. First, there can be a model compact and Congress can grant automatic approval for any state wishing to join it, such as the Driver License Compact. Second, states can submit a compact to Congress prior to entering into the compact. Third, states can agree to a compact then submit it to Congress for approval, which, if it does so, causes it to come into effect.
     Frequently, these agreements create a new governmental agency which is responsible for administering or improving some shared resource such as a seaport or public transportation infrastructure. In some cases, a compact serves simply as a coordination mechanism between independent authorities in the member states.
     Now, I don't know about you, but it seems as if some how, some way, Congress has to give their consent if it is an interstate compact.  Yet it is implied that once the National Popular Vote bill becomes law in the states, it goes into effect.  So, I'll just admit it ... I'm confused.  But I have no doubt that this is all carefully planned and there is a mechanism to bypass Congress as well as the Electoral College.
     Last month, New York became the 11th state to enact the plan, joining Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Washington, Vermont, California and Rhode Island. The District of Columbia also has joined the pact.
     Notice anything distinctive, or the common denominator, among this group of states?  They are all states that vote primarily Democratic in the national elections.  So what do they have to gain by implementing the NPV?  The plan simply requires that enough states join through votes in their legislatures along with gubernatorial approval, and the effort would change the way Americans elect the president, without amending the U.S. Constitution.  Remember, it takes two-thirds of both the House and Senate to pass a constitutional amendment to repeal the Electoral College.  That would be nearly impossible; it would never receive bipartisan support.
     But the NPV minimizes the number of states that would need to agree, thereby circumventing the constitutional amendment process.  It's a brilliant plan!  You see, once enough states agree to allot their  electoral votes to the national popular vote winner, the Electoral College becomes irrelevant.
     I don't suppose you'd be surprised to discover that the National Popular Vote group is fully partnered with the Center for Voting and Democracy, or that this group is funded by George Soros, would you?  Didn't think so.  Here's the beauty of the scheme ... only 14 states – those with the largest populations – could decide the presidency for voters in all 50 states.  Which is exactly why our Founding Fathers sought to find a balance between electing our President by popular vote, and electing him by the vote of Congress.  Unlike today, they wanted elections to be fair and equitable.  They saw the danger in allowing the larger states to have more power than the smaller states.
     Even John F. Kennedy rejected this idea when he said, “Direct election would break down the federal system under which states entered the union; which provides a system of checks and balances to ensure that no area or group shall obtain too much power.”  I guess that says it all ... and it's all about power ... anyway they can get it.
     Can this plot be stopped?  I honestly don't know.  I guess if the citizenry of each state knew where their governor stood on this matter, we'd have a better idea if this back-door scheme will come to fruition.  But do not doubt that this is the ultimate design, and why the back room powers have been so intent on changing states like Texas from red to blue.  Couple this plot with voter fraud and I don't see how they can be stopped.  If God is the true determiner of who has authority over us, as the book of Romans tells us, then He is surely using them for judgment against our sinful ways.  I cannot disagree that we deserve it.  I pray that He hears the voices of we the people, who repent and ask His forgiveness.  Otherwise, our darkest hour is yet to come.

Psalm 52:2    "All day long your tongue has plotted unrighteousness; like a sharpened razor you have crafted deceit."

There's a Difference Between Condemning and Prohibiting

      

     In a twisted vote last week, the California State Assembly Health Committee voted down a bill that would have outlawed the practice of sex selection through abortion.  I say "twisted" because opposition to the bill by all of the Democrats on the committee came because they saw the bill as a prelude to broader abortion restrictions.
     Citing U.N. statistics that estimate upwards of 200 million girls around the world have been aborted merely because they were the wrong gender, supporters of the bill explained that countries like India and China are dominated by a male-child mentality, with mothers preferring future working men and family providers over the "burden" of baby girls.  You would think that would be enough to make sure that gender selective abortions never become the law of our land, wouldn't you?
     Add to that the very real possibility that women in countries like China and India, where sex-selection and late-term abortions are illegal, may now be coming to California to get the procedure done, capitalizing on the state's loose abortion laws. Assemblywoman Shannon Grove stated her support for the bill, which would outlaw gender selection abortions: "It's outlawed in India, but allowed in California; and people from other countries are coming to California because it's taxpayer-funded."
     So was it her warning, or perhaps a moral outrage that swayed her colleagues?  Not a chance!  "The way the bill is crafted, it seems to be a significant roll back on a woman's right to choose and that's not something I'm prepared to support," said Assemblyman Rob Bonta.  Another member of the Committee stated, "My constituents do not support this particular effort in restricting access to reproductive health services or interfering in that relationship that a woman has with her physician."  What are these people thinking?!?
     This statement will give you an idea exactly where they are coming from … Chairman of the Assembly Health Committee Dr. Richard Pan reportedly called the practice of gender-selection abortion "abhorrent," but still voted against the bill, saying, "It actually criminalizes the discussion between a physician and their patient around reproductive choices."
     They actually see this issue as being about reproductive choices? REALLY?  The sad fact is that although they voted down the official bill (Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act  or AB 2336), Democrats then introduced a resolution to condemn sex-selection abortion--but not to outlaw it!
     I guess they feel they've done their duty by introducing a resolution (ACR 149) condemning the practice of gender-selection abortion and designating the month of May as "Femicide and Gendercide Awareness and Prevention Month." Yeah, let's just make a lot of noise and call attention to ourselves,  but not really do anything about ending this evil practice.  There!  We've addressed it, so let's move on.  And, by the way, don't we all feel better now?
    But a spokesman for Assemblywoman Grove said it best, "The authors of this resolution oppose sex-selection abortion in theory, and will condemn it in a resolution. Yet they will not support a bill to actually outlaw the practice."
     You and I both know that leaves the door open for this sinful procedure to continue.  We can no longer point to the ignorance of Third World countries; nor can we say we are a country that safeguards women's rights --- it's all a sham!  When we knowingly and deliberately refuse to prohibit such a vile and obscene practice, and pretend that "condemning" it is enough; then we deserve whatever retribution God deems appropriate.  He will not turn a blind eye to our wickedness.  I can promise you that.

Ezekiel 23:7    "Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent and righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked."

Harvard's Black Mass Is Another Sign

   

     The powers that be at the exclusive Ivy League University of Harvard may have rejected its Extension Cultural Studies Club request to hold a "Black Mass", but do not think that it was done out of reverence for any religious institution, or God, for that matter.
     In fact, University President Drew G. Faust affirmed the University’s commitment to free expression, noting that the club would be afforded the decision to proceed with the re-enactment, although she did deplore the event as offensive.  But thanks to the 10,000 men and women of Harvard who spoke out against this despicable ritual, the Satanic Temple was forced to move its "re-enactment" to a location off-campus.
     You will understand why this event angered and embarrassed students, alumni and friends of the Harvard family when you realize that, historically, black masses have involved desecrating the Eucharist, which Catholics believe is the real body of Jesus Christ, by placing it on the genitals of a naked woman, urinating on it, and slitting an infant’s throat to pour blood over it.  Nice, huh?  And the President of Harvard thinks this group should be allowed their "free expression."  Disgusting!
     But I believe that there is an even deeper significance to the desire to play out this ritual on the grounds of Harvard.  Founded in 1636, Harvard College is the oldest institution of higher learning in America.  In 1692, the leading Puritan preacher, Increase Mather, became president of Harvard. One of his acts was replacing pagan classics with books by Christian authors in ethics classes, and maintaining a high standard of discipline. The Harvard "Lawes" of 1642 and the "Harvard College Laws of 1700" testify to its original high level of discipline. Students were required to observe rules of pious decorum inconceivable in the 21st century, and ultimately to prove their fitness for a bachelor's degree by showing that they could "read the original of the Old and New Testament into the Latin tongue, and resolve them logically."  My, how times have changed!
     So what better place for Satan to prove that He has authority in America? The Devil knows darn well that if there was a Harvard group that wished to parody Mohammed, it would have been condemned by everyone.  But it's an open market on any religion that professes faith in God, and everyone is free to express their dislike of Christianity.  Meanwhile, the Devil gleefully uses the members of the University's Extension Cultural Studies Club who claim that they are simply "a marginalized group of society."
     Do not be surprised if some Southern Poverty Law Center or ACLU lawyer comes to the group's defense, claiming denial of First Amendment rights.  This fight is far from over, and if the political correctness of the University President is any indication, special dispensation will be given to this group as an "alternative religious community."  For now, I will echo the words of the former President of the Harvard Catholic Student Association:  "This is a time of prayer for those who seek to persecute the Church and the University that has allowed it. The only response to such overwhelming hate is that of Christ Himself: love."

1 John 4:3   "and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world." 

Hebrews 13:5-6

Let your manner of life be without love of money, 

being satisfied with your present circumstances.

For He Himself has said, and the statement is on record,

"I will not, I will not cease to sustain and uphold you.

I will not, I will not, I will not let you down."

So that, being of good courage, we are saying,

The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What shall man do to me?

Joshua 1:5

     

     If you go to your NIV or any other modern translation of the Bible, you will not find these exact words.  What I have presented is from a translation of the Greek New Testament, a translation in which the earliest and original Greek manuscripts of the Bible are interpreted in modern language.  As you can imagine, down through the years of extensive translations, it is understandable that the original meaning of what was written by God's appointed messengers might be slightly different.  

     I am NOT saying that the Bible was written by man, or that it is no longer God's Holy Word!  It is simply that the Greek New Testament sometimes helps me discern God's Word in a clearer, more precise manner.  I am a firm believer that "all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching."  I think that you will find that the Greek translation of these New Testament verses gives us an amazing picture of God's heart in this particular passage.

     Here's why I wanted to bring this to your attention ... When God says "I will not, I will not cease to sustain and uphold you.  I will not, I will not, I will not let you down," it is often translated in later versions of the Bible as "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  And it is this exact phraseology that is referred to when our passage says, "For He Himself has said, and it is on record."  In fact, the Greek translation in the Septuagint (translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek by Jewish scholars in the 2nd Century BC) uses that particular phrasing when God speaks to Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:6 and Joshua 1:5 -- See photo above).

     I find it fascinating to read what the writer of Hebrews says were God's exact words.  Notice that at first He says I will not just twice.  Is that to get Joshua's (and our) attention?  To make us sit up and take notice because He has something important that He wants us to know?  And what is it that is so important that He repeats His declaration?  THAT HE WILL NOT CEASE TO SUSTAIN AND UPHOLD US!  That He will not fail to support Joshua or help him as he had hoped or expected.  And He will never stop providing that unfailing assistance.  The same holds true for us!

     But then there's that triple use of the promise .... I will not, I will not, I will not ... what might that mean?  If saying it twice imparts God's impression that this is important to Him, then saying it three times must mean that whatever follows is absolute, certain, and not to be doubted.  He means what He says!  And what is this specific promise?  THAT HE WILL NOT LET US DOWN!  He is our foundation; our life boat; our fortress in times of trouble.  God wants us to know without any uncertainty, hesitation, or insecurity that He will never abandon us or cease to support us or look after us.  

     Now we must take a look at these blessed promises within the context of the entire passage.  What is the bigger picture God is trying to portray?  That this world's preoccupation and worry about money and possessions (and the lack thereof) should not concern us.  We should be content with what we have; not coveting material things or worrying about how we will provide for our needs.  He is telling us that He is our Provider; our Sustainer; our Helper.  

     God concludes by saying that when we recognize the depth of His promise (that's what the repetition of His words convey) we will have no fear.  We take courage from His pledge and know in our hearts that this world cannot overcome us.  What a merciful gift! 

     I have been immensely blessed by the Greek translation of this Hebrew passage.  The added emphasis and passion of God's promise brings me such comfort and peace.  Abide in it!

      

Saturday Morning's Random Thoughts

   

     There are some days that I just don't get a clear direction of what to write about.  There's so much in the news; most of it unsettling, so what takes precedence?  Rather than grasping at something that is not in focus, I will share some thoughts that have occupied my mind this last week.
     •  First of all, I enjoyed a visit from my niece (also God-daughter), her husband, and their beautiful nine-month old daughter.  I'm always fascinated at God's craftsmanship in creating us.  This child, even at this young age, shows tremendous curiosity, persistence, stubbornness and ingenuity.  She has unlimited potential because she is made in God's image.  Let's hope that mankind does not stifle His purpose for her.
     That's why I had to hold my tongue when her mother informed me that the baby had acid-reflux and her pediatrician has prescribed Nexium for this child.  If I'm to have any influence on my niece, I know it will be by staying calm; even though everything in me wanted to scream, "Run from that doctor!"  When I checked a reputable online site for any information in treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in infants, I found that it had recently been approved for short-term use in children aged 1-11.  Then there was this warning:  The most common adverse reactions in children treated with Nexium were headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, gas, constipation, dry mouth and sleepiness. The safety and efficacy of Nexium has not been established in children less than one year of age.  My great-niece is nine months old!  What is this doctor thinking?  And I hate our culture's fixation with always looking for a magic pill!  And I hate, even more, the thought that this beautiful child is being directed down a path of life-long dependency on Big Pharma.
     •  I have also been confounded by the astounding number of people that I have been asked to pray for who are the quintessential picture of perfect health one day, and within 24 hours find themselves gravely ill.  Tests are run and it is determined they have acute liver and kidney failure, or brain tumors, or their body is riddled with cancer.  How could there have been no prior signs that something was wrong?  Aren't these kinds of serious health issues usually preceded by some clues that something is beginning to deteriorate?  Yet these people are all seemingly blind-sided by their diagnoses.  Is it, as PLW is beginning to think, that God is taking out (early) His people who will find it difficult to endure what we will shortly suffer through?  That He knows who will be able to withstand the coming persecution and so stand for Him?  That in His mercy, He is delivering the less strong?
     I know people get sick every day, but I am sometimes overwhelmed by the magnitude of the number of Believing individuals who are experiencing life-threatening situations; and how quickly the afflictions are manifested.  God, in his infinite wisdom, knows the reasons why.  All I can do is pray for them.
     •  Finally, there seems to be no end to the barrage of global happenings of critical consequence.  There is the increase in violent storms, earthquakes and warnings of collisions with meteorites and other heavenly objects.  "Nuclear war" is now in the headlines of every major news outlet.  Radical Islam has no fear of retribution in forcing conversions, even on innocent school girls.  Over 36,000 violent criminals were released on the streets of America -- just before they were scheduled for deportation.  Iran claims to have cloned one of our drones.  The third case of MERS is announced in the U.S.  And here's one of my favorites:  Trans-humanists predict that, very soon, our emergence with robots will allow us to become our own gods.
     Is it any wonder that there are days I sit dumbfounded at the world in which I find myself?  It is difficult to imagine what life will be like in the next year or two, let alone 5 or 10 more, should the Lord decide I am to remain on this planet.  Honestly, I feel like everything is spinning out of control, yet I must continue to hang on to the only thing that will help me survive ... my faith.  It is so clear in these present days that money, stature and things are not the rewards I wish to seek.  There is nothing in this physical world that means anything.  I only care about what I receive from my relationships with others; those whom God has put in my path and who help me realize that love is the most cherished possession I have.  Let me grow in this precious commodity!

2 Timothy 3:1   "But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty."

Our Children's Immoral Education

   

     I'm sure most of you are aware of William Baer's arrest for breaking the two-minute speaking rule at his local New Hampshire school board meeting.  Mr. Baer, who made it a habit to be involved in his daughter's education, and often frequented and spoke at such meetings, made the huge mistake of daring to question the curriculum that was selected for his daughter.

     You see, he was alarmed when a friend visiting his home picked up a book that had been assigned as reading material for his 14-year-old daughter.  When Baer took a closer look, he found graphic sexual content.  The book, Nineteen Minutes, by popular young adult author, Jodi Picoult, has as its theme a school shooting and a behind-the-scenes look at the shooter, who has been bullied in high school.  

     I'm not exactly sure why Ms. Picoult felt that the use of teenage porn would help illustrate this difficult sociological topic.  As an example, (and I'm sorry if the following passage offends you, but it is necessary to illustrate the degenerate minds that would assign such a book to high school freshmen), the text contains such explicit language as "Semen, sticky and hot, pooled on the carpet beneath her."  It was excerpts such as this that offended Mr. Baer, and why, as a responsible parent, he rose to speak at that school board meeting.

     “I was shocked when I read the passage and not much shocks me anymore,” William Baer told local news outlets. “My wife was stunned by the increasingly graphic nature of the sexual content of the scene and the imagery it evoked.”  When Baer voiced his objections to the book, the School Board asked him to sit down and be respectful of other people.  “Like you’re respectful of my daughter, right? And my children?” he countered.  He was then informed that he had violated the two-minute rule for speaking and a police officer was called in, and he was arrested for disorderly conduct.  School district officials said they normally send out notifications to parents before assigning the controversial book, but forgot to do so this time.  How convenient!

     I have to agree with this outraged father ... how do parents control what their children are exposed to?  “Many people in education and government truly believe our children are theirs,” William Baer said. “That parents are only the custodians who feed them and put a roof over their head. These school incidents are a byproduct of this ‘we know best’ philosophy. They believe they have the authority to do this. If people were more complacent, which is hard to imagine, it’d be even worse.”

     And that's the problem.  Too many parents are complacent, satisfied and uninvolved in their children's education.  I am aware of the popularity of Ms. Picoult's books, but was surprised when I went to Amazon to read the reviews of this particular book.  The reviews were all by adults, who seemed to get some kind of titillation from the subject matter, and, I suspect, the graphic language.  Of the 1,049 reviews of the book (which is considerable), over half of the people gave it the highest score, with comments like this:  "A 5 star book that has pissed off the right wing . Look folks, teenagers have sex. If you haven't had that talk already by 14.. Well your doing the parenting all wrong.. Your raising future adults."  

     To this reviewer, I would say, "Yes, sex has become a huge part of our teenagers' culture... but that's not a good thing, nor acceptable to me.  Furthermore, it is the parent that should decide if their child is emotionally and psychologically ready for such gratuitous language ... not a federally-funded government entity."  Just based on what I understand about the book, I tend to agree with those who gave the book a score of 1.   One comment was, "Not appropriate book for kids, Actually could be written without any sexual explicit scenes in it and would still be a good book. Once again "literature" is following the trash that is put on the television. Don't need a sex scene to sell a book".  Another read, "If this is ok for 14-year-old students to read in public school, then I don't know what the world is coming to!"  Perhaps the most honest comment was this:  "Every parent should be able to censor what their children are exposed to without the fear of being arrested by the state. Enough said, this isn't 1930's Germany, or is it?"

     One of the reviews quoted the entire passage from which I pulled the above obscene excerpt.  I will spare you the debauchery.  I was furious!  It read like trashy adult pornography!  Ms. Picoult may be a successful teenage author, but I question whether she is a healthy choice for the children of our nation.  I applaud her desire to explore the social dynamics of our culture, but I question if she is truly trying to help young people, or writing to sell to voyeuristic adults.  Either way, I find her inclusion of inappropriate sexual content to be a copout and a device to sell more books.

     But back to Mr. Baer's saga.  It did not end with his arrest and posting of a $700 bail.  His 14-year-old daughter, Marina, was present when her father was forcefully removed from the school board meeting, and courageously spoke out, "I just watched my father get arrested because he broke the two-minute rule, at a board of education meeting.  This just shows that you resort to force at the first turn of conflict and I am appalled. So I don’t trust you ... I honestly don’t feel safe around you people."

     The Gilford, New Hampshire School Board later apologized for the “discomfort” the controversial book assignment caused and vowed to allow parents to “accept” material rather than “opt out.”  How about taking an ethical and moral stance and not even considering such material?  

     This is the way Ms. Picoult's own website describes Nineteen Minutes:  Rich with psychological and social insight; a riveting, poignant, and thought-provoking novel.  Does that describe what teenagers are looking for in a novel?  Or is it designed to tantalize the depraved and perverse adult who appears to be a big buyer of her novels?

     I applaud William and Marina Baer for taking a bold stance.  This kind of book is not suitable reading material for 14-year-olds.  We must speak up and never cower from the mounting resistance of a Godless system.

2 Corinthians 12:21   "I fear that when I come again my God may humble Me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced."

My Thoughts On The Michael Sam Controversy

   

     I understand that to a growing number of people in the American culture, that any word construed as negative in regards to Michael Sam will be condemned.  Sam, who is the first openly gay man to be drafted in the National Football League added to the controversy by allowing himself to be filmed kissing his partner on live TV.
     Let me start by saying that I know nothing of Mr. Sam's skills as a football player, but I am genuinely happy for anyone who reaches such a respected goal.  If he has the skills, he should be rewarded -- his sexuality has nothing to do with his just reward.  And his emotion was obviously authentic and sincere, as was that of his partner.  I saw two people who really cared for each other.
     But as a Christian, it is my sincere belief that this relationship is not a healthy one for Michael.  He is not engaging in a relationship for which he was designed.  Is it my place to condemn him for that?  No! Only His Creator has the right to judge him.  But neither do I think I should be censured or faulted for my opinion, as long as it is expressed with respect for him as a person.
     You see, my same God who has expressed how He intends for us, whom He has created, to be joined together, also instructs me to love my fellow man.  Loving Michael Sam, means to treat him with kindness, respect and concern.  Loving Michael Sam does not mean agreeing with everything he does or giving my blessings to a lifestyle that my God does not approve --- anymore than I could encourage a heterosexual relationship that my God does not approve.  
     Michael Sam has made his choices and his personal life is his own.  I find it ironic that the PC Culture is OK with him expressing himself, but feels warranted to applaud the fine, suspension and forced "re-education" of Miami Dolphins player Don Jones for expressing himself.  I will admit that Jones' tweet did not convey love or respect; there are kinder ways he could have voiced his opinion ... BUT his opinion was mildly expressed in comparison to the punishment that was meted out.  I have no doubt that it was his opinion that resulted in his retribution -- not the way Jones expressed himself.   The fact that he did not agree with or applaud Michael Sam's actions automatically earned him derision and discipline.  He dared to defy the mandatory acceptance as proscribed by the Official Agenda of anti-Christians.
     So where does that leave those of us of Faith?  Are we to remain silent and not express any opinion that goes against the non-believing culture?  That is surely how they would like us to behave.  But what are we called to do?  I truly believe we are to follow the mandates of God in Scripture ... love Him, love our fellow man, and speak the Truth.  I can love Michael Sam as a fellow human being, while speaking God's truth about his actions.  I can recognize that I, too, am just as guilty of doing things that do not please my Creator, and therefore am not qualified to judge others.  I simply ask for the same love and kindness that I am willing to give.  But I want to make it clear that I will not compromise my Faith for acceptance by society.  Jesus paid too high a price for me ... I do not seek favor with the world, and if my Christian faith costs me, then I am willing to accept that.  And I will pray that Michael Sam's talents bring him success, and that he finds God's purpose for his life.

1 John 3:1    "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him."

Drought Is Drastic

   

     For many summers, PLW and I have spent hot, dusty days in Arizona as we travel to remote ranches, photographing the modern cowboy for my husband's western art.  There's something about the heat in Arizona ... it's dry and intense; the sun's searing rays leave you exhausted and parched.   You can't get enough water!  But the hope of the rancher has always rested on the summer monsoons; a pronounced season of increased rainfall that begins on June 15 and ends on September 30, with the storms peaking between mid-July and mid-August. On average, about half of Arizona receives nearly half of its annual rainfall during the monsoon.
     Now, one of our favorite places to visit -- Williams, Arizona -- is suffering from a severe drought.  According to the Associated Press, it is so severe, that restaurant patrons don't automatically get a glass of water anymore. Residents caught watering lawns or washing cars with potable water can be fined. Businesses are hauling water from outside town to fill swimming pools, and building permits have been put on hold because there isn't enough water to accommodate development.  Nearby reservoirs are drying up and the town wells have been pumped to capacity.
     But Arizona is not the only state suffering.  Much of the West is under water restrictions.  More than a dozen rural towns in California recently emerged from emergency water restrictions that had a sheriff's office on the lookout for water bandits at a local lake. One New Mexico town relied on bottled water for days last year. In southern Nevada, water customers are paid to remove lawns and cannot install any new grass in their front yards.  In El Paso, Texas, residents can't water outdoors on Mondays. And officials have been reusing treated wastewater and investing in a major desalination plant that turns salty, unusable groundwater into a drinking source for the border city.
     You can imagine how this is effecting businesses and ranchers.  Here in Texas, the drought has resulted in more frequent and longer lines at the sale barn, as ranchers cannot afford to feed their cattle.  The drought definitely has a trickle-down effect (pardon the pun).  Our food supply (including fruits, vegetables, and meat) will be diminished, culminating in higher prices at the grocery store, and hurting families that are already struggling from a weak economy.
     For now, the folks in Williams are praying that God will cause the rains to come.  They are banking on the monsoons to replenish reservoirs and underground water supplies.  They "still have hope God will send us the rain ... We know in due time, the lakes will fill back up, the snow will come," they say.  We all need to join them in those prayers because without rain, droughts lead to famines; and this nation is not prepared to suffer a lack of food -- something 936 million people in the world experience today.  Take note of the warning signs, and please don't take that next meal for granted.

Amos 8:11    "Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD."



   

MERS: It's Here!

   

     One of the most terrifying scenarios we can imagine is threatening the health of our nation.  The deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) has now struck a second victim in Florida.  This deadly disease has infected 572 people worldwide, with 167 dying from the disease.  That is a 29.2% case fatality rate.

     The first case in the U.S. was a man who had worked as a health care provider in Saudi Arabia before traveling by plane to London and Chicago, and then by bus to Munster, Indiana.    He was discharged on Friday, with health officials hoping that was the end of MERS in America.  This second case in Florida has dispelled that optimism.
     The man in Florida also worked in Saudi Arabia and had returned home to Orlando to visit family.  At the moment, he is reported as responding to medical care and his prognosis is good; largely because his symptoms were mild and he was not coughing when he arrived at the hospital.  

    What is concerning to me is that the opinion of the World Health Organization concerning the seriousness of the disease, as well as its method of transmission, changes rapidly.  In February of 2013, WHO announced that "the risk of sustained person-to-person transmission appears to be very low".  But just three short months later, in May 2013, they warned that the MERS virus is a "threat to the entire world".  Further, they are investigating the clusters of cases where transmission of the virus has been from infected patients to healthcare personnel; a reversal of their opinion that it had not yet mutated to a person-to-person transferral system.  The Indiana case certainly seems to lead to that conclusion.

     But you should know that the real danger of this disease is fourfold:  it is spreading; it often masks itself as flu-like symptoms; there is no vaccine; and there is no cure.  To the first point, while Saudi Arabia is ground zero, with 483 of the cases, the disease has been identified in Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Malaysia, Oman, France, Greece, Italy, the United Kingdom, the Philippines and now the U.S.  What's more, it is now apparent that the virus spreads from person-to-person through close contact, but might also be transmitted to humans from animals, according to the Center for Disease Control.

     Symptoms of the MERS virus include fever and cough, which are also symptoms of the flu. MERS can also cause diarrhea and shortness of breath, and can lead to pneumonia and kidney failure.  These symptoms are particularly dangerous for the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions, with nearly one-third of those infected dying.  You should not delay seeing your doctor if these symptoms persist.

     There is no effective treatment for the disease, and no vaccine is available.  All that doctors can do is address the symptoms.  You can see why this could potentially become a modern-day plague.  I personally know of many men who work in the oil-related industry in Saudi Arabia and frequently travel back and forth to visit family.  And since both cases in the U.S. have originated with American workers returning home for family visits, it seems to me we could have a recipe for disaster as this disease continues spreading.  And it is not lost on me, that both Old Testament and New Testament prophets in the Bible foretold that plagues and pestilence would decimate the earth's population.  

     I'm sure there are those who think that plagues are of the ancient world; that with our technology and advances in medicine, we will never be subject to such an epidemic again.  That might be true if it were not that the God of the Universe is in control, and His divine judgment takes many forms.  I pray that this deadly disease can be stopped in its tracks.  The fact that it has broached our shores should be cause for grave concern by all Americans.  

Ezekiel 5:12    "A third of your people will die in the city from disease and famine. A third of them will be slaughtered by the enemy outside the city walls. And I will scatter a third to the winds, chasing them with my sword."

     

Is This The American Way?

   

     I have a couple of questions today ... Who gets to decide which "agenda" a nation should conform to?  And what qualifies that agenda to become the standard by which all must obey?  These issues are on my mind in the wake of HGTV canceling a new program featuring brothers, who just happen to be up front about their faith.
     The twin brothers, Jason and David Benham, saw their show, "Flip It Forward", cancelled before it was ever aired.  The reason?  A blog post by Right Wing Watch, a subsidiary of Norman Lear's liberal progressive advocacy group, People for The American Way, purported to reveal the brothers' anti-homosexual, anti-abortion, anti-Muslim views.  The fact is, when someone who does not share the Christian faith attempts to comment on its standards of behavior, they often misrepresent them and distort them.
      Of course, when David Benham writes the following in The Christian Post, those who do not understand the Gospel Message will only see hate.  He wrote:

In the Leviticus passage, it says that death is the consequence for homosexual sin. This is how detestable this type of sin is to God. However, Jesus came and took the consequences of this sin upon Himself on the cross. Homosexual sin is covered by the blood of Jesus, the same way stealing is. The only difference today is that homosexual sin carries with it an agenda, other sins do not. Homosexuality demands acceptance, and the blood of Jesus cannot forgive sins that are no longer sins. The blood of Jesus cleanses sin. 

     Now, you and I know what he meant by this discourse.  He does not state that he hates homosexuals.  He says that God has pronounced a particularly stark sentence on this specific sin ... BUT the sin of homosexuality, like all sins, is covered by the atoning blood of Christ.  However, in today's world, this particular sin has become different than other sins that are forgiven.  There is a power behind it that attempts to influence or force a program of action ... that is the "agenda" that Benham speaks about.  This force, which is carried out by various organizations, such as Right Wing Watch, demands that this sin not only be accepted, but promoted; in effect to be declared a non-sin.
     The Benham brothers have now become the latest in a select group of Believers who dare to stand boldly for the life to which God calls us all.  I am impressed with how they have handled this situation; saying that they can choose to love others (including homosexuals and Muslims), while still adhering to God's standards and principles.  In fact, they hold no grudge against the HGTV network, who knew of the brother's faith and opinions on this topic and others, equally as controversial.  "We don't feel wronged at all. This isn't HG versus us, or us against the gay community. This is an agenda, and we're getting to witness it right now," Jason Benham said.  "Our comments have never been aimed at gays, but at an agenda that says you can't stand by your beliefs.  It's only going to get worse because [of the  agenda] that wants to silence the beliefs that we have."
     Are they outspoken about their opinions on issues that God finds offensive?  Yes!  They have not shied away from protesting in front of abortion clinics, declaring that "87 percent of Americans are Christians and yet we have abortion on demand; we have no-fault divorce; we have pornography and perversion; we have a homosexuality and its agenda that is attacking the nation; we have adultery; we have all of the things; we even have allowed demonic ideologies to take our universities and our public school systems while the church sits silent and just builds big churches. We are so complacent, we are so apathetic and we are very hypocritical in the church, that’s why the Bible says judgment begins in the house of God."   By definition of the Liberal Left, these comments are labeled extremist.  But if you call yourself a Christian, who can truthfully deny them?!
     So now, there is a demand that the Benham brothers be silenced because a certain segment of the population doesn't agree with them.  Does that conform with the mission statement of People for the American Way?  In part, their "Vision" on their website states thus:
•  People For the American Way is dedicated to making the promise of America real for every American: Equality. Freedom of speech. Freedom of religion. The right to seek justice in a court of law. The right to cast a vote that counts. The American Way.  (Except if your Christian values are in contrast with what we determine is "real".)
•  Our vision is a vibrantly diverse democratic society in which everyone is treated equally under the law, given the freedom and opportunity to pursue their dreams, and encouraged to participate in our nation’s civic and political life. Our America respects diversity, nurtures creativity and combats hatred and bigotry.  (Unless we disagree with your belief system; then we will subject you to our own brand of hatred and bigotry, and deny you the freedom to pursue your dreams).
     Go to their website and you will get a clear picture of what their "vision" is ... to promote the Progressive agenda, by any means available; and that includes bullying TV networks to silence anyone who voices Christian values.  Unfortunately, Jason and David Benham did not have the following of Duck Dynasty --- their show was cancelled before it ever aired!  But as they proclaimed shortly after the call from HGTV, "If we have to lose our show because of our faith, so be it."  Sorry, Progressives ... no hate speech, no condemnation; nothing but the willingness to continue to promote the Love of Jesus Christ.  You can try to take away our livelihoods, silence our voices, and paint us as extremists.  But we will continue to pray for you and seek to conform ourselves to the image of Christ.  That is the American Way I envision, and that is the only agenda that will truly change men's hearts.

Ephesians 4:17-18     "This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;"