The Spiritual War Between Science and God

     I know this title sounds like an oxymoron; Science has very little to do with spirituality.  But as God has revealed more of His Truth to me, I have come to realize that what we see in front of us -- in this realm -- is not the complete picture.  And if you have spent any time in the Bible, then you are familiar with Ephesians 6:12:  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. [My emphasis].
     I am also aware that non-Christians will find neither value nor truth in this post; and many Christians will find it confusing and controversial.  So, you are probably wondering where I'm going with this, and what my purpose is in writing about this subject.  I want to propose the idea that even the field of Science, which is very much in the physical realm, can be influenced by spiritual attackers.  And that's why I was disturbed when I stumbled upon an article at Truthstream Media, entitled "Scientific Proof That Our DNA Is Mutating."  I've been concerned for quite some time that man is delving into areas that are outside our domain on one level, and contrary to God's design on another.

    To further emphasize this, the website in5d.com provided me with some interesting information:  "The human genome is packed with at least four million gene switches that reside in bits of DNA that once were dismissed as “junk”; but it turns out that so-called junk DNA plays critical roles in controlling how cells, organs and other tissues behave. The discovery, considered a major medical and scientific breakthrough, has enormous implications ... because many complex diseases appear to be caused by tiny changes in hundreds of gene switches."  Doesn't this imply that our DNA is no accident; and it was created in a highly ordered, and specific fashion by a Supreme Creator?
     The reason this topic is on my radar, is because I fear that Science and Medicine are being influenced by spiritual powers that are attempting to recreate the "days of Noah".  Now, before you decide that I've gone completely off my rocker, hear me out.  Those of us who have ears to hear, will know what I am implying.  It's as if, in recent years, God has removed the mystery of Genesis 6:4 to modern-day Christians.  Where once, we just read this passage ("there were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them") as meaning earthly kings married women against their will and produced giants.
     But as our desire to understand the Hebrew origins and words of the Bible has intensified, we have come to understand that the Hebrew word translated as "giants" in the King James Bible, is actually the word "Nephilim", which in the Hebrew means "to fall; fallen; cast down."  So are you beginning to see where I'm headed?  These "men" who bore children to earthly women were part of Satan's contingent of fallen angels, and part of the spiritual battle to corrupt the DNA of God's creation.  If Satan could pollute man's genetic code, (which makes us to be made in the image of God), then he could prevent God's son (who is perfect) from being born and becoming King of this world.
     So for all those who have asked the question, "How could your loving God order Joshua to kill ALL the indigenous population -- men, women, children, animals -- in the land of Canaan?"  There's your answer.  They were the descendants of these fallen angels and possessed corrupted DNA.  It was God's checkmate to Satan's plan to possess this earthly realm.
     Now, back to our article about our "mutating DNA" ...  apparently scientists have discovered that beginning 5 to 20 years ago, our DNA began changing.  Supposedly, the scientific explanation is this:  "It is a mutation of our species into something for which the end result is not yet known."  One doctor reported that "people are changing at the cellular level. I am working with three children right now who have three DNA helixes (we normally have one double helix)."  What is especially alarming is her response when asked what characteristics these children display:  "These are children who can move objects across the room just by concentrating on them, or they can fill glasses of water just by looking at them. They’re telepathic. You would almost think by knowing these children that they are half angelic or superhuman, but they’re not. I think they are what we are growing into during the next few decades."  Now do you see why I'm disturbed?
     And when asked what other changes we can expect to see, this doctor replied, "There will be no disease, we will not need to die. We will be able to learn our lessons, not through suffering, but through joy and love. The old system has to crumble away, and is not doing that without putting up a big fight. So you have all the wars; a lot of the medical-type of healing is not working; the government is not working."  Can you see the spiritual warfare that is going on?  Satan will once again try to tempt the human race with false promises of eternal life by changing our genetic makeup.  And since this is war, he needs the "old system" of faith in Jehovah and Yeshua to "crumble away".
     But as noted in her own words, "the system" is putting up a big fight.  And we know who will win.  In the end, I find it ironic that Dr. Fritz Albert Popp, a noted German biophysicist, is quoted as saying, "We know today that man, essentially, is a being of light ... We are still on the threshold of fully understanding the complex relationship between light and life, but we can now say emphatically, that the function of our entire metabolism is dependent on light."
     Too bad that the earthly world of Science doesn't recognize that it is the Light, with a capital L, that sustains our bodies and our spirits.  If our DNA is mutating, it is by diabolical means in an all-out spiritual battle.  Remember, Jesus tells us in Matthew 24:37, ""When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day."  Spiritual warfare, and polluted and corrupt DNA is what He is talking about.  We're almost there, so get ready for His return!

1 Corinthians 15:24    "Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power."

   

ISIS and The Prophet Jonah

   

     I sometimes get so frustrated with my human limitations.  I know God is trying to whisper something into my spirit, and I get faint images of something important, but I am simply unable to connect the dots.  That's the way I am feeling today about the latest reports on the Caliphate in Iraq.
     The British website, MailOnline, has chronicled the destruction of centuries-old relics and tombstones by ISIS, the militant Islamic group.  They [ISIS] say that they believe giving special veneration to tombs and relics is against the teachings of Islam.  Yet one of the devastated tombstones belonged to the Prophet Jonah (Younis in Arabic) and was revered by Muslims and Christians alike, according to Iraqi authorities.
     I know, deep in my soul, that this has significance for us in these times.  The prophet Jonah is important in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.  As Christians, we all know the story of Jonah being swallowed by the whale; in its belly for three days and nights, before being vomited up.  This  is a "type" of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
     In Judaism, tradition says that Jonah was the boy brought back to life by Elijah the prophet, and hence shares many of his characteristics (particularly his desire for 'strict judgment'). The book of Jonah is read every year, in its original Hebrew and in its entirety, on Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement.  He is known as the "son of Truth"; (the name of his father "Amitai" in Hebrew means truth,)
     In Islam, Jonah is highly important as a prophet who was faithful to God and delivered His messages.  Jonah is the only one of the Twelve Minor Prophets of the Hebrew Bible to be mentioned by name in the Qur'an.  Muhammed is reported as saying he and Jonah were brothers.  "Jonah was a Prophet of God and I, too, am a Prophet of God."
     So, does the fact that this prophet plays a significant part in all three major religions, yet his tomb has been desecrated by a militant faction of one of them tell us anything about what forces are coming upon the earth?  Are we aware of what our own Bible tells us about this man and this part of the world?

Russian Orthodox icon of Jonah

     I'm sure that many Christians are unaware that the life of Jonah can be traced to this very section of the world that is on fire today.  You see, in Jonah's time, the city of Nineveh was extremely dark with sin in the eyes of God.  When Jehovah told Jonah to go to that city and preach to the people of their wickedness, Jonah ran away, determining it was folly to think these people would ever repent.  That's when his adventure in the belly of the whale took place.
     But that's not the end of Jonah's story. God delivers him from his disobedience and tells him once more to preach to the people of Nineveh.  Jonah is to "tell the men of Nineveh that their wickedness has come up to God, and God’s vengeance is coming down upon them."  This time, Jonah accepts his assignment and goes to "the great city of Nineveh."  At that time (780-750 B.C.), Nineveh was even larger than Babylon; taking Jonah at least three days to go through all the principal streets and lanes of the city to preach his message.  At the present time, the ancient Nineveh's location is marked by excavations of five gates, parts of walls on four sides, and two large mounds. These ruins are across the river from the modern-day major city of Mosul, in the Nineveh Governorate of Iraq.
    But now, speaking of the latest attack against the ancient relics, Ninevah official Zuhair Al-Chalabi, told IraqiNews.com:  "The elements of ISIS [have] controlled the mosque of the Prophet Younis (Jonah) in Mosul since they invaded the city."  Does this sound like a group who reveres the prophets of their faith?  And will the circumstances of today mirror the incidents of the Bible?
     As I try to figure out what God wants us to know through this turn of events, I can only see dimly through the glass ... wickedness has once more descended upon this area of the earth.  Should those who are wreaking such death and destruction upon the land and the people expect God's reckoning, just as He warned over 2700 years ago?
     The Prophet Jonah's preaching resulted in nearly 120,000 residents of the ancient Nineveh who repented and were, thereby, spared God's vengeance.  But this time, there is no Jonah, no message from Heaven, and no fasting and praying for forgiveness of sins; only Evil abounds.  And, Satan, as if to prove his intentions, succeeds in seeing the saintly Prophet's tombstone destroyed.  Through his minions, is Satan mocking the Jewish belief of Jonah's "desire for strict judgment", showing that he is not afraid of God's vengeance?  Or, by way of a sledgehammer, is he, Satan, dealing a symbolic blow to the "son of Truth"?
     I'm not sure if, once again, by drawing our attention to modern day Nineveh and the Prophet Jonah, God wants us to know that wickedness is so abundant that His vengeance is coming soon.  I wish I could discern His whispers more clearly.  But the Enemy's message is obvious... anything holy is to be destroyed; and death and destruction will follow in his wake.  Like the good people of ancient Nineveh, it will serve us to repent and pray that God will turn from His just anger and spare us; that the Evil that is rampant on the earth will not darken our door.  Oh, how we desperately need a Jonah today!

Jonah 3:8-9    "But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?"


 
     

The U.N. And Our Southern Border

     

     So now the United Nations has weighed in on the crisis at our southern border.  And it certainly seems as if they are trying to manipulate our national policy regarding immigration.  By simply designating a new definition of "refugee", they are trying to coerce the United States into accepting the thousands of people that are flocking to our country from Central America. 

     If you're like me, when I hear the word "refugee", I think of the millions who have been forced to flee their homelands due to political wars, or ethnic and religious persecution, such as that in Syria, Iraq or Sudan.  And if you're the U.N., and trying to interfere with our internal policies, then the word "refugee" is a much easier sell than "illegal immigrant." 

     I guess our sovereign laws aren't good enough for the U.N.  It's not enough that these people are ineligible for asylum according to our existing laws.  The U.N. wants to create a new refugee status that fits the dynamics of the illegal immigrants, thereby giving us no excuse for denying them entry into the country.

     According to a report by CBS News, it is the hope of officials with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees that a meeting tomorrow between representatives from the U.S., Mexico, and Central America will result in an updating of a 30-year-old declaration regarding the obligations nations have to aid refugees.  That update would see "refugee" also defined as anyone fleeing armed conflict, or fleeing violence and extortion at the hands of criminal gangs.  

     Although any resolution coming out of this meeting would lack legal significance in the U.S., that doesn't stop the U.N. Commission from declaring that it believes  “the U.S. and Mexico should recognize that this is a refugee situation, which implies that they shouldn’t be automatically sent to their home countries but rather receive international protection.”

     Excuse me, but where is the "international" part of this solution?  All the burden is going to land right at our feet.  Mexico certainly won't be doing their share ... in fact, they are aiding the transportation of these poor people right to our doorstep.  It's quite obvious that these illegal immigrants will not become citizens of the international community or any other nation, for that matter.  

     I guess I just don't understand why the U.N., and leaders of Central American countries think it is incumbent upon us to become the receptacle for anyone who wants to enter our country.  It seems to me that El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Ecuador and Nicaragua have failed to control the violence and gang-related terrorism in their countries, and it is they who are responsible for the hundreds of thousands of people who are fleeing their homes.  Why are we responsible for their failures?  During a recent visit to the U.S., Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez said migrants from his country were “displaced by war” and called on the United States to acknowledge that.  I guess "acknowledging" it really means "take care of them".

     And just what is the ultimate goal for the politicians in Washington D.C.?  Is it Amnesty for all these illegal immigrants?  Is it to flood Texas with potential new voters that will turn the state into a never-ending Democrat-voting machine?  Is there no consideration for the brutality that these people are subjected to on their march north?  And what exactly is the thinking behind dropping busloads of them on unsuspecting towns throughout the U.S.?  And the big, fat, ugly elephant in the room is the fact that we all know that it is not just innocent children and families that are being let in.  Why not just hang a Welcome sign at the border, inviting in the drug cartel members and terrorists?

     Frankly, I'm not seeing anyone doing anything to solve this problem.  Yes, it is a "humanitarian crisis", as the news media and the politicians like to call it --- but it is much more than that.  It could become the catalyst that finally destroys our economy, our national security and our sovereignty.  And who is going to stop it?  We better be praying to God for an answer soon.

Proverbs 19:21    "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."

      

Prepper Irrigation: OLLAS

     I want to introduce you to my friend Lori Haynes and her ingenious business, Dripping Springs OLLAS.  Long before I actually met Lori, I had heard of her reputation ... she was creative, imaginative and artistic; gifted in coming up with ways to solve problems.  I can tell you that it is all true, and she has turned her talents into creating a modest little business selling an ancient technique for irrigating plants.
     Lori happens to live in a part of Texas that is rocky with poor soil conditions.  Trying to successfully grow a vegetable or flower garden in nearly constant drought conditions was something that tested her inventive talents.  But she did a lot of research and discovered that "buried clay pot irrigation" was a time-tested technique that just might work for her circumstances, as well as others who wanted and needed an effective irrigation system.
     She configured the exact size and shape that worked best for her and the results were phenomenal -- she successfully grew tomatoes, other vegetables, and flowering plants in the summer of 2011 during one of the most extreme droughts Texas has experienced.

     Now PLW and I are shameless advocates of her OLLAS, which is an unglazed clay pot that is fired at a low temperature, allowing the pot to be porous.  When the pot is buried up to its neck in soil and then filled with water, the porosity of the pot allows the water to seep out, thereby supplying a constant source of water to the roots of your plants.
     There are so many benefits to this type of plant irrigation.  First of all, it is low tech, requiring no electricity; plus it is a low cost alternative to more expensive methods of irrigation.  This method does not need your constant attention; you just fill up the clay pot every few days, depending on your location and soil disposition.  No more drip systems, high water bills, or worrying about over or under-watering your plants.
     I can tell you that PLW is impressed with how well his nascent grape vines are flourishing, as well as the new peach trees he planted.  The searing South Texas heat had just about discouraged him from trying to successfully nurture any fruit trees or plants.  He couldn't pour enough water on them to keep them from wilting and succumbing to the scorching sun!
    But now they seem ambivalent to the intense heat and are growing at a faster pace than he imagined they ever could.  He's especially thrilled that since there is no surface water, the weeds are kept at bay, too.  He's now so impressed with this simple method of irrigation, he's planning our next garden based on how he's going to use the OLLAS.
     I'm sure by now, that you have realized this simple and unique irrigation system is perfect if you're a prepper.  No worrying about the grid going down ... if you have rain barrels or a hand-pump, you will be able to keep your OLLAS filled; you couldn't ask for a more efficient or easy method to make sure you can grow a healthy and productive garden during hard times.  But why wait until TEOTWAWKI comes knocking at your door?  Buy your OLLA today ... prices aren't getting any cheaper at the grocery store and I promise you that you will be amazed at the yield your garden produces!

Isaiah 44:3   "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants."
   
 

The Manipulation Of The Masses

     I wrote the last few posts prior to the Independence Day holiday, which has given me a few days rest from world events in order to enjoy family and some much needed down time.  But it has also given me a clearer outlook as I peruse the news sites.  When you allow your mind and your emotions some breathing space, the big picture seems to come into focus just a little sharper.

      You see, it's easy to look at one issue or one development and zoom in on how it personally affects you.  I guess it's only natural in our self-absorbed world.  But as I took a quick glance at the top headlines, I began to see that circumstances around the globe all have one thing in common ... they are part of a global game to manipulate mankind -- to exploit and steer particular events in order to achieve the goal of domination and authority.
     It is quite apparent to me that it is the age-old battle between freedom and enslavement.  It has been at the heart of our existence since the Garden of Eden.  Simply put, man traded the freedom of an open, personal relationship with his Creator, to becoming a slave to sin.  We've paid the price ever since, and are now engaged in a spiritual battle for the survival of free men.
     You can see this battle in our own country as we are pitted against each other over the illegal immigration issue on our southern border.  Whether we realize it or not; whether we admit it or not, we are being maneuvered into position.  Through no choice of our own, we have been forced into accepting an unlawful influx of humanity that threatens to harm our safety, our health, the harmony of our communities, and most importantly, our rights as citizens.
     Yes, we are called on as Christians to help the poor and the oppressed, and one cannot deny that those who have fled tyranny and persecution need our help and our acceptance.  But, this flood of immigrants appears to be a cunning orchestration of a more devious nature.  There is no obvious plan to help these unfortunates, and their welfare is not the central issue.  In fact, it is not even being considered!  This "campaign" has most certainly not been about loving your fellow man, and the result has been a tremendous lack of resources, the advent of disease, disruption of our national security, and conflict between citizens.
     And let's not forget that the thousands of people flooding across our border are not exclusively the poor and downtrodden.  There have been credible witnesses that testify to the violent criminal gangs and foreign terrorists that are among the illegal immigrants.  Yet if anyone dares to mention this possibility, you are dismissed as a racist and bigot.
     The Bible is very clear that citizens should never mistreat the "strangers" that live among them. However, just as sojourners in Israel were required to obey God's laws before receiving His blessings, the strangers among us should also be required to obey the laws of the land before receiving the same benefits and privileges that come to citizens.  Yet are we seeing any kind of order or lawfulness to this massive flood of immigrants?
     But could this be the ultimate goal?  Wouldn't this be a great strategy if you wanted to create chaos and deny people the freedom to determine how their society would be conducted?  If you wanted to eliminate freedom, wouldn't you make the people slaves of a system that was out of control?
     And it's not just happening here in America.  Whether you are viewing the upheaval in the Middle East and the emergence of the Caliphate, or the ongoing turmoil in the Ukraine/Russia conflict, the results are all the same ... to create an event(s) that is designed to disrupt the free will of men and to crush their spirits.  That is the very foundation of Good vs. Evil; of freedom vs. enslavement.
     What we are seeing today is nothing new; these forces have been battling since the beginning of time.  But it seems to me that the Enemy has managed to engineer multiple fronts in this warfare.  There are hotspots all over the world where it threatens to spiral out of control and where rules of conduct and just laws do not exist.  And it has been carefully designed and directed to happen just as it is.  The masses find themselves at odds with their rulers and authorities, and the thought of peace and mutual tolerance seems fanciful.  The forces that are confronting us are becoming stronger and it is time we recognize that we are being handled in a very skillful manner.
     We must not allow ourselves to be pushed into a corner or up against a wall.  We must not allow ourselves to be baited into a predetermined response or mindset.  We know the laws by which we must obey, and they are God's.  As formidable as these turn of events around the world might appear, we are not resigned for defeat or blind acceptance.  Keep an eye on the goal that God offers, not what the world's rulers are asserting.  The battle lines have been drawn, and it will be a fierce fight.  Just remember that we are designed for freedom not enslavement ... and Good will triumph over Evil.

1 Corinthians 6:12     "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful.  "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything.
   

John 17:20-22

"I’m not praying only for them but also for those 

who believe in me because of their word.  

I pray they will be one, Father, 

just as you are in me and I am in you.

 I pray that they also will be in us, 

so that the world will believe that you sent me.  

I’ve given them the glory that you gave me 

so that they can be one just as we are one."

     In the midst of the world's chaos, it should give us great comfort that our Lord prays for us.  This is not a one-time prayer that Jesus spoke over 2,000 years ago in the Garden of Gethsemane for that time, but a prayer that covers us today.  He is in intimate conversation with our Father, petitioning not only for His disciples, (who are the "them" He identifies first), but for "those" who believe in Him because of the disciples' word.

     It is very important to know the context of time that Jesus is referring to.  Jesus is talking about all the people who saw and believed in Him because they heard the preaching of the eleven disciples, or the teaching of Him by the seventy He sent out in pairs.  But He is also talking to God about all those who will believe in Him because of the written word of the faithful disciples that would become the Bible.  These are two distinct groups ... those that saw and believed; and those that are in the ages to come, who have not seen, yet still believed.  And here's the incredible thing:  He knows every single Believer that He is praying for!  He knows the names that are written in the Book of Life, from the very beginning!

     And notice what His plea is ... that we will be one; we will be united.  He prays that we will be one, not only as a united body of Believers throughout time and in our purpose, but we will be united by the new heart that is created within us -- a heart that seeks the glory of God above ourselves and all else; a heart that yearns for eternal life over the rewards of this world; and a heart that truly desires fellowship at the deepest level with saints throughout the world.  This would be the same oneness that the Father and the Son share.

     It is Christ's fervent desire that all who believe in Him be united in God's Grace and the Counsel of the Holy Spirit.  He repeats that He wants us to be one, just as He and God are one.  And notice that He asks this so that "the world" will believe that God sent Him.  He does not say,  "So that "Christians" will believe that You sent me"; or Jews or Muslims or Hindus or any other group ... but that THE WORLD will know!  Remember that He sent the seventy out into the world, and He sent Paul to modern-day Syria, Turkey, Greece, Rome and some even think Spain.   

     It is obvious from this prayer, that Christ wants us to all come together as one body of believers; that He would have all men be saved, and to come to the knowledge of His truth.  When the world sees that we can all be changed (no matter our nationality or birthplace) and can truly love one another, as Christ loved all men, then there is hope that we can be blessed by the same relationship as Jesus shares with His Father.  

     The disciples and the prophets received "the glory" that Jesus mentions ... the dignity and the honor -- not only for the purpose of testifying about Him, but also so that they could be united in that goal and encourage each other.  The same is true for us today. 

     So, it is incumbent upon us now, more than ever, that we share the Good News.  The world needs to hear about Jesus and that, through Him, we can become one with each other, and united with Him and the Father in a glorious, eternal life.  We're not doing such a good job at the moment, but remember that Jesus prayed this prayer for us then, and He is praying it still.  Thy Kingdom come, They will be done ....

The WWII Memorial Prayer Act

     It was nice to see that the Congress, in its entirety, could agree on something.  Early in June, the Senate unanimously passed a bill called The WWII Memorial Prayer Act (S1044).  Just a few days ago, the House of Representatives passed it by a bipartisan majority.  The essence of this Bill is its' commemoration of the prayer that President Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke on the morning that troops were landing on the beaches of Normandy.  The purpose of this legislation is that this Landing Day prayer will be added -- at no cost to the American taxpayer -- to the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C.
     The history behind this worthy legislation is that seventy years ago, on the morning of June 6, 1944, as Allied forces were landing on the beaches in Normandy, President Roosevelt went to the airwaves and prayed with the nation for God's blessing and protection upon our brave fighting men. He prayed, "Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity… With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogances. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace -- a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil.  Thy will be done, Almighty God. Amen."  (For a full rendition of FDR's prayer, click here.)
     Senator Rob Portman, a sponsor of the bill, said, "Every day, countless Americans volunteer to serve our country. Many more before them have made the greatest sacrifice of all, giving their lives to defend our freedoms. On D-Day, our nation mourned our men overseas who fell while combating tyranny. President Roosevelt asked us to come together to pray for these courageous heroes, and his words provided strength and comfort to a grieving nation.  At no cost to the taxpayer, my bill will immortalize this extraordinary prayer on the World War II Memorial so it becomes a permanent reminder of the sacrifice of not just those who fought in World War II, but also of the men and women who fight for us today and all those who lay down their lives for the cause of liberty."
     It should come as no surprise that the ACLU has filed a letter of opposition, in which they state, "Religious freedom is a fundamental and defining feature of our national character. Given our robust, longstanding commitment to the freedom of religion and belief, it is no surprise that the United States is among the most religious, and religiously diverse, nations in the world. Our religious diversity is one of our nation’s great strengths.  

     This bill, however, shows a lack of respect for this great diversity. It endorses the false notion that all veterans will be honored by a war memorial that includes a prayer [which] proponents characterize as reflecting our country’s “Judeo-Christian heritage and values.”  In fact, Department of Defense reports show that nearly one-third of all current members of the U.S. Armed Forces identify as non-Christian.  Likewise, many of our veterans and citizens come from a variety of religious backgrounds, or have no religious belief; thus, it is inappropriate to honor the “power of prayer” in a national memorial.
     Memorials are designed to bring our country together in a unified reflection of our past. Indeed, the WWII Memorial’s stated purpose is national unity.  Instead of uniting us as we remember the sacrifice of those who served, the inclusion of this prayer on the memorial would be divisive: It would send a strong message to those who do not share the same religious beliefs expressed in this prayer that they are excluded and ‘not full members of the . . . community.’      
     "Well .... let me just say this:  This is a memorial to WWII veterans and their experience.  It's about them, and for them.  I do not have the precise statistics, but I would venture a guess that a vast majority of those serving in our military THEN, probably checked the box "Christian" on their enlistment papers. So, it's not about the "nearly one-third of all current members of the U.S. Armed Forces", as the ACLU alleges.  And it is not about changing history, as it certainly appears to me is the desired result of this opposition.
     For God's sake (literally)!  On June 6, 1944 the President of the United States proclaimed this prayer in our hour of need.  He properly reflected the spiritual nature of our country at that time.  Just because individuals and organizations such as the ACLU want to project "exclusion" and "divisiveness" upon this memorial prayer, doesn't make it so, or take away its historical importance.  I am so tired of these dissenters trying to claim we are not, nor have ever been, a Christian nation.  When you read the entire prayer, it is obvious President Roosevelt was speaking to a nation of people who had faith in the Christian God.  I'm sorry if the ACLU doesn't want to accept that truth.
     This bill has now been sent to the President's desk for his signature.  Will he sign it?  As far back as 2011, when this bill was first introduced, the Director of the Bureau of Land Management at the time, Robert Abbey, said any plaque or inscription bearing the prayer would “dilute” the “elegant” memorial’s core message and therefore “should not be altered.”   Nonsense!  I hope that this bill doesn't languish on the President's desk; pushed aside until Congress takes its summer recess, and then to be forgotten upon resumption of official duties.  This prayer, spoken by an American President, is an important part of our national experience, our history, and our spiritual consciousness.  Let it be forever memorialized.

Jeremiah 29:12    "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you."

   

Fourth of July Reflections

     This Fourth of July feels different.  In the past, I've always felt our liberty and freedom were assured; that the soul of 1776 was still recognizable in our nation.  But for the first time in my life, our future seems ....  fragile and vulnerable.
     The one thing I know for certain is that I still believe in the "Spirit of 76".  I am well aware of how this country defies all the odds; that the freedom and independence we have known for the last 238 years is not a natural state of mankind in the world.  In fact, this country broke all the molds when it came to men and what rights they possessed.  "Natural and inherent" rights became a new philosophy that challenged the old order of kings, aristocracy, and the elite.

     But what did our Founding Fathers mean when they claimed that "all men are created equal ... and endowed with certain unalienable rights...."?  I think John Adams explained it quite well:  ""I say RIGHTS, for such they have, undoubtedly, antecedent to all earthly government; Rights that cannot be repealed or restrained by human laws; Rights, derived from the great Legislator of the universe."
     It seems to me that our Founding Fathers believed in the concept that we are not all created with the same talents or circumstances, but we are created with the same rights to become all that we can be; all that God has made us to be.  I believe that they defined a "right" as something endowed at birth that cannot be taken away.  They expanded that philosophy to include property rights and economic freedom as integral and essential parts of man’s natural rights.  They developed this unique ideology from the example of their ancestors; the Puritan work ethic valued hard work, providing for one’s family, and the right to keep the fruits of one’s labor. That was then .... do we still hold to that principle?  Or, does our government see its role as making us all be the same, and leveling the playing field, regardless of efforts and accountability?
     It seems to me that Government is increasingly deciding which rights people and groups are "endowed" with.  And if they are the "giver", then they reason that they can also take those rights away.  Hence, our property rights are no longer sacred nor protected.  In fact, the "natural" rights that our Founding Fathers so authoritatively manifested have been redefined as government-guaranteed economic opportunity and security.
      I truly believe that the group of men who convened in July of 1776, were Divinely-inspired.  For the first time in history, the idea was born that men could be free of the restraints that repressed them. But the Founding Fathers understood that men were not perfectly good so they needed to form some sort of government to secure their natural rights. But just as important, they needed a government constrained by the consent of the people.  James Madison expressed it eloquently:  "If men were angels, no government would be necessary."
     But they also new that this never-before-tried form of government would be fragile and subject to corruption.  That's why, at the close of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, when asked if the Founders had crafted a Monarchy or a Republic, Benjamin Franklin replied, "A republic.  If you can keep it."  And my, how difficult it has been to keep it!  Down through the nearly two-and-a-half centuries this country has existed, malevolent forces have battered our walls of freedom.  The Republic has managed to survive threats from Communism, Socialism and Progressivism; although all have managed to erode the original vision of those inspired men.
    If you can keep it .... Did they know we would let it slip away?  But could they also conceive that there would be those of us who would recognize that what they accomplished was worthy of fighting for; and that their vision would still burn in the hearts of patriotic souls?  I think Franklin's reply was a subtle warning ... our freedom was not, and is not, guaranteed.  The Founders knew that men and governments would endeavor to increase their power and control at the expense of our individual freedoms because freedom is not the natural state of the world.
     That's why President Ronald Reagan's words sound so prophetic today:  "[Freedom] must be fought for, protected, and handed on [to our children] for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."
     How do we protect these fragile freedoms; these freedoms that we are on the verge of losing today?  Has this erosion occurred by "the consent of the governed"?   We certainly seem to have fallen asleep on the job.   How do we change direction, and is it too late?  There are many Americans who would tell you that we failed Benjamin Franklin -- that we've lost it.  I refuse to believe that!  As Reagan eluded to, we must reinvigorate ourselves; know how remarkable and rare are this country's founding principles and teach that fact to our children.  Then we must make sure that we take advantage of the extraordinary system that has been instituted and elect honorable men who will preserve those principles.
     We must return to being a moral nation; not adopting moral relevancy, but a moral code of conduct that breeds responsibility, accountability, and recognizing the rights of others.  Finally, we must renew our efforts as watchmen of our freedoms; guard them and fight for them.  If we cannot return to a knowledge and recognition of the unparalleled freedoms that were established in this country, as well as stand up as moral men and women, and vow to protect our rights, then I'm afraid we may have nothing to celebrate next Fourth of July.
     But, if, as I suspect, the "Spirit of '76" still exists in our DNA, then I set my sights on the day that we can once again proclaim, as did Oliver Wolcott, a signer of the Declaration of Independence 238 years ago today, "It is most evident that this land is under the protection of the Almighty, and that we shall be saved not by our wisdom nor by our might, but by the Lord of Host Who is wonderful in counsel and Almighty in all His operations."  Amen!

2 Corinthians 3:17    "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."

Jordan Is Crucial

     It's not as if we here in the United States don't have enough to worry about ... a porous and dangerous southern border; a dying economy; political turmoil; a divided populace; and rising prices on everything across the board... but we must now keep an eye on events in the Middle East, too.
     Right now, the troubles may seem localized, but one need only look at a map of the Middle East to see that the fate of the small country of Jordan could cause repercussions around the world.  That has become even more evident this week as the Israeli website, Debka File, published a report that pro-ISIS protests are gaining in popularity in the city of Ma'an, the capital of the southern province of the Kingdom of Jordan.

     The report states that for now, King Abdullah is conferring urgently with his army and intelligence chiefs on how to suppress the Islamist revolt in Ma’an without it spilling over into other Jordanian towns, especially Salt, Irbid and Zerka, which have large clusters of Al Qaeda followers.  This will be quite a task for Jordan's military, since it faces additional ISIS-related threats from Syria to its north, and Iraq to its east.
     And, of course, the big elephant in the room is Saudi Arabia.  Situated to the south of Jordan, we must really ask, Where do their loyalties lie?  Are they indirectly involved in this whole ISIS movement?  Smarter people than me will have to educate you on this puzzle, but it doesn't take a genius to figure out there are underlying alliances going on, and everyone is looking out for themselves.
    But back to Jordan.  Its military is divided into three sectors: two are protecting the Syrian and Iraqi borders, with the third protecting the capital city of Amman.  Should the Islamist protests spread from the southern town of Ma’an to other corners of the kingdom, it is obvious that the army will be short of fighting manpower for simultaneous defense against internal and external threats.
     But while the fate of Jordan lies in the balance, its destiny is closely tied to that of Israel.  Currently, Jordan seems to be the only country in the middle East that expresses any desire to honor its peace treaty with Israel.  In effect, Jordan is an important buffer zone (literally and figuratively) between Israel and those countries who have sworn to destroy her.  And that's why the U.S. has continued to spend millions of dollars in annual foreign aid for Jordan.  And let's not forget that we also have troops and military equipment stationed there.
     As reported by Debka File, Brig. Gen. Dennis McKean, commander of the joint US-Jordanian-Israeli underground Centcom-Forward war room established near Amman, has already received instructions to place the 12,000 U.S. soldiers and USAF  F-16 fighter squadron (positioned in Jordan) on the ready.  Debka File further discloses that McKean is in direct communication with Israeli military commanders to consider how to proceed, should Israel feel openly threatened.  (Add in the recent escalating violence between Israel and the Palestinians over the deaths of three innocent schoolboys, and the situation threatens to spiral out of control).  Do they wait for the threats to escalate?  Or do they strike preemptively, and how will this effect Jordan's internal security?
     I am reminded of the role that the small country of Serbia played in the outbreak of WWI.  History records that a so-called Serbian freedom fighter assassinated "occupier" Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the Austro-Hungarian crown prince.  This began a series of alliances between Europe’s major powers, and resulted in them being dragged into fighting an unimaginably bloody conflict that led to the slaughter of 16 million people.
     If Jordan collapses under the multi-front assault, will we see a series of alliances that will unleash an unholy war upon the nation of Israel?  Could this be the tipping point for WWIII?  And will the imminent destruction of Israel be the deciding factor that sees the return of Jesus Christ?  I don't have any of the answers, but I have enough discernment to ask the question, Is this what the prophet Isaiah was referring to when he said, "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed"?  The prophet goes on to say that God will laugh at the rage of the heathens and He will say, "I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion."
     Make no mistake, whatever any of the rulers in the Middle East, or around the world, may plan, God makes it plain that He will not suffer the destruction of His people in His holy land; God  intends to set the Lord Jesus Christ up as King over the earth.  Will these menacing threats aimed at Jordan trigger His judgment and usher in His promised Kingdom?  The pot is boiling harder and the clock is ticking faster.  What we see happening in the Middle East in the coming days could very well determine the future of this world.   Time is running short!

Psalm 122:6     Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure."

The New Islamic State: A Historical Perspective

     It's official.  ISIS has wasted no time in declaring that the Islamic Caliphate is established in the Middle East.  After quickly conquering territories in Iraq and Syria, ISIS now proclaims their intentions of pushing into Europe.  As if that news is not chilling enough, they have demanded allegiance from Muslims around the world.
     I keep returning to this subject, because I don't think enough Americans are aware of the seriousness of this development, nor of the historical significance.  As K.T. McFarland, the former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs under President Reagan pointed out, it is absolutely essential that one understands that the emergence of ISIS, (and the Sunni-Shiite hostility), has been raging for the last 2500 years.  It has been going on since 500 B.C., and is, in essence the Persian Empire (Shiites) vs. the Babylonian Empire (Sunnis).  It is the same tribes and the same fight that has been going on for centuries.  (The Book of Daniel gives us a biblical and historical perspective of this ongoing conflict.)
     The head of ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Bagdadi, now calls himself Caliph Ibrahim, using the name given to the son of the Prophet Muhammad in order to strengthen the claim that he is now the leader of the Muslims and a direct successor to the prophet himself.  This development precludes that Muslims everywhere, not just those in areas under the organization's control, swear loyalty to him.  For added emphasis, he was clever in making his announcement on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.  The group has also renamed itself The Islamic State, and a spokesman released this statement: "'The legality of all emirates, groups, states and organizations becomes null by the expansion of the caliph's authority and the arrival of its troops to their areas.  Listen to your caliph and obey him. Support your state, which grows every day."

     Make no mistake.  The Islamic State is real and is not shy about announcing its five-year plan.   The Daily Mail reports that the plans include expansion far beyond Muslim-majority countries.  A map shared by their supporters shows that plans are in existence to expand the caliphate throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and large parts of western Asia, including an expansion into parts of Europe.
     The map shows that Spain, which was ruled by Muslims for 700 years until 1492, is marked out as a territory the caliphate plans to have under its control by 2020. They also plan to take control of the Balkan states -- including Greece, Romania and Bulgaria - extending their territories in eastern Europe as far as Austria, which appears to be based on the pre-First World War borders of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
     ISIS has long argued for the return of the geographical boundaries before WWI, and has insisted that the carving up of the Ottoman Empire by Allied forces after the conflict - commonly known as the Sykes-Picot Agreement - was a deliberate attempt to divide Muslims and restrict the likelihood of another caliphate being established.  It is a fact that Muslim extremists have long dreamed of recreating the Islamic state, or caliphate, that ruled over the Middle East, North Africa and beyond, in various forms, over the course of Islam's 1,400-year history.  And now they see their chance to accomplish that goal!
     If you need more evidence that these developments should be taken seriously, take note:  this marks the first time since the fall of the Ottoman Empire in 1923 that a Caliph--which means a political successor to the Prophet Mohammad--has been named.  The Islamic State has "marked its borders", is asserting itself as "a legitimate state", and is announcing that it wishes to usher in "a new era of international jihad."
     And we should take them at their word.  What everyone in the world needs to realize is that The Islamic State has managed to do in Syria and Iraq what Al Qaeda never has - carve out a large swath of territory in the heart of the Arab world and control it.   This could mean that al-Queda will be dethroned from their jihadist leadership position, and the younger generation of the jihadist community will become more supportive of [ISIS] because of their slick propaganda and their track record of achieving rapid results through brutality.  If you have been paying attention, then you know that the new Caliph's militant forces are not referred to as terrorist "cells", but as a formidable "army" by noted national security experts.  These same experts warn that they won't stop at the boundaries of Europe.  This is a very real threat to our homeland and our way of life.  Not only do we have to be concerned about American-born jihadists, but Middle East oil could soon be under the control of the Caliphate, or at the very least disrupted.  We face formidable perils on both fronts.
      My purpose in divulging this information is not to be controversial nor to create hysteria.  But if there was ever a need for a Biblical worldview, now is the time.  Bible prophecy indicates that in the End Times, as we get closer to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, God will allow the Medes (who are the modern-day Kurds) to gain power, even as the Lord allows the Arabs to gain power and rebuild the kingdom of Babylon in the heart of Iraq.  The fulfillment of that prophecy is on the horizon!  Furthermore, the Bible tells us in the Book of Revelation that Babylon will be the epicenter of the world's evil in the last days.  This vision is coming into view!  It is time for all men and women to know their history, the Bible, and how you can secure your eternal future.  Please don't waste another minute!

Isaiah 13:11    "And I, the Lord, will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their guilt and iniquity; I will cause the arrogance of the proud to cease and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible and the boasting of the violent and ruthless."