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

   

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

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

Deuteronomy 28:15

"But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of 

the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, 

that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:"

     I love Deuteronomy!  Unlike many uninformed Christians who view it as the Law of the Old Testament, to be discarded and ignored in this Age of Grace, I understand that God ordained these parting words of Moses.  Jehovah instructed Moses to review His covenant blessings and curses with the new generation that was about to enter the Promised Land, so that they will endure to all generations ... that includes us!  

     It is among the many wonders and mysteries of the Bible that it speaks Truth into each generation that reads it.  Chapter 28 of Deuteronomy is a treasure trove of both blessings and curses upon those who hear God's Word.  And although many modern Christians only want to concentrate on the blessing part of the message, the noted 17th Century theologian Matthew Henry admonishes that "Ministers must preach the terrors of the law as well as the comforts of the gospel."  Sadly, I do not think this has been done in the Modern Church, and the people are perishing for lack of knowledge.

     The preceding verses in Chapter 28 identify the many blessings that befall a people who hearken diligently to the Lord's voice and observe all His commandments:  the fertility of your body, your crops and your animals will abound; your enemies will be defeated; the Lord will open His Heavenly storehouse and shower the land with rain and bountiful harvests; you will be able to lend to many nations, and have no need to borrow; you will earn the respect of other nations, holding a position of leadership at the top; and lastly all these blessings will be yours as long as you continue to obey His Word and do not follow after other gods and serve them.

     Then come the verses that are the promised curses for disobedience to God's Word.  No one wants to read them or hear them, because they do not fit the comfortable and convenient image of God that we have made for ourselves.  But who can deny the plain-spoken truth of our Scripture today?  The following curses will come upon the people who do not carefully observe God's commandments and statutes:  First, the fruit of our fields and our bodies will be cursed.  No one can deny that our crop production is declining, and infertility is a growing problem among American women.  The Lord promises curses of "terrible and untreatable sicknesses", and He declares that He will make the rain from heaven like dust.  He promises that "the immigrants who live among you will be promoted over you, higher and higher! But you will be demoted, lower and lower!" (Verse 43).  There are promises of a "distant nation [coming against you]—one from the far ends of the earth—against you as fast as the eagle flies: a nation that speaks a language you can’t understand, and who is "a stern nation that doesn’t go easy on the very old or show pity to the very young." (Verses 49-50)  

     All these curses are promised  "If you don’t carefully keep all the words of this Instruction that are written in this scroll, by fearing the awesome and glorious name of the Lord your God."  These are the words that Moses spoke to the generation about to enter their inheritance in the Promised Land; and they were the words from God, spoken to those ancient Israelites and every generation since then.  

     I know there will be those who say if we are Saved, we don't need to fear these curses; we have the hope of a promised deliverance.  Yes, we do, but our Salvation applies to us as individuals.  We are part of a nation who has turned away from God's statutes and instructions, and we, as a nation, are reaping the consequences of our disobedience.  These curses will effect us, too.  We are a nation who is suffering the repercussions of too much borrowing, and too many strangers in our land; we are no longer respected as a "top" nation, and are threatened by distant enemies and incurable diseases.  We can no longer escape the results of following after the gods of greed, money and power; nor will we avoid the judgment from serving the gods of abortion and immorality.  

     I pray that this nation will experience a great revival of love for our Lord -- that we will return to His ways and forego our selfish natures.  I believe He has turned us over to our own desires, and you can see what a mess we've wrought.  But we have no one to blame but ourselves.  God, in His Word, has given us clear instructions and made His desires known.  It is we who have erased the memory of His enduring promises from our land.  Now we are receiving His righteous curses.   

I'm Weary .... But Determined!

     I can honestly say that today I feel like "turtle-ing up" ... just pulling myself into my shell and waiting for all this worldly mess to either fix itself, or come to its prophecied conclusion, so we can kick off the Millennium Kingdom.
     There is so much going on that we cannot (and are not meant to) understand.  Who really knows what is going on in the Russian/Ukraine War ... or the European Union ... or with the World Bankers ... or with the illegal immigrants and our Southern border ... or any number of other complicated world scenarios that threaten to upset our daily existence?
     About the only thing I do know is that what we see or what we are being told is likely not the truth.  Who's backing and funding ISIS?  You don't produce top-rate videos and publications while on the march to decapitate Christians and innocent Iraqis.  What is Homeland Security doing to protect us from the threats of terrorists?  In case anyone has noticed, the anniversary of September 11th is around the corner, and that never bodes well for Americans.

     But rather than focus on all these uncertainties, my spirit is telling me to concentrate on what I can impact; what I can do to positively influence my small territory on this earth.  I do not want to let this impending sense of Judgment keep me from making a difference.  Most of all, I want to make an unparalleled try to reach those in my life who have grown distant; those I have tended to let slide from my gaze for one reason or another.... distance, contrasting lifestyles or dissimilar personalities can no longer be viable excuses.
     I must figure out a way to reach my brother, a man I have always been at odds with since childhood.  Furthering that incompatibility is the fact that he is a genetic cancer doctor, with more degrees than I can count on one hand; is as far Left as I am Right; finds nothing interesting about my life; and is an avowed atheist.  Not much to work with, is there?  But I keep hearing that whisper in my soul to not give up on him.  So, I have written him a heart-felt letter and sent it along with a book by an eminent and distinguished geneticist, who wrote a book to explain how his brilliant scientific mind led him to the conclusion that God does exist.
     In the letter I told him that it is important to me that he read the book, give it some serious thought, and then invite Jesus to show him He is real.  It is my fear that time is running out for him to realize that he needs a Savior. I know he won't hear it from me, but maybe if he reads it from someone he respects, he will answer the call.  I'm determined to reach him in his own language.
     I also must make an effort with an old friend, a woman who has been a friend since our days in college and who has been the one to keep our friendship alive.  Like my brother, she is a doctor, and she needs proof that the Gospel message is true.  At times, I wonder how we have stayed friends, because God has taken me down such a different path than hers.  Our household incomes, our values, our marriages, and what we worship are poles apart.  She worships anything that fills the emptiness in her soul, and I think she secretly believes that Jesus will limit her ability to seek all those "adventures".
      During her visit last year, there were words bordering on anger, and she removed herself to our porch, where PLW told her, "You know, she just cares about you and your soul."  When I asked her one time, "What do you think happens the moment after you die?", she just looked at me with the saddest expression, and said "That, I can't answer."  I'm determined that she will discover the joy and the grace of knowing her Lord and Savior.
     I also want to reach all my friends who have languished in a lukewarm Christian environment, and I want to share just how big our God is!  I want them to know that recognizing His Power and His Sovereignty and His Plan and His Mercy and His Judgment .... all of His mighty attributes ... will directly affect how they get through the difficult times ahead.  Instead of worrying about all the negative things that might befall us, let us come closer to God and revel in the understanding of just how much He loves us.  Let us understand that His judgment is coming on the earth, and let us present ourselves in repentance and humble servitude.  Let us instead focus on how we can lead others to the refuge that we will have from the approaching storms.
     While I don't want to look upon the world anymore, I realize that this is not feasible.  I have to live in this broken world, and I have a job to do while I'm here.  I'm tired of the misery I see, but I can look beyond it.  And I want to take as many people to the throne of God as I can.  So, join me... don't give up; but reach out and show someone else how to look up.  Let's deny the Enemy any further gain!

Galatians 6:9     "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."


   

Opening The Door To Satan: This Generation's Obsession With Tattoos

     This post is outside my normal realm of attention, but I think it is nonetheless important for us to consider.  For those of us who are spiritually aware of the evil that is cascading upon the earth, we see our culture a little differently than most.  We recognize all the ways that Satanic influence is creeping into our consciousness: through violent video games; through our music and entertainment; through the rapid integration of humans and computers in the quest for "eternal" existence.  Just 20-40 years ago, what might have been viewed with suspicion by a generation more "tuned in" to God, is now easily accepted and adopted by a more "humanistic" society ... everything is allowable when it comes to expressing yourself.

     No practice is more pervasive these days than tattooing oneself.  Tattoos have existed throughout time, and even The Greatest Generation came home from the last World War with souvenirs of their battles inked on their forearms.  But this generation has taken "the art" of tattooing to new levels.  It is no longer enough to display a small heart or butterfly on your shoulder or ankle; or, if you are a guy, to tattoo some bad-ass image on your deltoid muscle.  Now, tattoo "sleeves" are sported by everyone from celebrities to the hamburger flipper at McDonalds.  The wearer displays a collage of tattoos that covers most, or all, of his/her arm; usually from shoulder to wrist.  But it is not uncommon to find that chest, back, both arms, the neck, and even parts of the face are covered with tattooed images.  

     So what do you think?  Is this just the unique method with which this generation is expressing itself?  Or could it lead to something more sinister?  I contend the latter.  But I want to make it clear that I do not believe that everyone who makes the decision to get a tattoo is doing it to pay homage to the devil or some malevolent spirit.  On the contrary -- most do not even know the implications of what they are doing in the name of "fashion".  So let me give you something to think about.

     Most Christians are aware of the Leviticus 19:28 verse in the Bible:  “You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD.”  But do you understand why God gave this commandment?  As always, it is important to know the full context of any Scripture quoted.  One of the primary reasons that the litany of rules and commandments that abound in Leviticus were instituted was to keep God's Chosen People from imitating the pagan societies that surrounded them.  There were rites and ceremonies that the pagans observed at the death of loved ones and at the time of a funeral.  They would cut themselves and tattoo themselves on behalf of the dead, in order to pacify the gods of the underworld that they worshipped, and thereby gain a favorable position for their dead friends or relatives.  The ritual of tattooing began as a means to placate and appease the demonic spirits of Satan.  (See commentary by noted theologian Matthew Henry).

     Now, I have read blogs by Christian Pastors who have chosen to approve tattoos, especially those that express symbols of our faith and Christianity.  They will say, "The tattoo of today is much different than it was for those who originally received the Pentateuch. Today, a tattoo is a decorative means of self expression and personal decoration... but in our cultural context they do not denote a connection with evil or false faith. In the same way tattoos today do not link the wearer to cultic worship practices and is not generally practiced for ancient religious purposes, tattoos today are for ornamentation."  

     These blogs will then go on to rationalize that the Christian is free to tattoo themselves because we are no longer under the Old Testament Law.  They will explain that tattoos can give glory to God and be a tool for evangelizing.  But they just don't go far enough in their understanding!  And when they say tattoos don't mean the same "in our cultural context", what about what it means to the demonic spirits?  Do you think they play the game according to our "cultural context"?

     At the root of my opinion about tattooing is the fact that the Bible clearly states, "For the soul of the flesh is in the blood, and I myself have put it upon the altar for you to make atonement for your souls, because it is the blood that makes atonement by the soul in it." (Leviticus 17:11).  Throughout the Bible, God makes it plain: Blood is important to Him; He regards Life and Blood as sacred.  Blood is Life, and God claims it as sacred to Himself -- so Sacred that it is the instrument of our atonement.  We can only find forgiveness through Blood.... and only Christ's Blood!

     BUT HERE'S THE DEAL!  In their book, Dictionary of Cults, Sects, Religions and the Occult, authors George Mathers and Larry Nichols give us this description of Blood:  The vitalizing or life-giving agent used in the sacrament of the BLACK MASS. Blood is believed to provide power and life and therefore plays a central part in ritualistic sacrifices.  Blood is the "power source" in the spiritual realm of the occult!  

     So what does all this have to do with getting that beautiful work of art inked on your skin?  None other than Rolling Stone Magazine, gave this description of the process of getting a tattoo:  ""Evan Seinfeld, the bassist for Biohazrd, sits in the chair, offers his hand and waits for the bleeding to begin. . . The instrument whirs to life, humming across Seinfeld's hand, creating a vibrating pool of blood and ink."  (Rolling Stone, March 28, 2002, p. 40).

     Then there are these details from The Body Art Book : A Complete, Illustrated Guide to Tattoos, Piercings, and Other Body Modifications by Jean-Chris Miller:  "You’ll see little drops of blood emerge from the freshly tattooed spot. . . Once that dries and little blood bubbles have ceased rising to the surface, the artist may want to snap a few photos of your piece." Nice!

     But this commentary is the one that I want you to really pay attention to ... it is based on one of the most extensive works ever published on tattoos; Dr. W.D. Hambly’s, The History of Tattooing And It's Significance.  In it, Hambly concluded that, historically, tattooing had originated in connection with ancient rites of scarification and bloodletting which were associated with religious practices intended to put the human soul in harmony with supernatural forces and ensure continuity between this life and the next.  (PERSONAL NOTE:  A very dear friend of mine is a surgical nurse, and also a Christian.  She was greatly disturbed to enter a surgical suite and find an anesthetized patient with a tattoo around his neck that read, The gates of hell will welcome me.  Seems to back up Dr. Hambly's hypothesis, doesn't it?)

     Tattooing has obviously been a historic method through which humans sought to mix, or blend, or harmonize with "supernatural forces".  I can guarantee that the forces that responded were not from God!  And just because people in this age will tell you that these rituals are not their intention when they tattoo (they are just expressing themselves through body art), there is nevertheless a long and authentic association between this body modification and connecting with satanic forces.  And do you really think those "forces" won't take advantage of this generation's ignorance of what they are opening themselves up to? 

      Before I leave this subject, I must hint at one other concern I have about tattooing.  We must not forget that Satan has always been obsessed with changing the DNA of those of us made in the image of God.  That's what he tried to do in the Garden of Eden to keep Jesus's pure bloodline from existing.  In his excellent book, Exogenesis: Changing Men Into Monsters, author Steve Quayle introduces the first-hand knowledge of "Matthew", a former tattoo artist, who became a Christian opponent of body modification.  

     Here, in Matthew's own words, are a warning to those who applaud the art of tattooing:  "Most people don't know it, but tattooing is the perfect delivery system for introducing materials into the human body.  From this standpoint, tattooing is very much a DNA vaccine... the changes are "mutagenic", meaning the DNA is altered in some way..."

     I don't have room here to do an extensive essay on what I think are the dangers of tattooing.  But suffice it to say that the comparisons to ancient blood rituals, the possibility of connecting and associating with "Supernatural Forces", and the ability to incrementally alter one's DNA through repetitive tattoos, is enough to make me take God's warning seriously!  If my soul is in my blood, why would I want to imitate ancient rituals that sought to commune with demonic spirits, and expose my soul/blood to their influence?  And could this be the reason we see such drastic changes in personality and actions from celebrities who have embraced this latest "fashion trend" of heavily tattooing their bodies?  (Think Justin Bieber, for instance).  Regardless of whether you agree with me, or think that tattoos are just a harmless mode of self-expression, we must all be on guard against the "harmless" ways the Enemy infiltrates our culture and our personal lives.  Remember: he is "like a roaring lion who walks about seeking whom he may devour."

If you would like to read more about "Matthew's" Christian opinion on tattoos, visit his website www.themodifiedbody.com.

Colossians 2:8     "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."

"Come Out Of Her, My People!"

     I have made it no secret that I am among a growing number of Christians who are reviewing the message we are receiving from the Modern-day Church, and are finding it lacking in many ways.  If you proclaim to be a Bible-believing Christian, do you hold your church and your pastor to the high standards that God sets for His people in that Holy Book?  Do you even know what He commands or desires?  Because you have to read the Book to get the Truth; God holds you responsible to do your own research.  Listening to the message from the pulpit is not enough these days; especially if you receive a message like the one I'm going to tell you about.
     Victoria Osteen, the wife of one of the most successful televangelists, Joel Osteen, delivered these words from the stage of their megachurch in Houston, Texas:  “I just want to encourage everyone of us to realize when we obey God, we’re not doing it for God – I mean, that’s one way to look at it – we’re doing it for ourselves, because God takes pleasure when we’re happy... So I want you to know this morning: Just do good for your own self. Do good because God wants you to be happy. When you come to church, when you worship Him, you’re not doing it for God really. You’re doing it for yourself, because that’s what makes God happy. Amen?"
     I nearly choked when I heard her words!  Where in the Bible does it say we are to put ourselves first?  And nowhere do I read that to "be happy" is God's priority for us.  I seem to recall that He wants us to be holy, which means to separate ourselves from the sins of this world, which also coincidentally, usually arise from attempts to make ourselves ... you guessed it ... happy!
     Now, I'm not saying that He desires us to be somber, depressed, and gloomy.  But to tell people that worshipping and glorifying God is about focusing on ourselves is not only irreverent, it is a lie!  And at the origin of that lie, is the same falsehood that tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden.  "Don't worry about God.  Make yourself happy first!  Concentrate on your needs and desires."
     Do you see the subtlety with which Satan and, yes, even Victoria Osteen introduce doubt into the Believer's mind?  For those in her congregation who truly do worship God for His glory, she tells them, "That's one way to look at it."  But then she introduces a much more enticing and motivating reason to follow God's precepts ... it's all about us.  In effect, she introduces the beguiling notion that we are our own gods; that our worship -- why stop there -- our very existence is about fulfilling ourselves, rather than glorifying our Creator.
     I actually did a search on the word "happy" in the Bible, and every time it was a byproduct of living a life dedicated to Him; not about "doing good for your own self."  But those are the exact words that Victoria Osteen spoke to the 45,000 people in attendance at her church, and the message that many Christians today hear from their pulpits.
     It's not only the Osteens who have inverted Christ's admonition to deny ourselves and take up His cross.  Many pastors and preachers are teaching a message of self-elevation.  They are not guiding their congregations to live a life that puts others first.  Instead of helping Believers to live a life that glorifies God, and in return, enjoys Him; they are told that God's main interest is that they enjoy themselves and this life.  It saddens me to think that American Christians are so comfortable in their so-called "faith" that they do not see the lie.  Ask our fellow Christians in Iraq and Africa and China and India if they are worshipping on behalf of God, or themselves.  Ask them if they understand that our mission is to be happy, or to be holy.
     Too many of the shepherds of Jesus's Church are leading His sheep through the wide gate and broad path towards destruction.  They speak the Devil's language, which entices the weak to gratify themselves before they glorify the Lord.  No wonder Jesus told the rich and comfortable Church of Laodicea that they were wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.  Oh, that those being led astray would search for the Truth themselves, instead of following blindly.  Pray that the Church will awaken to its folly!

Job 5:17    "Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty."
   
     

Needed: Unwavering Hope and Steadfast Courage

   

     These days are difficult.  In the wake of a reported second beheading of an American journalist, how can we live our lives in a normal fashion?  A monstrous terror group holds the free world in a grip of horror and alarm, and the political machine in Washington wants to talk semantics.  Are we at war with the Islamic State, or not?  Because they sure appear to be at war with us!  But we have to play it smart!
     We can no longer avoid the taunting images of Americans in orange jumpsuits, with knives at their throats.  It all plays into the 20-year plan initiated by Al-Queda.  It all began with what radical Islamists called "the Awakening" in 2000.  That included the 9/11 attacks and the successful drawing of American troops into Afghanistan and Iraq, thereby "awakening" the Muslim world against the West.
     This was followed by the second stage of the Plan's timeframe, called "Opening Eyes."  The years between 2003-2006 saw an increase in the training of jihadists and a growing awareness among Western governments that radical Islam was busy at recruiting an army.  Our eyes were opening to the growing threat.
     Stage Three, from 2007-2010, was known as "Arising and Standing Up".  Radicalism spread to Syria and Turkey, with increased attacks on Israel and neighboring countries.  They were making their move.  Next, the focus was on governments that stood in their way.  Stage Four is called "Destroy Hated Arab Governments", and we saw this happening from 2010-2013.  The so-called Arab Spring saw Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Syria experience tremendous upheaval in their governments, and radicalism took control.
     We are now in full-blown Stage Five:  "Declare the Caliphate".  ISIS has surpassed Al-Queda in striving towards the 20-year goal, and they have achieved Stage Five in a rapid and terrifying fashion.  And they have made it clear they do not plan on backing down or away from achieving their plan.  They no longer fear Western intervention and truly believe that the new Islamic State will eventually bring about a new world order.
     If we are going to stop this march of evil, it needs to be now because Stage Six is on the horizon!  In this stage, which radical Islam calls "Total Confrontation", they are relying on the undeniable establishment of the Caliphate.  Once achieved, their plan is to instigate "the Great Battle" between their believers and the Infidels.  This aligns with their Armageddon, which they predict will happen between 2016-2020.  And it will not be limited to fighting in the Middle East.  Surely, you have heard reports of the slick YouTube videos in which ISIS boasts that they are in our states and our cities, and predict blood in our streets.  If not, you need to get in the game!
     The final stage, Stage Seven, is known as "Total Victory".  ISIS smells that victory in the air, and they do not intend to stop until it has been achieved.  What can we do to prevent this?  Obviously, get on our knees, ask for forgiveness and pray to Jehovah for protection.  ISIS may be a physical army from hell, but the power behind them is spiritual and Satanic.  That is the real battle, and it is in the spiritual realm.
     But there is still an earthly component to this reign of terror, and like I said at the beginning of this post, we have to "play it smart."  There is no time to ruminate over what to call this conflict, or how to approach the enemy.  We must not re-play Stages One and Two, by re-invading their homeland with infidel "boots on the ground".  That will only result in inspiring more radicalism and more recruitment material.  We must not allow the "Total Confrontation" to happen on earth.  We must do whatever it takes to stop the evil in its tracks, and completely defeat the advancing hordes.  Then we must let God and His heavenly army fight the battle in the Spiritual realm.  Let Him go before us and conquer the Enemy.  It is His battle to win!
     Until then, we must not waver; we must fight the enemy to win; and we must not denounce our Faith or our way of life.  We must return to a Godly form of living and turn from our destructive paths.  We can do it if we will embrace an unwavering Hope and a steadfast Courage.  We know to Whom we belong, and it is time to live like it!
     
Philippians 1:28:    "That way, you won’t be afraid of anything your enemies do. Your faithfulness and courage are a sign of their coming destruction and your salvation, which is from God."

The Harvest Suffers

   

     At first it was just a suspicion; now it appears conspicuous and incontrovertible.  After many innocent discussions with friends and family across the country, their remarks all seemed to point in the same direction:  "My tomatoes just didn't want to ripen this year; it took forever ... the flowers in my flower box just didn't produce blooms like they have in the past ... my corn didn't pollinate, and my peppers were fewer and smaller ... overall, my harvests have declined over the past few years."
     After the last two seasons of gardening, the remarks are no longer random; there is a steady lament over the diminished return from our growing seasons.  It doesn't matter where you live; it's happening everywhere. And, running the risk of being called ridiculous, I think I know why.
     It appears to me that the consequences of chemtrails can no longer be denied or disputed.  Geoengineering, in the name of "climate change", is readily admitted by top universities such as Oxford in the U.K.  In fact, on the Oxford website, they acknowledge one technique:  releasing light-colored sulphur particles or other aerosols into the atmosphere to reflect the sun’s rays back into space.
     And just how do we think that these particles and aerosols are released into the atmosphere?  If there is anyone who still cannot fathom the concept of chemtrails, this should alleviate any doubts.  And what happens to these "particles" after being released?  They are not just absorbed into the atmosphere; they fall to the earth and infiltrate our soil.
     Independent testing, such as those done on the air quality in Phoenix, Arizona, have discovered dangerous quantities of barium, nano aluminum-coated fiberglass [known as CHAFF], radioactive thorium, cadmium, chromium, nickel, desiccated blood, mold spores, yellow fungal mycotoxins, ethylene dibromide, and polymer fibers.  Many of these are anywhere from 200 to over 5,000 times the toxic health limits set by federal standards!
     You can go back several years and find research done on the harmful effects of this metal poisoning.  An article appearing on the Global Research website in 2010, stated "Barium is known to adversely affect the heart. Aluminum has a history of damaging brain function. Independent researchers and labs continue to show off-the-scale levels of these poisons. A few “anonymous” officials have acknowledged this on-going aerosol spraying... Numerous tests have been done to verify that these poisons are off the scale in their toxicity. They are documented in our water, in our soil, and in our air." 
      Is it any wonder that our respiratory allergy symptoms are year-long, and not just during "high pollen" seasons?   Doesn't it make sense that our soil would be deficient to produce a healthy, thriving and nourishing food supply?  And who can deny the possibility that major droughts throughout the country are not caused by such geoengineering?
     But how do we protect our ground from being saturated with such poisonous chemicals?  I ran across a 2008 article that suggested the following:  "When you see the tell-tale signs of the chemtrail "grid", wet the ground just enough to keep the moisture level up.  Using the thinnest sheets of plastic possible, cover your plants, creating a greehouse affect.  The plastic allows the sun to still penetrate, and the condensation that occurs from moistening the ground and plants beforehand, keeps the plants in fine shape."
     Ultimately, I'm just not sure there is anyway to keep us or our food supply adequately protected.  And now, when we are blessed enough to receive a good, steady downpour of rain, I find myself wondering what else is in that moisture; falling to earth and saturating the ground?
     But it's no use to bring up my suspicious musings to those who cannot see the evidence before their eyes.  I will just let them continue to add their fertilizers and speculate why their green thumb is disappearing, and their tomatoes and roses are dying on the vine.  We all need to realize that controlling and affecting the food supply is just another step towards population control, the maleficent design of mankind.  Right now, it is the harvest of souls that we need to be growing and cultivating. The time to reap is near at hand ...

John 15:5    "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, then you will produce much fruit. Without Me, you can’t do anything."
   

A "Churchill" Moment?

     I happened to catch just a few moments of British Prime Minister David Cameron's press conference on Friday.  At first I couldn't believe my ears ... a world leader who actually perceives the very real threat of Evil that exists because of the Islamic State (ISIL), and is not afraid to propose a comprehensive plan to stop it.
     Noting that the barbaric murder of American journalist James Foley appears to have been committed by a British jihadist terrorist, Cameron took the lead in addressing what other leaders in the world are reticent to admit.  He was announcing that he had raised his nation’s threat assessment to its second-highest level, in the wake of reports that 500 British jihadists had fought with the Islamic State army, and now were on the verge of returning home.
     These threat assessments and levels have become almost common fare since the September 11th attacks, and we tend to hear the issuance of them with a somewhat cynical ear.  The rationale for their announcement is never straightforward nor transparent; we're always left wondering if it serves some political benefit.  Not so, with PM Cameron.
     “The root cause of this threat to our security is clear,” he said. “It is a poisonous ideology of Islamic extremism.”  Boy, he couldn't have been any more candid, if he tried.  Furthermore, he warned of the danger of a policy of continued concessions:  the problem of ISIS “cannot be solved simply by dealing with perceived grievances over Western foreign policy” and it cannot be “appeased.”

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

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

Hebrews 13:8-9

Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages).  Do not be carried about by different and varied and alien teachings;

     As I have ventured into deeper discussions of the Bible and what it has to tell us in these times, I have been amazed at the extremes of belief systems of those who choose to comment on the posts.  These belief systems have ranged from fundamental traditional religion, in which some of my thoughts have been labeled heretical; to those who have developed a radical theology derived from other sources and men, and who see my opinions as misguided, misinformed, and naive.

     But I guess I shouldn't be surprised.  That has been the history of the Church since nearly the beginning, and the Bible gives us multiple warnings to guard the Faith.  1 Timothy 4:1 says, "But the [Holy] Spirit distinctly and expressly declares that in latter times some will turn away from the faith, giving attention to deluding and seducing spirits and doctrines that demons teach,".  

     The Bible also tells us that the time will come when men will not endure the sound teaching of God's Word, and will fall prey to false ideas and theories, developed to please their own ideas of truth.  Paul talks, in 2 Corinthians, of "super apostles", so to speak, who will infiltrate the church and disguise themselves as apostles of Christ.  But he warns that they are really disciples of Satan, who himself, can appear as an angel of light.  We see that today, in those Churches who espouse Replacement Theology and other anti-Semitic doctrines. 

     The prophet Isaiah warns of those who will call good "evil" and evil "good".  Who, more than Church Leaders and devout Christians, should heed that warning?  What is your, or your Church's, position on homosexuality, abortion, Israel?  

     The Bible teaches us that in the End Times there will be a One World Religious system fostered by the Anti-Christ and his False Prophet.  This Prophet will be empowered by Satan, and will offer a religion that will seek to pervert and transform Christianity; deceiving many Believers.  Revelation 13:11-12 tells us that this Beast has "two horns like a lamb and speaks like a dragon."  He will emerge like "a lamb", with seemingly faultless Christian qualities; but what he tells the Church will be controlled and directed by Satan.   His message will be tempting to those who do not truly know and understand the Word of God.  And how many Christians does that describe in today's world?

     Finally, while Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever ... so is His message, the Word.  What he told the 7 churches in the Book of Revelations applies to us today, and makes two things perfectly clear:  He is PRESENT and He is acutely AWARE of how the Church (both Leaders and practicing Christians) are performing their mission.  He accuses them of losing their love for Him, each other, and lost sinners;  He accuses them of Idolatry and Immorality;  He accuses them of having a "good reputation" of abiding in Him, while there is no evidence; and lastly, He accuses them of being sick and lost, and not even knowing it.  

     How could this happen?   How could the Church (both Early and Modern) stray so far from the path He marked for us?  It is one thing for earnest Believers to disagree, in love and respect, on the finer points of a scriptural passage; or even to thoughtfully discuss the historical ramifications and language differences that can lead to different understandings --- as long as the Holy Spirit is central to your discernment.  It is when we wander into man-made philosophies and views, and don't ask for wisdom and knowledge from God, that we are "carried about by different and varied and alien teachings".  Then our beliefs can become distorted, and influenced, and false.  Let us be careful to heed all these warnings, remain true to the Word, and treat each other with love and respect. 

     In the spirit of remaining true to the Word, I personally worship God on the Sabbath (from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday) and keep it Holy as He instructed, giving thanks for my Salvation and His promises of Eternal Life.  However, I also respect my faithful Christian brothers and sisters throughout the world who still worship Him on Sunday.  I choose to post a Scripture reading on this day to reach the most people, and I do it in the spirit of harmony.  Any day that I choose to Honor, Exalt, and Glorify Jehovah is a good day!

What White Privilege?

     When you have the top-rated hosts of Fox News debating White Privilege, and one of them actually believes it exists, then I guess it's time to give my humble opinion.  So, just what is this so-called social issue of "White Privilege"?  Well, it depends on who you ask ... If you accept Wikipedia's definition, it is "a term for societal privileges, existing in predominantly white societies, that benefit white people beyond what is commonly experienced by non-white people in the same social, political, or economic circumstances."
     OK, let's break this definition down.  According to the Government census figures, non-Hispanic Whites constitute 63% of the population.  First of all, I don't get that term, "non-Hispanic White"; is there such a thing as "Hispanic White"?  Would that be referring to bi-racial Hispanics? Anyway, I guess we're supposed to consider non-Hispanic Whites as "completely" White, right?  It's all so confusing!

     So, if that figure is correct, then 63% would make White people greater in number than other races.  Now what is meant by "societal privileges"?  With a little digging, I stumbled upon some information that showed me the root of this unproven social issue.  It seems that the idea owes some of its conceptualization to a 1988 essay on privilege by Peggy McIntosh.  It doesn't surprise me that I had no idea who she was, because she is an American feminist and anti-racism activist, the associate director of the Wellesley Centers for Women, and a speaker and the founder and co-director of the National S.E.E.D. Project on Inclusive Curriculum; it's all about diversity and multi-cultural and socio-economic equitability.
     So, in 1988, just what did Ms. McIntosh view as "privileges"?  There are many, according to her:
Ability: being able-bodied and without mental disability.
Class: can refer to both economic status and social class; both determining opportunities and participation in politics, education and vocation.
Education:  this privilege opens doors to higher paying careers, and can confer unearned credibility on an individual.
Gender and Gender Identity:  Ms. McIntosh maintains that certain sexes can be over-represented in leadership roles and supersede authority; while the old cultural expectations of gender should no longer apply -- we need to expand our acceptance and inclusion of different gender identities.
Passing:  This is the ability to appear to belong to another group and claim the advantages of a more privileged group.  (Isn't this a rather outdated concept in our new, inclusive societal model?)
Religious:  This privilege purports to have one’s own religious practices and observances recognized as the norm.
Sexuality:  In 1988, she could claim that Heterosexual privilege included the assumption that everyone is heterosexual; not anymore.
Racial:  Whoever has the power, money and influence is recognized as "privileged".
     Now, here we are in 2014, just a mere 26 years later, and Ms. McIntosh's theories are being taken to a new level.  In the light of the ongoing situation in Ferguson, Missouri, many in the media want to blame "White Privilege" as the root of what they perceive as blatant racism.
     They will tell you that if one person's black skin puts them at a disadvantage, then another's white skin gives them a decided advantage.  It was interesting to see two, obviously successful, white Media personalities debate the racial issue.  While Bill O'Reilly suggested that "the state of families, the culture and personal responsibility” are the real issues at hand, Megan Kelly concluded that statistics show that "black children are four times as likely to live in poor neighborhoods as white children, and in the St. Louis area there is documented white flight … the whites take off, these become black neighborhoods. The schools, they get forgotten, and the black population feels forgotten."
     First of all, let me tell you that I spent my formative years in the St. Louis area; near East St. Louis to be exact.  Yes, Whites had begun moving out of the neighborhoods as they became more successful and moved up the social ladder.  And, yes, Blacks moved into those neighborhoods -- good, modest, and clean neighborhoods.  At first, there was pride in their new homes, as they celebrated their own move up the social ladder.  But then came the push for LBJ's Great Society, a carefully planned and executed set of social reforms that we were told would lead to the elimination of poverty and racial injustice.
     Instead, it introduced the concept that the American people "owed" the poverty-stricken and racially suppressed races something for the injuries they had suffered.  The effect was a loss of pride and the temptation to accept government hand-outs, instead of providing a hand up and the means to improve one's lot in life.  Several generations later, we see the results:  the family unit has been destroyed, and millions are enslaved to the welfare system and see themselves as victims.
     So, is this a result of "White Privilege"?  As far as I can tell, Affirmative Action takes away the excuse that "Whiteness" gives undue opportunities.  And what about the fact that Asians and non-English speaking immigrants have been able to overcome our unfamiliar language and culture to succeed at unbelievable rates and at incredible levels?  There goes that excuse that "Whiteness" ensures the highest level of success.
     And now "academics" like Ms. McIntosh and her followers want to somehow claim that "Whiteness" is an adjective that attaches itself to all the other "Privileges".  But I don't get it, because when you take a look at her list, I'm not feeling very privileged.  We're made to feel guilty if we're White, so our social class doesn't appear to give us any benefits.  And try being a White student applying for a college scholarship.  Good luck there!  Next, if I'm straight and identify myself as strictly female, then I'm showing showing my gender bias and am prejudiced against gay people.  Then there's my Faith; Christians aren't exactly in the "privileged" category, in case you haven't noticed.
     Nope, overall, I would say that if "Privilege" means to exempt (someone) from a liability or obligation to which others are subject, then being White has not afforded me the opportunity of Government-sponsored irresponsibility.  I believe every person born in this country has the freedom to become whatever he/she wants.  It is up to the individual to work hard and earn it.  Do some have it easier than others?  Of course, they do; but I don't resent my rich, white friends because "they have it better than me".  I've know from the time I was a child that I would have to work hard for anything I accomplished, and I never expected it to be given to me.  I'm not sure what drives Academics and the Media to buy into this nonsense, but it serves no purpose except to further divide us.  But maybe that's the plan ....

Ephesians 6:4-5    "Each person should test their own work and be happy with doing a good job and not compare themselves with others. Each person will have to carry their own load." [Common English Bible]