Count The Blessings

   

     At this time, it's customary to take a look back at the preceding year and note the highs and lows.  So what about 2014 do I find remarkable?  To be honest, there's not much nationally or globally to applaud.  We saw the emergence of more technology, a deadly epidemic, and the convergence of religious fanaticism and evil.  We saw the breakdown of society, moral values, and our system of law.  None of it signaled positive news for the good of mankind.
     No, I'd have to say that any "good will toward men" has come on the individual, personal level.  From that perspective, I have witnessed a growing hunger among (a remnant of) faithful people to know God more nearly and dearly.  It's like there is truly an "awakening" that the things of this world are fleeting; that what is important is to seek and know God more deeply -- to truly "get right" with Him.
     In 2014, I saw a lightbulb go on with regards to preparing for a more difficult future; again among a small, dedicated group of people.  More time was dedicated to getting into shape, self-defense training, and thinking how to survive any number of possible threats.  This last year was a time of "facing reality" and "getting in the game".
     In that sense, I find that all of 2014's problems and difficulties were really a blessing in disguise.  Here's why: we in America have lived in a bubble for so long, that we haven't had to face the realities that the majority of the rest of the world comes up against.  Safe and warm, snuggled up next to our latest technology companion, we haven't known the fear, hunger or turmoil of disrupted lives.  We find comfort and security in our money and our things, and perceive ourselves as indestructible.  America has yet to be subjected to an enemy that could invade our land, persecute us for our faith, or take our life at their will.  We have lived comfortable, prosperous, easy and secure lives.
     But in 2014 -- if we were smart -- we were shaken out of our fog of protected privilege by Ebola, beheadings, and the perversion of the rule of law.  You're probably thinking, "That's a good thing???"  Yes!  If it shakes us to our core and wipes the scales from our eyes, in order that we see what is coming upon the world, then it is a blessing, an advantage.  "But", you ask, "Would anyone really choose to remain clueless and oblivious to possible threats against them or their families?"  Sadly, the answer is yes.  Ignorance means you can continue to live a secluded, delusional life of perceived safety and prosperity.  But, if you are one of the fortunate ones who "woke up" in 2014, count your blessings.  Now make the most of it, and don't waste another minute.  Strengthen yourselves physically, morally and spiritually, and you will have a good foundation to weather 2015 and beyond.
     And you may find this strange, but PLW has a unique outlook on some of the sadness that we experienced in 2014.  It seems that we unexpectedly lost really good, kind, loving people this last year; either to a sudden illness, tragic accident, or through unforeseen circumstances.  The world seems an emptier and colder place without them.  But he strongly feels that God may be taking them out early, because they would not be able to withstand the ugliness that is coming.  This is not to say that they are weak; it is His grace that is sparing their gentle souls.  And for that, I can count my loss as their great blessing.
     For the rest of us who must live our lives in this confounding and bewildering world, our blessings will become more precious.  Moving from 2014 into 2015, we must look for them in relationships -- those we build and those we mend.  The blessings will come when we take our eyes off ourselves and gaze upon the sovereignty of a God who rules the universe.  Blessings will be found in efforts to serve God by serving others and making another's burden just a little lighter.  By encouraging each other, teaching each other, ministering to each other's needs, and most of all, sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, we can reap the most out of this fallen world.  I wish you many blessings in the coming year; one filled with the Divine favor and protection of our Lord and Savior!

Numbers 6:24-26    "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace."
   
     
   

George Bailey vs. The Greedy Global Elites of the Federal Reserve

     My wonderful husband was the impetus for today's post.  He knows that It's A Wonderful Life is one of my all-time favorite movies.  First of all, I'm a huge Jimmy Stewart fan; and secondly, I love the theme of the movie -- namely that each one of our lives touches so many people; we don't even realize how the world would be different if we weren't in it.
     But as PLW was eager to show me, Frank Capra's brilliantly directed movie has an underlying theme that will have me watching it with new eyes and ears.  Let me explain ... First of all you need to know that Mr. Capra was an extremely patriotic American.  After leaving his native Italy at the age of five, and crossing the Atlantic with his family in the steerage section of a ship, he never forgot the lack of privacy nor the degradation.  And he always remembered his father's exclamation at the sight of the Statue of Liberty:  "Look at that! That's the greatest light since the star of Bethlehem! That's the light of freedom! Remember that. Freedom."
     His experiences as an immigrant, and the hard work it took him to achieve success in the film industry contributed to the themes of some of his most famous movies, including Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, Meet John Doe, and the subject of this post, It's A Wonderful Life.  All of his films stressed a deliberate reaffirmation of solid, moral American values, and his strong political views.
     As noted in Wikipedia, "Capra’s political beliefs coalesced in his films, which promoted and celebrated the spirit of American individualism. A conservative Republican, he had railed against Franklin Delano Roosevelt during his tenure as governor of New York State, and opposed his presidency during the years of the Depression. Capra stood against government intervention and assistance during the national economic crisis. A man that had come up the hard way, overcoming the disadvantages of an immigrant background, Capra saw no reason why others could not accomplish success through hard work and perseverance."
     One of the primary reasons that Capra disapproved of Roosevelt's Presidency was the collusion between the President and the Federal Reserve, and the effects upon the banking industry.  And this distrust appears as an underlying theme in It's A Wonderful Life.  Mr. Potter represents the Federal Reserve; both are greedy Elites who control the private banking industry and enslave the populace through fraud, fear, and their manipulation of loans and interest rates, leaving all the George Baileys of the world staring into the abyss of debt and financial ruin.  As a video on YouTube asks, "Do we live in a country that looks more like Pottersville than Bedford Falls?"
     In the movie, Mr. Potter took over the banks, guaranteeing them "sufficient funds to meet their needs"; and declares a bank holiday.  This by the way is similar to what Roosevelt did during the "banking holiday" of 1933.  (And it remains a constant threat during our ongoing crisis). It has definitely been the pattern during our country's history of financial difficulties.   During the financial panics in 1907, the Depression, and 2008, the Elites of the Federal Reserve were able to shut down competitors, and snap up assets at fire sale prices. (For instance, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) closed 465 failed banks from 2008 to 2012. In contrast, in the five years prior to 2008, only 10 banks failed.)  And you might be interested to know that the FDIC is a United States government corporation operating as an independent agency created by the Banking Act of 1933, considered a part of Roosevelt's New Deal.
     Another little piece of history comes from a quote by Charles Lindbergh, Sr., father of aviator Charles Lindberg, and a U.S. Congressman who voted against the Federal Reserve Act of 1913.  He accurately portrayed the Federal Reserve as "the strangest and most dangerous advantage ever placed in the hands of a special privilege class by any Government that ever existed.  The system is private, conducted for the sole purpose of obtaining the greatest possible profits from the use of other people's money."  Sounds like the manner in which Mr. Potter wanted to run the Building & Loan upon the death of Peter Bailey, George's father, doesn't it? He proves that the Federal Reserve does not have the same motivation to lend, as do the smaller, private banking institutions.  In fact, Mr. Potter spends the entire movie trying to put George Bailey out of business.
     Would it surprise you to know that there are currently only 6,891 banks in the U.S. -- the fewest since 1934, when the federal government started keeping records.  This figure is down from about 18,000 in the mid-1980's, because small banks are disappearing.  Between 1984 and 2011, more than 10,000 banks, holding assets of less than $100 million faded from the scene.  Nearly 17% failed, while the rest entered into mergers or consolidations.  As George Bailey says, "This town needs this measly institution, if only so people have somewhere to go without crawling to Potter."  In 2014, our choices are rapidly disappearing.  The Federal Reserve is eliminating their competition, just as Mr. Potter tried to do.

     In the film, Frank Capra shows us what can happen to society when there is no longer healthy competition (in the person of George Bailey) to counter the Big Banks; when there are no longer Credit Unions or Savings and Loan companies.  Vice runs rampant, the people are angry and distrustful, and the law becomes corrupt.  Everyone is a renter; no one has a stake in their community.    George Bailey's small Building & Loan is a champion for private ownership of property, and is the antidote to Pottersville (the Federal Reserve's vise grip on finances).  George rightfully asks the Board of Directors, who must decide between Potter's management of the Building & Loan or his leadership ... "Doesn't it make them better citizens and better customers?"  In other words, shouldn't we be encouraging the citizenry to become financially successful, with the opportunity to grow their own wealth?
      But like Mr. Potter, the global Elite don't want to share the wealth; they want to control our level of success, and they are able to do it through vehicles like the Global Carbon tax, or the various trade agreements fostered by the United Nations.  They would not be moved, anymore than Potter was, by George Bailey's passionate plea for the average citizen who does "most of the working and paying and living and dying in the community." George disputes the image that Potter has of the average working citizen as "cattle".  Yet, that is exactly how the Elite see us.
     And if someone like George dares to stand up to them, then they are simply bought off, as Potter attempts to do with George, offering him a high-paying job, expense accounts, trips to Europe, and the ability to buy his wife nice things.  The sad thing is, if George had succumbed to the temptation, the $20,000 per year salary would have been subject to the manipulations of Potter.  As Congressman Lindbergh pointed out,   "They [the Federal Reserve] know in advance when to create panics to their advantage.  They also know when to stop panic.  Inflation and deflation work equally well for them when they control finance."  It's likely that Mr. Potter was more interested in destroying George than he was in growing his ability to accumulate wealth and status.
     And look at what the Federal Reserve has done to our abilities to increase our wealth.  Through inflation, the dollar has lost 90% of its value since It's A Wonderful Life was made in 1947, until 2013.  This deliberate control by the Fed makes it nearly impossible for anyone to gain wealth through hard work and saving.  But is that what we really want our lives to be about?
     That's why I love this movie so much!  Because in the end, we see that all of Potter's wealth and control of finances leaves him cold and embittered.  It's the George Bailey's of the world that are truly rich.  George realizes that his family and friendships, and the honest relationships he has made through his life's work are what really counts.
     And I love to think that perhaps Frank Capra was hinting at some future audit of the Federal Reserve in the final scene as George welcomes the Bank Examiner to complete his own audit.  And we must not dismiss the role that prayer played in turning George's life around.  It was the prayers of his wife and children, his mother and family, his friends, and his business associates that stopped Mr. Potter's evil schemes.  You see, God hates prolonged and unjust treatment, and tyrannical control by immoral men.  I know that It's A Wonderful Life is only a movie, and a sentimental one, at that.  But there are some foundational truths in the way it ended.  I believe that our prayers as a nation can effect the end of the stronghold of the Federal Reserve.  God is stronger than any cabal of global elite, and He is Sovereign over the affairs of men.  Maybe there's a reason that It's A Wonderful Life remains at the top of the film industry's all-time movie lists.  Isn't it time that we look to God and return to the values that George Bailey and his "old Building and Loan" represent?

For a concise comparison between Frank Capra's "It's A Wonderful Life" and the Federal Reserve, please take a look at the YouTube video, titled "It's A Wonderful Lie -- 100 Years of the Federal Reserve."

Proverbs 22:16    "Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty."



   
   
   

"Unbroken": A Life of Redeeming Faith

     I was one of the millions of people who eagerly awaited the release of the movie Unbroken.  Having read the novel by Laura Hillenbrand of the heroic life of WWII prisoner of war, Louie Zamperini, I was looking forward to seeing his powerful journey portrayed on screen-- from misfit kid, to Olympic track athlete, to tortured prisoner of war, to tormented husband, to at last finding peace and solace in his salvation through Jesus Christ.

Louie (Left) in a Japanese POW concentration camp

     The world needs inspirational movies like Louie's story.  If you've read the book, Unbroken, then you know what I am talking about.  It was a difficult book for me to read.  The sheer depravity and evil that Louie suffered at the hands of "The Bird" in the Japanese concentration camps was hard to digest.  Ms. Hillenbrand was able to capture the pain, and the wretchedness, and the sheer sadism that the prisoners experienced; with Louie, for some reason, becoming the main target of that hellish existence for two terrible years.
     It was hard for me to even contemplate that one man could inflict such torment upon another.  And it gave me a clearer understanding of why my father, a WWII veteran, who served in the Pacific, had a lifelong contempt for the Japanese.  I am not condoning his attitude or feelings, but I'm sure that the memories of hearing the stories firsthand from returning prisoners was something that was hard for him to let go.  It takes the redeeming act of Christ in one's life to overcome the effects of such evil, and that's how Louie was ultimately able to survive.
     His complete rescue did not come immediately upon his return home.  For a time, he endured alcoholism and marriage troubles.  Then on one fateful night, he attended one of a young Billy Graham's first revival meetings, and there he found the saving grace and love of God.  He was able to finally let go of the anger, the hatred, and the burden of his rage against his Japanese captors.  He was able to forgive them, and even personally made a trip to Japan to meet them face to face.  Only "The Bird" refused to see him.  At the end of the book, I was in tears for Louie -- for the agony and the pain that he had endured at the hands of a madman; for the camaraderie and loyalty that helped him and his fellow prisoners endure; for the faith that he found and which he shared for the rest of his life.
      It was this last phase of his life that was all but virtually ignored in the movie, Unbroken, directed by Angelina Jolie.  I applaud the actor who played Louie.  He mirrored the Louie that I imagined while reading the book; his character was reckless, feisty, determined, stubborn, and unbeatable.  The scenes in the concentration camps were realistic and haunting.  Louie's unbroken spirit came through loud and clear.  But I wanted more of him; I wanted the "whole" Louie to be exposed.  What's more, I wanted the audiences across the country to receive the real reason Louie was "unbroken".

Louie (on left), with Billy Graham

     Instead, what we got was a few sentences in white type, on a black screen at the end of the movie, that explained that Louie found God at a Billy Graham meeting and his faith lasted throughout the remainder of his life.  For the Director, Angelina Jolie, it was enough to "hint" at his faith.  "That is what we tried to get into the film. We wanted people to understand that it is not that you suddenly realize there is something beyond you in the world," Jolie told Christian Broadcasting Network.  "That man is not alone is something we wanted to say from early on in the raft to the prison camp, that there is this, whatever your faith, there is something there," she added. "And whether you choose to see it is your choice and when you come to it and when you feel it, it is there for you ... And so, it was very important to us that sometimes in the mother praying, sometimes in the sunrise, there is always what we would refer to as the light in the film," she said.
     But that does not do justice to Louie Zamperini, or to his faith.  What he believed in was not merely what one sees in the sunrise, or the providential appearance of food after tortuous days at sea on a raft.  Louie believed in what the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross did for him.  It allowed him to forgive his enemies; the forgiveness that was Christ's gift to him, he was now able to extend to those who had made his life hell.  In one interview on Youtube, Louie recounts how he fell to his knees at that Billy Graham revival, and asked God to forgive him for not keeping the promises he had made while on that life raft or in that concentration camp.  He asked Christ into his heart, and he said, within mere seconds he knew that he no longer craved alcohol; and that his anger and confusion over his captivity were all gone.  He was a new creation.
     That would have been a powerful testimony for the conclusion of Louie's life, yet it was decided not to include these years in the movie.  Why should I be surprised?  Hollywood would rather glorify the perversion of sex in a graphic preview of the movie Fifty Shades of Grey, than the grace and mercy that comes with accepting Jesus as your Savior.  And perhaps Hollywood is only able to see Louie as a hero when he overcomes sadistic physical enemies.  It is sad they don't see that overcoming spiritual enemies makes him a greater hero to those who need to hear his testimony.
     We know that Angelina Jolie was able to share the movie with Louie (on her laptop computer) in his hospital room before he died in July of this year.  We can only hope that he was able to share his faith with her, and that his story might impact her life, as it has everyone who has been touched by this brave and faithful man.  Rest in peace, Mr. Zamperini!  Your life is still reaching people for God's Kingdom.

You can also read Louie Zamperini's own account of his war years and the lessons his faith has taught him.  This book, titled "Don't Give Up, Don't Give In: Lessons from an Extraordinary Life", was delivered to the publisher just days before his death in July, 2014.  

1 Corinthians 10:13   "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

Oversharing vs. Overcoming

     It's not often that I find myself in complete agreement with a TV personality and commentator.  But I happened to catch a segment on CBS Sunday Morning, in which I thought, "This woman must have literally stepped into my mind.  Finally, someone has the nerve to go up against the sacred cow of social media.  She's my hero!"
     Radio host and personality, Faith Salie, presented a short, concise and accurate commentary on the word "Oversharing".  It was chosen by the Chambers Dictionary as its "Word of 2014."  You know how it is ... the self-designated guardians of the English language determine which word best represents the overall "sense" of a particular year.  Past winners have included "Chad", "Tweet", and "Unfriend".
     Ms. Salie is actually overjoyed that "Oversharing" was chosen, because she fears that otherwise, the younger generation may never have known what we older citizens recognize -- they are sharing "Too Much Information (TMI)" and overburdening us with the minutiae of their lives.  She goes on, in her commentary, to give us all the reasons that it is her biggest pet peeve:

     Chambers [Dictionary] defines "Oversharing" as being "unacceptably forthcoming with information about one's personal life."
     I recently conducted an unscientific survey of three teenagers -- who may or may not be related to me -- about the meaning of oversharing. My findings revealed nothing, which told me everything. Which is to say, those young folks were hard pressed to identify oversharing.
     They don't think it's weird when their friends Instagram photos of their new toenail polish, or tweet that they just saw a squirrel.
     It's beyond TMI -- oversharing is not just too much information; it's incessant sharing of non-information -- breaking news about your gluten-free diet complete with duck face selfies.
     We all want to feel special. To my knowledge, there are pretty much two ways to be interesting: One is to actually do interesting things, achieve the remarkable. The other way to be interesting is to be interested, curious about the world and about other people -- not relentlessly revelatory about yourself.
     And here is where Faith has won my heart!  She continues her rant:  As far as I can tell, both of these usually involve putting down your smartphone.  Hallelujah!  Someone else besides me thinks there is life beyond cell phones!  Sorry, I just had to throw my two cents worth in ... back to Faith:
     To be truly curious is to be humble, even discreet. ["Discreet," by the way, is a word. If you are under 20, please look it up.]
     Like all vices, oversharing has its consequences. Recent studies identify a malady called "text neck." The angle at which we ceaselessly check our smartphones creates a 60-lb. stress on our necks that can cause serious permanent damage. Also, someone might club you with your selfie stick.
     Not that I'm any good at it, but the beauty of meditation is that it liberates us from our own thoughts. Shouldn't we do the same favor for everyone else? Give them a break from our status updates?  And here is the genius conclusion that I want to shout from the rooftops:  By the way, everyone who thinks it is necessary, or cool, or that I might be interested in your every waking thought or deed ... you do know, don't you that Status updates don't actually give us status!
      Faith concluded her smart and savvy commentary with the following memory from times past:
Oversharing was around when I was a youngster.  It occurred in a thing called a diary, which was "a book" full of "paper" in which you wrote, using a "pen." You were the only one who saw it, and you overshared with yourself through more than 140 characters.

     Now, I know that not everyone will enjoy her witty sarcasm as I have.  In fact, it is not only the younger generation that I would direct to her commentary.  There are plenty of older, mature people who have somehow become hypnotized by the lure of technology and the "cool factor" of Facebooking, Tweeting, Instagramming, Instachatting, and whatever is the latest online app that has captured their attention.
     Sometimes I feel like I am the only one who sees how all this keeps us focused on ourselves; our eyes, our minds, and our actions are all centered around the next thing we can do, so that we can take a photo, and post it to all our social media sites, and watch how many people "like" us.  Does that sound pathetic to anyone else?
     The world seems obsessed with themselves!  And how can that be?  If they lifted their heads from their devices for just one day, wouldn't you think they would realize that the rest of the world seems to be spinning out of control?  That maybe, we need to figure out what the human race is doing wrong to reap such death, wars, starvation, and disease?  That maybe we need to recognize our need to be saved from ourselves?
     But as long as humanity continues to find solace in worshipping themselves, and craving acceptance from others, then the latest technology fad will provide the deliverance they seek -- a way to ignore the evil in the world, and escape any personal responsibility in perpetuating it or stopping it.  It's all about avoidance -- avoiding fear, avoiding accountability, avoiding moral decisions, and avoiding the consequences that will come at the end of this life.
     They will tell you they just want to "stay connected", and technology has allowed them to do that easier and faster.  I can't help but think that all this time spent updating their status on social media sites could have been better spent connecting with God -- that rather than "oversharing" their personal information with their fellow man, they could have been "overcoming" the barriers that keep them separated from their Savior.  His is the only acceptance we should be seeking.

Psalm 14:2    "The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God."

John 13:15

For I have given you an example, 

that you also should do just as I have done to you.

     Now that our celebration of Christ's birth has passed, how are we to observe the rest of His life?  In fact, how many of us view the remainder of his short time on this earth with the same reverence we give his Birth and Death?  Shouldn't we be just as interested in knowing the details of those years?  And if we count ourselves as His followers, how are we to live our lives?

     As we approach a New Year, perhaps this is a good time to take a fresh look at our Christian lives, and to discern if we are following His example, as His words in the featured Scripture instruct us to do.  To begin, Jesus gave us an example of how to live a life that is much different than the conventional way.  His values were different than the common man's in His time.  I then have to ask myself, "Are mine"?  Or do my principles and behavior mimic those of society?

     Jesus didn't value the things that the world esteemed ... in His day, it was large flocks of animals; positions of power and authority in the synagogues; wealth and material possessions.  He lived a simple life, first as a carpenter's son; and then when He embarked upon His mission for His Father, He lived a humble life, relinquishing material comforts in favor of trusting God for provision.  In truth, He did not love the things of this world. 

     Is it any different today?  Wealth, power and self-gratification are still primary motivators of most people.  If we are to follow His example, how many of us are willing to sacrifice the prestige of our careers; or the comfort of our material possessions?  Would you be willing to forego a distinguished academic career in favor of telling others about the Kingdom of God?  What about giving up your "me time", and the activities that you love -- those vacations, clubs and organizations that make you "feel good", and even that coveted position on the Church Board?  If we love the things that this world says are important, more than we are devoted to spending time to bringing others to the Messiah, then we are not following His example. 

     As we contemplate how He lived His life, we must recognize that He was willing to be rejected by the world.  That is a difficult example to follow -- especially since we all crave acceptance and love from others.  I think those of us who are members of the Body of Christ need to be particularly vigilant about how we represent Him; about how we present the example that we are to follow.  We must not become like the Pharisees who, while identifying with the common man, declared themselves experts on God's Word and His law.  They took pride in their religiosity; they knew the Scriptures well, but in their attempt to declare the authority of the Word, they added to it with oral traditions.  

      While I often comment on the lack of Bible knowledge among today's Believers, I want to make sure that we are all on the same page.  Yes, it is important to know what the Bible says and how God and Jesus instructed us to live our lives through their words.  But there are those who will never hear our words; no matter how many Scriptures we can recite.  So many more people will come to the Kingdom by how well we live those words!  The world must SEE us modeling His example, and then the Word has real meaning.  When they see us following His commandment to "love one another; as I have loved you ... By this all will know that you are My disciples...", then they will seek more knowledge of Him through the Word of the Bible.

     There is so much more about how Jesus lived His life that we should be practicing and imitating.  He healed the sick, cast out demons, and gave God the glory for all things in this life.  Do you know that we have been given the power and the authority to do all that He did?  While He was present on this earth He revealed to His followers the following truths:  1) He was preparing a place for us; that where He was going, we would go also.  2) That the Father was in Him; by believing in all Jesus did, we are seeing the works of the Father.  3)  Of all the works that Jesus did, through the Father, we would be able to do even greater works in His name.  4)  He would come to indwell us in the form of the Holy Spirit, who will teach us to remember all the things that Jesus commanded and taught.

     These principles and Truths are our inheritance and legacy from the Prince of Peace.  Do we recognize that?  Do we follow His example?  Or are we so awe-struck by His miraculous birth and sacrificial death, that we lose the significance of the rest of His life?  Think how much more we can offer the world on His behalf!  A life lived by following the example of Christ's entire life; one that is a full, vibrant, healing, bountiful, and separate life from the one lived by the world ... one that this very same world needs to see in each of us, every single day.  

      

     

In Honor Of Heroes

     The world needs heroes right now.  And today is an important anniversary for some great national heroes.  It was 70 years ago today that the legendary Battle of Bastogne ended.  Fought from December 20th - 27th, 1944, it was part of the historic Battle of the Bulge.
     I just finished re-watching the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers.  I am always overcome with emotion and pride that this group of average American men (some barely more than boys) endured the hell of war in a courageous battle against Evil.  While I believe all wars are fought with ulterior motives of Power and Financial Gain, this may be one in which there is no question that Satan was at the helm.
     At this particular time during WWII, Easy Company, part of the 101st Airborne Division, were tasked with holding the line at Bastogne against superior German artillery fire.  They accomplished their mission without winter clothing and with limited rations and ammunition.  I think, of the 10 episodes of the globally successful miniseries, the one titled "Bastogne" was the hardest to watch.
     But it wasn't hard to get attached to the characters in Band of Brothers.  They became an extraordinary group of battle-hardened veterans.  The men of Easy Company began as part of an experimental airborne regiment created in 1942 at Camp Toccoa, Georgia. Easy Company missions were to involve being parachuted from C-47 transport airplanes over hostile territory (Wikipedia).  They accomplished that directive as part of Operation Overlord, on D-Day.
     As one follows them through their battles in the Netherlands, the ill-fated Operation Market Garden, and on into Belgium, you cannot help but mourn the loss of each soldier.  They are no longer simply names, but real people with real stories of what war was like at close range.  As miserable and wretched as the miniseries portrayed those days and nights in the Ardennes forest near Bastogne, I doubt that it comes close to what those men actually experienced.
    But let me share a bit of the history from one man who was there, Colonel Edward Shames:  "[On the evening of December 17, 1944] we ended up in a 10-ton open tractor-trailer truck without a top, freezing our tails off. We had no ammo, no good clothing, and ended up in a place that we had no idea where it was. Some of the men even had no weapons, unbelievable, but very true. We thought we were cold that night, but we did not know that ride would become a Sunday excursion compared to what we were to experience later that month.
     When we offloaded the trucks that morning, I do not believe there was a single man that had the foggiest notion as to where we were. It was cold as hell, and very foggy. We saw hordes of our soldiers running towards us down the middle of the road, and watched them throw their weapons and equipment to the ground. They were yelling, Don't go up there! The Germans are going to kill everyone! Run as fast as you can! They are coming, run! These were American soldiers, both officers and men. I repeat, both officers and men. I was never more ashamed of my countrymen than at that moment, before or since. I will never forget that sight as long as I live.
     One good thing came about in those moments; we were able to retrieve some equipment, clothing, and ammo from what was being discarded, and there was a ton of it scattered all over the area. This material was being thrown away to lighten the load of these people, these hysterical people, so they could run faster. I refused to call them soldiers. As I recall, it was fairly early in the morning, and very foggy. You could hardly see more than 100 feet in front of you, if that. It was cold as hell, as I said before, and the enemy was very close; we felt it in our bones."
     The Facebook page for Easy Company, 506th Paratroopers Infantry Regiment of the 101at Airborne Division, gives this account:  Bastogne was to become the key to the battle. Control of its network of roads and railway systems was a critical and highly sought after military objective by both the Americans and the Germans. By the dreadful night of the 20th of December, the 101st Airborne found themselves completely surrounded at the besieged town of Bastogne along with the 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion and elements of the 10th Armored Division. The 101st would form a defensive perimeter by digging foxholes into the hard and cold snow around the outskirts of the Bastogne forested area. The 101st held their position and beat back the determined and repeated attacks by overwhelming German forces. The "Battered Bastards of Bastogne" would hold the line.
     As we focus on the birth of our Savior, it is hard to reconcile that innocent child with the horrendous headlines proclaiming Evil around the world.  And this event of 70 years ago in a far-off war may seem like just a footnote in history.  But it is precisely because of the reasons those brave men found themselves in that frozen hell, that He came -- to bring Light to a dark world.  But the world refuses to embrace Him.  So just as the world witnessed the wickedness of the Holocaust, we are now observers of the heinous persecutions against Christians, Jews, and other innocents by a murderous horde of barbarians.  The peace that came after the "War that was to end all wars" only lasted 70 years.  Our hope now lies in the faith that our Savior will return to end this Evil for all time.  Until that happens, we can look upon the remarkable bravery of a small band of men who stood against the evil of their time, and did their part to stand in the gap.  We can celebrate the extraordinary actions of ordinary men, and honor their memory.  I honor the lives of the 18 surviving members of Easy Company, and the memories of their fallen brothers, on this, their 70th anniversary of "holding the line".  We salute you!

Proverbs 27:17    "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." 


   
   

Is The Glow of Christmas Gone?

   

     The thrill of Christmas morning has passed; the gifts have all been opened and family has either departed for home, or everyone is doing their "own thing" ... some parked in front of the TV; others are buried in their new technology gadgets; still others have escaped to a movie or for a long walk.
     What I'm really saying is this:  "What does Christmas mean to you?  Have you really stopped to consider what this holiday is really about?"  I ask this because I received an email from a reader who asked me the following .... Have you done an essay on Christmas not being Christian?  You know, the pagan roots of Christmas, Jesus actually born during the fall feasts, Saturnalia and winter solstice celebration, meanings of the Christmas tree, gifts giving, etc?  I'm particularly interested in how the church and Christians celebrate Christmas. We all know that the commercialism, Santa, etc are not Christian, but how about "Jesus is the reason for the season?" being a lie also? This reader then went on to say that he had changed his attitude about Christmas, but his family was slow to accept his viewpoint.  I know that there are many more out there just like him, and much more that feel something is missing; they just don't know what.
      I then pointed him to a four-part series I wrote last year on this very topic.  I made the very deliberate decision not to repeat my research or opinion this year prior to the festivities; or to discuss my personal feelings about celebrating Christmas.  Instead, I chose to just sit back and view how others -- both Christian and non-Christian -- observed this most American of holidays.  I also wanted to check how I felt this year.  What did the Christmas holiday feel like now?  Did I long for the sentimental aspects?
     All that aside, today is the day after Christmas, and I must say that I am as convinced as ever that we Christians need to know the truth about this holiday, both historically and spiritually.  I think that it may explain why so many people are left feeling depressed and disappointed after all the build-up to what is supposed to be a season filled with joy and merriment.
     I also realize that new readers of this blog have not been introduced to my spiritual journey on this topic, and may be experiencing a similar one of their own.  For that reason, I would now like to invite you to revisit my four-part series on The Meaning of Christmas.  The following are the links to each essay, with a brief summary of what is revealed.  I hope that you will read them in their entirety, with an open and inquiring mind, and accept that they are, in no way, a judgment against anyone.  I would hope that they will encourage you to do your own research and search the Scriptures for the Truth.  My essays are written to those who love the Lord, but are not restricted to Believers; all can find them instructive and fascinating in the history they reveal.

Part One:  What does God's commandment to follow His feasts have to do with our celebration of Christmas?  As we study Scripture, we discover that Christianity has its roots in the faith of the Hebrews, and God commanded certain customs and rites to be observed for all generations.  The New Testament is a renewal of the covenant that God made with the Israelites, and because God never changes, what He decreed in the Old Testament (to the Hebrews) is as relevant today (to us) as it was thousands of years ago.  This segment of the series sets up how God's holy days were replaced with man-made traditions.

Part Two:  As adopted children of God, and grafted into the faith of the Israelites (Romans 11), we Christians are commanded to also consecrate God's feasts that He instituted -- not our own.  Remember, Scripture tells us that they are HIS feasts; not the feasts of the JEWS.  You might be surprised to discover that the Church of the First Century was primarily Jewish in membership, with a growing contingent of Gentile converts.  The Early Church did observe the Lord's Feasts, which was a pleasing aroma to Him.  But with the increase and infusion of pagan influences into what were to be holy observances, God declares in Amos 5:21, "I hate, I despise your feast days.  I do not savor your sacred assemblies."
     In this part of the series, I relate how the Emperor Constantine perverted the Church and its holy days into pagan-impacted holidays.  His extreme hatred of the Jews resulted in their exclusion from the Early Church, and their subsequent contempt of our festivities.

Part Three:  God called Abraham out of the pagan world that worshipped a variety of gods, the foremost being the Sun god.  This section of my series relates how Sun god worship provided the foundation of the Christmas celebration.  The pagan holidays of "Saturnalia" and "Dies Natalis Solis Invicti" (which means "birthday of the unconquered Sun"), both of which were celebrated on December 25th, when the Romans thought the Winter Solstice took place, made it easy for Constantine to merge facets of the Christian faith with accepted pagan practices, and keep the hated Jews separate and isolated.
     Part Three provides numerous quotes from Early Church Fathers, such as St. Augustine and Tertullian, who wrote, "The pagan Romans clad their door posts with green and branching laurels.  In the Saturnalia, presents come and go.  There are gifts and banquets … yet Christians should have no acquaintance with the festivals of the pagans."  I conclude this section with the admission that it is hard to think that the warm, fuzzy childhood Christmas memories that we hold so dear in our hearts could have anything to do with pagan rituals, but we must ask ourselves, "Is our heart really a good judge of what God desires of us?"  Perhaps what Jeremiah 17:9 has to say is the answer ... The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked... We want what we want.

Part Four:  The last part of my four-part series examines the history of Christmas in this country.  Would it surprise you to know that for the first 230 years of our nation, that the celebration of Christmas was nearly non-existent?  The Puritan community in New England found no Scriptural justification for celebrating Christmas, and associated such celebrations with paganism and idolatry. In fact, James Hastings, a Bible scholar, writes that in 1644, "December 25th was proclaimed a fast day [a time of abstaining from food and festivity to focus on religious devotion]. The new rule was enforced by the army, which spent much of its time pulling down the greenery that festive 'pagans' had attached to their doors."
     By the 19th Century, Americans had re-invented Christmas, and changed it from a raucous carnival holiday into a family-centered day of peace and nostalgia.  It has since become highly commercialized, and the holiness of the Christ child's birth must share center stage with Black Friday and all the materialistic ornamentation and embellishment of the holiday.  It is in the midst of this convolution of history, un-Biblical rituals, and human emotions that we must determine how we feel about, and observe Christmas.

     That is a difficult decision that each individual must determine for themselves.  I would challenge you with the following questions:  1)  Are we worshipping God in practices that are rooted in mankind’s traditions and decrees, or are we worshipping according to Biblical truth?  2) Which matters most – what it means to us or what it means to God?  As you read each part of my series, I hope you will ask the Holy Spirit for guidance as to how you should respond.
     I will say this ... without exception, it seems as if Christians struggle with letting go of what we have known in our Christmas celebrations.  Somehow, we continue to equate our emotions and memories of the holiday, along with the assault on our senses (beautiful lights, decorations, and festive trees), with the worship of our Savior.  Somehow, it seems difficult to celebrate His birth while letting go of our fleshly desires to look upon worldly delights.
     God was very exacting and clear about how He wished to be worshipped, and to Whom each Feast Day pointed.  Do you see anywhere in Scripture that He commanded the day of the birth of His Son to be a "holy day", which is the origination of our term "holiday"?  Do you see evidence of the Disciples worshipping that particular day anytime after His death?  Yes, both Matthew and Luke give us a beautiful story of the details of His conception and birth, and we should honor all that it signifies for us.  Gifts were brought to Him, but as tokens of His Kingship, His Priesthood, and His role as Savior.  Nowhere do I see suggestions of what the Christmas holiday has become.
     So, as you contemplate another Christmas, come and gone, I hope that will be able to dwell upon the true meaning of our Savior's birth, and decide what is right for you in the matter of pleasing God. You will know, because you will feel at peace and all conflict will be gone.  That is the true essence of "Peace on earth, and good will toward men."

Jeremiah 10:2-3    Thus says the Lord: "Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, for the customs of the peoples are vanity."

A True Message of Christmas

     Christmas is embraced by our American culture as a time of joy and peace on earth.  The brightly decorated trees, twinkling lights, songs about red-nosed reindeers, and the image of a jolly fat man in a red suit have become the center of our celebration.  If you have been a long-time reader of this blog, then you know that I can no longer associate these festivities with the birth of my Savior.  While I can still enjoy experiencing the holiday with family and friends in this manner, my husband and I have separated ourselves from the commercialization, man-made traditions, and questionable roots of the holiday.  We choose to focus on the Christ child and the miracle of His birth; it doesn't matter if it is His "actual" birthday or not.  It has simply become a time to honor Him.

     So, I thought it appropriate to share with you a Christmas letter sent to a family member by Pastor Saaed Abedini, a U.S. citizen imprisoned for over two years in a brutal Iranian prison for his Christian faith.  He has been subjected to numerous harsh beatings in prison and has sustained prolonged internal injuries. 
     You may have seen his letter on other news outlets, but it should be read again today; the day that Christians around the world celebrate the birth of the Savior of the world. 
     And then, ask yourselves if you -- in all your comfort and stability and display of Christmas Joy -- could declare, with the same unwavering faith, the true miracle represented by this day. 

Rajai Shahr Prison 2014

Merry Christmas!

These days are very cold here. My small space beside the window is without glass making most nights unbearable to sleep. The treatment by fellow prisoners is also quite cold and at times hostile. Some of my fellow prisoners don’t like me because I am a convert and a pastor. They look at me with shame as someone who has betrayed his former religion. The guards can’t even stand the paper cross that I have made and hung next to me as a sign of my faith and in anticipation of celebrating my Savior’s birth. They have threatened me and forced me to remove it. This is the first Christmas that I am completely without my family; all of my family is presently outside of the country. These conditions have made this upcoming Christmas season very hard, cold and shattering for me. It appears that I am alone with no one left beside me.

These cold and brittle conditions have made me wonder why God chose the hardest time of the year to become flesh and why He came to the earth in the weakest human condition (as a baby). Why did God choose the hardest place to be born in the cold weather? Why did God choose to be born in a manger in a stable, which is very cold, filthy and unsanitary with an unpleasant smell? Why did the birth have to be in such a way that it was not only hard physically, but also socially? It must have brought such shame for Mary and her fiancé that she was pregnant before marriage in the religious society of that time.

Dear sisters and brothers, the fact of the Gospel is that it is not only the story of Jesus, but it is the key of how we are to live and serve like Jesus. Today we, like Him, should come out of our safe comfort zone in order to proclaim the Word of Life and Salvation though faith in Jesus Christ, and the penalty of sin that He paid on the cross, and to proclaim His resurrection. We should be able to tolerate the cold, the difficulties and the shame in order to serve God. We should be able to enter into the pain of the cold dark world. Then we are able to give the fiery love of Christ to the cold wintery manger of those who are spiritually dead. It might be necessary to come out of the comfort of our lives and leave the loving embrace of our family to enter the manger of the lives of others, such as it has been for me for the third consecutive Christmas. It may be that we will be called fools and traitors and face many difficulties, but we should crucify our will and wishes even more until the world hears and tastes the true meaning of Christmas.

Christmas means that God came so that He would enter your hearts today and transform your lives and to replace your pain with indescribable joy.

Christmas is the manifestation of the radiant brightness of the Glory of God in the birth of a child named Emmanuel, which means "God is with us".

Christmas is the day that the heat of the life-giving fire of God’s love shone in the dark, cold, wintry, frozen hearts and burst forth in this deadly wicked world.

The same way that the heat from the earth’s core melts the hard stones in itself and produces lava, the fiery love of God, Jesus Christ, through the virgin Mary’s womb came to earth on Christmas to melt the hard heart of sin and wickedness of the world and remove them from our life. In the same process, the work of the Holy Spirit is a fiery rain of God’s Holiness and Mercy that flows into our body, soul and spirit and brings the light of Christ into us and through us making this dark, cold, wintry world into radiant burning brightness. He is turning our world into a world full of peace, joy, and love that is so different than the dark, cold, and wintry world that we used to live in. Hallelujah!
So this Christmas let the lava-like love of Christ enter into the depth of your heart and make you fiery, ready to pay any cost in order to bring the same lava love to the cold world around you, transforming them with the true message of Christmas.

Pastor Saeed Abedini
Soaking in the lava love of Christ

     Please pray for the release of Pastor Abedini, remembering that our Lord came "to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness." (Isaiah 42:7).  In the spirit of love and sacrifice that the Christ child represents, I wish you and your family a blessed Christmas.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE:  It has been three years since the death of a very special person in the lives of PLW and myself.  Ben Breedlove died far too young, on Christmas night 2011.  But he escaped these earthly chains, and left behind a YouTube message that touched the hearts of millions around the world, and pointed the way to God.  We miss you, and will always love you, Ben!

Isaiah 9:6-7     "For a CHILD IS BORN to us, and a son is given to us, and the government is upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counsellor, God the Mighty, the Father of the world to come, the Prince of Peace. His empire shall be multiplied, and there shall be no end of peace: he shall sit upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom; to establish it and strengthen it with judgment and with justice, from henceforth and for ever: the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Russia, China & The Good Book

     I would venture to guess that more people consider the Bible this time of year than any other; if for nothing else than to read the "Christmas story" in Matthew and Luke.  But I think we better start taking a good hard look at "the story" that the Book of Revelation imparts, as well ... especially as it potentially concerns Russia and China.

     Whether Christian or not, everyone has probably heard the Biblical terms "Gog and Magog", and how they refer to an End Times war that will destroy the earth's population. No one can say for sure who the players will be, but it has been popular theory to assume that Gog, the prince in Ezekiel, Chapter 38, whom God warns that He "will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army", is Russia.  The Bible goes on to prophesy that Gog will come out of the north, along with armies from Persia (Iran), Ethiopia, Libya, and Gomer (Turkey) to assault the land of Israel.
     Furthermore, there are other prophecies in Revelation that the water will dry up in the great Euphrates River, "that the way [road] of the kings of the east might be prepared"; along with a forecast of a 200 million man army that will be allowed to kill one-third of the population.  Another popular theory is that China fits both descriptions; they are certainly "king of the east", and the country's build-up of nuclear weapons ensures that it has the capability of annihilating millions via weapons of mass destruction.
     Like I said, all this is theory and cannot be proven one way or another.  But what appears to be happening before our very eyes is an alarming coalition between Russia and China.  In reaction to strong embargoes on the part of the U.S. against Russia, China appears to be positioning itself as Russia's new strategic partner.  In fact, over the last several months, Chinese leader Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party have repeatedly exhorted the People’s Liberation Army to “be ready to win a war.” Xi has repeatedly called for greater military modernization, increased training, and enhanced overall readiness of the Chinese army, navy, and air force.
     And, if we think Russia and President Putin are just going to sit idly by while we attempt to destroy their economy, then we're more naive than I've thought.  According to one source, two Chinese officials have offered to help Russia stabilize its currency following the ruble's precipitous decline last week. "If the Russian side needs, we will provide necessary assistance within our capacity,” said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
     If you will remember, Russia and China were communist allies throughout the Cultural Revolution and Cold War. And as neighbors, their financial and strategic interests overlap. China is a huge buyer of Russia's natural resources, and Russia is a great consumer of Chinese exports.  They are natural allies when it comes to destroying the power of the West, especially the U.S, and it's only logical that they would like nothing better than to crush our fragile financial system.
     There are also rumors that both Russia and China are attempting to stockpile resources, as in the case of nuclear warfare.  Since we have adopted a policy of reducing our nuclear capabilities, both of these superpowers no longer fear "Mutually Assured Destruction", but rather could be preparing for "First Strikes" against a weakened U.S. mainland and military.
     While none of these "theories" or "rumors" seem to point to a Biblical prophecy of assaults on Israel, it might just be that we haven't connected the dots yet.  But remember that in the past, then Russian President Medvedev joined with Chinese President Hu, to issue an “urgent warning” to the United States that if the Americans allow an Israeli nuclear attack upon Iran, “World War will be our response”.  Israel hasn't attacked Iran yet, but we all know that the tension is there, and upon assuming the Presidency, Mr. Obama was given a stark warning by Israel’s Prime Minister, that “Either you take care of Iran -- quickly -- or I will!”  Since that threat still remains viable, I would say the puzzle pieces of the Bible could be coming into alignment.
     Whether we are about to see ancient prophecies fulfilled, or there is simply heightened stress on the relationships between the Big Powers of the World, no one can deny that Russia and China should be on our radar screen.  We should be concerned about Russia reacting like a wounded animal, and China feeling like it's a good time to take advantage of a weakened rival.
      As I said, I am not ready to prescribe an official interpretation of the Book of Revelation.  But I do think we should be on the watch for people, events, and nations that could signal the return of the Lord.  After all, He asks us not to be caught unaware.  And let's not forget this, the symbol for Russia is the bear, and for China, it is the dragon ... so, it would be foolish on our part to ignore the threats they are making.

Revelation 13:2     "And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority."