Honoring A Hero

     Today marks the second anniversary of the murder of Navy Seal Chris Kyle.  I am still amazed at all the attacks against him and the movie American Sniper.  In this day of 24-hour news cycles, stories like this usually last a day or two and are then replaced with the next celebrity "hate-fest".
     But on this emotional anniversary, perhaps his detractors want to sling a little more mud on his hero status.  But that has just become more difficult because American Sniper surpassed Saving Private Ryan as the number one domestic grossing war movie of all-time.  They need to ask themselves why.
      You see, those of us in Texas know that Chris Kyle was not perfect.  But he stands for the sacrifice that our military have made in the last decade, and his life represents the heavy price they've all paid.  This is not a movie making a political statement about the war -- as much as "they" would like it to be -- it is a movie about the cost our military families have paid on our behalf.
      Governor Greg Abbott has declared today "Chris Kyle Day" in this soldier's beloved state of Texas.  The Governor spoke for millions of Texans, when he said, "[In the Lone State], we honor our military heroes.  In honor of a Texas son, a Navy SEAL and an American hero — a man who defended his brothers and sisters in arms on and off the battlefield — I am declaring February 2nd Chris Kyle Day in Texas,” said Abbott. “We will commemorate his passing, but more importantly, remembering his answering of the call of duty.”  And this day will honor all who have answered the call.
     That's right, we think Chris Kyle and our military are heroes.  Not because we all agree with the Iraq War, or the politics of George W. Bush, or because we hate Muslims.  We think Chris Kyle is a hero because of his incredible courage in standing up to Evil ... because he did his job the best he could, knowing that the lives of soldiers depended on him.  What an incredible burden!  To save a life, he had to take a life.  He witnessed death all around him, and his soul suffered for it.  Yet, he returned, time and again, to a job that haunted him, because others depended on him.  It wasn't only American soldiers that depended on him; Iraqi citizens benefitted from his "job", as well.
     And guess what?  It's not only Texans and millions of American movie-goers that think Kyle was a hero.  According to The Global Post, the movie opened in Baghdad, the capitol of Iraq, to strong crowds and exuberant fans of the movie.  One attendee, named Mohammed, lived through the events that are depicted in the movie.  He admitted it was hard to watch innocent citizens being killed as the Americans fought the terrorists, but overall, he liked the movie.  "I love watching war movies because it gives me the strength to face ISIS," he said.  When asked if he thought the movie was fascist or anti-Arab, he replied, "No, why?  The sniper was killing terrorists; the only thing that bothered me was when he said he didn't know anything about the Quran."
     But in an effort to be intellectually honest, the film was pulled from theaters after one week, because the movie features the killing of Muslims, and it was seen as controversial.  But the interesting thing to me was the fact that Kyle himself did not seem to be condemned as he is here, in his own country.  Writer Frank Rich continued the "racist" mantra of those who misunderstand the label of "savages" that Kyle applied to the Iraqi terrorists.  Why is it to so hard for them to see that Chris clearly distinguished between the good citizens of Iraq and the terrorist monsters when he used that term?
     They try so hard to make the movie into a political statement about the war, when it is clearly a character study of a man sent to war.  They are so desperate to vilify a man who represents the kind of Americans they detest, that they will even go so far as to compare him to the Sandy Hook killer, Adam Lanza!
     I admit that I am not qualified to defend a man like Chris Kyle.  I have not stood in his shoes, nor faced the demons of war.  Only those who have experienced the horrors of this endless war are able to give voice to the message this movie sends.   An anonymous Marine Corps veteran wrote an eloquent response to all the critics:  "The film wasn’t about any of that [politics] because for US, the war wasn’t about any of that.  Do you think any of us gave a f**k about Saddam Hussein, WMD, Bush, Cheney, or any of that s**t that was being ejaculated by the news? The film wasn’t about grey areas, because to us it didn’t matter. All that mattered to us was the guy to our left, and the guy to our right…and especially the guy that still had a can of Skoal. It wasn’t that we were willfully ignorant of the issues surrounding the Iraq War, or that we were in denial, but when your finger is on a trigger, when your face is covered in your friends’ brain matter, you aren’t thinking about “good and evil” or “grey areas.” That is the entire point [the critics] miss; the film was about a man on the ground and the struggle to come home with a head full of grief and regret, not the Iraq war itself."
     Pretty straight-forward, right?  But it was his parting shot that put everything into perspective:  "To those who saw the movie as more of a ‘pro Bush/Iraq/Right Wing/anti-Muslim’ political statement and want to bash it and our military... The movie wasn’t for you,” he concluded. “It was for the guy with mud on his boots and a hole in his heart, and for the families that are left to pick up the pieces. Go back to your latte.”  Perfect!
     Like I said, I may not be able to share the feelings and emotions of Chris Kyle and his family, but I can applaud the objectives of this movie and the voice it lends our military.  God has a purpose for every human being in this world, and our role may not always be pretty or politically correct.  The world can be an ugly place, and He needs warriors (yes, even imperfect warriors) to face Evil head-on; to destroy it in ways that we normal folks could never do.  Chris Kyle answered that call, and many soldiers came home alive because of his skills.  In my book, that makes him a hero.

1 Samuel 15:18     And the Lord sent you on a mission and said, ‘Go, devote to destruction the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’ 

2 Samuel 24:1

Again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and [He] moved David against them, saying, Go, number Israel and Judah.

     There is so much about this Scripture, and the Chapter of 2 Samuel 24, that I wish to discuss with you.  But first, I want to clear up some confusion that might be associated with this particular translation, which is in the New King James version.  Notice the implication (by capitalizing the "H" in "He") that it is the Lord that caused David to demand that a census be taken of the fighting men of Israel and Judah; a move that would result in judgment against the nation.  So, I'm sure many have asked, "Why would the Lord move David to do something that He would later punish him for?"

     So, it is important to note that 1 Chronicles 21:1 tells us, "Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel."  Furthermore, other translations, such as the American Standard Version (ASV) and the 1599 Geneva Bible, render the Scripture without the capital "H", which makes it clear that there is another individual that is influencing King David.  In fact, the Geneva Bible has a notation that "he" means "The Lord permitted Satan...".   Now that we know the force behind David's actions, the Chapter makes more sense, and we can begin to apply its lessons to our own lives.

     How would Satan have been able to appeal to David, and what was the King's impetus for knowing how many people were in his kingdom?  It is the same sin that has plagued the world since the Garden of Eden, and the first of seven sins that Gods hates and abhors in Proverbs 6:16-19 .... PRIDE!  We can just imagine the lies that the Devil whispered in David's ear .... "You are the King of all Israel; Israel belongs to you", and "You are a mighty warrior.  You have conquered many people,  Don't you want to know the strength of your army?"

     Pride made David forget that Israel belonged to God and He was the Sovereign ruler of the nation.  Also, David had forgotten that the power behind his military victories had been the Lord.  So, had David forgotten the Lord's Word:  The Land is Mine; for you are but aliens and sojourners with Me (Leviticus 25:23)?  Had David forgotten that God is Sovereign and rules over all the nations (Psalm 22:28)?  And obviously, David's pride caused him to forget the Lord's directive in Exodus 30:12: When you take the census of the children of Israel for their number, then every man shall give a ransom for himself to the LORD, when you number them, that there may be no plague among them when you number them.  

     Why?  We must remember that in these ancient cultures, a man only had the right to count or number what belonged to him.  David forgot that Israel didn't belong to him; it belonged to God.  The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. (Deuteronomy 7:6).  God is a jealous God, and wants no man to be so arrogant as to claim what belongs to Him.  That's why a "ransom" had to be paid by each man to the Lord, in order that he might be "preserved" or "redeemed" as belonging to the Lord.  David took it upon himself to ignore the warning of Joab, his general, and proceeded with his plan to know the full number of his "valiant men that drew the sword" (2 Samuel 24:9).  That task took nearly 10 months, and you would have thought that David would come to his senses before then.  But, Pride is a seductive temptress, as Satan well knows.

      We must never forget what Proverbs 16:18 tell us: "Pride goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall."  David is about to discover this in full force!  The Bible says that "his heart smote him after he had numbered the people"; he was stricken with a guilty conscience.  And what did he immediately do?  He sought the Lord, confessed his sin, and asked for forgiveness --- which is what each of us should do the moment we realize we have sinned!

      We can be assured that God will forgive us, but we must also accept that God disciplines those He loves, and it is within His Sovereign Nature to judge our sins and demand retribution.  Peace and reconciliation is made between God and sinners by sacrifice.  That is why the Old Testament sacrificial system was necessary before Yeshua came as our sacrifice.  A price must be paid because of the preciousness of God's forgiveness, and that is what must be enacted in 2 Samuel 24 because of David's sin of Pride.  His choices?  War, Pestilence or Famine.

     The Lord chose to send a pestilence upon the nation of Israel; an appointed time in which 70,000 men died. David is grieved that his men have paid a price for his sins, and asks God to penalize him and his house.  But God had another purpose to accomplish in this affair.  David is instructed to "go up" and build an altar to the Lord in the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.  David does as he is instructed and meets the Lord there in worship.  It is important for us to note that this site was on Mount Moriah; the same hill where Abraham offered Isaac (Genesis 22:2), and the same set of hills where Jesus died on the cross (Genesis 22:14).  Because David met with the Lord on this spot, it would become the site of Solomon's Temple (1 Chronicles 21:28-22:50.

     Although Araunah offered to give David the threshing floor, the king refuses his offer and buys it from Araunah.  David knew that any sacrifice or gift to God is worth nothing in His eyes, unless it costs something.  So it is with us; if we are faithful followers of Jesus, it will cost us something ... whether enmity with the world, material wealth, persecution or personal suffering.  The question becomes, "How much are we willing to pay to be obedient?"  

     Are we willing to be mindful of our sins, confess them before the Lord, and ask for forgiveness, as David did?  David knew that the deaths of 70,000 of his fighting men in the plague did not make amends for his sin of Pride against God.  He knew that Atonement could only be rightly made through a blood sacrifice, so he built an altar to God and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings unto the Lord.  Jesus is the blood sacrifice offered to God for our grievous sins.  Only when we lay out sins at the feet of the Cross, can they be forgiven and God stay His hand of righteous judgment.  

     Each of us, as well as our nation's rulers, have a lot to learn from this episode in David's life.  God still demands obedience to His precepts and commandments; nothing has changed in 3,000 years! Pride leads to sin; Sin must be atoned for; Jesus has paid the price for us; and He is the only Way to reconcile and regain our fellowship with God.  Pray that our country will recognize this!  Otherwise, I'm afraid that Judgment is in our near future... and which will it be this time?  War, Pestilence or Famine?

Recommended Book: A Failure of Civility

     Back in 2013, Matthew Bracken, a retired Navy Seal, recommended a book titled A Failure of Civility, by authors Mike Garand and Jack Lawson.  PLW worked with Mr. Bracken on a cover of one of his books, and sets great store by his advice and expertise.  So two years ago, we purchased this book.  It is one of the best "Prepper" or "Survivalist" books on the market, and quickly became a sought after item among those who wished to increase their knowledge on how to defend their families, neighborhoods, and communities in the event of a national crisis.
     It was so popular that it quickly went out of print, and your only option was to pay $200 on Amazon.  Now, I'm happy to inform those of you who were unaware of it, or missed out on the first opportunity to purchase it, that it is once again available on the authors' website for $29.95!   But I warn you ... it won't be available for long!
     The book was written by veteran combat Special Ops soldiers, and is advertised as "the Ulitmate A-to-Z Survival Book", and as "A primer for the untrained and knowledge for the trained in survival."  But perhaps the best endorsement is the review from Navy Seal Matt Bracken, himself:

     The authors’ combined life experiences, military and law enforcement, span 80 years. [They claim that] "With this book, we give you the tools of knowledge to enable you to teach you and others how to defend yourselves, your family and neighbors. We want you to help save lives and to keep America strong."
     Wow, what a tall order! As a long-ago Navy frogman, I wondered if they could truly match that claim in their book. They do, and much more. I read the book cover to cover—twice!—in the first week. In fact, I am so impressed with it that I have been hauling it around for the last few months, trying to encourage my friends and relatives to buy it. It’s not cheap – it costs $30....
     The book is big; it’s eight by eleven inches and 394 pages long. It’s printed in oversize 14 point font. Why? Because when you really need this book, you might be in a cold, dark place, huddled by a fire. They could have printed it in a smaller format and put it out at a lower price, but they decided not to. I completely understand why, and it makes total sense to me, having read it, and understanding the conditions it is intended for. 
     ... This is not just another handbook on how to build a remote fortress on a mountaintop, beginning with a fantasy budget. It takes a completely different tack, namely, how to survive in place, where you are, on your current budget. How to “bug in,” not bug out. It postulates, and I agree with this, that no single family can survive alone, hidden in a remote fortress or bunker, no matter how large their pre-SHTF budget. It assumes that you will stay in your house and in your neighborhood. And it theorizes that no single house can be fortified to hold out against hordes of criminal bandits once the SHTF. You cannot get through TEOTWAWKI on your own.
     ... Every word I have written, in all of my novels and essays, has been meant as a warning to the reachable to get ready for the heavy weather that many of us see coming. Please, buy this book. It’s not cheap, it’s $30 and it’s not on Amazon. The authors are not book pros, they are just some guys with invaluable knowledge to share who are producing the book on their own. Get it now, while you can. I have zero connection to the authors, other than I believe the contents are important beyond measure. If there are other books as valuable as this one for surviving the coming storm, I haven’t seen them yet. I’m not saying they are not out there, but I have missed them so far.
     My fondest hope is that in five years, the few people who remember me will laugh and say, “Matt Bracken, what a paranoid jerk he was.” A hack writer of cheap alarmist fiction, the author of a few quickly forgotten novels and essays. I hope and pray that in five years, America will be as strong, prosperous and free as it ever was. 
     But if not, and if you find yourself at some point cold, hungry, sick and very, very afraid, hiding in a blacked-out basement while you are rereading your dog-eared copy of this book by lamplight, you will be thanking me over and over again for encouraging you to buy it. My cheap and unimportant works of fiction won’t matter a damn at that point, but you will be damn glad that you have a copy of “A Failure of Civility.” You, your family, and your entire neighborhood might pull through the coming storm just because of this one book. 
     Please buy the book. And buy an extra copy or two to send to “reachable” family members. Tell them to wrap it in plastic, and save it for a time that we hope will never come."

     Endorsements don't come any stronger than that!  So, if you don't want to take my word for it, then listen to a man who has the experience and knowledge to know if this is a must-have for your family's survival.  Sad to say, in the two years since Matt Bracken wrote this review, our chances of dodging the storm have not dwindled.  Like him, I hope and pray that this kind of knowledge will never need to be put into practice.  But the demand for this book should tell you that it could be an invaluable tool in the coming years.  If you missed out on it the first go-round, don't delay now!  And if you were alert enough to purchase it then, there must be a friend or family member that you can turn on to its knowledge.  This book is more valuable than ever!

Luke 22:36      He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one."

Samuel Adams: Where Are You Today?

     Being a lover of the history of our Founding and the American Revolution, I eagerly awaited The History Channel's miniseries, titled Sons of Liberty.  I had no illusions that history would be presented accurately, but was curious to see how Hollywood would represent the main characters of our nation's early history; especially Samuel Adams, who has always been a favorite of mine.
     My assumptions were correct ... the facts were skewed; the timelines were often off by years; and the circumstances surrounding the colonists' grievances were repeatedly exaggerated.  For instance, General Thomas Gage's appearance on the scene is ten years later than historical fact; there is no evidence of any relationship between Mrs. Gage and Dr. Joseph Warren; and Samuel Adams was not some dashing young hero, free from family obligations, as depicted in the miniseries.  At the opening of the first episode, in 1765, Sam Adams would have been 43, and the father of two surviving children from his first marriage (his wife died young, along with four other children who died in infancy).  He had remarried and was deeply involved in the politics of the day.  These are just a few of the many dramatizations and misrepresentations of the miniseries.
    Furthermore, Sam Adams was far from being the drunk scoundrel, who owned a tavern frequented by misfits, as the History Channel portrays him.  True, he was an inefficient tax collector; but he was quite successful, within political circles, in urging his fellow colonists to oppose the unjust tax measures being enforced by the King of England.  As for the Sons of Liberty, they were more than impoverished hotheads itching for a fight.  They were a secret society of colonial patriots who were committed to protecting the rights of the colonists and to fighting the abuses of taxation by the British government.

     And speaking of unjust taxes, the broadcast missed a huge opportunity to educate any young people who might have been captivated by the dare-devil antics of the Hollywood version of Sam Adams.  There was no real attempt to mention the various Acts imposed by the British Crown to keep the colonists in tow.  As a member of the Caucus Club, one of Boston's local political organizations, Adams was incensed over the 1764 Sugar Act, which imposed a tax on Boston merchants for their purchase of molasses.  He began a writing campaign, attacking the Sugar Act as an unreasonable law. Adams argued that the law violated colonists' rights because it had not been imposed with the approval of an elected representative.  He argued that there should be "no taxation without representation"; a slogan which would become a lightning rod in the colonists' ever-increasing desire for independence.
     For the next decade, Adams continued to write essays concerning the growing divide between England and her colonies.  He condemned the Stamp Act of 1765, which placed a tax on printed materials throughout the American colonies.  During this time he was elected a member of the Massachusetts legislature, and would serve in that capacity until 1774.  In the meantime, he continued his fiery essays against the Townshend Acts of 1767, which placed customs duties on imported goods.  None of this was mentioned in the miniseries; only the celebrated Boston Tea Party, which saw the colonists refusing to pay the taxes levied by the Tea Act of 1773, and subsequently dumping the tea in Boston Harbor.
     (Consider this:  I recently watched a TV survey of college students who could not identify which country we won our independence from.  The History Channel could have served a greater purpose with this fictionalized account of history, don't you think?  Lord knows, I was ashamed at the realization that our youth have lost all interest and knowledge in the narrative of our country.)
     I understand that action sells better than politics, and I am not disputing the role that a passionate and dedicated Samuel Adams played in the years preceding the opening shots at Lexington and Concord.  It is indisputable, as the miniseries portrayed, that he played a dynamic behind-the-scenes role in urging the populace and their colonial leaders towards independence.
    In fact, history has always been fascinated with the part he played in securing our Liberty.  During the 19th Century, when America still clung to her patriotic principles and valued an individual's liberty and right to succeed, Samuel Adams was recognized as a hero of the Revolution.  But the 20th Century saw the genesis of socialism and progressivism taking root in our political consciousness, and Sam Adams gained a negative reputation.  His brilliant essays were viewed as propaganda, and he was painted as an avid promoter of revolution who incited mob violence to push his political agenda.    Today's Progressives would likely call him a "domestic terrorist"; even the modern Tea Party movement, which has become part of his legacy, is disparaged and impugned.
     But whichever version of Samuel Adams you choose to embrace, no one can dispute that he played one of the most important roles in the founding of this nation.  He believed in a "republican" form of government, which advocated that power should be held by the people and their elected representatives, rather than a monarch or dictator.  His writings also show that he believed that force against the government of a nation was only justified when the constitutional rights of the people were threatened, and were so grave that the "body of the people" recognized the danger, and only after "all peaceful means of redress had failed."  Revolution was his last choice.  But shortly after he signed the Declaration of Independence, he delivered these words in a speech at the State House in Philadelphia:

"If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animating contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen."
   
     How we need Sam Adams today!  He was able to see the road to Liberty perhaps clearer than any other patriot of his time.  He was able to speak boldly and plainly to the people, championed public virtue in the culture and politics, and believed strongly in a true representative government.  He continued to serve his country in the First and Second Continental Congresses, and was instrumental in drafting the Bill of Rights.  Although The History Channel dramatized only the early days of his political involvement, and much of their storyline was inflated and blurred the historical facts, I am loathe to completely condemn the presentation.
     I believe the miniseries captured the spirit of those passionate days ... days when God placed the right men, at the right time, in the right place.  God had a plan for this nation, and He raised up men like Samuel Adams and Paul Revere and Dr. Joseph Warren and George Washington to lead mankind into a new era.  These men were able to breed a desire in their fellow countrymen to live their lives as free men; exercising their Natural Rights to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
     It is my hope that The History Channel's excessive and outrageous version of Samuel Adams's life encourages our citizens of all ages to seek more knowledge about him and the American Revolution.  And I further hope it awakens them to just how glorious and miraculous is our history.  The politics of that day were just as controversial and embattled as they are today.  But there burned a fire in the hearts of men that I fear we've lost.  May God rekindle His Spirit in our nation, and the Spirit of '76!

Psalm 33:12   "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen as His heritage!"
   









   

Part 2: Smart Grid, Off-Grid, and Agenda 21

     Yesterday, I promised to take you further into the conspiracies of the Elite ... at least what I think we should consider to be a possibility.  For awhile now, the world has wondered what was up with China's "Ghost Cities".  And you may think this is old news, but that question has never been answered, and I believe it is important to keep it in the spotlight.  Again, I'd like to thank the website, Inquisitr, for doing an excellent job in connecting the dots in this quandary.

     Allegedly, these "Ghost Cities" are said to be "part of the sustainable development plans outlined in the United Nations’ Agenda 21 initiative."  Remember, as I pointed out yesterday, sustainable living is OK to participate in, as long as it is controlled by the Government or the Elite.  How dare you think that you can partake of this lifestyle through your own initiative!
     So, what's the plan for these cities in China that boast energy conscious buildings, shops, and apartments, yet remain unoccupied and empty?  First, let's establish some facts, as stated by Inquisitr:  The United Nations’ Agenda 21 program is a voluntary, non-binding action plan which is allegedly focused solely on sustainable development. Adopted by 178 countries in 1992, the plan is based upon a program to abolish poverty and protect “fragile environments” by “properly” managing cities. America is a “signatory” country to Agenda 21. Since the plan is a non-binding statement and not a treaty, a vote on the initiative was not necessary. In the United States, more than 500 large and moderate-sized cities are members of an international sustainability organization that reportedly supports the implementation of Agenda 21.
     Now, back to China's empty "sustainable" cities.... The Agenda 21 China plan reportedly included measures to move “tens of millions” of citizens away from rural areas and into brand spanking new cities designed in a sustainable manner.  So what is the link between Warren Buffet, his Energy Plan to control our Energy Grid, and his attempt to capitalize on solar and wind power?  As far back as 2013, Dave Hodges, of The Common Sense Show, seemed to think there was a huge connection.
     He pointed out that Former Secretary of the US Treasury and former CEO of Goldman Sachs, Hank Paulson appeared to be championing the Agenda 21 relocation going on in China.  “The country’s economy is heading in the right direction. This is more important than achieving short-term growth,” Paulson said of the eco-cities and urban growth in China. McKinsey and Company Global Managing Director Dominic Barton also heralded the changes going on in China. “The good news is that there is an underlying force of growth and that’s urbanization. What we’re basically seeing is more than 250,000 people moving from rural areas to cities every week,” Barton said.
    So, now consider this scenario .... if a country could influence (or enforce) the relocation of its populations to the cities, and away from rural living, couldn't they better control not only their energy use, but the population, itself?  So, doesn't it sound like they are equating urban living with economic growth?  Furthermore, does it stand to reason that if states like Texas, Florida and North Carolina (which happen to be inhabited by some of the most freedom-loving Americans) can restrict the off-grid lifestyle and force every home to be connected to the Energy Grid, that it is a step towards discouraging rural living and independence?  Wouldn't that make it easier to control the American population?
     You may think that I am stretching things a bit ... that "control" is not the issue; that it's only about "sustaining" and "conserving" energy.  But look behind the curtain, and I think you will see something else; something far more sinister that will ultimately lead to the loss of our personal property and our right to choose how we live our lives.  Is it pertinent to ask the question, "As goes China's "Ghost Cities", so goes America's cities, townships, and urban areas?"

Galatians 4:17   "They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them."

Off-Grid vs Smart Grid; Apparently, There Can Be Only One Winner

     Have you ever stopped to think about the paradox in the national conversation over Energy Consumption?  On the one hand you have Energy Magnates like Warren Buffet, whose Northern Powergrid Holdings Co. in the U.K., is working with Siemens AG (SIE) to test a so-called smart grid that has the ability to control when consumer appliances will be used in the home.  Don't believe me? It's all there in Bloomberg Business Week.
     I've tried to warn people that the new Smart Grid meters will work with the new Energy Star appliances to eventually monitor and regulate how much energy you use in your home.  Of course I got the cynical looks ... there she goes again with her crazy conspiracy theories.

     But here's how it works, and how they sell it:  the smart meters are simply gathering information on your energy usage and helping you to decide the best way to conserve.  Because we all know that the planet is in crisis and we need to discover new ways to curb our gluttonous consumption, right?  But, let's put it in plain English ... the smart meters are collecting data on our energy usage so they can test, and at some point in the near future, implement “a so-called smart grid that has the ability to control when consumer appliances will be used in the home.”
     If you already have a smart meter on your home, you may be enjoying the convenience of the utility company telling you the optimum times to use power; (that information comes from all the data collection, don't you know).  And if you don't have a smart meter yet ... don't worry, you soon will.  And I would be willing to bet that you have one and don't even know it.  Many friends swore to me that they didn't have one, but on closer inspection, discovered that one had been installed without their knowledge or consent.  And there are some people that still don't see the problem ... "Everything is being automated.  It just makes it easier for the utility company to read the meter from a satellite."  That's right; just keep drinking the koolaid.
     But would it surprise you to know that Bloomberg reports that "Buffett’s U.K.-based system goes a step further. It gives people a choice, allowing them to either use appliances themselves at optimum times, or to let the system decide that for them."  It's only one more step until that choice is no longer your own, but will be made by the utility.  Of course, this could have nothing to do with the fact that Warren Buffet has invested $15 billion in wind and solar power in the U.S. , and he's ready to double that amount ... could it?
     Think about it ... every time you turn on a light, set your thermostat to make your home a little cooler in the summer, or even flush the toilet, "they" are monitoring your usage.  By the way, did you know that talking thermostats exist, now?  I'm sure that some consumers welcome them and love being part of the "new trend".  But think of it this way (as outlined by Truthstream Media) .. "Combined with the smart grid however, it comes off more like the super computer HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey. You go to turn on your air conditioner and hear a calm voice say, “I’m afraid I can’t let you do that, Dave…".  Does that make you have second thoughts?  It should.
     The website, Inquisitr, reports that Texas and Florida are actively pursuing restriction of the off-grid, or "sustainable" lifestyle; going so far as to make it illegal.  Apparently, if you disconnect from the Smart Grid and try to live economically, simply, and relying on nature, you are defeating the Elite's plan.  So, let me get this straight ... if you use solar power, cook off a camp stove, and collect rain water, it is not seen as saving earth from the planet-destroying energy plants, but you are now viewed as a lawbreaker.

     But here's the opposite side of the coin.  It's supposed to be all about using natural resources and saving the planet, right?  But try going Off-grid and see how "the powers that be" like that!
     I'm trying to wrap my head around this whole paradox .... Warren Buffet and his billionaire friends are making billions off energy users by forcing their Smart Grid on us.  In Florida, it has been mandated that all homes must be connected to an energy grid.  Inquisitr revealed that North Carolina has not made it illegal yet to be off-grid, but "citizens can be evicted if they do not consume electricity, citing fears about candle fires." REALLY?!?
     But think about this, Buffet and his greedy cohorts also want to capture the monopoly on solar and wind power, too.  OK, now I get it!  It's really all about making money!!!  They can't have you using the wind and sun and rain that God made for us free of charge!  So, they not only want to control your use of electricity, they also want to restrict and control your use of our natural resources ... and they want to charge you in both instances! They get us coming and going; and it's all manipulated and controlled and about limiting our free choice.
     Tune in tomorrow, when I take this controversy one step further ... but you better tighten down your tin foil hats!  I will be connecting some dots that you haven't even considered!

Psalm 24:1   "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,"


     
 

Will Winter Storm Juno Be Another Judgment? Should We Be Surprised?

     As I have noted in the past, whenever we disrespect the nation of Israel, we have received terrific blows from the hand of God.  What do "the Perfect Storm", Hurricane Andrew, the Northridge Earthquake, the Texas Floods, Hurricane George, the 1999 "Super Tornado", and Hurricane Katrina all have in common?  Each of these events came after a deliberate action by the United States government against the nation of Israel.  For more details on the exact offenses, click here.

     So are we about to receive another judgment in the form of Winter Storm Juno?  And exactly why would it be justified?  It seems that the White House is once again at odds with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, announcing that the President will refuse to meet with him when he visits the U.S. in March to address a joint session of Congress.  Now, that might seem like just a diplomatic faux pas to you, but the deliberate disrespect, contempt and scorn that our President holds for the nation of Israel has long been in evidence.  And this time it is coupled with what appears to be plans by our government to continue negotiations with Iran over their nuclear program; a program that Israel fears is aimed directly at them.  Is this a clear-cut case of sacrificing Israel's safety, in favor of forging ahead with a vague and ill-defined relationship with Iran -- a nation that has vowed to destroy our ally?
     It is impossible for us simple citizens to discern the motives behind this foreign policy; but it doesn't really matter what we think, does it?  It is more important how God views it; how He discerns the intentions of mens' hearts.  He has made it very clear that judgment will come against those who curse Israel.  What exactly does it mean that God will curse those who curse Israel?  In Biblical terms, it means God reveals His judgment (in some manner) against those who try to break or harm his covenant with the nation of Israel.  I would say that continuing to negotiate with Israel's enemy (Iran) puts God's chosen people in danger, and threatens to destroy their very existence.  I would say that could be considered as breaking the covenant in a most conclusive way.  Furthermore, insulting Israel's leader won't win us any favors in heaven, either.
     Will Juno prove to be the manner in which God passes judgment upon our nation?  It remains to be seen.  We may have an answer over the next 48-76 hours.  As I write this, the historic storm is making itself felt, and is being described as packing "a tidal wave of snow"; as a crippling blizzard.  Governors across the northeast are calling for states of emergency and travel bans, as massive power outages are expected, along with 2-4 inches of snow per hour and hurricane level winds.  Boston is expecting 30 inches of snow; and this storm is anticipated to effect nearly 60 million people!
     There are those who will claim that Juno is simply a freakish display of Mother Nature, or the result of our disregard for the planet.  If it matches its forecasted impact, and becomes a storm of historic proportions, then perhaps it is time to recognize that we've once again offended the apple of God's eye.  How much longer before His patience runs out and our final judgment comes due?

Joel 3:2    “I will also gather all nations, And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; And I will enter into judgment with them there On account of My people, My heritage Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; They have also divided up My land.” 

Why This 70th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz Is So Important

   

     As you know, my Biblical worldview often sees significance in events that the secular world does not grasp.  Tomorrow will mark the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz by Soviet troops.  The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum notes the following:  "On January 27, 1945, the Soviet army entered Auschwitz and liberated more than 7,000 remaining prisoners, who were mostly ill and dying. It is estimated that at minimum 1.3 million people were deported to Auschwitz between 1940 and 1945; of these, at least 1.1 million were murdered."
     This fact alone, makes the anniversary noteworthy.  However, there is something I would like to point out to you; something that adds an extra dimension of meaning to this date.  It is the number 70.    Why should the number of this year's anniversary carry so much weight?  Because it is important to God.  Consider the following:
•  Seventy has a sacred meaning in the Bible that is made up of the factors of two perfect numbers, seven (representing perfection) and ten (representing completeness and God's law). As such, it symbolizes perfect spiritual order carried out with all power. It can also represent a period of judgment.
•  70 elders were appointed by Moses (Numbers 11:16). After reading the covenant God gave him to read to the people, Moses took 70 elders, along with Aaron and his sons, up Mount Sinai to have a special meal with God himself (Exodus 24:9 - 11)!
•  Ancient Israel spent a total number of 70 years in captivity in Babylon (Jeremiah 29:10).
•  Seventy is also specially connected with Jerusalem. The city kept 70 years of Sabbaths while Judah was in Babylonian captivity (Jeremiah 25:11). Seventy sevens (490 years) were determined upon Jerusalem for it to complete its transgressions, to make an end for sins and for everlasting righteousness to enter into it (Daniel 9:24).
•  Israel in Egypt had its beginnings with Joseph rising in power in Pharaoh's court and Jacob migrating his entire household into the land. A total of 70 Israelites started a nation WITHIN another nation that would grow to more than two million by the Exodus.
•  Seventy disciples were sent out by Christ on a 'training mission' to preach the gospel to the surrounding area (Luke 10).
•  The prophet Ezekiel was taken by God, in a vision, to Jerusalem to be shown 70 elders of Israel defiling themselves by offering incense to their idols (see Ezekiel 8).
     That should be enough proof that this 70th anniversary of the liberation of the infamous death camp is important.  It should also be apparent that Auschwitz has become a symbol of the Evil perpetuated against God's chosen people, the nation of Israel.  Add to these facts, that this is a "Shemitah" year on the Jewish Calendar.  According to Chabad.org, "As soon as the Jews settled in the Holy Land, they began to count and observe seven-year cycles. Every cycle would culminate in a Sabbatical year, known as Shemitah,  meaning literally: “to release.” "  The year following the destruction of the second Holy Temple was the first year of a seven-year Sabbatical cycle.  Counting forward, we find that September 25, 2014 through September 13, 2015 is a Shemitah year.

     So what was to be released?  1)  There was to be a release from all debts.  2)  There was a release of the land; to allow it to lie fallow and free from being farmed.  3) The abstention of their agricultural duties released the Israelites to refocus on spiritual matters -- to collectively take a breather and spend more time studying Scripture and growing their faith in God.
     The Shemitah year is still honored in modern Israel among the faithful.  They believe that 70 years, as described in the Scriptures, is a period to fulfill historic prophecies and punishments.  It will be a turning point in the history of the ancient nation of Israel.  The last witnesses of the atrocities at Auschwitz are dying, and making this particular anniversary, and year, a turning point from the “vision” to exterminate the Jews by the Nazis, to what has become a new goal to exterminate Israel by radical Islam today.  It is remarkable to note that the Caliphate has risen to power exactly 70 years after the Nazi regime and the Holocaust were ended.  Do you think that's a coincidence?
     But we have also seen a turning point in the Body of Christ.  The rise of the Church in Asia is a paradigm shift of dimensions not seen in almost 2,000 years ... not since the Apostle Paul established the churches in Asia Minor (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea).  Do you think that the fact that the largest number of believing Christians is found in Asia (rather than the West), and that the ancient Asian Churches are given warnings before Jesus returns has any significance?
     In addition the Messianic remnant in the restored nation of Israel is slowly and surely developing and maturing. This spiritual restoration of Israel is also a paradigm shift of prophetic importance not seen since the first century.  Both the warnings to the Asian Churches and the Messianic remnant are prophesied in the Book of Revelation.  If the Shemitah year is truly a period to fulfill historic prophecies and punishments, and God uses 70 years to carry out His perfect spiritual order with all power, then it seems possible that God may align world events in the coming year for His purposes.  If so, it is more important than ever, that we refocus our spiritual lives and get things in order with our Maker.  Just read what God revealed to His prophet Daniel about the importance of the number 70 and what would occur on a Shemitah year.  I believe that God's prophetic words speak throughout the past, present and future.  This prophecy was fulfilled in Daniel's time.  Is it also a prophecy for us?

Daniel 9:24   "Seventy weeks [of years, or 490 years] are decreed upon your people and upon your holy city [Jerusalem], to finish and put an end to transgression, to seal up and make full the measure of sin, to purge away and make expiation and reconciliation for sin, to bring in everlasting righteousness (permanent moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) to seal up vision and prophecy and prophet, and to anoint a Holy of Holies."

2 Samuel 6:7

And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; 
and God smote him there for touching the ark, 
and he died there by the ark of God.

     Have you always wondered why this event happened?  I know I have.  And I've always had so many questions, and the answers I've received have always left me unfulfilled.  What exactly was it that Uzzah did that was so offensive to God that He killed him?  Wasn't he simply trying to keep the Ark from falling off of the cart when one of the oxen stumbled?

     I've always felt in my spirit that this passage in 2 Samuel had meaning for those of us who worship Yahweh.  And since my Bible study time had brought me to this chapter in the Bible, I was determined to finally answer those questions, and discover the deeper understanding I was meant to discern.

     The Biblical critiques of this particular verse have differed as to why the Ark became unsettled.  Some think the oxen stumbled; some think they kicked against the goad (prod) that Uzzah used to drive them; or that they became stuck in the mire.  Ultimately, it doesn't matter what caused the unbalanced state of the Ark; it is the result that concerns us.

     For whatever reason, the Ark began to fall off the cart, and Uzzah reached out to set it right.  There is no evidence that he did that with anything but good intentions.  The Ark had been absent from the lives of the Israelites, for many years; having been captured by the Philistines.  It hasn't even been mentioned for 30 Chapters!  After Saul is killed and David defeats the Philistines, he asks for the Ark to accompany him to his own city.  He wishes to return it to its former prominence, and place it as the foundation of his governance of the nation of Israel.  

     From the evidence presented to us in the Bible, David presents his plan to the nation, and all the nobility and gentry, the elders and officers of Israel agreed, and the number was 30,000.  What an honor it must have been for Uzzah to accompany the Ark and be responsible for guiding it to the City of David!  So what happened that would occasion God to "smite" him? 

     As I dug for the answer(s), it took me back in Scripture to the 7th Chapter of the Book of Numbers.  God gave His instructions to Moses about how the various divisions of the tribe of Levi were to conduct their service to the Lord in caring for the holy and sacred items of the Tabernacle.  Two wagons and four oxen were given to the sons of Gershon for their duties;  and four wagons and eight oxen were given to the sons of Merari to carry out their responsibilities.  But in Numbers 7:9, it says "But to the sons of Kohath he gave none, because they were assigned the care of the sanctuary and the holy things which had to be carried on their shoulders."  

     Further more, Exodus 25:13-15 tells us that the Levites were instructed to "make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold, And put the poles through the rings on the ark’s sides, by which to carry it.  The poles shall remain in the rings of the ark; they shall not be removed from it [that the ark be not touched]."  Here's the first hint as to why this event was so offensive to God.  The Ark of the Covenant was to be carried on poles, not on a cart.  The second indicator is that members of the Kohathite branch of the Levites were to do the carrying; and it was a duty of priests, and Uzzah was not a priest.  Moreover, Numbers 4:15 tells us, "When it is time to break camp, the clan of Kohath shall come to carry the sacred objects only after Aaron and his sons have finished covering them and all their equipment. The Kohath clan must not touch the sacred objects, or they will die. These are the responsibilities of the Kohath clan whenever the Tent is moved."

     The Ark of the Covenant held perhaps the most sacred of the holy objects, "the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant." (Hebrews 9:4).  It was truly sacred and holy in God's eyes.  And I suspect that He set such strict rules for its maintenance and care, and how it was to be transported -- along with the severe punishment of death should these rules be ignored -- to impress upon the Israelites that He was to be absolutely obeyed in this matter.  

     So what are the lessons for us in this tragic story?  There will be many, both Christian and unbelievers, who will declare that God acted too severely.  But might it be a reminder to us that what God declares holy, we should consider with reverence and holy fear?  Moreover, God never changes; so, if this is a crime of mishandling the symbols of His covenant with the nation of Israel, how might He consider our carelessness and permissiveness in disobeying His covenant with us?

     One of my favorite theologians is Matthew Henry, and here is his take on how God might perceive our transgressions:  "If the ark was so sacred, and not to be touched irreverently, what is the blood of the covenant?"  Just look at what Hebrews 10:29 says:  What, then, of those who despise the Son of God? who treat as a cheap thing the blood of God's covenant which purified them from sin? who insult the Spirit of grace? Just think how much worse is the punishment they will deserve!

    How much more important to God is His Son, than the Ark of the Covenant?  What God sacrificed for us will not be disrespected without major repercussions!  We would do well to listen to God's Word and His warning, or pay the consequences.

A Few Of My Favorite (Survivalist) Things

    It's been awhile since I addressed the Prepper side of my life.  Although I put my faith and trust in God's will for me, I also take notice of things in this world that add to the quality of said life.  So, I wanted to make mention of a few things that have come to my attention ....

A Time To Endure is the second book in author Kyle Pratt's Strengthen What Remains series.  It catches us up on the life of Major Caden Westmore, after he manages to escape the nuclear attack on Washington D.C. and other major American cities.  When we last left Caden (in the first book, Through Many Fires), he had made it back to his hometown in the Pacific Northwest, reconnected with his parents on the family farm, and established command of the local armory.  He battled through civil unrest, working through the conflict between the military and local law enforcement, and contemplated how his town, family, and country would navigate the post-attack years.  Caden wonders how it will all play out, and what effects it will have on his family.  Would some sense of law and order return; what about a Constitutional government?  Would America ever be the same, or was it destined to be divided into factions, fighting each other and foreign countries ready to take advantage of the chaos?

     Well, in this second book, the title aptly describes what Caden's life is all about ... enduring.  His focus is also widening.  There is a provincial government with a dictatorial president, all too eager to cut a deal with the Chinese to carve up America.  Caden finds himself stretched thin -- between trying to restore law and order within his community; dealing with American soldiers fighting each other and the civilian population; and confronting the increasing problem of gangs like MS 13, who have begun to infiltrate his community.
     On the personal side, Caden is determined to search for his brother, Peter, who was a law enforcement officer on duty when the nuclear bomb hit Seattle.  We are also introduced to Zach Brennon, a hard-luck kid who Caden takes under his wing.  Zach knows the ways of the woods, and finds himself caught in the middle of a war between the Mexican gang, the military and civilian authorities.
     Kyle Pratt weaves his plot effortlessly, giving us plenty to think about in the process.  Furthermore, his tale is a cut above the spate of survivalist novels that have become a popular form of literature these days.  If you're looking for a quick read that (I believe) accurately depicts what our future might look like, then I recommend you look into this engaging series.

Valley Food Storage.  If you're like me, the supply of canned goods you began storing at the first hint of a national crisis have long been outdated.  And the choices of freeze-dried foods have left your palate wanting more; besides the fact that preservatives were often the first ingredient listed on the packaging.  But, I'm happy to report that the owners of Valley Food Storage were kind enough to send me a sample package of their White Bean & Lime Chili, and I was pleasantly surprised at, not only the flavor, but the consistency of the finished product, and the healthy ingredients.

     You know how most freeze-dried food lacks quality flavor or seasoning?  Well, this product is about as close as I've seen to home-cooked food, right off the stove.  The ingredients read like a recipe out of your favorite cookbook:  Great White Northern Beans, pinto beans, large sliced onions, sea salt, garlic, red and green bell peppers, cumin seed, chicken broth, black pepper, lime juice, cilantro, jalapeño pepper, and cayenne pepper.   Only the Xanthium gum and Citric Acid tell you it has been prepared for a long shelf life --- the company claims up to 25 years!  Plus it is Gluten Free!!
     Valley Food Storage's selections are a little more exotic, with names like Irish Pub Cheddar Potato Soup, Mango Habanero Chili, and Sweet and Sour Asian Rice.  If they taste anything like the sample I tried, you won't mind eating survivalist food.  And I imagine that adding rice or meat to any of the selections would enhance the dining experience.  Price-wise, they are in line with other products in the marketplace.  Try a sampling or two, and see what you think.  I think you'll agree they're a cut above the rest.

FiberFix. After seeing this product on Shark Tank, my husband had an occasion to use it in his art studio.  One of the legs of his favorite chairs broke one day, and he was on the verge of discarding it, when he remembered this product.  After what turned out to be an easy application, the chair is as sturdy as new!  And that got him to thinking .... this would be a great thing to have when the SHTF.  Just think of all the uses ... tools could be repaired; it could provide a barrier for busted water pipes; it's a heat wrap for up to 850 degrees.

     Let's face it ... all kinds of implements and materials will become more valuable when it is TEOTWAWKI-time.  We won't be throwing anything away, and any means by which we can repair broken items could literally be a life-saver.  Just think of all the possibilities .... tent poles, shovels, ax handles, furniture ... the list is endless.
     The product is comprised of a special waterproof resin, and has the added benefit of being heat, cold, and impact resistant.  Which got PLW to thinking .... since it appears to be made like a fiberglass cast, and must be soaked in water before applying, he wondered if it couldn't be used in an emergency to help form a cast for a broken arm or leg.  Of course, it would need to be investigated further to make sure there were no side-effects from accidental contact with your skin.  But, from all appearances, this product is ideal for any number of survival applications.  You can even buy it in a combo pack of various sizes.  It is advertised as 100 times the strength of duct tape, and I have a feeing it will become a staple among Prepper inventories.

     So, there you have it ... just a few things to add to your Survival storehouse.  I am happy to recommend all three, having used and approved them all in our household.  You can never have enough options, can you?  It's a good idea to educate yourself on how to endure until the day our Savior returns, and you never know when you might be able to use them in your service to others.
Give them a try!

Ezekiel 38:7   "Be ready and keep ready, you and all your hosts that are assembled about you, and be a guard for them."