The Human Spirit Will Prevail

     They cannot defeat us.  As I have recently mentioned, there are so many headlines pointing to the disintegration of peace on earth, the sanctity of human life, and a technological future that defies my understanding.  All the events taking place today are designed to undermine our faith in God and in each other.  But today, I'm going to share some uplifting stories.  They will prove that no matter what darkness Evil wishes to impart upon the world, the part of us that is connected to our Creator will always shine His light into the shadows.  These stories are of simple acts of kindness; stories that are sincere examples of the "fruit of the Spirit" ... and yes, evidence of the Holy Spirit working in the lives of 21st Century Christians is still evident.  Enjoy these testimonies and celebrate!

     From WTVR, Virginia:  The weather has hovered around 16 degrees in Nottoway County, Virginia for the last few days, and the snow has been piling up, with more expected in the coming week.  Teresa Adams was driving her son, Tommy, to high school where he is a Senior, when he suddenly asked her to stop the car.  At first she was frightened, not knowing what was going on or what he had seen.  It happened to be an elderly gentleman who was out in the snow, with his walker, trying to clear the piles of snow from his driveway that had been deposited by a county snowplow.
     Tommy asked the elderly man to give him the snow shovel and he proceeded to spend the next 15 minutes shoveling the deep snow from his driveway.  “He said ‘God bless you, the world needs more people like you,'” Tommy recalled.  But Tommy's motivation was simple:  he saw a need and reached out to help.  “I try to do good for the elderly because one day I may need help, too,” he said.
     In this age, most kids Tommy's age are glued to their cell phones, and they are not cognizant of anything that does not impact their immediate domain.  But Tommy's simple act of kindness speaks volumes; it suggests that our human spirits still respond to the needs of others.  How proud Mrs. Adams must be of her son!

     From WTHR, Bloomington, Indiana:  This is a story of an elderly woman, Caroline Senour, who was literally stuck in her home due to the heavy snows and below-freezing weather.  She felt physically trapped in her small apartment; the 80-year-old has a history of falls and feared that venturing outside her apartment on the icy sidewalks to get to her snow-covered car presented a clear danger to her health.  The trouble is, she was beginning to run out of her store of food.
     Then came the knock on the door.  Andy Scherle, the property manager at Woodbridge Apartments, has a heart for caring about his elderly tenants.  He made a huge pot of chili and enlisted the aid of the apartment complex housekeeping staff to check on the elderly and deliver them bowls of the hot chili.  "I like to check up on them and see how they're doing, especially when it gets this cold," Scherle said. "I don't want to wait for a health check from family members if we can be the ones to go check first. Showing up at their front door, putting a smile on their face, it lets them know you actually do care and you're not there just to collect rent and see them on the first."
     The simple act of kindness was not lost on Caroline.  "It almost brought tears to my eyes," she said. "I was just so surprised at the generosity and thoughtfulness. It feels like you're not stuck here and you're not all alone. You just don't see that quite often, do you?"  No, Caroline, you don't.  But it is more evidence that the spirits of human beings have not been completely desensitized by the culture, and our elderly are still honored and respected.  Good job, Andy Scherle!

     Finally, From WKMG, St. Cloud, Florida:  Glenn Buratti is a 6-year-old little boy with Autism.  It was his birthday and his mother had invited all 16 of his classmates to his birthday party -- but no one showed up.  "To see the look on his face killed me inside," said his mother, Ashlee Buratti.  Glenn was so devastated that no one was coming to his party that he refused to smile.  Her heart breaking, Ashlee wrote a post on her Facebook page, describing how much it hurt to see her son so disappointed.  What happened next shows that the human race is still ... well, human.
      Almost immediately, strangers began arriving with their children and gifts.  The Osceloa County Sheriff's department saw Ashlee's Facebook post and dispatched their helicopter to do a fly-over of Glenn's impromptu party.  The deputies also pooled their money and bought the little boy birthday gifts.  As for the heartsick mother, she says the response from her one post on Facebook has almost been overwhelming, but has restored her faith in a higher power and the human spirit.  "The amazingness of everybody coming together for someone that they didn't even know," she said. "A kid that didn't have anybody come to his birthday party ... It warmed my heart."

     Now, these stories are not earth-shattering, nor are they likely to change the course of our human nature.  I am not trying to present a rosy picture of life or lessen the technological threat about which I will continue to warn you.  I truly feel that the rapid advancement and integration of computers into our lives has served to isolate us and detach our feelings from our fellow man; and where we are headed truly frightens me.
     But I wanted to relate these human stories to show that no matter how "technologically advanced" or "unified" we become with our computerized culture, our spirits are made to respond to each other's needs.  That's the part of Himself that God implanted in our DNA when He created us.  The futurists can try to deny that concept as they forge ahead with their plans, but anytime that a human being recognizes the needs of another, he is showing us a picture of God -- something that no computerized being can replicate.  Yes, it may only be a shovelful of snow, a bowl of chili, or wishing a little boy "Happy Birthday" --  but I hope these stories put a smile on your face.  The world needs a little picture of kindness, don't you think?

Micah 6:8   "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

The Terasem Movement, Second Life & The Rise of the New Nephilim

     Are you ready to go down some rabbit holes with me?  I often come across alarming headlines, but I have never encountered one which took me so deep into evil territory.  It read like it was science fiction, but I promise you the devil is in the details.  In fact, it was so incredible that, at first, I couldn't conceive that what I was reading was true ... could these things really be happening upon the earth, and how have we come so far towards something whose goal is to destroy mankind, as created by God?  So, with that warning, are you willing to look into the darkness that is pervading our world?  It's a journey that will shock your soul.
     It began with a headline that read, Transhumanists In The Satanic Temple Admit They Are Part Of Plot To “Technoprogressively” Replace God-Created Humans.  In case you are unaware of what the term "Transhumanist" means, here is the official definition:  Transhumanism (abbreviated as H+ or h+) is an international cultural and intellectual movement with an eventual goal of fundamentally transforming the human condition by developing and making widely available technologies to greatly enhance human intellectual, physical, and psychological capacities.  It is essential that you read between the lines ... using technology to "greatly enhance" and "transform" the human condition is code language for merging humans and computers; creating cyborgs or hybrid human/computers, if you will.
     Now that we know what we're dealing with, let's go back to the original article on The Satanic Temple and their affiliation with Tranhumanists.  The link to the full article took me to a website called Institute for Ethics & Emerging Technologies, and introduced me to the author, a self-proclaimed atheist, who says he is "like many other Transhumanists."  In claiming his atheism, he also made a statement that raised the hair on the back of my neck.  Although acknowledging that he is not a religious person, he says he recognizes "the importance of unity that the Transhumanist movement is providing with the religious community"; even to the point of naming such co-opted Transhumanist-oriented religious organizations  as the Mormon Transhumanist Association, the Christian Transhumanist Association,  and Terasem, among others.  (I will return to who or what "Terasem" is later in this article).
     The author further reveals that one of the goals of Transhumanists is to unite with the religious community in "a fight for equality and social justice".  We've heard those words used often in political vernacular, but the philosophy goes far beyond that to an arena these people call "Technoprogressivism".  Just what is that?  Here is their definition:  "Technoprogressives support the rights of persons to either maintain or modify his or her own mind and body, on his or her own terms, through informed, consensual recourse to -- or refusal of -- available therapeutic or enabling biomedical technology."  Let me put that into simple-to-understand terms ... it involves integrating computers with the human body, and converging technology with "democratic social change".
     In case you're thinking that the Church and social change are incompatible with technology, consider this:  how many of our churches have corrupted Jesus's message of "social justice" to fit their political motives?  And how many of our churches have incorporated the latest technological advances to keep their audience entertained?  And now these Transhumanist organizations are co-opting the Bible's message of "transformation" to form their own "religion", and try to convince us that Christianity IS Transhumanism!  Don't believe me?  Here's a few statements from an article written on their website:

•  It’s not just that [Christianity and Transhumanism] are compatible. Christianity is a distinctly transhumanist viewpoint that sprung up in the first century, and set out to reshape both the world and human nature.
•  Transhumanism…affirms the possibility and desirability of fundamentally transforming the human condition…to greatly enhance human intellectual, physical, and psychological capacities.  This is the philosophical core of transhumanism, and the fundamental core of the biblical story – a narrative which from back to front is an expression of the idea of human identity as perpetually fluid and self-transcendent.
•  In Christianity, our transformation is fueled by God. In transhumanism, we desire to transform ourselves ... Grace is the thing which enables us, which empowers us to do what is needed ... But this grace wasn’t given us so that we would stagnate, refusing to act ... this grace was given us so that we would act, and in acting, contribute something to others, a further grace for the broadening of possibility and the future.
•  In Jesus we see the unification of the human and the divine, the embrace of both our physicality and our limitlessness. Jesus shows us that our world is not to be abandoned, but transformed; that life is not futile, but full of hope. In his bodily existence, he affirms our science, our technology, our medicine, our present reality and our future potential.  And so every end in Christianity is the end of boundaries, the end of constraints, the end of limitations. Every end is a possibility, drawing us past the hopelessness of short-term thinking, past the mentality of current limits, and toward the eternal rise of life, compassion, and progress.  This is Christianity, and this is Transhumanism.  (You might be interested to know that the writer of the article describes himself as "a preacher's kid", a rock musician, and a developer of software who writes about the intersection of human values and technology.)
     Take note that what you have just read is a rather benign and "soft sell" approach to convince Christians to embrace a new and "technologically advanced" future; one in which God may not play as important a role in living eternally.  But I now want to take you one more level down the rabbit hole ... and it is called The Terasem Movement.  Remember that I told you The Satanic Temple has integrated itself into this organization.  And here, in unrestrained language is what they promote:  1)   a conscious analog of a person may be created by combining sufficiently detailed data about the person (a “mindfile”) using future consciousness software (“mindware”), and 2)  that such a conscious analog can be downloaded into a biological or nanotechnological body to provide life experiences comparable to those of a typically birthed human.
     They don't even hide their intentions: "One of the more controversial ideas of transhumanism is the notion of mind uploading where the essence of a person, their mind, would be transferred to a computer. A related but less ambitious project is constructing a simulated “second self” or mind-clone to continue your personality, work and relationships after death."   In other words, they are creating clones who have human minds downloaded into them; a virtual "you" that will live forever!
      Can you see how Satan is in the background of Transhumanism and these various movements and organizations; convincing people -- even those who call themselves Christians! -- that technology can take us places we've never been.  They are convincing us that we can create our own eternal life; we don't need Jesus or God.  Satan has even been able to convince the world that he offers a new and exciting "religion"!   (For a truly frightening picture of the Terasem "world" and its implications -- from "Second Life", to android clones, to its adoption as a "religious denomination" -- read this!)
      Are you getting the picture?  Each link takes you down a deeper and darker path.  The attack against the Body of Christ is coming from so many directions!  On one front, they try to equate Christianity (which is founded on believing that Jesus is the Son of God who died for our sins; that He was buried and resurrected; that He offers us Salvation and Eternal Life) with "a cultural and intellectual movement" that wants to transform humans by integrating them with computer parts! How dare they compare my faith in the Lord with their godless and "false religion"!!!

     And just because The Satanic Temple has been able to get themselves legally declared as an "organized religion" and produced some official sounding tenets, does not put it on equal footing with Christ's Church.  It is simply the same deception the devil has proffered throughout time.  It is no different than the "fallen angel technology" that was offered to build the Tower of Babel; or that was used to build the Great Pyramids.  And it is the same old counterfeit lies that Satan told Eve in Genesis 3:  "You will live forever...  You will be like God (or your own god in today's language)...  You will have all knowledge."    The Satanic Temple, Transhumanists, the Terasem Movement, and other false belief systems say they are fighting "religious injustice" and their goals parallel other religious movements that are seeking justice, equality, freedom, and a brighter, more optimistic future.
     Once again, Satan has managed to lure mankind through his inherent selfishness and arrogance.  Once again, we are being tempted to believe we can be greater than God, and we don't need His saving Grace.  The question is this ... Will God rescue mankind once again?  Or is this the last rejection and rebellion that God will allow?  You will recall the time in the Bible when God's original creation of man was corrupted, and it resulted in The Flood.  How arrogant of men to challenge God again!  If we continue to listen to Satan's whispers and proceed down this path towards creating our own immortality, it will surely lead to Damnation.
     I have pulled back the curtain and showed you what is coming.  Do not be lulled into thinking that these movements are too extreme to ever be accepted by the Body of Christ.  They start innocuously, and appear as harmless and innocent theories; but no one can deny that technology has overtaken our culture and is invading every facet.  Please strengthen your faith and educate your fellow Christians.  If you see signs of any of this in your Church, shine the light of Jesus upon it and expose it!  It is coming faster than any of us can imagine.

I wish I had the time to comment on all the disturbing places that my research took me.  Each link led to a more frightening connection.  In order to gain a fuller knowledge and understanding of this underworld that is spawned by such culturally acceptable icons as Ray Kurzweil and his Singularity movement, I urge you to follow all the links I have provided.  Do your own research and let me know what you think.

2 Corinthians 11:3    "But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ."

   

It's All About The Lie

      Want to understand why the world is in such an awful state?  It's all about the lies.  According to author and political activist, David Horowitz, the radicals within our government institutions have followed Saul Alinsky's Rules For Radicals quite well.  Horowitz should know.  His parents were members of the American Communist Party, and he, himself, was an outspoken adherent of the "New Left" in the 1960's; working to agitate for class struggle, even to the point of becoming closely involved with the Black Panther Party.

     So when he says the Alinskyites seek a "utopia" on earth where social justice and equality for all is to be achieved at all costs, he has the credentials to back up his opinion.  In fact, he is quoted in his writings as saying, "If the radicals' utopia were actually possible, it would be criminal not to deceive, lie, and murder to advance the radical cause which is, in effect, a redemption of mankind. If it were possible to provide every man, woman, and child on the planet with food, shelter and clothing as a right, if it were possible to end bigotry and human conflict, what sacrifice would not be worth it?" 

      And while we're talking about Saul Alinsky, just read the dedication he wrote for his notorious book:  "Lest we forget at least an over-the-shoulder acknowledgment to the very first radical: from all our legends, mythology, and history (and who is to know where mythology leaves off and history begins — or which is which), the first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom — Lucifer."  How fitting.  The mentor to so many of our political leaders pays homage to the Father of Lies!

      And we cannot consider the effect of lies on the state of the world without taking a look at Islamic Law:  Reliance of the Traveler (p. 746 - 8.2) -  "Speaking is a means to achieve objectives. If a praiseworthy aim is attainable through both telling the truth and lying, it is unlawful to accomplish through lying because there is no need for it.  When it is possible to achieve such an aim by lying but not by telling the truth, it is permissible to lie if attaining the goal is permissible (N:i.e. when the purpose of lying is to circumvent someone who is preventing one from doing something permissible), and obligatory to lie if the goal is obligatory... it is religiously precautionary in all cases to employ words that give a misleading impression ... (One should compare the bad consequences entailed by lying to those entailed by telling the truth, and if the consequences of telling the truth are more damaging, one is entitled to lie.)  The two forms of acceptable lying are Taqiyya - Saying something that isn't true, and Kitman - Lying by omission.

     One cannot deny that the inherited freedoms of our nation have suffered due to the amoral principles of the radicals in politics.  And it is equally apparent that the ideology of radical jihadists is contributing to widespread terror across the world.  Now compare what the Lord Jehovah has to say on the subject:  There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.  Could there be any greater dissimilarities between these three belief systems?  In fact, the Bible says it is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18).

     Furthermore, God is the source of Truth, and His Son, Jesus, called Himself the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), and He expects those who follow Him to be people of truth.  Just think of how much destruction has come upon the world since that first lie was told to Eve in the Garden.  Nothing good has ever come from a lie told in order to deceive for wicked purposes.  Our current reality finds us reaping the consequences of generations of lies from the one whose very nature is false; the one whose lies will be his undoing.  Call on the Lord who is Truth; whose Word will set you free, and whose righteous rule will endure forever.   

John 8:44    "You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

     

   

God, Evil and Supernatural Power

   

     There is so much rattling around in my head today!  The news media reports the diabolical beheadings of Coptic Christians in Egypt and the escalation of attacks on European Jews, and it appears as if there is no good news on earth, when it comes to our shared faith.  All we see is what is happening before our eyes -- or what we are allowed to see by those who control the media -- and we try to make sense of it according to our Western definition of civility, morality and justice.  Christians in the Middle East endure, suffer for the Faith, and pray for deliverance.
     Meanwhile, I receive an uplifting comment on yesterday's post from a reader who informs us that "Last night at church we had a pastor who has also been a missionary in Egypt tell us about the great number of Muslims who have been converting to Christianity. He said that we won't see this on Fox News -- but that it is huge. They are having visions and dreams and seeing Jesus.  [This is fulfillment of prophecy.]  He said that there are billboards [in the Middle East] that ask Has a white man appeared to you in a dream? Call --- --- ----.  He also said that the behavior of ISIS is also driving many Muslims to Christ."  The commenter then follows up his statement by reporting that Egyptian pastors have visited the church in recent months, confirming these conversions.
     I will admit that I find it curious that Jesus would appear as a white man, since He was a Jew of the tribe of Judah; most likely Middle Eastern in appearance.  But I am not privy to the knowledge of how He chooses to show Himself to others; and it doesn't really matter, does it?  My point is that I have also heard of these conversions through other missionary sources, and it validates what an awesome God we serve, and just how supernatural is this thing we call "faith".
     Those of us of the Western Church, and I think especially American Christians, fail to understand just how our God works through supernatural means.  Think about it ... we say that the Bible was supernaturally "breathed" into the spirits of men, who wrote it down for the ages.  But do we really know what that looks like?
     The Holy Book is full of supernatural accounts ... not only the appearance of our God, who lived among us as a perfect human being, but other angels appearing to mortal men; "Joshua's Long Day", when the sun actually stood still; Manna falling from heaven to feed the Israelites while they wandered the wilderness; God's appearance in pillars of fire by night, and a cloud by day; Mary's virgin birth; turning water into wine; the casting out of demons, miraculous healings, and the raising of the dead ... I could go on and on.
     But many in our Western culture do not believe these accounts to mean exactly what they say; they prefer to view them as allegories or parables, or worse yet, folk or fairy tales.  And, even those who believe the Bible to be true in every word  may not comprehend the full significance of these events.  As Americans, we do not seem to be able to look beyond the three dimensions of this finite world we've constructed for ourselves.  We cannot perceive of the multiple dimensions that the God of the Universe has created, nor of the manifestation of events or beings which can be attributed to some force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature.  In other words, our Western minds tend to want to explain things by putting them in tight, little boxes that are constrained by Science and Logic.  But centuries of written accounts by ancient peoples have shown us that supernatural events have occurred throughout the history of man.
     I am merely concerned that American Christians face a difficult time in the near future, if they are unable (or unwilling) to suspend their restricted sense of reality.  We need to understand that the horrific things that are happening upon the earth are being controlled and manipulated in supernatural ways.  We need to open our minds to exactly what the Apostle Paul is saying in Ephesians 6:12 ... For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
     Do you get what he is telling us here?  This is not some ecclesiastical statement that is meant to sound lofty and exalt Paul as some super-Christian!  And the rulers and authorities he speaks of are not leaders of nations on this earth.  He is telling us in plain English what we are up against in this life ... powers and spiritual forces of evil that reside in heavenly realms!  That means supernatural agents of the Devil that aren't defined by the limitations of flesh and blood bodies.  They are able to move in and out of different dimensions; they are not limited by length or height or breadth or depth.  And they are not contained on this earth; they have access to another dimension that lies between our earth and the throne room of God.
     Remember that the Bible refers to three heavens; our sky and atmosphere is the first heaven (Genesis 1:14).  The second heaven is beyond our atmosphere and where the sun, moon and stars exist (Jeremiah 8:2).  This is also where spiritual warfare occurs (the spiritual forces of evil that Paul refers to in Ephesians 6:12), and where Daniel was told that the Archangel Michael was fighting the Prince of Persia (Daniel 10:13).  Satan is the Prince and Power of the Air in this second heaven, and he is allowed access to our realm.  The third heaven is the dwelling place of the Most High and the angels of God; it is the unique realm of God and the highest of heavens.
     So are Western Believers able to conceive of just how big that makes our God, and the territories in which we must exhibit our faith?  Can we grasp that the atrocities we are witnessing throughout the world against the Chosen People of God and Christians, ("the grafted-in ones"), is an extension of activity and spiritual forces beyond our earthly dimension; and that it is being conducted in a supernatural way?  There is more going on than what appears before our eyes, or that can be explained through rational or logical thought.  That's why we can make no earthly sense of what is happening -- because the force behind it is not of this earth!

     Just open you mind to this bigger concept ... What do you think the Biblical account of the Tower of Babel is really all about?  It was a tower built to reach that next dimension beyond earth; to tap into the power and spiritual forces that resided in that second heaven.  Mankind opened a gate to the next level of heavenly realms; tempted by the same spirit of evil that tried to convince Adam and Eve that they could gain knowledge to become like God.  A portal was opened and man gained access to that second heaven and the spiritual forces of evil -- Satan and his fallen angels.  What was the result?  "God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways" (Genesis 6:12).
     I am inclined to think that portals have been opened to that second heaven and man is once again attempting to "be like God" through his exploits in artificial intelligence, transhumanism, and microchipping of humans.  Once again, the opening of portals have also allowed the spiritual forces of evil to interact with Godless men, and victimize those who follow YHWH.  That is what we are seeing in the actions of ISIS and the growing persecution of Christians.  I believe we are entering a new age of martyrs.  And could it be also be why there is a fascination with the declassification of the Roswell files, and our growing obsession with Extraterrestrial Beings and the Ancient Aliens from outer space?  Do ancient drawings and archeological findings prove that these beings may have traveled between dimensions and heavenly realms thousands of years ago?
     The sightings of space ships, and tales of creatures from outer space who abduct humans have been on the rise in recent years.  They may all be speculative and unproven by our human standards.  But we cannot ignore the Apostle Paul's clear warnings; or the proliferation of evil acts against Believers; and especially the increase of dreams and visions of Jesus.  As Americans, Christian or not, we must come to terms with the fact that we are fighting supernatural forces and a supernatural enemy.  But I would highly recommend that you ask Jesus to supernaturally enter your heart and accept Him as your Savior.  Accept His Power that is in you, and receive His strength.  It's the only chance you have to conquer the Enemy among us.

Ephesians 1:19    "And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength,"


   

   

The Jews: Targeted Again

     When will the world admit that European Jews are the object of extermination?  Again, within a month, Islamic terrorism has claimed the lives of innocent Jews; this time in Denmark at a cafe and outside a synagogue in Copenhagen.  And it's beginning to sound like a lame excuse to lay the blame on "lone wolf" jihadists.  What is Europe's fear in being honest about the widespread ideology that has targeted those of Jewish descent across the continent?  By ignoring the blatant hatred of the Jewish people, do heads of state think they can mollify the terrorists and diminish the number of attacks?  And how long is the world going to tolerate such an inaccurate theory?  The fact is, anti-semitism is on the rise and it is no longer limited to just words against the Jews.
     Would it surprise you to know that rather than face terrorism charges, Danish jihadis who return to the European country from Syria are offered rehabilitation?  And would you find it astonishing to know that more Danes travelled to Syria last year, per head of population, than any other European country except from Belgium?

Flowers line the street outside the Copenhagen synagogue.

     Do you agree that these are random attacks, and it is merely coincidental that Jews are the victims?  Or do you agree with the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, who says, "Again, Jews were murdered on European soil just because they were Jews?"
     So, let's say we agree with the less offensive first assumption -- that it's all just a sad coincidence; that Jews are dead due to the "random" and irrational attacks of a few lone gunmen.  What is Europe doing to make sure another Jew does not become another arbitrary statistic?
     I will admit that Europe has a checkered past in regards to their estimation of the Jews over the last 100-plus years.  For instance, from the beginning of the Twentieth Century, Europe has been suspicious of the dominance in the world economic (or banking) system of Jews like the Rothschild family.  There have long been implications of the control of worldwide financial activity, fanning the flames of World Wars, and an agenda to destroy the power and influence of the Christian Church -- all for the sake of world dominance.  These theories are not without substantial merit.  But is this reason enough to warrant a century of suspicion and hatred of ALL Jews?  Satan has been successful in infiltrating the Jewish line, but as the Bible tells us, God always retains a faithful remnant unto Himself.
     Thus, the 20th Century saw the deaths of millions of innocent Jews in the pogroms (massacres) of Russia and the Holocaust in Nazi Germany.  Now, in the 21st Century, instead of being embraced as part of the European trend towards multi-ethnic and multi-faith communities, the Jews are isolated and segregated, just as they were prior to WWII.
     The truth is, the establishment of their own nation in their historic homeland -- to which millions of Jews have returned since the Holocaust -- did nothing to assuage the hatred or the hostility towards the Jewish people.  If anything, it intensified the enmity.  The creation of the nation of Israel somehow gave cause to label all European Jews as "Zionist Imperialists".  The continued economic crises in 21st Century Europe have given rise to the old associations of Jews and financial control/exploitation; the same bias that ignited Nazi Germany.  Together, with the rise of the Muslim population in Europe, who view the Jews from the 21st Century perspective of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, you have a two-pronged attack against European Jews.  It becomes apparent that both anti-semitism and anti-Zionism fuel the perception of Jews in modern Europe.
     So will Europe be able to stem the tide of Jewish murders and persecution?  Or is this just a precursor to Isaiah's 2700-year-old prophecy that God would draw His people back to their homeland from the north, south, east and west.  Jesus, Himself, in speaking to the Jews, promises wars and rumors of wars; and that "you will be hated (despised) by everyone because [you bear] My name and for its sake."  Remember, that Jesus was a descendant of the tribe of Judah by his lineage, and He very clearly states in this passage that Jews will be persecuted and despised.  But Jesus also gives a quick little prophecy about a fig tree that "puts forth its buds and comes out in leaf".  Is He prophesying the re-emergence of the nation of Israel?  Is this a reconstitution of ancient Israel, growing and putting out shoots after a period of dormancy?
      And what does the Lord's statement mean in the following verse, when He says that when you see this happening, know that the Kingdom of God is at hand?  Could it be that this is just a Cosmic Chess Match, as submitted by author L.A. Marzulli, and the persecution of the Jews today is just an ongoing effort by Satan to try to stay one move ahead of God's plan to redeem the world through His Son, the Jewish Messiah?  If so, the words of Prime Minister Netanyahu would seem prophetic in themselves:  "This wave of attacks is expected to continue, as well as murderous anti-Semitic attacks. Jews deserve security in every country, but we say to our Jewish brothers and sisters, Israel is your home."
     At this time, Denmark and Europe seem to want to categorize the latest murders as an attack on the freedom of expression and free speech.  Satan has been clever in deceiving the world into falling for a false narrative.  But those of us who see clearly know that we are edging closer to the precipice.  The chess match is coming to a close, and neither player is willing to resign from the game or allow it to conclude with a draw.  But here's the deal:  we know Who the winner is; we know which King will run out of plays and be captured and thrown into the abyss.  You see, a Kingdom is the place where the King resides, and the Prince of this world will soon abdicate his position of power and the Kingdom of God will truly reign on the earth!  And the world will despair of how they treated the House of Judah.  Europe and the world ... take notice!

Click here for a report on the Copenhagen, Denmark shootings as reported by the U.K.'s Daily Mail.

Luke 21:28-32     "Now when these things begin to occur, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption (deliverance) is drawing near. And He told them a parable: Look at the fig tree and all the trees; When they put forth their buds and come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and perceive and know that summer is already near.  Even so, when you see these things taking place, understand and know that the kingdom of God is at hand.  Truly I tell you, this generation those living at that definite period of time) will not perish and pass away until all has taken place."

1 Samuel 28:14

He said to her [the witch of Endor], "In what form is he?" 

And she said, "An old man comes up, covered with a mantle".  And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground and made obeisance.

     The purpose of today's post is a little different than in past Sundays; I want to show you how we in the Western world can sometimes miss the meaning of Scipture ... but first a little background. Saul has lost his favor with God, and is desperately trying to cling to his throne as King of Israel.  He has chased after David in hopes of defeating and killing his rival.  In the meantime, the prophet Samuel has died, and along with him Saul's connection to the Lord.  The fading king attempts to seek the Lord's direction, but God no longer answers him, "neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets" (1 Samuel 28:4).

     The mention of Urim, refers us to the elements on the breastplate of judgment worn by Aaron, as Chief Priest (Exodus 28).  Urim was the Light of God, and Thummin was the Perfection of God.  Together they evoked the Divine Counsel of God.  When Aaron consulted God about a matter before the people, God would make Himself known to Aaron.  As 1 Samuel 28:4 tells us, God did not extend advice to Saul because he no longer had the Light (Urim) of God shining on him and could not call upon the Divine Counsel of God.  

     Saul is deprived of God's counsel and that of Samuel, the prophet.  So, what does he do?  He asks his servants to find him the Witch of Endor, a medium who could summon spirits.  He disguises himself and goes to see her.  And who does he want her to call up? Samuel, his trusted prophet and advisor.  The witch calls up the spirit, and she apparently recognizes Samuel, and then realizes that it is King Saul who has deceived her; the very king who had "cut off" the mediums and wizards from the land.  She fears for her life, but Saul assures her she will not be punished, and then asks the witch to describe Samuel.  We have now arrived at our selected verse and the object of this post.

     What are we to make of this verse and those that surround it in Scripture?  Could it really be Samuel, God's prophet that has "come up"; that has appeared as a "ghost" or "spirit"?  For hundreds of years many in the Christian Church have understood this passage to indicate that it was not Samuel who actually appeared, but a demonic spirit.  This is due to our Western mindset and our interpretation of the Bible from a Western context. 

     In that vein, here is how the Modern Church interprets this series of events in 1 Samuel, Chapter 28 .... God permitted the devil to put on the shape of Samuel.  Saul, who no longer received the love of God's Truth, was given up to a strong delusion and a lie.  The Church will say, "Why did he not realize that Samuel, a man of God, would not have come up out of the earth, but would rather have come down from heaven?  Therefore this has to be an evil spirit!  But instead of humbling himself and repenting before God, Saul seeks the spirits of the dead and the devil; so God gave him over to deception.  The spirit also reveals that because the Lord has departed from Saul, God will hand him over to death the next day at the hand of the Philistines.  

     Now, I would like to offer another interpretation of this event.  For the last few years, I have grown into a different understanding of the Bible than that of the mainstream Church.  Our Bible speaks to all believers and followers of Jesus Christ, but God breathed the inspiration for His Book into the minds and hearts of Hebrew and Greek men.  The Bible must be interpreted from a Middle Eastern viewpoint... it is a Middle Eastern book.  Therefore, we have to look through Hebrew eyes to gain clear understanding of God's intentions.

     So, here is how the nation of Israel and Hebrews would interpret this Scripture .... The spirit who appears to Saul is actually the real Samuel, who has been residing down in Sheol since his death.  This is where all the dead resided at that time because, remember, Jesus has not yet come, been crucified, and descended into Sheoul to take the captives with Him to heaven (See Ephesians 4:8-10, and Psalm 68:18).  Before Christ's ascension, the spirits of all the dead were waiting in Abraham's bosom (Sheol) to be redeemed.  Christ did that as explained in 1 Peter 3:18-20.

     Furthermore, when the spirit of Samuel predicts Saul's death the next day, the Hebrew mind discerns that the spirit could only have known that information if God had sent him.  God would not send an evil spirit with His information; therefore this spirit who claims to be Samuel is actually God's prophet.  Also, the Hebrew mind knows that this could not be an evil spirit sent by the devil, because Satan does not have access to God's plans.  He is limited in his knowledge of God's strategy, and would not be able to correctly predict Saul's death.  

     But the Western Church was too uncomfortable with the idea of Sheol, or the underworld of the dead, and they had to explain this appearance of Samuel as an act of an evil spirit.  But if you let Scripture say what it really says, you can see the Truth right there on the page. 

     I can't tell you how blessed I have been to re-read my Bible from the context of a Hebraic and Middle Eastern context.  It has opened up my understanding to new heights.  Passages that have been confusing and cloudy, and didn't make sense to my Western mind, suddenly come alive in the light of a Hebrew perception.  Praise God, for His unceasing revelation of Himself through His Word!

Warning: Your Child's Education Is Under Attack!

     I have been shouting from the rooftops for nearly two years now that there is a threat to our national education system in the form of academic standards known as Common Core.  I know that the difficult economic issues in our country have us all scrambling to make ends meet, but I implore parents to take the time and pay attention to the homework being foisted upon your children.

     One father in Seminole County, Florida, was dismayed to find a text message on his 10th-grade son's phone from his History teacher, in which the teacher sent "a reminder to complete his prayer rug assignment and study an assigned packet on Islam."  Now, this assignment was part of a class on World History, so you might think that it is appropriate to present information on Islam, the world's second largest religion with a following of over one billion people—one-fifth of humanity.
      But how do you feel when you discover that the pages in that same history book that provided instruction on Christianity and Judaism had been removed?  How do you feel about the fact that the study of the Five Pillars of Islam was mandatory in that class?  The father also claimed that students were told to “recite this prayer as the first Pillar of Islam, off of the board at the teacher’s instruction.”
     I do not have a problem with students in high school studying the impact of different religions on the events in world history.  After all, religion has played a huge part in all the major wars throughout time.  But when it becomes part of a high school curriculum to involve the students in the practices of one religion and in reciting the tenets of one religion -- to the exclusion of other major religions -- then that becomes a matter of indoctrination, in my book.
     However, if parents are unaware of what's being included in their children's assignments -- and what is being ignored or purposely excluded -- that indoctrination and propagandizing is tantamount to re-education of our children.  But that's not how the Executive Director of Seminole County High School Administration, Dr. Michael Blasewitz, sees it:  "... the Pillars of Islam are benchmarks (a standard, criteria) in the state curriculum", and "If anything, [the curriculum] is a little imbalanced toward Christianity and Judaism."

     If that statement doesn't show you the direction in which our kids' education is going, consider this statement by the Florida branch of the Council on American-Islamic Affairs (CAIR):  "In a diverse society, young people should be taught about a wide variety of beliefs, cultures and faiths, and particularly about a faith practiced by millions of Americans and more than one fifth of the world's population.  Denying all students access to vital information based on the biased political or religious agenda of Islam phobic groups or a handful of misinformed parents does a disservice to our school system, our state and our nation. History is not kind to those who censor information or ban books."
     So, where's the "wide variety", when entire sections on Christianity and Judaism are removed from school textbooks?  Why don't they talk about the Christian-phobic groups?  And I don't know if that last statement was a veiled threat or not, but suffice it to say that they have set their sights on changing our education system and influencing our kids -- and much of their activity is done through the auspices of Common Core, and without parents' knowledge or consent.  You must get involved in your children's education!
     And lest you think that there is not a war on Christianity in our nation's schools, a high school in Nassau County, Florida (Florida seems to be ground zero for the attack on our schools) was warned about a student who, selected to read the morning announcements over the loudspeaker system, chose to end his recitation with "God bless America, keep us safe."
     This time it is a Humanist/Atheist organization that is complaining "that allowing the statement favors 'God-belief' and 'validates a theistic worldview' that alienates atheists and non-believers."  Why aren't they complaining about the "theistic worldview" being presented in 10th-grade World History classes in Seminole County?  Does anybody else see a glaring bias against the Christian faith?
     I can't help but believe that both the atheists and CAIR do not want students in World History classes -- or any classes -- to understand that the United States was founded by Christian believers, and became a haven for religious freedom for all faiths... that would not suit either of their agendas.  Dr. Blazewitz may promote Islam as a benchmark of his curriculum, but I will declare Christianity as the bedrock of this nation.  And, parents, if you want your children to have any chance of enjoying the America you grew up in, you better start getting yourself elected to school boards and supervising your child's education.
      I will leave you with these thoughts from Benjamin Rush, known as SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; SURGEON GENERAL OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; “FATHER OF AMERICAN MEDICINE”; TREASURER OF THE U. S. MINT; “FATHER OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION”: "The great enemy of the salvation of man, in my opinion, never invented a more effective means of limiting Christianity from the world than by persuading mankind that it was improper to read the Bible at schools."

Click here for WFTV's report on the Seminole County, Florida Common Core curriculum. 

Click here for interview with concerned father of Florida student.  

Click here for story on atheist's protest over "God Bless America".

2 Timothy 3:16-17   "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."

What Happened To America's Pride?

     The word "PRIDE" is defined as "a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired; the consciousness of one's own dignity."  In this sense, "pride" is a good thing; it insinuates a common theme of respect, esteem, and worthiness.

     Do you remember when our country and countrymen used to be proud of who we were; that our traditions and institutions were worthy of honor and respect?  When what we stood for, and our appearance, mattered?
     Maybe I'm just too old, but I remember store owners sweeping out front of their entrances; streets and roadways clean of litter; and community parks and byways mowed and manicured.  I remember when it was a matter of pride to be selected to raise and lower the flag in the school courtyard; when people dressed up to worship in God's House; and when immorality was not tolerated in our public officials.
     I don't know about where you live, but gang graffiti is written across every bridge overpass and on the sides of every train car.  Unsightly litter is strewn everywhere; the streets of my little rural town have potholes you could swim in; and the right-of-ways have weeds and grass growing to your knees.
     Even big metropolitan cities are pictures of "urban decay"... both spiritual and physical.  Flags in front of Federal buildings are often faded, tattered and torn.  The trendy, popular mega-churches are filled with worshippers dressed in t-shirts and flip-flops; or they look as if they just threw on last night's party clothes.  And the immorality that is tolerated!  It seems that moral standards and principles of behavior no longer apply --- from the pastors of our Churches; to the administrators of our Schools; to the bureaucrats elected to represent us and oversee justice in the land.
     I know that there are those who would say those are old-fashioned and intolerant opinions.  That we have "progressed" to a more open and permissive society; one that allows for "relativity" and "diversity" in our shared communities.  They would tell us that we have evolved from a White, Protestant culture to a multi-colored, multi-cultured society; therefore, there is no longer a set of absolute standards or the need (or desire) for a universal pattern to follow.  
     I agree that we have been enriched from the ever-changing dynamics of the American population.  I believe that God designed this nation to be the melting pot of all those He created; that the blessings of this nation have grown as we adopted the noble and worthy attributes of all those who found their way to our shores.  I believe all that ... as long as we continue to build on, and maintain, the original foundation of this national venture; to take pride in mutual ownership, so to speak.

     It seems that "America", itself,  has gotten lost in the national dialogue.  Those who celebrate the idea of a "Progressive America" are so consumed with allowing for our cultural differences, that the common denominator of who and where we have fallen on the timeline of history is no longer on our national conscience.  Pride has taken a back seat to affirmation... every cultural nuance must be given equal status and support, with no consideration to what binds us together.  Where are the "widely admired qualities" of what it means to live in America?  Or, in other words, do we even possess a common standard in which we can view each other as fellow Americans?  Are we invested in our joint occupation of this blessed land?
     I'm afraid I don't see it anymore.  Faith has become a lightening rod.  We can't even agree on the definition of Marriage or Family.  The Constitution used to guarantee us certain freedoms and rights, but even that venerable document has become a wedge between us.
     The way I see it, throughout our history Pride has been the glue in the fabric of this nation's consciousness.  Each new cultural group, through struggle and perseverance, melded into the formation that is America.  They brought the best of their values and principles to the composition of this nation, and the fabric was made stronger in a renewed covenant as Americans.  But with the deterioration of Pride in identifying oneself as American, the fabric has begun to fray and disintegrate.
      I began this post talking about how the outward appearance of Pride in America is disappearing.  However, I think that is just a manifestation of the lack of internal pride in who we are as a nation and a people.  "Relative standards" cannot bind a people together; they can only serve to separate and divide.

1 Corinthians 1:10    "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment."
   

First, The Bees. Now, the Butterflies!

     

     In the past, you might have read my post on the disappearance of Bees and the effect it will have on our ecosystem.  Now, it seems that the Monarch Butterfly is also in danger of becoming a victim of our old friend, Monsanto and its product, Roundup.  

     I will confess that we here in Texas have suffered from the massive swarms of Monarchs as they migrate to Mexico each winter.  We would literally drive into what seemed like walls of Monarchs that not only impaired your vision, but left your vehicle covered in hundreds of dead butterflies.  Not so much, anymore.  The last couple of winters have seen a significant decline in the migration, and the beautiful butterflies are becoming a rarity in these parts.

     In fact, in an article by The Washington Post, it is reported that "The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service summed it up in just one grim statistic: Since 1990, about 970 million [Monarch butterflies] have vanished."  The cause?  It can be traced to the eradication of milkweed, their primary food source and habitat.  This plant is the only upon which they lay eggs and their larvae feed.  Why is the milkweed being destroyed?  According to PNAS, (the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences), "In the US Corn Belt, a recent doubling in commodity prices has created incentives for landowners to convert grassland to corn and soybean cropping."   

     As Newsweek Magazine was careful to point out, "the cultivation of 1 million new acres of land in recent years -- driven by higher corn and soybean prices -- has destroyed milkweed crops, and greatly hurt monarchs."  Add to this, "the introduction of genetically-modified crops like Roundup-ready corn and soybeans that are resistant to traditional herbicides, [which means] farmers have begun to spray more and more Roundup—the Monsanto-made chemical—over wider and wider areas", further destroying the natural habitat of Monarchs ... the milkweed plant.

     Oh, what a wicked web that Monsanto is weaving!  By developing food products that are unnatural (GMOs), and spraying them with poisonous herbicides (containing Glyphosate), they are destroying anything natural and organic, including various species of insects and their habitats.

     But it is not just the push for more and more GMO food products that have endangered the Monarch population.  The Clean Energy Act of 2007, frequently referred to as the ethanol mandate, changed how we fueled our cars and it became evident that there would be an increase in the demand for, and price of corn.  That, along with the over-development of our cities and municipalities, has nearly guaranteed the destruction of the Monarch's natural habitat.

     So, why should we care about the possible extinction of the Monarch butterfly?  Butterfly-Conservation.org will give you a long list of reasons that these beautifies are important to save; including their aesthetic value, their educational value, and their scientific value.  I prefer to consider them as a creation of God, which means they play a part in the interwoven pattern of life that He constructed on this planet.  Besides the fact that they, along with their cousins the moth, are an important element of the food chain and are prey for birds, bats and other insectivorous animals, they provide a touch of delicate beauty in this ugly world.  For that alone they are worthy of being conserved.

     But let's not forget the bigger picture ... elements of our existence are being modified, destroyed and poisoned before our very eyes.  How natural is it for bees and butterflies to disappear?  And what makes us think that the Elite will find us indispensable or necessary to the cycle of life on this planet?  It seems to me that no regard is being given to the natural order of things or to God's creation.  Our food supply is being manipulated and controlled, while our ability to adapt to (or deflect) orchestrated change to our own life cycle is lessened.   How long, like the butterflies and the bees, until our numbers start to decline?

 Psalm 24:1    "The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;"

     

The Grammy's: Was Anybody Fooled?

     I recorded the annual Grammy extravaganza, honoring (supposedly) the best in the music industry.  I was well aware of the satanic symbology in past years and wanted to see how far they were willing to go this time to influence the culture and our youth.  I was only able to stomach the presentation because we must be knowledgeable of how cunning the Enemy is, if we are going to defeat him.
     The music industry is a multi-billion dollar enterprise, and wields extreme influence over the youth of our nation.  Do you pay attention to the music that your children listen to?  You should.  It has been a very lucrative and fertile ground in which Satan has been able to place his emissaries.  And prime time spectaculars like the Grammys give him an opportunity to showcase his satanic message to millions of vulnerable minds.
     I have to say the 2015 Grammys was a strange mix of "in your face" and "false piety".  I'll save you the need to watch it for yourselves, and give you the highlights, so you will be enlightened as to the tactics of the Luciferian occult.  The two-hour production began with a performance by the aging hard rock band AC/DC singing their hit "Highway to Hell" -- complete with a backdrop of burning flames and audience members sporting illuminated devil horns.  I'd say that accomplished exactly what the occultists behind this awards show intended.

     Also singing during the curious mix of old and new, was the band ELO, singing "Evil Woman", which was quite apropos, with respect to the much anticipated appearance of the (also) aging Madonna.  Just in case you missed the hidden occultic theme, Madonna made sure you couldn't avoid who was really being celebrated on the stage.  She surrounded herself with a cast of male dancers, all displaying Baphomet horns and bejeweled masks, as they danced around their priestess.  Madonna made sure that the goat-god, who is the symbol of the Church of Satan was impressed upon our minds -- down to the point that they offer her up to their Master and she ascends into the sky.
     So, I figured this was how it was going to play out ... an entire night of blatantly and aggressively saluting the devil.  But then the show seemed to shift gears, as if making the statement, "We've showed you who we bow down to; now we want you to know that we worship just like you... we're not all that different."

     Both Beyoncé and Katy Perry, the princesses of the Illuminati, appeared in virginal white gowns, on all white stage sets.  Beyoncé sang "Precious Lord, Take My Hand", dressed as a bride with an all-male choir behind her in a robotic posture, hands raised.  Katy Perry, appeared in a demure, high-necked outfit and sang "By the Grace of God".  For a moment, one might wonder if these women raised in God's Church have returned to their pre-Illuminati Christian roots.  But don't be fooled! Whether their performances were meant as a mockery of the True Faith, or to deceive the shallow into believing they honored YHWH -- remember it was a production!
     Billy Hallowell, the Faith Editor of The Blaze, reports that "Perry, who was once a Christian singer and whose parents are pastors, publicly renounced her faith, telling Marie Claire in a 2013 interview that she’s no longer Christian and doesn’t believe in heaven, hell or “an old man sitting on a throne.” Perry did say that she believes in a higher power — a paradigm that holds her accountable."
     Based on her earlier confession that she "sold her soul to the devil" to make it in the Music Industry -- and her 2015 Super Bowl performance, in which she took the stage riding on a robotic beast -- we can guess what higher power she pays allegiance to.
      Marie Claire also reported that Perry gets her connection to spirituality through the writings of Eckhart Tolle, an author known for his popular books about metaphysics and spirituality. She also practices transcendental meditation, a form of mantra meditation.  In case you are unfamiliar with who Eckhart Tolle is, he was made famous as Oprah Winfrey's guru-like spiritualist, who makes such narcissistic statements as this:  "To know yourself as the Being underneath the thinker, the stillness underneath the mental noise, the love and joy underneath the pain, is freedom, salvation, enlightenment."  In other words he spreads a false gospel of self-worship.  Unfortunately talented artists in the music industry have traded any real chance at salvation for the lure of fame, wealth and power that the Illuminati promises in exchange for worshipping their Master and god of sin.
     But any Christ-centered observer wasn't fooled by the veil of piety that attempted to deceive the audience into a benign judgment of the show.  The more obvious performances left no doubt who was being worshipped, while singing old Christian hymns or new homages to the grace of God doesn't mean YHWH is their God.  There are others who are far more educated than I about the symbology that was beamed into millions of homes across our country.  I simply want to warn you not to dismiss the tremendous impact that music today has upon our younger generations, and guard against the blatant blasphemy that is being presented to them in the name of popular music.
   
1 Timothy 6:9-10    "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."