The Devil Comes To Detroit!

     

     I'm sure you are aware by now that leaders of the Satanic Temple have finally been successful in unveiling their statue of Baphomet, the symbolic pagan image of the fallen angel, Lucifer.  After unsuccessful attempts to display the disgusting statue in Boston, Oklahoma, and Florida, the organization finally got their way in Detroit.  

     In January of 2014, I posted an article on the proposed exhibit in Oklahoma, and a brief description of the statue and its significance in satanic worship and the occult.  I noted that the statue featured a conspicuous pentagram, and pointed out the meaning of the five points on this ancient occult icon.  They represent the five "I Will's" of Satan that are listed in Isaiah 14:  1)  I will ascend into heaven, 2) I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;  3) I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north;  4) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, and 5) I will be like the Most High.  

     In their unyielding attempts to get this statue placed in the public square, the Satanic Temple is not hiding their "in your face" counter-attack to the display of the Ten Commandments across our nation.  But the fact that the statue includes smiling children looking up at the goat-headed representative of the Devil is especially disturbing.  If one considers the history of this ancient deity as it pertains to secret societies, it becomes apparent that this is an important idol to those involved in occultism -- from the Knights Templar in the 14th Century, through Freemasonry in the 18th Century, to the subsequent organizations founded by Alistair Crowley, L. Ron Hubbard, and the modern Satanic Temple.  The fact that it seems to be aimed at our children should have everyone paying attention.

      I found an interesting article on World Net Daily, about the activities that surrounded the installation of this frightening statue, including those by a group called "The Church Militant", who represent the Catholic Church and "the souls on Earth engaged in battle against the forces of evil.".  After securing entrance to the secretive unveiling, they revealed what happened during the ceremony:  "On one side of the room stood an inverted red cross, and on the other the nine-foot-tall statue of Baphomet, covered in a white sheet... At 11 p.m., two men in leather S&M attire grabbed each side of the sheet and yanked it off, to loud applause and shouting."  I will refrain from describing their actions in front of the statue, and those of the other attendees who paid $75 each to sit in the lap of the statue and perform perverted acts ... symbolically in front of the smiling children portion of the statue.  

     It serves no purpose to describe this occult orgy; it is enough to know that the Satanic Temple was successful in being allowed to carry out their offense towards God.  But it is also good to know that there were nine area pastors who joined forces to protest before the Detroit City Council, and that area churches gathered together to pray against the Satanic Temple, and for their city.  Their voices were united: “We gather together to stand, as one unit, against this demonic spirit.”

     Catholic churches held masses, praying against the spirit of perversion and deception; and there was even a 6-foot bronze statue of the Archangel Michael brought to the site to counter the presence of a statue of Satan.  While I cannot subscribe any power to the statue, itself, I do recognize Michael as "one of the chief princes [of God]" (Daniel 10:13) and "the great prince who stands up for the children of your (Daniel's) people [the Jews]" (Daniel 10:21 and 12:1).  And I do know that Revelation 12:7 tells us that "Michael and his angels went forth to battle with the dragon."  So I can appreciate the sentiment of Michael battling the Fallen Angel.

     And I definitely know that it is the children that need protecting and defending.  All one has to do is read the comments from the WND article to hear the horrific stories of the human sacrifices of babies, and the ritual rapings of children on altars to satan, to know that our children are in danger and are targeted by satanists and those who practice the occult.

     But I also know that God certainly hears the prayers of the faithful, and I would not be surprised to discover that there was indeed a battle in the spiritual realm, between God's angelic army and Satan's evil forces, over this occultic demon-fest.  For now, the army of Satan appears to be winning.  Detroit will be the home of the Satanic Temple's national chapter house.  They hope to display another of these depraved statues in Arkansas at the State Capitol and next to a statue of the Ten Commandments.  They are also planning to sue Oklahoma for its refusal to comply with their request for a statue at their State Capitol.  

     For the time being, I applaud those vigilant citizens in Detroit who stood in opposition to the brazen satanists who flaunt their hatred of God.  We must join them in vocal opposition, demanding that our state legislators and our city officials deny the presence of this satanic idol; we must safeguard our children, who are an obvious target of their perverse rituals; and above all else, we must storm God's throne room with our petitions and prayers to defeat this growing threat across our land.  As I mentioned yesterday, it is time to go on the offensive; no more political correctness in order to give equal voice to "religions" that are false and obscene.  We must do our part in the battle against Satanic forces.  While Michael and His army are fighting in the spiritual realm, there is much we can do in the physical.   It is imperative that we hold our ground and give up no more territory!

Revelation 17:13-14     "These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast.  They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with Him are called and chosen and faithful."

     

Forward March!

     I don't know about you, but I'm in need of a little pep talk; I am literally sick and tired of letting this world dictate my status and condition.  If I listen to our culture, or our national leadership, or our enemies at home and abroad, then I may as well give up and pull the blankets over my head --- I'm already defeated!
     But I suggest to you that it's time to take our eyes off this world and realize that what we see all around us is an illusion that evil is winning. We must stop listening to who the world tells us we are, and become who we sometimes casually refer to ourselves as ... true brothers and sisters in Christ.  That's not a cavalier statement, so please don't stop reading -- instead, stop and think seriously about that identification.  I know that it doesn't carry much weight in this age of celebrity and technology.  In fact it sounds like an old-fashioned and irrelevant term; an archaic religious title that belongs to centuries long past, and which offers no prestige in our superstar-obsessed society.
     But I want you to take a couple of minutes and honestly contemplate these questions I'm about to ask you.  Don't rush through them, but allow the significance of each to speak to your heart ... Do you believe that 'Jesus is the Son of God' is a true statement?  Do you accept Him as your Savior from the penalty you deserve; that He died on the Cross as payment for your sins (past, present, and future) so that you might live in eternity with Him and our Father in Heaven?  Do you believe that His resurrection has conquered Satan's plan to destroy our relationship with our Creator by leading us to an eternal Death?  And finally, do you accept that you are a child of God -- a chosen, adopted, and blessed co-heir with Christ; that you are destined to inherit the Kingdom of God?  If you can answer "yes" to those questions, and can determinedly follow that train of thought, then it should be obvious that in God's eyes, you are truly a brother or sister of Christ's.
     Christ is the "begotten" son of God, meaning, in Hebrew, that He is from the lineage of God; he has been "brought forth" by God.  In the Greek, it means that, as the Son of God, Jesus was the sole representative of the Being and the character of the One who sent Him.  As a child of God, and a co-heir with Christ, you and I share that same lineage in our "rebirth"; and we are the sole representatives of God/Jesus on this earth.  That alone should make us lift our heads high! So why do we feel so defeated in these days?  And believe me, I am as guilty as the next person of succumbing to the lies that Satan and the spiritual realm are so clever at whispering in my most vulnerable moments.

     But I want to share a simple truth that my wonderful husband discovered in his Spirit-inspired study of spiritual warfare.  We are all familiar with the Armor of God that Paul tells us to put on in Ephesians 6.  And I am faithful to arm myself each day with the Truth of God, my Salvation, the Peace of God, the Righteousness of Christ, the shield of Faith, and the Word of the Lord.  But for the most part, I use each of these weapons as a defense against the onslaught and advance of Satan in the world.
     As the culture launches another aggressive act against my Christianity; and the news media reports another heinous crime; or the economists forecast a worldwide crash; and the terrorists are upping their rhetoric against Israel and the US, I react in a defensive mode, wrapping myself in my armor, fending off each new fear or threat with the weapons from God.  Other than the Word of God, which I can use to strike out against my attackers, I am relying on defensive weapons to protect myself.
     What my husband, Peace-Loving Warrior, showed me was that as the sole representatives of God's kingdom on earth, we are obligated to go on the offensive!  Christ has already won the Victory!  With His resurrection, Satan's weapon of Death was defeated!  And look at our battles from this perspective ... whoever won a war by being defensive or holding their ground?  The army that advances -- and goes on the offense -- is the one that gains new ground against the enemy.
     Right now, we Christians are feeling great oppression against our faith.  The Supreme Court has ruled against Biblical marriage; Christian business owners are being sued for defending their faith; fellow Christians around the world are being persecuted and murdered.  In response, we Christians are so worried about trying to keep Satan out of our world.  But what we should be doing is going on the offensive so that Satan has to worry about keeping US out of his world!
     How many of our thoughts run along this course:  "I wonder where Satan is going to strike us next?"  Can you see how much better it would be if Satan was kept off balance, wondering where Christians were going to attack next?  You see, Christ has already beat the Devil; the Enemy just doesn't know it yet.  It's right there in Colossians 2:15:  [God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it [the cross].  
     Can you see that Jesus won the victory on our behalf?  That His victory over the principalities and powers is our victory?  We don't have to become depressed and scared about what we see going on in the world, or the future!  Yes, it might become a bit (or maybe a lot!) uncomfortable for us for a short time, but Jesus has given us His Authority to exercise an effective campaign against the Enemy, who has only that short time left.  Christ has already won the eternal victory, but as our commander-in-chief, he has given each of us an assignment:  to make a bold display and public example of that victory by how we live our lives ... representing His character and mercy and declaring our conviction of His righteousness.
     So the next time you are overwhelmed with sadness or fear or doubt, just picture yourself in full armor, running headlong toward the retreating enemy!  Make a public declaration of your testimony -- even if it's only spoken out loud in the privacy of your home (I promise you it will send the enemy in full flight).  Whenever you have the opportunity, go on the offensive -- shout out a praise when you are driving in your car; pray Psalm 18:2-3 out loud; and preach the Word to someone who needs it.  You will find that Satan's spiritual troops have left the battlefield in the face of your organized and forceful attack on their territory.
     Let's make a commitment to each other.  From now on, no more retreating!  We've been given our marching orders and we cannot be defeated.  At the sight of our enemy, we will go on the offensive and storm the gates of his strongholds.  We can defend ourselves, when need be, with the full armor of God, but we know that we have the additional weapons of boldness and surprise in our arsenal.  The Devil doesn't know who he's messing with!

I owe a debt of gratitude to the inspiring words and knowledge of author Derek Prince in his wonderful book, "Spiritual Warfare".

2 Corinthians 10:4-6    "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."
   
   

1 Corinthians 10:8: Cheaters Beware!

We must not gratify evil desire and indulge in immorality 

as some of them did—

and twenty-three thousand [suddenly] fell dead in a single day!

     Paul is addressing the Church in the important city of Corinth.  This ancient city was known for its commercial success.  For centuries it had dominated the east-west trade route with its flow of merchandise, and it celebrated its ethnic diversity as travelers from the known world inevitably found their way to the thriving metropolis.

     The New King James version of the Bible says that "Corinth's commercial success was rivaled only by its decadence.  The immorality of Corinth was so well known that Aristophanes, a comic playwright of ancient Athens, coined a Greek verb, meaning to act like a Corinthian as a synonym for sexual immorality."  In addition, the Corinthians were famous for calling attention to their lewdness through their worship of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty.  (She is also known by the Roman name Venus, and is ultimately the same spirit as Semiramis, the wife of Nimrod, who was known as the "Queen of Heaven".  She is a major deity used by Satan throughout the ages to tempt mankind away from God).

     Although the city of Corinth was famous for its idolatry and sexual immorality, it was also an important and strategic location for dispersing the Word and the transforming power of Jesus Christ.  Paul spent 18 months in Corinth establishing and grounding the Church.  The Jews in the synagogue rejected his message, so he took it to the Gentiles, with some measure of success.  But the Church in Corinth was seriously troubled.  Besides reflecting the multiple nationalities of the city, the Corinthian Church also demonstrated some of Corinth's immorality.  And our Scripture today voices Paul's concern about a repetition of God's judgment against such immoral behavior in the past.  

     This verse, 1 Corinthians 10:8, actually refers to a passage in Numbers 25:1-9.  It recounts that while God is giving the law to Moses, the people are down the hill worshipping a golden calf through idolatry and sexual immorality.  It tells the tale of the people of Israel "playing the harlot" with the women of Moab; and how easily they "ate and bowed down to Moab's gods".  It is the age-old story of being tempted into idol worship of the things of the world, and Satan's seduction through lust.

     I can't help but look upon this Biblical scene and think of the recent revelations concerning Ashley Madison, the website whose slogan is "Life is short.  Have an affair".  The site entices people to cheat on their spouses; to openly commit adultery under the guise that their identities will remain private... sshhh, no one will ever know.  Yet, this week the site was hacked by someone, or group of someones, who threaten to reveal the identities of 33 million subscribers in 46 countries.  If this happens, it may well have the same effects that God's judgment had on the Israelites after their idolatry and immorality was exposed.

     In the Bible, "the Lord said to Moses, Take all the leaders or chiefs of the people, and hang them before the Lord in the sun [after killing them], that the fierce anger of the Lord may turn away from Israel."  The Israelite judges are then commanded to "slay the men who joined themselves to Baal Peor".  They did so, and 23,000 died that day!

     Now, we need to understand that, yes, Baal Peor was a false god and worship of it was idolatry in God's eyes.  But it is so much more!  The Moabite god, Baal Peor, was depicted either as a beautiful naked woman or a bearded demon with open mouth, horns, and sharply pointed nails (the open mouth being an indicator of the sexual rites used to worship him). St. Jerome reported that statues of Baal-Peor he encountered in Syria depicted the god with a phallus in his mouth.  Furthermore, the name of this false Moabite god means "gaping, wide, and consuming".  I'm sure you can see the implications for sexual immorality with both men and women in this description.

     This is the warning Paul is giving the Church members in Corinth.  He is saying, "Don't be tempted to make the same mistake as the ancient Israelites and succumb to the lustful appetite that comes from worshipping this false goddess in the current Corinthian culture... [the Israelites'] destruction was swift and complete in a plague of death, and so will yours be." 

     I would daresay that the same advice holds true for today's immoral worshippers of the idolatrous company Ashley Madison.  If the hackers follow through on their promise, and millions of credit card transactions, names, and addresses are released, the destruction of marriages, careers and reputations will be swift and complete.  Life as they know it in this world will be destroyed.  But as Paul warns, it is God's ultimate judgment in the next life that they should fear.  

Do Not Put Your Trust In Man!

     Unfortunately, I am not one who thinks that we, the American people, really have a say in who will be the next President of the United States.  I can't help but feel that all the media circus -- which includes 16 or more Republican candidates; a mostly silent former Secretary of State with lots of questions to answer; and a provocative and outspoken real estate and entertainment mogul -- is all a front to make us feel that we are really going to have a choice this time.
    But a circus is what it is; which is defined as "a public scene of frenzied and noisily intrusive activity".  And I fear it is all for show.  My spirit tells me that all we are seeing is a public display of orchestrated campaign shenanigans so we will feel better about the illusion that our vote counts.  But what is really going on is a carefully followed script; the victor has already been decided in the back rooms and closed meetings of the Elite.

     At the same time, I know that God is ultimately in control, no matter what the election operatives think, and our next President will be His judgment upon our nation, whether good or bad.  If, as a nation, we would fall to our knees and repent of our grievous sins, perhaps He will bless us with a leader who will restore us to our once-upon-a-time moral greatness and prosperity.  But if we don't, then we can be assured we will get the leader we deserve.  I believe in miracles, but, frankly, it looks as if our chances of that are slipping away.
     I will admit that the fleshly side of me longs for a hero to come out of the wings, and I have even applauded the brashness and unconventional approach of Donald Trump.  Yes, he was a breath of fresh air; voicing the thoughts and hopes of the common man.  But as the days have advanced, I am forced to regard his campaign with an even sharper eye than I first viewed him... especially now that he is openly contemplating running as a Third Party candidate.
     I'm sorry, but I guess I'm a born cynic.  Is he just a shill for Hillary Clinton?  After all, he is on record contributing to the Clinton Foundation, and even endorsed her Senate campaign.  And how sincere is he really, when it comes to representing conservative values?  He has changed parties several times since the 1980s, and three times since 2001, alone.  He certainly appears to be saying all the right things that would appeal to those in the heartland, but I have yet to hear of a statement on his faith that I could, well, ... but any faith in.  His rhetoric is full of emotion, but lacks any real hard facts  or foundation on where he stands on the issues that matter.  There is enough suspicion about his positions on gun control and higher taxes to make me nervous, and his history on using eminent domain to further his business ambitions is less than complimentary.
     So, is all this just primetime theater and a shell game for those who might still hold out hope that our election system is fair and honest?  A Third Party candidate will certainly split the vote and perhaps the Democrats are playing it safe ... just sit back and let the Conservatives waste their votes.  Or better yet, it is just all part of the game; they are all in on it, and we are just gullible pawns.
     In my heart and soul, I know that there is a good possibility that nothing is going to change.  I know that I can put no trust in man; that I will not find my strength or shelter in the flesh.  I know that "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes" (Psalms 118:9).  Yet, we must never forget that God can use anyone to glorify Himself.  We must pray that out of all these candidates, He can find one that will represent Him; one man that will put God before his own selfish ambitions.  Have we seen that man or woman yet?  I am going to try to put aside my fleshly hopes and dreams and rely on God's choice.  Whether the next President is redemption or judgment, only the Lord knows.  I just pray that He will be merciful...

John 2:24-25    "But Jesus [for His part] did not trust Himself to them, because He knew all [men]; And He did not need anyone to bear witness concerning man [needed no evidence from anyone about men], for He Himself knew what was in human nature. [He could read men’s hearts.]"
   

An American Mother's Testimony

     The tragic death of Kate Steinle by an illegal immigrant in the sanctuary city of San Francisco, coupled with Presidential Candidate Donald Trump's spotlight on our undefended southern border, has FINALLY forced the U.S. Congress to listen to the American people about the illegal alien problem in this country.  But for Laura Wilkerson, it is nearly 5 years too late.

     Mrs. Wilkerson was one of several Americans who testified of family member's murders by illegal immigrants who have been protected by this administration's immigration policy.  Testifying during a Congressional hearing, which was called “Oversight of the Administration’s Misdirected Immigration Enforcement Policies: Examining the Impact on Public Safety and Honoring the Victims,” Mrs. Wilkerson recalled how executive amnesty for illegal minors cost her the life of her son, Joshua, who was 18 at the time of his death.  On November 16, 2010, near Houston, TX, Joshua was beaten, strangled, and tortured until he died. He was tied up, thrown in a field, and set on fire.
     To be honest, it is hard to listen to Laura Wilkerson's testimony about her son's murder ... I would be unable to recite the details of his death in the same cool, collected manner that she exhibits.  In the background you can see a man, whom I suspect is Joshua's father, break down as she calmly reads the autopsy report: "This body is received in a grey body bag. There’s a tag on his toe that bears the name, Joshua Wilkerson. This is a white male weighing a hundred pounds. He is tied up with braided rope — 13 loops around his neck in a slipknot. It goes behind his back through his back belt loop. It goes to his hands and his feet, behind his body. He has multiple fractures in his face and nasal cavity. His throat and his voicebox are crushed. He was kicked so hard in the stomach that it sent his spleen into his spine, and sliced it in two… The medical examiner said it was torture.  This body has significant skin loss on his buttocks, his abdomen, his penis, his hands, and his face. He has one stick of gum and a tardy slip in his pocket."
     Then her testimony confronts the Congressional panel with a reality they cannot avoid:  "This was our family’s 9/11 terrorist attack by a foreign invader, whether you want to recognize it or whether you do not," Wilkerson said. "This government continues to fail, or even recognize, that we have an issue. Americans are dying daily at the hands of criminals that we don’t even know are here."
     She then goes on to explain that her son's murderer, Hermilio Moralez, qualified as a "Dream Kid", our government's idealized picture of innocent immigrant children who were brought to this country without their permission, but who have lived here for more than five years, adapted to American life, and "belong here".  But on the witness stand during the trial for Joshua's murder, Hermilio kept muttering how it was "in his country" as the reason why he killed Joshua.  Furthermore, he was not some underprivileged immigrant kid; his parents had provided him with martial arts training and he had attained the rank of black belt.  In a 2010 article, shortly after Joshua's murder, it was revealed that Moralez lied about killing Joshua in self-defense, and as he "led police to where he burned Joshua's body, he tried to grab a cop's gun."
     I know that we cannot paint every immigrant child with the evil brush of Hermilio Moralez's actions, but that is just the point ... we do not know where these kids are coming from, or what criminal background they have been raised in, and who they really are.  So, how does it make sense that they are exempt from immigration law?  And because the Dream Act hasn't quite given cover to all the immigrants coming in, we are now asked to accept sanctuary cities, where law enforcement cannot even question their status or ask for proof of citizenship!

Joshua Wilkerson

     Perhaps the saddest part of Mrs. Wilkerson's testimony was the effect this murder has had on her surviving children, especially Joshua's older brother, who was serving in the military at the time of the murder.  "Joshua’s older brother returned from the battlefield fighting to defend our country, only to find no one was defending his younger brother"... just as no one was defending 21-year-old Grant Ronnebeck, who was killed by an illegal immigrant for a pack of cigarettes as he worked the early morning hours at a convenience store in Mesa, AZ ... or 66-year-old Denny McCann, of Chicago, IL who was struck by a hit-and-run driver, and drug underneath the car for several blocks; the car was driven by an illegal immigrant with a blood alcohol level four times the legal limit ... or Sheriff's Deputy Danny Paul Oliver of Sacramento, CA, who was shot point-blank in the forehead by a twice-deported illegal alien from Mexico during a routine traffic stop.
     The testimonies of these American families, along with the family of the latest victim, Katie Steinle, must be heard.  These are Americans who are not being protected by their own country!  Instead, for whatever agenda is being pursued, illegal immigrants -- many of them with criminal histories, or at least with a different cultural standard about following laws -- are allowed to live here without any kind of supervision or expectation of being lawful citizens.  At this point, unless we can be assured that Americans are going to be protected from the anarchy and criminality of illegal immigrants, we must take a stand so that no more families have to suffer the indescribable grief that the Wilkerson, Ronnebeck, McCann, Oliver, Steinle, and countless other American families have endured.
     I join Laura Wilkerson in her closing statement to the Congressional panel:  "You’re officially notified today there’s a problem. You can’t deny it any longer. You cannot stand by and ignore our families — our American families. You’re elected by Americans, not any other country ... Your silence speaks volumes. You’re either for Americans, or you’re not ... I want you to know that our family is broken, forever. We are forever broken. I don’t want the sympathy. I want you to do  something about it. Every one of you sitting here is in a position to do something. Just throw your hat into the ring for Americans. Quit sitting silent because it’s going to help you get a vote. Throw your hat in the ring and take care of American families."
     The last thing I want to say is this:  The Bible tells us to be compassionate and merciful towards the "sojourner" or alien to our land.  But we are also called to obey the governments instituted by God's hand.  There will be those who argue that our immigration laws are unjust and unfair.  But the Bible does not give one permission to violate a law just because it is perceived as unjust.  I recognize that the vast majority of immigrants throughout our country's history have come here for a better life, but I also believe that it is not Biblical to violate a law to achieve a “good.” The solution to unfair immigration law is not to ignore the law, or subvert it -- it is to work through lawful means to change it.  Our current immigration policy -- or lack thereof -- is not solving the problem, and is causing great harm to legal, lawful Americans.  How many more tragic stories such as that of Joshua Wilkerson and the other victims is it going to take before this nation stops the madness?

For more of Laura Wilkerson's testimony and the story of her son, Joshua, please click here.  

1 Peter 2:13-16    "Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.  Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God."
   

Look How Far We've Come!

     As the second video exposing Planned Parenthood's involvement with selling fetal body parts surfaces, we can already see the battle lines being drawn... or not, as the case may be.  While most Americans are horrified by the negotiations revealed in the two videos that have been released, did you happen to notice that most of the mainstream media actually ignored the scandal?
     The undercover video by the Center for Medical Progress was only covered on Fox News, while ABC's This Week, CBS's Face the Nation, CNN's State of the Union and NBC's Meet the Press all ignored the hot story on their Sunday morning political talk shows.  What does that tell you?  More than likely, they received instructions from their political masters to steer clear of this shameful news story.
     As Jeffrey Meyer, of NewsBusters, reported in his article, Brit Hume of Fox News actually hit the nail on the head when he said, "[the video] demonstrates a callousness toward the killing of a human life that is, I think, a product of the abortion culture and where it has taken us. That was true also of Gosnell to an even more revolting extent. And I think that's the problem. It raises a deeper moral question about where all this is taking us.”  (You will recall that Dr. Kermit Gosnell was an abortion physician convicted of murdering three infants who were born alive during attempted abortion procedures.)
     And I think Hume's question is so valid ... where is the abortion culture taking us?  Can you see that in the 42 years, since the Supreme Court decision made Roe v. Wade the law of the land, just how much we have devalued a human life?  Since 1973, when abortion became legal, there has been much effort to remove the stigma that a baby is actually being killed during the procedure.  As long as the abortion took place in the first trimester, the baby could be referred to as "tissue" or "cells".

     Then on the 20th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, President Bill Clinton wrote an Executive Order that removed restrictions on abortions, which allowed "fetal tissue research".  Of course, proponents and scientists cheered loudly as they proclaimed that fetal tissue held the possibility of benefiting patients with Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, Huntington's disease, spinal cord injuries and other conditions. But it also made fetal tissue a marketable commodity for research organizations, and we took another step away from the recognition that this tissue was once a baby.
     Now, here we are another twenty odd years later, and there are advocates for late-term abortions (up to 24 weeks), and we find that fetal body parts are actually being sold to the highest bidder.  We have slid so far down the ethical and decency ladder that I'm not sure we can ever recover moral ground.
     The medical director of the controversial organization Planned Parenthood is seen and heard on the second damning video discussing the use of "a less crunchy technique to get more specimens", and joking about bumping up prices because she "wants a Lamborghini".  The sense that this is a baby we are talking about is completely absent. How have we become so morally vacant?
     Planned Parenthood, of course, will once again say that the video is heavily edited, and that the procurement of fetal tissue is not against the law.  And there will be writers like Time Magazine's Alice Parks, who says in her article Why We Still Need Fetal Tissue Research, "The National Institutes of Health spent $76 million on fetal research in 2014, and fetal tissue has contributed to vaccines for polio, rubella and chicken pox. While recent efforts to transplant fetal tissue to treat conditions like Parkinson’s haven’t been as consistently successful, it’s still critical to scientific progress."  Excuse me ... do they want us to believe that polio, rubella, and chicken pox still require millions of dollars of research to eradicate?  I thought those diseases were controlled long ago.  And I ask you, how is it "progress" to diminish the existence of a baby to sellable body parts?
     Then there is Planned Parenthood’s president Cecile Richards, who defends Planned Parenthood's "donation programs" that are supported by "Women and families [who are] committed to life-saving research ... And [that] should be respected, not attacked."  I'm sorry, but the word "respect" is not one that I can attribute to anyone involved in this decision and this practice.
     But what do we do about the companies and organizations that contribute millions of dollars to Planned Parenthood; and who are complicit in the marketing of fetal tissue and body parts?  There are 41 corporations and organizations that directly contribute to the group.  Would you like to know who they are?  Some will surprise you; others won't.  They are, in alphabetical order: Adobe, American Cancer Society, American Express, AT&T, Avon, Bank of America, Bath & Body Works, Ben & Jerry’s, Clorox, Coca-Cola, Converse, Deutsche Bank, Dockers, Energizer, Expedia, ExxonMobil, Fannie Mae, Ford, Groupon, Intuit, Johnson & Johnson, La Senza, Levi Strauss, Liberty Mutual, Macy’s, March of Dimes, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, Nike, Oracle, PepsiCo, Pfizer, Progressive, Starbucks, Susan G. Komen, Tostitos, Unilever, United Way, Verizon, Wells Fargo, and Xerox.
      In light of the revelation that fetal tissue is also used as "flavor enhancers" in products by Pepsi and Starbuck's popular DoubleShot and Frappacino drinks, it makes you wonder what benefits the other corporations are receiving by supporting the evil deeds of Planned Parenthood.
     We may soon know, because the Center for Medical Progress has promised a new video each week as they produce new evidence and confessions from Planned Parenthood operatives.  No matter how much those who champion the organization applaud their efforts to advance medical research, no one should deny the callousness and the disregard for human life that is exhibited in these filmed exposés.
     The Spirit within me is crying out for justice for these innocent babies who have been reduced to "parts for dollars".  I can imagine them pleading before God in His throne room to defend them and exact His justice on their behalf; all 56 million-plus of them who have suffered this degradation.  Our moral decline is on full view before God and the world, and it's only going to get worse as more videos are released.  May our Lord have mercy on this nation!

To read more from the NewsBuster reports on this scandal, please click here and here.

Isaiah 26:21    "For behold, the Lord is coming out from His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, and the earth will disclose the blood shed on it, and will no more cover its slain."
   

Why Did It Take So Long?

     I join with the millions of Americans who grew frustrated with the slow response of Congress and the White House to lowering their flags to half-staff after the murder of four Marines and one Navy Sailor in Chattanooga last week.  Yesterday morning, Congress finally issued the proclamation to lower the flag at the US Capitol; and shortly before noon the White House followed suit -- five long days after the murders of these military servants!
     I find it disturbing that within hours of the Navy Yard killings, the Boston Marathon murders, and the Newtown shooting, all federal flags were ordered to half-staff.  So what was so different about this tragedy?  Why did it take days to issue what should have been an immediate response? Oh, yeah, it meant that our government would be honoring our military with the respect and mourning period that they deserved.  I mean, for crying out loud, the White House ordered the flag lowered for Whitney Houston!  I recognize that she was talented, but what has she given the country in comparison to the service of these honorable men?
      What has happened to the sensitivities and diplomacy of this nation?  The White House, which is supposed to be "The People's House", didn't have any trouble lighting up in the rainbow colors of the LGBT community after their Supreme Court win.  And the Empire State Building, which is symbolic of American individualism and the free-enterprise system, lights up in green to celebrate the end of the Islamic "holy" month of Ramadan -- just hours after the murder of the four Marines by a devout Muslim who texted a friend a verse from the Koran which included, "Whosoever shows enmity to a friend of Mine, then I have declared war against him."
     It would have gone a long way towards telegraphing honor and sympathy for our armed services if the White House had lit up in the red, white, and blue; or the Empire State Building had shown some discretion instead of honoring the faith of a killer.  Did they stop to think how this would offend the families of the dead, or would add to the frustration of the American people ... or didn't either of them care?  Somehow, this fact has been overlooked: that Ramadan is the most violent month of the year in the Islamic world, because Ramadan is the month in which Muslims renew their devotion to Allah, and violent jihad is a supreme act of devotion to Allah.  Does anyone need to be reminded of the massive numbers of heinous beheadings, massacres, and shootings that happened during this "holy" month of this proclaimed religion of peace ... including the deaths of these American soldiers on our home soil???
     But as disappointed and disheartened as I've been over the lack of respect shown these fallen heroes, I have been proud of the response of the American people themselves.  Governors of individual states followed Tennessee's lead and began lowering their flags at half-staff; choosing to act on their own in showing their respect and consideration for the families.  And I have to admit that I teared up a few times as the stories began appearing across the media spectrum of individual citizens showing up outside recruitment centers to exercise their Second Amendment rights and guard our unarmed military personnel.  The military's current policy of unarmed personnel on military installations must change!

     Time and again, across the country, Americans chose to take a stand and protect those who protect us.  Their locations may have varied, but their cause was the same throughout the land:  "Too many people have died for our freedoms.  I’ve never been in the military.  I never served as law enforcement, but I certainly am grateful for those men and women who have died in the past to secure those freedoms" (Virginia).  "To think [that] the people who are supposed to protect and serve us are unable to protect themselves ... So if we, the citizens, who carry legal permits, are able to help protect them, then that's what we're gonna do"  (Georgia).  "We're the third line of defense; the military, then law enforcement and then we, the people.  I just can't sit back and not let these guys be protected... If it takes the citizens to come together to arm these types of establishments, then we'll do so until the government steps up" (New Hampshire).  In Wayne County, Ohio, sheriff's deputies stood watch outside recruitment centers -- on their own time.  "We're here today on our own time. This isn't something that we are being compensated for, [we are here] simply as a way to show support for our service men."
     Let's quit pretending.  Our government does not respect or honor our military.  The VA Hospital debacle (which has still not been remedied) proves that point.  The continued budget cuts and downgrading of our military defense options paints a clear picture.  The ranks of the military are being confounded with policies that promote homosexuality and transgenderism, while denouncing any display or action of Christian faith.  Just like the culture, God is being removed from the military, and the results will be devastating.
     We can all try to put a happy face on this situation, but we know better.  It is up to each of us to bolster and support our military; to show them that there are millions of us who honor their personal sacrifice and their commitment to the Constitution and the ideals of this nation (what little is left of both).  We all know that the call has gone out across the terrorist social media outlets to attack our soldiers and military installations.  We must demand that our elected representatives take this threat seriously and allow our service men and women to protect themselves.  With each act of murder in the homeland, our enemy gets stronger and bolder.  The American people no longer accept delays and excuses from those who are supposed to "faithfully execute" their offices, and with "true faith and allegiance" defend the Constitution ... the enemy has breached the wall and our protectors are under attack.  Be the leaders you were elected to be!

1 Peter 2:19     "For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly."  

   

As Go The Universities, So Goes The Culture

     I know by the comments that I receive on my blog posts, that my audience consists largely of "seasoned" men and women; mostly Christian in faith.  We have all lived enough years to have seen the dramatic changes in our country and culture.  And if you are like me, you have a healthy concern over where the future generations will take this nation, once founded on Biblical faith and principles.
     We all recognize that our system of higher education (through our universities) is where the dissemination of ideas occurs, and most often influences the thinking processes of our young adults, which in turn directs the culture.
     I have recently become fascinated with an organization called Ratio Christi (Latin for the "Reason of Christ"), which is a global movement that equips university students and faculty to give historical, philosophical, and scientific reasons for following Jesus Christ.  In other words, as in the movie God's Not Dead, Ratio Christi uses Christian apologetics to engage the university culture in sincere and respectful discussion in order to advance the gospel, rather than retreat from it in the overall societal culture.

     Ratio Christi is planting student-led apologetics clubs at universities around the world.  Students, engaged in the battle for the mind, learn to defend God's existence, the reliability of the Bible, and the fact of Christ’s resurrection. Their motto is "We seek a Renaissance of Christian Thinking in the University."
     If you're like me, your initial thought was probably, "Good luck with that!"  But Ratio Christi is approaching their mission in a unique manner.  Noting that Christian ministries on college campuses are a diminishing reality, and often bear no fruit, Ratio Christi emphasizes engaging professors as well as students.  Rather than shying away from the Christian perspective on campuses, the organization partners with speakers that have academic reputations to sufficiently impress secular professors.  This allows their Christian worldview to compete with the worldview of non-Christian professors in an academic setting, and in a way that the secular professors can identify with.
     Ratio Christi's student-led apologetics clubs are led by students who have had the tenacity to do the necessary research in order to defend their faith.  In turn, this determination gives them the opportunity to help others; those who have felt ill-equipped to deal with the secular tidal wave on campus.
     Of course, it is to be expected that Ratio Christi's clubs are not welcomed with open arms.  Like many other Christian ministries across the country, they have been de-recognized and kicked off some campuses.  But they continue to meet privately, because they feel they can still have an impact on campus --- they don't need the university "stamp of approval" to influence the campus culture.
     Ratio Christi is convinced that if they can teach college students how to defend the faith (with reasonable arguments) against the objections of their professors, they can reach those in the classroom, and possibly influence that particular course of study for the next 30 years.  Naturally, there will be those die-hard atheist professors who will never allow the free and reasonable discourse of faith in their classroom, but if free thinking is truly the hallmark of our universities, perhaps this approach stands a chance of influencing the educational culture.
     In the end, maybe us older folks can learn something from these students.  Maybe it's time we become schooled in apologetics ourselves ... become not only engaged, but equipped to defend the faith.  The university setting is just a microcosm of our society.  Therefore, these students are engaged in meaningful discussions with Muslim students who want to discuss their faith.  Ratio Christi students know the importance of being settled in the truth of Christianity so that they can rationally defend our faith, instead of being carried away by the wind of opinion.  They have been schooled in the fact that faith and reason are not mutually exclusive.  I applaud this generation of Christians who recognize that now is the time to run towards the culture, instead of retreat in meek submission.  And it is truly humbling to read the testimonials of these students who are seriously committed to defending the knowledge of God.  When you see all the college campuses that are represented, it provides such hope and joy.  May the Holy Spirit empower them with supernatural influence!

1 Peter 3:15-16   "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame."

The Iran Deal Is As Good As Done

    You knew it before it was even public record, didn't you?  All the signs were there.  There was no real backbone in the spines of the Americans sitting at the negotiating table with Iran.  And the smile on Iranian President Rouhani revealed how easily they had achieved their aims of moving forward on his nation's capabilities to develop a nuclear bomb.
     For the life of me, I am trying to figure out exactly why this was a good deal for me and the American people.  From my distinctively simple analysis, it would appear that Iran got the OK to proceed with their nuclear plans, while we received no real assurances that we or our ally Israel will not be the recipient of that advancement.  It's kind of hard to feel safe and secure when it looks as if all of Tehran is dancing in the street and shouting "Death to America."  It also does not reassure me when Reuters reports that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says "the nuclear deal with world powers did not signal any wider shift in Iran's relationship with Washington or its policies in the Middle East ... We have repeatedly said we don't negotiate with the U.S. on regional or international affairs; not even on bilateral issues. There are some exceptions like the nuclear program that we negotiated with the Americans to serve our interests."
     Did you notice what I chose to italicize in that last sentence?  What exactly do you think is at the heart of those "interests" in the mind of the religious leader of The Islamic Republic which, by the way, is considered the preeminent state sponsor of terrorism in the world by the U.S. State Department?  As a religious leader, he probably views the events in the Middle East as part of an ongoing religious war; the Shi'ites versus the Sunnis.

     So it should come as no surprise that he says, "We will never stop supporting our friends in the region and the people of Palestine, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Bahrain and Lebanon. Even after this deal our policy towards the arrogant U.S. will not change."  What I find interesting in this comment is that Iran is primarily Shia, while Palestine is Sunni.  Yemen and Lebanon appear to be about evenly dispersed between the two Muslim factions.  Syria looks to be mostly Sunni, and Bahrain is mostly Shia.  The conflict in Iraq is focused on the sectarian divide between the majority of Iraq's Muslims, who are Shia, and the Isis militants, who are Sunni.  So why would Khamenei call both warring factions of his faith his "friends"?
     Once again from my limited understanding, I think it all goes back to the old axiom that we are all familiar with:  The enemy of my enemy is my friend.  Iran is willing to form a coalition with its traditional enemies in order to defeat its arch enemies in the region, Saudi Arabia and Israel.  And who is the biggest ally of these two Middle Eastern outcasts?  Why us, "The Great Satan", of course!  This is how, in 2011, Mohsen M. Milani, a Professor of Politics and Chair of the Department of Government and International Affairs at the University of South Florida in Tampa, explained the situation between Iran and Saudi Arabia:  "Iran and Saudi Arabia are neither natural allies nor natural enemies but natural rivals who have long competed as major oil producers and self-proclaimed defenders of Shia and Sunni Islam, respectively. Until the Iranian revolution in 1979, their rivalry was managed and controlled by the United States, with whom they were both strategic allies. But after the Shah was overthrown, Saudi Arabia’s leadership became frightened by the Ayatollah Khomenei’s denunciation of the Saudi monarchy as antithetical to Islam and his ambition to export the revolution to the Arab world. Saudi Arabia remained an ally of the United States; Iran became an implacable foe. Thereafter, the rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia became defined by the new U.S. strategy - ally with Saudi Arabia to offset Iran."
     That has been our traditional approach to the Middle East situation.  But this new deal with Iran surely has to make not only Saudi Arabia nervous, but must especially heighten the protective instincts of Israel.  And can you blame them?  As part of the deal we negotiated alongside the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council—(China, France, Russia, UK, U.S.—plus Germany), and the European Union, Iran will be relieved of the economic sanctions that served to keep their nuclear program in check.
     In addition, Iran will soon be able to buy conventional arms because the arms embargo against them has been relaxed.   Iranian groups and individuals from terrorist-designated countries are now free to travel and do business around the world.  The Iranian nuclear program is also protected from sabotage by outside parties—meaning, pretty obviously, Israel.
     Those who support this deal will tell us that if some kind of deal had not been struck, putting at least these weak time restraints on Iran, then they would have proceeded, unabated, and headlong towards a nuclear bomb and certain war in the region.  If that happened, then the U.S. would necessarily have to strike, causing Russia to most likely side with Iran and the possible onset of Armageddon.
     I agree that it seems as if there was a no-win solution for the West.  But how does this agreement leave our ally, Israel?  At best, it is a huge gamble!  Does anyone really trust Iran to stick to, what seems to me, short timelines?  And now they are free to support and supply the other Middle East nations who hate Israel!  Haven't we laid out their path to the nuclear bomb?  And, as writer Jeffrey Goldberg has pointed out, "[haven't we] signaled to Iran’s leaders that they have a right—a previously unknown right in the vast catalogue of rights accorded to sovereign states—to enrich uranium, which is quite a thing to signal to a country designated by the United States as a committed and energetic sponsor of terror?"
     In the end, I do not have the knowledge to figure out how this debacle will end -- only God knows.  But from this vantage point, it seems as if we have done more to "lose the dogs of war" than we have to maintain the peace of the region.  All I know is that this deal is likely to result in "wars and rumors of wars; nation rising against nation."  And what will the U.S. Congress do?  Sadly, Congress, will only be able to express approval or disapproval (with an up or down vote), and the president will have the ability to move forward by vetoing any resolution of disapproval. And it is next to impossible for those who disapprove of this deal to get the 13 votes they would need to override a veto.
     However, with all that being said, the one thing I know for sure is that the God of Israel will not leave her defenseless.  Let men do what they will, our Sovereign God will work His plan for their national redemption.  Praise the Lord!

Malachi 3:6       For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.
   

1 Corinthians 16:8-9

But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, because a wide door for effective ministry has opened for me — yet many oppose me.

     This particular Scripture appealed to me this week because of both its worldly and spiritual implications.  In these two simple verses. Paul is speaking to the Church at Corinth about the opportunities he has received to do great work for the Kingdom of God in Ephesus... the chance to do effective ministry, and he doesn't want to waste or lose the moment.  Yet, he admits that there are many adversaries, or opponents working against him.

     What we need to understand is that Paul desired to go to Ephesus, the greatest city of Asia Minor, long before he actually went there.  In fact, we read in the 16th chapter of Acts, that the Holy Spirit prevented Paul from entering the province of Asia during his second missionary journey.  At the time, Ephesus was a vital and booming commercial city and the capital of the Roman province of Asia (it would be located in modern Turkey today).  It was the home of the famous temple for the fertility goddess Diana, which was considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.  There was a vibrant business centered around making and selling idols associated with the Temple, as well as all sorts of superstitious religious practices, temple prostitution, and emperor worship.  

     So, when in God's own timing, Paul had the opportunity to preach and teach in Ephesus, he wasn't going to let that door close on him.  And he was quite successful in his ministry and outreach; not only in Ephesus, but in the rest of the province of Asia -- so much so, that when so many people in Ephesus turned to Christ and renounced their pagan ways, some of the craftsmen in the city started a riot because he threatened their livelihood.  So, it is important to understand that although Paul was seeing tremendous results from his Holy Spirit-filled teaching, Ephesus was still a pagan, superstitious, spiritually dark city.  Yes, there were men of the world who didn't much like his success, but you can bet that there were spiritual entities that were none too happy with how he was affecting their "business" as well!

     And that brings me to my personal testimony about why these two verses struck a chord with me this week.  I have shared before that I am part of a small, faithful ecclesia of people dedicated to studying the Word and growing in their knowledge of God and His Kingdom here on earth.  We have committed ourselves to tackling the tough books of the Bible.  These are the books that the modern Church tends to avoid because they are too difficult to understand -- or let's be honest; they are simply too scary to contemplate.  We have spent years together as a group, and have grown so much in our faith, and borne much fruit, through our studies of the Book of Revelation, Daniel, and Romans. We didn't shy away from the tough passages, and researched the Hebrew and Greek translations in order to discover what these Scriptures had to say to us modern-day Christians.  Now, we are beginning the study of the Book of Acts; or as I like to call it, The Book of the Continuous Work of our Ascended Savior Through the Apostles.  

     You see, I believe all the Bible is a supernatural Book, and as such, is full of examples of the supernatural power of our God being transferred to men through the Holy Spirit.  That is what the Book of Acts is about!  We will be studying the Authority and the Power of God that was first displayed in the miraculous acts of healing and casting out of demons that our Lord performed.  The opening chapter of Acts finds the resurrected Savior telling the apostles to prepare to do the same miracles through God's supernatural power that will soon be coming upon them. These supernatural acts will enhance the spread of the Gospel message.

     And, as I have stated before, I believe that this Authority and Power did not end with the Apostles.  We, too, are filled with that same Holy Spirit and can receive those same spiritual gifts that allowed them to teach, and preach, and heal, and deliver.  And that's where the words of 1 Corinthians 16:9 have special meaning to me.

     Just as Paul began receiving opposition when he was doing God's Kingdom work, so our little group can expect that we will receive resistance.  There will be those in this world who do not agree that we have the same spiritual authority and power that the apostles had; and that's fine.  We will continue to study and let God's Word dictate our position.  Man's objection doesn't bother me.  But it is the antagonism coming from the spiritual world that we are already beginning to face, and we are only on the first chapter of Acts!  

     As I shared recently in a post, nearly half of our home church has suffered the loss of a beloved pet in the last month from sudden or mysterious circumstances.  This may be hard to digest, but last week my husband suffered a physical injury after being slammed to the ground by an unseen entity that he felt on his back.  He didn't understand why, until the Lord revealed in a dream that we are under attack because we are studying how to claim our authority and power from God.  And now, one of our members -- a vibrant and knowledgable woman of faith -- is under an oppressive attack of severe depression.  The email I received from her about why she wouldn't be attending our gathering didn't even sound like her.  It contained the words of a defeated, insecure, and beaten down woman who was listening to what a demonic spirit was telling her.  It is obvious the spiritual world wants to take her out of the game and reduce her influence.

     You see, as a group we have begun an informative study that will result in an effective ministry as we learn how to fight and defeat those who oppose us in the spiritual realm --- and they are not happy about it.  We can expect to be tormented and harassed as we shake off the cobwebs from inspired Scripture.  If the demonic realm can scare us off this study, we will be unproductive and fruitless Christians.  We will still have our salvation, but we will not be reaching our full potential for the kingdom of God ... and that's just what they want.  

     But I know our faithful group.  We will persist and endure and grow and become effective ministers in this, the 21st century version of a pagan, superstitious and spiritually dark world.  And I fully expect to be inspired and encouraged and motivated as we follow the Apostles through their acts of obedience to God. We recognize that we are nothing, but through His Authority and Power we can do great things in His Name, and nothing can defeat us!