Penalties For No Health Insurance? Going Up!

     From the very beginning, Americans instinctively knew that the Affordable Care Act was not exactly what it claimed to be; especially the affordable part.  And now, just a few years into the law being upheld by the Supreme Court, we are starting to get the real picture.
     And just so you get a feel of where we're headed, here are some facts:  The federal penalty for having no health insurance was $95 for individuals (or capped at $285 for families) for the 2014 year.  This year, the non-compliance penalty will rise to the greater of $325 for individuals or 2% of their income (and the greater of $975 or 2 % of income for families); and in 2016 an individual's penalty is projected to reach $695, or 2.5 % of income, whichever is greater.  For families, by 2016, it will jump sharply to $2,085 per family, or 2.5% of income, whichever is greater.  By 2017, all penalties will rise in line with inflation.
     But let's not forget that the Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that ObamaCare is a tax, not a mandate.  So what you are seeing in these increased penalties is, in reality, increased taxes.  And it's not unreasonable to think that these increases are also designed to grow the enrollment numbers over at HealthCare.gov.  When the penalty becomes too prohibitive, people will be forced to seek health insurance, and we all see our private health insurance premiums skyrocketing, so what's a person to do?

     But it is not only private health insurance going up; the premiums of the plans offered by the government --- you know, those affordable plans --- are expected to go up, too.  And it seems as if there is no big rush to sign up.  (We all remember the horror stories of those first enrollees, right?).  Already, we are seeing that the math just doesn't add up.  There aren't enough paying customers of HealthCare.gov, coupled with penalty-paying taxpayers, to cover the millions of people getting free healthcare.  But we knew that would be the case, didn't we?
     In reading an article on the upcoming increases, I perused the comments to see how people were reacting to the news.  It was interesting to see the range of opinions.  One person suggested, "People should find a broker, or health insurance professional to work with. Someone who can navigate you through choices and options."  I can tell you that I have done that, and guess what?  Even the most experienced brokers are throwing their hands up in frustration.  They cannot advise consumers on which plans will be the most affordable, because private insurance companies cannot predict what their premiums will be next year, let alone if those premiums will remain fixed or even stable.
     Another disconnect I witnessed in the comments section was the gulf between Person A, who has health insurance through his employer, and who resents Person B, because he can't afford the high premiums on the government plan (let alone the ridiculous deductibles), and therefore elects to pay the penalty.
     First of all, Person A can afford to be smug, if his employer is paying his healthcare premiums.  He even had the audacity to question Person B, by asking, "And why don't you receive health care through your employer? Many of us responsible folks ensured we had jobs that provided benefits."  He may be singing a different tune, when his employer does the math and concludes he can no longer provide these expensive benefits.  Too many Americans have been spoiled in this manner for too long.
     They have forgotten what it is like to begin in the workforce, making $26,000 per year.  Person B  would have to pay about $375 a month for ObamaCare, with a $6,000 deductible. He would receive about $70 in subsidies to offset that, so now he would have to pay around $300 a month.  Add that monthly bill to a car payment, auto insurance, utilities, and mortgage --- oh yeah, he has to eat, too -- and you can see how this would be difficult to maintain. And with that deductible there is no way he could afford to be sick anyway.  I can see why he would decide to pay the fine. If you make $30K a year the fine at 2.5% is $750 which is still only 2 months worth of insurance payments.
     So, the bottom line in this whole conversation is that we are simply headed down another rabbit hole that is designed to destroy the American lifestyle.  Is it just one more entitlement that the Elite wants to force down the throats of ALL Americans?  And is it really designed to throw the whole system into turmoil, making the government the only option? Or is it a ramification of a spiritual problem?  Either way, it doesn't look as if there is a way out, or a way to turn the monster around.  The American people and her leaders just listened to one more lie from Satan and we are reaping the consequences.

2 Peter 2:19    "They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved."
 

Should We Be Building A Wall?

     I ask this question in light of some of the news I am seeing in the world.  For instance, the government of Hungary took extreme measures to protect the sovereignty of their country after experiencing up to 10,000 people stream across its borders daily since the summer influx of migrants escaping the mayhem of the Middle East.
     After constructing a razor-wire fence early Saturday, barely a month after it shut its frontier with Serbia, only 41 people crossed into Hungary this past Sunday.  So it would seem that erecting some kind of barrier has worked for this EU member state.
     Then there is also the news that Israeli police have begun erecting a wall in East Jerusalem to protect a Jewish neighborhood that has been subject to firebomb and stone attacks launched from an adjacent Palestinian village.  Of course, if you read my blog yesterday, it should not surprise you that critics of this move see it as a division of the capital of Israel.  But if it is effective in reducing the number of attacks on innocent civilians, is it justifiable?
     That is the same question that the citizens of this nation are asking.  We can no longer ignore the warnings of ISIS that they are coming to destroy us, and we all know that the number of illegal immigrants flooding across our borders is unsustainable.  But how do you stop the perils that threaten to harm the very existence of our country?  Isn't a fence or wall at least a feasible solution?  I mean, don't airports have fences around them to keep out those who seek to cause harm?  Most concerts I attended in my youth had fences to keep those out who tried to sneak in without paying.  And even the White House has a fence around it.... so why is it labeled such an intolerant idea to consider that we protect our nation from those who could actually, or potentially, destroy our way of life?
     And I'm sure it won't surprise you that I take a Biblical look at the notion of walls.  What does God think of walls?  We read lots of verses about physical walls in the Bible... the walls of Jericho; the walls of the Temple; and the walls that Nehemiah would construct to rebuild the city of Jerusalem... just to name a few.  But these walls also had great spiritual significance.
     Remember that Satan accused God of putting a hedge of protection around Job so that he (Satan) could not accuse him.  In Hebrew, that word "hedge" meant to shut in for protection or restraint; a fence.  It was a spiritual "hedge" or fence that surrounded Job.  Remember, also, that God placed cherubim with flaming swords at the entrance to the Garden of Eden to guard the way to the tree of life.  They were, in essence, a wall that could not be breached.  And, finally, we see in the last book of the Bible, Revelation, that there will be a massive and high wall surrounding the holy (sanctified) city of Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, and having God’s glory [filled with His radiant light].   In fact, there are seven very detailed verses in Chapter 21 that describe these very walls of the New Jerusalem.  Walls obviously mean something to God!

     So what should that tell us about our own considerations of a protective wall around this nation?  I can tell you one thing --- Satan hates walls because God has used walls to protect what is valuable to Him.  Shouldn't we be doing the same?
     I recently ran across a Bible study that covered this very topic, and it asked some very pointed questions that I think lend weight to our discussion.... Do we have a wall to keep the enemies of God's way out of our lives and homes? Have we set boundaries against the world, or have we torn down the wall? If we have a wall, are we leaving the gates open and unguarded? Are we willing to fight to defend our families and our church? Or do we just let the enemy stream in unchallenged?
     Notice that all these questions have both a physical and spiritual aspect.  We can apply these  queries to our human enemies and social problems, as well as to our spiritual foes.  Remembering that Satan hates for us to put up walls, and that God puts a wall around His people to keep Satan at bay, (as in the example of Job), I think it is essential that we have a thorough conversation on constructing our walls.
     The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 10:8:  "He who digs a pit [for others] may fall into it, and a serpent may bite him who breaks through a [stone] wall."  Now, that can be interpreted a couple of ways:  first the aggressor that breaks through the wall God has erected to protect His people can expect to be bitten by the serpent, which God will allow.  It can also mean that those who let their spiritual wall crumble will have opened up an entrance for Satan to strike.  Either way, the protection of the wall is gone.
     The final point I want to make is this:  God is our ultimate wall; our protection.  But that protection hinges on us maintaining a sanctified relationship with Him.  It is within His rights and character, as Creator, to tear down our walls because of our sins.  And He is under no obligation to honor or rebuild the wall He offered us, especially if we reject Him.  The surest way to restore the wall is through sincere and complete repentance, both as individuals and as a nation.
     So, while I am intrigued that Hungary and Israel have built new walls and fences to protect themselves from the enemy storming the gates, I have to wonder about the soundness of their spiritual walls.  And I must admit that I have little confidence that America will ever build a wall to protect itself --- either physically or spiritually.  And should Congress somehow appropriate the money to begin construction of such a wall, if God is not in the building of it, it will crumble at the smallest strike by the Enemy.  Until we get serious about restoring the foundations of the protective hedge God once applied to this nation, the physical wall we propose to build will collapse because of its inherent weakness and the lack of solid spiritual material.

Ezekiel 13:10-11:   "... because when one builds a [flimsy] wall, behold, these [lying] prophets plaster it over with whitewash; so tell those who plaster it with whitewash, that it will fall! A flooding rain [of judgment] will come, and you, O [great] hailstones, will fall; and a violent wind will tear the wall apart." 

Terror In Israel & Why I Care

   

     In the West, the recent attacks on Israeli citizens is treated as just another element of the ongoing violence between Palestinians and the occupying state of Israel.  And, if as a Romans 11 Believer, I am called a "Christian Zionist" when I decry the bloodshed of innocent Israelis, then so be it.  As I explained in a recent blog, my approach to the situation in Israel is from a Biblical (and "big picture") perspective.  The current state of Israel -- in all its nationalistic, political, and largely secular condition -- is not yet that Biblical nation of Israel with whom God established a covenant .... but one day it will be.  Until then, it is still God's beloved Zion, with whom He has established an eternal covenant to bless all the earth.  We're at the beginning stages; they are "back in the land" and moving towards their prophetic role and purpose of leading the world to God.

    In the meantime, the world is throwing everything it can at them; just as the Bible tells us it will be.  But I find the manner in which the media is treating the current violence rather ironic.  Last year's violence in the so-called "Gaza war", found the world's media condemning the deaths of innocent Palestinians (even they were being used as human shields by Hamas).  But, now when the victims of the latest rock-throwing, gun ambushes, and stabbings with knives and screw drivers happen to be Israelis, the media's attention is noticeably smaller.  

     Amid unfounded rumors that Israel is planning to destroy, or at least confiscate, the Temple Mount, there has risen a spate of hate-crazed, religiously motivated attacks.  In the Old City of Jerusalem a young man, his wife, and their two children (in baby strollers) were attacked with a knife.  The young father was killed, along with another innocent bystander.  And as the mother lay on the ground, she cried out for Palestinian shopkeepers to help her.  The shopkeepers spat on her, and the Palestinian youths responsible for the attack cursed at her; one of them slapped her and another laughed in her face and told her to “drop dead” when she told him she’d give him a million shekels if he helped her get away with her two babies.

     When reporting the brutal attack, did the BBC lament the unprovoked attack?  No.  Their headline read, Palestinian Shot Dead After Jerusalem Attack Kills Two.  In recent days, there have been 7 Israelis killed and dozens wounded in four different shooting, car ramming and stabbing attacks in Jerusalem and central Israel -- all attacks against innocent Israeli citizens.  The response to such unsolicited attacks have left at least 30 Palestinians (the attacks among them) dead.  Yet the world equates what they call "Israeli occupation" with South African apartheid and its associated pain, suffering, discrimination and no hope that things will ever change.  And our Secretary of State, John Kerry, announces to the world audience, "I am not going to point fingers from afar at who's responsible for violence."  Perhaps the world and the media can no longer avoid the true perpetrators after Friday's torching of Joseph's Tomb, one of the holiest shrines in the Holy Land.

     The Tomb is the funerary monument to Joseph, one of the Patriarchs of the nation of Israel.  It has been venerated for centuries by Jews, Samaritans, Christians and Muslims.  But such is the hatred for the Jews in their ancestral homeland, that attackers would choose to firebomb the holy site in retaliation for their very presence.  The tomb is located in a compound in the city of Nablus, and was transferred to Palestinian control in 1995.  It was ransacked and burnt by Palestinian rioters at the start of an uprising in October, 2000; and currently, Jewish pilgrims are only permitted to visit at night, once a month go pray, and under Israeli military protection.  

     And still the world lays the ongoing violence at the feet of the Jews.  It doesn't seem to matter that school text books used by Palestinian Muslim children give classroom instruction on "How To Stab A Jew".  Or that the Palestinian terror group HAMAS  is celebrating the Palestinian murders of two Israelis on a Jerusalem bus last week by distributing a sick re-enactment film.  In the eyes of the world, its governing bodies, and the biased media coverage, this is a one-sided conflict, and Israel and the Jews deserve no consideration.

     I have no reason to think that these attacks will subside in the near future.  In fact, there seems to have been a steady stream of attacks in the recent past.  So, as we watch the increasing tension in the Middle East, we see the Biblical End Times enemies of Israel aligning against her, and we know where this is headed.  No amount of effort by Western leaders in Washington and European capitals, as well as at the United Nations, will result in a permanent "peace process" that will divert the inevitable march of Israel's enemies towards the battle in the Valley of Megiddo.   

     But we can pray for God to strengthen His hedge of protection around the faithful Jews in Israel; around those who are faithful to their covenant with Him.  Those Messianic-believing Jews, those who have kept their part of the covenant, will experience perfect and blameless shielding from all their enemies.  The Bible tells us that the Lord will have a holy people in these Last Days.  That remnant is living in Israel today; yes, even in the midst of their worldly, lost and blinded countrymen.  And it is because of them that I care what is going on in Israel; that I take notice of increasing and almost daily violence.  And it is because I do not want any Israeli Jew to lose their life before having the opportunity to recognize their Messiah.  So I will continue to pray for Jerusalem and that God will never again cede her to her enemies.

Special consideration:  I would like to extend my deep and sincere sympathy to the family of Jack Kelley, a Christian writer and founder of the website ministry "Gracethrufaith.com".  Jack's writing always provided me with a clear picture of the full counsel of God's Word, and I often referenced it in my own writing.  Jack was unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer and received the ultimate healing in just a matter of days.  Please pray for his family and thank God for all the work Jack Kelley did for His kingdom while on earth.  It is only appropriate that I share how Jack answered a question regarding the loss of a loved one.  Please read how Jack glorified God in his response and, ultimately, in his life. 

Isaiah 61:3     The Spirit of the Lord is upon me ... To grant to those who mourn in Zion the following: To give them a turban instead of dust [on their heads, a sign of mourning]; The oil of joy instead of mourning; The garment [expressive] of praise instead of a disheartened spirit. So they will be called the trees of righteousness [strong and magnificent, distinguished for integrity, justice, and right standing with God], The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

     

How Can The Church Help?

     All of us Christians with a Biblical worldview have no trouble seeing what is coming.  We feel it in our souls and especially in our spirits.  We are neither casual or cowardly Christians, and we discern the "signs of the times" with spiritual clarity.  As individuals, we feel the urgency in communicating with non-believers to get right with God and recognize their need for a Savior.  But we have also dived deeper into our Bibles and are actively communing with God as to what our mission is among our brethren in Christ.  Notice I said as individuals… but what is the Church, as the collective Body of Christ, doing to prepare for the chaos and collapse we know is inevitable?
     To be honest, I don't see much happening.  In fact, I would venture that a majority of people in the pews each Sunday are unaware of the coming destruction.  And if they are alert to the prophetic events on the horizon, they tend to be frightened and disorganized.
     Without too much understanding, it is not hard to figure out that an economic collapse is a very real possibility.  What happens when our state and federal agencies go bankrupt and people are left without the means for basic survival?  Here are a few suggestions for ways the Church could serve God's people during the crisis that we know is barreling down on us.  It is time the Church took a leadership role, and thanks to Charisma News, here are some really worthy suggestions:
1.  Professionals need to begin preparing networks.  We should be thinking and planning right now --- pastors and individuals with expertise in the areas it will take to survive should be setting up networks and training to become emergency crisis responders.  In every church, there are professionals we can network together who can be mobilized to serve a community in the case of a disaster (folks in the medical field, emergency responders, military personnel, psychologists, community leaders, elected officials and the police).  It will take all these people to keep our communities from descending into chaos.  A network already in place will save valuable time and lives.
2.  We need to be declaring storehouses for sustainable food and materials.  We know that it is very probable that our distribution infrastructure may be disrupted.  In that case, churches can store generators, emergency equipment such as first-aid kits, flashlights and food that can serve the needs of the most vulnerable within their congregations and communities… and do it beforehand.  There is no reason to wait until the crisis has already happened to be respond.
3.  Churches need to be prepared to assist in bartering ventures.  I think it is safe to say that paper money will be the first thing that goes if we have a global collapse.  Even gold and silver will not be available to everyone.  So the churches need to be thinking about what services they can help coordinate to offer ways for people to barter for what they need.  The Church could become sort of a central clearinghouse for people to offer and get services that will sustain them.
4. We need to prepare our local congregations to lead with a biblical worldview in every area of life.   And "lead" is the operative word here.  In times of social disruption and when society has lost its bearings, it provides believers the unique opportunity to fill the vacuum of leadership in all the major spheres of culture. We need to capitalize on this opportunity by providing leadership with problem-solving ability that is informed by what the Bible has to say regarding economic and political principles, so that newly formed policy measures will be blessed of God and not perpetuate the same humanistic systems.
5. We need to have unity and communication systems in place among churches in every region.  Doesn't it seem expedient for pastoral and church leadership to have key relationships in place throughout our cities that will enable us to have practical strategic responses and galvanize help where needed?  What are we waiting for?
6. We need to have long seasons of fasting and prayer for awakening and revival.  This goes without saying!  And it is past time to educate our fellow Christians on the reasons for fasting, and how to pray in the spirit for God's protection and blessings.  Once again, I ask … what are we waiting for?
7.  We need to network with key elected officials and community leaders.  That includes teachers to help lead alternate ways of educating our children.  But most importantly, when societal unrest and a deterioration of our most fundamental necessities is staring us in the face, we need to have a system of interconnected people who can exchange information and experience, resulting in a true support system.  That also includes those willing to train people to protect themselves, their families, and their churches.
     I don't have to tell you that we are teetering on the edge… will it be economics, politics, a world war, or terrorism that will strike the first blow?  Or will we just implode on ourselves from our decaying and immoral culture?  Whatever form the destruction comes in, it is incumbent upon us not only as decent and good people, but as Christians -- God's representatives upon this earth -- to alleviate as much suffering and strife as we can.  By doing so, we can make the difference in people's lives; both in the here and now and for eternity.  We don't have a moment to lose!

Hebrews 11:7    "By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."


   
   

Matthew 28:18

 Jesus came up and said to them, "All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me."

     This is the first verse of three verses (Matthew 28:18-20) in which Jesus spoke, giving us The Great Commission.  But we tend to put more emphasis on the last two verses, which are our specific instructions:  to make disciples of the nations, baptizing them, and teaching them to follow His commandments.  Rarely, do we give any further thought to this powerful opening statement.

     But I want to discuss its importance in "the big picture", if you will.  What I believe Scripture is trying to tell us in this passage is that this was a great day in Jesus's ministry!  This is prior to His ascension, during the time He appears to the disciples after His resurrection.  He is announcing that He has successfully completed His mission from the Father.

     We must remember that prior to His death and resurrection, He refrained from claiming His own Authority that He possessed as Deity.  He had agreed with God to work as a human, working only through the authority that the Father gave Him.  Can you see that Jesus was a man under authority?   We see that in the following Scriptures:  John 14:31:  I do exactly as the Father has commanded Me [and act in full agreement with Him]; John 4:34:   Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to completely finish His work; and Jesus makes it clear that He has accomplished His task in John 17:4:  I have glorified You [down here] on the earth by completing the work that You gave Me to do.

     And as the featured Scripture shows us, the Father has now chosen to turn over all heavenly and earthly authority to His Son in repayment for Jesus's obedience.  It is also important for us to understand that this Authority from God is restoring the authority that was lost through Adam.  Remember that we (mankind) were made in the image of God and given dominion over all the earth. Our position at Creation was far above all created beings (including the angels and Satan!) -- we were essentially intended for second place in the universe!  But Satan being jealous of that authority and power to rule, convinced Adam and Eve to transfer that authority to him, which they did when they chose to obey him rather than God.  

     Now, God has given that Authority back to man -- by way of our union with Christ through the Holy Spirit!  In that process He has united us with Him for all eternity.  Have you ever given thought to the idea that in His ascension, Jesus never went back to simply being God?  He is still one of us and will be until the end of this world!  I think we have a hard time grasping that fact... Jesus truly was both God and man.  And I believe in my heart and soul that when we see Jesus after our own resurrection, we will see Him as the slain man, with His beard pulled out, holes in his hands and feet, and bloody scars on His back.  It is this "lamb who was slain" that the apostle John beheld during his presence in the Throne Room of God in Revelation 5:6.  And I cannot prove it, but my spirit thinks we will not see Him in His position of Deity until the new heaven and new earth are ushered in, and all things will return to God's intended and original state.

     But the point that I wish us to understand is this:  God trusted Jesus, the man, with His divine authority to accomplish His work on earth.  And guess what?  Jesus now trusts us!  When He left this earth, He gave us the Holy Spirit, predicting that those who choose to believe in Him and follow Him "will do what I do -- yes, and even greater things" (John 14:12).  

     The authority that God gave Jesus, is now available to us, through our union with Him in the Holy Spirit, and through the appropriate use of the power of Jesus's name.  When we carry out our mission, Satan's kingdom on earth and in the spiritual realm trembles!  They know that we have been given the means to reclaim our original place of authority (second place!) and they must obey!  If only we would recognize how much God and Jesus want us to seize the authority and power that rightly belong to us!  If only we would realize that this authority is recognized by God and by the enemy in the spiritual realm as being an inherent part of our created being!  We possess this authority from the moment we accept Christ as our Savior and we are joined to Him and the Father through the intimacy of the Holy Spirit.  It then becomes our choice ... will we follow the model of Jesus, the Son of Man, and be obedient as He was?  Will we use our authority as given to us by God to carry out His work and His purposes in our lives?  

     Just as Jesus obeyed His Father and received the Holy Spirit at His baptism, and launched into His earthly ministry of love, power, and authority, so are we to obey Jesus's command by being filled with the same Holy Spirit that empowered our Lord.  When we recognize that we share that same authority and power, we can begin our own ministry and actually do what He did, and even more.  He told us so, Himself:   I assure you and most solemnly say to you, anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these [in extent and outreach], because I am going to the Father (John 14:12).

     We can use our authority as Jesus did -- to bring about whatever is in accord with the Father's will -- by following His example of spending time in prayer and intimate fellowship with God; aligning our wills with His.  We will then find that we will receive the appropriate authority and power to accomplish the task He has set before us.  

     It is my prayer that all Christians would come to understand this "big picture"; to truly use Jesus as our model; and to see who we are really designed by our Creator to become.  I fear that we spend too much time serving on Church councils, finance committees, and other religious diversions that keep us from doing the Father's will.  Is that really what He had in mind when He made us in His image and positioned us above the angels?  Don't you think we have a higher purpose?  When Jesus made His pronouncement of having received "all authority (all power to rule)", He was affirming that from His position as a man (remember He had not yet ascended).  He was announcing that He had reclaimed (for man) the authority that Adam had lost.  So now that we once again have access to that Authority and Power, how are we going to use it (if we use it all)?  

     As we enter these Last Days, how are we to best serve our Lord and His Kingdom if we don't use that which has been restored to us?  As for my husband and myself, we are being convicted to serve those who God puts in front of us; using our position as a co-heir of Christ, infused with authority and power from on high, and as befitting our rightful position in Creation.  That probably doesn't look like the average Christian, but that's OK.  God created us in His image, and there's nothing average or ordinary about Him!

     

Advice For The Daughter In All Of Us

It's not often that I run across an article that says something that I feel should be shared in its entirety.  But in this day, when raising children is beset with all kinds of misinformation through social media and our education system, it is refreshing to see a father give some sensible advice to his daughter.  There are a few things that I would like to add to his recommendations, and I will do that at the conclusion of his commentary.  But, to begin, I would like to introduce John LeFevre, a former Wall Street banker, who left the industry to become a writer for, among others, Business Insider and the Huffington Post.  If I am correct, I believe Mr. LeFevre writes from a secular perspective, yet this article, written for his daughter, offers some logical and well-grounded council.  

     When it comes to our kids, we seem totally lost. It’s not just that millennials tend to be these narcissistic, overly sensitive, entitled kids who are unable to cope with the realities of life, it’s that we’re the ones enabling this dreary, flaccid, cultural malaise.
     So far this year on college campuses, we’ve seen the banning of phrases like “land of opportunity” because they might be offensive; the removal of the American flag from “safe zones” because it endorses American superiority; and the canceling of screenings of “American Sniper” for fear of offending Muslim students. Teachers are even afraid to give low grades because of their students’ emotional fragility.
     What kind of adults are we raising them to be? Look no further than the advice the New York Times recently prescribed for being a modern man, which included such absurdities as owning a melon baller and a shoe horn, while sanctimoniously dismissing guns. And the advice that young woman are getting from a media enamored by social justice warriors is even worse – politically correct, unrealistic and even dangerous.
     Since I wrote a book about deviance and debauchery on Wall Street that included anecdotes about the celebrated misogyny and objectification of women in the workplace, I get snidely asked all the time, “What are you going to say to your daughter?”  So, now that I have a daughter, [and] here’s my advice for her:

1.     Stand up straight.
2.     Know how to change a tire, but whenever possible, let a man to do it for you.
3.     Your physical appearance matters. That’s the world we live in, and it’s also how we’re wired.
4.      Inner beauty — intelligence, personality, confidence and a sense of humor — becomes more important as you get older. Wit never sags.
5.     You are more beautiful than you will ever give yourself credit for.
6.     It’s my job to keep you safe. That’s why it’s also my job to teach you how to use a gun.
7.     Take good care of your skin.
8.     Don’t worry about dieting. Eat healthy, exercise, drink in moderation and everything will fall into place.
9.     Gender is not a social construct. Embrace the differences between men and women.
10.   Read more. It allows you to borrow someone else’s brain.
11.   It’s safe to assume that almost every guy you meet wants to sleep with you.
12.   If anyone says it’s OK to be fat, they’re lying to you.
13.   Let him pay for dinner most of the time.
14.   Just because you can fit into that tiny dress doesn’t mean you should wear it.
15.   Don’t sleep around.
16.   Play sports. You’ll probably run, throw and fight like a girl, but that’s magnificent.
17.   Money is important. It won’t make you happy, but it solves many of the problems that will make you unhappy.
18.   You will regret getting a tattoo.
19.   If you are blessed with the gift of being able to create and shape a life — embrace it. You’ll probably find it more rewarding than any career.
20.   You have all the power over boys. Let them cherish and revere you.
21.   Ignore the boos; they usually come from the cheap seats.
22.   Don’t try to party like one of the guys. You don’t metabolize alcohol at the same rate, and that’s how bad things can happen.
23.   Success is doing whatever it is that you love, and doing it well. But… (see No. 17.)
25.   Just because your brother might go on spring break with his friends doesn’t mean you can. (See Nos. 6, 9, 11, 22.)
24.   Finally, remember that rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of a smart, strong woman.

     I would only add a couple of suggestions of my own, and they concern the spiritual life of Mr. LeFevre's daughter.  I would advise her to look beyond what this world tells her defines her as a woman.  I would hope that she sees a comparison between her relationship with her earthly father and her Heavenly one... that she seek to please Her Father in Heaven and to respect and submit to His commands, as much as she does her daddy here on earth.
     I would also tell her that there is a purpose for her life greater than the treasures that youth, beauty, and fame can bring; that God wants to work through her life to project His grace and mercy through serving others --- it is not all about her.  
     And finally, I would recommend that she seek the counsel of older, wiser women who can share their testimonies of hope and faith in a God who has protected them, strengthened them, and grown them through the ups and downs of life.  We all have stories to tell, and our experiences in our salvation process are immeasurable.  Think about it... what advice would you give?

Psalm 31:28-29:    Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:  “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”
     
   

Want To Know How Easy It's Been To Implement The "Beast System"?

   

     This may seem like old news, but I think that's only because we've become so comfortable with the progress of this agenda, that we don't see it for what it is.  Even if you're not a Christian, our culture is aware of the prophetic warnings in the Bible's Book of Revelation that a Mark of the Beast will be forced upon mankind at the end of this world.
     I would say that secularists and nonbelievers are well aware of the imagery of Good and Evil, and would suggest that the Book of Revelation has been applied throughout history as a political tract, so to speak, to resist tyranny (beginning with the tyranny of Rome as experienced by the Apostle John when he wrote the Book).   Articles on the PBS website suggest that when the end did not come in John's time, the central message of the Book has been applied down throughout the ages to all tyrants, without the end coming.  In fact, I have read various theses that suggest John was predicting events, basically down to the time of Constantine and nothing beyond, except for an expectation of the end of the world.  And again, those who give no Divine perspective to the Bible or the Book of Revelation will say that it's primary message is that the powers of this world, no matter how terrifying they may be, are passing away and that in the end righteousness and justice will prevail.
     But those of us whose spirits know God's Truth discern that the Book of Revelation, and the "Beast System" it forecasts, are very real and will certainly come to pass.  We inherently know that the technological age is moving us in that direction, and I'd like to show you just how easily we've been led down that path.  An excellent article on the website PatriotTruther.com spells it out rather concisely.
     The first step was Cash Alternatives.  How many of you are old relics, like me, who prefer to still pay their bills by paper checks?  How many Americans now use only credit cards or debit cards for their purchases?  Although various charge cards have been around since the 1920s, it wasn't until 1958 that Bank of America launched the first successful recognizably modern credit card.  And by the 1970s debit cards were in use, providing the cardholder electronic access to their bank account(s) at a financial institution.  The use of cash was declining.
     Step two was the Digital Payroll.  I don't know about you, but I remember being very uncomfortable with not being able to physically see my compensation for a week's work.  I instinctively did not like having that control being taken away from me, and intuitively sensed that we had lost a modicum of our freedom.
     That move has taken us to the current step, a Reduction in Cash Usage.  People just don't transact business in cash like they used to.  In fact, it is discouraged.  We store our credit card info online and buy directly from the seller with a just a few keystrokes.  And merchants want you to sign up for "paperless" payments, while devices like Square have made it possible for people to process payments on their smartphone, PC, or tablet.  And some banks are even offering their customers the ability to transfer cash to other customers at the same bank.  How many of you have experienced the displeasure of a store clerk when you want to write a check, or (Gasp!) actually pay in Cash, rather than use a credit or debit cards?  You would think the few extra minutes it takes them to process your payment-for-goods was the most painful experience they've ever had!

     This will all lead to the next-to-last step of Phasing Out Cash.  We're already starting to see that happen.  The current monetary system is in imminent collapse, and the powers-that-be are spreading all kinds of information about identity theft and fraud... all for the purpose of introducing the new nationwide shift to  EMV chip technology in our credit cards.  EMV stands for Europay, MasterCard and Visa, and it is a global standard for cards equipped with computer chips and the technology used to authenticate chip-card transactions.
     Are you starting to see where this is headed in relation to the Book of Revelation?  I know I don't need to tell those of you who are awake where this step is taking us.  Although the EMV card has been touted as a way to avoid theft and fraud, the truth is that cards are still being stolen and duplicated.  And we are told that they are a convenient way to compile all our information in one place; our I.D., medical records, and personal information will be under the protective umbrella of this new technology. Riiiiight! 
     So what is the next logical step?  Of course, we must Eliminate Fraud.  There will soon be a narrative released that theft, fraud, and duplication are not being reduced with the EMV chip in the card, so it only makes sense to implant the chip in us!  And you want to hear something interesting?  The April 27, 1998, edition of Time Magazine ran a story, The Big Bank Theory And What It Says About The Future OF Money, in which they opined "Your daughter can store the money any way she wants--on her laptop, on a debit card, even (in the not too distant future) on a chip implanted under her skin."  And I have read numerous articles that suggested that the most convenient place for the implant would be either the “right” hand, or the forehead.  Think that's a coincidence?
     Now, we know that we cannot change what is coming right?  But we certainly have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals.  We must talk to our kids and grandkids, and make them listen to us.  This "Beast System" might be inevitable, but it does not mean that we must succumb to it.  Please warn others within your sphere of influence that there will soon come a point at which they must make a very important decision; one that will effect their lives for eternity.  Currently, that choice seems to be a foregone conclusion, and definitely one of convenience.  But we always have a choice...  we don't have to be like sheep being led to the slaughter.

Revelation 14:11    "And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name."
   
   

The Righteousness of Hunting

     OK, the subject matter of today's blog may seem a little off-topic for me, but hang in there, because I have something I want to say.  Last night, I overhead a conversation between my husband and our good friend, Chris, who lives in Montana.  For years, these two renaissance men have shared many conversations about their love of traditional bow-hunting and their respect for the animals they have hunted.  Neither are "trophy hunters", and enjoy the rich heritage that hunting with a bow affords them.
     But their latest discussion centered around their distaste for what the "sport" of hunting has become.  In years past, Chris and his wife, Darcy, have enjoyed hunting deer and elk during the Montana winters, and are bringing up my Godson, Hunter, in the traditional ways to harvest meat.  But just as our culture has abandoned established and time-honored traditions, we are seeing the same thing in hunting, too.

     It seems that the bane of traditional hunters has been the move by social media and "star quality" hunting shows to brand themselves as superstar hunting experts.  The drive to sell products, develop a product line, and create a following is ruining the art of hunting.  Just like social media and the internet has contributed to the downfall of our culture and our kids, it has also taken its toll on the intimacy and spiritual side of hunting.  What was once a sacred and solo endeavor in the woods, has now become a product-driven, success-driven, and trophy-driven business.
     Both my husband and Chris lament how difficult it is to hunt these days; especially for Chris who has much more access to big game in Montana, than we do here in Texas.  Not only do we have the ridiculous chatter of PETA degrading the practice of hunting, but this has led to an onslaught of "photo" hunters tromping through the woods and spoiling the natural environment that is necessary for a successful hunt.  Add to that film crews for the latest "hunting show", and the original purpose for hunting is out the window.  GoPros and selfies don't belong in the woods!  The use of them to announce to the Facebook crowd that you're a "big-time hunter" is not only undignified, but demeans the legitimate killing of an animal.
     I say "legitimate" because God actually condones hunting animals in the Bible.  First of all, in Genesis, the very first book of the Bible, God gives man dominion over animals, birds, and fish.  All live in harmony on the earth, until Adam and Eve are disobedient and cast out of the Garden.  But guess what God did?  Applying His grace to their naked state, He sacrificed an animal for its hide and clothed them.  Until you get to Chapter 9 in Genesis, both man and animals were vegetarians, with God providing plants to feed them both.  Then after the Flood, God gives Noah and his family permission to eat of the animals that survived on the ark.  And who doesn't recall the Patriarch Isaac requesting that his son Esau "go out to the field and hunt game for me, and prepare for me delicious food, such as I love, and bring it to me so that I may eat".
     So, it is very clear to me that hunting is a righteous and honorable tradition among men.  But, I am also aware that man can corrupt anything he lays his hands on.  I have read far too many articles, and heard too many stories, of unprincipled and immoral men "hunting" animals in despicable ways.  There is the story of a Guide and Outfitter in Maine who ran across a group of men "bragging about how they had chased a moose with their truck. There to hunt deer or bear, they had just happened onto the bull. They laughed, describing how close they had gotten to the animal and how wildly he had run."
     There are always the stories of men who just want the glory of a mount to hang on their wall, and disrespect the animals that gave their lives to provide bragging rights for that hunter.  God even has something to say about those hunters who waste the meat:  The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, but diligence [effort, persistence, dedication] is man’s precious possession.   And, of course, I don't need to tell you that far too many of these kinds of "hunters" are reckless with their weapons, and gun safety is low on their priority list.  These men do a disservice to all the hunters who, like Chris and my husband, respect and honor not only their heritage of hunting, but the animals, themselves.
     I don't know what it is about our culture, but it seems that everything that was once good for the harmony of the land, which includes man's role and responsibilities regarding his place in creation, has become corrupted.  It's as if his legal authority is being diminished and traditional values are perishing.  The dominion we were given by God over the earth is being usurped by Satan and technology, and is ruining God's intentions for man as hunter.  We also see it in the family unit; in the sanctity of life; in our disrespect towards our fellow man; and now in the ways that even hunting is changing.
     For those lucky enough to experience it, hunting has been a time-honored custom in which fathers can spend time with their sons (and daughters), and teach them to honor and respect all animals, which are under our dominion.  True, it is not necessary to hunt for food at this moment in time... meat is still readily available in your local grocery store.  But there is nothing like taking the responsibility for harvesting your own food to teach you not to take it for granted.
     It is a sad thing for me to hear both my husband and our friend say that it is getting more difficult for them to enjoy hunting.  And it is a sad day when the callousness and selfishness of our culture invades the art of hunting.... one more good and decent tradition goes by the wayside.

Genesis 21:20    "And God was with the boy, and he grew up. He lived in the wilderness and became an expert with the bow."


   

For A Time Such As This

     I am sure there are many people like me; folks who are well aware that the chaos and confusion that we see in the world is not only increasing, but actually must happen in order to usher in the return of our Lord.  By this confession, I'm sure I'm not telling you anything you don't know.  But I also know that feeling the intensity of escalating events can lead to some sleepless nights.
     Just today, I woke up in the early hours of the morning -- a little past 4:00 -- and could not go back to sleep.  I felt such a heaviness and oppression, and was aware of a sense of impending doom; like world events are cascading in upon each other and will soon erupt into a worldwide conflagration.  I know, I know ... that is not exhibiting the hope and peace that I should have in knowing God is in control of all events, and my eternal future is secure.  But when these sleepless periods come, it's not so much fears over my personal safety that keep me awake, but I can't keep my mind from being concerned about all my loved ones, or being aware of the horrendous persecution of people of faith around the world.

     How is it possible to escape the headlines each day?  They are not to be ignored ... Russia and Syria forming a strong alliance; Chinese warplanes joining the battle against ISIS; Iran declaring hatred and annihilation of America and Israel; Oil reserves discovered in the Golan Heights (which could certainly be the "hook" that draws the nations into the Gog-Magog war ... and on and on.  It all seems to be aligning with Biblical prophecy.
     As I laid in bed, binding those destructive thoughts and taking them captive, I was reminded of a dream that I had nearly 6 or 7 years ago.  It was so intense and so real, that I knew it was spiritual in purpose.  In this dream, I was on a beautiful beach with nearly pure white sand, and situated in a cove.  On one side of this cove, the land formed a peninsula that jutted out into the ocean, but I was protected from the roaring sea in this quiet cove.   Then I became aware of a strange object in the water of this coastal inlet, and as only seems logical in dreams, I recognized it as a ferris wheel.
     At this point, I must tell you that I am not really comfortable in deep water, so it is understandable that I approached the ferris wheel in my dream with some trepidation.  But I finally climbed into one of the buckets and it began its climb towards the sky, where I could see the beauty of the calm water before me.  But as it descended, I knew I was going to have to brace for an entrance into the deep water of the cove, before the rotation of the ferris wheel continued its circular motion.  So, I experienced several rounds of relaxed enjoyment, followed by the anticipation and fear of going underwater.  Looking back at this dream,  I believe this was representative of what I have faced over the last years as God has awakened me to the knowledge that we are in the Last Days... periods of calm, serenity, and confidence, followed by times of fear, anticipation and dread as He revealed more of how He wants me to spiritually prepare.
     But then the dream took a different turn.  I exited the ferris wheel, and ventured to walk from the cove and around to the other side of the peninsula.  I felt drawn to the open sea, even though the sheer size and mass of the ocean frightened me.  I stood looking at the ocean, mesmerized by its power, and then I noticed far-off in the distance, a small wave approaching.  I stood there, almost hypnotized, watching this wave growing as it approached me until, shaken from my stupor, I realized that the swelling waves were going to swamp the shore on which I stood.
     Despite being fearful of the ocean and deep water, I knew that I had to try to escape and swim to safety.  The next thing I became aware of in my dream was swimming as hard as I could and looking back over my shoulder to see that wave coming ever closer with such speed and height.  At last it reached me and came crashing down on top of me, tumbling me over and over, and dragging me into the depths of the ocean.  I was so scared, and fought to hold my breath, finally resigning myself to the fact that I was going to drown.
     Even in my dream state, I could feel my heart beating wildly and could sense my acceptance of death.  Then I felt strong arms scooping me up in those deep waters, and of being cradled.  I heard a voice say, "It's all right.  There's no need to be afraid. I have you."  Then I had a fleeting moment of such profound peace, freedom from fear, and of being completely loved before waking up.  I know, without a doubt, that this dream was confirming that, yes, there is a wave building across the globe, and it will come crashing down upon the world.  There will be moments of panic and terror, but I am to rest in the knowledge that this fear will be fleeting.  I will be secure in the arms of my Lord, who will literally save me from drowning in the chaos and evil of these days.
     Nothing has changed in the intervening years, since I had the dream, to give me a different insight into the prophetic meaning of it.  Before our very eyes we are witnessing upheaval in our monetary systems, the erosion of independent sovereign nation states; and our social institutions and international relations are decaying.  The institution of marriage, that began in the Garden of Eden, has been redefined.  And the sanctity of life is sold for corporate profit.  As Paul McGuire, a prophecy expert, describes the world, "It’s as if the world has been set on fire by chaos or crisis of every kind; financial crisis, terrorist crisis, racial crisis, moral crisis, religious crisis and even a crisis in our weather patterns."
     So I know that many of you are feeling the effects of what we are witnessing in world events.  But I'm here to tell you we don't have to succumb to fear or paranoia.  The love that I felt in that dream is real, and there is power and deliverance in it!  We have been called by God, before the creation of the world, for a time such as this.  He will see us through whatever is coming, and He has promised that the gates of Hell will not overcome us!  Just remember this:  that wave may have come crashing down on me, but I landed in the strong arms of my Savior and He assured me that He would not let go.  If you belong to Him, His promise is the same for you!

Psalm 118:16-17     The Lord’s right hand is raised. The Lord’s right hand performs valiantly!  I will not die, but I will live and proclaim what the Lord has done.
   

What Is Bill Gates Up To Now?

     As if we didn't have enough to worry about concerning the younger generation, it looks as if a new form of propagandizing has captured the impressionable minds and hearts of our youth.  We're all aware of the issues surrounding Agenda 21 -- climate change, sustainable living, global equality, etc. -- and how through social media and the internet, our kids are being convinced that we, of the older generations, are just not keeping up with the times.  In other words, they are being subtly convinced that they know more than their parents, and that they are so much more enlightened and compassionate.  In fact, the world would be a better place if everyone just conformed to a one-world standard and got rid of any individual expression of liberty or self-determination.
     So, the latest cause to turn your kids and grandkids heads is an offshoot of the many Agenda 21 programs called Global Citizen Nights.  As reported by Dave Hodges, Bill and Melinda Gates have designed Global Citizen Nights to lure in children and young adults by having them engage in some kind of community service with regard to the globalist agenda (e.g. biking vs driving, water conservation, etc.). In exchange for their good deeds, the participating teens will earn points and then be able to exchange their “globalist points” for high valued items such as concert tickets. 
     The kids are told that “Bill Gates recognizes that individuals have diverse passions and offers the Global Citizen network as one where, ‘some people…will pick women’s reproductive rights, some will pick agriculture. And then there are NGOs (non-governmental organizations) in each of those areas that you can volunteer for, give money to, and feel connected.”  But here's the deal, this kind of disinformation makes kids think they are making a free-will choice to "help the planet", yet in reality, they are being conditioned to give personal servitude to causes managed and directed by the government.
     To see just how cunning and pervasive this propaganda is, kids are sent tweets, emails and Facebook messages encouraging them to get involved in these UN mandated programs. The targeted teens are given choices to be involved in such “worthy” endeavors as Sustainability, Food and Hunger, Water and Sanitation, Health (i.e. vaccines), Women and Girls (i.e. reproduction issues and negative population growth), Education (i.e. Common Core), and Ebola Action Center  (Hodges makes this sardonic point: And you thought we were done with Ebola).
     As an example of the emotional appeal for this initiative, just consider how the organization describes itself on its website:  "Global Citizen is a community of people like you. People who want to learn about and take action on the world’s biggest challenges—and use their power to get other people involved too.  We bring you stories and actions that make a difference ... That help fight extreme poverty and inequality around the world, and support approaches that will make life more sustainable for people and the planet.  Unlock your power. Join the movement!  Become a Global Citizen."  
     Then they follow up with a "I Am A Global Citizen" oath:  I believe that 1 billion people living in extreme poverty is unfair and unjust.  For the first time in history, we have the power to end this.  Everyone, everywhere should be able to survive and thrive, 
and I will play my part to make this happen.  
     But that's not all!  They offer a pledge of real power and impact:  In 2015 we stand at the turning point for the future of people and the planet.  World leaders are setting the global goals that will be the roadmap for how we’ll tackle poverty, inequality and climate change.  Standing together with partners from across the Action/2015 coalition, we can make sure these are good goals, and that our leaders follow through on their promises.  More than a million global citizens have already unlocked their power. Will you join us?

      Can you see how this might galvanize our naive, idealistic youth into thinking they are making a difference in the world, while building a coalition of youth who are indoctrinated into the New World Order's political strategy?  In his article, Hodges likens them to the Nazi's Hitler Youth organization.  He may be closer to the truth, than not.
     But let's be honest, here.  What kid isn't going to fall for earning points and free concert tickets, while believing that they are contributing to a higher cause?  And these concerts, by the way, feature such globalist advocates as Beyoncé, Coldplay, Pearl Jam, Ed Sheeran, Leonardo DiCaprio, Salma Hayek; with videotaped appearances by Bono of U2, UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, Bill and Melinda Gates (of course); along with dignitaries and heads of state from around the world .... attendees are fully immersed in the globalist rhetoric and garbage.  I have to give it to them; it's a clever and intoxicating way to hook the kids.
     But here's perhaps the biggest (and scariest) tactic of all.  They preach to the kids that they should not be a generation of bystanders; the message is to take action.  And one of the central themes of the Global Citizen Nights is the deliberate denigration of national sovereignty (e.g. “sovereignty is so 20th century").  As an offshoot of Agenda 21, Global Citizen Nights combines nicely with a UN program called the Global Biodiversity Assessment (GBA) of the State of the Earth.  This 1140-page document armed UN leaders with "the ecological basis and moral authority" they needed to validate their global management system.  The crux of their assessment was that too many nations and societies "denied sacred attributes to nature" -- that's code language for blaming Judeo-Christian religious traditions for usurping the worship of nature and Mother Earth.  In other words, we Christians are to blame for the sorry state of the world because our faith does not include worshiping "sacred and venerated Nature.”
     You probably have not heard about Global Citizen Nights or the Global Citizen Festivals.  Why would you?  It is not aimed at you.  It is specifically directed towards changing the mindset and hearts of our youth away from individualized thinking and the sovereignty of our nation, while denigrating Christianity as a false religion that is harmful to the planet.  Sounds crazy and illogical, doesn't it?  But their strategy is working, and now they are building an army of youth that believe every word of it.  Please engage with your children and grandchildren.  Make sure they know God's Truth and the importance of our American values.  They are being urged to take deliberate action --- but make sure they are not impassioned lemmings, rushing headlong to their own destruction.

Mark 8:36    "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?"