New Definitions of "Church"

     It's been ten years since we've seen such glorification of the Star Wars movie franchise.  Apparently, the latest episode of the movie epic has broken all kinds of records for advance ticket sales.  You might be asking, "Why should this be of any interest to us?  Aren't there more important things that should occupy our minds?"  Well, did you know that there is actually a religion inspired by the fictional warriors who battle the Dark Side?  It is called the Church of Jediism.  I kid you not!
     Although Jediism started as a joke when people listed it as their religion during the 2001 census, the organization (which takes itself seriously) now lists 250,000 members, with an alleged 1,000 members signing up daily as excitement built toward the release of the latest movie, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

     So, what exactly does the Church of Jediism promote?  Its followers say that it is “a set of philosophies based on focusing, learning and becoming one with the Force”.  Of course, my first question is what do they define as "the Force"?  Apparently, it is “a unifying energy, which everything exists within, around and always returns to.”  That sounds harmless enough -- until it isn't.  In other words, anytime a person opens themselves up to worshipping anything, there is danger of it becoming a false idol, or god, and it becoming "charged" by the real Dark Side.
     The founders of the Church of Jediism claim that they do not believe the Star Wars films to be real, and say, “Although Jediism was inspired by the beliefs of the fictional Jedi, we do not believe the Star Wars films – they are entirely fictional.“  Be that as it may, you better believe that those who are deluded enough to actually sign up as members of this "Church" believe they are following an actual "faith", and the Enemy is only too happy to step through that open door that has been opened.
     You see, there is a ten-week training course involved in becoming a member of the organization, and meditation is a key tenet.  The "Church" actually says, “Our minds are like sponges which soak up information daily.  In order to keep our minds 'clean', we must 'rinse' them of negative Force.”  But anytime there is a vacuum, something will fill that space, so what is replacing the "negative Force"?
     The first clue that following this philosophy is a false religion is that a belief in God is optional. The group says: “There are no strict rules in Jediism, as we believe in freedom and so joining the Church of Jediism would not pose any restrictions on your life. “  Oh, I get it ... you can believe in anything!  And things like morality and righteousness and holiness are all subject to interpretation.  This may all seem like silliness to you, but I guarantee that there are those who will see themselves as "disciples" of this "Church", and there are spiritual entities that are only too happy to lead them down a false path.
     While the Church of Jediism may never gain a strong foothold in the American conscious, we better be paying attention to the legitimacy being given to the Church of Satan.  Lisa Ling, an actress and self-appointed reporter, appeared on an episode of CNN's This is Life to present her analysis of a story where a woman viewed Satanists as defenders of "civil rights" and joined their group because, as a mother, she blamed the "imposition of Christian values" at school for her gay son committing suicide.

The True Church

Ling actually had the audacity to say that she visited a Satanic temple and they do not literally worship Satan.  Rather, according to her "wisdom", "More than anything, they really are kind of a political action group, and they exist to protest the imposition of what they say are Judeo-Christian values on our political system, in our politics, and in public life."  And here's where she is an exceptionally useful tool for that very Satan she says isn't being worshipped:  "And, interestingly enough, even though this group has chosen Satan as the head of it, a lot of these issues right now, the idea of respecting people of other faiths, especially during this time, a lot of these issues are relevant right now because there's a lot of scrutinization of people who espouse different beliefs, if you know what I'm talking about. So, even though this group is trying to use one symbol, really they're trying to get people in this country to recognize and appreciate people of all different faiths."
     CNN then gives more legitimacy to Ling and her ridiculous claims by allowing her to report on a Satanic temple member named Michael, who had constructed a "Snake-tivity" symbol using a snake to represent Lucifer.  Michael had sought to display it next to a Nativity Scene outside the Michigan state capitol.  The degree to which Ling is being deceived can be recognized in this statement:  "As a skilled artist, Michael is now using his craft to stand with the temple and their fight for religious freedom. When the Michigan state capitol put up a Nativity scene during Christmas time, the Satanic temple placed their own symbol of faith on the state capitol lawn. And Michael helped design it."  Then, Michael, the self-proclaimed Satanist, shows the audience what he believes as truth:  "The snake itself is to be representative of Lucifer when he chose to lead man to knowledge in the Garden of Eden. We support the idea of Lucifer as a metaphorical figure and his influence on man."  (If you want to see Michael's heretical work of art, you can click here.  I do not want to promote it on my blog).
      But here is the real tragedy of this ridiculous story... Michigan state lawmakers approved a request by Christians who wanted to erect a Nativity scene at the Capitol. The caveat? Because no permanent displays are allowed on Capitol grounds someone would have to set up and tear down the Nativity scene each day. That person never came forward!  The Satanic Temple, on the other hand, did have people willing to put in the work each day.  And therefore, the profane image of a snake wrapped around the Satanic cross, and presenting a book as a holiday gift, will appear on the lawn of the state capitol during this holiday season.
     Furthermore, the false church of Satan promotes this sacrilegious display by declaring, "Just as the Nativity represents a mythology of the birth of Christ, the Snake is symbolic of the birth of human enlightenment and liberation. Happy Holidays from The Satanic Temple of Detroit!"
     So, as you can see, the idea of "Church" has been corrupted in our modern culture.  Its original context was clearly defined by Christ as a group of people called out by Him for a special purpose; a new society of which Jesus was the founder and which was knit together by the closest spiritual bonds.  To be called His "Church" means that we have received the Divine call to partake of the blessings of the redemption and salvation offered by His sacrifice on the Cross.
     But as Michael, the Satanist, spoke on CNN, now the idea of "Church" can be defined anyway one desires:  "Other religions can be accepted as well, and have their own displays. There can't be one dominating voice to all the voices (my emphasis)."  Lisa Ling then goes on to exploit the whole litany of "tolerance" and "acceptance" of all religions, and espouses that this group is just "trying to use one symbol, really they're trying to get people in this country to recognize and appreciate people of all different faiths."   She says this politically correct garbage, while at the same time, she promotes her special The Belief of Satanists, in which she is only too happy to promote the Satanic Temple as a new religious movement, where followers believe devoutly in the seven tenets of the Satanic Temple. "But they don't actually believe in the Devil or Satan or any other deity."  Sure, Lisa!
     But before I leave this sad and tragic topic, I would like to point out to Michael, the Satanic "artist", and Lisa Ling, the deceived "reporter", that there IS one dominating voice among all the voices.  And it is not the god of Jediism, or the deceitful snake who offers his false gift of knowledge.  It is the voice of Yahweh, the One True God.  His sheep hear His voice.  He knows them and we follow Him.  All those other voices that you want to let in and give equal time to will just lead you astray.  Take my word for it.  Better yet, take His Word and hear it!

John 8:47    "Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God."

Let's Look At The Bigger Picture

   

     It didn't surprise me at all.  In the wake of recent terrorist actions and threats, three malls across the country were evacuated this weekend due to bomb threats.  An empty suitcase caused the evacuation of some 500 people Saturday morning at a handful of stores at the Largo Mall, an outdoor outlet mall near Tampa, Florida.  Then, a two-story shopping mall in Hackensack, New Jersey, was evacuated after authorities learned of a bomb threat scrawled on the wall of a bathroom.  In Farmington, New Mexico, the Animas Valley Mall was cleared out and closed while police searched the shopping center after a threat was found on a women’s restroom wall.
     But malls weren't the only target.  Police in San Francisco cleared a suspicious and unattended backpack, which was left on the Embarcadero, a tourist-heavy attraction near the city’s financial district.  At the end of the day, all suspicious articles were cleared and shoppers were allowed to continue with their purchases.  Were they serious threats, or just further attempts to keep this nation unbalanced and on edge?  The fact that similar messages and threats were left on bathroom walls in local New Mexico schools would suggest the latter.
     We need to ask ourselves... what is the goal here?  Were these part of a plan by ISIS and its sympathizers to create a hyper-vigilant state here in the US; to keep us nervous, anxious and insecure?  And then after repeated "all clears", to create a false sense of safety, before carrying out another deadly attack? That certainly makes sense to me.  But at the same time, I do not doubt that one aspect of such schemes is to disrupt the economy of this nation, and convince shoppers to stay home during one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year.  After all, an already weak economy would definitely suffer more if retailers failed to have a successful Christmas.
     Of course, all this is something that needs to be considered.  But we must not forget the bigger picture; that there is a real design and strategy being carried out by the Enemy to bring the final battle of this world to fruition.  Will the stated objectives of ISIS become a useful tool to precipitate that battle?  Jessica Stern, a Research Professor at Boston University’s Pardee School of Global Studies presents a pretty convincing argument in her article, What Does ISIS Really Want Now?  Although there is no mention of God, Satan, Battle of Armageddon or End of the World in her piece, those of us who believe in Jesus will see the parallels.
     Professor Stern cites Dabiq, ISIS’s on-line magazine, in which the terrorist state sets forth two principal but contradictory goals, which it labels “options.” The first is to spread a totalitarian caliphate throughout the region and, ultimately, the world. The second is to polarize Muslims against one another, to incite internal divisions within the West, and to turn the West against Islam, with the ultimate goal of “goad[ing] the West into launching an all-out ground attack, thereby setting the scene for the final battle between Muslims and the crusaders prophesized to be held at Dabiq in Syria.”  Sounds like End Times to me!
     The first goal is evident in the Middle East, as Iraq and Syria are engulfed in battles with the self-proclaimed caliphate.  We are now beginning to see the strategy for accomplishing the second goal.  With the attacks in Europe, it has been easier to accomplish.  The Muslim populations there are far more radicalized and willing to push the envelope, so to speak.  But with the recent attack in San Bernardino, we can no longer deny that our homeland is subject to such blatant terrorism on behalf of ISIS.  So the second option is coming into view and being put into action.
     We are only now seeing "moderate" Muslims begin to speak up and out against the radicalization of their faith, polarizing them against each other.  And our societal discussion regarding "Islamaphobia" and discrimination versus tolerance is certainly causing internal division among our citizens.  All it will take is another undisguised attack or two by ISIS supporters, and the West will turn against Islam, and their goal will be complete.... the final battle between the Muslims and "crusaders".
     Within the article, I found Professor Stern's explanation of ISIS's narrative to would-be jihadists quite fascinating.  She states, "The narrative of victory most appeals to those who feel they have lost something. And ISIS deliberately appeals to disenfranchised Muslims, as well as to potential converts,  around the world; to those—as ISIS puts it—“drowning in oceans of disgrace, being nursed on the milk of humiliation, and being ruled by the vilest of all people.”   In one of the essays in its online magazine, ISIS urges its followers "to remove the garments of dishonor, and shake off the dust of humiliation and disgrace, for the era of lamenting and moaning has gone and the dawn of honor has emerged anew ... the sun of jihad has risen.”  The author of that essay maintains that ISIS has established a true caliphate, with “honor and pride for the Muslim and humiliation and degradation for the kaffir.”  The victory ISIS speaks of is the victory of the formerly oppressed.
     We might think that this would be an ineffective recruiting tool here in the U.S.  After all, Sayed Farook of San Bernardino was born here in the U.S. and lived a comfortable American life.  Yet he was still radicalized and poisoned by false ideologies fomented through his faith.  Obviously, he was somehow convinced that he had been humiliated, and in order to find redemption and reclaim his self-respect, he needed to rise up against his oppressors in this country.  That is an ideology that will be difficult for us to root out and eradicate because it has its foundation in a false belief as old as time.
     The Enemy of this world loves to whisper the lie that we humans are subject to unjust treatment; that there is no hope other than to follow his strategy to steal, kill, and destroy.  It's the plan that he has worked since the moment he decided he could overthrow God.  And he will use whatever, and whomever, he can recruit to cause as much damage to this world and God's kingdom as he can.  His time is short -- that we know because the evidence is before us.  The players of the Bible's End Times prophecies are coming into view and the battle plan has been publicly announced.
     Will we be able to delay it with fervent prayer and repentance?  That remains to be seen.  But this I do know ... I see, very plainly, the opposing sides forming for this coming conflict.  Satan and his army are lining up against Christ and His remnant.  It is inevitable, and there will be victories and losses on both sides before the Final Battle.  Now is the time for the peoples of the world to decide which side they are on, because believe me, they will be forced to choose.  So all their preoccupation with the things of this world needs to take second place to their eternal future.
     I began this post by highlighting the largely unreported scares and potential terrorist attacks appearing around the country this last weekend.  It was not my attention to create a buzzkill over the joyous atmosphere of this holiday season.  But I strongly feel that we must all be alert to the Time in which we live; the prophetical Time forecast by our Savior, Himself.  Recognize the signs and hear the clues being given by the enemies of Christ.  Be vigilant and keep your eyes open as you keep them focused heavenward.  ISIS is correct in one aspect of their goals ... Redemption is important ... but it is the redemption offered by the Saving Grace of Jesus Christ that will be our ultimate reward for following His true and righteous path.  And make no mistake; Victory will be His!

Deuteronomy 20:4     "For the Lord your God is He who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory." 

Climate Aid ... Are We Seeing The Rise of The Global System?

   

   

     Global warming is a topic that usually finds people falling on one side of the argument or the other.  Even if you aren't all that interested in it, that tells me that it is not a subject that you find particularly alarming, and therefore probably aren't buying into it.  Personally, I would probably be categorized as part of the "conspiracy" group that thinks much of the anxiety and warnings about it are manufactured, along with the strange developments such as chemtrails, extreme drought, and those freakish out-of-season snow storms.  Call me crazy!
     Yet there is a Global Summit, which culminated over the weekend in France, with nearly 200 countries agreeing to transform the world's dependability on fossil fuels within a decade.  This global climate accord will determine how the nations will "share the burdens of reducing carbon pollution and helping vulnerable nations cope with the rising seas and extreme weather that comes with global warming."  Uh, Huh.
     So just what are the lofty goals of the UN-sponsored climates talks (more popularly known as COP21)?  CNN describes what the French Foreign Minister called a "legally binding document" for the world's nations:  "When adopted, the agreement would set an ambitious goal of halting average warming at no more than 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial temperatures -- and of striving for a limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius if possible."  The draft went to government ministers and delegates from 196 parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change voted to adopt the proposal.
     To my largely uneducated eye, it looks as if political pressure was mounted for nations to sign the accord, thereby setting that 2 degrees Celsisus cap, and achieving the COP21 organizer's goal.  According to the "experts", failure to set a cap would have resulted in superdroughts, deadlier heat waves, mass extinctions of plants and animals, megafloods and rising seas that could wipe some island countries off the map.  (Doesn't this sound eerily like some of the Bowls of Wrath, found in Revelation 16?) And the only way to reach the goal, scientists say, is to eliminate fossil fuels.
     So maybe I'm way off base here, but I'm beginning to see a convergence of End Times Biblical prophecies and the means for huge profits to be made from Climate Aid.  But what would be the purpose of this theory?  Could it be that because Satan knows Scripture, and he knows his time his short, that he is ready to take advantage of this deception because the Anti-Christ he is about to place in position will need acquisition of the wealth of the world to accomplish his work before Christ returns?  Whew!  I know that sounds absolutely crazy, and I'm not even sure that I can wrap my head around that hypothesis.  But, what if....?
     What if, all these climate conferences and "scientific" theories are just a ruse to enrich the Elite by giving credibility to all their sustainability, ecology, and conservation biology companies?  What if, this is really a battle between the nation's superpowers over cheap energy (from fossil fuels), versus expensive, unreliable renewable energy, which is only viable with government subsidy?  (Think China's industrialization plans in opposition to the U.S. agenda to move towards renewable energy, and ask yourself, who profits?)
     So, you have the profit end of these accords, but what about the chaos that the end of fossil fuels would cause to the oil-rich Middle East, not to mention our own economy?  After all, it doesn't take a genius to see that the oil industry in this country is what has kept Wall Street afloat over the last several years.  How much would the move towards renewable energy add to our nearly $19 Trillion national debt?  Remember, it is only viable with the help of government subsidies, and do you really think we, the American people, will not be burdened with that?
     And where does that leave the future of our economy?  We can't afford to abandon fossil fuels to engage in expensive transitions to "green energy".  The economy, no matter what we are told, is not recovering sufficiently enough to sustain families, let alone a new and expensive industry.  After all, there are many surveys and reports that tell us the middle class in America is disappearing, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain an acceptable standard of living.  How long before Revelation 6:6 comes into play, and famine and inflation will take such a toll that a worker will earn only enough to feed himself with wheat, or to provide barley for a small family.  He will have almost nothing left for clothing, shelter, and incidentals?
     Again, I do not claim that I have a crystal ball, nor that my thoughts are any more than a half-baked theory.  I ask in the title of this blog post if this Climate Accord is another aspect of the coming Global System talked about in the Bible.  I honestly do not know.  And believe me, I am not blind to the fact, that as stewards of God's earth, our greed and sin have contributed to its degradation.  As Christians, we must face the facts that much of God's green earth has been transformed to urban areas that it would be difficult to reclaim.  We must also admit that we have degraded the land by the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers; and hazardous chemicals and nuclear waste is destroying the land.  We cannot deny that the expansion of civilization has added pollution to the planet's problems.  In short, as caretakers of this earth, we were given responsibilities to care for and protect the earth -- not exploit it.
     And if we are to be truly honest with ourselves, and put the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25 into effect, the planet has been given to us to hold in trust until its Creator, Jesus Christ, returns.  Sadly, He will find it in much poorer shape than when He left it to us.
     But I still contend that the actions of the world's leaders and Elite do not seem designed to benefit the planet; nor are their motives designed to please the planet's Creator.  I am not convinced that what they tell us does not have a bigger agenda.  And I am also not convinced that the Rulers and Principalities of the Dark Side are not behind moving this agenda forward.
     As Christians, we understand that the heavens and the earth, as we know it, will eventually be destroyed to make way for the New Creation.  But for now, it sure seems as if those who honor and glorify the original creation and Creator are at odds with those who wish to control the earth and its environment for their own selfish motives and gains.  It remains to be seen if their program moves us further along the prophetic timeline.

2 Peter 3:10     "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed."


   

Matthew 28:16-20

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted [that it was really He]. Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”

     These five verses are known, collectively, as The Great Commission.  And I think it is especially relevant to talk about them in relation to my post yesterday, as well as the Christmas season, which is the season of Hope.  The Great Commission is the evangelizing instructions given to the Apostles after Jesus's crucifixion and before His ascension.  It is also the holy agenda we, as Believers in Him, are to follow in each generation until His return.

     Jesus has just defeated Death, and it was done by supernatural means and outside the spectrum of time, as we know it.   And He announces that all Authority and Power have been given to Him, and it is by faith in Him that we too, can defeat Death.  But it is important that all people learn of Him, believe in Him, and obey His words.  The Apostles were given the initial commission to spread that message, and it is now our appointment to continue it.

     There are many in the Christian community who have taken the words, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations", to mean a calling to institute international missions.  But I think the more exact meaning is to share the Gospel message, wherever you go.  In other words, our mission field is literally every inch of ground that our feet touch; every opportunity that presents itself to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

     And what better, or more fertile ground, than this Christmas season?  Now I realize that there are also those in the Christian community that object to the celebration of Christmas because of its pagan roots.  I must admit that I am a Believer that sees those pagan influences in our modern celebration of Christmas and mourn the fact that they are associated with our Savior.  I also deplore the history of the commercialization of Christmas for profit, and feel that aspect also diminishes the Holiness of Christ.  And I am quite aware that Jesus was not born on December 25th.

     HOWEVER, all that being said, there is still something unique, expectant, and anticipatory about this special holiday in our culture.  Most people associate Christmas with the idea of Jesus's birth -- even if, like the atheists and humanists -- they object to it.  For most people it is a season of giving and kindness; hearts are softened and people are more open to each other.  What better time to evangelize and plant the seeds of the Gospel in a person's soul?  And we must recognize that Christmas is also a season in which people are hurting and in pain.  We can be about our work of evangelizing as we share the love of God during Christmas; the Love that sacrificed His own beloved Son so that we might win our own victory over Death.

     My point is that we cannot cherry pick the seasons in which we evangelize or share the news about what Jesus has done for us.  If we allow our varying opinions about Christmas to divide us, or to go so far as to move us to shun the holiday, then we are missing a golden opportunity to carry out our great commission.  And we all know that part of our commission is to be prepared to answer the tough questions about God and who He is.  But we also know that the hearts of people must be prepared and softened, as well, in order to receive the Good News we are prepared to share.  Softened hearts and the celebration of Christmas go hand in hand.

     So what better time than Christmas to properly introduce people to the true Jesus, who is so much more than the baby in the manger?  We should seize the moment and take advantage of this cultural situation to tell them He is more than the "peace and goodwill towards men" that has been commercialized in the history of our cultural holiday.  

     Some of the hard questions we get from non-believers concern God's unfairness -- how unfair it is that whole nations are slaughtered in His Name; and what an unfair God He is to allow poor people to starve while others grow richer.  But we can take the opportunity that Christmas affords us to share the fact that God's amazing unfairness is the picture of Christ; a picture put on display for all the world to see.  We can share that God's unfairness is to their advantage, because God is actually being unfair to Himself!

     You see, in God's Sovereignty, He has every right to punish us and banish us for our disobedience to Him, but because of the life and sacrifice of Jesus, we are given His Grace and Mercy.  Christmas is not just about the birth of the Christ child in the manger.  It is about God loving us so much that He is willing to sacrifice Himself, rather than see one of us perish.  

     So this Christmas season, if you are a Christian that has trouble celebrating Christmas as you did as a child, try this:  Don't focus on the paganism of the holiday, or the cultural worship, and the consumerism.  Let the Birth (and Death) of Christ be the reason to share the Gospel.  Let Him be your focus, and let this Joyous Season be the catapult for your evangelism efforts and the undertaking of your Great Commission.  For, it matters not that the world celebrates December 25th -- because the Master, Himself, said He is constantly with us, regardless of circumstance and on every occasion.  Let Him, and the Power of the Holy Spirit, flow through you this Christmas season as you share the Good News of His birth, so that He could die for us and provide a way for us to receive everlasting life.  What could be more important than that?   

     As Christians, we have free will to celebrate Christmas (or not) in a manner that we feel pleases God, and it is not necessary that we all agree.  Your decision is between you and God, and should not divide or separate us.  But it should also not supersede our Great Commission and our directive from our Lord -- that should take priority over all the lights, decorations, and gifts, shouldn't it?  So, I invite you to step outside yourself and the culture this Christmas, and consider making it all about Him!

Now For The Good News....

     I know it without a doubt.  Although yesterday's post may have left us with a sense of foreboding and angst, I can tell you with absolute certainty that we are about to enter a period of profound Hope and Expectation.
     Yesterday, I asked the question, "Why is it important to recognize the signs Jesus gives us that the 'Beginning of Sorrows' is about to take place?"  My answer was so that we may prepare to endure what is coming; be able to witness to those who may fall for the deception; and to speak God's Truth into the Satanic coordination and strategy for End Times events.  But that answer was incomplete.  There is one more reason to be aware of the signs.
      As I mentioned, Jesus tells us in John 13:19 that He is going to reveal the signs before they occur, so that when we do see them happening, we will know that He is who He says He is; and that He is the Christ; the Anointed One; the Messiah.  When we see all this misery coming upon the earth -- the spiritual and moral deception; the endless wars; the famine, persecution, and anguish precipitated against men; and the poisoning of our seas, the increase in earthquakes, and geo-engineering of our weather -- then we should remember what He told us.  These are all signs that He is coming back soon!  And He will return as God's Anointed One, with a special, God-ordained purpose to set things right according to God's will. And that purpose is to return as the Messiah; the coming Deliverer, chosen by God to redeem Israel and the world.
     If we are Bible-believing Christians -- and I mean the entire Bible, both Old and New Testaments --  then that should give us great Joy and Hope!  If all these signs we see are indicating His Second Coming, then we know that our mission as representatives of God's Kingdom on earth is about to reap a great harvest!  And I can honestly tell you that I feel the stirrings of a great movement amongst His followers; even in the midst of what seems like continual and overwhelming bad news!

     Just within the last few weeks, since I took my break at Thanksgiving, the Holy Spirit has shown me evidence of a spiritual awakening within the Christian community, and it is extending beyond our church buildings to reach those who are turned off by the traditional religious experience.
     I have shared with you the direction that God is moving my husband and me... into the profound realization that Christians need spiritual healing.  People are literally coming forth in our lives with a desire to be set free from emotional, physical, and spiritual garbage that has plagued and prohibited a personal relationship with God.  And through His grace, He has shown us a path in which we work with the Holy Spirit and Jesus to "set the captives free."  We did not ask for this ministry, nor did we seek it.  He brought it to us, and we are seeing miraculous transformations in people who would never have approached the Church for help.  But now they feel confident in their relationship with God and can seek a church or group of Christians in which they can grow and mature their faith.
     Then there is the power of the Divine Appointments that God has set for our lives.  For instance, in the 20-year career my husband has had as a professional artist, we have met many interesting people, and those that have shared our faith have been extra-special.  During his career, he has traveled the American West in search of that dying breed, a real working cowboy.  There is no way we would ever have come into contact with them, had it not been for the Holy Spirit guiding my husband to trust in his God-given talent.  One such cowboy was an early and significant friend.  Although he was years younger than us, I knew we shared faith, which added to our special friendship.  But time and distance intervened in our relationship, and he had some issues he needed to work out, and demons he needed to cast out.  And my husband and I were, by no means, at the place we are now in our relationship with Christ.  We all had a lot of growing to do.
     After more than a 5-year lapse in our contact, we received a phone call that he was in Texas on business and would like to see us.  Of course we said, yes!  So he came to dinner with his business associate.  At the same time, my newly-found nephew, who has greatly blessed our lives, was coming for a day before he flew home to California for his college's Christmas break.  So here we were going to have the convergence of a Cowboy from Idaho with a Millennial from the LA area.  How was that going to work out?
     Well, let me tell you that when God decides He wants to connect His people, it is a match made in Heaven!  To begin with, everybody at the table was a Believer... it was obvious that something radical had transformed our cowboy friend, and my nephew has astounded me with his inquisitive mind and keen desire to understand and know God.  So after sharing fajitas and escapades from the cowboy world around an outdoor fire, we all retired to our living room for some intimate conversation.
     All I can tell you was that it felt like a mini-revival in that room!  The cowboy shared his testimony about how Jesus had healed him of his afflictions, restored his broken marriage and given him a beautiful family (two young sons being raised in the cowboy code of God, family & country -- with a third on the way), and set him on a path of trust and confidence in His Savior.  It was powerful and moving!  What was amazing, was that even though our years apart had taken us in different directions, this cowboy shared some of the same revelations that have come to my husband and me... that spiritual healing is what Christians need; that this is something the Church is not pursuing, and does not seem interested in exploring.  We also discovered that we both believe God is raising up a remnant who are all receiving Divine or supernatural disclosures from the Holy Spirit.  We may not all be receiving the same instruction or assignment, but it is all part of a plan to glorify the Lord and bring about His ordained purpose and return.  But one thing was for sure: we see the beginnings of holy fire sweeping across this nation!
     Let me just tell you that we stayed up til midnight sharing testimonies and glorying in the work that God was doing in our lives, as well as the work He has set before us.  But most of all we shared the hope that we have.  And it was not lost on me that this meeting of such diverse individuals was supposed to happen.  It restored a lost friendship; it encouraged us that we could see God moving in the world in consistent and dynamic ways; and perhaps, most of all, I witnessed God's Truth being spoken into the life of my nephew, who was fascinated with our friend's testimony and later told me it was all good.  The two of them -- the Cowboy and the Millennial -- were as different as they could be, but were joined in faith that night by the Holy Spirit.  It wasn't a heavy or burdensome gathering; but, rather a joyous celebration of fellow believers reveling in the Goodness of God in our lives.  There was plenty of laughter and story-telling, along with a few tears shed for His Greatness.
     So, I want to leave you with this final thought... yes, the news of this world is bad, and I am afraid it is not going to get better.  But I actually remain calm in the midst of this coming storm.  Because I know what these signs are showing me.  I know, and see, that the Holy Spirit is doing mighty works among God's remnant, and that remnant includes those of us advancing in years; those who are in the midst of raising young families; and those of us who are being shaped to become God-fearing adults in these Last Days.  I have much reason to hope, and my spirit is glad as I eagerly await each new day and what God will bring me.  Do not fear and do not despair... these are Glorious Days in which we live!

1 Corinthians 2:9     But as it is written: "What eye did not see and ear did not hear, and what never entered the human mind — God prepared this for those who love Him." 
 

Despair, Then Hope

     These next two posts are kind of my one-two punch; a sort of Good News/Bad News approach.  I have such strong feelings about both topics that I know it is coming from God.  So, today, let's just get the Bad News out of the way...
     Each day the news headlines seem to grow more chaotic, and lawlessness seems to be pervading the earth.  But those of us who are aware of the hour on the prophetic clock recognize this as the "beginning of sorrows" that Jesus spoke about in Matthew 24 when He describes to the Apostles the events that will take place before his return.  

     Also known as the "birth pangs", He is referring to the time just preceding the “great tribulation”, which will be a time of revealing wickedness in preparation for the coming of the Lord Jesus as He ushers in His Millennium reign.  This 1,000 year reign will find Christ restoring the earth.  All wars and sorrows will cease, and it will be a time of rest for the earth as it returns to the state that God originally created in the Garden of Eden.
     But first, the inhabitants of the earth must endure the schemes of Satan to keep that restoration and reign from happening.  Jesus told His apostles (and us) that there would be significant signs that those birth pangs, or sorrows, were beginning.  We are to watch for them, so that we will know His return is imminent and we can earnestly be about our business to help the Holy Spirit save as many souls as possible.
     The first thing Jesus tells them (us) is, "Be careful that no one misleads you [deceiving you and leading you into error]."  I don't know about you, but I feel as though we are seeing Deception on Steroids!  There is cultural deception in sexual identity issues; economic deception in the manipulation of markets, etc.; political deception on all levels by both parties; and spiritual deception in the growth of cult religions and demonic possessions.
     Secondly, the Lord says that there will be "wars and rumors of wars".  Does anyone else see that there seems to be a growing global development of war with no end in sight?  Trillions of dollars are being spent by the nations of the world on war.  It's as if we are seeing a militarization of the End of Days!
     Jesus also tells us that there will be extreme famine over the earth before His expected return.  Published 2014 statistics by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations tell us that nearly 842 million people in the world do not eat enough to be healthy.  That means that one in every eight  people on Earth goes to bed hungry each night.  Of course, we must take into consideration the source of these statistics, but we all know it is a fact that people are starving in the modern world.  And how could this be happening with all of our modern science and technological advances?  It is easy for me to see the hand of Satan in creating the famines which are afflicting mankind.
     Our Lord also mentions Pestilence as a sign of His nearness.  How much of that have we seen in the news lately?  Ebola may have retreated from the headlines, but I promise you it has not disappeared, and biological terrorism is high on our national security list of dangers.  New viruses are cropping up each day, and I can't tell you how many routine surgeries of friends have resulted in infections that require massive doses of antibiotics to treat.  We must ask ourselves, how close are we to the plagues of Revelation, Chapter 6?
     And, lastly, Jesus mentions earthquakes.  You might think that this sign is rather vague -- there have been earthquakes throughout history.  But livescience.com says if you think there were more earthquakes than usual last year into this year, you're right. And a new study finds there were more than twice as many big earthquakes in the first quarter of 2014 as compared with the average since 1979.  "We have recently experienced a period that has had one of the highest rates of great earthquakes ever recorded," said lead study author Tom Parsons, a research geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Menlo Park, California.
     So why is it important for us to be able to recognize these signs?  If we believe that God is sovereign and there will truly be tribulation before Christ's return, what is the purpose for us to have this knowledge?  I believe it is as Jesus says in John 13:19... From now on I am telling you [what will happen] before it occurs, so that when it does take place you may believe that I am He [who I say I am—the Christ, the Anointed, the Messiah].
     I believe it is so that we may prepare to endure what is coming; be able to witness to those who may fall for the deception; and to speak God's Truth into the Satanic coordination and strategy for End Times events.  What does that look like militarily, politically, and economically -- especially if we think that we are at the beginning of those "sorrows"?
     Let me say that Russ Dizdar, an ordained minister who came out of Satanic cults, is able to dissect Satan's strategy from a unique perspective.  He lays out what he calls The Six Points of Satanic Synchronization, or the ways in which Satan is setting the stage for the appearance of the Anti-Christ.  You may or may not agree with his ministry or his theory, but you can not deny that the following points make a whole lot of sense.
     Point One - Destablization of the World.  Chaos seems to happen no matter how hard we humans try to stop it; it just keeps coming.  Race relations in this country do not have to keep being pushed and prodded.  What is the purpose of releasing the latest video of the police shooting in Chicago one year after the crime?  Situations keep arising, as if bidden from some controlling dark force, and our society continues to fall apart, no matter how much we throw at it.  We see it happening in our own communities and throughout the nations.
     Point Two - Instigation.  This is an extension of Point One.  The purpose is to create chaos, disharmony, friction, division, and war.  If it is not happening in the natural world, then spiritual forces will initiate and launch an attack on behalf of the Enemy.
     Point Three - Dismantle.  The goal is to dismantle current systems -- militarily, politically and economically; to tear them apart; to tear them down; and to replace them with satanically-influenced substitutes.
     Point Four - Crisis upon Crisis.  This tactic is like chopping down a tree... continually striking until the world system comes down; defeating it blow by blow until Point Five occurs.
     Point Five - Weaken.  After the world suffers continual destabilization, instigation, dismantling, crisis upon crisis, it will become weakened.  The will and resolve of the peoples of the world will be devastated and they will turn to drugs, alcohol, and any other method to numb the pain.  Hopelessness is the ultimate goal.
     Point Six - The Final Result is Diminished Capacity.  Mankind will be unable to resist the onslaught of the Anti-Christ and his forces.  We must come to the conclusion that we cannot think or build our way out of this mess.  The Savior and The Cross are the only way out.
    And that is the ultimate message we must take away from this understanding and knowledge.  The Anti-Christ will be the visible manifestation of the dark side and he will need to utilize all the strategy that Satan can show him.  But we must remember that the power of Christ in us is greater than all that Satan and the Anti-Christ can throw at us.  And we have a visible manifestation of His authority and power available to us, and that will give us the Hope that I will speak about tomorrow.  Do not despair!  We are not defeated!

2 Corinthians 4:8-9    "We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed;"

Satan's Same Old Tactics

     This week The Daily Mail published an article relating how two Dutch filmmakers recently conducted a social experiment in an effort to measure public reaction to — and obviously to excoriate — what they deem to be “shocking verses” in the Bible.  We've seen it before, but this time Satan's associates have taken it to a new level and produced a viral video that has garnered over 4 million views since it was released last weekend!  Therefore, that deserves a response.
     It is easy to see the dispute and friction that the filmmakers were seeking to cause.  The voiceover for the documentary film begins with this soliloquy:  "Muslims have been accused of following a religion that has no place in our Western culture ... This made us wonder — what about Christianity, a religion that has influenced our culture greatly?"

      See where it is going and what they hope to accomplish?  But it gets even better than this!  So the producers purchased a Bible and disguised it as a Koran before heading out and sharing select verses with passersby — scriptures that they said “are in great contrast with … western norms and values.”
     So, by now, if you are a Bible-believing Christian, you know that they headed straight for Leviticus to take some of the most harsh Scriptures out of context.  But they are not exactly genuine in providing their Scripture reference.  They begin with verse 15, citing:   if, instead, you reject My statutes, and if your soul rejects My ordinances,  (while conveniently leaving out the part of the verse that says, and in this way break My covenant),  and then skip all the way down to verse 29 to combine it with Scripture that says, You will eat the flesh of your sons and the flesh of your daughters.
     Now, mind you, the interviewees think they are being read to out of the Koran.  So when they are asked what do you think the biggest difference would be between this Koranic verse and what the Bible tells us, common answers were that the Koran was "more aggressive", and the Bible was "more positive".  So imagine their shock and revulsion when they discover the verses are from the Bible!
     You might be wondering what exactly the filmmakers hoped to accomplish.  But you probably already have a good idea... Director Alexander Spoor said he carried out the experiment to put Christianity under the same scrutiny Islam has received since the Paris terror attacks last month.  First of all, to attempt to compare the Judeo-Christian faith (whose beginning was over 3500 years ago) with one of the youngest religions, Islam, (which is only 1400 years old) is a travesty; not to mention that radical Islamists deserve scrutiny for their particular violent and hate-filled actions.
     But as usual the Holy Scripture is distorted and taken out of context in an attempt to show that it is as equally violent as Islam, and that the God of the Bible seeks vengeance upon those who disobey Him.  But, of course, the filmmakers did not explain the historical context, and I'm pretty sure they do not even know it.  What they did not understand -- and did not explain to their interviewees -- was that God so loved the Jewish people that, in His sovereignty He blessed them beyond belief when they were in covenant with Him and obeyed Him; but when they presumptuously committed sin, and obstinately persisted in it, with no desire to confess and repent, then His curse was just as pronounced.  The part they left out (between verses 15 and 29) was that if they refused to turn back to God, He would destroy their places of idol worship; He would send the plague against them; He would break their pride in their own power; and He would send an enemy to besiege them, causing a severe famine... making them so hungry that they would eat the flesh of their sons and daughters.  
     First of all, to leave out 14 verses that explain exactly what God would do was wrong, but then to intimate that if they disobeyed Him, they would eat their sons and daughters is blasphemous and makes no sense, once you fill in the blanks and give them the full picture.
     Our God is such a Holy God that He demands obedience and exacts His Justice upon those who refuse to turn from their wicked ways.  When the Israelites followed His statutes, they lived in perfect peace and providence.  But He is a God who says what He means, and means what He says.  It's not as if they hadn't had ample warning, or many, many opportunities to resist the temptation of Satan.  Of course, the filmmakers didn't bother to explain any of this -- because they don't know our God!  They are just falling for the lies of Satan whose every desire is to diminish the Truth and the Blessings of living in relationship with God.
     Oh, and there were plenty of other verses that they corrupted and took out of context.  For instance, they stirred up quite a frenzy when they tried reciting the verse, 'I do not allow for a woman to teach. You will have to cut off her hand. Do not forgive her.'  First of all, the Scripture about not allowing a woman to teach comes from Timothy 2:12, and refers to a concern the Apostle Paul had about women becoming involved in false teaching and violent rituals.  (Please read my post on this this subject for the historical context and understanding.)
     Secondly, the filmmakers combined this admonition about women teachers with a portion of Deuteronomy 25:12, which tells us “If [two] men, a man and his countryman, are fighting and the wife of one approaches to rescue her husband from the man who is striking him, and she reaches out with her hand and grabs the aggressor’s genitals, 12 then you shall cut off her hand; you shall not show pity [for her].  It has absolutely no connection with 1 Timothy 2:12!
     These filmmakers should be ashamed of themselves!!  They have not only twisted and warped Scripture, but have totally misled the people they interviewed by providing biased and non-Scriptural references in order to falsely and negatively influence them against the Bible.
     I could give you many other examples, but you get the picture.  Our Adversary, the devil, knows his time is short, and he is pulling out all the stops to deceive and lead the people of the earth astray.  Sadly, the people on the street accepted their commentary as truth; they didn't even question it!  That's how easy it is for the Enemy to beguile and bewitch.  Once again, it is a simple picture of all who will perish for lack of knowledge.  Now is the time to strengthen your minds and hearts against the Deceiver and against those who do his bidding.  Stay in the Word and be able to defend it!

Colossians 2:8          "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception [pseudo-intellectual babble], according to the tradition [and musings] of mere men, following the elementary principles of this world, rather than following [the truth—the teachings of] Christ."




   

A New Reality and A New Kind of Doctor: Urban Battlefield Medic

     Amid the human and personal stories being revealed in the aftermath of the San Bernardino terrorist attack comes a rather intriguing one.  It is the story of Dr. Michael Neeki, a trauma physician and emergency room doctor at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) in Colton, California, where many of the victims of that tragedy were transported.

Dr. Neeki at a press conference for the
victims of the San Bernardino terrorist attack.

     But Dr. Neeki wears many hats.  He is the chief medical officer of San Bernardino County's probation department and also volunteers as a member of the Inland Valley SWAT team.  He is the only physician/medic on the team, and he trains alongside his fellow SWAT team members for just such a scenario as San Bernardino.  And he is uniquely qualified.
     He was born in Iran and drafted into the Iran/Iraq war at age 18.  He served his native country in war and believes this gives him valuable experience in treating victims of gun violence, or as he puts it, "[I am] mentally and tactically a little more experienced than the other physicians here."  But in 1988, he was forced to leave his homeland after suffering as a political prisoner because of his opposition to the increasingly radical and religious Iranian regime.  Twenty-seven years later, in his adopted homeland of America, he put those skills and mindset to work as he labored, not only to mend and heal, the victims of San Bernardino, but to protect them from the rampage.
     When the first calls went out, he grabbed his rifle and tactical equipment and headed for the "hot zone", where he could put his tactical training to good use, as well as utilizing the medical pack that he carries.  "You have to be ready to put in a tourniquet to avoid the bleeding, or quickly staple a wound in the field. Or use an Israeli bandage, which is a compression dressing. I also have a clotting factor you could put in a lesion."
     So now, as a member of the Rialto SWAT team, he is working to upgrade the medical assistance that his team members can deliver in the field.  He's certified to carry a gun and participates in the team's tactical drills.  His experience on the battlefield is increasingly valuable today because injuries such as those seen in the San Bernardino shootings have become more common. "So, we saw this rifle injury-type pattern, which rips and shreds apart organs in your body, tissues in the body, and vessels as they're going through."
     Sadly, this is becoming the reality that our emergency medicine doctors must face.  I fear that the attacks in California last week will not be the last.  Western civilization's enemy has made it clear that they wish to inflict as much carnage as they are able to, and that they are not limiting their attacks to Europe.  Therefore, because of his unique background and experience, Dr. Neeki now wants to expand the emergency medicine residency at ARMC to give young doctors the exposure they need to such mass casualties, and at the same time, elevate the skill levels of [SWAT] paramedic team members.
     Dr. Neeki envisions ARMC residents (and doctors throughout the country) playing roles in the developing field of tactical medicine by connecting with area SWAT teams.  He said it is important for SWAT team paramedics to have advanced training in wound care, airway management techniques, and procedures for spinal injuries.  Since these first responders are obviously the first on the scene, they are invaluable in providing immediate front-line medical care to the victims of such attacks.  Precious life-saving moments will not be lost waiting for ambulances to arrive to transport the wounded and injured.
     As much as we don't want to admit it, we must change the dynamic of how we will treat these urban mass casualty events.  It is likely that doctors will become part healer and part soldier; prepared to imitate battlefield medicine that their counterparts do in the war zones of Afghanistan and Iraq.  If like, Dr. Neeki, they actually have military experience, they can be trained to both defend the public and save lives.
     Training medical professionals to become soldiers will not sit well with every American.  But for Americans like Dr. Michael Neeki, who is now a U.S. citizen, being on-scene to treat the trauma from gunshot wounds in those first crucial seconds is one of the reasons he thinks doctors should be members of first-reponder units.  "I am here because I came for democracy," said Dr. Neeki.  "It's sad to see that you come miles from across the world, and to see something like that here... [But I want] to show ISIS what we are made of."
     We must face it -- Tactical medicine is the new reality, whether we like it or not.  And I believe it is a good thing that Iranian-Americans like Dr. Michael Neeki are willing to show us how to better save lives.  Yes, the worst of the Middle East was seen in that conference room in San Bernardino last week, but we also saw the best of those who have come to this country, seeking the freedom we have to offer, and with a desire to pay back this society and nation who have given them such great opportunities.   You see, blind hatred does not belong to just one ethnic group or nationality.  It is the hallmark of the Evil One, and can permeate any soul.  But our God can take someone out of that same cesspool of hatred and shape a heart committed to defending and healing his fellow man.
     The world is seeing a new reality -- one that has us all on edge.  But never dismiss the goodness and mercy of the Lord that shines through one man's actions.  That is showing what our God is made of!

Proverbs 24:11    Rescue those being taken off to death, and save those stumbling toward slaughter.

The Freedom To Celebrate Christmas

     Every year at this time, we begin to see atheist groups staging their protests over the placement of nativity scenes and Christmas-related displays on or near public/government property.  And this year is no different.  Once again, the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) has placed a sign in the Illinois State Capitol Building that makes their position clear.  It is plainly anti-God and "anti-religion", and the FFRF claims the nativity scene in the Capitol Rotunda is unconstitutional and against the Establishment Clause, which provides that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion...".  They want it known throughout the land that any form of religion at this time of year creates a hostile environment in our culture.
     Throughout the years that have led to this strategy against Christmas, it has been lost on our society that it is not so much the observance of the holiday that they resist, but the celebration of the birth of our Savior.  In essence, it is really an anti-Christ agenda.  Because, you see, if Santa Claus, or reindeer, or elves are present in the display, then no problem!  (And that is precisely why the nativity scene is allowed in the Capitol Building -- because it is accompanied by the Governor's "Holiday" tree).  But a manger with the Savior of the World displayed on its own ... then that is an endorsement [by the State] of religion, and excludes those citizens who do not agree that He should receive the government's seal of approval.
      It just goes to show you how mixed up this country has become.  I guess it shouldn't surprise me that the atheists, humanists, and secularists -- or whatever they want to call themselves -- are offended by the presence of the baby Jesus, yet have no problem with the celebration of Christmas ... as long as it is centered around the pagan roots of the holiday.  They will gladly consent to us celebrating a holiday that was hijacked from an early Roman festival; one in which the early Christian author Tertullian claimed,  "The pagan Romans clad their door posts with green and branching laurels.  In the Saturnalia [the festival worshipping their Sun God], presents come and go.  There are gifts and banquets … yet Christians should have no acquaintance with the festivals of the pagans." 
     I understand the origin of our Christmas traditions, and love the lights and decorated trees and the sentimentality of the holiday.  But for me, at this stage in my life, I choose to celebrate the real "holy" significance of the "day".   Each Christian must decide how they feel about the knowledge of the roots of Christmas for themselves, and how they will celebrate our Savior's birth; it is not something that should divide us.
     But I do find it curious that the FFRF is so anti-religion.  Because the definition of "religion" not only incorporates "the belief in a particular system of faith and worship of a supernatural power, esp. a personal God or gods", but also means "a pursuit or interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance."  Certainly, their perpetual hostility and aggression towards Christianity and our expressions of faith qualifies as a religion under that definition.  Don't you find it ironic that they are obsessed with denigrating our beliefs, while they promote their Winter Solstice?
     And while we're using the Constitution as a measuring stick ... they will uphold the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, yet conveniently ignore the second clause:   "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."  This is called the Free Exercise Clause, and it is time we start exercising it!
     The Free Exercise Clause guarantees a person the right to practice a religion and propagate it without government interference. This right is a liberty that cannot be deprived without Due Process of Law.  And as long as our religious practice does not pose a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of the public, it is permissible by law.  But somehow, I guess the FFRF and its adherents think that our belief in God and angels, heaven and hell, is somehow injurious to the general welfare of the public; that it somehow "hardens hearts and enslaves minds."
     I would submit to you that without Jehovah God and the knowledge of heaven and hell, they become their own gods and the ultimate rulers of their hearts and minds, thus becoming hardened and enslaved to their own selfish thoughts and desires.  And most of all, that little baby lying in the manger is a threat to them because we tell them that He is greater than themselves and He is Supreme and Sovereign... something that interferes with their personal profit and pleasure, and most certainly challenges their pride.
     One of the best explanations I've seen for this hostility towards faith and religion can be summed up by the following:  "There is an infinite number of actions, which though punishable by society, may be concealed from men, and which the magistrate cannot punish. In these cases men are restrained by the knowledge that nothing can be hidden from the eyes of a sovereign intelligent Being; that the soul never dies, that there is a state of future rewards and punishments; in fact that the most secret crimes will be punished. True religion then offers succors to the feeble, consolations to the unfortunate, and fills the wicked with dread ... But religion can be useful to man only when it is pure. The Constitution of the United States has, therefore, wisely provided that it should never be united with the state."  Well said, and on that point, I can agree!

For more information on Religion and the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, click here.  

Joshua 24:15    "And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

The Legacy of Pearl Harbor

     Seventy-four years ago this morning, at 7:55 a.m., the first modern attack against our nation took place.  As President Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, the Japanese attack on the naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii would "live in infamy."  There are very few survivors left, but their memories of that frightening day are being kept alive by their children; themselves on the far side of middle age.  "What happened was so unfathomable — and not to downplay anything that goes on today — but can you imagine seeing the pilots' eyes and everyone running around to grab their rifles, man their guns and fight back?" said James Laud Sr., Indiana chairman of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors.

      That attack resulted in 2,400 deaths and 1,000 wounded at the Hawaii base, and pushed the United States into World War II.  The survivors of the local Indiana chapter have all died, said Laud, but they have left it to their children to carry forward their message of "Remember Pearl Harbor — Keep America Alert."  That was the legacy that they wanted to leave their children and succeeding generations -- so that this nation would never again be caught unawares of an impending attack, or suffer such devastating losses.
     We were able to do that for almost 60 years -- until September 11, 2001.  That was 14 years ago, and the number of Pearl Harbor survivors was far greater than it is today.  In fact, my father, a WW11 veteran was 76 years old on 9/11 and I know how that horrific day affected him.  But for those who actually experienced the sight of the red circles (on the Japanese planes) and the dropping of bombs, it was a particularly distressing day.
     One of the youngest survivors of the attack, Machinist Mate 2nd Class Raymond Joseph Crane, enlisted in the Navy at the age of 15, after convincing his mother to sign his enlistment papers.  The dentist who examined him saw he didn't even have his molars yet!
     Crane was stationed aboard the USS Maryland, and although the ship was present on Battleship Row that fateful day, it was only slightly damaged by the Japanese bombs, and Crane came home to the heartland to live his life and raise a family.  However, his daughter reports that he had a strong reaction to the attacks on 9/11.  "First of all, dad couldn't believe it happened. He couldn't believe the country failed to be on alert. He was very disturbed somebody was able to invade our country that way."
     That became the central focus of the Pearl Harbor survivors, and now their children... to keep this nation alert and vigilant.  Both Pearl Harbor and 9/11 have defined us as a nation.  Both were unwarranted and surprise attacks that devastated our country and set us on the path to war.  And in both these acts of aggression, the primary goal was expansion .... for Japan, expansion of their imperial empire; for al Qaeda, an expansion of their holy war against those they saw as supporting attacks against Muslims. In the ensuing 14 years, that goal has grown to incorporate various jihadi groups across the globe; all intent on subjugating the infidels.  In recent weeks and days, we have seen increasingly brazen attacks across Europe, and now on our West Coast (although I will maintain that the attack on Fort Hood, the Washington Navy Yard shooting, the Boston Marathon bombing, and many others all fall under this heading).
     From December 7, 1941 to December 2, 2015 all of our enemies have had one thing in common... the determination to weaken the resolve and the will of the American People.  It didn't happen.  We answered the call in 1941, and again after 9/11.  Sadly, like the Pearl Harbor survivors, I am concerned that efforts have been made to downplay those aspirations and lull us into passivity -- if not outright denial -- that we face a real enemy.
     Seventy-four years ago, the patriots of this nation rose to the occasion and swore that they would educate succeeding generations to stay watchful and observant; to quickly notice potentially dangerous circumstances.  Now, we are being told that we are reactionaries, racists, or bigots; that we must be tolerant and accepting of foreign ideologies.  It's time to resist the false narrative and to be honest and unwavering in our vigilance.  It's time to reclaim our heritage.  And it's time to honor the legacy of those brave Pearl Harbor survivors.  May God bless their service to our nation!

1 Corinthians 16:13    "Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong."