America and Israel: Destinies Intertwined

     Whether you are a Believer or not, I think you will find this post interesting, because I'm going to show you that the major natural and political disasters in America over the last 20 years have centered around our Leaders pressuring Israel to divide their land.  Think that's a stretch?  Just take a look at the following 10 major events:

1.   October 30, 1991: The Perfect Storm.  President George H.W. Bush initiates Madrid Peace Conference, to consider Israel giving up "land for peace".  As this Conference opens, a freakish "perfect storm" develops in the North Atlantic, creating the largest waves ever recorded in that region. The storm travels 1000 miles from “east to west” instead of the normal “west to east” pattern and crashes into the New England Coast. Thirty-five foot waves crash into the Kennebunkport home of President Bush.

2.   August 23, 1992:  Hurricane Andrew.   When the Madrid Conference moves to Washington DC and the peace talks resume, Hurricane Andrew, the worst natural disaster ever to hit America, comes ashore and produces an estimated $30 billion in damage and leaving 180,000 homeless in Florida.

3.   January 16, 1994:  Northridge Earthquake.  President Bill Clinton meets with Syria's President Hafez el-Assad in Geneva. They talk about a peace agreement with Israel that includes giving up the Golan Heights. Within 24 hours, a powerful 6.9 earthquake rocks Southern California, This quake, centered in Northridge, becomes the second most destructive natural disaster to hit the United States, behind Hurricane Andrew.

4.   January 21, 1998:  Lewinsky Scandal.  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with President Clinton at the White House and is coldly received.  Clinton and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright refuse to have lunch with him. Shortly afterwards on that day, the Monica Lewinsky scandal breaks into the mass media and begins to occupy a major portion of Clinton's time.

5.   September 28, 1998:  Hurricane George.  As Secretary of State Albright works on the final details of an agreement in which Israel would give up 13 percent of Yesha (Judah and Samaria), Hurricane George slams into the United States Gulf Coast with 110 mph winds and gusts up to 175 mph. The hurricane hits the coast and stalled. On September 28, Clinton meets with Yasser Arafat and Netanyahu at the White House to finalize this land deal. Later, Arafat addresses the United Nations about declaring an independent Palestinian state by May 1999, as Hurricane George pounds the Gulf Coast, causing $1 billion in damage. At the exact time that Arafat departs the country, the storm begins to dissipate.

6.   Ocotber 15-22, 1998:  Texas Floods.  On October 15, 1998, Arafat and Netanyahu meet at the Wye River Plantation in Maryland. The talks are scheduled to last five days with the focus on Israel giving up 13 percent of Yesha. The talks are extended and conclude on October 23.  On October 17, awesome rains and tornadoes hit southern Texas. The San Antonio area is deluged with rain. The rain and flooding in Texas continue until October 22 and then subside. The floods ravage 25 percent of Texas and leave over one billion dollars in damage. On October 21, Clinton declares this section of Texas a major disaster area.

7.   November 30, 1998:  Market Capitalization Evaporates.  Arafat comes to Washington again to meet with President Clinton to raise money for a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as the capital. A total of 42 other nations were represented in Washington. All the nations agreed to give Arafat $3 billion in aid. Clinton promised $400 million, and the European nations $1.7 billion. On the same day, the Dow Jones average drops 216 points, and on December 1, the European Market had its third worst day in history. Hundreds of billions of market capitalization were wiped out in the U.S. and Europe.

8.   December 12, 1998:  Clinton Is Impeached.  As Clinton lands in the Palestinian-controlled section of Israel to discuss the “land for peace” process, the House of Representatives votes four articles of impeachment against him.

9.   May 3, 1999:  The Powerful Super Tornado.  On the day that Yasser Arafat is scheduled to declare a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as the capital, the most powerful tornado storm system ever to hit the United States sweeps across Oklahoma and Kansas. The winds are clocked at 316 mph the fastest wind speed ever recorded.

10. August 29, 2005:  Hurricane Katrina.  One week before Katrina made landfall, Israel carried out the evacuation of 9,500 residents from Gush Katif and four Samaria communities. Residents were forced from their homes by Israeli troops, some dragged away kicking and screaming and placed on buses that took them from the area.  The Gaza withdrawal was backed by the U.S. government. Some Middle East analysts and senior Israeli politicians entirely attributed the evacuation plan to pressure coming from the American establishment.

     Of course, those who subscribe to these "coincidences" might see the hand of God.  We Christians know that the land of Israel is holy and the Jewish nation is God's chosen people.  But if you can't go that far, perhaps you can at least admit that America's destiny seems to be inexplicably tied to the fate of Israel, or at the very least to the Freedom foundation of this country.  And to apply this analogy to current events, consider this:  Did you see the connection between the SCOTUS decision last Thursday and the freakish thunderstorms in the East that caused hurricane-like damage, killing at least 13 people and causing millions of dollars in damages?  Is it just "chance" that Washington D.C.  is suffering under an unprecedented heatwave and power outage?  Combine that with the censoring of Attorney General Holder and the Colorado wildfires, and it doesn't seem too outlandish to think that the dismantling of our Constitution and the corruption in our government are tied to these natural disasters.
     Those of us who study our Bibles are familiar with this "cause and effect" chain of events whenever God's people rebel against Him.  It's always seemed like it was part of the Bible's history.  But why would it be any different today?  Has God changed?  Never!
     So whether you see a connection between our governmental policies and these forces of nature, you must surely see that the fortunes of America are slipping.  Is it God's judgment?   I am not qualified to answer for Him.  But I know this ..... I would rather put my faith in Him than any Authority on earth.

Malachi 2:2        "If you do not listen, and if you do not resolve to honor my name,” says the LORD Almighty, “I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not resolved to honor me."

Our New Reality?

Today's post is going to be shorter than usual. I had a whole new post ready to go today, but with the news we woke up to, it's time to pivot. Everything is happening so fast -- world economic collapse seems imminent; a world war is definitely in view; huge layoffs are happening, with the tech sector beginning the slide by laying off 100,000 employees last week; civil war is breaking out in Great Britain, with the same thing looming in Ireland; a devastating hurricane is about to hit our East Coast; not to mention that two biological men are boxing in the Olympics for the Women's gold medal.

What the Lord has shown me and my husband -- and what we have been shouting from the wall -- looks to be coming true. Has the Lord reached His limit of patience regarding our disobedience and rebellion? Let's just look at the situation with Hurricane Debby and the catastrophic flooding that's expected. In 2012 I wrote a blog showing how America and Israel's destinies are intertwined. Here's a couple examples: In 1991 The Perfect Storm hit with 35 foot waves crashing into the Kennebunkport home of President George H.W. Bush after he initiated the Madrid Peace Conference, giving up "land for peace". When the Madrid Conference moves to Washington DC in 1992 and the peace talks resume, Hurricane Andrew [the worst natural disaster ever to hit America] comes ashore and produces an estimated $30 billion in damage and leaving 180,000 homeless in Florida. Think it's judgment from God on how we're treating Israel?

Consider the following and then decide: The Northridge Earthquake [1994] happens when President Clinton meets with Syria's President to talk about a peace agreement with Israel that includes giving up the Golan Heights. Within 24 hours a powerful 6.9 earthquake rocks Southern California. Hurricane George slams into the U.S. Gulf Coast with 110 mph winds and gusts up to 175 mph and then stalls. Clinton was meeting with Yassar Arafat and Netanyahu to finalize a land deal that would make an independent Palestinian state a reality by 1999. Hurricane George pounds the Gulf Coast, causing $1 billion in damage. At the exact moment that Arafat departs the country, the storm begins to dissipate.

And the coincidences (?) go on and on ... the Texas floods in 1998; the evaporation of the world economic Markets in 1998 when America promises $400 million to Arafat for a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as the capital; a powerful super tornado sweeps across Oklahoma and Kansas, clocking 316 mph winds on the day Arafat is scheduled to declare the Palestinian state; Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans after Israel carries out the evacuation of 9500 residents from the Gaza Strip. Since that 2012 post, we have seen more devastation and destruction from natural disasters as our national policies have not coincided with God's will for the apple of His eye. HEAR ME: I'm not saying that Israel is walking with righteousness and we should approve everything they do. On the contrary, they have sinned against YHWH in equal measure. But the U.S. leaders are responsible for what this country does and how they influence the world.

So, back to today's news ... should we be concerned when North Korea begins moving its missiles to South Korea, or China declares that if the U.S. gets involved in the Middle East tensions, they will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Russia? You bet we should! Do we still have the protection of Almighty God? Take a look at what our country stands for today, and then decide. Personally, I think the only thing keeping us from His judgment is the righteous prayers of His righteous people. Don't stop praying! And try to wake up your friends and family. Believe me, I know how frustrating it is to continually warn that there is no guarantee that any of us will escape the chaos that is happening in the world.

And I see the battle going on in the spiritual realm. Let your prayers strengthen the Archangel Michael and his heavenly army that wage war against Satan and his evil forces. Michael fights for Israel and for us [if we bless Israel]. The battle is real! We must put our spiritual armor on and take up our battle stations. Continue to love others, pour the love of Jesus into them, and be ready to defend our God at every turn. It is up to us who know what we stand to lose [in both the physical and spiritual realms] to lead the way and encourage everyone in our sphere of influence to go forth without fear. Now is the time to show the Enemy our true identity in Christ!.

2 Timothy 3:1     But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 

What Do Job and Hurricane Matthew Have In Common?

     I find this to be an intriguing question.  And before we can even consider it, I think we need to determine what Christians believe about God and judgment.  We must come to agreement that God is a God of Justice.  It is one of His attributes and He is deeply concerned with making wrongs right.  He lets no sinner off the hook without a fitting punishment, or a fitting substitutionary atonement.
     I recognize that this is a hard concept for some Christians, who do not believe God sends judgment upon people or nations since He is a loving and merciful God.  They will also point out that God expressing wrath against people was part of the Old Testament covenant, citing Paul saying in Romans 4:15, "The law brings wrath"; the law here being the Law of Moses or the Torah. They will argue that law and justice are tied to covenant in the Old Testament, and we are set free from God's wrath in the New Testament by the blood of Jesus, as Romans 5:9 states:  “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him!”
     But a few years ago, God showed me that His Bible is not divided into two separate covenants, or a "before" and "after" timeline.  The Bible is one continuing covenant, extending from the covenant He instituted with Abraham [and all those who would share His belief in YHWH],  through the "renewal" of that same covenant in the life of Jesus Christ. So God is just, and His attributes remain the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

As reported by major news outlets,
a Weather Channel meteorologist spotted
an eerie face in an untouched satellite
image of Hurricane Matthew.  

     Yes, the Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:9, For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.  And I do not believe that the Spirit-filled, blood-washed Church of Jesus Christ will suffer God's wrath.  But remember those churches that Jesus speaks about in the Book of Revelation?  We would do well to go back and read His warnings.  And let's not forget Paul's own warnings in Romans 2:5-8, But because of your hard and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.  He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.  I am not so foolish to think that just because one claims to be a Christian, that they will get an automatic free pass from experiencing God's wrath.
     Okay, I'm pretty sure that we are all not going to agree on this matter of God's wrath in the last days, so let's consider the question that I posed in the title of this blog.  The underlying debate in this issue is if weather events such as Hurricane Matthew can be a tool of a God who judges individuals and nations for wickedness?  There are plenty of Scriptures that tell us that God is Sovereign and He has the power to save and to destroy at His will.  And if you look at some recent weather disasters in our history, you have to be blind to not draw some conclusions from our national actions.  (See this post for a list of our indiscretions against the nation of Israel, and some interesting correlations).
     And if you doubt God uses weather to judge people and nations, just take a look at these unambiguous verses in Job, Chapter 37:

9 The stormy wind comes from its chamber,
and the driving winds bring the cold.
10 God's breath sends the ice,
freezing wide expanses of water.
11 He loads the clouds with moisture,
and they flash with his lightning.
12 The clouds churn about at his direction.
They do whatever he commands throughout the earth.
13 He makes these things happen either to punish people
or to show his unfailing love.
14 "Pay attention to this, Job.
Stop and consider the wonderful miracles of God!

     The Hebrew word for "stormy wind" is cawphah and means a hurricane.  And keeping verse 13 in mind, let's not forget that America is far from being a righteous and virtuous nation!  We lead the world in porn production - Yes, lead the world with our filth. One of the major criticisms of Islam against America is our penchant for nudity, porn, and homosexuality, and it is criticism well deserved.  Add to that our involvement in the sex slave trade, pedophilia, and abortion.  And our nation, as a whole, has abandoned God nearly as fast as the Israelites built their golden calf.  Did you know that there are surveys that show an alarming number of the population, especially our youth, do not believe they are born sinners, or for that matter that they even sin?  Instead, sin has become just a mistake and not part of human nature. Our society has lost the knowledge that we are in need of a Savior from our inherent sins, and this has resulted in absolutely no fear of God. But the warnings given to Job, make it clear that God controls the weather and He can use it "either to punish people or to show His unfailing love."
     Yes, I know that the Book of Job is about Satan being given authority to test Job, and No, I do not believe that Satan or his demon angels can control the weather or affect natural disasters.  But, IF Satan could impact the weather, it would only be by God's permission, and restrained, as in the case of Job. Remember, Satan was allowed by God to torment Job in order to test him, and this included "the fire of God" (possibly lightning) which "fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants" (Job 1:16). This was followed by a "mighty wind" (maybe a tornado) that destroyed his home and killed his children (vv. 18-19). So even if the fire from heaven and the tornado were somehow caused by Satan, they were still under the ultimate control of God for His purposes.
     Ultimately, we know that God is in control of all things, including the weather. Through His providence, God provides for and protects His children, but He also ordains or permits Satan, demons, and mankind to exercise their free will to commit acts of sin, evil, and wickedness. These same beings are fully responsible for any and all man-made disasters and tragedies they cause.
     We know that God has ordained whatever comes to pass (Ephesians 1:11; Romans 11:36), and therefore His invisible hand is in our pain, even though He cannot sin or be the perpetrator of evil (James 1:13-17).  So is Hurricane Matthew judgment from God?  I am not privy to His counsel.  There are enough reasons to suggest that it might be, even though there are still righteous and repentant people in the nation, and we are not appointed to His wrath.  Unfortunately, just like Job, we do not always escape the judgment that comes from and against our fellow countrymen.  There will be good people who will most likely suffer from the flooding and destructive winds of Hurricane Matthew; perhaps even losing their lives.  But they will not be alone.  Jesus will be beside them, extending His peace and mercy and delivering them through this impending tragedy.  Until we leave this earth, there is no guarantee that we will leave it unscathed. But whatever the aftermath of this powerful storm might bring, let us pray that we see God's mercy on the righteous, and the repentance that saves coming forth from the wicked.

Matthew 5:45    "For he makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."
     
       

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

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

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

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

What I've Learned From This Hurricane

     This has been an event like none other that I have experienced.  I have shared the physical description of what it is like when a Category 4 hits the little Texas coastal town of Rockport. I have showed a couple of pictures and tried to describe the emotional impact it has when you see lives disrupted so violently.
     Now I want to share the spiritual side of it and some of the struggles I've had.  I've heard beautiful expressions of love and support -- and I've heard some of the most hate-filled rants about how we Texans deserved it because of our political leanings and/or the refusal of our Senators or Congressmen to support some government funding or another ... and now we want the government to come in and rescue us. How can a person be so cold-hearted and callous?  I guess the devil roams the earth looking for ears that will listen to his evil whispers.
     And speaking of the devil, after making several trips with donated supplies, I would return home physically and mentally tired from witnessing the burdens and hardships placed upon these people of modest means. The prospect of dealing with insurance companies, low-interest government loans, and the logistics of all those houses that need to be repaired is mind-shattering.  But what if you don't live on the beach side of town, or in one of the middle class neighborhoods, where the houses are built more sturdy and repairs are feasible?  What if you live on the poorer side of town, and perhaps don't even own your small home? What happens if the owners decide not to rebuild, or you are unable to afford your current mortgage plus the government loan needed to make your home habitable?

     Those were the thoughts that would wake me up in the middle of the night, and I felt like I was carrying the weight of all those people who are living in such fear and anxiety.  I recognized that the devil was trying to capture my mind with his negative whispers, and I was struggling to keep my mind focused on the promises of God.  One night I woke up around 3:30 with such dread and despair that I felt like I was buried under blankets of it.  The Enemy kept trying to convince me that this situation was insurmountable; it was too big of a fight.  That some of these families would never be able to overcome the obstacles before them.  I felt defeated.
     Then he tried to add another layer of disquiet to my mind.  There has been a subtle judgment placed upon the Kingdom work we have been called to do in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.  People in the damaged community don't quite know how to take us when they ask what Church we are affiliated with, and we tell them we aren't with any Church.  It's almost as if there is an air of suspicion that surrounds us because we don't possess the legitimacy that a Church group would have, coming in to offer relief.
     Then there are some Church people that also look at us with skeptical hearts, and I'm not sure why.  Do they feel safer participating within the comfortable domain of their Church connections? Or perhaps, are they not comfortable enough in their identities to know that they are to be the image of Christ to everyone they meet, and they don't need to depend on the Church interrelation to be effective ambassadors of the Kingdom of God? Isn't there room for us to work side by side in meeting the needs of the poor and afflicted?
      As I laid there, tormented by thoughts of both the overwhelming ruin before us, and the frustration of being judged for our lack of Church affiliation, I felt spiritually oppressed.  But I knew what was happening and I knew it was simply Satan's way of trying to destroy any hope or faith I had that we were making any difference in advancing the Kingdom in the midst of this catastrophe.  But I stopped and made sure that, in the spirit, my helmet of salvation was securely placed over my mind. Then I told myself, Be still, and know that I am God.  Let me repeat that.  Be still ... Be still ... and KNOW that I am God.
     And it all came into perspective.  The promises of God are true, and I declared that all of His promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for His glory (2 Corinthians 1:20).  He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us, so those people who believe in Him will not have to go through this rebuilding process alone.  And God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose for them.  So whatever designs the devil has for using this hurricane to cause evil in the lives of these people, it will eventually become good as they rely on their faith and each other.  There is a purpose to each and every life and this hurricane event is a chance for each person to discover the reason they are on this earth.

     And I think that is why I am beginning to sense a difference in the atmosphere of Rockport.  The streets are beginning to be cleared of debris. Tree branches and limbs are being collected into piles. The Relief Center sponsored by New Beginnings Ministries is feeling like it's getting its sea legs, and the pervasive smell of panic is being replaced with an atmosphere of ordered chaos.  And I don't say that cynically.  There will be chaos for some time to come in Rockport, TX -- until power is fully restored; street lights are working properly; the debris is collected and removed -- but order is now being established to the day, and there is a direction in their lives.  An outsider might not see it, but if you are looking with spiritual eyes, you can discern the small and subtle change, and it smells and feels like victory... and we who love Him, know there is victory in the Lord.
     So, ultimately, what I've learned is this -- there is no catastrophe big enough to defeat God's people. I know that this life is full of trials, tribulations, and tragedies. And I can expect the devil to tempt me to doubt God's presence in the midst of them.  But if I can get still, and look for Him, I will find Him ... every time!  This won't be the last time the Enemy sends a fiery dart to test my mind.  And it won't be the last time my lack of Church partnership will be scrutinized and judged.  But none of that will deter me from walking my particular [and singular] path in the footsteps of my Savior. We have been called to be servants, and that can sometimes seem a lonely and disparaging road.  But it's not about us... it's about those we serve, and pleasing God. And there is nothing the devil can do to stop my resolve to do both.

1 John 3:17-18   "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth".


   

What Should Be Our Response To Human Suffering?

    I realize this is a rather general question to be asking, but yesterday was the one-month anniversary of Hurricane Harvey hitting Rockport, Texas and the suffering in that small seaside town is still so acute. And in the ensuing days, we have seen more suffering in Florida, and the Caribbean, and the situation in Puerto Rico has been described as "apocalyptic".
     In one month's time, there is a small semblance of order in Rockport, as the debris is beginning to be cleaned up and piled on the curbs, waiting to be hauled off.  But, there are no words to describe the amount of debris!  And the repairs of homes, if they haven't been condemned, is still weeks away.  Tent cities that I think must resemble those of the Dust Bowl era dot the landscape, while Relief Tents offering a hot meal and clothes have become a mainstay of the communities.  

Puerto Rico, last Wednesday

     As always happens in such disasters, it is the poor that suffer the most.  I look first-hand at Rockport, and view the images of Puerto Rico and some of the other Caribbean islands, and wonder, "Where will these people live? How will they survive?"  But, I also saw the devastation in the richer neighborhoods of Rockport as well. Some of those homes on the waters edge were completely destroyed, and they were retirement homes for people who fear they will never see Rockport the same in their lifetimes. So whether, rich or poor, suffering is no respecter of persons; it rains on the just and the unjust.
     And as the Bible says, we are to love our neighbors, --- all our neighbors. Why is that? The Bible says, "so that we may show ourselves to be the children of God".  So what should the response be of the children of God to all this suffering we have witnessed in the last month?  Certainly, giving of our time and money to alleviate the suffering are worthy acts of the children of God.  But it has been interesting to see the response of the Christian community to the suffering in my own backyard.
     As expected, churches were eager to help in those first couple of weeks after Hurricane Harvey struck.  Groups signed up to haul debris, and chainsaw crews were especially needed to clear property of the twisted oaks that were a hallmark of this hurricane.  Food and water were distributed in those initial days when both were scarce.  And I will say that the response from the Christian community outshone the presence of FEMA and Red Cross.
     But, here we are a month later, and there is still so much work to do.  Not only have people begun to be less motivated to lend a helping hand, but I believe they are experiencing what I would term "disaster fatigue" or "disaster overload".  There have been so many natural disasters that we have become numb to the need of our fellow man, and there is a sense that it is so overwhelming, or so far away, that we couldn't possibly make a difference.
     That is not to be the attitude of the Christian!  When Jesus tells us to love our neighbor as ourself, He isn't talking about your next door neighbor, or the neighbor in your own city, or even the neighbor in your state.  Our neighbors are any fellow human being who has a need or who is suffering; regardless of whether we identify with them or not.  According to the Bible we have a responsibility to relieve that suffering.  It doesn't matter if we have a litany of excuses ... our job, our family, our finances, our time, or we think it's been long enough, the government is going to step in and take over.

Rockport, TX today

     How we respond to our neighbors' needs is a personal choice --- we can let this world numb our souls and hearts; or we can sacrifice our self-interest and put our neighbors' needs first.  As we've labored the past two weekends with groups of Christian friends, doing the dirty work of tree clean-up, it seemed like we didn't accomplish that much--- averaging visits to two homes each weekend until the heat and fatigue shut us down. But that's not how the people we served saw it.  They were grateful that people cared enough to just show up and offer to help.  My wise husband observed that if every Church in 100 mile radius made the decision to forego a Sunday worship service to go out and "be the Church" to the community of Rockport, the restoration would be accomplished in a fraction of the time.
     Of course, secular voices, like those suggested by USA Today, will tell you that the best thing people can do is donate money.  But I disagree. Yes, it takes money to provide the physical things that will restore people's lives. But, as witnessed by my first-hand experience, it is the willingness of a stranger to come to your aid; to lay a hand on your shoulder and tell them you care; to pray over them as you leave their circumstances a little better than you found them; and to ask God to keep them and provide for them -- those are the things that will feed their souls and strengthen their spirits.
     I know this may seem like a rambling piece of writing, but I just had to comment on the great need of the human race at this time ... that we love our neighbor as ourself.  We can have empathy and we should pray for them.  But we shouldn't stop there.  This is the time that the Body of Christ can shine brightest. I know in my heart that there are many Christians doing the work of Christ at this time, and I praise the Lord with gratitude and thanksgiving for their loving hearts.  The commitment to love our neighbor should be our priority in the world right now ... Let us be the Church as Jesus created us to be.

Mark 12:30-31, 34   "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these ... You are not far from the kingdom of God." 
     
   

"Calm The Storms, Father!"

     If there is one positive side effect from the forces of nature, it is that it shows both the best and worst of humanity.  But since the best of us comes from God, and the worst from the Enemy, I refuse to glorify our adversary's deeds. Instead, I want to share the wonderful presence of the Lord that I have witnessed, as we here in South Texas face a devastating hurricane.
     I love it that all the walls we put up between us come down when we face a mutually challenging and terrifying situation.  As Mark and I stood in long lines at the grocery store for water and nonperishable food, and at Lowe's where people were buying generators, batteries, and plywood, I was encouraged by the courtesies displayed and genuine concern shown for each other.  "Stay safe" was spoken to complete strangers, and people were willing to help each other and offer advice. Perhaps we each identified with our common mortality and just wanted to make a connection when confronted with our vulnerability. Whatever, the reason, I loved seeing the compassion and mercy.
     But it was the connections between my Brothers and Sisters in Christ that has been so inspiring. Mark and I have received so many texts and phone calls [from all across the country] letting us know that people are praying for us. And we have met privately with other families to spend time in prayer, revealing our requests and needs to our loving Father.  For me, I find great strength in His promises ... the Name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and are safe.  In the spirit, I picture each of our families snug and warm inside of a stone tower, sitting by a warm fire with Jesus, oblivious to the storm that rages outside.
     I also declare that my community is the Land of Goshen, which is the segment of land that Joseph bequeathed to the Israelites during his reign in Egypt.  They lived in the land of Goshen until the time of Moses, when Pharaoh refused to let them go so they could worship God freely.  So God sent ten plagues of destruction, darkness, chaos and death. But these plagues did not occur in Goshen.  God protected the Israelites in the land of Goshen through the blood of the Lamb over their doorposts, as a mark of faith.
     So I appropriate the same blood of Jesus over this community of believers, of which we are a part. I declare that our lives, families, and households are protected, and we live in the land of Goshen where no destruction, darkness, chaos or death will occur, in Jesus's Name.
     I also declare the promises of Psalm 91 which says if we abide in God and dwell in the shelter of the Most High, we will remain secure and safe, and rest in the shadow of the Almighty. He will be our refuge and no disaster will come near our tents, for He will command His angels in regard to us, protecting and defending and guarding us.  He will set us on high because we know His Name and we have set our love upon Him, trusting and relying on Him, knowing He will never abandon us.

And I find great confidence in knowing God and Jesus are the Creator of the winds, and the rain, and the seas.  Just as Jesus calmed the Sea of Galilee, He can do the same in regards to Harvey.  We have asked God to use the storm to water our drought-stricken land, which testifies to His goodness. But we cancel any assignment by the Enemy to corrupt what God has created or to send devastating  storms against us.
     In the end, we only have each other and God to rely on.  After we come out on the other side of this, I have a feeling we won't be concerned about all our "stuff", but will be praising Him for His faithfulness and trustworthiness; for His never-ending covenant with us and His steadfast love. This storm, too, shall pass, but His Word will never pass away.  And so, we cling to Him in the midst of uncertainty and the force of nature.  But I am left with this final promise ... My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me. So, I face this storm with unswerving faith, knowing Who has me in His hand.  And there is no room for fear.

NOTE:  Again, I have no idea if we will lose power, or when I will be able to post again.  If I can, I will let you know how we are progressing through the duration of Hurricane Harvey.  Any and all prayers are appreciated!

UPDATE:  We survived the first night of Hurricane Harvey with gusts up to 85-90 mph

Jeremiah 10:13     When He utters His voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and He causes the clouds and the mist to ascend from the end of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain, and brings out the wind from His treasuries and from His storehouses. 

The Dynamics of Prepping

     An article on the CNN Money site recently caught my eye.  The writer attended a Prepping Expo in Florida at the beginning of the month, and it led to some interesting conclusions.  According to the piece, "More and more Americans are spending money to get ready for an uncertain future -- gathering food, water, tools, and skills to help them weather anything from a hurricane to a pandemic. Contrary to images of deluded or gun-obsessed "lone wolves," many preppers are average consumers reacting to concrete worries, and their way of thinking is spreading; fueling an emerging lifestyle trend. That lifestyle is generating demand for a broad spectrum of products offering survival -- or even comfort -- when large-scale systems go down."

     Almost sounds as if "prepping" has gone mainstream, doesn't it?  And in this economically-challenged time, it appears as if a new economic stream is being developed.  And this new industry defies stereotyping; everything from ammunition, crossbows and camping gear, to seed banks, beehives, financial planning, and acupressure.  And the business model seems to be trending upwards.  The average customer is hard to define.  They are no longer red neck, country conspiracy nuts, but the market has broadened to include "suburban homesteaders".  And the reasons they are flocking to this new line of merchandise are as varied as their demographics and the different products.
     Ideology contributes to a lot of the differences in buyers.  According to the article, one of the entrepreneurs, Charlie Hogwood of Personal Readiness Education Programs, had this to say about the divergent consumers: "All last year it was up and up and up. But after the [presidential] election, it flattened out." Hogwood thinks that some in the market were overwrought over doomsday scenarios surrounding the reelection of Barack Obama. "Last year, I heard 100 different conspiracy theories" about what a second Obama presidency might mean. But when the election wasn't followed by martial law and FEMA camps, both the rhetoric and the market cooled off a bit. "I rarely hear the crazy theories now. Now everyone's worried mainly about the collapse of the dollar," says Hogwood, referring to widespread prepper fears of hyperinflation triggered by the Federal Reserve's quantitative easing.
     And the irony of the various reasons for purchasing items at the Expo were not lost on Mr. Hogwood, either.  "Sometimes it's like a toy store, and people buy stuff because they like it." But in a real survival situation, "the more you know, the less you have to carry. A lot of people don't know much and think they can buy their way out of it." He sees some of the extremism surrounding the prepping industry as hype, maybe even fearmongering. "It's so much more fun to worry about martial law than a hurricane. People like zombies as a marketing tool."
     As I read further into the article, it became apparent that not only the writer, but a good number of the companies selling products, didn't really grasp the importance nor the significance of prepping.  For many of them, it just appears as if they are out to make a quick buck in a new market.  They derisively discredit the theories of the Expo attendees, dismissing conversations on the involvement of the Rothschilds and Rockefellers in the Federal Reserve, or the effects of chemtrails on the weather.
     So it appears as if good old American greed is still alive and well.  There are lots of business owners who are willing to get their fair share of the shrinking American dollar; more interested in their profits than in any real common interest with their customers.  And then there are the  consumers, always looking for the latest new gimmick or movement to follow.  It was obvious that the writer and many of the businesspeople still view "Preppers" as the lunatic fringe.
     Well, the last laugh will be on them.  Let them make their dollar and buy their new toys, but when the SHTF, the true Preppers will  have the last laugh.  A fat bank account will be reduced to pennies, and all those survivalist items won't help if you don't know how to use them.  In the meantime, we'll be glad to take advantage of the fascination with the survivalist lifestyle.  Let their greed be our gain.

2 Peter 3:3-4    "knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation."

   
   

Is This Another Warning?

      If you will recall, back in July of 2012, I wrote a post titled America and Israel: Destinies Intertwined, in which I highlighted natural and political disasters that have come upon our land after our nation's leaders negotiated deals that harmed Israel.  As that post chronicled, we have suffered major hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, and economic woes after pressuring Israel to give up land for a Palestinian state.
     Now, here we are negotiating with Iran; the biggest proponent of state-sponsored terrorism against Israel. Even if you are shy about giving full credence to Wikipedia you cannot ignore their description of Iran:  "Since the declaration of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979, the government of Iran has been accused by the USA of funding, providing equipment, weapons, training and giving sanctuary to terrorists."  Our own State Department has called them "an active state sponsor of terrorism"; and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called them "a kind of central banker for terrorism ... through Hezbollah in the Middle East."  And need I remind you that Hezbollah is desperately trying to perfect their missile delivery systems to destroy Israel.
     Now, here we are in the Spring of 2015.  The United States is desperate to claim victory in a battle of the wills with Iran over their nuclear program.  Deadlines have been pushed back, with Iran stalling for more time to gain their objective ... a nuclear bomb to deploy against Israel.  And we seem to be doing everything we can to accommodate them.
     So, it came as no surprise to me that just hours before our nation announced that "we have achieved the framework for that deal", there is a 4.0 magnitude earthquake along a portion of the New Madrid Fault.  Was this a warning sign from God, indicating that He is ready to judge us with the mega-disaster that has been predicted for years now?  Is He telling us not to finalize this deal with Iran; a deal that will certainly put Israel in the crosshairs of a nuclear bomb?

     In case you are unfamiliar with the New Madrid Fault, it is a MAJOR seismic zone and a prolific source of intraplate earthquakes (earthquakes within a tectonic plate) in the southern and midwestern United States, stretching to the southwest from New Madrid, Missouri.
     There have been recorded earthquakes along the New Madrid Fault Line since 1699, when a French missionary reported the ground shaking.  The strongest earthquakes (in the 7.0 - 8.0 magnitude range) were felt in the early 1800s, when the fault created temporary waterfalls on the Mississippi River, created a wave that propagated upstream, and earthquakes were felt as far away as New York City and Boston, where ground motion caused church bells to ring.  A series of aftershocks were felt for several years, up to 1817.  Then in 1843 and 1985, the area experienced earthquakes of 6.0 and 6.6, respectively.
     The biggest earthquake in the modern era was a 5.4 in 1968, and the effects were felt in 23 states.  Only minor rumblings have been felt in the last 47 years .... until Wednesday night, just hours before the proud announcement of an Iran "semi-deal".  Why all the concern over a relatively minor 4.0 earthquake?  Because, for starters, the reports by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimates damage and injuries in St. Louis from a 7.6 magnitude New Madrid earthquake to be $2.8 billion, 260 deaths and 1,060 serious injuries.  The 1812 earthquake resulted in about 3.5 million acres damaged or destroyed by landslides, fissures, sandblows, lateral spreads, subsidence, submergence and uplift. And remember that this area of our country is prime agricultural and cattle land, and a major earthquake would certainly affect our food production.
      Then there is the report by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources that says earthquakes in this region shake and damage an area approximately 20 times larger than earthquakes in California and most other active seismic areas.  They also state that the New Madrid Seismic Zone appears to be about 30 years overdue for a magnitude 6.3 quake, and about 75% of the estimated recurrence time for a magnitude 7.6 earthquake has elapsed since the last quake of this size occurred in 1812.
     When you realize that our other national foreign policy decisions which adversely affected Israel corresponded with the 1991 "Perfect Storm"; Hurricane Andrew; the Northridge, CA earthquake; the 1998 Texas floods; the 1999 Super Tornado; and Hurricane Katrina; then you can imagine that a massive New Madrid earthquake will fit the bill as an appropriate judgment against our latest negotiations with Iran.
     The central United States experienced a 4.0 earthquake at the announcement that "a framework" had been negotiated.  Don't you think God is trying to give us a warning not to complete these negotiations with the devil?  I do not believe this is "mere coincidence" and I greatly fear the loss of life and property, and what a major earthquake in this area will do to our economy.  But more than that I fear the retribution that will be rightly ours should this nation enable Iran to carry out its threats against Israel.  Pray that our leaders will have a change of heart and bless Israel, rather than curse her!

Isaiah 14:11-12, concerning Israel:   "Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all."

The MUST-HAVE Survival Book

     About six months ago, my husband and I purchased what I consider to be just about the best book on preparedness that is on the market.  Dare To Prepare, written by Holly Drennan Deyo, is in its 4th Edition, and provides complete and common sense advice on the products and skills you need for optimum emergency preparedness.  If you can think of a situation----she's written about it!

     This 632-page reference book covers everything from Urban Survival to Water Collection and Storage to First Aid to Solar Cooking and Pet Preparedness.  If you are still hesitant to accept the need to prepare for a major terrorist attack, or massive social and economic changes, then surely the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the disasters in Japan and Haiti are reason enough to pay attention to what this book has to offer.
     Major metropolitan cities and church groups have combined resources and information on how to take care of the citizenry should some form of emergency or disaster present itself, and this book is part of their  arsenal.  The book has become so popular that I urge you to buy one as soon as possible.  I suspect they will be hard to come by in the near future.
     Still need more convincing?  Let me just list some of the topics covered in this reference manual:
Emergency Water Treatment:  Making Potable Water; Water Purification: Boiling vs. Chemical Treatment; Build Your Own MicroFilter; Alternate Purifying Methods.
Preparing The Pantry & Saving $$:  How to Prepare Food Storage Room, including Hantavirus Warning; Bulk Warehousing, Co-op Purchasing.
Shelf Life of Non-Foods:  Cleaning Products; Medications/Health Items; Personal Care Products; Pet Supplies.
Build A Hand Pump:  Pump Assembly Notes and Instructions; Depth Use; Hand Pump Parts List.
Keeping Food Safe In An Emergency:  What To Keep and What To Toss (Refrigerator Foods); What to Keep and What To Toss (Frozen Foods).
Generators:  When The Grid Collapses; Running a Computer from a Generator; Care and Maintenance; Theft Prevention.
Communications:  Satellite Phones; Two-Way Radios; Shortwave - Ham - Amateur- High Frequency; Emergency Broadcasts.
Biowarfare Decontamination:  Build a Decontamination Shower; Water Purification; Decontamination for Smallpox, Cholera, Plague, etc.
Preparing For Hurricanes:  What To Do Before A Hurricane; Inland/Freshwater Flooding; Utilities and Services.
Preparing For A Pandemic:  The Next Pandemic; Bird Flu's Entrance; Masks; Personal Protective Equipment.
Dealing With Stress:  Coping With Disaster; Helping Children Cope With Disaster; Helping Others.
Hope and Encouragment:  You're Never Alone (A Message For Christians); Taking Personal Responsibility.

     Obviously, I have just touched on some high points.  But if you're having trouble convincing family members and friends (as I have) that there is a need to prepare, this book will be an invaluable aid.  This book shows how Holly and her husband, Stan, organized their own home and developed a Preparedness Plan.  Bottom line?  In my opinion, next to the Bible, this book has the most answers to help get us through an uncertain future.  It is empowering!  Order yours now!  

Warning: Are Divine Judgments In Our Future?

     While everyone is focused on the volatile stock market and our economic future, I would caution that we need to be more concerned about the upcoming ratification of the so-called "Iran Nuke Deal".  I don't need to be a foreign policy expert to employ my critical thinking faculties and sense that there is nothing good that will come from this treaty ... except for the mullahs of Iran.  They have made no secret of their hate for both Israel and America, nor of their desire to wipe us both off the face of the earth.

     The lifting of economic sanctions against Iran will give their government the cash to continue their enrichment of nuclear material and eventual development of nuclear weapons, along with bankrolling the enemies of Middle East peace (think Bashar Assad, the Palestinian Authority, and ISIS).  Plus far from establishing strict inspection protocols, the deal allows the Iranians to further their policy of bureaucratic stalling and subterfuge.  It will be the same old story ... when the IAEA requests permission to inspect the nuclear sites, Iran will stall, giving themselves time to hide the evidence that they are violating the treaty, before finally giving inspectors access.

     But perhaps worst of all, this "Iran Deal" will escalate the sectarian and religious conflicts in the region.  Iran will finally gain the legitimacy of a superpower in the region, ensuring that Sunni/Shia theological rivalries will arise and threaten the balance of the entire Middle East.  There is a toxicity among these relationships, and I fear that the part we are playing by promoting this Deal will be the spark that incites the flames of hell.

     And sitting right in the middle of this combustible chaos is the nation of Israel, the apple of God's eye.  As I wrote in a 2012 article, titled America and Israel: Destinies Intertwined, we must expect Divine judgment for any curses that we, as a nation, place on Israel by our actions.  Our country has suffered a number of catastrophic natural disasters as a result of undermining the sovereignty of Israel with our foreign policy decisions.  Just in recent history, we suffered the "Perfect Storm" in 1991; Hurricane Andrew in 1992; the Northridge, CA earthquake in 1994; the devastating Texas floods in 1998; the powerful Super Tornado in 1999; and perhaps the most famous and destructive of them all, Hurricane Katrina in 2005 -- all after we pressed Israel into compromising with Palestinian demands and relinquishing territory in exchange for promised peace.  Israel gave up portions of Gaza and the Golan Heights ... but peace has never been established.  

     We have never quite understood that the land of Israel is God's land; the place where Divine providence is especially manifest. "The eyes of the Lord... are always upon it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year" (Deuteronomy 11:12). It is "holy" land to God; land set apart by Him for His people.  To go against that covenant is to invite not only curses upon us, but Divine judgment.

     And now this Iran Deal has the potential to go far beyond giving up a piece of the land.  It could result in the very real possibility that the Enemy of Israel (both physical and spiritual) will try to blow God's land off the face of the earth... and we will have given them the opportunity.

     I know that you have heard it spoken that the month of September may bring some huge calamity upon the world; perhaps a global economic collapse, a world war, or more natural disasters.  But I always try to look at the future through a Biblical lens, and through God's prophetic advisories.  The coming months of September, into October, bring celebrations of God's Feasts.  First will be the Feast of Trumpets, or Rosh Hashana; then Yom Kippur, also called the Day of Atonement (a time of confession and repentance); and finally, the Feast of Tabernacles, when God returns to fellowship with man on earth.  These are high holy days on God's biblical calendar; meant to focus one's heart on the mighty judgment seat of God.  The Bible tells us that on some future Feast Day in September, the trumpets will sound and the dead will rise to meet our Lord in the sky.  At the end of the Feasts, when He tabernacles with us on earth, He will set up His judgment seat, and we must all face Him for what we have done with our lives.

     Our history shows us that we have surely grieved God with our Supreme Court decisions on abortion, removing prayer from schools, and most recently, the arrogant redefinition of the God-given covenant of marriage.  When you add our partnership (with Satan's servants) to destroy Israel, we will have to answer for having contributed to the destruction of God's Land. 

     No one can say if this Iran Deal will be passed by Congress in September, and if so, whether this will be the September that we must stand before God's judgment seat.  But one thing is clear ... America is on a dangerous track away from God.  No one can deny that these are grave and serious times. We stand at a very critical crossroads.... for our nation; for our society and culture; for the world's population; for the Church; and most importantly for the existence of Israel.

     We must declare our allegiance to God and to His people, and we must pray for the deliverance of the world's leaders from the deluding spirits of the Enemy.  God has clearly shown us that His judgment follows on the heels of cursing Israel. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

Joel 3:1-3    "For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of My people and My heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up My land, and have cast lots for My people, and have traded a boy for a prostitute, and have sold a girl for wine and have drunk it."

La Palma: Tied To U.S./Israeli Policies? A Look Back At History

Get ready to put your tin foil hat on today! There is an interesting natural phenomena happening off the northwest coast of Africa on the Spanish Canary Island of La Palma. In case you have missed the news stories on this event, La Palma is best described as a "volcanic ocean island". According to geologists, La Palma is currently, along with its sister island, Tenerife, the most volcanically active of the Canary Islands. Formed three to four million years ago by submarine (under-sea) volcanic eruptions, the island has a landscape of hardened lava and scoria (porous cinder-like fragments of dark lava. 

So, why am I bringing this subject up? Because La Palma has long been the subject of scary scenarios that have predicted a future event where a volcanic eruption could cause the western flank of the 203 square mile island (roughly 1/6 the size of Rhode Island) to fall in to the ocean, generating a giant wave of nearly 3,000 feet, which would radiate out across the Atlantic Ocean and inundate the Eastern seaboard with waves potentially reaching 165 feet or more -- and it would only take 7 hours to reach its destination! So, again, why am I sharing this information? Because, since September 11th, there have been over 4,000 tremors on the tiny island, resulting in an earthquake swarm and multiple eruptions causing fissures in the rocky landscape and along the ridge of its highest volcanic mountain, fueling fears that the flank of the mountain could possibly break off and fulfill the prognostications of centuries-old prophecies. 

And what does all this have to do with U.S. and Israeli relations [hinted at in the title of this post]? Well, in 2012, I wrote a blog post noting the natural and political disasters that had assailed America in the last 20 years. You can read that complete list on the post by clicking here. Those events began on October 30, 1991, with what became known as "The Perfect Storm". President George H.W. Bush initiated the Madrid Peace Conference to consider Israel giving up "land for peace".  As this Conference opened, a freakish "perfect storm" developed in the North Atlantic, creating the largest waves ever recorded in that region. The storm traveled 1000 miles from “east to west” instead of the normal “west to east” pattern and crashed into the New England Coast. Thirty-five foot waves crashed into the Kennebunkport home of President Bush.

Today, I'd like to cite just a few of the other American policies that required Israel to compromise its land, and which seemed to "coincidentally" occur at the same time as natural disasters... the 1994 Northridge, CA earthquake (U.S. urges Israel to give up Golan Heights); Hurricane George in 1998 (when Secretary of State Madeleine Albright finalizes details of agreement between Israel and Palestine to give up 13% of Judah and Samaria); and culminating with Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when Israel carried out the evacuation of 9,500 residents from Gush Katif and four Samaria communities. Residents were forced from their homes by Israeli troops, some dragged away kicking and screaming and placed on buses that took them from the area.  The Gaza withdrawal was backed by the U.S. government. Some Middle East analysts and senior Israeli politicians entirely attributed the evacuation plan to pressure coming from the American establishment. These natural events, plus political and economic disasters all coincided with concessions Israel made with its Middle Eastern enemies. I think you will be astounded when you read the post in its entirety.

So, now we're facing the possibility of another natural disaster that could potentially dwarf all the others... the entire Eastern seaboard, including the economic center of the U.S. (New York City) and our political capitol (Washington D.C.) could suffer monumental loss of life and territory. So, is there anything going on in our national foreign policy with Israel that could possibly foretell such a disaster? Well, during negotiations in the House this past week, the Democratic leadership was forced to cut $1 billion for Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system, leaving Israel vulnerable to thousands of Hamas-launched rockets. Israeli officials have been quoted as saying that most of the 4,350 rockets fired from Gaza during the conflict in May were blown out of the sky by Iron Dome interceptors.  It is obvious, that failure to fund the effectiveness of this self-defense system could be catastrophic for Israel. Some are saying this is a "temporary" halt and only a "technical postponement" of eventual reinstatement of the funding. [Within 24 hours the House overcame the lobbying of their liberal faction to approve and pass the funding]. Now we will see if the Senate follows through. And in the meantime, La Palma continues to erupt and the world watches to see if the earth-changing event will occur. 

All this may seem like a crazy Christian conspiracy ... and maybe nothing happens. But I'm not one to dismiss what history has shown us. Remember that old axiom, Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it? Maybe, we'd be wise to consider that. And to add fuel to the conspiracy flames, there is the quatrain from Nostradamus (1503-1566), the French astrologer, physician, and reputed seer who wrote, The great mountain, seven stadia round... after peace, war, famine, flooding... It will spread far, drowning great countries... even antiquities and their mighty foundations. Willing to dismiss this as superstitious conjecture or a false prophecy? Perhaps what Revelation 18 has to say might give you pause. 

Revelation, Chapter 18 is focused on the Fall of the great city Babylon. Now, Christians and commentators, alike, have long speculated about the identity of this great city, with Rome/Vatican City, Washington, D.C., and New York City being among the top candidates. Described as the city where "the the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living", and sitting as a queen among the kings of the earth, my vote [at this time in history] is leaning towards New York. To fan the flames of this possible scenario, Scripture says "her plagues will come in a single day; death and mourning and famine, for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her, and she will be burned up with fire. One cannot help but think of the thousands of needless deaths from the disastrous C-19 policies in  New York City.

Again, the Bible forewarns that the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn because no one buys their cargo (goods) anymore. Is it because our dollar is on the precipice of being abandoned as the world's reserve currency? Wall Street is in New York and its numbers lately could certainly be signaling that event. But why would that cause the "merchants of the earth" so much torment? Wall Street has such a significant impact on the global economy because it is the trading hub of the biggest financial markets in the world’s richest nation [according to the website Investopedia]. Making some connections now?

And again, the Bible says that in a single hour all her wealth will be laid waste. So perhaps there's another little clue that La Palma is tied to this Biblical prophecy ... Verse 21 says, Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more. 

I'm not claiming to be a prophetic voice or a seer of any kind ... I just find it interesting that there are some compelling connections between our history with Israel via our political policies and events, the  predictions of a 16th Century astrologer/seer, and the prophetic warnings of the ultimate End Times book in the Bible. This is what we know for sure ... a faction of the U.S. governing body was successful in their attempts to temporarily stop the funding of Israel's primary defense mechanism at the same time an ancient volcano in the Atlantic Ocean has the potential to throw off a devastating tsunami that could wipe out our Eastern seaboard and destroy millions of lives. Sounds Biblical to me! Our political history has given us a template to go by, and it's sure hard to ignore. 

So, I will end this post the same way I did in 2012 ... whether you see a connection between our government's policies, the treatment of Israel, and these forces of nature, you must surely see that the fortunes of America are slipping. Is it God's judgment? I am not qualified to answer for Him. And now, in 2021, I would add this caveat: I'm afraid that we resemble the great city of Babylon even more today than we did then. I invite you to read that sobering chapter in Revelation, and then join me and millions of other Christians as the Kingdom government on earth to change the idolatrous and evil forces that are destroying our country. And be sure and keep an eye on La Palma!

Revelation 18:4-5     Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities".

God Never Loses Sight Of Us!

     God is SO good! His ways never cease to amaze me! Do you remember my testimony around last Christmas about the woman I met in the Walmart parking lot? If you've heard the story, I hope you will take the time to read it again. You can never hear about the Goodness of God too many times. Here's a quick synopsis....
     As Mark and I approached the exit of a crowded Walmart at Christmastime, there was a woman ahead of me, obviously in pain, and moving very slowly. Although we were ready to get out of the rush, I got a clear prompting from the Holy Spirit ... "You are not going to walk past this woman."  We waited for her to clear the final door, and once in the parking lot, I approached her and asked if she was having trouble walking because of knee pain.  She told us that her right knee was swollen because she'd recently had that hip replaced. She was supposed to have the left hip replaced, too, but Hurricane Harvey caused a delay, and now she is displaced, waiting for her house to be repaired so she can move back in.  I asked her if we could pray for her knee pain, and she was enthusiastic in her approval, "Yes! I would love that!"

      I laid hands on her knee, prayed and asked if the pain was gone.  She said it was better, and we said, "Then, let's go after it again!" We continued to pray, laying hands on her, and releasing the power of the Holy Spirit against the spirit of pain in her knee.  We looked up and tears were running down her face.  Mark asked her why she was crying, and if those were tears of pain or joy.  She said, "Who are you people?"  We said, "Just followers of Jesus, doing what He has asked us to do, and what we are called to do".  She replied, "I have felt so distant from God for too long.  And He has sent me several people this week to remind me that He is still present in my life".  And the tears began flowing even more steadily.
     Mark asked her why she felt God was so far away, and she replied that she was the one who had pulled away.  So we held her hands and prayed that her relationship with Jesus would be restored and she would know how much He loves her and desires to rekindle the fire that once invaded her heart.  We asked her if she had received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and she said she had; that she had received the gift of tongues, but had lost it. We asked if she wanted it back, and she said, "Oh, God, yes!" So Mark prayed over her, calling for more of the Holy Spirit, and she prayed along with us, but nothing happened.  We reassured her that if she wanted it, all she had to do was keep on asking for it.  It is the Father's desire to restore her to fullness.  She said, "I know this, y'all! I know this!  My daddy was a Pentecostal preacher and I should know this!"
     We asked what happened to her that she had abandoned her faith.  She struggled for an answer, finally saying that things had just happened in her life.  We asked who she needed to forgive, and the answer finally came out ... herself.  So we led her in a prayer asking Jesus to help her forgive herself, as He has forgiven her.
      That woman's name was Tracy and I have often thought about her, prayed for her, and shared her story as part of my testimony of how God can use us to reach others for His Kingdom. She has never been far from my heart. And then just this past Sunday, Mark and I were exiting that same Walmart and there she was! Only this time she wasn't just limping in pain. She was unable to walk because of  severe pain and was riding in a cart. Mark recognized her first and then she realized who we were. She was surprised that I remembered her name, and proceeded to tell us that she and her husband were still displaced from their home and she still needed the hip replacement surgery.
     I will tell you that it was evident that she is of an economic class that will probably never recover from that devastating hurricane, and will find it difficult to get established anywhere so she can qualify for that second hip replacement. But she was just as enthusiastic for prayer as when we first met her! But this time, she asked if we would pray for her husband who has been diagnosed with a thyroid condition, and his medications are not stabilizing him. She led us to their car and we laid hands on him and prayed. They were the most precious couple who just needed to know that God is still near, even though the outward signs were telling them otherwise.
     We explained that we did more than minister for physical pain, but worked with Jesus to heal emotional and spiritual pain, too. Then Mark turned to Tracy and said, "We all carry things around in a spiritual backpack; those things that we keep tucked away, hoping that no one sees them, and by keeping them out of sight, praying that we can control how they affect us. What is the one thing that weighs the heaviest in your backpack"? Tracy blinked a couple of times, and you could see something crossing her face. She stammered around, and finally Mark asked her, ""Is it a molestation as a child"? Her eyes opened wide and she just shook her head, "Yes".
     We explained that this is a recurring sin perpetrated against those who show up at our ministry table. And we emphasized that it both saddened and angered the Lord. I truly believe this is the impetus for Jesus's statement in Matthew 18:6, But if anyone abuses [scandalizes, puts a stumbling block, offends, or causes to sin] these little ones who believe in Me, it would be better for him to have a heavy boulder tied around his neck and be hurled into the deepest sea than to face the punishment he deserves!
     But we invited her and her husband to come see us and let us minister to their spiritual and physical needs/healing. And as we prayed for her to be set free from the memories of the past and her current physical infirmities, I saw Jesus [in my spirit] whispering to tell her that the fact that we ran into her a second time was proof of how important she was to Him -- that He had never taken His eyes off her and never would! It was a powerful affirmation that He had neither abandoned her nor forgotten about her. And He has the same message for each one of us!
     I don't know the end of Tracy's story, or even if she will find the way to come to us for ministry. But I do know this... we are each precious in His sight, and the words of Psalm 139 make that very clear:  Lord, You know everything there is to know about me ... It's impossible to disappear from You ... Every single moment, You are thinking of me! 
     I have a feeling that our paths are going to continue to cross with Tracy's until she is able to step into His embrace. And it would be our humble honor to be the ones He uses to bring her back home. This story isn't over!

Psalm 139:24     "See if there is any path of pain I’m walking on, and lead me back to Your glorious, everlasting ways—the path that brings me back to You".