Parents: Have You Taken A Look At Your Child's Homework Lately???

     Over two years ago, in July of 2012, I began writing of the dangers of the Federal Government in our Education system, and their attempt to nationalize the content of instruction in every public school across the nation.  I warned that Federal programs such as CSCOPE and COMMON CORE were undermining American values and indoctrinating our children.
     I followed up that post with one in February of 2013, pointing out the concerted efforts to teach our public school children that the Boston Tea Party was an act of terrorism; Christians were cannibals;  and that students were forced to draw a socialist flag while imagining a new socialist country.  At that time, I became aware that the most insidious deception involved the teachings surrounding Islam.

     The curriculum teaches our kids that "Non-Muslims in conquerored territory are allowed religious freedom (for an additional tax)."  (Try telling that to the hundreds of thousands of people fleeing from the murderous rampage of ISIS in Iraq and Syria.) But our kids will only be taught that "Allah is the Almighty God…Allah alone is the Creator, He alone deserves our devout love and worship.”
    Yes, I've been writing about the duplicitous intent of the Department of Education for over two years now.  There have been some victories for truth, and far too many defeats; and for the most part, I'm afraid that many parents may be unaware of what their children are being taught in the name of "advanced current thinking."
     Now The End Begins website reports that "Children are being forced to say the shahada, and forced to learn the Five Pillars Of Islam."  If you are wondering, "Why should that concern me?" or think there is no problem with your child learning about other cultures, I would ask you to consider this:  NTEB's report also includes this bit of information ...  "When Muslims force Christians to convert, they are forced to say the shahada (the Muslim declaration of faith). The Arabic writing on the black flag of jihad (also known as the al Qaeda flag or ISIS flag) is the shahada. This chant of supremacism and imperialism is being forced on American school kids."  Does that make you sit up and take notice?  It should!
     The article tells other stories ... about a mother helping her 7th grade daughter study her Social Studies homework, which consisted of vocabulary words like Qur’an, Mosque, Alms, Caliph, Jihad, Sunnis, Shiites.  Furthermore, she discovered that her daughter's assignments instructed her to "draw detailed pictures of the 5 pillars of Islam and write a word collage of all that is good with Islam."
     Just imagine if a school's curriculum included lessons that asked students to study words like Jehovah, Tithing, Pentateuch or Communion; or if a student was told to memorize the 10 Commandments or write a short story about all that is good with Christianity.  You would have the ACLU, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, and every anti-Christian organization in the country filing suit!
     The good news about this particular parent's experience is that she became active this year in getting appointed to a schoolbook review board at her daughter's school; educated herself on what the Constitution says about favoring a religion; and started uniting parents through social media, in a consolidated effort to make other parents aware.
     She's not the only parent who is outraged over this reeducation of our school children.  You might have seen this story on The Kelly File on Fox News.  Marine and Iraq war veteran Kevin Woods was not happy that his 11th grade daughter was asked to write a paper on the 5 pillars of Islam, Mecca (the holiest place in Islam), and the prophet Mohammad.  He called the school and reportedly told them he disagreed with his daughter being taught these subjects.  His argument was based on our inability to mention God in the classroom, say the Pledge of Allegiance, and pray before a football game.  

     But school officials say they "are not teaching religion; they are teaching world history."  You can imagine after serving our country where Islam is the predominant religion, he just might have a difference of opinion.  And being a Marine, his language was probably pretty colorful.  That got him a no-trespass order from the local police, for being "threatening."  But he's standing by his convictions, and after the school refused to give his daughter an alternative lesson, she will be refusing to submit to the propaganda and will most likely receive an F for the class.
     These stories are not out-of-the-ordinary.  What frustrates me, is this has been going on for at least two years, and is most likely deeply entrenched -- not only in your school system, but in your child's mind!  I cannot stress how this invasive curriculum is undermining our country ... it's not education; it's not world history; and it's certainly not teaching cultural diversity --- it's brainwashing and proselytizing!  And to be honest, it's being done throughout all grade levels.  It's not just your college kids you have to worry about being taught anti-American and anti-Christian doctrines.  Common Core has a curriculum for Kindergarten through 12th grade!  They are trying to change the basic belief systems of our kids!
     As long as Common Core is a continuing threat to mislead our children and change what this country has stood for, I will continue to write about it to wake up as many parents as I can.  This tactic is not new and is actually prophesied by Jesus.  In Matthew 10, He tells us that children will rise up against their parents.  What better way for Evil to infiltrate a nation or a people, than to turn the hearts and minds of the children against all that their parents have taught them?  And think how easy it is to do, when the parents aren't even aware the campaign has begun?
     I beg you, PLEASE take the time to do some research about what your children's curriculum includes.  Question them, look over their assignments and peruse their schoolbooks.  And be like these parents I've mentioned.  Speak up, and speak out!  Do not be silenced or threatened by School officials or School Boards.  There is an evil-intentioned agenda eating away at the center of our national identity, and it is stealthy and persistent.  The infection has begun, and unless we are vigilant and relentless in bringing it to light, it will succeed in poisoning us.  Time is running out!

Psalm 14:12    "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death."
   

2 Timothy 2:15

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

     In 2 Timothy, Chapter 2, the Apostle Paul is giving some very important advice to Timothy, his protégé, and one who would become a minister of the Gospel message after Paul.   So, while this Chapter is often stressed as a message for Pastors and Ministers, I believe it applies to all Christians.  After all, aren't we all declared ministers of Christ, a holy priesthood, a spiritual house and body of Believers?  And this verse gives us explicit instructions as to how we are to conduct our ministry; just as it did Timothy in his day.

     First Paul is telling us we must be "diligent" to present ourselves "approved" to God.  Just what does this mean?  Sadly, I think that the Modern Church has lost the significance of this passage.  As I have stated so many times, there is much deception within the Church, today.  First of all, most Christians do not see themselves as a "minister of the Gospel."  That title is reserved for a single person who is a full-time employee at the building they attend every Sunday morning, and who is single-handedly in charge of deciphering a Bible message for the masses each week.  That is not Biblical!

     As Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 4:1-2:  "This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy[or faithful]."  Did you notice what he said?  We are all "servants of Christ".  We are all "Stewards of the mysteries of God, which can only be found by strenuously devoting oneself to discovering the revelations of His Word, in His book.  And we are all to be found "trustworthy and faithful."  This is the exact same message he is giving in 2 Timothy, Chapter 2!

     As ministers and stewards, it is our responsibility to be diligent -- to be conscientious, persistent, and tireless -- in studying God's "mysteries" as presented in the Bible.  We should all be "dividing" the Word of God; which is to separate what is Truth from what has been misinterpreted, and to distribute it to all people.

     When we dedicate ourselves to studying and teaching the Word in Truth (which is what ministering is), then we are able to present ourselves "approved" to God.  I'd like to say two things about that ... first, our concern should be to be approved to God, not approved by man.  Our focus should be on Him.  Secondly, I want to stand before God and hear Him say my work for His Kingdom meets His stamp of approval -- He recognizes that I have made His glorification the center of my work here on earth, and that I have fulfilled His unique purpose for my life.  I have nothing to be ashamed about, and no regrets. 

     When it comes right down to it, as ministers of the Gospels, we Christians are to be workers for the Kingdom.  At the center of that Kingdom is the Gospel Message of Christ, which fills God's Holy Word from the opening verses of Genesis to the final words of Revelation.  Christ, Himself, gave us the awesome (awe-inspiring, magnificent) task of telling the world about Him.  Everything about our Savior is revealed in the Bible; and yet, as 21st Century followers, too many of us pay too little heed to the one book that is filled with Him.  

     My journey through His Word will be never-ending; new depths of joy and wonder are revealed every moment I spend in the Holy Scriptures.  And as Christ's minister and ambassador, I am not ashamed of sharing what I have learned.  May the Church re-discover the Truth about who they are to be!

     

When Does Health Insurance Become Unfeasible?

    I knew it was coming.  Our quarterly health insurance premium is due December 1st, which means that any notice announcing an increase in premium would be arriving by mail at the end of October.  And sure enough, the offending piece of correspondence presented itself yesterday.
     I wasn't surprised.  Major media outlets like Fox News were covering the expected increases all week; touting double digits for most plans.  As predicted, our premiums increased by 21% --- which follows an 18% increase last year!  That means we will be paying about $666.66 per month (those numbers are certainly appropriate, aren't they?) for insurance that we barely use.
     I know that the cost may seem in line with what many Americans' costs are on their company plans.  But, since we are self-employed and don't have the luxury of "company benefits" that share the cost, this is a huge chunk out of our monthly cash flow.

     And here's what's even more frustrating ... I would consider us healthy individuals.  We have no serious health issues and rarely visit doctors, except for my annual mammogram -- no high blood pressure; no high cholesterol; no diabetes -- nothing except for the aches and pains that accompany aging.  But even considering that, we have begun a new regimen of diet and holistic supplements to combat the inflammation that is at the heart of those discomforts.  So, do my increasing health insurance premium provide any benefits for that form of health care?  Of course not, nor would I expect them, too.  I believe that each person should be responsible when it comes to their own health care; I think our "insurance mentality" has led to a near entitlement mindset and a gross misuse of our health care system.
     In fact, I would much prefer to pay out-of-pocket costs to doctors, off my health insurance plan.  Have you ever asked your doctor what he would charge you for a service or procedure, if you just paid him what it is worth?  You would be amazed at how much the "real price" is for services, versus the "insurance price."  A friend of mine recently underwent a major surgery to solve some chronic issues she had suffered since childhood.  The surgery bill was $56,000; however, the insurance company wrote off all but $18,000, and after her deductible, she only owed $1200.  Can anyone explain to me how this system has gotten so out of control?
     But like most people, we pay for health insurance to cover the unforeseen catastrophic event, such as cancer or a major car accident; anything that would require long-term hospital costs.  And we'd like to think that we have options in both cost and coverage among the various individual plans.  But it appears as if the options are diminishing, while the costs are escalating.  It's pretty apparent that individual plans will become so exorbitant as to be impractical, or simply disappear altogether.  Every insurance consultant we've spoken to has advised us to stay off the government plans being offered through the Affordable Care Act for as long as possible.  But I'm not sure how much longer we can afford to pay what is turning out to be an expensive burden.
     To be honest, I can't really figure out what is going on, but my instincts tell me that Big Pharma, Big Insurance, and Big Government are all reaping huge profits, while we, the captive consumer are ensnared in a trap we can't escape.  We are forced to purchase health insurance under penalty of the law; we can no longer afford our "old plans", which are actually morphing into less valuable propositions; and the alternative is substandard care and inferior compensation for dollars spent.
     Sadly, I don't have a solution, nor do I think the powers that be are looking for one.  This is just another example of our infrastructure nosediving into a downward spiral.  According to the mandates of the Affordable Care Act, the states were to have Medical Exchanges in place by 2014, yet for the majority of them, nothing has been done.  In the meantime, the premiums for private insurance plans continue to increase; more companies and corporations will shift the cost of health care to their employees; the standard of health care will go down as panels and boards decide what care you receive; and doctors themselves will find it increasingly difficult to meet new government regulations and still retain control over how they treat their patients.
     I know I'm not telling you anything you don't already know.  You've either received a notice from your own health insurance company, or you will soon be notified by your employer that changes are coming... and none of it is good news.  I'm afraid the American health care system has fallen irreparably ill, and there is no road to recovery.  Take your vitamins!

3 John 1:2    "Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul."

"Signs & Lying Wonders": Satan's V for Victory

     A few weeks back, I listened to a podcast by Paul McGuire, the internationally known prophecy expert and author.  As always, his subject matter fascinated me, but there was one element that I just had to explore on my own.
     The heart of Mr. McGuire's expository was how easily we professed Christians can be lured into a sense of defeatism.  He used the story of Joshua and Caleb conquering the land of Canaan, and the difference in how these two heroes of the faith viewed their circumstances as compared to the other spies sent by Moses.  If you carefully read the Scripture, you will see that the 10 spies reported that "We are grasshoppers in their sight", while admitting they couldn't defeat the giants.  Joshua and Caleb, however, were unafraid; as if to say, "They are grasshoppers in our sight", and they counseled swift action and a sure victory.

     I found the concept of "occupying our land" very important, and I applaud Mr. McGuire's challenge to his audience to be like Joshua and Caleb, and to believe in God's Divine Power to help us conquer our land.  But, it was while discussing how important Victory is, that he gave a little aside as to how Satan has permeated our own generation with his deceptive practices and signs.  And I was blown away by how this piece of information has important spiritual consequences for us!
     Victory is our preferred state, right?  In everything from wars to sports events to social causes -- we want to win!  How many of us equate holding up our fingers in a "V" sign with the symbol for Victory?  It has become a worldwide symbol for triumph and conquest; images of world leaders, religious figures, pop stars, and sports heroes can all be seen displaying the "V" for "Victory" sign.  But do you know its origins, or what its real connotation is?  And do you know who it is signifying as the Conqueror and the Victor?
     Now, before you give me the standard argument that it doesn't matter what it used to mean, and we should only consider its modern implication, please consider this:  what if there is a supernatural component to flashing that sign? What if it unleashes a force in the spiritual realm that we are innocently releasing by our action?  The Bible says, "For at the coming of the Lord there will be great activity on the part of Satan, in the form of all kinds of deceptive miracles, signs, and marvels, as well as of wicked attempts to delude" (2 Thessalonians 2:9).  So, what does the international symbol for "peace" and "Victory" have to do with the devil?  Follow me down the rabbit hole.

     For those in the more mature generations, probably the most recognizable image of the "V for Victory" sign is that of Sir Winston Churchill, Great Britain's WW II Prime Minister.  There are hundreds of photos of him flashing the "V" sign, and it is assumed he is showing his confidence in defeating Nazi Germany and the inevitable Victory of the Allied Forces.  But did you know that he was a 33rd degree Freemason or alleged to be a Druid Priest? (Druids were priests, magicians, or soothsayers in the ancient pagan Celtic religion.)  And if you are too willing to dismiss this information, let me remind you that Albert Pike (a 33rd Degree Sovereign Grand Commander of the Masons, and given credit for developing the rituals of the order), said this in 1889:  "To you, Sovereign Grand Instructors General, we say this, that you may repeat it to the Brethren of the 32nd, 31st and 30th degrees: 'the Masonic Religion should be, by all of us initiates of the high degrees,  maintained in the purity of the Luciferian Doctrine. . .".  (Before I hear from everyone whose kindly grandfather was a Mason, let me reiterate, it is the "initiates in the high degrees" who have access to the Luciferian tenets.)

Miley Cyrus, flashing her "V"
& sporting "devil horns"

     We Baby Boomers remember President Nixon flashing the "V" sign to signify both the hollow victory in Viet Nam and his unabashed departure from DC after impeachment.  The Millennial generation is familiar with their worshipped celebrities who flash the sign continuously, and I contend they don't have a clue as to its origins or significance.  What do they know of "peace" or "victory"?  Let alone that holding up their index and middle fingers, creating a V, sends a far more ominous message.
     Yes, there's the supposedly historical significance during the 15th century, when Medieval Europe's archers would flash the V sign to their adversaries to show they still possessed the fingers they used to shoot their arrows  -- the enemy would often cut off these two fingers, which was a fate worse than death for an experienced archer.
     But, as is so often the case, this seemingly innocent sign has been linked to something much more malevolent.  To some, it is a symbol for the horned God, Pan.  To others it symbolizes Baphomet, the horned Goat God, who the Knights Templar were accused of worshipping, and who has now become the symbol of the Church of Satan.  The ancient deity, Pan, is associated with nature, wilderness, sexuality, hunting and the life cycle; and is also prominent in the Wiccan religion.  Half man and half beast (with horns or antlers on his head), he represents "the union of the divine and animal".  According to Wikipedia, he was "worshipped by a pan-European witchcraft-based cult, and was demonized into the form of the devil by the Mediaeval Church."  (Maybe, there's a reason for that?)

     Down through the centuries, the V sign became associated with these demonized versions of Pan and Baphomet and symbolized their horns, and was utilized as a secret sign for both Masonic and Occult circles.  I found references that suggested that when the sign is given with the palm inside, it is recognized as a horribly vulgar and offensive gesture—signifying penetration of both body orifices.   Yet, when the sign is displayed in typical fashion -- with the palm facing outward -- it literally means intercourse by the devil—to be violated sexually by the horned God.
     According to the website, Occult of Personality, the Goat God, Baphomet, is purported to represent the "sum total of the universe (e.g. male and female, good and evil, etc.); pointing to the unification of opposites: male and female, first and last matter, as above so below – Baphomet is the All, in the sense that Pan is the All – bisexual, chimerical, twirling the twin caduceus serpents."  (This site offers to help you on your "journey to self-discovery" and to take you to higher degrees.  And they aren't bashful about sharing information on the occult, mysticism and Freemasonry, if you so desire).
    So, by now, are you seeing some familiar themes and concepts?  Do you see the "V" sign as a suggestion that sex can be used by the Devil and his minions to infiltrate our human existence?  Could the Music Industry be used as a gateway to introduce our vulnerable children to Satan's perverted designs on them?  Just scour the web for images of Miley Cyrus (with her tongue stuck out), Justin Bieber, or even Michael Jackson (who flashed the "V" sign after his court appearance for child molestation).   There's even a statue of Baphomet surrounded by adoring children that the Temple of Satan is trying to get placed in Oklahoma City near a statue of the 10 Commandments!
     Can I prove that flashing this centuries old sign frees satanic activity upon the earth and us humans?  Of course not!  But I can look at its increased use in our culture and the entertainment industry and see the steady sexualization of our children.  I can also see that our society is embracing bisexuality, transgenderism and the co-mingling of human and animal genetics ... and aren't those the exact descriptions of what the ancient pagan (and I contend demonic) deities Pan and Baphomet represent?  Since the Garden of Eden, Satan has been able to tempt mankind through seemingly "innocent" deeds, and Genesis 6:4 shows us that the fallen angels can penetrate our earthly realm for vile sexual purposes.  Satan has been given a good measure of authority over this earth until Christ returns, and he will certainly use everything he can to achieve his agenda.
     So, no matter if you think that flashing the "V" sign is harmless and benign, or if you truly believe in a spiritual war being waged all around us, I would ask you to think twice about signs, signals and symbols that you use in your life.  We are in a battle with Satan and his demonic forces, and far too many of us are falling for his counterfeit message of "peace" and "victory".

2 Corinthians 2:11    "In order that no advantage be taken of us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his (Satan's) schemes."

NYC Ebola Patient: What's Wrong With This Picture?

   

     OK, how about a little conspiracy theory to start our day?  We've all heard the news reports about Dr. Craig Spencer, the physician from Doctors Without Borders, who became symptomatic with Ebola after returning to the U.S. --- and holds the distinction of being the first Ebola patient in New York City.  He is currently listed in "serious, but stable" condition.
     Dr. Spencer arrived back in the U.S., after treating Ebola patients in Guinea, West Africa.  He reportedly passed all the screening tests at John F. Kennedy Airport, and then proceeded to enjoy life in New York City.  He visited a local park, ate at The Meatball Shop restaurant, stopped by a coffee shop, found time to take a 3-mile long jog through another park, take a taxi to a bowling alley, and ride 3 different subway trains -- all within a week of returning stateside and coming down with a 103F fever and Ebola.
      Does anyone else think something about this smells fishy?  Naturally, the people of New York are a little unnerved; especially the neighborhoods in which he visited.  But it was one Twitter post that caught my attention ... "He took the subway from Harlem to Brooklyn?!?! YOU LITERALLY HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE ENTIRE CITY SUBWAY SYSTEM TO DO THAT".
    Is it irresponsible of me to wonder why a doctor, who has seen the ravages of Ebola, and knows how rapidly it can spread, would seem to be so nonchalant about taking the necessary steps to make sure he was virus-free before potentially exposing a metropolis like NYC to this deadly disease?  Wouldn't it have been rational for him to take a few days to make sure he showed no symptoms?  After all, there is supposedly a 21-day incubation period.  Dr. Spencer hardly allowed enough time to see if he would begin showing symptoms, before exposing a nice chunk of NYC to the virus.
    Yeah, yeah, he says he wasn't feeling bad, just "fatigued".  But he sure managed to cover a lot of miles and visit a lot of places in three days for someone who was "so tired."  I'm just saying'... If I didn't know better, I would think this looked like an attempt to expose as many people as possible to the disease ... just in case he did come down with it.  Just think about all the potential victims who rode the three different subways; or all the people in the bowling alley, restaurant and coffee shop.  And how many people rode in the same cab he took, or came into contact with him during his hike in the park?  (OK, I'll admit I've got my tin foil hat on!)
     But let me share this little bit of news with you, as well. There's a YouTube video showing a 16-year-old neighbor of Dr. Spencer's being interviewed outside the apartment building in which they both live.  She comments on how nice he is, his dedication to his work with Doctors Without Borders, and she hasn't seen him in a few weeks.  But when (allegedly) shown a picture of Dr. Spencer by one of the reporters, she screws up her face, recoils for an instant, and says, "No, no.  That's not him."

    So what's the truth here?  Is this an Ebola false-flag event, inspired to cause fear?  Or do we have an actor playing Dr. Spencer in order to actually spread the disease?  Is the girl even his neighbor, or is she just another subterfuge to keep us off our guard?  Do any of these unsubstantiated rumors have anything to do with the fact that the U.S. government owns a patent on Ebola?  Doesn't it make just a little bit of sense that the good ol' Hegelian Dialect could be in play here?   You know -- create the problem so that your pre-determined solution can be applied to solving the problem.   An article on Western Journalism lays all out for you:  "Uncle Sam owns the patent on Ebola, but they also own the rights to all variations on Ebola, with the rights to all Ebola research. The official owner of this Ebola patent is: The Government of the US as Represented by the Secretary of the Dept. of Health. Essentially, it is a patent issued by The United States government to The United States government."
     How do you patent something that is supposed to be naturally occurring?  But what if it isn't?  Has it been altered in some way?  And what if the disease mutates so fast, that the entire population becomes exposed and the government has to accelerate the development of a vaccine for the masses? Nice way to make a few bucks, wouldn't you say -- let alone subject the world's population to possible cancer-causing agents?  (Remember that the World's Elite are looking for ways to reduce the earth's population, and that the CDC has admitted to the possibility that 10-30 million polio vaccines may have been contaminated).
     I really must admit that I wish my mind didn't turn towards these crazy scenarios.  I don't want to believe that man could be that devious or that greedy.  But then I realize how evil these times are, and that Satan can tempt man with evil schemes and plans.  I'd like to think that maybe I'm just too skeptical.  But tell me ... what has there been to generate any faith in our current system?  And now there is the whole confusing mess of a nurse who refuses to stay in quarantine!  I am just thankful that the devil's time is short, and my Lord is coming near.  I'm so weary of all this doubt and mistrust!

Psalm 118:8    "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man."

   

Own It! The Impotence of Our Anger

     A recent CNN poll revealed that nearly 70% of Americans are angry at the direction our country is headed in.  Now, the pundits of this world will tell you that it can all be solved next week, simply by pulling the correct lever at the upcoming elections; that the answer to all our problems is political.
    But in order to solve problems, don't you have to be cognizant of them and correctly identify them?  Psychologists and psychiatrists will tell you that "a leading cause of anger is a person's environment."  So are we to deduce that SO many of us are SO angry because of problems that we see in our communities, our states and the national arena?  In other words, is it the state of our external affairs that have us so riled up?
    Let's say it was easy to identify exactly what those problems are; by setting about to solve them, does that resolve our anger?  Will that  make 70% of our population -- that's 221,270,000 Americans -- happier?  Excuse me, while I snicker to myself.  You see, I don't disagree that a large majority of us have reason to be angry at the obvious -- take a look at our collapsing economy, the state of our moral decline, our inability to define the enemy in our ongoing wars, the mis-education in our schools and colleges -- they are all viable causes for stress and fury.
    And it's easy to point the finger of blame at any number of individuals or circumstances.  Our government leaders, our entertainment industry, our political correctness, or our lax educational standards; they all fit the bill.  But ultimately, none of these conditions would exist if we had not lost our way.  If the cause of our anger is our "environment", just who is responsible for managing that which affects us so much?
    Don't we eventually have to turn the microscope on ourselves?  Doesn't the critical examination start with us?  It is my humble belief that our external distress is a direct result of our internal disintegration.  Let's face it ... as a people and a society, we have lost cohesion; we are no longer a united whole.  And what happens when particles of the same substance start breaking down?  The strength of the matter is weakened, and it falls apart.  That is what is happening to America.

     Whether we will admit it or not, our external affairs reflect our internal values, and our heart for God.  History has shown us that when a nation adopts virtuous principles and guidelines, it prospers; peace envelops the land and its citizens flourish.  (Think of how the Bible illustrates what happens to the nation of Israel when they follow God's precepts, versus the destruction and ruination that comes upon them when they are disobedient.)  We once possessed the ingredients for a successful nation: we exalted God in our land, and tempered our lusts.  But just like the ancient Israelites of the Bible, we have wandered from our roots, and are now paying the price of our rebelliousness.  Our leaders have embraced Power-at-any-cost as a worthy goal.  We have lost our reverence for sex as a private and beautiful experience between a man and woman.  We have demeaned the cost of a human life, as we pursue obscure and undeclared wars around the globe.  I can tell you that all this generates a significant degree of anger in me!
     But I think what disturbs me the most is how we have robbed our children of the chance to prosper and flourish.  They are on the verge of losing their birthright because we have relinquished our personal responsibility to guard what we were given (and what is right and virtuous and honorable), in exchange for a Nanny State and the freedom to tolerate absolutely any perversion or vice as "a right".  We must OWN the cause of our own anger!  I know that's painful to hear, but it's the truth!  It's time for some righteous self-judgment ... our corrupt government, our greed and gluttony, our vulgar displays of sexual depravity, and our lack of sympathy and concern for others, is because we've LET these things happen.
     Sure, it's nice to know that 70% of the country is not happy about where we are headed.  Great!  At least we stand a chance!  But until we recognize the part we've played in getting there, we will continue to point fingers and never look into the mirror of our souls.  What is it that will make us happy, and dissolve all this anger?  I don't have all the answers, but I can tell you this ... it is not a change in political parties or anything that is manifested in this world.  We've got to change what's inside us and get back on God's program.  Until we turn to Him as the guiding Source of this nation, we will continue to break down and break apart.  It's time to stop blaming others for our demise, and use our anger to set ourselves right again.  Just think what we could accomplish if a fraction of 221 million "angry Americans" repented of our ways and turned to God!  I'd like to see the results of that poll!!

Jeremiah 5:29    "Shall I not punish them for these things? declares the Lord, and shall I not avenge myself on a nation such as this?"

The Frightening Mix of Halloween, Ouija, And The Souls Of The Dead

     With each passing year, it seems that the controversy over celebrating Halloween continues to grow.  With the advent of TV shows like The Walking Dead and the newly released Constantine, as well as "reality shows" like Paranormal State and Ghost Hunters, it's hard to look upon my childhood holiday as the innocent exchange of candy for "trick or treating"; especially when the historical roots of the day are supposed to point to a "hallowed" or "holy" evening of remembering the dead.
     Although purists will argue that this day simply commemorates those who have died, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed believers, I sense that in this increasingly wicked world, it has discovered its real origins and been co-opted by something far more sinister.
     My Biblical worldview is seeing a dangerous confluence between a rise of interest in the Occult, the existence of the Satanic Temple, and the overt exhibitions by the music industry into supernatural and demonic imagery.  You can try to convince me of the Christian influence of Halloween, but I'm not buying it.  Nowhere does it appear in the Bible as a feast or holy day to be celebrated.  In fact, we are warned not to seek out "anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead."
     That is why it is extremely disturbing to me to see a resurgence in the popularity of a talking game board we are all familiar with ... the Ouija Board.  How many of us have not come in contact with this intriguing game?  In our generation, it was simply a fun party game.  You asked the board a question and then swore that the other participant(s) were moving the planchette as it pointed to various letters, spelling out the answer you were after.  But I can remember my mother forbidding me to play with it, never really explaining why, other than to give me a creepy feeling that "ghosts" might be involved.

     The eerie game board has since slipped in and out of popularity, along with Tarot cards, and séances.  But this Friday, on Halloween night (of course!) there's a new movie premiering called "Ouija".  And you guessed it, a group of kids, curious about contacting the soul of their dearly departed friend, find a Ouija board at her house and summon up dark powers from the demonic world.  Maybe I could dismiss it as just another attempt by the movie moguls to make a buck on the gullible public; except that I don't like the thought of a new generation of kids being seduced into making contact with evil spirits.  I say that, because I personally know that they exist.  Both my husband and myself have experienced their presence, in attempts to dissuade us from growing our faith.  And that faith explicitly tells us that God will turn His face away from us, if we turn to mediums or spiritualists.  Yet it seems to be an ever-increasing and attractive option in our culture.
    Besides my own encounter, I faced a situation a couple of years ago that has left me unnerved.  While attending a weekend reunion of college dorm mates, one of the ladies asked another to do a Tarot card reading for her.  Now, I can remember during my college years being fascinated with wanting to know my future, and Tarot card readings were a trendy event during those years.  But having come to a knowledge of the saving grace of my Lord since that time, I was very uneasy when our group gathered around the kitchen table to watch the reading.  Out of eight women, only me and one other refused to take part.  I actually moved away from the table and prayed silently while the reading occurred.  And to the alarm of everyone there, the Death card was played.  The Reader gave some off-the-cuff answer that it didn't necessarily mean that the Player or her family were in any danger; it could simply mean that the hope of something they were pursuing or wishing to accomplish would come to naught.  But I felt a dread and foreboding ... why were they tempting Satan?  Sadly, this woman, who professed to be a Christian, and was so eager for a reading, has lost two daughters to suicide since that fateful night.
     Coincidence?  Maybe.  But I am far more inclined to believe that she invited a malignant spirit into her life, and opened up her mind to the potential of these evil consequences.  Satan was only too eager to prove his power, and visited Death upon her daughters.

The Witch of Endor

     You may think I am exaggerating the influence of a silly deck of cards, but the Bible tells us stories that warn us to stay away from such interrelations ... King Saul and the Witch of Endor; the Demon-possessed man of Gadarene; the man possessed by Legion, which could imply up to 6,000 demons.  Today we have occultist groups openly celebrating Black Masses, the Satanic Temple distributing "educational" materials in Florida schools, and statues in town squares commemorating Satanic gods welcoming children.  Entertainment Weekly reports that, through Fox TV, "Warner Bros. has made a commitment for a pilot for a new show, titled "Lucifer", based on the same character of DC Comics fame.... Warners will also have five other primetime comic book series on air this season, including Arrow, The Flash, Constantine, Gotham and midseason entry iZombie.  If all goes according to plan, Supergirl and Titans could eventually join the fray."  In case you haven't noticed, they all encompass characters with supernatural, mystical, or god-like personas.
     In fact, I tuned in to the premiere of Constantine, the other night --- I was curious as to what the show was about, seeing that the logo included an ancient-looking Cross as part of its design.  I could only make it through the first 10-15 minutes.  The lead character was confronted by multiple demon-possessed individuals that were all too real and horrifyingly fearsome.  Although he defeated them "in the name of his Maker" (I guess that's as vague as you can get, without having to declare God on TV these days) ... I simply did not want to let the images or impressions of those demonic spirits into my mind.  I know the power and influence they have been given by the Prince of this world, Satan, and the darkness that accompanies them.
     That's why I fear what seems to be an overwhelming desire of movies and TV and music to introduce our kids to these entities.  It makes me wonder if God has fully turned away from us, and is giving us over to what we've asked for -- a world without His influence; a society that grows darker by the minute.  But we can refuse to go along with the culture, and we must test the spirits of this perverse generation.  The only Spirit that I have any interest in communicating with is the Holy Spirit; and I pray that He continues to protect and guide me through these perilous and evil days.

1 Timothy 4:1-2    "But the Holy Spirit distinctly and expressly declares that in latter times some will turn away from the faith, giving attention to deluding and seducing spirits and doctrines that demons teach, through the hypocrisy and pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared [whose souls are branded with the marks of sin]."
   

Forstchen's "Day of Wrath": Are You Ready For ISIS At Your School?

     He's done it again.  Author William Forstchen is largely credited with spring-loading the "Prepper Movement."  He is certainly responsible for making me face the giant; in helping me to overcome my normalcy bias and confront my fears of what living in a world after an Electro-Magnetic Pulse (EMP) might be like.  His powerful book, One Second After, propelled individual citizens into action, and there are millions of us who are better prepared for this scenario, thanks to him.
    His latest book will take you to whole new heights of fear and panic ... but you must read it!  The scenario for this novella will affect every single American, and like the author, I fear we don't have much time to prepare for this course of events.  Day of Wrath, brings the terror of ISIS to every doorstep in America, and ... I warn you ... will pierce your very soul.
    This small paperback book may lack the polished appearance of One Second After, but Forstchen admits that he self-published this book in an attempt to get this information in the hands of the public as quickly as possible.  The subject matter does not allow for a second of delay.  However, Day of Wrath, is just as compelling as its predecessor.
     What is our most precious resource in this country?  Never mind our commerce, our technology, or the oil in the ground --- IT IS OUR CHILDREN!  Mr. Forstchen suggests, in riveting fictional form, that we could soon be facing our worst nightmare ... a coordinated terrorist attack by sleeper cells, launched against our nation's elementary and middle schools.  Think this is taking it a step too far?
    Stop for a minute and google "Beslan school hostage crisis".  In 2004, a group of Islamic (Chechyan) terrorists in Russia took a school hostage, and 777 children endured literal hell for three days.  Young children were systematically executed by throat-cutting or shots to the head; many of the girls raped before being savagely killed.  Forstchen chronicles how easily a similar event could happen here in America.  Our politically correct thinking has left our schools defenseless.  Teachers are not allowed to arm themselves, and are forced to rely on "lockdowns", where they and their students are sitting ducks as they huddle, terrified and vulnerable, in classrooms; locked doors providing no protection from AK-47-wielding barbarians.
     Forstchen is able to carry you into this horror-filled reality through the eyes of a teacher who uses his wits against a formidable enemy that is hell-bent on wreaking as much death and destruction as they can for the caliphate.  This book boldly and accurately portrays the grim determination in which ISIS terrorists have proclaimed their commitment to unleashing their "holy" war on "the infidels" and "the Great Satan".  Day of Wrath may be fictional, but it predicts our future.

Innocent victims in Beslan

     Without giving away the plot, it is not only the children who become victims in the book.  Just imagine it ... simultaneous attacks at schools across the country will find hundreds of thousands of parents scrambling to the schools to get to their children.  This will provide new opportunities to create mass chaos and death as interstate highways become clogged with traffic and additional teams of terrorists move in for the kill.
     And just as the real-life ISIS terrorists are making use of the internet and social media to broadcast their executions, crucifixions, and videos of infants being shot and decapitated; the book's fictional ISIS attackers make sure they film the horrors perpetuated against their young and innocent victims, so they can be broadcast all over America and around the globe, in order to demonstrate how impotent, weak and powerless we are against their just cause.
    I join William Forstchen in praying that this book will have the impact it deserves and needs to have.  As he points out in an interview, our nation's history proves that both national leaders and military experts discussed the possibilities of a carrier-based attack on Pearl Harbor, as well as fully laden commercial aircraft crashing into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, the Capitol Building or the White House ... but that's all they did.  They discussed it, dismissed it and never acted to prevent it.
     Perhaps if enough people read this book and the horror of it forces us to face this very real possibility, we will enter into an honest national debate and take pre-emptive action to secure our schools and children from chaos and death.  Every scenario in the book has been taken from actual methods used by ISIS in their slaughterous rampage through Iraq.  Daily, you can find videos on social media in which ISIS enthusiastically boasts of attacking inside the U.S.  And they understand the psychological blow that would be generated to the heart of America, should such events play out at our schools.
     And in case you need further evidence that this book is timely and relevant, I want to share what is beginning to happen in schools around the country. Defense Training International recently posted an article titled Armed Schools! in which they applauded school districts who recognize that the scenario in Day of Wrath is a very real possibility.  School officials and teachers are getting pistol training because they've "decided to no longer wait around for someone else to “rescue” them".  They realize they will be "the first responders."  William Forstchen's excellent book backs up this wise decision.

Aftermath in Beslan

     It has been 10 years since the massacre in Beslan, Russia.  The enemy has had time to watch us and see how we react to various situations.   Day of Wrath does not present anything that they have not already thought of, and hopefully will raise a warning to schools all across the nation, and encourage them to take the necessary steps to prevent ISIS from securing a victory; and these steps need to be implemented quickly!   Because, should terrorists be successful in carrying out such a merciless operation, the inevitable consequences will not be good for our national freedoms.  Just imagine the executive orders that will roll out ... new gun laws; national curfews; suspension of the internet, and the near-certain martial law.
    Please, purchase this book and share it with friends, families, and local school boards.  Don't let political correctness deter you.  The lives of the nation's children may very well depend on us getting it right this time.  Thank you, Mr. Forstchen for being the point of the spear once again!

Isaiah 13:18   "Their bows will slaughter the young men; they will have no mercy on the fruit of the womb; their eyes will not pity children."


   

Isaiah 1:9

Except the Lord of hosts had left us a very small 

remnant [of survivors], we should have been like Sodom,

 and we should have been like Gomorrah.

     This first Chapter of Isaiah has such profound meaning!  Although this vision and prophecy was given to the prophet Isaiah about the destiny of the nation of Israel during the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, the kings of Judah; it also foretells the future of the tribe of Judah during the End Times.  Furthermore, I believe its message should be heeded by our own nation, as well.  I just love the multiple layers of significance that the Bible holds throughout all generations!  Those who say it is no longer relevant in our time are sadly (and dangerously) deceived.

    Isaiah laments his sinful nation ... he accuses them of immorality and criminality; they have forsaken the God who made them a great nation above all others, and they now only show Him contempt -- and worse, still, they ignore Him.  Because of their "detestable disobedience", the future of their country is bleak.  Their land has been attacked by enemies and strangers occupy what was once so generously bestowed upon them.  And then the prophet tells them something that should have stopped them in their tracks, and caused fear to bring them to their knees.  The nation of Israel -- indeed, all the world, including today -- knows what befell Sodom and Gomorrah.  Ezekiel, Chapter 16, tells us: "Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me...".  The purpose of this post is not to dwell on the sexual immorality and perversion that were practiced in Sodom and Gomorrah, but to take to heart the judgment that fell on them, and to recognize the hope that is in the remnant that survived.

    Isaiah received spiritual perception in the 7th Century B.C. to minister to the nation of Judah.  He knew that God had a purpose for them, but he needed to make them see how far they had wandered from Him.  All Israel knew that God had poured fiery sulfur on the cities, completely destroying them and all of their inhabitants. (To this day, the area where Sodom and Gomorrah were located remains a desolate wasteland.)  So Isaiah wants them to ultimately understand what God did out of the midst of that tragic judgment, and how they deserve the same verdict.  He points to a particular nature of God as their reason for hope.

     He tells them that "the Lord of hosts" spared a remnant, and it is that Sovereignty and Mercy that He wants his nation to recognize.  And it is very important to take note of the name for God he uses in this verse.  In Hebrew, "the Lord of hosts" is spoken of as Jehovah-Sabaoth.  From our human perspective, this is the name of God to run to when there is no other help.  From God's perspective, this is the name He uses when He wants us to know that He is not only the One who delivers us, but also the One who judges us.  He wants us to bow our knee to Him.  This particular name of God meets our failure, and offers deliverance.  

    Isaiah wants Judah to realize that their actions deserve the devastating and complete punishment that befell Sodom and Gomorrah.  They need to acknowledge that Jehovah Sabaoth -- "the Lord of hosts" -- has rightly judged them, but He is also going to deliver them by the means of that remnant.  A small group will survive His judgments in order to fulfill God's purpose for them.

    Over 700 years later, the Apostle Paul quotes Isaiah's forewarning of a remnant, in Romans, Chapter 9.  He says, "And Isaiah solemnly cries aloud over Israel:  Though the number of the sons of Israel be like the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved [from perdition, condemnation, judgment]!  Paul is trying to tell the Hebrew nation that God's own prophets have foretold this sad and frightening truth -- that their disobedience deserves full destruction [as happened to Sodom and Gomorrah], BUT through God's mercy, He will leave them a remnant that will survive ... a Jewish remnant that will bow their knew to their King and Messiah.  

     It is for the hope of this remnant that the Message of the Gospel was taken to the Gentiles, and the Church formed.  We, as Christians, are members of an incomplete Body of Christ. It is not only to other "Gentiles" that we are to reflect God's gift of salvation; but our ultimate purpose is to draw that remnant to their destiny.  Because, in the end (and I believe we are very close), God's name will be more honored through this Jewish remnant, and the world will be more blessed.  This is the purpose of "God's chosen people" -- that a remnant will come forth and declare God and offer salvation to the world.

    Isaiah knew it; Paul knew it; and we as the Christian component of the Body of Christ need to know it.  We need to come out of our own Sodom and Gomorrah and fulfill our purpose in God's will!

Are You Suffering From "Prepper Fatigue"?

    I sense it in myself, and I'm beginning to see it in others.  If you're like me, you've been "in prepper mode" for the last six years.  That's a long time; 2,190 days to be exact.  We began this journey with the threat of an economic collapse, and the fear and implications of that possibility ... we started stocking up on food and essentials, in case our money became useless and inflation skyrocketed.
     We fortified ourselves for a life that lacked the luxuries of 21st century living, and taught ourselves long-forgotten skills, and worked at adopting a new attitude towards "roughing it" without all the modern conveniences.  That involved time and money; both of which were not in abundant supply at our household.  But we took on the burden with an eye towards survival in difficult times.
     Within a year or so, we all started hearing the whisperings of "Electro-Magnetic Pulse" and "Coronal Mass Ejection".  Whether these events were to be caused by a foreign enemy setting off a nuclear missile in our atmosphere, or God sending a massive burst of solar wind and magnetic fields into space, it didn't matter.  We began to prepare for a world without electricity and all the chaos that it would cause.  More time and money were spent figuring out how to cook our food, run generators, deal with the heat of summer and the freezing temps of winter; how it would affect people with health conditions and how we would deal with the inevitable lawlessness as society degenerated into anarchy -- it was another worry added to our already heavy load.

     And with the possibility of lawlessness, came a responsibility to ourselves and our families to be able to defend our homes and territory.  The firearms industry saw a colossal increase, as Americans traded their shotguns and deer rifles for semi-auto rifles and pistols; and signed up in droves for tactical defense training.  This became a whole new industry in itself.  People realized that if you were going to carry a firearm, you owed it to society to be effectively trained in how to manage that weapon ... but once again, this duty required massive resources and time.  And we all still had to live our "normal" lives, which included 40+ hour work weeks, after-school activities with the kids, and often-times, within the scope of spouses and family members that didn't approve of our "extracurricular activities."
     New concerns about government over-regulation; anxiety over lax border security, and a slow and stealthy erosion of the Constitution has kept us on our toes over the last couple of years, but we have maintained our readiness and commitment to surviving whatever this world throws at us.  And I'm proud of how well we've endured the weight of the extra pressure.
     We shifted our priorities, settled into our new mindsets and lifestyles, and figured out a way to shoulder all the new obligations.  Yes, it has taken a toll on us, but we have managed to keep it all under control, while staying alert and vigilant.  We stayed as ready as we could be, and determined not to let our guard down.
    Then this last year, the weight of it all has increased dramatically.  We have the double threats of pestilence and terrorism in the homeland, and must figure out how to prepare for both these perils.  Added to our burden is the difficulty in seeing them coming; which necessitates a state of constant vigilance and alertness.  We are just about stretched to our limits.  Both our mental and physical faculties are taxed, and we suffer further stress from family and friends who refuse to see the danger we face.
     To be brutally honest, we're tired of carrying the load; we struggle against hostility towards others who will selfishly expect to benefit from our years of spending time, money, and hours of training and educating ourselves.  We're weary of being ridiculed, while knowing full well that we will be expected to share what we have so painstakingly collected against that very day of trouble.
    And I will boldly declare that I believe Christians carry a heavier load and level of fatigue.  We are worn out from trying to apply Romans 13 to our Christian walk, and we feel a greater responsibility and duty to care for those who were not as farsighted as we.  Unlike unbelieving Preppers, it will be difficult for us to turn away a starving child, or to refuse someone shelter or protection if lawlessness is ruling the day.  We know that we are under the scrutiny of God, and we must obey His command to love others as He has loved us.
     So, I wrote this blog post today, because I know if this journey is wearing on me, then there are millions who are sharing my state of mind.  If you are mentally overwhelmed, financially tapped, and physically exhausted ... you're not alone.  But we must not, and cannot give up; defeat is not an option.  We were chosen for this time because our Maker knew He could count on us; He knew our steps would be sturdy and our pace would be constant.  He knows we will be unmovable and unchanged in our purpose, posture, or position.  We can handle the load and tackle the task.  We will survive and overcome because our strength and perseverance lies in the Lord.  And the best part?  He's right beside us, sharing the load.  Yes, we've been given a lot to cope with these last six years ... but too tired to go on?  Not a chance!  We've just been toughened and tempered for what lies ahead ... and we're ready, willing, and able!

Hebrews 12:3    "Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds."