And Israel Cried Out To The Lord ...

   

     UPDATE:  A fifth victim has died due to the horrendous slaughter by Palestinian terrorists at a Jerusalem synagogue.  Others are in serious and critical condition.

     Have you noticed that the world's focus has turned once again to the nation of Israel?  No matter what your faith, the brutality of the murders at a Jewish synagogue in Jerusalem should break your heart.  Two Palestinian terrorists entered the place of worship with guns and meat cleavers and killed four people, including a Rabbi, and seriously injured seven more.
     According to Israeli news sources, the two terrorists entered the synagogue in the middle of prayers, and began shouting "Allahu akbar'.  Their murderous rampage lasted only a short time before they were both killed by Israeli police in a shootout.  Among the dead are three Israeli-Americans.
     World leaders quickly called the attack "an act of pure terror and senseless brutality and violence", and even Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned it; the first time he has done so since the violence has erupted over the contested Temple Mount.  As to be expected, Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic terrorist organization, praised the attack as a “response to ongoing crimes against the al-Aqsa mosque [Haram Al-Sharif]”, and called for increased violence.  People lined the streets in Gaza, as Hamas passed out candy to celebrate the murders.
    To the rest of the world, it may be difficult to understand why so much violence and hatred is centered around the Temple Mount.  To fully understand the relevance of this sacred site, one must know its history and its significance.  The Temple Mount is considered to be the holiest site in Judaism, the third holiest site in Islam, and a revered site to Christians. To the Jews it is known as Har HaMoriyah (Mount Moriah) and Har HaBayit (Temple Mount); to Muslims it is known as Haram al Sharif (the Sacred Noble Sanctuary). In the Bible it is also called Mount Zion, which signifies both a physical location (Jerusalem) and a spiritual kingdom, whose center will be a heavenly Jerusalem.
     So, as we race towards the final confrontations of this world, we are beginning to see the culmination of 2,000 years of contention for this sacred ground.  It is the spot identified by Christians and Jews as the place where Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice, and the location of the Holy of Holies in the Jewish Temple.  It is also the site of Solomon's Temple, and Zerubbabel's Temple, which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.  But to the Muslims, this site is called The Dome of the Rock, and was built in AD 692 over the place where Mohammad supposedly ascended to heaven.  During the Crusades, Christians took temporary control of the Temple Mount, and the Al Aqsa Mosque was used as a palace and church in 1099.  Today the Temple Mount is under the control of the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf, a trust that was established in 1187 to manage the Islamic structures in Jerusalem. Under their current rules, access to the holy sites is prohibited to all non-Muslims.
     But recent archeological discoveries have pointed to the overwhelming evidence that this location originally belonged to the nation of Israel, far earlier than the building of the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque in the 7th century.  And now impassioned Jews want access to their holy site.  In recent weeks, there have been clashes between Jews and Muslims, as each fights for the freedom to pray at this contested shrine.  Under an arrangement in place since Israel's capture of the Old City and its shrines in 1967, the sacred plateau is administered by Muslims reporting to Jordan, while Jews have a right to visit.  But that is becoming increasingly unacceptable to either faith.  The Jews don't want to simply "visit" the Temple Mount, which they see as "the deepest root" to their faith; and the Muslim faithful see the encroachment by the Jews as changing the status quo and the control of the site.  Passions are rising, and daily clashes have resulted in at least two deaths.

     And now the violence has opened a wound that may be difficult to heal.  Fueled by Palestinian revenge (through Hamas), Jerusalem threatens to become engulfed in religiously-fueled hatred of Israel's "occupation".  It is easy to believe the emotional rhetoric that calls for a "Palestinian homeland", but few people bother to research the facts of history.
     The term “Palestine” is believed to be derived from the Philistines, an Aegean people who, in the 12th Century B.C., settled along the Mediterranean coastal plain of what are now Israel and the Gaza Strip. In the second century A.D., after crushing the last Jewish revolt, the Romans first applied the name Palaestina to Judea (the southern portion of what is now called the West Bank) in an attempt to minimize Jewish identification with the land of Israel.  (Satan's influence can be seen down through history as he attempts to eradicate God's "Chosen" people).
     The Hebrews entered the Land of Israel about 1300 B.C., and enjoyed sovereignty under various kings until the Babylonian conquest in 586 B.C.  The Jewish people enjoyed brief periods of sovereignty afterward until most Jews were finally driven from their homeland in 135 A.D.  It is interesting to note that Jewish independence in the Land of Israel lasted for more than 400 years. This is much longer than Americans have enjoyed independence in what has become known as the United States. In fact, if not for foreign conquerors, Israel would be more than 3,000 years old today.
     But here is the fact that is ignored in today's ongoing war between Arab nations and Israel:  Palestine was never an exclusively Arab country, although Arabic gradually became the language of most of the population after the Muslim invasions of the seventh century. No independent Arab or Palestinian state ever existed in Palestine. When the distinguished Arab-American historian, Princeton University Prof. Philip Hitti, testified against partition before the Anglo-American Committee in 1946, he said: “There is no such thing as ‘Palestine’ in history, absolutely not.”
     The area, known as Palestine, today, was historically a part of southern Syria.  So the truth of Palestinian Arab nationalism is that it is largely a post-World War I phenomenon that did not become a significant political movement until after the 1967 Six-Day War.  And now through powerful propaganda efforts, undoubtedly fueled by a dark spiritual element, war has been declared on the natural rights of Israelis and Jews to their "Promised Land".
     So, for those who seek an agreement with Palestine through Israeli concessions for land, and a compromise of the conflict over the Temple Mount, I urge you to read the Bible.  I fear that there will be more atrocities such as what happened at the Jerusalem synagogue, but Israel's enemies need to realize one thing ... God's Plan for the nation of Israel and Mount Zion will never be defeated.  And in light of these prophecies,  the Biblical command to "Pray for Jerusalem" has never been more appropriate.

Thank you to the website, GotQuestions.org for their valuable history of the Temple Mount.  Thanks also to the Jewish Virtual Library for their history of Israel's Roots.   As a Christian, and a student of the Bible, it is my opinion, that these sources are correct in their knowledge. 

Psalm 87:2-3    "The Lord loves the gates of Zion [through which the crowds of pilgrims enter from all nations] more than all the dwellings of Jacob (Israel). Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God."
   

We Can Overcome!

     Feeling unnerved and disheartened?  Who wouldn't be, when every news report and headline foretells chaos and disorder.  For instance, everyone is on pins and needles, waiting for the verdict to come out of Ferguson.  The protestors have released a long list of St. Louis area locations they wish to target, should the verdict not be to their liking.  And they have received coaching from the Community Organizer-in-Chief, to "stay on course".  (I would like an explanation of exactly what that means, please.)  But it's not only Ferguson and surrounding areas that are in a state of suspense.  This event could potentially affect every town in America, as this case has become about race, not justice.
     And speaking of lawlessness, are we soon to be engulfed with up to 5 million immigrants whose illegal status will be made valid by a stroke of the President's pen? Executive Amnesty is a bold political move, and the tactic is obvious -- appear to be the Party of Hispanic inclusion, and paint the Opposition as anti-immigrant, thereby playing ahead to the 2016 Presidential elections.  But, in reality, this move is against the immigration laws already on the books, and appears to threaten Constitutional Order.  And I dare to suggest that this is not really about providing citizenship to hard-working immigrants, or securing Democratic power for generations to come, so much as it is designed to bring down our economic system and force us into Socialism.
     Then there is the report that the Islamic militants engaged with ISIS number around 200,000; at least three times higher (and some sources say seven times higher) than previous CIA estimates.  There is also the fact that their latest beheading video is situated in Dabiq, Syria, which has great significance.  According to Front Page Mag, "Dabiq is a highly symbolic location which has historical and religious significance for Islam. The Islamic State has designated this place for the “Final Hour” where Armageddon will begin in an Islamic apocalyptic tradition that designates the West as modern-day Romans."  It is this murderous Islamic army's goal to bring about the "Final Hour" of this final Crusade.  We, in the West, disregard their bloodlust at our own expense.
     These are only a few of the top headlines that assail us each day; Russia's aggressive stance, the unorthodox weather, another Ebola death in our homeland, and the growing gap between our citizenry and those who rule us, all combine to create an unsettling environment in which to live our lives.  Could it seem any worse?
     How are we to react?  Granted, we cannot ignore it; the potential to impact our daily lives is obvious.  But, unfortunately, it doesn't appear that we have much control over any of it.  Those who are observant will take the necessary steps to protect their families, and be prepared to confront any immediate danger or enemy that presents itself.  But there is so much that is out of our hands.  I must admit that there are times I cannot see past this world, and it threatens to overwhelm me.  The spirit of this realm tells me that I am simply a pawn, that I have no power, and I am expendable.  It tells us all that we don't matter in the big scheme of things.  So, when we choose to listen to those lies, it keeps us in check, and we dutifully submit.  But it's all lies!!!
     I am here to tell you that the powers of this world have no claim on us, if we will just recognize our purpose.  If you belong to God, then He resides in you, and we have His power to overcome the negative spirits of this world.  And I don't want to mislead you -- being an "overcomer" implies that there is going to be a battle; and the battle lines are being drawn.
     But we aren't left defenseless, and we must hold our position, even in these, the greatest trials of our lifetime.  I know it sounds like some "religious nonsense", but we must stop listening to who the world says we are!  We have been given a Promise that outlasts this world; that is far more glorious than all the power and riches and security that this earthly system can provide.  Oh, sure, the world will ridicule us and marginalize us, but we don't have to listen!
     It is our purpose to show the world that we depend on Christ for our victory, no matter the cost.  Let them rely on deception, and their own power, to reap the rewards of this world.  I know that the headlines are only going to get worse, and that my comfortable life in the most blessed nation on earth, is going to drastically change.  But I can also rest in the conviction that my endurance through all the forthcoming trials, my complete dependence on Christ, and my witness of His Saving Grace will bear fruit for His Kingdom.  So, let the negative headlines continue, and let the rulers of this world proceed with their chest thumping.  I know who I am, and what my purpose is; I will triumph over all obstacles, and I will move toward my ultimate reward.  I will not be defeated!

1 John 5:4     "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith."

Why Is Israel So Hated?

     With another beheading of an American in the last few days, the obsession and hatred of the West and Israel was made abundantly clear by the Islamic State Caliph, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.  I suppose I  can rationally explain his obsession with the U.S. and their coalition forces.  Muslims in the Middle East resent the presence of our troops on their soil and our interference in their governments.  The liberalism of the Western culture is an affront to their religious sensibilities, and there is the centuries long battle between Christendom and Islam.  The Crusades of old are still alive and well, and they center around the Holy Land and its people.
     Al-Baghdadi has described the Jews "as money-hungry individuals who controlled the leaders of Muslim countries ... The Jews were frightened; they feared for their economy. They feared for the Muslims’ wealth and the goods of our lands, which they plunder, suck dry, enjoy themselves with, and fight us with via their agents from amongst the treacherous rulers of the Muslims’ lands. They fear for their security. They fear the revolt of the Muslim peoples [against their rulers]. They fear their defeat. They fear the return of the Khilafah (caliphate) and the return of Muslims to pioneering and leadership."

     But where does this display of al-Baghdadi's boastful hatred and revulsion for the Jews come from?  And why have the nations of the world hated Israel?  For sure, this hatred has prevailed since Israel came into existence nearly 3700 years ago.  When God "chose" the Hebrew people from among all the nations, and established them in "the land He gave them", they became a target.  They were despised for what God accomplished on their behalf; for how they conquered the land with the help of their Lord.
    While Israel might have been the immediate object of much hatred and contempt; in reality, it was their God that the nations hated -- because the God of Israel was greater than any of the false gods of the conquered nations.  That hatred has not waned down through the ages; and because they hated God, they hated everything that came from Him ... His Word, the Bible, and His "chosen" people, the nation of Israel.  It really is as simple as that.  Remove all the politics and the warring religions and the conflict between ethnic peoples and it comes down to this:  they hate the reality of Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, and the King and Redeemer of Israel.
     That makes the modern restoration of the nation of Israel to their ancient lands a bitter pill to swallow.  Because if God's prophecy of a restored Israel has come true, then "the rest of the story" (as Paul Harvey would say) may also be truth.  You see, it is not merely the history of the last nearly four thousand years of national conflict that has wrought a great animosity towards Israel; there has been enmity against God's plan for the Messiah to come through the nation of Israel since the Garden of Eden.  There is an evil, spiritual source behind the hatred for Israel.  This hostility can be traced to a spirit of anti-Christ; any person or spirit who opposes and denies Christ as the Son of God, and wishes to prevent His return as the King of Israel --- which is the final prophecy of the Bible.
     This spirit can be seen in the plots and tactics of evil rulers down through history, starting with Satan -- certainly Haman, Antiochus Epiphanes, Nero, Titus, Hitler and now al-Baghdadi all qualify.  And, as Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu said on Face The Nation yesterday, "The Middle East is awash with militant Islamists ... Ayatollah Khamenei, the ruler of Iran, calls for the annihilation of Israel. He just did that four days ago. He specified nine ways and reasons by which Israel should be destroyed."
     Behind it all is that spirit of opposition to Christ; a spirit who abhors the reality that Israel is actually in their homeland, and the possibility that her King may soon reign.  And so, as we begin to see the ancient Biblical prophecies fulfilled, the nations are being drawn to Israel to come against her -- just as the Bible predicted!  You see, al-Baghadi, and the nations aligned with him, know what the Bible says will happen; they know that Jesus, Israel's King, will appear with His armies of Heaven, and they will be destroyed.
     It is their delusional and deceived hope that if Israel can be "pushed into the sea", and it no longer exists, that their own destruction can be prevented.  But that is because they have believed the Lie and are sadly deceived.  But the truth is this:  Israel can do nothing to alleviate the hatred from the nations; no amount of concessions for land will satisfy the hatred against her -- that die was cast in the Garden, and the enmity will survive until her Messiah returns.  As for Israel, Jesus, himself tells her that she will be "desolate" -- miserable and grief-stricken -- and He will not return until the nation recognizes Him as their King.  How close are we?  No one knows; but you can feel the spiritual battle rising.  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

Psalm 2:1-2     "Why do the nations assemble with commotion, and why do the people meditate upon and devise an empty scheme? The kings of the earth take their places; the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and His Anointed One (the Messiah, the Christ)."


   

Colossians 2:2: There Are Blessings In Understanding The Word!

[For my concern is] that their hearts may be braced (comforted, cheered, and encouraged) as they are knit together in love, that they may come to have all the abounding wealth and blessings of assured conviction of understanding, and that they may become progressively more intimately acquainted with and may know more definitely and accurately and thoroughly that mystic secret of God, [which is] Christ (the Anointed One).

     I can tell you that it sometimes gets lonely when it seems as if you are separate from the Body of Christ in your understanding of God's Word.  Both my husband and I, in our "deep dive" studies, are mindful that we not change one jot or tittle in Scripture, or to change the meaning, or mislead others by our own interpretation.  That is my prayer each time I approach another with the message of the Bible!
     But, oh, how Satan loves to take advantage of my esteem for the Word!  What better way to discourage me from seeking, as Paul says, to "become more intimately acquainted with" Christ, or to "know [Him] more definitely and accurately and thoroughly" through His Word, than to whisper in my ear ... "Look, your other Christian friends think you're crazy!  They don't get it!  Are you perhaps on the wrong track, and you're mistaken in your understanding?"  That is a charge that the Enemy continues to bring against many of us who are devoting our time to a greater comprehension through diligent study.
     That is why today's chosen Scripture has meant so much to me.  Paul wrote the Epistle to the Colossians because there were reports that the home-Church in Colossae was falling prey to many of the same deceptions that our modern Churches are embracing.  The relevance of Christ as Creator and the fullness of the knowledge of God was being supplanted by false doctrine and theology that undermined the person and work of Christ.  The Colossian Church was in danger of losing their faith in the sufficiency of Salvation through Christ, and the knowledge of Him as Lord of Creation and the Universe.
     Today, the Church is in equal danger of losing His Majestic identity, and espousing the deceptive idea that we no longer need to follow the absolutes of God's Holy Word; that it's OK to compromise with the moral values of the world.  Christ becomes "just a part" of our religious experience, instead of our All.  Indeed, I question if Christ is still the Head of the Church in many of today's "religious buildings".  Does He have Preeminence, or are His followers being taught ways to achieve a "fuller" life that bypasses faith in Him as the One under Whom all power and authority is subjected?  I sometimes wonder how He would judge the teachings in His House.
     But when He is the object of your Faith; when you see Him as the One who contains all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge through His Word, there arises a hunger in your soul to devour every word of Scripture; to, as Paul says "have all the abounding wealth and blessings of assured conviction of understanding."  And that takes great courage ... because today, too many of God's people don't want to take that journey with us.  They are satisfied to view Christ from a comfortable distance in order to harmonize their faith with their daily lives.  Knowing more of Him, and seeing Him on every page of the Bible -- let alone seeking out that knowledge -- can threaten their "safe" image of Christ as the One who forgives all their sins.
     Yes, He's our Savior, and He's so much more!  How can it be wrong to learn the meaning of every word or Psalm or Parable, if it reveals all that Jesus is?  Yet, a young friend of ours was told by a Pastor that she would "go to hell" for seeking deeper understanding; that she was in danger of "being led astray" by trying to understand Scripture beyond what a surface, or casual, approach could teach.  Take Note:  Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, says we can obtain "a wealth of understanding by becoming progressively more intimate" with Christ.  That word means "proceed step by step; engaging in forward motion".  Meeting Him in the Bible is a way to do that.  But how many Christians are willing to put in the time to even read the Holy Book?
     The Holy Spirit has done a great work in my life and that of my husband.  He has led us to many hours of reverent study of God's Word and new revelation of just how Big our God is.  New understanding is being revealed to us, and we see the supremacy and primacy of Christ in every passage throughout the Bible.  And what's more, I sense that God is working through the Holy Spirit in the lives of others who are willing to receive His blessing of greater understanding.
     He is calling His people out of the false, weak, and deceptive teachings of the apostate Church and encouraging us through the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  You know who you are!  He is "knitting us together in love" as we are finding our paths crossing in seemingly unpredictable ways.  Just yesterday, my husband was referred to a new client, who was interested in buying a piece of his art.  But the conversation quickly changed when this stranger said, "I have a feeling our encounter is not supposed to be about art."  She boldly approached the subject of her faith, and how she was at odds with most of her Christian brethren because she felt called to study her Bible in depth; to see Jesus on every page and to see a "bigger picture" of God's Sovereignty.
     My husband and this new friend in Christ spent the next hour discovering that they had received many of the same revelations, and how difficult it was to share this "good news" with family, friends, and fellow Christians.  But we can take comfort, cheer and encouragement (as our Scripture notes) when we realize that we are not alone and God is being exalted by the Holy Spirit's calling on our lives.  To know Christ more fully, and intimately, and accurately is a blessing beyond measure!

Freedom Has Never Been More Precious ... Or More Vulnerable

"Freedom is never more than 

one generation away from extinction."

     We are all familiar with Ronald Reagan's quote from a speech he gave on Labor Day, 1980.  He has been credited with providing one of the most direct warnings to this nation since its inception; but, in reality, this truth is as old as the Bible.  In fact, if you study Reagan's entire speech, you will find an undertone of spiritual meaning in his address.
     But in order to understand how important this advice is, we need to consider the "bigger picture" of just what "Freedom" is, and the consequences of not protecting it.  Reagan gave this speech just before the 1980 Presidential election, when the effects of four years of the Jimmy Carter Presidency were high taxes, high inflation, and 8 million people out of work.  Lech Walesa was leading the way for freedom in the workplace, as he stood up to Poland's Communist authorities.  The tearing down of the Berlin Wall was only a few years in the future ... talk of "Freedom" was in the air.

     Reagan talked of "restoring the American Dream", but he knew that it required more than sound economic policies and a vibrant workforce.  He spoke of "a return to spiritual and moral values, values so deeply held by those who came here to build a new life."  He declared, "We need to restore those values in our daily life, in our neighborhoods and in our government’s dealings with the other nations of the world."  And then he spoke of how this precious Freedom could be lost in a single generation.
     No story reflects this more than the generation of Israelites who lost the freedom of their Promised Land due to unbelief and disobedience.  And I fear that we are doomed to follow the same path.  Like the Israelites, who fled their bondage in Egypt, God led the first oppressed immigrants to the shores of America; to "a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8).  The founding of this nation was nothing short of a miracle, and God has proved His faithfulness through many marvelous blessings upon this nation.  For a couple of centuries, the inhabitants of this land never doubted the need for God's guidance in securing our prosperity, security, and future.  We enjoyed a Freedom that came from believing in "the Truth"; from relying on The Word, which would set us free from the godlessness of the world.
     But then, like disillusioned Israelites, who listened to the false reports of the 10 spies; we began to listen to the voices of those who told us that God's influence was no longer needed; that the "spiritual and moral values" that President Reagan spoke of, were no longer relevant.  We forgot the lessons of the Israelites, who lost their Promised Land -- in one generation -- because they doubted their essential need for God.
     As long as they had exalted Him, and lived by His spiritual and moral values, they were delivered up to success.  They flourished in their daily lives, their neighborhoods, and their relations with foreign governments -- Reagan knew, that we, too, needed to return to those same values to get those same results.
     But the Israelites soon abandoned their reliance on God and listened to the Deceiver's promises of "false freedom" by way of their own selfish desires, and they sealed their fate.  The generation who turned their back on God and chose to ignore His promises were stripped of their destiny.  I believe that is what Reagan had in mind, when he warned us not to take Freedom for granted.  God has given us Victory in this land.  In record time, we grew to the most powerful and prosperous nation on earth. Do we really think we did that all on our own?
     God blessed this land and protected it.  All we had to do was trust in His guidance and follow His commandments.  There was true freedom in that.  But now we stand on the precipice of losing that precious gift.  It is not only that the number of unemployed Americans is nearly two-and-a-half times what it was when Reagan issued his warning, but we see the destruction of the family, the ruination of our communities, and our loss of standing and respect among our fellow nations.  Our "worldly" freedom is most certainly in jeopardy.
     But it is our "spiritual" freedom that I fear is most threatened.  All we have to do is look at history as it is recorded in the Bible.  Whenever the nation of Israel decided to "go it alone", and that they no longer needed to obey God, it displeased Him and He turned His back.  We deserve no less.  We are showing such ingratitude for the Providence of God's Hand, and I pray that Ronald Reagan's cautionary warning does not become a self-fulfilling prophecy.  As he went on to say in his speech, "We must protect and preserve freedom here or it will not be passed on to our children."  In order to accomplish this worthy goal, we must return to God's Truth.  That is where our true Freedom lies, and it's what will save Liberty for the next generation, and generations to come.

Galations 2:4    "But false brothers and sisters, who were brought in secretly, slipped in to spy on our freedom, which we have in Christ Jesus, and to make us slaves."

Dangerous Allies: Ferguson, Palestine & The Religious Left

   

      It should come as no surprise that the protestors in Ferguson, Missouri should discover a mutually beneficial relationship with the Palestinian Liberation movement.  Those in Ferguson, who see the death of Michael Brown as unjustified and the result of tyranny by an iron-fisted police force, are finding a symbiosis with Palestinian nationalists who see themselves as suffering under Israeli occupation.
     But how much of this kinship is intrinsically recognized, and how much is promoted and encouraged? When considering racially charged Ferguson, and anti-Israel Palestine, what are the similarities that the Religious Left (didn't know they existed, did you?) can exploit?  The answer in one word -- it is called OPPRESSION.
     First, let's identify the Religious Left.  This is much more difficult to do than defining the Religious Right.  The Leftist version is described on Wikipedia as referring to a spectrum of left-wing Christian (?) political and social movements that largely embrace viewpoints described as social justice that upholds a social gospel.  I question the Christian aspect of their movement, because they often do not believe in the infallibility or veracity of the Bible.  Their interpretation of "social justice" is based on the collective; i.e., justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society.
     I contend that the Biblical meaning of "social justice" is more individual than societal; Jesus commands each of us to take care of the poor, the widows, and the fatherless.  The Bible places the responsibility on the individual to show kindness and mercy, rather than on the government to force income equality through increased taxes and redistribution.  Obviously, one approach is God-centered; the other is man-centered.
     Now that we have the definitions and explanations out of the way, what does all this have to do with Ferguson and Palestine?  Well, it seems that the Religious Left includes organizations like the Quaker group, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC).  They have become a political force that has involved itself in causes they deem "oppressive" to the spirit of "peace."  To wit, they welcomed a blog post on their website from a Palestinian who has become embroiled in the Ferguson protests.  Bassem Masri felt the same dismissal by mainstream Americans toward the plight of Ferguson citizens, as he has in Americans' repudiation of the Palestinian cause.  He wrote, "The timing of the two events woke up a lot of people. When Mike was killed, much of the media started demonizing him and the protestors, often the same sources that blamed Palestinians for their own deaths in Gaza. People naturally saw the connections."  Oh, really?
     While admitting that I am nervous about seeing the militarization of police, I am also not willing to declare either Michael Brown, the destructive citizens of Ferguson, or the anti-Israeli Palestinians as "innocent" victims of tyranny.  I am not sitting on the Ferguson Grand Jury, and therefore I do not have all the evidence, but by all appearances, this will not be a slam-dunk indictment of Officer Darren Wilson.  Neither are the citizens of Ferguson without fault.  Those who chose to rob businesses, destroy private property, and assault law enforcement officers should not expect sympathy for their actions.

     I'm sorry, but I reject the premise of Mr. Masri, and groups like the AFSC, that Ferguson rioters and Palestinian nationalists are fellow "resistance fighters".  And I resent the race card being played as a method of pointing out "human rights abuses" in Ferguson.  It is a clear attempt to create a common identity between these two disparate groups.  By endorsing Masri's post and self-proclaimed role as "collaborator" with the Ferguson protestors, AFSC shows their true colors:  to proclaim the moral and social tyranny of America and Israel.  Masri stokes the fire, as he writes, "Facing violence from an occupying force, whether in Palestine or Ferguson, forges a mindset that demands resistance and standing up for one’s community. When the police used military tanks and checkpoints to imprison the residents of Ferguson, I was reminded of life in the West Bank where I saw the Israeli military use the same tactics of repression."  Ah, not only is his bias showing, but his own bigotry and political leanings.
     Sadly, I am afraid that Ferguson is ripe for such exploitation.  I used to live near St. Louis during my high school years, and I can tell you that the ensuing years of government entitlement have led to this powder keg situation.  Generations of fatherless kids and welfare families, along with a willingness to write off these communities, have created two Americas that will not easily be reconciled.  The racial tension is so palpable you can touch it; the economic divide seems insurmountable.  No one seems to know how to avoid the coming firestorm.  And into the fray, step outside groups who are organized, and only too willing to capitalize on the mounting pressure; groups who threaten to usurp the cause of the Ferguson residents for their own agendas.  They don't even know they are being used.
     So, now the Grand Jury verdict is due any day now.  What will be the ramifications?  And who will ultimately benefit from the expected chaos?  It seems clear to me that Ferguson is positioned to become the battle ground between anarchy and authoritarianism ... and who will be the victor?  Either way, America loses.

For more on the views of Mr. Masri and the American Friends Service Committee, click here.  

Psalm 7:8    "The Lord judges the peoples; judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me."
 
   

Our National Cathedral Embraces Idolatry

     I'm just going to admit it.  This post is not in the least bit politically correct, nor do I wish it to be. When it comes to offending God, this institution is setting new records.  But, sadly, I think it is just a barometer for how far this nation and our society have wandered astray.  But it wasn't always that way.

     The Washington Cathedral, (or if you wish to call it by its formal name, The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the City and Diocese of Washington) has historical significance for this country.  When the architectural plans for our nation's capitol were being laid out in 1792, Pierre L'Enfant's "Plan of the Federal City" set aside land for a "great church for national purposes".  It then took 100 years for Congress to grant a charter to establish the church.  It has a long history of hosting national events that embody the American experience, including the state funerals for three American Presidents (Eisenhower, Reagan, and Ford); Memorial services for other Presidents and Heads of State (Nelson Mandela, for instance); a Memorial Service for Martin Luther King, Jr., and one for the victims of the 9/11 attacks.
     It has been a religious institution that supported our heart and soul during trying and emotional times.  Congress has officially designated the Washington Cathedral as the "National House of Prayer".  To that point, during World War II, monthly services were held there "on behalf of a united people in a time of emergency". Before and since, the building has hosted other major events, both religious and secular, that have drawn the attention of the American people.
     And now our attention is drawn there again, but because of a different kind of "emergency".  CBN News disclosed that "The Washington National Cathedral will be hosting a Muslim prayer service for the first time on Friday."  One of the planner's of the event, South African Ambassador to the United States Ebrahim Rasool, who is a Muslim, called the service "a dramatic moment in the world and in Muslim-Christian relations."  A spokesman from a DC-area mosque is quoted as saying, "We want the world to see the Christian community is partnering with us and is supporting our religious freedom in the same way we are calling for religious freedom for all minorities in Muslim countries. Let this be a lesson to the world."  Furthermore, the planners of this Muslim prayer service are calling it a "powerful symbolic gesture."  (Just take a look at some of the co-sponsors of the event:  The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), and the Islamic Society of North America; that should put it all in perspective).

     Just let the words of those quotes come together in your mind; let the implied significance of them begin to take shape.  From just a national perspective, these words are chilling.  It truly is a "dramatic moment" as the radical Muslim world, who wishes to annihilate us, sees us opening the doors of one of our nation's holiest worship sites to their religion.  I have a feeling that the Christian community "partnering with them" is viewed as acquiescence, or more likely, concession and submission.
     Is there any reliable witness that can attest to "religious freedoms for minorities in Muslim countries"?  I don't see it!  And I can't help but sense a more ominous tone in the admonition to "Let this be a lesson to the world."  The only thing I am in agreement with is, is that this event is truly "a powerful symbolic gesture."
     It is not enough that this event may leave radical jihadists with an understanding that they have "conquered" our faith; I tremble at the impression it gives our God.  This National "House of Prayer", is more than a church; it was dedicated to "a nation built on the rock of religious faith, a nation we celebrate as "one nation under God," a nation whose founding President, George Washington, said: "No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States."  Yet this National House of God has been compromised by the idolatry of man.
     Not only will another god be worshipped in YHVH's House, but same-sex weddings can now be performed at Washington National Cathedral.  But that's not all ... during a 9/11 ceremony and "Concert for Hope" at the Cathedral in 2011, Christian representatives were not invited; but a Hindu priest, a Buddhist nun, and a Muslim imam were part of the event.
     The actions of our National Cathedral have clearly shown that, as a nation, we have become friends to the world; and we view Him as our enemy.  We have decided to make choices that go against what our God demands, namely "to have no other gods before Him."  He makes it very clear that it is to Him, and Him alone, that we are to bow in worship.  And to worship another god in His House is especially insulting!
     How can we, as a nation and a people, expect His continued blessings when we bow down at the altar of "political correctness" and "equality"?  There is no equal to our God!  But maybe I already know the answer ... there is a part of our society that rejects Him and refuses to seek His favor.  They have no need for Him, choosing to elevate their own foolish "wisdom" over His Omniscience.  How much longer will He tolerate our rebellion, our self-worship, and our impudent pride?  These characteristics are all manifested in our biggest sin ... Unbelief.  We have robbed God of His position as our Sovereign Lord, and offered our worship to idols.  And now the National House of Prayer has become a den of iniquity; we will soon see what a Jealous God He is!

Matthew 21:13   "He said to them, The Scripture says, My house shall be called a house of prayer; but you have made it a den of robbers." 

What Are We Looking For?

     It has been one week since the 2014 Mid-term elections changed the political landscape in our country.  Already, it seems that everyone is looking forward to 2016's Presidential election, and prepared to proclaim the next "savior" of America; the man or woman who is most likely to return us to what the country was meant to be.  But do we truly understand how far off track we are, and to whom we should turn?
     At the present, I think a majority of the country recognizes that what we've got now is not working.  But how many of us know that the original intent of this nation was to set up a form of government that would allow its citizens to assume the "equal station" in life that offered them the Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness to which Nature's Laws and Nature's God entitled them?  So the question for me, becomes two-fold ..."Do we know our history and what those terms mean; and how does it apply to us, moving forward?"  Ultimately, does our history matter?
     I remember studying the Declaration of Independence in my middle school American History classes.  It always seemed such an important and noble document, and was a reminder of the grave responsibility taken to determine how this nation wished to be governed.  To any serious student, it is apparent that the men given this great task deliberated over how it would be presented to, and accepted, by the people.
     We've all been privy to the argument since the Declaration was written, that the Founders were not Christian men, but Deists.  By the popular understanding of their time, that means they believed that God created this world which included His natural laws of science, morality, and politics; but that He did not actively participate in the affairs of men or nations.  That would mean that our Nation's Fathers gave God no credit for the deliverance of this republic through the trials of its founding, nor would they have thought He had a place in its governance... that He was kind of an absentee Landlord, so to speak. That theory simply does not seem to be supported, based on the following statements:
George Washington:   "It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor."  
John Adams:  "As the safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depend on the protection and the blessing of Almighty God, and the national acknowledgment of this truth is not only an indispensable duty which the people owe to Him."
Benjamin Franklin:  "My dear friend, do not imagine that I am vain enough to ascribe our success [in the American Revolution] to any superiority…If it had not been for the justice of our cause, and the consequent interposition of Providence, in which we had faith, we must have been ruined. If I had ever before been an atheist, I should now have been convinced of the being and government of a Deity!
John Jay (First Chief-Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court):  "Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is their duty – as well as privilege and interest – of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers."
Thomas Jefferson:  "God, who gave us life, gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever." 
James Monroe:  "When we view the blessings with which our country has been favored, those which we now enjoy, and the means which we possess of handing them down unimpaired to our latest posterity, our attention is irresistibly drawn to the source from whence they flow. Let us then, unite in offering our most grateful acknowledgments for these blessings to the Divine Author of All Good."

     These are just a few of the quotes that are ascribed to the men who ruled us in the dawning days of our Republic.  Do they sound like men who thought God was inactive or idle during the turbulent years of this nation's establishment, or that He did not have a place in the administering of its government?  Although they sometimes used such 18th Century words as "Supreme Ruler" or "Creator", or "Divine Providence", it all points to the fact that they believed a nation could not succeed without the involvement of God; that He should be the ultimate power behind a government. In fact, the language of "Divine Providence" is throughout all the documents and letters of our early leaders.
     That term asserts that God is in complete control of all things ... the universe; the physical world; the success and failures of individuals, AND the affairs of nations.  The Founders believed that the purpose, or goal, of Divine Providence is to accomplish the will of God. To ensure that His purposes are fulfilled, God governs the affairs of men and works through the natural order of things.  They surely believed that God had a purpose for this nation, and they ascribed the miraculous defeat of Great Britain, and the establishment of the United States of America, as a sign that we were preserved for a reason.
     I know that there are many in this country that would dispute this interpretation of the founding of our nation.  I know that not only would they give God no credit for our existence, but they would insist that we were never meant to be governed by God-fearing men. To them, elections are not the territory of God, nor should they be.
     But in my Biblical world view, every nation that has abandoned God or rebelled against Him, and followed their own ways, has reaped the consequences of their defiance and disdain.  Just as Jefferson said, "Can our liberties remain secure, if we do not attribute them to God?"  Unfortunately, I see far too many people looking to find "the Man" to guard our freedoms in the upcoming 2016 election.  And, like Jefferson, I fear that God's justice "cannot sleep forever".

      Many of us are still riding on an "emotional high" from last week, and hoping that we might, at last, be delivered from what ails us as a country.  We are busy casting about for the perfect person to right what is wrong, and to lead us out of this wilderness.  But, I'm afraid we've relied on men for too long; and until we recognize that no man has the answer we need, we will not be delivered from this downward spiral.
     As I watch and hear all the major newspapers, media, and political big shots insert themselves into the contest for the highest office in the land, I am waiting for some recognition that our next President should be a man who will govern "with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence" and that he will pledge "his Life, his Fortune and his sacred Honor" for the benefit of the country.
     While our Founders may not have been strict, orthodox Christians, they firmly believed that they needed God to intervene and intercede for them in their time of uncertainty, trial, and war.  Do we need any less?  We have spent far too many elections casting lots, and leaving our decisions up to chance --- It's time to turn to The Word, the Spirit, and Prayer to discern God’s will for our nation.  It may be our last chance.

Proverbs 14:34      "Righteousness dignifies a nation, but sin disgraces a people."

Veterans Day: A Paradox of Feelings

   

     Today is an historic day.  Originally known as Armistice Day, it was established as a federal holiday in 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson to mark the one-year anniversary of the end of WWI at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.  He proclaimed the holiday as "an opportunity for America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."
     In 1945, World War II veteran Raymond Weeks from Birmingham, Alabama, had the idea to expand Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans, not just those who died in World War I.  As usual, it took several years for a bill to wind its way through the Federal Government, but in 1954, Congress finally approved a bill, establishing November 11th as Veterans Day.
     So, today, while I am observing Veterans Day, I do so with conflicting emotions.  For the first time in my life, I am angry, sorrowful, and yet deeply proud when it comes to our nation's veterans.  Before I try to explain the contradictions of my feelings, you need to understand that I very deliberately separate the veterans of our military from the political power structure that is the Military Industrial Complex.  The latter is the complicated relationship between policy makers in our government, the fighting forces and their assigned organizations, and the industries that manufacture weapons and military technology to fight the wars.  In fact, President Dwight D. Eisenhower warned us that it would be necessary to strike a careful balance between securing a robust national defense and how we approached diplomacy with fellow nations of the world.  Without that balance, he cautioned, there would be a strong inducement to abuse power.
     And that's where my anger comes in.  As in so many other areas of our national narrative, we the American people, didn't keep our guard up.  And with much reluctance, I now question whether we have indeed, become empire builders and profiteers of war.   Where once, the United States concentrated on developing and protecting our own security, it seems to me that we have let our government proceed unchecked in subjecting our fighting forces in far too many "military assistance" and "training" roles in foreign countries.
     Woodrow Wilson wanted to celebrate America as a nation that embodied peace and justice in war. Both of those components seem to have become convoluted in the 13 long years of war since we were attacked on September 11th, 2001.  If you are truly seeking peace, then why wouldn't you make every effort to win the war and minimize deaths and casualties to both your own forces and those of the enemy?  Or has it all been to enrich the powerful and the war machine that needs constant feeding?
     But this Veterans Day finds me sad, too.  Sad for the thousands of men and women who have sacrificed their lives, their bodies, their families and their youth in the hope that they were truly protecting their country and fighting for liberty in the world.  Was it worth it?  Are we any safer at home?  Is the world a safer place?  What do you think?  Just read the headlines, and tell me what we've gained from the nearly $6 trillion spent on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan?  That's nearly $75,000 per US household!  We have spent $87 billion in reconstruction funding for Afghanistan, and $61 billion in Iraq.  Where are the results?

     I see nothing but exhausted and disillusioned soldiers.  I see a government bureaucracy and machine that is so immersed in perpetuating itself, that it scandalously ignores the medical needs of the very personnel who put their lives on the line.  I see flagrant disregard for the safety and morale of the troops by political hacks dressed in military uniforms who sell their souls for a place at the Machine's table.  And I see transparent attempts to both denigrate the value and character of returning veterans, as well as plant suspicion and conflict between veterans and civilians.  (The recent indifference to the plight of Sgt. Andrew Tahmoorissi meets all these characterizations).  And it all makes me sad.
     I have to be honest and say that this is really the first Veterans Day that I have felt these negative emotions.  But as new and raw as they are, they do not replace the pride that I will always feel for those who are members of our U.S. military forces.  As the daughter of a WWII veteran, I am extremely proud of my dad's service to the country.
     At the same time, I am beginning to see more cynicism among veterans, and that concerns me.  I can understand how they must feel betrayed and exploited.  The men and women who have fought, and continue to fight, in our recent wars may serve under unscrupulous and corrupt men; but it does not change who they are.  I'd like to think that most people who enter military service do it out of a sense of honor and principle; to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves, and to defend our liberty and freedom.  These are noble causes and noble actions.
     And that's why I also want to respond to the hateful article on Salon.com by David Masciotra, who believes “It is challenging for anyone reasonable, and not drowning in the syrup of patriotic sentimentality, to stop saluting, and look at the servicemen of the American military with criticism and skepticism.”  I will not give him any more credit than necessary; only to vehemently disagree with his anti-military stance.
     I know that War is monstrous, and the business of War is ugly and reprehensible.  And maybe I am too idealistic and too much of a romantic, but I also believe that integrity, and decency, and trustworthiness, and justness are parts of combat, too.  I have been in the company of some of the bravest of our military personnel, and I have witnessed a code of honor that exists and deserves to be paid tribute to.  The fact that someone is willing to step into the gap to defend another is praiseworthy.  It is something worth celebrating.  It is also my prayer that next Veterans Day, we will have none of our military on foreign soil.  But no matter where they are, no matter how trite it may seem to them, I will continue to thank them for their service and their sacrifice.  I will continue to respect and honor them; to support them and encourage them.  And I will continue to pray for them.  It's the least I can do.

Ecclesiastes 3:1, 8:   "To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven ... A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace."
     
   

Google, The Cloud, and Your DNA Code

     That's right, for anyone who still thinks that Google is just a web search engine that lets you find other sites on the web based on keyword searches, now comes its latest product ... Google Genomics. According to an article on MIT Technology Review, and Google's own description, this new technology lets them move DNA data into Google's server farms and do experiments there using the same database technology that indexes the Web and tracks billions of Internet users.
     You see, Science and Medicine are converging with Technology, as decoding DNA becomes an explosive new frontier ... and business.  In fact, the article stated that "The National Cancer Institute said last month that it would pay $19 million to move copies of the 2.6 petabyte Cancer Genome Atlas into the Cloud. Copies of the data, from several thousand cancer patients, will reside both at Google Genomics and in Amazon’s data centers."  Apparently, there is a need for “cancer genome clouds” where scientists can share information and quickly run virtual experiments as easily as a Web search.
     Sure, they want you to think this is all for the good of mankind; to eradicate cancer and improve and prolong this experience called "life".  They would have you believe that if you were to get any form of cancer in the future, doctors will be able to compare your unique genome (the complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell or organism; in this case the cancer cell), against a database of 50 million other genomes.  The proposed outcome would be a drug that would work best on your particular type of cancer.  Sounds like a miracle of modern medicine, right?  And just think how beneficial and valuable that cloud full of genetic information is going to be... especially if your goal is to extend man's lifespan; perhaps, even eternally.
     In that vein, Google is going to try to convince you that there is no connection between the Google Genomics enterprise and another of their abstract companies, called Calico, which is designed to investigate how to do just that ... extend human lifespans.  Oh, and don't forget that Google has hired Ray Kurzweil, transhumanist extraordinaire, as their Director of Engineering.  Think all this is a coincidence?
    You just have to follow the bread crumbs; or, in this case, the genomes, to consider where all this is headed.  After all, in a December 2013 CNN article, Kurzweil projected that "By the early 2020s, we will have the means to program our biology away from disease and aging ... We now have the information code of the genome and are making exponential gains in modeling and simulating the information processes they give rise to."

     He went on to explain that new forms of gene therapy would soon allow the human race to reprogram its biology and modify diseases and the ravages of aging.  But he also hinted at the future existence of Google Genomics and other Google genetic database systems, such as BigQuery, when he said, "Health and medicine is now an information technology and is therefore subject to what I call the 'law of accelerating returns,' which is a doubling of capability (for the same cost) about each year that applies to any information technology."
     In other words, once human DNA was decoded (the genome code), technology began working to develop a platform that would accelerate the gathering of raw data of millions of DNA codes, and a method of storing them (in the Cloud), so that scientists could have a virtual unlimited number of specimens with which to experiment.  Which would be all fine and dandy if, Somalee Datta, a physicist from Stanford University (who manages their largest computer cluster of genetic data) didn't state, "“Sometimes they (scientists) want to do crazy things, and you need scale to do that.  [Google] can handle the scale genetics can bring, so it’s the right technology for a new problem.”  My first question would be, "What kind of crazy things, are they wanting to do?"   And let's not forget that it's Big Business!
     So, I cannot help but be skeptical anytime capital gain is attached to "innovative" (or crazy?) health technologies; especially when the combination of such involves experimentation with DNA code.  And if the ultimate goal of these enterprises is to create eternal life without God in the picture, then their emergence is ominous and alarming.  We need to be very vigilant on where this is all headed.  It doesn't take much imagination to see that the advancement of technology could quickly become the enemy of man's soul.

Psalm 139:13-14   "For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well."