The U.S. and Israel: The Curse Grows Nearer

     I know I sound like a broken record ... and there will be those who passionately disagree with me. But as someone who sees the world and its actions through a Biblical understanding, I fear that this nation's latest behavior towards Israel is bringing us perilously close to the curses cautioned in the Holy Bible.
     Whether you are a Believer in the Word, or not, you are most likely familiar with the quotes that foretell a blessing on those who bless God's favored nation; and a curse upon those who afflict Israel. Most people do not take that warning literally.  Even if you dismiss the veracity of the Bible, and don't believe in its prophecies, aren't you even interested to know what our nation's recent history shows us in regard to our conduct toward "the apple of God's eye"?

The prophetic clock is ticking:
Will we be blessed or cursed?

     After WWII, our liberation of the Nazi death camps, and our support of the creation of the nation state of Israel saw the United States experience an explosion of rapid growth in economic sectors and the standard of living for its citizens.  In essence, we became the world's SuperPower; and our level of success seemed destined to continue.  We remained a friend to Israel, with U.S. Presidents steadfastly supporting her through the attempts of surrounding nations to deny her right to the Holy Land.
     For several decades, the U.S. continued to prosper, with no apparent end in sight to what we could accomplish.  Then a chink began to develop in our armor.  In 1990, Communist Russia allowed a mass of Russian Jews to emigrate to Israel, causing severe economic stress on the tiny nation.  Israel went to the World Bank for a loan to help with the needs of the refugees, and were told that the $10 billion would only be available if the U.S. guaranteed it.  President George Prescott Bush would only concede if Israel began negotiating with the Palestinians, in effect giving their land away for peace.  That foreign policy concession continues to this day.
    Unfortunately, Bush did not heed God's proclamation about the Land.  Even a cursory reading of the Book of Genesis makes it clear that the world and its land belongs to God, who created it; and He apportions it as He sees fit.  He unequivocally declares the boundaries of the land He assigns to Israel .. as an everlasting possession.  Also, unfortunately, Israel's continued rebellion caused them to be removed from the land, but that doesn't change God's ultimate purpose for them or the intended occupation of their homeland.
     But Bush #1 was not the only President who led us away from blessing the nation of Israel.  Presidents Clinton and Bush #2 took us down that same path, with the Camp David summits and the "Roadmap to Peace" negotiations. Each of these brokered deals saw more of God's original boundaries for Israel disappear.  And we continued to slide toward that slippery slope of cursing Israel.
     Our current President has not only called for the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 lines (rendering Israel indefensible with only 9 to 11 miles of land in the Tel Aviv area); but unconfirmed reports, just this week, hint that the U.S. is considering economic sanctions against Israel for its continued settlement activity involving the building of homes in Jerusalem.  So, let me get this straight -- we would punish Israel for building homes in its own land, while refusing to initiate further sanctions on Iran and its nuclear program.  Can it be any clearer to God that we are no longer blessing Israel?
     For all those who will tell me that those residing in Israel are not the Israel that God will return to Him at the End of the Ages, I will agree.  They are not yet "the restored Israel" that God has purposed in His eternal plan.  But until then, we are still to honor them, support them, and encourage them to fulfill their prophetic position in God's Kingdom.
     I realize that Israel appears on the brink of destruction, from both within and without.  There is strife within her own government; her enemies conspire to destroy her; and her people don't appear close to  seeking their spiritual restoration.  (The same could be said of our nation!) And I can understand why the nations of the world would be skeptical of Israel's importance and her status.  But the Bible predicts all this -- there will be a time of great distress (Jacob's Trouble) right before God reveals Himself; first to Israel, and then to the surrounding nations, and all the world.  The Bible also makes clear that God will deal with those nations who conspire to divide up His Land and destroy His people (Joel 3:2).  You don't want to be on the wrong side of His judgment!
     That is why it is all the more significant that we consider the consequences of how this nation treats Israel.  You may not believe in the blessings or the curses of the Bible, but you can't deny the trajectory this nation has been on, as it relates to its treatment of Israel.  We are abandoning her to the nefarious plots of evil nations, and there will be a reckoning for our unfaithful decisions.

Isaiah 41:11    "Behold, all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored; those who contend with you will be as nothing and will perish."

How Does It Feel To Be Number Two?

     For more than half of its lifespan, the United States of America has been considered the leading economic superpower of the World.  That's quite a run, and one that no other nation can lay claim to.  For nearly 140 years, America's economy has been the largest among the nations; but there's a new Power that holds that position.

     According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), China just surpassed the U.S. in economic output, producing $17.6 trillion in so-called “real” terms of goods and services. According to MarketWatch.com, as recently as 2000, we produced nearly three times as much as the Chinese.  So how did this happen, and what does it mean for the already shaky American economy?  And what does history tell us this development means for our future, moving forward?
     First of all, the United States has been in the forefront of prosperity and production for my entire lifetime.  So a fall in position in such a rapid timeframe deserves some explanation, don't you think?  I am also left wondering if this economic downturn somehow foretells a decline in other aspects of our nation.  Is it just me, or does this state of affairs seem to mirror our diminishing civil liberties, constitutional rights, and rule of law?  Are we seeing the permanent decline of the United States of America?
     When you look at it from China's perspective, this is just the evolution that sees them resuming their natural place in the global order.  After all, they have a history of dynasties that go back 3000 years, while the U.S. is not even 300 years old!  They just had a little 200 year blip on their radar screen, which explains our dominance during that time period.  Now, China thinks that things are back to being as they should; and perhaps we just got a little too big for our britches?
     The economic gurus will tell you that the bottom line is that China is able to export more than we do, and do it cheaper.  American manufacturing is on the ropes, and China is ready to deliver the knockout punch.  With global powers pushing for a global economy, we are all intertwined with each other ... how many Chinese components are included in "American-made" products?  The truth is that we need, and use, far more Chinese exports/products than they use of ours.  Even if we tried to ban some of our components in the Chinese marketplace, there are emerging economies that are waiting to step in and take our place.
     But here's a whole other paradigm to consider ... The IMF is a creation of the United Nations, and here is its official duty:  "to promote international financial stability and monetary cooperation. It also seeks to facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world. Created in 1945, the IMF is governed by and accountable to the 188 countries that make up its near-global membership."  In other words, it was created to establish a global, or one-world, financial system.
     But here's the irony ... both China and the U.S. economies are fake; China has built "ghost cities" based on an inflated economy, while we have printed ourselves into a counterfeit recovery.  However, for whatever reason, the global elite leaders have decided that China should now be the nation out front of the world economy.

      Although this might all seem orchestrated, (and believe me, it is!) we must not forget the ideological changes our Number Two status could represent.  We can expect to see a major change in the psychological, cultural, and moral aspects of the world's nations; because whatever beacon of Freedom we have been to the world is shining just a little dimmer at the moment.  China has not exactly been a bastion of Liberty in the last three-quarters of a century ... Their "cultural revolution" resulted in the deaths of 30 million of their own people, and that's a conservative number.  They killed tens of thousands in Tibet and then invaded Vietnam and India. And does anyone think that their cozying up to Russia is a good thing?
     At the end of the day, I can't help but think of the Biblical prophesies that foretell Satan's political and economic systems that come into play close to the Second Coming of Christ.  In fact, Satan even proclaims (in Luke 4:6) that he has been given power over the earth, and he can distribute it to whomever he chooses.  The rulers of nations will be influenced by his evil machinations, and there will be a darkness imposed on the earth by Satan's rule through the governance of men.
     But we must not forget that it is the hand of God that is really in control of the rise and fall of great nations and empires.  Satan's influence is ultimately supervised by God.  History is full of the narratives of Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome -- all nations that were used for His plan and purpose.  Each one of these nations played a part in the history of Israel and the Church.  We are no different, except that our rise was meteoric, and our fall may be just as spectacular.
     The real question becomes this:  is God through with us?  Can we still be used by Him to further His plan, or have we become so enamored by the temptations of Babylon's Harlot, that we no longer care about our purpose?  When, as a nation, we are focused on ourselves, and we ignore or deny God, it makes no difference if we are Number One -- the collapse is inevitable.  If our role as "defender of the free world" is reduced, and we no longer export faith in God to the nations of the world, then our role may well be finished.  When that happens, we will become a footnote in history.

Daniel 5:26-27     "This is the interpretation of each word. MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting;"
   
   

Was Tesla The Conduit Between Fallen Angels & Our Technology?

     I find it extremely ironic that Tesla Motors founder and CEO Elon Musk is escalating his warnings that our obsession with Artificial Intelligence technology (AI) is the biggest threat to our human existence.  "With artificial intelligence, we are summoning the demon," he is quoted as saying.
     To be honest, he is not the only pioneering whiz to sound the alarm.  Even the genius astrophysicist Stephen Hawking is on record as saying, “The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race.”  He warns of the consequences of creating something that could potentially become smarter than its creator.  But hasn't that been the prideful sin of every enemy of God; from Lucifer to Nimrod, to all those throughout history who have followed in their footsteps and embraced their spirit of evil?
      “[AI] would take off on its own, and redesign itself at an ever-increasing rate,” Hawking said.  “Humans, who are limited by slow biological evolution, couldn’t compete, and would be superseded.”

Nikola Tesla

     But it is Musk's comments that I find the most fascinating; especially as chief executive of rocket-maker Space X.  He calls self-learning artificial intelligence “potentially more dangerous than nukes”.  And is it purely coincidental that he is the head of a company named after Nikola Tesla, the Serbian American inventor, engineer, and futurist who, by some accounts was a genius who wanted to illuminate the earth; the man who was "robbed" of the title of "Father of Electricity" by his rival, Thomas Edison.  (I really wish Glenn Beck would do his homework on this man whom he idolizes).
     To others, Nikola Tesla was a dangerous man; a man who believed that "In black holes, (what astronomers talk about), are the most powerful sources of energy and life."  He was a man who conducted experiments, trying to discover "what to do in the Universe, so [that] every being is born as Christ, Buddha or Zoroaster."  (Zoroastrianism is a pre-Islamic religion, revealed to man by a "god" named Ahura Mazda.  It is my contention that this was a fallen angel entity.)
     In an 1899 interview, from his Colorado Springs laboratory, Tesla opened up about his "other-world views": that the Light of the Universe filled his six senses; about building a machine, that by vibration, provokes a feeling of bliss; that humans once had real and visible wings.  He speaks of being aware, as a child, that there was an Energy in the Universe, and of trying to awake that energy, and figure out how it could influence people.  He told his interviewer,  "My eyesight and hearing are perfect and, I dare to say, stronger than other people. I hear the thunder from a hundred fifty miles away, and I see colors in the sky that others cannot see. This enlargement of vision and hearing, I had as a child. Later I consciously developed [it]."
     He speaks of being seriously ill during his youth, and of discovering that "The source of most disease is in the spirit. Therefore the spirit can cure most diseases ... I was cured because my father finally allowed me to study technology, which was my life. Illusion for me was not a disease, but the mind's ability to penetrate beyond the three dimensions of the earth."  Does anyone else think that perhaps this man had tapped into a force outside our human realm; and that perhaps it didn't  necessarily possess a benevolent spirit?
     In case you think I'm over-exaggerating, Tesla recounts this memory from his childhood: "Once, in childhood, I was walking along the river with Uncle and said: 'From the water will appear the trout, I'll throw a stone and it is cut.'  And, that's what happened. Frightened and amazed, his uncle cried: "Bade retro Satan’s!" ("Get back, Satan!") He was an educated man, and he spoke in Latin."  And -- if you need further proof -- later in the interview, Tesla finishes up a segment of his interview by declaring, "There are many fallen angels on Earth."
     At times, as I read his interview, his words seemed the farcical meanderings of an intellectual eccentric. But then there would be a passage that made the hair stand up on the back of my neck, such as this excerpt:  "Life is a rhythm that must be comprehended. I feel the rhythm, and direct on it, and pamper in it.  It was very grateful and gave me the knowledge I have."  (He speaks of "It" as if it was a person or entity!)  "Knowledge comes from space; our vision is its most perfect set. We have two eyes: the earthly and spiritual. It is recommended that it become one eye. The Universe is alive in all its manifestations, like a thinking animal."
     Does that creep you out like it does me?  Is he promoting the "all-seeing Eye"?  And does anyone else perceive the Prince of the Air prowling like a lion? And this Knowledge that comes from space --- could it be fallen angel technology that has been shared throughout history with mankind ... from the technology that allowed Nimrod to build the tower of Babel; to the branch of knowledge that resulted in the building of the ancient Sphinx; to the occultic knowledge possessed by Hitler and the Nazis; to the modern applications being employed in the field of Artificial Intelligence and Transhumanism?  Was Tesla trying to tell us that this knowledge is supernatural and unhuman?  What could he have possibly meant by this statement?  "The Universe has only one substance and one supreme energy with an infinite number of manifestations of life. The best thing is that the discovery of a secret nature reveals the other. One cannot hide, they are around us, but we are blind and deaf to them. If we emotionally tie ourselves to them, they come to us themselves."

"Faust Conjures Up the Spirits"
by Carl Christian Vogel von Vogelstein (1788-1868)

     And listen to his rendition of how he discovered the rotating magnetic field and induction motor: "One summer evening in Budapest, I watched [the sunset] with my friend Sigetijem. Thousands of fire was turning around in thousands of flaming colors. I remembered Faust and recited his verses and then, as in a fog, I saw a spinning magnetic field, and induction motor. I saw them in the sun!"  And in case you are wondering what the significance of Faust was, and how that could have played a part, contemplate this fact:  Faust is the protagonist of a classic German legend. He is a scholar who is highly successful yet dissatisfied with his life, so he makes a pact with the Devil, exchanging his soul for unlimited universal knowledge and worldly pleasures.
     So how many champions of Nikola Tesla are aware of this aspect of his genius and the influence behind his inventions?  Would Glenn Beck still shamelessly promote his exceptional creativity if he knew to whom Tesla gave credit?  There is no doubt that Tesla possessed great knowledge and produced great results from his experimentations; he is often called the Father of Radio, Television, Power Transmission, and the Induction Motor.  Less publicity is given to his mysterious inventions, including those that caused buildings to sway, earthquakes to materialize from his electro-magnetic oscillator; and a directed-energy weapon, called a death ray.  And would it surprise you to know that conspiracy theories swirl around his death and his legacy?  Some promote the idea that he was murdered by the Nazis for the work he did on electronic devices that would have been of great significance during WWII.  Then there is the rumor that soon after his death, the United States Government (with the help of the FBI) seized all of his research materials and writings, most of which never again reappeared -- (except perhaps as HAARP; the High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program.)
     But here's the bottom line:  It is difficult to know the truth about this enigmatic genius; is he a hero or a villain?  One thing is clear:  Throughout his life, Tesla asserted that he had indeed discovered a limitless power supply from a source that no one else had knowledge of, but he never revealed the source.  In fact, I think this following quote, by Tesla himself, establishes that his genius was supernatural:  "Ideas came in an uninterrupted stream and the only difficulty I had was to hold them fast ... In less than two months I evolved virtually all the types of motors and modifications of the systems which are now identified with my name."
     And now, nearly 73 years after his death, Elon Musk, the Founder of a company that bears his name, and one of the foremost entrepreneurs that have benefitted from the genius and experimentations of Nikola Tesla is announcing that we may have gone too far ... that we may be "summoning the demon."
     To make his point perfectly clear, Musk gives us this analogy: "In all those stories where there's the guy with the pentagram and the holy water, it's like, yeah, he's sure he can control the demon. [It] didn't work out."
    But who is able to stuff that genie (uh, I mean, demon) back in the bottle?  History has shown us that once man agrees to accept that Satanic power source, it becomes a race towards human destruction.  The only thing that has ever stopped the total ruination of man has been God.  But has mankind reached its full quota of evil upon the earth?  Is it nearing the time when God will no longer save us from ourselves, and finally pronounce His Judgment?  Maybe He's providing us clues; if we will only pay attention and recognize that all technology is not for our good, perhaps we stand a chance.  Tesla believed that there were certain truths we needed to learn in order to be healed in this human existence. But here's the deal ... Our survival, and our eternity, depends on whose Truth we seek.

You can read the entire 1899 interview with Nikola Tesla here, and make up your own mind.  He's a fascinating character study, and I truly believe his story is part of the spiritual battle in which we find ourselves today.

1 Timothy 4:1   "Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,"


 

Can We Heal From Ferguson?

     Protests surrounding the Ferguson debate continue to dominate the news cycles.  The media pits representatives, who are clearly one-sided on their perspective, against each other -- after all, it makes for entertaining and interesting dialogue.  But does it serve to further positive relations in a nation torn apart by the racial divide?  Is that even the objective of such debates?  Or are we truly on the verge of a "new" civil rights movement, as provocateurs like Al Sharpton and Louis Farrakhan allege?

     At the time, I was not old enough to have understood the issues behind the civil rights movement in the early 60s.  However, I instinctively knew that something important was happening.  As I peruse  the transcript of Dr. Martin Luther King's famous "I Have A Dream" speech, I can't help but feel the goals of the two movements are diametrically opposed.

    Both movements have "racial justice" in common; but King promoted nonviolence, cautioning protestors, "Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred."  Today's civil rights leaders (like Sharpton and Farrakhan) urge their followers to gear up for "a fight" -- and not through peaceful methods!  King hoped to "transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood."  Farrakhan wants to "tear this (expletive) country up!"

     It is not hard to see that as long as violence and hatred are exploited by both public and political figures, the races will never come together in mutual understanding and respect.  And I tend to agree with former basketball great Charles Barkley, who says the media is largely to blame.  "The media loves this stuff," he said, and until information began surfacing from the evidence presented to the grand jury, networks had free rein to spin it anyway they wanted.  The more they could fan the flames of racial hostility, the higher the ratings.  And, if in the process, the Truth was ignored; well, that didn't really change anything between the races, did it?  After all, no one would believe anything different, right?

     And how dare anyone bring Faith or the blessed name of Jesus into the conversation.  As I related in an earlier post, NFL player Benjamin Watson made quite an impression on social media with his honest and prayerful impressions of the Ferguson controversy.  So, of course, the media jumped all over that story.  The desire for higher ratings will even lead to religious tolerance -- up to a point, that is.  While being interviewed at CNN, Watson was warming up to his theory that the nation's racial problems are related to sin, not the color of skin; and the cure was "to understand that Jesus Christ died for our sins."  It was obvious that the CNN anchor was getting uncomfortable with the direction the interview was headed, and kept trying to cut him off.  But Watson persisted, talking over the talking head, until she finally cut him off, going to a green screen, and pretending that she had lost transmission. “Whup…just like that, we lost him,” she said.  Yeah, right. 

     Well, even in the midst of such negative coverage, I want you to know that there are reasons to be optimistic.  I hope you have had the opportunity to see some positive stories that are emerging from the protests.  I'd like to share a couple.  Did you hear the one about the black residents of Ferguson who showed up (armed) to protect a local gas station from looters?  Everything around the Conoco station was burned and looted, but these young men stood guard over the property and customers who arrived at the station.  It remained unscathed.  It seems that the owner (a white man) had hired each of the men, at some point in the past, and had treated them with respect and dignity.  They showed up to help him save his business.  This is a story of mutual respect and doing the right thing.

     Then there is the story of a group of student protesters who shutdown a California highway, in an apparent attempt to impact commerce.  But one hard-working man, who was black, did not see the purpose in such tactics.  He was just trying to get to one of the three jobs he works to support his six kids.  He grabs a protester's bullhorn and tries to reason with the mob.  In an expletive-filled video, he can be seen telling the crowd that this isn't the way, that they should do "the right thing".  He admits he was confused, frustrated, and angry about being delayed for work, and worried about losing his job.

     "I'm nobody special," he said.  "I was just trying to do the right thing."  But his actions so moved people that a fund has been started on social media to provide him with the means to give his kids a great Christmas.  This is a story that shows that our preconceived biases are not always correct, and that human beings respond to sincerity, courage, and ethics -- no matter the skin color.

     There is also the story of Devonte Hart, a 12-year-old black youth who attended a protest in Portland, Oregon, and stood on a street corner holding a sign that said, "Free Hugs".  The photo of Devonte, with tears streaming down his face, hugging a white police officer, has gone viral.  It is becoming a symbol of hope for reconciliation between the races.

     But there is more to the story than you might know.  According to an online profile of the young man, "[Devonte] was born to a drug-addicted mother, and by the time he was only four-years-old he had suffered extreme neglect; he had smoked, been given alcohol, handled guns and been shot at. His abusive childhood meant that he could barely speak, and he suffered from a number of disabilities."

     His adoptive mother, Jen Hart, relates that he had struggled "with living fearlessly when it comes to the police"; that he didn't fully understand the circumstances surrounding the Ferguson incident, and worried that he might one day be the subject of prejudice by simply being a black male.  All those issues contributed to his tearful stance on that street corner.

     But the compassion of Sgt. Bret Barnum should not be discounted.  He approached Devonte and they engaged in a private conversation.  At the end of it, he asked Devonte if he could have one of those free hugs.  The viral photo captures the sincere and heartfelt exchange between the white policeman and the black youth.  We should not dismiss the message this photo conveys.

    Unfortunately, this is not the message of the "new" civil rights movement.  It is not hard to discern that there are those who wish to perpetuate the racial hatred; power is a seductive temptress, and one's authority and leverage might be compromised should the races find common ground.  

     Martin Luther King advocated becoming a voice "of reason, sanity, and understanding amid the voices of violence, hatred, and emotion."  He also said, "Someone must have sense enough and morality enough to cut off the chain of hate."  Those who would promote violence and anarchy while laying claim to his legacy, and project themselves as his predecessor, do a great injustice to his memory and those who walked by his side.  

     Today, I asked if we could heal from Ferguson.  If left up to man, I would highly doubt our chances of success.  There are forces, both human and spiritual, who stand to profit from continued strife and conflict.  The voices say they want freedom, but true freedom includes being free from hate.  True freedom gives us the opportunity to love and serve each other.  I admit we have a long way to go, and injustice too often prevails.  But as each of the positive stories I have presented shows us, it is possible because we were made in the image of God, who IS love. We just have to want it; to receive it and to give it.  It's the only way to heal.

Galatians 5:13    "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

     

       

The Delusion of Youth

     Like many of you, I had the opportunity over the Thanksgiving holiday to interact and observe the members of Generations Y & Z (alternately known as the Millennial Generation); among whose members are those just entering their college years, and those who are now graduating.
    Although I am absolutely no fan of the atheist German philosopher of the 19th Century, Friedrich Nietzsche, I must say that I agree with this statement of his:  “The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.”
     The curious thing is that our individual arguments for the veracity of this statement are actually antithetical.  What I mean is that, when he wrote it, those who thought alike were people of faith, morals and integrity.   Nietzsche viewed them as stunting the growth of youthful passions, and obsessively promoted his philosophy of "whatever is life-enhancing" as real Truth.  "God is dead" was a theory that suited him just fine.

     Today, it is just the opposite.  Those that embrace these noble virtues are the ones who are viewed as thinking differently from the norm.  Our youth are indoctrinated to think in "collective" terms; and faith, morals and integrity are too exclusive for the masses.  They are taught that Society works best when we all think alike and act accordingly.
     But it is not my intent to address Nietzsche's anti-God rants in this blog post.  Rather, I want to convey my concerns about the future of our youth.  Like every generation before them, once they leave childhood behind and begin tentatively exploring the world beyond the safe confines of family and home, they inevitably come to the conclusion that they are so much smarter than adults.
     I admit that I am speaking from experience.  I thought the new and different ideas that were presented to me in college by broad-thinking professors seemed so much more expansive, and offered a wider range of acceptable behavior than that of my strict parents.  Why, there was a whole wide world of different opinions out there, and what was the harm in contemplating them?  Didn't they result in affirmation and tolerance for those who had been "kept down"?  But as I grew out of my liberal youth into my conservative adulthood, I learned to think for myself; and my radical idealism became more realistic. I still wanted my world to be a better place, but I realized that notion couldn't be legislated, propagated, or forced.  It had to come from a sincere change in your heart and soul.
     That liberal mindset is prevalent among our youth of today, and it is almost a rite of passage.  But the "religion of tolerance" has gotten so out of control that it threatens to destroy our culture.  Our youth are bombarded with so much information from so many different sources; and the voices speaking of morals and integrity, (let alone faith) are being drowned out in a cacophony of corrupting influences.
     For instance, if it's been said in a YouTube video, they accept it as Truth.  Does anyone under the age of 25 ever think to do their own research; or are they so brainwashed by technology that they accept anything and everything that is posted as undeniable and reliable?
     And if some nihilistic, narcissistic celebrity embraces a cause (from same-sex marriage, to abortion rights, to gun control), then they blindly follow.  No one wants to be left out of the crowd.  And the celebrities are just as bad ... they blindly follow each other.  It's too dangerous to their popularity or careers to have a righteous or individual thought of their own!  Remember Nietzsche's philosophy ... "The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike...".
     This generation of young adults don't even question the absurdity of a college microbiology class called "Zombie Apocalypse 101".  Supposedly the curriculum will study the biology of diseases.  But is that really why the class filled up in record time, or is it that all the students have been mesmerized by the latest culture fad?
     And I worry about our youth that are becoming teachers.  I am seeing a definite dividing line between those young teachers who see through the propaganda and subversive tendencies of Common Core, and those who are easily influenced by its anti-American agenda.  Those who willingly teach the adulterated version of our history can, and will, have a tremendous impact on the future of this nation.
     I know there are those who will think I am making much ado about nothing; that the next generation has always thought they were smarter and more enlightened than the last.  But this latest age group are being driven faster and harder towards a future that will be Godless; and they could potentially affect our lives like none before them.  If they can all be convinced to think alike, and to blindly follow powerful and famous figures, then who will be the individual voices for the unborn, the aged, the disabled and non-producers?  Who will champion decency and honor?  Who will speak of miracles and heaven?  Who will be left to fight Evil?
     I know in my heart that a confrontation is coming.  But I also know that God always has a remnant that remains faithful to Him and His Truth.  I am encouraged as I see the few among this Millennial Generation who will refuse to follow anyone but their Lord.  It is absolutely important that those of us from previous generations uphold them, sustain them, defend them, and above all else ... teach them how to see through the deception.  Their future, and ours, has never been more tenuous.  They may think they know everything, but we must be like the prophet Jeremiah and invite them to "Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known."

Job 28:28    "But to man He said, Behold, the reverential and worshipful fear of the Lord—that is Wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding."

Witnessing Death ... And The Blessed Hope

     I don't even know how I'm supposed to write about this; only that I should.  Please, Dear God --- now, more than ever, guide my pen to reveal Your Truth.

     Saturday afternoon, my husband and I decided to break the monotony of the long Thanksgiving weekend to drive to the nearest town of size to obtain some watercolor paper for his next piece of art, and to buy the couple of plumbing parts he needed to complete a repair project.  It's a 45-minute drive and we thought it would be nice to top off the afternoon with a nice meal, so I invited our neighbors to join us.  Since they were already in town doing their own errands, it looked to be a nice, relaxed opportunity to catch up and share our holiday experiences.
     Our first stop was Hobby Lobby for the art supplies, and I felt like I was in a surreal movie.  The gross commercialization of Christmas was almost nauseating.  I tried to summon up a sense of the holiness of this materialistic holiday, but could find nothing to hold on to.  There was a time when I would have been giddy over the emotions that all the ornaments, and wreaths, and decorations evoked ... but since my realization that this celebration is not even Biblical, I could only stand among the excited throng and feel like I was witnessing something from afar; that I was removed and watching outside myself.  That perception would be repeated later on that night.
     We finished with our errands and continued on to meet our friends at the restaurant.  For some reason, I was keenly aware of the cars and the people around me.  I drew my husband's attention to an old car two lanes over from us.  We had a conversation about whether it was a Model A or a Model T, and he schooled me on the differences in body construction.  I caught a glimpse of the white-haired woman in the passenger seat, and wondered what their story was and how they came to be driving that vintage car.  The light changed and we proceeded on to our dinner engagement.
     It was nice to relax, and enjoy a meal with good friends.  We laughed and took pleasure in their company, and once again I was conscious of being more aware of the people around me ... noticing their smiles, and they way they engaged with each other.  Maybe it's just the sentimentality of the holidays, I thought.
     We parted company, each couple making one last stop at the mega-grocery store to get items our small town did not offer.  By this time, it was dark, and we were anxious to make the 45-minute drive home and settle in for the night.  I remember being kind of drowsy, but we needed to stop at the corner gas station before we made the turn for the back roads toward home.  My gaze was diverted to the entrance to the convenience store, because it was always difficult to see the drive in the dark, and the complex was poorly lit on this stretch of a busy 4-lane state highway.  It only took a minute for the night to shatter into a thousand pieces.
     The next sound I heard was my husband, shouting, "Oh, no ... oh, no ... oh, no!  There's been a head-on crash!"  I hadn't heard anything, nor could I see anything, but he had seen it all. Two black vehicles had collided, with one of them spinning towards the drive we were about to enter.  He said he saw the sparks of the metal from the cars and heard the explosion of the crash, and caught the silhouettes of the black cars.  He had no idea if they were careening towards us or not ... the night hid the trajectory of the vehicles.  He just knew he had to be ready to react quickly.  We were able to pull into the driveway and proceeded to the nearest gas pump to stop and get out of the way.
     I grabbed the phone and immediately began dialing 911, and turned to survey the wreckage.  It was horrific.  My immediate image was of people coming from everywhere to help.  One new model black sedan was stopped on the shoulder of the highway.  It's front end was crunched up like a sardine can, and someone was helping three children out of the backseat and getting them away from the wreckage.

     As I'm walking closer to the scene to describe to the 911 operator what I'm seeing, I hear my husband yelling at me to get back, because cars are careening around the wreckage, running over metal in the roadway, and, in the unlit intersection, unable to see the black car on the side of the road.  Then my attention is drawn to the other car.  It is the Model A car we had seen earlier in the afternoon, and the debris field from its wreckage is spread for hundreds of feet.  But it is the sight of the two motionless bodies that were thrown from the wreckage that I will never forget.  Nor will I forget the compassion and caring of human beings, one for another, as people materialized with blankets and sheets to cover them.  There was a woman in a bright pink shirt who knelt by the white-haired woman I had glimpsed that afternoon through the window of the old car.  She leaned over her, and although there was no movement, she would not leave her side.
     A man was doing the same for her elderly husband, who lay 25 feet from her; he was not moving either.  We moved closer to see if we could help, but it was obvious -- at least to us -- that there was no way they could have survived such an impact.  I just kept repeating to myself, "Be with them, Lord; be with them."
     My mind struggled to take it all in.  How had this horrific accident happened?  An observer stood near us, and told us he had been behind the Model A on the intersecting country lane, and the old gentleman had simply pulled out into the 4-lane highway, right into the path of the oncoming car.  Did he think it was a four-way stop, since there was a flashing light at the intersection?  Both cars were black; did one or both not have their lights on, and were unable to see each other?  We will probably never know, but my eyes scanned the scene and I saw pieces of the old car everywhere and my gaze landed on a book, sprawled open,  just outside the driver's door.  I wanted to pick it up -- to know something of these two people whose lives were over in an instant.  I wanted that book to be a Bible.
     By this time, about 20 minutes had passed, and fire trucks were on the scene, with paramedics alternately performing chest compressions on both victims.  Standard procedure, I suppose.  There seemed to be no response, and we realized that there was no need to be in the way of the professionals who had work to do.  We continued on the backroad towards home; in silence, each trying to process what we had just witnessed.  A few miles down the darkened country road, we came upon the gathering of several old model cars; obviously the companions of the elderly couple in the Model A.  We would learn later that they were traveling as a group to see the Christmas lights in a small town park, some 20 miles away.
     We pulled over, and they had been told of the accident and were grasping for hope.  We told them they didn't need to go back and see the scene, and one woman asked if they were life-flighting them.  We sadly shook our heads and said it didn't look like they had survived.  Then my husband asked the most important question of the night ... "Were they Christians?"  "Absolutely! No question!" came the strong response, and after expressing our condolences, we were able to leave them to cope with their loss, as we began processing the eternal significance of this night.
     I have written much, in the 1094 posts, since the beginning of this blog.  A recurring theme has been the Holy Spirit's inspiration to stress the need to save souls in these unsettling times.  I have also contemplated what it will be like to leave this sinful world behind and enter into the presence of our Lord.  And I think I never understood the impact of those beliefs more than I did Saturday night.
     I witnessed a horrific death of two people who knew the Lord.  And one thing has been made crystal clear:  There is no guarantee that Death will be gentle, or that our salvation makes leaving this world pleasant or easy.  What is certain, is that Death can come in an instant, without warning; and it can be violent and terrifying.  But most importantly, if you have not accepted Jesus as your Savior, that next moment will be a lonely, dreadfully frightening reality.
     We didn't know these people, except for the brief moment that our human paths crossed.  I will never forget how their lives here on earth ended; but I will always hang on to the hope of knowing whose arms they rested in just moments later.  It is important to know if people are Saved!  As I woke in the early morning hours, my mind returning to the events of that night, I recited the 23rd Psalm ... the words searing my soul as the tears finally fell.  We must be relentless in speaking of the need for Salvation; we must be tireless in offering Hope to the world.  When Death comes careening towards you, there may not be time to make that eternal choice.  I don't want a single person to regret their indecision.  This existence is temporary, and if we did not know that that elderly couple were Believers, then what we witnessed would have been all the more tragic.  But this we do know ... we have an everlasting and undying life waiting for us ... through faith in Jesus Christ.  I can let go of the horror of that night, and rejoice in the two souls who just entered into that Blessed Hope.  

Luke 23:43    "And He said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” 

Matthew 24:45-51

     

Who then is the faithful, thoughtful, and wise servant, whom his master has put in charge of his household to give to the others the food and supplies at the proper time? 

     Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is that servant whom, when his master comes, he will find so doing. I solemnly declare to you, he will set him over all his possessions.  

     But if that servant is wicked and says to himself, My master is delayed and is going to be gone a long time, and begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with the drunken, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour of which he is not aware, 

     And will punish him [cut him up by scourging] and put him with the pretenders (hypocrites); there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.

     This is a rather long passage to present today, but it was what came to mind as I witnessed the contrast within our American experience this past week.  Among my fellow human beings, I have observed both lawlessness and grace; as well as compassion and cruelty.  And I would be willing to submit to you that most all of these people would identify themselves as believers in Jesus Christ.  They would most likely check the box next to "Christian", if asked about their religious convictions.

     Yet were some of these same people involved with the burning and destruction of property in Ferguson?  Did they harbor hate and cast aspersions on a brother of Christ because of the color of his skin?  Were they among the greedy and disgraceful shoppers that mobbed the nation's stores on Black Friday?  Sadly, I think we all know the answers.

    If Jesus had decided to return this past week, can you see how this Scripture would have played out?  We are the servants who have been left in charge until His return, and the question becomes, "How are we fulfilling our duties"?  As you can see from the parable, the Master desires that we serve each other; to provide the sustenance (both physical and spiritual) that the "household", or Body of Christ, needs until "the proper time" -- which is the hour of His return.  

     So are we lifting up our brethren, encouraging them, helping them when they need assistance?  Are we acting as those who follow His commandments to first love Him, and then to love our fellow man?  

     I was greatly encouraged after seeing the outpouring of charity to those business owners who suffered such devastating losses in the wake of the rioting and looting in Ferguson.  Through an online donation website, business owners received the genuine outpouring of Christian love from the Blessed Servants that our Scripture speaks about.  Nearly $300,000 has been raised in 3 days, by strangers, to help those who need to rebuild their businesses.  

     Our Scripture says that those servants were faithful, thoughtful, and wise.  I know that we cannot assume that everyone who donated looks upon Jesus Christ as their Savior; but I think it is safe to say that the Holy Spirit is working in someone who responds to the needs of another with selfless charity. We can pray that each of those individuals will continue in their journey to receive the full blessings of the Kingdom of God.

     And what Blessings they will be!  The Word tells us that these servants will not only be happy and fortunate, but envied; for they will be "set over all his (the Master, Jesus) possessions."  In other words, those of us who fulfill our duties as servants of Christ on this earth, will "rule and reign" with Him, as His trusted servants in the Millennial Kingdom at His return.  We will hear, "Well done, you good and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy which your master enjoys." (Matthew 25:23)

     But what of those "wicked" servants?  Those who give no mind to the hour or the day, nor how their every deed will be scrutinized upon the Master's return?  True, they also wear the title "Christian", are in church every Sunday, and act the part among their peers.  But how are they out in public; did they react in anger or impatience over the Thanksgiving holiday?  Did they push and shove at the Midnight Sale at Macy's?  Are they more interested in the material, temporal, and sensual aspects of the Christmas season than any true reflection on the amazing fact that God came to dwell with us on earth?  Ultimately, are they neglecting to attend to our first responsibility, which is to nurture, and care for, and grow followers of Jesus Christ?

     We must not dismiss this awesome duty with which we've been tasked.  Today's Scripture is very graphic about the consequences of that dereliction of duty.  We will stand judged and the ramifications will not be pleasant!  He will accuse us as hypocrites; we will be punished; and we will not share in the benefits of those who remained faithful and productive.  

     I know this does not jive with the message of a Merciful God, or the Age of Grace in which we now live.  But we must realize that God will not be, and is not, whatever we want to imagine He is.  This Scripture reflects the fulness of the Character of God and His Son.  He is who He says He is in the Bible.  He will do what He says He will do.  He will recognize you for who you are.  

     We may all be His servants, but it is abundantly clear that what kind of servant you are will matter.  Wise ... or wicked ... your reward depends on it.   

     

The U.S. Economy & The Price of Oil: Could The Fix Be In?

     Today, I'm going to give a disclaimer, right off the bat.  I am no authority on economics, world politics, or how commodities are manipulated.  But I have pretty strong instincts; and something "just ain't right", as they say, about falling gas prices and the price of a barrel of crude oil.

     What I'm writing will come nowhere close to explaining all the manipulation going on among the world players.  I know I'm just scratching the surface, but perhaps you have been asking the same questions I have.  What's really going on, and what is the endgame in all this mad maneuvering?

     First of all, are you as quizzical as I am about how and why the price of a gallon of regular gasoline has dropped by 23 cents in the last month, and nearly one dollar (90 cents) since this time last year (according to GasBuddy.com)?  And why have the voices that just a few years ago were shouting, "Drill, Baby, Drill", are now quietly looking at slowing down production.   

     From what I can understand, part of the reason is pure economics.  With the success of the Bakken  reserves in North Dakota, and the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford shale fields in Texas, there is an oversupply of natural gas.  It's the old axiom we learned in Economics 101:  Prices are determined by supply and demand; and right now, our supply is growing faster than the demand for gasoline.  U.S. car manufacturers are building more fuel-efficient cars, which creates less demand for gas, which directly effects the bottom line of oil companies. 

     Although foreign markets, like China and India, are developing a market for increased supplies of gas and oil, there is not a huge desire for exporting our oil.  If you will remember, just a few short years ago, we were all screaming about the $4/gallon prices and calling for more domestic production; we all wanted energy independence.  So the American people are happy with the low gas prices, but the American oil companies are starting to fidget.  In fact, here in Texas, just two-three months ago, expectations were that the exploration activity would continue for another 15-20 years.  Just this last week, there are local rumors that production could start shutting down, as the companies drastically cut their risks.  They just can't afford to spend the huge outlays for speculative drilling, if the supply for their product is diminishing.  In other words, their businesses are becoming less profitable.  It's really this simple -- when you see your profit start to decline, you cut back on your expenditures.  

     I won't even begin to try to describe how this could potentially affect the banking industry who has provided extravagant loans to these oil companies.  What do you think happens to a bank's balance sheet when oil company executives decide that the costs of further exploration outweigh the risk or profits, and bankruptcy is the most prudent solution?  Even selling the loan for pennies on the dollar means huge losses to major financial institutions.  Think that might be the tipping point for our economy?

     But what else is causing what seems to be a drastic and sudden drop in oil prices?  This gets a little more complicated and hard for me to understand, but it's important for us to consider.  The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) met this past week, and decided to keep the price of a barrel of oil at just over $70/barrel.  In case, you're like me, I didn't have a clear understanding of exactly what OPEC was or how they operated.

     Here is the "official" explanation:  The purpose of OPEC for members is to "coordinate and unify the petroleum policies of its Member Countries and ensure the stabilization of oil markets in order to secure an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consumers, a steady income to producers and a fair return on capital for those investing in the petroleum industry."  Furthermore, OPEC member countries monitor the market and decide collectively to raise or lower oil production in order to maintain stable prices and supply.

     OK, now the picture is getting clearer ... wouldn't it be important to know who the major players are?  Because it sure seems to me that certain members could collude with other members to influence the market and economies of competing members.  And there is always the question of who is lurking in the background, influencing the decision-making.  Currently, OPEC members are primarily from the oil-rich Middle East, with Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia being among the founding members.  

     From a purely political perspective, what better way for countries. who are antagonistic against the U.S., to harm our economy than to start effecting the most successful industry in this country, and start driving down profits?  Because make no mistake, even though the American people may not recognize it, foreign governments and economists are well aware that the U.S. domestic oil industry is propping up our economy.  Just let us experience another oil bust like we did in the 1980's, and the mask will come off.

     All the media propaganda, false GDP growth reports, bailouts, and failed banking schemes will no longer be able to hide the truth -- the American economy is nosediving, and we may not have the oil industry to continue the masquerade.  

     And who would love to see that scenario take place more than Russia?  Through our sanctions, we have attempted to compromise their economy.  So, through their alliance with oil-rich Iran, this would be an opportunity to reciprocate.  What better way to ensure their leadership in the world's oil supply, while striking a blow to our own status, and more importantly, our economy?

     I waived my rights at the beginning of this post, that I am no expert on the petroleum industry.  And I know these are all fractured thoughts and ideas, but when my spider senses are tingling like they are now, I have to give voice to what my instincts are telling me.  Things are not as they seem, and something tells me that the puppet masters are  working their strings and the game is rigged.  Is our house of cards about to come tumbling down?  

     If you have a more educated insight, I would welcome your comments.  It's a good time to engage with all of us who just want to know the truth.  After all, we're in this together.  So, my question is this:  Is what I'm sensing and seeing, really happening?  What's your opinion?

Psalm 2:1    "Why do the nations assemble with commotion [uproar and confusion of voices], and why do the people imagine (meditate upon and devise) an empty scheme?"

     

      

     

A Message For Us All

     Like so many Americans of all races, I am saddened at the state of our country this day.  Ferguson, Missouri has become the epicenter of the racial divide in our nation, and trying to make sense of where we go from here may seem impossible. 
     We have the White House offering to help protestors "organize" their mutinous demonstrations.  We have ISIS offering to send fighters over to help the protestors -- as long as they agree to convert to Islam, of course.  And we have the parents of slain Michael Brown expressing their "disappointment that the killer ... will not face the consequences of his actions."
     But there is enough blame to go around when it comes to "consequences of actions."  Where were the National Guard and police when the peaceful businesses in Ferguson were burning to the ground?  What will be the consequences for those who partook in this destruction?  Is it possible that one of the Grand Jury witnesses was actually killed for his testimony?  The questions go on and on, adding to our conflicting thoughts.
      We have a mixture of emotions, and there looks to be no clear path to solving the increasing divide in the country.  (It doesn't help that I feel much of this is orchestrated to get the results we are experiencing.)  At times the problems seem so massive, that I fear our fate is a total breakdown of our society.  Where are the clear heads; those men who can be honest and truthful about the faults that need to be recognized by all parties involved?  But if you are on the verge of despair, I'm here to offer you a vision of hope; some words that are among the wisest I have heard yet.
     Benjamin Watson plays the position of Tight End for the New Orleans Saints football team.  As a proud black man, he would naturally be affected by what the nation has witnessed this past week.  Mr. Watson has taken a conventional method of expressing his thoughts (a Facebook post), and introduced an exceptional and rational discourse into the arena of social dialogue.  I would like to share his honest, genuine, and candid remarks with those who have not read it.  And if you've already been blessed by his reflections, share them with someone who needs to hear his expression of hope.

     At some point while I was playing or preparing to play Monday Night Football, the news broke about the Ferguson Decision. After trying to figure out how I felt, I decided to write it down. Here are my thoughts:
I'M ANGRY because the stories of injustice that have been passed down for generations seem to be continuing before our very eyes.
I'M FRUSTRATED, because pop culture, music and movies glorify these types of police citizen altercations and promote an invincible attitude that continues to get young men killed in real life, away from safety movie sets and music studios.
I'M FEARFUL because in the back of my mind I know that although I'm a law abiding citizen I could still be looked upon as a "threat" to those who don't know me. So I will continue to have to go the extra mile to earn the benefit of the doubt.
I'M EMBARRASSED because the looting, violent protests, and law breaking only confirm, and in the minds of many, validate, the stereotypes and thus the inferior treatment.

I'M SAD, because another young life was lost from his family, the racial divide has widened, a community is in shambles, accusations, insensitivity, hurt and hatred are boiling over, and we may never know the truth about what happened that day.
I'M SYMPATHETIC, because I wasn't there so I don't know exactly what happened. Maybe Darren Wilson acted within his rights and duty as an officer of the law and killed Michael Brown in self defense like any of us would in the circumstance. Now he has to fear the backlash against himself and his loved ones when he was only doing his job. What a horrible thing to endure. OR maybe he provoked Michael and ignited the series of events that led to him eventually murdering the young man to prove a point.
I'M OFFENDED, because of the insulting comments I've seen that are not only insensitive but dismissive to the painful experiences of others.
I'M CONFUSED, because I don't know why it's so hard to obey a policeman. You will not win!!! And I don't know why some policeman abuse their power. Power is a responsibility, not a weapon to brandish and lord over the populace.
I'M INTROSPECTIVE, because sometimes I want to take "our" side without looking at the facts in situations like these. Sometimes I feel like it's us against them. Sometimes I'm just as prejudiced as people I point fingers at. And that's not right. How can I look at white skin and make assumptions but not want assumptions made about me? That's not right.
I'M HOPELESS, because I've lived long enough to expect things like this to continue to happen. I'm not surprised and at some point my little children are going to inherit the weight of being a minority and all that it entails.
I'M HOPEFUL, because I know that while we still have race issues in America, we enjoy a much different normal than those of our parents and grandparents. I see it in my personal relationships with teammates, friends and mentors. And it's a beautiful thing.
I'M ENCOURAGED, because ultimately the problem is not a SKIN problem, it is a SIN problem. SIN is the reason we rebel against authority. SIN is the reason we abuse our authority. SIN is the reason we are racist, prejudiced and lie to cover for our own. SIN is the reason we riot, loot and burn. BUT I'M ENCOURAGED because God has provided a solution for sin through the his son Jesus and with it, a transformed heart and mind. One that's capable of looking past the outward and seeing what's truly important in every human being. The cure for the Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice and Eric Garner tragedies is not education or exposure. It's the Gospel. So, finally, I'M ENCOURAGED because the Gospel gives mankind hope.

     Here is a man who offers Hope to the American people ... whether you are black, white, brown, pink or purple polka dotted.  He has been able to respectfully express his reasonable anger; take an honest look at the faults of all concerned (including himself); ask constructive questions; and uphold a moral and righteous code of living.  But most of all, he has offered the only solution that will really resolve the underlying sins of the entire nation.  He boldly proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the answer; the only answer.  For that, I am deeply grateful for his courage and his faithfulness.  God Bless you, Benjamin Watson.  May your light pervade this darkness!

Ephesians 4:31-32     "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

   

The Spirit of Thanksgiving

    You may view this post as too sentimental and emotional.  But, as our nation, and the world, seems to be embroiled in chaos, violence, and instability, I think it is important that we observe this Thanksgiving Day with true and humble hearts.  I really want to ignore everything that takes my eye off the good, desirable, and treasured things in my life. I don't know about you, but I really need a day to concentrate on all that I'm grateful for.  Won't you join me?

     Let's just sit back, and breathe in all that composes our lives -- both the ordinary, and the exceptional.  First, take a good look at each member of your family that is gathered around your Thanksgiving table.  Concentrate on what makes them unique; what do they offer you that no one else can?  Is it their smile?  The way they always listen closely to what you have to say?  Is it that you can always count on them to help you in any situation?  Do they make you laugh?  Do they forgive you when you're not at your best?  Do they give the best hugs ever?  How much would you miss them if they weren't a part of your life?  How do they make you a better person?
     Next, consider your health.  If you're like me, you have more aches and pains this Thanksgiving than you did the last one.  But, I receive each new twinge or pain with an appreciation for what I can still physically do.  I may not be able to exercise as energetically as I did 10 years ago, but I'm still in there swinging, and that muscle soreness means that I haven't ceased to challenge myself.  The soreness is a welcome friend; and proof that I'm still a competitor.
     If you are suffering from a serious health issue, it may be more difficult to express gratitude.  I do not profess to know what it is like to walk in your shoes.  But I would be willing to bet that you have people praying for you.  And picture those prayers before the throne of your Father in Heaven, and Him tenderly clutching them to His breast.
     Each of us are living in a deteriorating body; some more diseased than others.  But each day we are left in this world, is a day to feel God's sun, wind or rain on these host bodies; to experience the loving touch of someone dear; to share a part of yourself with another human being, enriching both your lives.  And as trite as it may sound, failing health is an opportunity for you to get closer to the One who created you.  That is a blessing that far outweighs the affliction.
     On another subject, I have to admit that there are many things that I am displeased with when it comes to our country.  But on this day, I am still thankful that I was born in America -- the benefits have far surpassed the problems.  As a woman, I have more opportunities and freedoms than anywhere else in the world.  My husband and I have had the opportunity to pursue a business and enjoy the fruits of our labor.  There has been no ceiling on what we can accomplish, if it is our desire.  We have food for nourishment, shelter over our heads, and live in relative safety; many in the world are not so fortunate.
     I am thankful that I live in a free country, and I am grateful for the men and women who preserve my liberties.  I am thankful that the Founders of this nation took such great efforts to leave us with a Constitution and a Bill of Rights.  I feel the foundation cracking and swaying, but so far, Thank God, it is still holding.
     All these things I have described are probably common blessings for each of you.  And we share a common awareness of our blessings with the first celebrants of this American holiday.  If you Google the "true history" of Thanksgiving, you will get a wide array of fantastical stories; everything from our childhood narrative of Squanto, to a tragic massacre of native Indians by a land-hungry bunch of European invaders.

     But the truth of what this holiday means can be found in the simple story of Pilgrims fighting to survive through rough and arduous conditions; of struggling to survive illnesses, starvation and an uncertain future.  By sheer determination, they beat the odds and persist, and are able to celebrate the bounty of their harvest.  Being a devout and faithful people, they attribute their success to the guidance and inspiration of their God.  And perhaps, most importantly, they are grateful for the hope that He provides in sustaining and prospering them.
     Shouldn't that be our story today?  I am sincerely grateful for all that God has provided; for His protection, His provision, and the hope He offers that more blessings will follow.  I am thankful that He has given me this platform to speak of His Sovereignty and to allow us to converse together.  And it is my prayer that this day finds you equally blessed.  I wish you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Psalm 100:4      "Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name!"