What Are We Afraid Of?

     After nearly a month without Fox News, due to their feud with Dish Network, I must admit that it was kind of nice to take my eyes off scripted news reports and discern my own perceptions of world events.  So, as I cautiously returned to Fox's version of the news yesterday morning, I guess I shouldn't have been surprised to see the same old reluctance to tell the truth.

    The anchor, Bill Hemmer, was informing the audience that ISIS in Iraq had released a new round of propaganda photos, and he warned us that, not only were they graphic, but that Fox had made the decision not to show the most disturbing ones.  He then followed his advisory with three photos:  two men who had been crucified after being convicted of a theft; a woman being stoned on the grounds that she committed adultery; and an image of a hooded man being thrown from a roof for being gay.  The faces were all blurred or blocked out.  I guess these images were deemed "acceptable" by the media giant.

     But PLW and I were both disgusted by what we saw as the cowardice of Fox News -- and all media, for that matter -- for refusing to present the truth.  ALL of these sentences were carried out as a result of Sharia Law.  That part of the story was never told.  I guess the narrative they wanted to present was "This is the action of a radicalized version of Islam".  But I have a real problem with that rendition of "the news"... it is not the complete truth.  These actions by ISIS are the implementation of Sharia Law, which is a primary tenet of the faith of Islam.  It is the moral code and religious law of that ancient religion.  That begs the following questions:  "Has Sharia Law been corrupted?"; "Do all followers of Islamic faith adhere to Sharia Law?"; and "Will Muslims denounce these actions being perpetrated in the name of Sharia Law?"  Don't you think this is part of the discussion we should be having to help determine the true nature of the threat against us?

     Here are some of my further thoughts:  First of all, by refusing to show the untouched versions of ALL the horrific images, the media is attempting to sanitize the images; and in so doing, they diminish the full impact of ISIS's demonic actions.  While the media hesitantly declares these acts evil, and the need to defeat these enemies of the West, I want to shout at the TV, How do you defeat something you are not allowed to see or watch?  Ignoring these images, will not make them go away!
     But before we can defeat this enemy, we also need to come to terms with the fact that this battle is spiritual in nature, as well.  The army of ISIS is very real ... don't get me wrong!  And Sharia Law is their goal; their methods of forcing their ideology on the world are physical and brutal.  They are flesh and blood.  But we cannot deny, nor ignore, that this is a battle that wages in Heaven, as well.  Satan is simply repeating his age-old system of destruction.  As long as he can continue to deceive man, and influence groups like ISIS, his plan is working.  I guess I'm naive to think that the media could recognize that.

     So, it all plays nicely into the hands of those who wish to destroy us.  ISIS's propaganda message then becomes:  There's no place to hide; you might as well submit (to Sharia Law), or else this is coming to a neighborhood near you.  They've certainly made those threats clear.  We saw it in Paris, last week.  And there's no counterpoint from the media!  Every terrorist attack seems to be reported as an isolated event; and if a connection is made between ISIS and Islam and their presence in the West, there is a reluctance to call them the Enemy, or a rush to reduce the significance of their recruitment success.  And the merits of faith and corrupted religion are never mentioned.  Why are they afraid to portray the truth?  I can't help but believe that it is all orchestrated -- the mainstream media invent the truth, and leave social media to distort the truth, creating a muddled mess of flawed reporting and distorted discussions -- resulting in a populace that is unable to effectively organize or coordinate a defense against its earthly -- or spiritual -- enemy. 

     I could go into a long discussion of the spiritual warfare in which we find ourselves engaged; of the spiritual wickedness found in the powers and principalities that rule earthly leaders from the supernatural (heavenly) sphere.  But the American people don't want to hear that.  They haven't even been diligent in demanding the truth about what's going on before their very eyes!  I would submit that we've been waiting since 9/11 for the world to get on the same page and admit who our enemy is; but Satan has been successful in disguising his players and dissuading us from any spiritual discernment.  And look what we have reaped from allowing ourselves to be so deceived.  

     Unless the people of the earth throw off the shackles of fear and the false mantra of tolerance, Evil will not be abated.  It is growing; spreading and becoming more virulent.  How do we counter it? We must first see it for what it is, and remove the veil from our eyes.  And we are not to repay evil with evil.  (I know that is difficult for a lot of people).  But we must shower the throne room of God with prayers for our enemies; as Paul says, "in so doing, we will heap coals of fire upon their heads" -- not in an act of vengeance, but as an instrument of God's will to melt the hardness of their hearts.  Can we possibly turn this tide of obvious wickedness?  Only with God's help.  Even in the midst of such horrors, God will use this Evil for His purpose; to bring us to our knees, and to shine His light into the midst of the Darkness.  Seek the Truth and stay focused on Him!

1 John 1:6    "If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth."

The Obsolete Man

     The title of this blog post is taken from a famous episode of The Twilight Zone; that strange TV series of the early 60s that showcased the genius of its host, producer, and writer, Rod Serling.  As so often, with TVs and Movies, we can see predictions of the future, as if the producers know something that we don't, and are surreptitiously either warning us, or gloating, over their superior knowledge.
     I think you will find this particular episode of the anthology series rather interesting. As Mr. Serling introduces the opening scenes of the show, he describes a feeble little man (Mr. Wordsworth) standing before a tribunal of the State.  As the Narrator, Serling announces, You walk into this room at your own risk, because it leads to the future; not a future that will be, but one that might be. (Camera pans to Narrator) This is not a new world: It is simply an extension of what began in the old one. It has patterned itself after every dictator who has ever planted the ripping imprint of a boot on the pages of history since the beginning of time. It has refinements, technological advancements, and a more sophisticated approach to the destruction of human freedom. But like every one of the super states that preceded it, it has one iron rule: Logic is an enemy, and truth is a menace. (Camera switches to the convicted man) This is Mr. Romney Wordsworth, in his last forty-eight hours on Earth. He's a citizen of the State, but will soon have to be eliminated, because he's built out of flesh and because he has a mind. Mr. Romney Wordsworth, who will draw his last breaths in the Twilight Zone.
     It appears that Mr. Wordsworth has been declared obsolete because the State has outlawed books.  Therefore, his job as a librarian, is no longer needed.  However, as his name declares, this librarian still sees worth in words, and he will not give up his occupation easily.  But notice the response of the Chancellor of the State:  Since there are no more books, Mr.Wordsworth, there are no more libraries, and, of course, as it follows, there is very little call for the services of a librarian. Case in point: A minister. A minister would tell us that his function is that of preaching the word of God. And since it follows that since The State has proven that there is no God, that would make the function of a minister quite academic as well....
     The good Mr. Wordsworth then loudly proclaims that THERE IS A GOD!  To which the State angrily replies that they have declared there is NO GOD, and therefore his opinion, as well as he, himself, are obsolete.  Mr. Wordsworth responds by saying, "I don't care!  I am a human being!  I exist ... and if I speak one thought aloud, that thought lives, even after I'm shoveled into my grave.
     The State shouts back, DELUSIONS! The Bible, poetry, essays, all kinds, all of it are opiate to make you think you have a strength, when you have no strength at all!!!  After some further derision of Wordsworth's delusions of the human state, the Chancellor and his Board of the State passes judgment on the humble little man.  Mr. Wordsworth is pronounced obsolete and he is to die, in a manner of his choice, in the next 48 hours.  But he has another plan....

     He asks to be able to choose his own method of death, and that it take place in his apartment.  This is rather unorthodox, but the request is granted, and he invites the Chancellor to meet with him just prior to the carrying out of the sentence.  The Chancellor accepts and finds the little man surrounded by the books he loves so much, and which the Chancellor abhors.  A discussion ensues, whereby the Librarian and the Chancellor discuss the lessons learned from the State under Hitler and Stalin; how they dealt with people they deemed obsolete and undesirable.  The Chancellor gloats, But their error was not one of excess it was simply not going far enough! Too many undesirables left around, and undesirables eventually create a corp of resistance. Old people for example, clutch at the past and won't accept the new. The sick, the maimed, the deformed, they fasten onto the healthy body and damage it. So WE eliminate them! And people like yourself, they can perform no useful function for The State, so...we put an end to them.
     The little Librarian lets the Chancellor rant about how proud he is of the methods they use to eliminate useless people and how proud he is that it is televised so that the rest of the citizenry can see it is useless to fight the State.  Then the little Librarian reveals his secret plan ... he had decided to die by a bomb exploding in his apartment.  The Chancellor is then horrified to find that the door has been locked and he cannot escape; apparently he will suffer death along with the Librarian.  He then calmly asks the Chancellor how he plans on spending his last moments before dying?  As for himself, the Librarian, sits down in a chair and begins to read from this beloved Bible:  The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want .... Defend me from them that rise up against me. Deliver me from the workers of iniquity and save me from the bloody men. For lo, they lie in wait for my soul... The fool that said in his heart"There is no God". The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there were any that did understand and seek God...  (There are tears in his eyes).
     By this time, the Chancellor is panicking, and screaming, In the Name of God, let me out!  In the last seconds before the bomb goes off killing the Librarian, he tells the Chancellor, Yes, in the name of God, I will let you out.  The next scene is of the Librarian sitting calmly in his chair, clutching his Bible, as the Chancellor cowers in fear under the stairs.  The bomb explodes and is televised across the country.
     The next image is of the Chancellor entering the Court Room of the State, where the crowd is chanting, Obsolete!  Obsolete!  He is pronounced guilty of disgracing the State, being a coward, and therefore serving no function.  He is dragged, whimpering from the room.  We next see Serling, as the Narrator, pronouncing, The chancellor, the late chancellor, was only partly correct. He was obsolete, but so is the State, the entity he worshiped. Any state, any entity, any ideology that fails to recognize the worth, the dignity, the rights of man, that state is obsolete. A case to be filed under "M" for mankind—in the Twilight Zone.

     This particular episode originally aired in 1961.  That's over a half century ago, and yet in God's timeline, it is barely a blink of His eye.  Do you not think that He knows the schemes of men and the spirit of Satan that lives in the wicked?  And men like Rod Serling must have been given great discernment to try to warn us of the days to come.  The themes that included the totalitarianism of the State, their efforts at euthanasia, collectivism, and the destruction of God and religion in society were way ahead of their times.  I invite you to watch the full episode on Youtube, and to read the entire manuscript.  I think you will find that we are seeing the culmination of Evil's ongoing plans to destroy the relationship between God and man.  It is worth your consideration, and still gives ample warning, these 53 years later.  Enjoy!

2 Corinthians 2:16-17   "To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ."
  

Is This Our New Normal?

     Are you like me, and finding it hard to remember what it was like to have days free of worry or concern over the affairs of the world?  When was the last time you remember a day without a headline screaming about a terrorist attack, or the imminent collapse of the economy?  The problem is, those topics used to seem like some obscure or vague threat.  We could pretend that these scenarios were just a vision of some whacked-out conspiracy nut.  Besides, there was plenty of good news to keep our minds focused on a rosy future ... like reports that the jobless rates were falling, the end to our foreign wars, and even our surge in energy independence.
     The space of time between reports of terror attacks, or downturns in the economy, were long enough that we could convince ourselves that they were just blips on the radar.  All the talk of End Times events were just the rants of religious fanatics, right?
     Of course, September 11, 2001 was the moment that we were all shaken out of our comfortable existences.  We began to look outside ourselves and see that the world truly was interconnected ... and beginning to spiral out of control. And I do not find it coincidental that 2001 was the year that PLW and I took a u-turn in the direction of our lives, and decided to trust God to lead us down His path, rather than the one the world prescribed.
     Although I found learning to trust Him to be a frightening period, it was never-the-less, a time of spiritual growth and a moderate, but increasing, period of prosperity.  I guess it was 2008 when I realized that I was in for another period of adjustment and spiritual growth.  I realized that there were forces outside our control that would effect our future --- not only how we lived and existed in the world, but that our spiritual life would also be tested.  I'm sure many of you have experienced the same journey.  Yet, the periods of smooth sailing were still there, and we could hope that the serious troubles were yet years away.
     But it seems, with the advent of 2015, that we have crossed over into the Twilight Zone.  It's like we have passed into some new dimension, from which there is no return.  And the Enemy is renewing his attacks on old fears and attempting to keep us from turning to God.  Even my most skeptical friends --- you know the ones; those who smirked every time I expressed my opinion that this country was still in the crosshairs of the terrorists --- are now admitting that we are vulnerable, in the wake of the Paris attacks.  The hint of "lone wolf" attacks are now being replaced with reports of worldwide "sleeper cells".  We can no longer ignore the warning signs.
     And speaking of vulnerable ... how quickly has our economy become susceptible to collapse?  In just a few short weeks, the price of a barrel of oil has thrown the world's economy into a tailspin, and the booming Texas and North Dakota oil/gas exploration is experiencing a terrifying slide.  In the last few years, this industry sector has single-handedly kept Wall Street afloat.  The downward price of oil was good for the consumer, but the panic over diminishing company profits was felt at the New Year's opening bell on Wall Street.
     Yes, I'm afraid we must face up to it; this is our new normal.  And, yes, it appears to project a dismal and declining future.  If you measure it by the world's standards, I would have to agree with you.  BUT, it is also an opportunity to develop a new normal, a new pattern of living.
     We cannot make the negatives disappear.  I'm afraid they are here to stay.  Our Lord told us we would experience them all -- the wars, the diseases, the famines, the persecution, the earthquakes, men being offended, false prophets, lawlessness, and love grown cold -- and in the Revelation to the Apostle John, we see that they will increase in number and speed and intensity.  I'm pretty sure we're in what He called "the beginning of sorrows."
     But our new normal can transcend these troubles and perils.  We can turn from these disturbing trends and center our lives on seeking the face of God.  I know that sounds trite, and simplistic.  But when we immerse our minds and our hearts on drawing nearer to Him, we are insulated from the events of the world.  All the comforts and so-called security of this world will fade away, but if our life is centered on serving God and others, then our minds cannot be tempted by the lies of the devil.
     Our new normal may look nothing like the contented past we enjoyed, or the future we planned; but it can be richer, and more productive, and even more peaceful when we are not seeking the rewards of this life, but instead focusing on running a good race for the next.  We're in a race now, to make it to the finish line, and I want nothing of the old normal to hold me back.  I will gladly embrace the new if it means conquering my fears and reaching for eternity.

Isaiah 43:19    "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
   
   

Be Careful What You Worship

   

In the wake of the murders in Paris, the world appears to have come together to proclaim their love of liberty, free speech, democracy, and unity.  Media and journalists from around the world have vowed that they will not give way to any attempts to silence their voices.  At the center of the argument for the right of freedom of the press is Charlie Hebdo, the satirical newspaper that, until this past week, was primarily known for its cover.  From what I can tell, it was not hugely successful in France; in fact, most Parisians felt it was distasteful  -- which is a mild word; disgusting is more like it (just google sample covers and you will see why I call them blasphemous) -- and its readership was actually small in comparison to more popular publications like Le Monde.
     But, everyone in Paris recognized Charlie Hebdo's covers because, as an article by Jonathan Scriven in The Spectrum points out, the magazine "satirizes, offends, provokes, shocks, and denigrates .... everyone."  So, because of the attacks on its editorial offices, Charlie Hebdo has become a symbol for liberty and freedom; not only for the French, but the world.  As such, it finds itself with a louder voice and a wider audience.
     The world has now rallied in support of the first Charlie Hebdo cover since the murder of 12 of its staff members.  As CBS News website reports, the cover "shows a weeping Muhammad, holding a sign saying "I am Charlie" with the words "All is forgiven" above him. Zineb El Rhazoui, a journalist with the newspaper, described the cover as meaning that the journalists were forgiving the extremists for the killings."  There is an accompanying two-page spread "claiming that more people turned out [in the public rallies] to back the satirical weekly, "than for Mass."
     While I applaud the new editors of the magazine for defying the efforts of Islamic extremists to frighten them from representing freedom of the press, I think we must make sure that we see the world's new heroes in an accurate light.  I say this, because of the underlying disparagement of religion and faith that may be going unnoticed.  I say this because the lead editorial, in the irreverent manner of the magazine, extolled secularism and doubled down on their goal of ridiculing religion.
     The editors made sure the world understood their position.  The editorial read in part, "For the past week, Charlie, an atheist newspaper, has achieved more miracles than all the saints and prophets combined. The one we are most proud of is that you have in your hands the newspaper that we always made."  Message received.  Even in the midst of such carnage, Charlie Hebdo will refuse to consider the majesty of God.  In fact, they will make themselves "like a god"; feeling themselves worthy of adulation, glorification and praise for what they have accomplished, and for their stand against religion.
      Just make sure you pay close attention to exactly what it is that will be praised and promoted in the coming days.  It is my understanding that the French take great pride in their separation of church and state; in effect, they have developed what might be called "State Secularism".  It is this secularism that Charlie Hebdo advocated and championed.  But have they forgot that they weren't the only victims of last week's horrific slaughter?  There was a religious component to the hate spawned by the Islamists.  It was the Jewish community, and that's an important fact that must not be diminished.
     In our idealism, and in our rush to make this horrendous tragedy about the freedom of expression, doesn't that also include the freedom to express your faith?  We must not ignore that Jews and their faith were a deliberate target of the terrorists.  (In fact, there is some suspicion that the policewoman that was killed before one of the terrorists overran the Jewish supermarket diverted him from his true target:  a nearby Jewish school).  The world also needs to take note of the growing anti-semitism in Europe, and protect the rights of Jews and all faiths, as much as they are willing to protect the freedom of thought and the written word.
     I was saddened to read in The Jerusalem Post, "that the response of some on the radical Left in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo massacre was to attack Jews – once again – and encourage publication of anti-Semitic cartoons, supposedly for “balance.” " So, you see, freedom of religion and religious expression is undeniably under assault.
     When an unabashedly atheistic magazine, such as Charlie Hebdo, freely ridicules all facets of religion, and is raised to nearly Divine status, I can't help but be concerned that their anti-religion agenda is being given too big of a spotlight.  I am not advocating censorship; but neither do I celebrate an anti-God ideology.  So, while I applaud the new leaders of Charlie Hebdo for not bowing to terroristic threats, I want to make sure that we don't lose perspective on the underlying, yet transparent, derision of faith that is receiving so much publicity.  And whether they recognize Him or not, even Charlie Hebdo's staff will one day see Jesus Christ coming with all the angels and all the nations will be gathered before Him.  It will make the crowds that gathered in Paris, on Charlie's behalf this past week, seem like nothing.

Acts 17:29    "Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man."

Giving Thanks

     The topic of this short post might seem inconsequential, but I think it has great ramifications.  So, I want to ask you a series of rather off-the-wall questions.  Does your family enjoy meals together?  I mean do you follow the Leave It To Beaver model and sit down together to a shared meal while you converse over the events of each family member's day?  Or are you all so involved in your separate lives that meals are eaten individually and at odd times and places?
     More importantly, how many of you deliberately and reverentially give thanks before every meal?  I mean, do you take the time to gather your family together and honor God for providing the food that sustains you, and thanking Him for offering His beloved Son as a sacrifice for your sins?  And do you do it every day, or just on special holidays like Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving? On the other hand, do you refrain from saying Grace before a meal if you are out in public; or do you bow your head, indifferent as to how it is perceived by others?

"Saying Grace" by Norman Rockwell (1951)

     I ask this because I am happy to say that I am seeing an increase in this tradition; not only among my family and friends, but among strangers in public.  Where once people were reticent to make a show of their faith, I am now witnessing more spontaneous and confident demonstrations of their gratefulness to a faithful God.  I'm not talking about pretentious or conspicuous displays of religiosity, but rather quiet and private expressions of gratitude for blessings encountered.
     Additionally, where once one might have been eyed with cynicism or contempt for praying before dining; I am now seeing a respectful reception of the practice.  And I am thankful for small blessings.   Even in the midst of the ugliness the world has to offer, people can still recognize our obeisance to our Lord.
     In fact, I ran across a small notice on some obscure website about a restaurant in Winston-Salem, North Carolina that offers a surprising deal: if patrons pray before their meal, they receive 15 percent off their bill.  As the owner of the restaurant explained, "For me, every plate of food is a gift. And I never take that for granted; so when I see someone in a restaurant honoring their gratefulness at my table...it touches my heart."  Guess what?  It touches God's heart, too.
      I don't want to dwell overly long on the subject, but I'm kind of fascinated as to 1) why it seems to be important to show that we are not ashamed of our faith, and 2) what message it gives those who are not Believers.  Perhaps among those of us of faith, it is one small thing we can do that shows our allegiance to our Savior.  In some small way it is taking a stand against the culture and its efforts to remove God from the foundations of our lives and the nation.  It is a uniquely personal way to show the world that you are grateful.  And it says, "I am a follower of Christ, and I put Him first before my own needs."
     And maybe to the spectator, it exhibits that "something special" that we possess; that quality that they can't quite figure out.  If nothing else, it shows the confidence we have in openly sharing our faith and our thankfulness.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if our simple act of giving thanks could create a curiosity and a desire for what we have?
     There's no heavy message in today's post, and no great call to action.  I just want you to consider how often we are blessed each day in this country, and think about how often you express gratitude for those blessings. The next time you sit down to enjoy a meal, whether as a family, or by yourself,  think of how fortunate you are to have food to eat, and how many people around the world would love even a portion of what has been set before you.  Don't take it for granted and take the time to offer a simple prayer of thanks to Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord Who Provides.  I promise you nothing will ever taste sweeter.

Acts 27:35    "And when He had said these things, He took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all He broke it and began to eat."

Critical Crossroad

     It seems to me that mankind is at a turning point.  Among the latest news coming out of France is the statement that Islamic jihadist "sleeper cells" have been activated in the country.  Police have been asked to avoid internet communication and to keep their weapons close at all times.  Along with these alerts, we are hearing from international experts that the tide of violence we have seen in France will soon be promulgated worldwide.

World leaders head the march in Paris

     Frankly, those of us who know our Bibles have been wondering when the world would come to this conclusion.  The signs have been there for so long.  Don't misunderstand me; I am thankful that the political correctness seems to have abated (at least for the moment) and that people in positions of power are willing to tell the truth.  At least, there seems to be no hesitation in mentioning the word "terrorism", or laying the responsibility directly at the feet of radical Islam.
     It has been somewhat encouraging to see Muslims begin to speak out against the monstrous acts of barbarians who claim to represent the faith of Islam.  I applaud the leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas -- both designated terrorist groups by the U.S. State Department -- for condemning the actions of the Paris, France murderers.  Other Muslim religious leaders have also called the killings over the last few days a "heinous crime", and "reprehensible and ugly and violent and inhuman and brutal practices … [which] have insulted the messenger of Allah and the religion of Allah and the prophets and the book of Allah and the nation of the Muslims more than his enemies insulted him."
      It was heartwarming to see an estimated 1 million-plus people in the streets of Paris, marching arm-in-arm, in solidarity against terrorism.  The leaders of Western nations, along with Muslim countries, and the Prime Minister of Israel, led the march through the streets of Paris.  Conspicuously absent was any important representative of the United States, and I suspect that will make headlines for days or weeks to come.
     But it was the common man who made the largest statement by their presence.  As reported by Reuters, "Some commentators said the last street presence in the capital on this scale was at the Liberation of Paris from Nazi Germany in 1944."  It is eerie to consider that this connection was made, considering that one of the attacks was directed at a Jewish Kosher market in the heart of Paris, and resulted in four dead, and four critically wounded.
     Yes, it is good to see righteous anger against the ruthless killings, and an apparent awakening to the threat of a radical ideology that has declared war on the world.  But is it too little, too late?  And can the tide of mayhem really be stopped?  Already, there are other marches in Europe, conducted in the same of open societies and tolerance.  And, once again, if you believe in what the Bible tells us, we know that an unholy hell is going to be unleashed against the Jewish people, and those who are followers of Jesus.  The threats are there; out in the open, for all to see.  Anti-semitism is on the rise in Europe.  A war has been declared against us "infidels", and -- I don't mean to sound cynical -- but one million people marching in the street will not change the course this world is set on.

Millions rally in Paris against terrorism

     We are at a critical crossroad!  The world has come together to voice their weariness and opposition to the brutality against their fellow man.  But that is not enough!  Can there be further agreement that we need to renew our covenant with the God of the Universe?  Unless the peoples of the world recognize that the only way out of the debacle before us is to recognize Yahweh and fall to our knees and ask His forgiveness, then I'm afraid that the show of solidarity, all the good speeches, the declaration of war against terrorism, and the tolerance amongst religions and governments will not stop the speeding train that is edging the world towards annihilation.  You see, while all those solutions are good, they are temporary.  That is putting our trust in man to solve our sinful nature.
     But, can you imagine millions of people in all the streets of the world, marching and praising God, and asking for deliverance from this Evil that is threatening us all?  Which march is more likely to actually have an impact on the schemes of the Enemy?  Only God can interrupt the eventual conflagration, and grant us a delay in what will surely be increasing episodes of violence, terror, and suffering.
     All of mankind is at a point where a crucial decision must be made that will have far-reaching consequences for the inhabitants of earth.  We can fall to our knees and change our direction, or we can continue to stiffen our necks and follow the same path.  Prayer is our guide to making the right decision and avoiding more destruction and death.  Now is the time to get in step with God!

2 Chronicles 15:4    "But in their distress they turned to the LORD God of Israel, and they sought Him, and He let them find Him."


   
   

Proverbs 18:10

The name of the Lord is a strong tower.

The righteous runs to it and is safe.

    I am sure that I have noted this Scripture in the past, but I think it warrants repeating at this time.  Christians around the world are experiencing a wide arrange of emotions ... anxiety, outright fear, and overt persecution.  Yet the Apostle Paul tells us that "God has not given us a spirit of fear".  And King Solomon wrote this Proverb to give us wisdom during times such as this; to give us the ability to live a godly life in an ungodly world.

     So how does this wise Scripture instruct us?  First of all, it tells us that the name of the Lord is all that we need.  It is sufficient for our needs.  And He has many names that we know Him by ... LORD (Yahweh, or Jehovah); Adonai (Master); El Roi (The God Who Sees); Jehovah-Rapha (The LORD Who Heals); El Olam (The Everlasting God); Jehovah Jireh (The LORD Will Provide) ... and many more. 

      But what is important is the image Solomon gives us of that Name ... a strong tower.  What a great mental picture!  We can take rest in this tower when we are worn out from the trials of life.  It is a sanctuary when Evil pursues us; where we can be "lifted up" or drawn closer to God.  His Name becomes a fortress against our enemies.  There is enough for us in this tower, and in who we have discovered God to be through all that He has shown us -- both individually, and as the whole Body of Christ -- to provide for us at all times, especially these difficult ones.  

      There is wealth laid up in this tower for us; riches of God's Grace and Mercy and Love -- enough to sustain us for a single moment of tribulation, or for a lifetime.  And this tower is STRONG; constructed with all the attributes of God, as well as His covenant with us, and His promise of Salvation through faith in His Son.  This tower -- a safe refuge for all God's people -- is impenetrable, unconquerable, and unable to be captured or broken into.  

      But it is only a strong tower if we know how to make use of it.  We must be righteous through our faith and our prayer; through our example and devotion to God; and to our total dependence on Him. And we must run into it, for the same reason God established the ancient cities of refuge for those who committed unintentional deaths.  A murderer could flee to this city for refuge from the avenger—the family member charged with avenging the victim’s death (Numbers 35:19)—until the case could go to trial. The congregation would judge to find if the attacker acted unintentionally. If he did, he would return to the city of refuge and live there safely until the death of the high priest who was in office at the time of the trial, at which point he could return to his property. If the attacker left the city of refuge before the death of the high priest, however, the avenger would have the right to kill him.

     These cities of refuge are symbolic of Christ, our High Priest, in whom sinners find a refuge from the destroyer of our souls.  In turn, the tower is representative of our Redeemer, as well.  As long as we remain righteous, abide in Him, and He indwells us, we are safe.  This picture of refuge should give us great comfort.  We should be able to steady our minds from fear; to live above the attacks of this world and the Enemy.  Picture yourself safe inside this tower from the storms raging outside.  It is a warm, and inviting haven; replete with all the sustenance we need for our souls.  I picture "a table prepared for me in the midst of my enemies", and the soft glow of my Savior's presence. So, picture your own strong tower, and wrap yourselves in the only security that will protect you in the day of trouble.  Put your trust in Him, and you will be safe! 

The Hope Is There If You Look For It

     It is getting difficult to write about anything that doesn't pertain to my hope in Christ.  The accumulation of wealth, or status, or social benefits that we in the West so desire, will amount to nothing in the end.  Only our faith can provide protection from this hostile world, and events are certainly showing us that Evil is launching an offensive against those who dare to stand up to it.  Whether it is people who espouse the principle of free expression; or followers of Jesus Christ who dare to proclaim their faith, we must all face the fact that darkness is upon us.

     The recent attacks in France and the persecution of Christians across the Middle East and Africa are enough to make us all uneasy.  An organization called Open Doors, reports that each month, there are 322 Christians killed for their faith, 214 Christian churches and properties are destroyed, and 772 forms of violence are committed against Christians (including beatings, abductions, rapes, arrests, and forced marriages).  Just because they occur in far-off places like India, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Syria, or Nigeria does not mean we can dismiss them.  If one part of the Body of Christ is suffering, then the whole body is affected.
     And, yes, it is both frightening and depressing to dwell on these statistics.  It may seem as if God is distant and no longer making His presence known to His children.  But if we pay attention, He is there in the smallest of details, and in the seemingly insignificant moments.  This happened to me, just in the last 24 hours.  Last evening, PLW and I decided to watch a movie; something to take our focus off ourselves.  We decided on The Good Lie, a movie that intrigued us because of its story about some Lost Boys from Sudan, who were relocated to America.  If you are unfamiliar with who these boys are, the official description of them is "the groups of over 20,000 boys of the Nuer and Dinka ethnic groups who were displaced and/or orphaned during the Second Sudanese Civil War (1983–2005); about 2.5 million were killed and millions were displaced."
     The movie showed not only the horrific marches these children made across a thousand miles of Sudanese deserts to reach, first Ethiopia (but the soldiers were there) and then the refugee camps in Kenya, only to survive amid abysmal conditions.  The movie also touched on the reality that many were forced to become child soldiers and take part in the genocide of their own countrymen.  You're probably asking, "So, where is the hope in this tragedy?"
     The first surprise and hint of promise came in the names of the primary characters.  The characters are fictional, but their names have meaning.  Theo and his brother Mamere, were accompanied by Daniel, Jeremiah, Paul, and their "sister", Abital.  Mind you, they were not all related, but they became a family through the shared experience of their flight from genocide, the thirteen years of near hopeless existence in the refugee camps, and their ultimate relocation to America.
      Several of the actors in the movie had been former Sudanese refugees; some having been forcibly recruited as child soldiers; this lent credibility and emotion to the movie.  But I was most moved by the characters' knowledge of the Bible and their familiarity with Scripture.  There is even a scene where they are shown struggling during the hundreds of miles they walked to reach the refugee camp; with one of the children clutching what looks like a Gideon Bible.  Their understanding and comprehension of the Scripture they quoted made my heart sing!  Mind you, these were children who had lived in primitive villages, were cattle herders with no modern conveniences; yet, they had heard God's Word and it had pierced their hearts.
      I was intrigued by the fact that three of the "brothers" were named after three of God's mightiest prophets, and this actually brought tears to my eyes.  The story of their love for each other, and the sister they become separated from in America, is at the heart of the movie.  And so is their simple, child-like faith and obedience to the life God has called them to.
     I received an extra bonus this morning during my time of Bible study.  As I studied the early years of King David, I noted the names of his sons, born to his various wives.  The name of the wife who bore him his fifth son, was Abital, the same name given to the sister in the movie, and just one more connection to God from this inspirational film.
      I know it may seem "worldly" to put so much emphasis on a movie, but God speaks into this earthly realm in a variety of ways to remind us that He is around us, and in us, and with us. The plight of the Lost Boys of Sudan was real, and so is the faith that has carried so many Christians in that part of the world.  Unfortunately, Open Doors reports on their website that "the year 2014 will go down in history for having the highest level of global persecution of Christians in the modern era ... and current conditions suggest the worst is yet to come.  Africa saw the most rapid growth of persecution, while the Middle East saw targeted attacks, resulting in a mass exodus of Christians."
       But we must cling to the hope that comes to us in the news that 13 kidnapped Coptic Christians were released in Libya this week, and that between 30-40% of recent Indian converts to Christianity have signed their names to a petition to re-affirm their decision for Christ, and to seek police protection from intimidation by fundamentalist Hindu groups.  While Boko Haram increases their assaults on Christian villages in Nigeria, the faithful in that ravaged country refuse to deny their Savior.  These are very real examples of God fortifying the faith of the Body of Christ.  Their example should fortify us and give us hope; that when it comes our turn, we will be able to stand as courageously and faithfully as our Christian brethren.  Pray earnestly for them and praise God for the gifts of His presence in our lives!

Psalm 27:3    "Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident."

Psalm 82: Why All the Foundations Of The World Are Unstable

     I am writing this post today because I have received more and more comments from readers expressing that family members, or close friends, continue to remain blind to the Truth and simply refuse to see the deception being perpetrated upon the world.  Why do some people seem to see the signs and the reality of this world so clearly, while others (often living in the same house, or raised in the same environment) can't -- or refuse -- to see a darn thing?  I think I can explain why.

     For some time now, I have been wanting to bring this concept to you.  It will most likely be viewed as radical, but I feel it must be examined as we approach what I am convinced are the End Times, spoken of in the Bible.  I think a possible answer to the question could lie in Psalm 82 and its verifying Scripture.  Actually, my wise and perceptive husband deserves all the credit for bringing this topic to you.  He received this insight first, and then, together, we have examined the Bible, being good "Bereans"; namely, we approached Psalm 82 with an open mind and were amazed as we willingly received the Word of God from the Holy Spirit.  Then we checked out what was revealed by comparing it with the Scriptures.  And we are seeing something that we have never seen before.  So here goes ....
     Psalm 82 is eight short verses, but it is packed with a powerful image of our relationship with our Creator, and just who we are in His sight.  It also, upon deep reflection and study, explains our role here on earth.  Let's read it:

God stands in the congregation of the mighty;

He judges among the gods.

2 How long will you judge unjustly,

And show partiality to the wicked?

3 Defend the poor and fatherless;

Do justice to the afflicted and needy.

4 Deliver the poor and needy;

Free them from the hand of the wicked.

5 They do not know, nor do they understand;

They walk about in darkness;

All the foundations of the earth are unstable.

6 I said, “You are gods,

And all of you are children of the Most High.

7 But you shall die like men,

And fall like one of the princes.”

8 Arise, O God, judge the earth;

For You shall inherit all nations.

     I'm going to give you a short synopsis of my understanding of this important Psalm, and then ask you to consider the Scripture that supports my discernment.  Yahweh, the God of Israel, is standing in the midst of a congregation -- a group, or council -- in heaven.  It says that He is judging among the gods.  Notice that Scripture refers to little "g" gods.  Who are these gods? Most interpreters surmise that God is talking to a group of humans in heaven; humans who have showed partiality to the wicked, failed to defend the poor and fatherless, were unsuccessful in dispensing justice to the afflicted and needy, and did not deliver the poor and needy from their circumstances, nor freed them from the hand of the wicked.  

     I think we can all agree that the answer lies in determining who the little "g" gods are.  The Hebrew word for "gods" is Elohim, and it can refer to five different entities, other than Yahweh, the God of Israel: 

1)  The Elohim (or "gods") of Yahweh's heavenly council, as here in Psalm 82; both loyal and disloyal (including angels and fallen angels);  

2)  The gods of foreign nations (pagan gods);  

3)  Demons (They sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they did not know, to new gods, new arrivals that your fathers did not fear -- Deuteronomy 32:17);  

4)  The disembodied human dead (The king said to her, Be not afraid; what do you see? The woman said to Saul, I see a god [terrifying superhuman being] coming up out of the earth! -- 1 Samuel 28:13);  

5)  Angels 

     As you will notice, each of these interpretations of "Elohim" or "gods" all have one thing in common -- they all inhabit the non-human realm, or sphere.  None of them appear in a fully human body; they are not "human beings".  In other words, they can all be described as "spirit beings".  They all live in a spiritual world and do not inhabit the earth.  The domain, or home, of human beings is completely separate from that of spirit beings.  Can we agree on that?

     If these "gods" are in the presence of Yahweh's Divine Council, as verse one tells us they are, then they must logically be "Divine beings" or "spirit beings", since the domain of human beings is on earth.  And God gives us another clue as to their identity and nature in verses six and seven.  He says "you are gods, and all of you are children of the Most High".  So, here comes the heart of my discussion, and why I think I can explain the reason some people see clearly, and others do not ... 

     If "gods" cannot be human beings, but are spirit beings; and these particular spirit beings are the children of the Most High, can you conceive that God knew us as spirit beings, before we became human beings?  In Psalm 82, Yahweh is standing in the Council in Heaven, among the "gods" (spirit beings) and announces that they are His sons (children of the Most High; verse 6).  But because of their corruption -- He knows which ones will "show partiality to the wicked", or who will "Defend the Poor and Fatherless", etc. (verses 2-5) -- He tells these "gods", or spirit beings that they will lose their immortality and will "die like men" (verse 7) ... in other words in a human, fleshly, host body.  

     Doesn't this make sense when you consider that God tells Jeremiah (in Chapter 1, verse 5), "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."  Might Jeremiah have been a spirit being in Heaven, and God knew him in Heaven and called him (or elected him) to be a prophet? 

     Could this explain why we intuitively say we are "going home" when we die?  And could this interpretation give a fuller understanding of Paul's statement in Romans 8:29:  For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.  Kind of gives new meaning to "The Elect" doesn't it?  

     God knows who will choose Him because He knew us in Heaven!  And because He is All-Knowing, He foresaw which human beings would, of their own choice, obey Him and His Son; that they would be Saved by receiving the invitation of the Gospel because they had obeyed and chosen His Son when they were spirit beings in Heaven.
     He also knows who chose to side with Lucifer, and who sided with the Archangel Michael.  And He knows who remained undecided and must make their decision of their own free will, while in this host body.  That's why we are called to preach the Gospel!  Those of us who decided in Heaven are called to present the Word of God to the undecided here on earth, so that they might escape the temptations of Lucifer and his minions.  This would explain why there are those of us who see world events so clearly, those who remain confused, and those who have obviously chosen to follow evil.
     Our fellow human beings who remain undecided about their salvation, are the "gods" spoken of in verse 5 ... They do not know, nor do they understand; They walk about in darkness.  And that indecision means "All the foundations of the world are unstable."
      As I continue to study my Bible, I am amazed at how many familiar stories take on a bigger meaning, if we consider the possibility that God knew us as spirit beings in Heaven.  The Book of Romans is one of the most celebrated treatises on our Christian doctrine.  There is so much of this Scripture that I have read and struggled to understand.  If the concept I have presented regarding Psalm 82 has some plausibility, then perhaps it can explain some of the reasoning behind Paul's discourse.
     In Chapter 9, (and in full debate mode), Paul asks if there might be some injustice in how God treats people.  In other words, it's natural to ask, "Isn't it unfair for God to choose one person and reject another?"  Paul's answer is an emphatic "NO!"  Take this for example .... how was it that Isaac was chosen over Ishmael?  Jacob over Esau?  Yes, we are not to question God's choices; As He tells Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and compassion upon whom I will have compassion."
     But what if God foreknew these men as spirit beings in Heaven, and their purpose on this earth was designed by God while they were still in Heaven?  Could it be that God chose Isaac because Isaac had already chosen God when he was a spirit being in Heaven, while Ishmael did not?  Likewise, Jacob chose God, and Esau did not ... so God did not choose him here on earth.  In essence, their purpose here on earth had already been established in Heaven.
    And in my favorite Chapter of the entire Bible (Romans Chapter 11), the apostle Paul adamantly proclaims that, "God has not rejected and disowned His people (the Jews), whose destiny He had marked out and appointed and foreknown from the beginning."  If one's destiny is "marked out", "Appointed", and "Foreknown from the beginning", can you see that God would know who would glorify Him from the beginning of time, and would separate out those beings and appoint them for a special purpose here on earth?
     I do not claim that this theory is above reproach or question.  There will be people who suggest that it is an extenuation of "Mormon doctrine", but I am unfamiliar with the theology of the Church of Latter Day Saints, and I do not give the writings of Brigham Young the same credibility as God's Holy Word.  Others will say that Yahweh is asking these beings "how long will they judge unjustly", seeming to point to the human Israelite judges throughout the Ages.  But to me, it seems clear that God is speaking to a council of divine beings in Heaven, who have been given some kind of authority to interact with the disinherited nations of the earth.  I can find no text in the Old Testament that gives the human judges of Israel that authority.  They are only authorized to judge Israel, and Israel only.
     I would simply say that I find the idea of God's foreknowledge of man as a "spirit being" to be a plausible explanation for many questions I have had about man's free will to choose salvation, or not.  I cannot explain Psalm 82 in any other way.  2 Timothy 1:9 finds the apostle Paul stating that he is not ashamed of the Gospel message, and understands that we must all suffer "according to the power of God, who has saved us and divinely summoned us in the sphere of a holy summons, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began".  (Greek translation).
     I do not expect everyone to agree with my interpretation, and fully expect that the idea will be rejected on its own basis, regardless of what Scripture might suggest.  I simply choose to allow the Bible to say what it says.  There is nothing in my interpretation that subverts the Gospel message or denies the Sovereignty of God.  I would ask that you reread this post to discern what I am really saying, and not react from your first impression.  And, in the end, I think we can all agree with what the final verse has to tell us.
     In verse 8, the identity of the "big g" God is clearly the Messiah, who will return to judge the earth, and will inherit the children of the Most High; all the nations who have accepted Yeshua as their Lord and Savior.  It is our responsibility, if we call ourselves His children, to try to bring as many into His kingdom as we can, and keep them from being disinherited.  This is the most important verse in all of Psalm 82.  Whether we can agree on the identity of the "gods" as "spirit beings", is far less important than agreeing on the return of Jesus, as the Son of God, who will judge all mankind.  It is important to know to whom you have given your allegiance to, and who you will obey.  I know that my God knows me .... every hair on my head; every thought I've ever had; every decision I will make in the future.  He made me, and delights in me, because I have chosen to put my trust and faith in His Son.  That is a comfort that will sustain me in this life and the next.

For those who wish to explore Psalm 82 in further detail, I would suggest this article by Dr. Michael S. Heiser, a noted scholar of Hebrew and Semitic Studies.  Among his many accomplishments, he wrote his PhD dissertation on “The Divine Council in Late Canonical and Non-Canonical Second Temple Jewish Literature.”

1 Thessalonians 1:4-5    "For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that He has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction;"

The Canary in the Coal Mine

     The history of Europe has been long and storied.  It includes classic antiquity and the influence of ancient Greece and ancient Rome.  During the Middle Ages, the Eastern Roman Empire spawned the Byzantine Empire, while the Western portion of Roman lands would emerge as their own kingdoms in the form of nations such as France, Germany, and the British Isles. 

     As history progressed through the Viking Age and what historians call the High Middle Ages, you can see the emergence of nations like Poland, Hungary, and Croatia; along with the rise and fall of the Mongol and Ottoman Empires.  The Renaissance saw unprecedented growth in science, theology, religious wars, and political revolutions.  One can see the changing landscape of national boundaries through the era of "World Wars" in the 20th century, as well as the rise, fall, and resurrection of the economic/political system called communism.  (You can see a fascinating recreation of 6013 years of changing European boundaries in this 3-minute video).  Currently Europe is attempting to remain united under a faltering compact called the European Union.  But there are cracks in the cement of this coalition.  

Supporters of the newspaper staff who were murdered in Paris.
Sign reads "I am Charlie".

     Two primary fractures are apparent in the form of anti-semitism and radical Islam.  Just yesterday, the world witnessed the outrageous murder of a French newspaper's staff because they dared to ridicule a religion, which claims to be one of peace.  For the editor, Stephane Charbonnier (of the satirical newspaper, Charlie Hebdo), who had been threatened before about cartoons critical of the faith, it was a question of free speech.  Even though his name was among those on an al-Queda "hit list", he remained adamant to the end, declaring "I prefer to die standing than to live on my knees."

     France is not the only European nation to find itself engulfed in a battle for a free civilization.  The growing Muslim populations in European countries have led to a rising conflict between cultures and vocal protests against the increasingly radicalized Islamic citizens in Sweden, Denmark, Greece, and now Germany.  Ultra-Nationalism is becoming a greater influence, which has resulted in the rise of nazism and the ugly threat of anti-semitism.

     Only 70 years since the most horrific murder of 6,000,000 Jews in the Holocaust, the world once again is seeing the evidence of prejudice and persecution of Jews in Europe.  But this time, the hatred of Jews is not only coming from ultra-nationalist factions in the political arena, but from the growing Muslim population in Europe.  That's what makes this new antisemitism even more dangerous, if that were possible.  

     Since the year 2000, there has been a steady increase of physical assaults against Jews including beatings, stabbings and other violence.  Pro-Palestinian rallies across Europe have resulted in shouts of "Death to the Jews" and "Gas the Jews", as well as graffiti expressing similar threats.  People have been killed at the Jewish Museum in Brussels, Belgium; and Jewish businesses and synagogues in Paris, Italy, and Germany have been destroyed.  The truth is that Jews are not feeling safe in Europe, and while these circumstances may eerily resemble the climate of Europe before Hitler's "Final Solution"; in reality, it is much worse.  The Jews find themselves a target of the confluence of political rhetoric, socialist ideology, and religious fanaticism.  And it is all fueled by the immediacy and emotional impact of social media. 

     But, if you are a Bible-believing follower of Jesus Christ, you should not be surprised or caught unawares of this firestorm.  We see the world's rising hatred against God's chosen people, and we know why.  We see the increasing forces of evil coming against civilized man, and we know why.  We see the wars, and rumors of wars; we see the battle over the holy city of Jerusalem; we see the earthquake swarms (11 in Texas in the last 24 hours!), weather anomalies, martyred Christians, diseases and plagues .... and we know why.

      And in the midst of it all, we see what Jesus called "the multiplied lawlessness and iniquity".  But what are we to do?  It's simple.  We endure and we preach the Gospel.  The rest is up to God; and believe me, He will take care of it.  He says He will.  Until then, we have been given the warnings and we should not be unprepared for what is coming. 

      You know, I find myself not so much fearing those final days of spiritual trouble, as much as I feel apprehensive about the "worldly" issues -- the uncertainties of income, the wondering when the economic collapse is coming, or how to deal with rising prices and lack of resources.  I know the ways of this world are temporary and meaningless; and I want nothing more than to be out of this worldly system.  At the same time, I strive to count it all joy, and willingly suffer as Christ did.  I know my spiritual strength and that God abides in me; I know my eternal life is secure.  

     But I worry about friends and family, and how this coming storm will effect them.  Most of all, I am concerned for my Jewish friend, Ophir, who lives in the heart of Jerusalem.  She is a believer in Jesus as the Messiah, and is a single mother with four small children, all under the age of nine.  The oldest, beautiful Liya, has Down's syndrome, and her youngest son is only 18 months old.  I pray for their safety and that it will not be wintertime when they are forced to flee Jerusalem.

     So, I see clearly what is on the horizon.  It cannot be avoided as we look at the headlines coming out of Europe.  It is ugly, and it is a warning of the tribulation to come.  But, as it is written in Scripture: ... "When you see these signs, all taken together, coming to pass, you may know of a surety that He is near, at the very doors."  As disturbing as the signs are, they are both a warning of the evil to come, and a beacon of hope for our deliverance from this wicked world.  Maranatha!  

Revelation 22:20    "He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!"