July 13 & then 27th, 2010 ~ Okay, a good friend wrote section a good 2 months ago (but I was unable to update at the time) So let me include this, and then I’m going to jump from subject to subject ~ grab some tea & let’s have a nice chat!
It is very clear that the U.S. is turning against Israel. The reception Bibi received
on his previous visit to the U.S. the last time was unprecedented. No foreign dignitary,
especially a country that has been a friend, has EVER been treated so rudely. We
have a narcissist for a president. Talk about putting the perfect man in office for
these final days!!! Also the subject of Jerusalem is in the news more and more these
days… Turkey is definitely leaning towards joining the muslims rather than the EU. That's
a big sign. I saw an article where Israel refused to sell weapons to Turkey. The
muslims are really trying hard to get Israel to go nuclear free...they never even
talked about Israel's nukes before. They are probably saying that because of Iran.
What a great way for them to include Israel too. Hezbollah just received better missiles
smuggled in from Syria. They can now reach all of Israel including air bases.
That's
all I can think of now. It’s major things and minor things. Put them all together
and we can see there's a desperate frenzy to have peace in the Middle East. I mean
REALLY desperate. They have failed in the past and they aren't going to let that
slip through their fingers again. //{end of email from good friend & watcher, Brenda
…. :) and I’m in total agreement, of course!
“Global currency” is being spouted by the current administration….. “they’ve been saying that for years” says my best friend. WRONG-O!!!! 2 Peter 2:3-4 It is a huge mega step to the one world government that will be in session during the Tribulation. Remember the AntiChrist (accompanied by his many followers & cohorts) will take over everything ~ religious & politically, everything ~ down to your last dime….. Well, for the ones who will be left here (most of the world) and things will eventually get to where people just toss their money in the street like it’s trash (re: Ez 7) because they will not so much as be able to buy a stick of gum without having “the mark”. And as the Bible warns, promises & threatens: do not take the mark for ANYTHING!!! Because it will cost you your forever soul…..
MORE WAYS TO SIN: I’m not even going to incl. the websites, but it’s simply a new wave, a new rush via the devil – for young people (or any age) to experiment “getting high” over the computer, without even using real drugs!! And it’s downright scary!! IMO, it is simply INVITING demons into a person’s very soul. Sure seems like this just has to the cap for the world being at the “fullness” of sin!
Couple the perilous times we ARE in, and then think the days will continue to get worse & worse & worse…. And finally once the rapture happens, and the wise virgins wearing white garments are gone into “hiding” in heaven, and with that the Restraining influence of the Holy Spirit ~ WOE to those left here!!!! Things will very quickly go from bad to far, far, far worse!!!!
I was saddened upon the news of David Meyer (Last Trumpet Ministries) dying; surely only the Lord knows when it is our time ~ for any of us. I do pray for his family. Interestingly enough, while I used to refer to his site from time to time, just about a month before his death, I listened to one of his sermons & he thought we were ALREADY IN the tribulation, and that the SECOND COMING was at hand. Boy, do we differ on that’n! While it IS bad now…. yet people who think like that cannot even fathom how bad the Tribulation is going to be for the left-behind world. But the good news: it is not for the ones who are abiding in THE Vine, who have their robes washed & are ready to go. And boy, although that number will be so very few, but even so, may we be watching and praying always to be accounted worthy to escape these things (that are to come upon the whole world) and to stand before the Son of man!!
So anyway, hang on with me as we go thru’ many observations and cover a hodge-podge of material:
Okay, so some ministries like to constantly pound on how women are to submit to their husbands. (actually on that, we agree – the Bible does say that women are to submit to their husbands; not to ALL men, but ONLY to their ONE husband) however, however, however ~ and this is where we go our separate ways on agreement: this does not mean that men are to “lord it over their wives” ~ to be DICTATORS, or to be arrogant and overbearing. Nor does it mean that men (husbands) are to make ALL the decisions about everything all the time!
I’ll never in my life forget “Wally’s wife” ~ in a small, rural church out in the middle of the country when we were traveling through a good handful of years ago. I sat in the balcony while my husband was involved in the music production. I was up there by myself till “Wally” and his wife walked in. She went over to the side area to find a seat, however, he being “Mr. beat myself on the chest & show you whose boss around here!” ~ SNAPPED HIS FINGERS AT HER and motioned for her to come sit where HE wanted to sit!!!! Goodnight!! In his self-glorified *MCP* status, “Wally” would not even “allow his wife” to decide where to sit in church! And even should he think that he needed to direct something so remotely tiny in their relationship ~ wouldn’t he have gotten a far better response & far more respect if he would have softly said something like: “Honey, don’t you think we’d have a better view if we sat here in the middle?”~ rather than snapping his fingers AT her & ordering her to do something!!??
Like a hound dog, obeying its master, she came & sat where he ordered. After the service, when I was making my way out the door, he introduced himself & then his wife – she didn’t even have the courage to look me in the eyes…. Her eyes immediately hit the floor & stayed there… pathetic thing! With his macho, arrogant demanding ways, he had drained the life right out of her. Classic case of abuse – yes ABUSE!!!! Emotional abuse, as I can only hope that no physical abuse was going on as well… though it wouldn’t surprise me. But emotional, downtrodden abuse is still abuse just the same!!
Women are not to be treated like rag dolls…. Like hound dogs, like possessions!!! Men, esp. ones who are hyper-religious can sometimes get hung up on that one Scripture about how wives are to submit to their husbands, while neglecting the rest of Scripture, then they go overboard with it. Let’s too recall the rest of that same Scripture: “as Christ LOVED the Church and GAVE HIMSELF for her”. Loving her means loving her!! Not dominating her. Not ordering her around, snapping your fingers at her in church (or anywhere else for that matter); not treating her like a kid…. Or a dog. {and being a true-blue dog lover, I mean this particular instance in the same manner in which the Bible uses it…. I don’t mean a physical loving pooch….} Husbands, it does mean allowing your wife to be who she is, to make choices, ~ if she is truly the Lord’s child, she will WANT to obey the Word in lifestyle, manner, and dress.
I’m pretty sure even the best of truly godly preachers/counselors would advise that there are certain instances when it’s OKAY to divorce. And abuse is certainly one of those times. If flat out broke, there are always women’s shelters till one can get on her feet. NO! I am NOT saying that divorce should be initiated just because they had a squabble! I’m simply saying if this kind of treatment is consistent and ongoing and “Mr. tough, macho husband” treats her worse than a dog... Even when he thinks he has the *biblical right* to.
Again, women are expected to think for themselves and to make decisions!! The Proverbs 31 woman ~ a very godly woman, made countless decisions!! And for you KJV-onlyists, here it is: Prov 31: 16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: Note it does not say: she ran home to her husband, and begged, pleaded, and cajoled him into buying it!! And waited for HIM to decide….No, no, NO!! SHE considered buying it; SHE bought it; and then planted a vineyard in it… as the Proverb describes her, she is everything BUT lazy!! And please also note that her husband PRAISES her!! her husband also, and he praiseth her. He LAVISHLY praises her!! Telling her that she is the best among women. It’s all about her building him up & him building her up…. Not all give or all take on either end. No one berating the other; no one being overbearing or bossing the other around. Note I did not say equal callings, as we have different roles, but that does not make the woman’s role less important!! For instance, women preachers: it was decided some 2,000 years ago that women are not to be preachers! {that’s in the Bible!} But again this does not mean that the roles that the Lord intended for us are any less important — just different.
I would think ANY man who truly loved his wife would want to see her happy, would lavishly praise her, would not “lord it over” her, but would be a true living example, pattern and model of Christian living! This means being gentle with her; being a TRUE gentle-man; and allowing your wife to be who she was meant to be….don’t go snapping your fingers at her and telling her where she may sit in church! Do not treat her like your possession. She is NOT!
Yes, submitting still has its time & place even in the year, 2010, however, it can only go so far…. For instance, not submitting to something that contradicts God’s laws. And no, wife does not have to run to husband for direction or “permission” on every little thing either. Being the leader does not ever give him the right to take away her personality, or to dominate her choices for living. Again, the Prov. 31 woman honors her husband with love & respect in how she chooses to live her life, however she does not run to him to beg, to plead, or to grovel about buying the property. She simply makes wise, God-directed decisions. And ladies if you cannot do that, or husbands, if you do not “allow” your wife to do this, then it’ll be a sad day for her – if you turn out to be like our once church acquaintance, who was a hyper religious fool – and remains in prison to this day (he was molesting his daughter) while on the outside appearance made it look like he was a super religious person, one with all answers, one who was super hung up on doing it “my” way which in his mind, was the only right way…. Soon after he was hauled off to jail, his wife did not know how to even write a check; or how to shop for detergent. It seemed “Mr. Tyrant” hyper-religious man was used to making ALL the decisions in that household!......
Okay, so wow…. And sigh…. Now…on to other subjects: I full well realize that most of my friends & email buds believe in OSAS ~ which is true as long as we CONTINUE to abide in The Vine. Just be aware, even if you choose to believe OSAS *regardless* ~ just be aware that there are several pitfalls along the way!
satan is a black belt in spiritual karate and judo. He doesn’t mind which side of the horse you fall off, as long as you fall. The adversary of our souls ~ satan doesn’t care whether you are a legalist or licentious, trusting in your own *good* morality or purposely throwing yourself into immorality. About legalism or licentious living: Neither is the gospel. The gospel teaches us to set our minds on Christ, to live as citizens of heaven, to live godly lives as we wait for Christ’s coming. Keep that armor on, dear ones! The helmet of salvation (protects our minds & what we allow INTO our minds) ~ and ABOVE ALL!! ~ the SHIELD OF FAITH, which is able to quench the fiery darts of the devil!!
The enemy of our souls will use whatever means he can to bring us into destruction: be it dissension, discouragement, depression or despair….or even diamonds. That’s true! Have we LEARNED (as the Apostle Paul taught) to worship & praise the Lord in ALL circumstances ~ whether *wanting* or *full*? Whether pitifully poor or abundantly rich?... The Lord alone knows whether we need smooth sailing or some wavy water to rock our boat. In this life, we were never promised a rose garden.
It’s such a dangerous era in which we live – false teaching exists on EVERY corner. We need to be prudent, wise, careful… and compare EVERYTHING to the Word of God!! If it does not line up, it is not of the Lord – thus, it is not TRUTH!! And HOW do we KNOW if it lines up or not? READ IT, OF COURSE!!!!! If you say you cannot understand it, then ASK HIM to lead you into understanding! Compare translations. I often get 5 translations going all at once at www.BibleGateway.com
Do we know how to serve Him, the Lord God, whether in abundance or in need? And more, are we WILLING to serve Him, to stay close to and honor Him whether in good times – or bad. Whether the birds are singing on a sunshiny, spring-like day, or whether we’re going through a long, lonely winter? He Alone knows which way to direct us and how to direct the winds that blow about us ~ so that we are in a place to where we are seeking Him continually. But I do promise you that the One Who created that water & every molecule that is IN that water – Knows how to calm it!
When He spoke to the water, “Peace! Be still!” ~ many would have us believe that Jesus may’ve yelled it…. But since He is the One to control it, I cannot help but wonder if maybe He even said the words very gently….?? It had to obey Him regardless.
Another subject ~ I have no one particular excuse for taking months to get back here to update. I was getting way stressed early on in the summer, when I realized I was spending most all my time simply *reacting* to people and to their requests. Getting right back in the same ol’ corner that I’ve found myself in many times over the years ~ feeling a need to explain myself to people…as it’s just generally assumed that when a woman does not have to work outside the home that she basically just “does nothing” and so therefore ~ you have all the time in the world ~ here, feed my pets while I go on vacation, here, babysit my kid! And I was jumping in & glibly saying yes, when I should have been saying no. I was overwhelmed & had way too much on my own plate at the time; thus, taking on others’ responsibilities was throwing me over the edge. It created a rift between my neighbors and me that may last for ~ maybe forever, who knows.
And speaking of babysitting…. my word, even the seemingly good people of this world do not spank their kids – wouldn’t want to hurt their little bottoms or their egos, would they now?? Scripture still stands, regardless of how “current” or “progressed” we are in time. My little friend threw herself a humdinger of a fit, and later when I told her mother about it… the mother’s response: “just ignore her; you can’t reason with her”. Um, sorry?? Did the Bible ever say that you’re even supposed to “reason” with your kids?
This gal went on a rampage for over 45 minutes—red faced, screaming, yelling, breaking things, slamming doors, kicking the dog…. Just on & on & on…. Till I finally decided I could not take 3 more hours worth of headache-inducing screaming & I left, leaving her with her older sister. Last thing I said to my little friend was, “your mother needs to spank your rear” ~ to which she only wailed more. But I truly wonder if she’s ever been disciplined in the “Biblical way”… as she’s told me that she sneaks in & steals money from her dad during the night when he’s sleeping because “she loves money”, she says… I asked if he ever spanked her for doing that & she only gave me an odd look. And seeing firsthand how her parents tell her to do something (or not to do something) and she, in her strong-willed way does just the opposite, then they only laugh ~ well….what does that tell us?
I truly think if kids today were taken off sugar & corn syrup & processed foods – at least limiting their excess, {no need to take just my word for it, RESEARCH and you will see that even when people WANT to act right, these kind of chemicals that are put into our bodies CAUSE us to act up!! For instance, I cannot eat sugar at all ~ without turning into a depressed WEEPY MESS the next day!! Same goes for corn syrup (not only that, but I also lose my eyesight after eating corn products…. Seriously! My take is that it’s all the MOLD spores that are in corn) So anyway, alas, if the children were fed good, wholesome, living foods, as well as were TAUGHT to behave, taught what the limits are, then ~ well, we’d be living in a whole different world, wouldn’t we?! But of course, none of us want to turn the clock back. We can’t move forward in prophecy & could not be so close to our BLESSED HOPE, if the world wasn’t in the bad shape it’s in.
I’ve got to agree with Joseph Chambers of Pawcreek Ministries on this…. And if the Bible says to quickly discipline your child with a rod and deliver his soul from hell ~ does the opposite stand true as well? That if s/he is not disciplined that you ARE delivering his/her soul TO hell? Very sobering. Nothing to be happy about. Parenting skills are no doubt, the most challenging in today’s time, but it is certainly never something to be taken lightly. Convince yourself now… because there is absolutely no doubt that God will hold you accountable! Make sure it is absolutely noteworthy though that nothing should be done to excess (again there are the hyper-religious crowds who can tend to be over the top….) Spanking a child does not mean abusing him/her with bruises all over his body or breaking bones, etc. etc. That would be ABUSE; not discipline! See http://truthmagazine.com/archives/volume21/TM021249.html though I cannot vouch for the entire site as I’ve not had time to read thru’ it.
Though my husband’s family is a loving bunch, yet I was thinking it’s a good thing we never brought kids into this world (mainly due to the horrible stench the world is currently in!) but also because even within his family is a love for the things of the world ~ Harry Potter, oh yeah,…. Halloween, you betcha! … Santa Claus? Shhh! ~ don’t tell the kids THE TRUTH & ruin it for them! So, if we would have directed our child/ren to have nothing to do with these things… to have been raised almost Amish-like in trying to distance them from the love of the world (and no, I do not mean seriously as Amish, heh) but I merely mean in teaching them to not be in love with the things the worldly people celebrate…. At any rate, ours would have stood out & been “different”, right? I can just hear my strongly opinionated mother-in-law getting in my face about it!! About how we’re overprotective parents and we need to lighten up & how the kids “NEED TO HAVE SOME FUN”.
Oh yeah, and just today (for the umpteenth time) I sent silent thanks up to heaven for the Lord providing all those “brick walls” when I was in college ~ to keep me from becoming a teacher! I could not understand it back then, why things just weren’t working out for me… but fast forward some 25 years later, and boy, oh boy!! Teaching in today’s world/society is about the last thing I’d want to do! And I know some teachers who (I hope) have control of their classrooms, because they surely do not have things in order in their personal lives and/or in their own homes! And when school is over in the spring, they go out for drinks together & TOAST the fact that another year has ended. Some how I have trouble picturing my old-fashioned teachers from the ‘60s era doing that…
I’ve had to take a news break again…. I was getting email after email – about the horrendous state of the world & I just couldn’t hack it. Ever wonder why I don’t make my email # available? Many Christians ~ or those who call themselves Christians ~ like to argue! Heh! About all kinds of issues….. and I just don’t have time (or desire) for that! And I sure do not want a heavy dose of constantly horrible news stories. I very well know how soon the rapture is!! I think we all have better things to do with our time ~ than constantly watching the skies and trying to out do each other with the worse, worse, worse stories. We are to REDEEM THE TIME! …. Doing what God has called for us to do.
Remember the Bible says the “unprofitable servant” is CAST OUT ~ into outer darkness where there is wailing & gnashing of teeth. This is my personal (but strong) opinion, when we don’t do anything else to (I am not overly fond of this term) but to “further the Kingdom” ~ and no, that does not necessarily mean constantly witnessing – unless that is WHAT God calls you to do! Because we all have different Spiritual gifts and besides that, some are called to plant, some to water, some to harvest.
But anyway, being a profitable servant: It could mean taking care of your kids, your house, your spouse, working for a living (he who shall not work, the same shall not eat)….. so when people do nothing else but constantly set “another date” for the rapture ~ well, it just makes me wonder if this very person will even BE raptured? OUCH, huh?!.... But it’s just something that I’ve pondered on lately. Is that all some are good for? To set another date?....
Is s/he busy bearing fruits worthy of repentance? (re: Matt 3) Are we reading, edifying, exhorting, loving, and studying doctrine ~ until the Lord comes? Are we in the center of His will? Are we being holy, set apart; or are we in love with the things of the world? Are we visiting widows & orphans in their distress? THAT is pure, undefiled religion before God! ~ that & to keep oneself unspotted from the world. Are we being DOERS of the Word & NOT hearers ONLY ~ DECEIVING ourselves?
I pray that those of you who are depressed – maybe due to the state of the world ~ or your own life ~ or (fill in the blank) ~ for whatever reason…. That you will give that to the Lord, confess it to Him, and ask Him to help you overcome it! Some say depression is a sickness; some say it is sin. Regardless of what it is…. The focus is on me, me, me, me….!!
SING PRAISES!! ~ make melody IN YOUR HEART TOOO the Lord & this will lift your depression!! What do you think the *sacrifice* of PRAISE is all about? If it’s a “sacrifice” you’re giving something up, right?? It costs you something! In this case, you are giving of yourself – even when you do not FEEL like it. When you’d rather wrap yourself up in blankets & sleep all day.
You’ve got to do something for someone else who’s having a hard time of it and “get outside yourself” and quit allowing yourself to wallow in moods, thoughts, attitudes that are not of good report. {re: Phil 4:8-9} Find someone, find a project, find someone who needs a helping hand, and make him/her a card! Bake some cookies! Hand a $20. bill to a widow or orphan, if you can. Go by and visit. Volunteer for mobile meals, should the Lord lead you in that direction. But for goodness sake, get out of bed & DO SOMETHING!! IMHO, the Catholics do it better than the (okay, I’m generalizing and NOOO, I am NOT turning Catholic, as some will no doubt read that into this!)….. but they do the works mentioned in James better than the lazy “I’m saved by faith alone, so I can sit here in my t-shirt & eat chips & not do a blasted thing & who gives a flip how I live my life”…. Baptist or (fill in the blank….) Just too bad that so many Catholics do their works for the WRONG REASON …. & think they have to *earn* their way into heaven! The way to heaven has already been paid ~ but we were saved UNTO GOOD WORKS. …. And ouch, I can imagine the feathers I just ruffled with such a comment! ~ heh….
And no, I am not calling all Baptists (or whatever denomination) lazy; some are, some aren’t. NEITHER am I calling catholics “Christian”; some are; most aren’t. Too bad they don’t have the sense to “come out of her”; but hopefully the ones with understanding WILL before it’s too late. Even the (my) favorite ac suspect has converted to catholicism, so what does that say of it??....
We are to love the Lord with our whole heart, our whole souls, our entire strength, and with our whole MIND!!! We cannot love Him with our mind – if it is in neutral ~ on “pity, pity me”.
Suggestion: You might try getting off all sweets, (sugars and corn syrups, and most certainly all fake sweeteners!) and grains, esp. wheat & corn for at least a couple weeks and see if your mood does not do a 180 degree turn around! “What can I eat then?” you might scratch your head & ask. VEGETABLES!! FRUITS!! FISH, fowl, whole grains – anything except corn & wheat, a “little” organic beef. Dairy can be okay for some people, esp. if it’s organic and some can handle unpasteurized. Or you might try to experiment and even give up dairy for a few weeks (causes mucous and sinus problems, not to mention gut/digestive problems…) There’s almond milk, soy milk, rice milk…
And please do not think for one minute – that I don’t know what I’m talking about regarding this depression biz! Or that I do not have one ounce of compassion in me. Unfortunately, /sigh ~ My mother spent a great deal of her life being depressed so by way of “genes or inheritance” I should be that way, too, right? She was always in bed when I was in high school and in fact even when I dropped by for a visit when I was 22, to give her the good news that I’d met the man I was going to marry ~ all I got was barely a “grunt”, as she continued to lay there in bed that Sat. afternoon.
When she was not in bed, she had a lifelong habit of talking about the “unfairness” of life, and would specialize in gripe/grumble sessions with her sister-in-law as they forever laid it all out before them. It was habit – because it became habit. Unbeknownst to her, (back in my ignorant, prodigal state) I started to take my own life on 2 different occasions ~ as I simply could not take it anymore – a steady stream of constant BAD NEWS!!!!
I loved my mother, I miss her still today (the good part anyway), but she simply was not cognizant of her life attitudes & to what degree they affected her kids. Now, it’s one thing to *VENT* to your friends; but it’s all together another thing to CONSTANTLY DWELL on the negative, & the unfairness of life.
Looking back and in all fairness to her, my dad was a harsh man, a belligerent tyrant… a “do as I say, not as I do” kind of guy ~ and he loved to crack the whip & I so clearly remember, even when I was young, his loudly yelling at her that “I’m the captain of this ship and I’ll make all the decisions around here”…. Then people wondered why I didn’t like the TV show: “The Honeymooners”…?? I’ll tell you why: because all that YELLING *WAS* my father! Being so timid & sensitive, why would I want to listen to it all over again when I could hear it live & in person?
Well, anyway, suffice to say ~ some 20 years later, my father’s “ship” SANK!!…. But I’m pretty sure I couldn’t have stood for it as long as my mother did, even though in that day divorces were not nearly as common. Oh! But the hyper-religious ones would point out that Christians are to divorce only for adultery ~ well, wouldn’t you say that someone who loved HIMSELF MORE than he loved his wife ~ was committing adultery?!
My dad, at that time in his life, was never loving; never one to give compliments ~ or praise his wife or his kids – as the Prov. 31 husband does for his wife. Sometimes, in retrospect, and I know it’s common to do this ~ bet you do it, too, from time to time ~ anyway, looking back, I can’t help wonder if she would have been a different person all together if my dad would have loved her ~ AS CHRIST LOVED THE CHURCH!! And praised her and shown the utmost respect, love, and honor to her. I don’t know why, but the Lord blessed me with that kind of man (husband) in my life. This is not to say he’s perfect ~ just perfect for ME! :) And that’s certainly not to say things are all rosy around here all the time either!
I know I’ll not always have him; either death or the rapture will sever our husband-wife duo/relationship. I just pray that, during the time we do have each other, that I will honor & respect him and love him in the way that the Lord deems is right. May our relationship be a reflection of the Love that Christ has for HIS Church! I must remember that love is not one big, gigantic thing; but rather a million little things. I must purposely stop dwelling on the “unfairness” of: “well, I do this & this & this around here ~ while you sit in the middle of it all & do nothing” type of attitudes.
So anyway… .moving right along ~ then there’s someone else I know who loves to brag about all the good deeds she does! Being rather unfamiliar with the Bible (other than a few verses read IN church), yet she does not personally believe that Jesus is the ONLY Way to heaven; nor does she believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God ~ and as far as bragging about the constant good deeds she does ~ I wish she’d pay attention to Matthew 6:2-4
I worry about her salvation; I mean I know she’ll be left here at the time of the rapture, but will she EVER be able to come to the Lord? What with worrying so much about what OTHER people think of her? And this is a BIGGIE on her list ~ as I got to thinking about things she has said to and about her own children & realized the common denominator is that she cares too much about what others think.
Hell does not NOT exist only because people choose to believe that! Every single person will stand before THE RIGHTEOUS GOD when we die ~ or are raptured….. as Job so aptly put it, and “not another”. ….not Buddha, not Mohammad; no one else will be on that Throne of Thrones!
Well, I promise I do not ramble on like this when talking! I realized I’ve bounced around on quite a few subjects here.
I personally still eyeball the same ol’ candidate who I’ve watched for some time for the AntiChrist position – he seems to spout all the right answers for everyone! Very much including muslims, as though they are real Christians. And if, if, big fat IF he does become the AC, sad/scary how he currently addresses Jesus as OUR LORD! Sure has the lingo down, IMO http://www.tonyblairoffice.org/speeches/entry/tony-blairs-speech-at-the-official-opening-of-the-baptism-centre-in-jordan/
I check his official site from time to time; no worries as I do not hang on to his every word or anything – but I just can’t help thinking how he SEEMS all about “compassion” and “peace”, and sure offers/drips syrupy-sweet words to woo people. And even if I’m wrong about him, those with understanding can sure chock this syrupy speech up to something similar the AntiChrist will say: http://www.tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/tony-blair-addresses-aipac-conference-2010
Then there are pics of him ~ standing in the foreground with children surrounding him, while his GIANT IMAGE is on the screen immediately behind them…. And it is Overpowering .... larger than life ..... god-like.... that's the image those huge screens will convey to the masses. Man alive ~ and when this “ac candidate” uses children in the foreground it shows he's already laying the groundwork!
Why does he remain a favorite to watch for the “leader of the world” position? Why is this man so dangerous? It’s simple. He positions himself as a FRIEND to Israel, and comes off like “a good ol’ boy” to everyone else. His voice is one we could listen to all day ~ unlike another ego maniac leader who comes to mind who people cannot wait to grab the remote control to get him off the TV screen!
The reason for the danger is because: by PEACE, he will DESTROY MANY!!!!! Re: Daniel 8:25
As I’ve mentioned previously at www.Blessed-Hope.com the AntiChrist is not going to come on the scene wearing red tights & holding a pitchfork! No, no, no! He will have the APPEARANCE of being a VERY NICE GUY!!!!! And who are you (you who become Christian AFTER the rapture) to stand in his way – his way of bringing peace to the Middle East & ultimately peace to the world??!!! He will kill you if that’s what it takes and he’ll think nothing at all of breaking you in two like a twig.
And here, I’d like you to look at the Dan 8:25 Scripture in many translations if you care to: http://bible.cc/daniel/8-25.htm
Some of my favorite sites to read are Jan Markell’s www.olivetreeviews.org ; Brother Chambers www.pawcreekministries.org (may not agree with him on everything, but certainly do agree with most of it!) and certainly www.Calvaryprophecy.com These mentioned are also into the “righteous living” thing, and not just giving lip service to claiming to being Christian. I agree with Pastor Chambers that church ~ ANY CHURCH ~ after the rapture may be the MOST dangerous place to be!! The people there obviously are clueless, or they wouldn’t have been left here!
I do not think that “this” country (America) is going to fall into martial law BEFORE the rapture ~ as Todd (rapture ready) mentioned in a previous commentary. However, interesting to note that (and esp. for the ones who search out Scripture & tend to believe as I do that America is the DAUGHTER of Babylon) ~ well it’s interesting (in a sad, somber sort of way) that there will be a major civil war going on in this country during the Trib. “Governor against Governor” the Living Bible translation says. Well, just think! The current U.S. Presidential *administration* is currently suing the state of AZ!! And who knows how many more states will be pulled into the fray. I know even with the fall election coming up, we’re already receiving flyers that out & out state they do not go along with the O--- healthcare plan!! Hmm!! Getting interesting! And DH reminds me that each state has its own military as well…..
And also like another commentary I read, I too, have an unsettled feeling about all the “patriotism” spouted here lately ~ you know, America’s Independence Day was just celebrated on July 4th (and Thank You, Lord!) for preventing any terrorist attacks on our soil as some of us prayed beforehand about that. But about all the patriotism ~ I even see signs, “proud to be an American” even on CHURCH marquees! And I can’t help thinking ~ you guys are totally clueless!!
Let me clarify: Yes, I AM thankful the Lord allowed me, allowed my loved ones to live in THIS country ~ up until the rapture. And this is in no way taking anything away from the ones who diligently serve in the military – or did – to keep this country safe ~ THANK YOU!! We heartily thank you.
But I personally don’t get off on a big thing about singing, or praising as though I am PROUD to be an American. That only serves to remind me of the OT writings, in which….
As I’ve expressed before, and still believe with my whole heart, America is the daughter of Babylon ~ and will at some point in the prophetic future, it will be counted worse for her than for Sodom & Gomorrah. Interestingly enough, “she” says in her heart, and BRAGS about being proud!!!! {re: Isaiah & Jeremiah & Obadiah} And in fact, that is one of the VERY reasons God will make sure she is destroyed.
Pride, pride! We’ve got “proud to be an American” kind of pride; we’ve got school spirit kind of pride ~ and now it’s everywhere & in your face about “gay pride” etc. I’d pretty much say pride is at a peak, wouldn’t you? Let’s be quick to remember that God resists the proud; but gives grace to the humble.
Could this unsettled feeling, a sense of heaviness from this particular July 4th ~ maybe, possibly be …. Because this country just celebrated its last Independence Day? I must end such sobering news with the GOOD NEWS that Jesus IS coming ~ SOON!!!!!!
Will the rapture be before America gets to celebrate another July 4th? <next year?> While not knowing for sure, … we can never know for sure — till it actually happens; and yet I can’t help but wonder (and certainly pray it will be so!) Many real Christians/real watchers seem to wonder that as well. I still live my life in a way that, while trying to remain steady and working and busy redeeming the time, even so, each morning I wake up ~ I can’t help but wonder ~ will our redemption be today?!
{Bear in mind that Ezekiel, even while knowing the exact day he was going to be raptured, continued on with his work ~ even on that VERY day! He did not take a break & start calculating the hours & minutes & stare at the sky till rapture time! *wink!*….}
It is SOO hot where we live – there are EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNINGS out … the heat index has topped 116 – 118 degrees – you can’t even BREATHE when you’re out in it! It’s like stepping into an oven. I hope this is the closest to hell that I ever get.
Oh yeah, forgot to mention in previous commentaries about…. I think the movie was, “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” ~ anyway, interesting (and yet I never saw anyone else comment about it) when the little boy (main character) was getting into his safe to get to his special scientific thingie to help control the weather (or food, I really don’t recall which, as it’s been a good long while since we saw it) – and the first thing he did to enter the safe was to access the MARK ON HIS RIGHT HAND!!! Hmm!! FURTHER CONDITIONING for the coming mark of the AntiChrist!! Will it be ‘so common’ at that point ~ I mean, it’s already on kids’ movies (yep, that was a kids’ movie) & no one thinks about it or bats an eye…. It’s just common: accepted, and expected.
Well, like I say ~ a hodge podge of comments and observations this time! I do thank you ~ you, whoever you are, a Christian, perhaps living on the far side of the world from me, who has offered prayer for us, perhaps it was your very prayer that inspired this commentary to be written and to help me get up & going & back online once again. Thank you and I look forward to seeing you soon.
Continue to pray for your lost loved ones as the testing, the trial that is to come upon and test this WHOLE earth is drawing ever so quickly upon this planet….and it will be BEYOND WORDS what they will have to experience! Perhaps the worst part if they don’t even believe all this is really going to happen and that THEY will be left here to endure it! {re: Matt 24:39} Terry James wrote a most excellent commentary regarding the PARADOX in which we Christians, longing for our Blessed Hope of going to be with the Lord, yet knowing the horrors some of our loved ones and the world as a whole will be left to experience: http://raptureready.com/nm/310.html No need feeling guilty though; Jesus should be our FIRST LOVE; where He is, is where we should LONG to be!
From Rev 22:17 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. “WHOEVER DESIRE” ~ that MEANS whoever!! NO specialized “club” here ~ you are not left out from the invitation of BELONGING in heaven!! No matter your background, your past sins, your wretched life, your parents who may’ve done an awful job raising you, no matter where you live, how learned you are, how unlearned you are; how rich, how poor ~ this invitation is for YOU, too!!! Jesus is the DOOR to heaven – all who go by any other ways to try to get there are thieves and robbers.
For some reason and I am not an overly emotional person, praying/weeping for someone I do not even know, however, even this moment, as I feel this whole entire commentary being directed by the Holy Spirit, I can also tell you that tears are forming in my eyes FOR YOU!!! You, who may be so close to becoming a Christian, you need to put off any more excuses!! Whether it’s a short time or a long time to persuade you to become a Christian, just remember that clock is ticking!! None of us are promised another breath! By the very moment, the long time is turning into a SHORT TIME left! Yes, of course people can convert to Jesus after the rapture, {the Lord alone knows whose hearts will be too hardened & who may still be able to} but why pay for such salvation with your life, if you do not have to?
I would love to get to heaven and find that something I’ve written or done over the years brought another soul to heaven; I’ve berated myself far too long in thinking that I’ve been the worst witness on the planet. But again, and this speaks to someone: not everyone was called to be a “mouthy” witness; sometimes the Lord will lead us a whole ‘nother way. {Re: Acts 16:6} If we are hearing and following His Voice (the Holy Spirit) then He directs us to know when to say something & when to not.
Know that I am praying for you.
AND…. Let us remember to pray for the peace of Jerusalem!! May each prayer raised be one less Jewish lady who will be ravaged, one less child murdered, one more soul turning to YESHUA for salvation.
Sin is sooo bad now, we can only pray You will come soon, Lord Jesus!!
MARANATHA, MARANATHA, MARANATHA!!! ~ and as my friend, Maria, would say: “Hasta pronto”!!
~~~