Thursday, July 24, 2008
The Weapon of Prayer
Dear friends, when we are tempted and desire to overcome, the best weapon is prayer. When you cannot use the sword and the shield, take to yourself the famous weapon of All-prayer. So your Savior did. Let us notice his prayer. It was lonely prayer. He withdrew even from his three best friends about a stone’s cast. Believer, especially in temptation, be much in solitary prayer. As private prayer is the key to open heaven, so is it the key to shut the gates of hell. As it is a shield to prevent, so is it the sword with which to fight against temptation. Family prayer, social prayer, prayer in the Church, will not suffice, these are very precious, but the best beaten spice will smoke in your censer in your private devotions, where no ear hears but God. Betake yourselves to solitude if you would overcome.
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What, 10 minutes + and no comments yet? Is everyone just being polite?
Donna, where did you find the first chapter of The Silence is Broken online? I'd like to read it.
Rats! The new entry was put up just after I checked!
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(this is a repost from the last thread...)
Shalom, all! I thought I'd break the silence by giving the latest results of the question I posed on the "Moral Theology" section of the Catholic Answers forum, "Is Suicide acceptable to avoid Rape?"
A couple of days ago (on the 21st) I gave the consensus that it might be sinful, but it depends on things like the level of duress. Well, after I had posted that summary, the thread on Catholic Answers exploded, with 36 different responses, all citing history, example, Church Fathers, and various theologians. The consensus NOW is that it is NOT acceptable. You can read the whole blessed debate here.
Included is a whole section from St. Augustine on the question. Since he wrote in the third century, when persecutions were still fresh in the minds of his readers, his opinion carries some weight. (His writing is rather "thick", so have some strong coffee handy before you try to read it.) Trying to summarize his views:
1. Suicide at all times is a great evil. It is "an attempt against the dominion and right of ownership of the Creator." This is also why it is your duty to try and preserve your life.
2. Rape does not destroy a woman's chastity or her virtue, since it is an act done against her will. On the other hand, she would lose her own virtue through her own will if she had chosen to let herself be seduced, even if the seduction was not completed. "Let us rather draw this conclusion, that while the sanctity of the soul remains even when the body is violated, the sanctity of the body is not lost; and that, in like manner, the sanctity of the body is lost when the sanctity of the soul is violated, though the body itself remains intact."
3. "And therefore a woman who has been violated by the sin of another, and without any consent of her own, has no cause to put herself to death; much less has she cause to commit suicide in order to avoid such violation, for in that case she commits certain homicide to prevent a crime which is uncertain as yet, and not her own." In other words, the rapist has sinned, not she, so she has no reason to be ashamed.
There are exceptions to almost every rule, though. This brings us to the examples of saints like St. Pelagia (296-311), who lived in Antioch. She was 15 when, while her parents were away, soldiers acting under official orders during a persecution came to arrest her and take her before the judge "where her chastity might be in danger." (One can assume that she was familiar with accounts told by the other Christians of what happened to young girls at the court.) She told the soldiers she needed to dress herself, went upstairs, and either threw herself off the roof or fell off while trying to escape (accounts vary). She is considered to be a virgin martyr: her death is the direct result of actions taken against her in the Name of Christ. If she fell of the roof, then it was not suicide; if, on the other hand, if she jumped off the roof, it is believed that she did this to prevent her from being an occasion of sin for the soldiers, in effect giving up her life to save another. Raping her would be a sin; executing her on the orders of a judge would not, since they would do it under legally constituted authority.
Likewise, with St. Apollonia (the example I used in my original message, who had had her teeth bashed in and removed before jumping in the fire), her death is not considered to be suicide but martyrdom. The men assaulting her were going to kill her, when they had no legal authority to do so. They would have been committing murder. By accepting her own death St. Apollonia kept them from committing a graver sin.
In other words, by following the example of Jesus ("No greater love hath he who lays down his life for his friends") G_D can and does remove the sinful element of taking your life.
Hope that makes everything crystal clear!
<><
Hi Jim,
Interesting discussion about the virgin martyrs...did the topic of Matt. 5:28 come up at all? ("He who has lusted has already committed adultery.") How would that impact the woman's act of accepting death in order to prevent another's sin when, according to Jesus, the sin has already been committed? I guess she would be preventing further sin?
On a side note, you've now ruined the DVD I'm making for my family reunion next month, thank you! I scanned all the old family photos (going back 100+ years in some cases) and made a slideshow so the family could enjoy all the photos in one location (there were 18 orignal children and the branches are all over the place now and every branch has a variety of old photos, most of which the other branches have never seen. I've spent almost a decade collecting, scanning, editing and now preparing the final presentation for DVD burning this weekend.) The opening song I chose to use is the theme from Captain Corelli's Mandolin and it's called 'Pelagia's Song'.... I just loved the slightly melacholy feel of it and violin theme. Now I'm going to be picturing a poor young girl throwing herself off the rooftop every time I watch the DVD! Argh! (JK, of course)
Blessings,
Jen
Alesia, great post, I love it. But, who's the author? You? ;-)
what else do people want with their lattes while we're at it?
Obama camp plasters posters at Western Wall Advertises Democrat candidate's website, official slogan at Judaism's holiest site
Anne - Sorry, I forgot to mention it was Charles Spurgeon.
I wish I could write like that.
I love Hal Lindsey. He tells it like it is.
Archbishop of apostasy
Pastor Greg Laurie's son tragically killed. Let's all pray for the Laurie family.
Statement on the Death of Christopher Laurie
RIVERSIDE, Calif., July 24, 2008—Christopher Laurie, son of Pastor Greg Laurie and Cathe Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, died this morning in a car accident in Riverside. A resident of Huntington Beach, Laurie, 33, served as the art director at Harvest Christian Fellowship for the past three years.
In addition to his parents, Christopher is survived by his wife, Brittany, and daughter, Stella, as well as his brother Jonathan. Christopher and his wife are expecting another daughter in November.
Memorial plans for Christopher are pending. More information will be posted to the Harvest website as details become available.
Click Here
What a guy! Carpathia?
Obama promises to 'remake the world'
Jen, Shalom! I am SO sorry! "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" is one of those movies on my "to watch" list, so I had no idea about "Pelagia's Song." I will admit: I went on an internet journey to find examples of other virgin martyrs to relay the gruesome details of their deaths. Then I ran across the story of St. Maria Goretti. She died in 1902 at the age of 12, making her both the most recent Virgin Martyr and possibly the youngest. About a year after her father died, the 20-year-old son of a neighbor, Alessandro Serenlli, started making advances towards Maria, which she rebuffed. He threatened to kill her if she told her mother, which she did not. I'm going to quote from a biography what happened next:
The crisis came on July 5th, 1902, when Alessandro had engineered that they should be alone in the house. He made a passionate assault upon the child, threatening her with death if she refused to gratify his desire. Maria's answer was: 'No, no, no! God does not wish it. If you do that you'll commit a sin, you'll go to hell.' Alessandra was as good as his word: in his frenzy, he stabbed the poor child no less than fourteen times, both back and front. The surgery of the time was unable to save her life; and, after great suffering, she died a day later, having specifically forgiven her murderer, after admission to membership of the Children of Maria, and reception of the Last Sacraments.
Alessandro was sentenced to 30 years in prison, but repented and was released early. The first thing he did when he was released was to beg her mother's forgiveness, which she gave him. The next morning they received Communion together, and Alessandro spent the rest of his life working as a gardener in a monastery. Maria was canonized on June 24th, 1950.
And I have to ask myself what I would do if my daughters were threatened if I didn't accept the Mark of the Beast.
On another note, that was a very good question about Matt. 5:28. I'll have to do more research on that, but in my own experience that's been viewed as a way to look at something rather than an actual declaration of sin. In other words, how many people do you know who have actually plucked out their eyes because it was leading them to sin? A sin is something you have to willfully engage in, so Matt. 5:28 is talking about lust that you are willfully engaging in, rather than just a passing thought.
Being raped by the soldiers being sent to arrest you happened, but it wasn't automatic. They would certainly want to make sure you weren't related to or friends with someone important. My guess is that St. Pelagia's perception was that with her father being away and without powerful friends to call on, she would be alone and defenseless, which certainly would increase the chances of something happening.
<><
Alright, Jim,
Our paths crossing is getting weird...when driving to my inlaws' house, I drive past a Catholic girls' school named St. Maria Goretti. (Hatfield, PA)
Now I have a new mental image to connect with it!
And here's another interesting parallel(which had no significance for me til now)...a few years ago some girls leaving the Maria Goretti school in Philly were harrassed by a man (sexually taunted). The girls chased him down, some held him down while others beat him up as the neighbors watched and called for help, and kept him til the police came. He apparently was a known sex offender in the area. So I guess they're the anti-Maria Goretti type! Those Philly girls. I bet their dads are the one who threw snowballs at Santa
;-)
Blessings,
Jen
Bobby Jindal's Spiritual Journey
"Soon after, Mr. Jindal began to pray and fervently read the Bible, principally parables in the New Testament. 'It was like the words were jumping out of the page. It was literally as if it had been written just for me,' he said."
Oh, how I wish he was willing to be McCain's VP, but he has stated that he wants to remain governor of Louisiana and has no desire to be VP at this time.
I just feel good watching this, especially with the sound turned on.
Christian The Lion - Reunited
Good commentary on Matthew 5:28
5:48 "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Commentary on that one
My Redeemer Lives God Tube video. It was voted the most inspirational. You can either get out the tissue box in advance or wipe it on your clothes like I just did.
It doesn't help that it's that it's that "time of the month" for me.
I know TMI,TMI.
HOWLING with laughter - too, too funny.
Will check it out later, too much to do & I will become a babbling idiot!
Anne - Good articles/video!
Lisa, you are so right! When I saw the first few seconds, I thought "Oh, I've seen this before I don't have to watch", but I couldn't stop!! And, the tears came through the smiles, I'm still sniffing. What a testimony of a father's love for his child! And yet, not even a tiny bit representative of our Father's love for us.
Hi Lisa,
I don't know if it matters, but thought I'd mention that the Matt 5:48 link is to a Mormon site. (see the bottom of the commentary page for a link back to his homepage.)
Blessings,
Jen
Alesia, Shalom! I'll be honest -- when I was watching the video on "Christian, the Lion", I half expected his old owners to see Christian in the distance, to watch Christian come closer, then start jogging towards them, to see Christian rear up to wrap his paws around the one guy's shoulders ...
... then see Christian rip great chunks of flesh from the guy's neck! Fade to black with the message, "If there's someone you haven't spoken to in a long time, there's probably a reason why. Leave well enough alone!"
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Jim, and would Whitney be singing "And I will always love munching yooouuu"?
Hmmm...I don't think BaBa WaWa would think it so endearing...
I wish I could tape record how hard Jim & Anne (& Lisa earlier) made me laugh!
Jim - my assistant was looking over my shoulder when I started watching that video with the lion, we took bets on whether or not he was going to eat/attack the people!!!
Very funny that you said that as well.
(my assistant lost the bet)
Jen,
I don't know does it matter? I just read what the comment was and sounded biblical to me.
Do you think it has a Mormon slant?
Interesting the other day I went w/a friend to a parenting class @ the Baptist church down the street. One of the ladies had mentioned how well behaved the Children of Mormons & JW's were.
The leader of the group said "Well they follow the Biblical principles."
I know one thing from the JW's. The Children sit through the entire services w/the adults. There is no Sunday school.
Then when it comes to school-they can't say the pledge of allegiance or participate in any of the holiday themes. So from that point they are trained to go against the "worldly grain" so to speak from birth.
Also,you are required to dress nicely & respectable.Skirts to be @ the bottom of the knee or below.
*So I don't know if these customs have something to do w/ this perceived "better behavior."
Lisa - I just read that link & don't think it had a "mormon" slant at all - it was good.
BTW - I've had very dear mormon & JW friends over the years & they were some of the best people I've ever met. :-)
Shalom, all! I was just hit with an insight, and I wanted to share it with you.
Over on the Catholic Answers website, in the "Water Cooler/Back Fence" forum, there's an "End Times Speculation" thread that's very lively. I had put forth my theory that the Beast is the Islamic Caliphate (Ottoman Empire) reborn, and that the Harlot is Saudi Arabia. We were discussing the Harlot (aka the Whore of Babylon) in Rev. 17 and 18 when one of the people asked me:
Also, by the use of the term harlot, shouldn't we presume that this nation is supposed to know God but has spurned Him? "for she said to herself, 'I sit enthroned as a queen; I am no widow, and I will never know grief.'" This type of language between husband and wife is typical of the way God describes his relationship to Israel in the OT. This makes me think there is a similar connection to Babylon.
My reply was this:
your observation about the Harlot having known G_D but spurned him? That's a really good observation! I can still see it being Saudi Arabia then. Pre-Islamic Saudi Arabia was polytheistic, and the Kabba in Mecca was where tokens, fetishes, and symbols of all the different gods were kept so that the traders who came to Mecca would be able to pray there. "Allah" means "THE God". Muhammad removed all these pagan symbols from the Kabba so that only THE God could be worshiped. However, Muhammad's development of Islam winds up spurning G_D by promoting what amounts to a pagan understanding of the relationship between G_D and man.
While writing this, I was suddenly struck with an image of Todd Bentley. He, too, was given the gift of preaching so that G_D might be worshiped. By focusing on his angel Emma, though, he has known G_D but is spurning Him.
<><
Jim, further info needed. Bently is spurning God, too and therefore...what?
I rmemeber our talk about Saudi Arabia being the harlot, or something, but I don't remember the details. I do remember being almost convinced.
Is there a way to search the cave for things we discussed before?
I'm off for the weekend to visit my daughter so I might not be able to check in 'til Tuesday. I know, I know, y'all don't know how you'll get along without me.
:-]
Christopher Hitchens—blind to salamander reality
A well-known atheist’s ‘eureka moment’ shows the desperation of evolutionists
After glancing at the posts earlier today and noticing that Greg Laurie's son died this morning in a car accident, I wound up thinking about them and the entire situation throughout day.
For any of you who may not be familiar with Greg Laurie, he is a gifted minister, speaker, writer, musician, and more I am sure.
It sounds as if his son was just as gifted, who had a wife, young child with another child on the way.
I just looked at the comments section of Greg Laurie's blog and there are almost 9,000 messages written to the family from people expressing their condolences.
At times like this all you can do is trust Him, and know there has to be a bigger plan and purpose.
Please pray that He will use this tragic event to bring people to Him and that He will come again soon!
Some jocularity:
He ventured forth to bring light to the world
The anointed one's pilgrimage to the Holy Land is a miracle in action - and a blessing to all his faithful followers by Gerard Baker
Well said, Donna.
Jim C.
Therefore-Beware of the angels!
Have not most if not all the apostate religions succumbed to an angelic visitation/apparition or revelation @ some point or another?
These so called prophets who predict many things rarely come to pass have had some type of contact w/the supernatural. I don't believe they are making up the stories-they actually have been duped that it came from God or gods.
I am now fully convinced that people from all religions-Islam,Hindu,Illuminiti,Masons,Buddist,Mormon,JW,Aferican-what ever you want to call it, get some kind of supernatural effects and or/feelings that are connected to a higher source.
Many of these religious people do the meditation/trance like states that get them to these 3rd heavens or demonic places of enticement.
Satan & his minions masquerade themselves as angels of Light.
It's really difficult for me to believe Christians can fall for Todd Bentley. He's so obvious to me it's a no brainer. Yet to others-they fell in heart first.
Praise be to God-for some of Bentley's followers are repenting and speaking out. So there is still hope! Even if they've been completely immersed in it.
Now that Emma's had a sex change-maybe that will knock on someone's common sense window.
(Since Emma was brushed aside Bentley's portals closed on him.He was shut out of the 3-rd heaven and shouted frantically for Angels,Angels,Angels. But now I think he's back in since he's now switched to an Angel named Liberty)
Hey Everyone,
Letting you know I just posted an article on OSAS written by Kristen Wisen. As you and I have been discussing it here in the cave she and I have been dialogging regarding it via email. We met through Joel’s blog. She is the daughter of the late Robert VanKampen who wrote “The Sign” and “The Rapture Question Answered Plain and Simple.” She is an accomplished and gifted writer herself. She loves the Lord and His Word and teaches and counsels the women at her church and community in Michigan. Drop on by and read the article, won’t you? She presents the two views of election and free will fairly and with a gentle tone. The purpose for the post and the resulting discussion is to push the mind into the Word and the heart toward the Lord. Comments are encouraged and welcomed! Jim G, I’ll be looking for you!
Lisa,
Because there are those who are uncomfortable with our discussion regarding the timing and events surrounding the rapture, I would like to move that discussion to my blog as well.
You are all welcome at any time!
Trying Kristen's link again...
Lisa, Shalom! I agree re: the angels up to a point. Angels are to be messengers; they're not supposed to be "spokesmen for the deity." They're supposed to praise Jesus and praise the name of G_D, and they never, EVER, give their names. They are only addressed by their titles, which describe their function. Even the angelic names the have come to us in Scripture (Michael, Gabriel, etc.) are in fact titles in ancient Hebrew.
Before Mary appeared to the children at Fatima (Portugal), the children were visited three times by an angel. The angel identified himself not by name, but by title: the Guardian Angel of Portugal. During his first visit, the angel taught the children this prayer: “My God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love you. I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love you.” During his second visit, he taught the children the full form of the Our Father (instead of the shortened children's version taught at the time in Portugal) and also this prayer: "Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, and save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy." Because the angel could say these prayers (including the Our Father), we know the angel was from from G_D and not from the Evil One (since a demon could not recite these prayers, especially the Our Father.)
I believe the angels that have appeared to Todd Bentley to be demonic: neither "Emma" or "Liberty" are titles, and if you argue that "Liberty" COULD be a title, then it is truly a demonic title, since our only liberty is through Christ Jesus. Jesus would not "pass on" responsibility for His message to an angel and CERTAINLY would not command that someone believe in the angel. And frankly, I would not believe Todd now if he said that the angels had praised Jesus and the name of G_D.
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Jim C.
So far of what I have read- the only thing a demonic angels can't say or repeat is that "Jesus came down as God in the flesh" or something similar to that effect.
That exorcism link you gave a few months back mentioned that as well.
When the priests wanted to get rid of a possession they would test the spirit by telling them to repeat that.
Nancy Pelosi is playing God
London-based Daily Telegraph reports of mysterious blast in military convoy leaving Revolutionary Guards Base last weekend. At least 15 people killed in explosion, but Iranian authorities seeking to silence incident
Ynet
Pelosi Plays into the Hands of
Islam by Demanding Strategic
Oil Reserve Be Used - Bill Wilson
In my devotions yesterday I read this and thought I would share it with you, since it was a blessing to me...
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28).
In this invitation Jesus is speaking to everyone--to the scribes and Pharisees with their punctilious attention to religious forms, to the publicans and sinners seemingly content with the sensual and earthly, and to the burdened barely able to survive.
We are all weighed down with burdens that only Jesus can remove. The heaviest burden of all is sin. By experience, Jesus knows the weaknesses of humanity--our wants and the strength of temptation.
Whatever our axieties and trials, Jesus invites us to spread them out before Him. He will open the way for us to disentagle ourselves from embarrassment and difficulty. He will not leave us to follow our own inclinations, going wherever our will leads us. He will not allow us to fall into Satan's ranks and take on his characteristics.
Many are aching under a load of care because they are trying to reach the world's standards; they wear a yoke of bondage. Jesus invites us to accept His yoke. Worry is blind and cannot discern the future, but Jesus sees the end from the beginning. In every difficulty He has prepared a way to bring relief. Our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us, of which we know nothing. If we will make God's service and honor the supreme objective of our lives, we will find perplexitie vanishing before us, and God will open a plain pathway before us.
Love of self brings unrest. The more we learn of Jesus, the happier we will be.
--Herbert E. Douglass
from "Love Makes a Way"
Viki,
Thanks for the posting!
I constantly need to be reminded of these things.It's not that I forget but but it gets pushed back into the outer limits of my defective brain cells.
Better to bring it back to the forefront!
Mac,
On the Pelosi trail. I didn't care for her the second I saw her. She's always had a major attitude going. Reminds me of my daughter when she gets in one of her moods.
Fortunately her moods don't last long-but Pelosi's looks to be 24/7.
This Ladyis very nice & explains what happened to her at Todd Bentley's services.Also great description of how she felt when "on fire."
AMEN
Awesome post Vicki.
Thank you
A couple more.The main lady speaking here is "Patricia King." She is a real mover & shaker in this movement.
Doctrines of Demons Part 1
Doctrines of Demons Part 2
Since these "New Age" and mystical angelic experiences may be here to stay-and stray those in Christ-studying up on these deceptive tactics can't hurt.
We have to remember any angelic supernatural experience must line up with the Bible 100%. If they say or cause people to form new ideas or rituals and lead people away from YHWH & Jesus Christ in pure devotion & worship then it's suspect and of the devil.
Even fulfilled prophecy doesn't mean it came from YHWH.
Deu 13:1-4
"If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a miraculous sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, "Let us follow other gods" and let us worship them, you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love Him with all your heart and with all your soul. It is the LORD your God you must follow, and Him you must revere. Keep His commands and obey Him; serve Him and hold fast to Him."
(The rest of chapter 13 explains this more.)
As God Himself states. THIS IS A TEST. To see if you are going to adhere to the 1st commandment.God allows these false prophets to come among us to weed out who will follow Him & Him only. Who will trust in Him & Him only.Who will pray to Him & Him only.
John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled: Trust in God.Trust also in Me."
John 10:9 "I am the door.If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture."
John 14:21 "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him & show myself to him."
John 14:22,23 "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home w/him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.These words you hear are not my own;they belong to the Father who sent me."
Matt 6:6-8 But when you pray,go into your room,close the door and pray to your Father,who is unseen.Then the Father who sees what you've done in secret,will reward you.And when you pray,do not keep on babbling like pagans,for they think they may be heard because of their many words.Do not be like them,for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him."
John 14:6 "I am the way,the truth,and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
2 Sam 22:3 "My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior-from violent men you save me."
I John 2:3 "Now by this we know that we know Him,if we keep his commandments. He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar,and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word,truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked."
So the bottom line is if Jesus didn't do it-then we don't do it.
If Jesus/God didn't teach it-then we don't follow it.
If an angel of sorts appears to someone and says anything other than is written down in the pages of our Holy Bible we don't follow it. Period.
Test all things,hold onto what is good.
Not only are we being tested but we need to test "ALL THINGS" to make sure it is of God and not "added to" the Holy Bible.
All SCRIPTURE is God inspired and is the only thing we can trust.(2 Tim 3:16,17)
"Get Busy" and don't get left Bee-Hind!(watch until the end-ha!ha!)
Shalom, all! I'm trying to find where in Scripture it says that Israel will stand alone during Gog/Magog. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
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Re: The Bee-hind link...
Um, Lisa.
That "time of the month" stuff sure does weird things to your brain!
LOL ;-)
Jim C.
Read Ezekiel 38
13) "Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions will say to you, 'Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?' " '
14 "Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, 'Thus says the Lord God: "On that day when My people Israel dwell safely, will you not know it?
"Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army.
16 "You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes." Ezekiel 38:7-16
Reason why there is no help:
23 "Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the Lord." ' Ezekiel 38:1-23
Great Link on Gog/Magog Events
Alesia,
My little dancer Lorraine watched it w/me as I was cracking up she said: "Mom! That is SO not cool! Bees? Look how dumb that is!
I just found this on National Review and I thought you might find it interesting. In lieu of everything all roses according to the media this interview was done by Lopez and Carolyn Glick. Glick as you might recall is a citizen of Israel and a respected commentator.
HERE IS THE QUOTED TEXT:
"LOPEZ: What’s the best-case President Obama scenario from where you sit? Worst-case?
GLICK: The best-case scenario is that Obama is willing to learn from the Bush administration’s mistakes in attempting to appease the Palestinians, the Iranians, and the North Koreans. Such an Obama administration would recognize that its liberal formulations are fundamentally misguided and abandon them in favor of reality-based policies. Given Obama’s stubborn refusal to admit he was wrong about the surge and his insistence that he can strike a deal with Ahmadinejad, the likelihood of this happening is about zero.
The worst-case scenario is that Obama actually bases his foreign policy on his ideological beliefs. If he does that, he will leave Iraq prematurely and so enable Iran’s effective takeover of the country through its Shiite proxies.
He will botch up Afghanistan and end up enabling an open jihadist takeover of nuclear-armed Pakistan.
He will negotiate with Ahmadinejad, giving Iran the time and political cover to complete its nuclear program and test its nuclear weapon, and he will then refuse to assist Israel in attacking the Iranian nuclear program thus escalating the threat of an Iranian nuclear attack on Israel and Iranian nuclear blackmail of the Middle East and Europe.
He will press Israel to curtail its counter-terror activities towards the Palestinians and so enable a Hamas-Iranian takeover of the West Bank. This in turn will precipitate the expansion of the missile war against Israel from Gaza to the West Bank and so place Israel’s major urban centers and its international airport at risk.
While he will simply roll over a left-leaning Israeli government like the current one while protesting his enduring commitment to Israel’s security, if a Likud-led government is installed during his tenure and tries to extricate Israel from the failed “land-for-peace,” policy paradigm while gearing up to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities, he will treat the government with hostility and strengthen the position of Israel’s enemies in his administration. This in turn will weaken the social and political standing of American Jews who will find themselves under unprecedented and unjustified suspicion of disloyalty due to their support for Israel.
As in all things, the reality of an Obama presidency is difficult to predict and may well fall somewhere between these two extremes." END OF QUOTE
I thought I had already posted this before I left to go get groceries but I didn't find it when I came back. In the meantime, I toned down my unneeded rhetoric upon reflecting a while.
Grany
I've been looking up some other supernatural signs/events.
Mary Appairation on film
This is creepy
Biblical view of Mary Appariations
Here is a Eucharistic coming alive
Grany - how strange. I saw that comment in my email & read it there, but you're right, it never made it here. hm
Jim - that's a really good question. I went digging in scripture, the last time you asked it, but could only find Zechariah 12:3:
"It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it."
DISCLAIMER: Mac warned me not to post (back then) because he thought it may start a debate.
So, please no one yell at me :-)
Dang Lisa!
Your links gonna give me nightmares - yikes!
Alesia,
Those are not even the one in particular I was looking for!
(I think that beating heart? Eucharistic got to me the most.)
The one I was trying to find was an actual film of a spirit darting in & around a huge campfire blaze.
The closer we get to the end of things the more we'll see supernatural signs & wonders.
So just consider this a warm up of things to come!
If we get to see the war of Gog & Magog! That will be YHWH in action!
We won't have any doubts about the Spirit behind that one.
I was looking @ the Daniel 70 wk time line chart HERE (Kathy you might be interested in this one.) What I found was that they placed Revelation 2 & 3 (What I've felt led to harp on lately) right in the Church age before the beginning of the 7 yr .Tribulation.
It really took me by surprise. I don't know if it's coincidental but I had not seen Rev 2 & 3 brought up in a 70wk time line before.
Surviving EMP attack
I don't really know why I post this. What are we going to do if hit w/such a thing other than rely on YHWH? We are not suppose to worry about tomorrow & we have our rice bags & water.
Tuesday we are leaving for Canada for a few days so I'll load you up while I can.
Tuesday we are leaving for Canada for a few days so I'll load you up while I can.
This video is one of the better one I've seen regarding Near Death Experiences. The host was a Cardiac Heart Doctor and explains the difference between "Actual Death" and other ways to achieve "out of body" experiences.
I remember some debate/warning about this topic & he clears it up quite well.
Watch it and see what you think. It’s basically testimonies of people who this doctor was involved with & their experiences when they were "clinically dead".
This video is one of the better one I've seen regarding Near Death Experiences. The host was a Cardiac Heart Doctor and explains the difference between "Actual Death" and other ways to achieve "out of body" experiences.
I remember some debate/warning about this topic & he clears it up quite well.
Watch it and see what you think. It’s basically testimonies of people who this doctor was involved with & their experiences when they were "clinically dead".
(The events brought them to Christ so I don't see how it could be some type of ploy of evil deception.)
Lisa, Shalom, and Whoa-kay!
Let me give the Catholic comment on those videos:
"Marian Apparition on Film": Please. I've seen more realistic apparitions on grilled cheese sandwiches. (Nice artwork, though.)
"This is Creepy": Yes, it is creepy. Yes, it sounds familiar. Yes, it bears an uncanny resemblance to "The Blair Witch Project."
"Biblical View of Marian Apparitions": The creator, jesuitinfiltrator (i.e., Jesuit Infiltrator) has produced a number of other quality videos such as Roman Catholicism From Hell and RATzinger The Vicar of Satan. He's also produced such notable videos as Curse Of The TV Evangelist and Why God Does NOT Love All Sinners!. Forgive me if I pass on watching this one.
"Here is a Eucharistic coming alive": This one is actually very good. You can read the testimony of the guy who took the video here. To summarize: In Betania, Venezuela, is where a woman named Maria Esperanza had apparitions of Mary, Mother of G_D. The apparitions were approved in 1987; Maria died in 2004. On December 8th, 1991 (The Feast of the Immaculate Conception), the priest consecrated the large host, broke it into four pieces, and set one piece aside. When he looked at the remaining three pieces of the Host on the plate, he saw that they were oozing a red substance. In fact, it looked like they were spurting blood. He put the host into a chalice and locked it up until the next day, when he found it was still bleeding. When the Bishop ordered the host and the fluid to be tested, it was found to be human blood. This miracle was captured on little portable cameras and video recorders. (Fifteen years ago, folks -- video technology wasn't that good.)
Fast forward seven years. As part of a pilgrimage, Daniel Sanford takes part in a Mass at the place where the bleeding host is stored. At the end of the Mass, the priest opened the tabernacle to let the pilgrims view the host. Daniel has his video camera running, and is shocked when he sees that the Host is in flames, bleeding, with a pulsating heart in the center. After 30 seconds, the priest closed the doors, Daniel asked everyone, "Did you see THAT!?", and everyone else goes, "Huh?" No one else has seen anything. When he rolled back the video tape, though, what he had seen had been captured on tape. After reviewing the tape and consulting some expert theologians, the local bishop approved distributing the tape.
The first recorded Eucharistic Miracle took place in Lanciano, Italy in the 8th Century A.D., where the Host turned into Flesh and the Wine turned into Blood. The Host-Flesh and Blood were put into a monstrance and are displayed on holy days. You can read a summary of the most recent scientific investigations (completed in 1981) of the Host-Flesh and Blood on this site. To summarize: the Flesh is human flesh and the Blood is human blood, type AB (Universal Recipient); the Flesh is human heart muscle; and after 12 centuries the Flesh and Blood still contain the sero-proteins of fresh flesh and blood with no deterioration occurring. (A different site I read some time ago said that the sero-proteins present in the Flesh and Blood indicated the victim was alive when the Flesh and Blood were taken, and that the victim was in agony.)
As for Marian Apparitions, if you want to see a REAL one on film, check out The Virgin Mary Apparition. This is an apparition of Mary that occurred in Zeitun, Egypt, from 1969 to 1973. This wasn't just to one or two people, but to hundreds of people at a time -- Christians, Muslims, atheists -- everyone. A number of photos and films were made of the apparitions. This video is from "Paranormal TV" and covers both the miracle at Garabandal and the apparition at Zeitun.
<><
Oh, and Lisa, I can't show you a video of a spirit darting around a campfire, but I can show you a campfire started using liquid oxygen with lots of darting around caused by too much spirits!
<><
Hi all;
Just checking in. Good to read the uplifting and encouraging posts. God bless everyone at the cave!!
Maranatha!
I just ran across two similar resources everyone might be interested in. The Book of Revelation-step by step is a "just for fun" project where this guy is assembling an almost verse-by-verse selection of commentaries on the Book of Revelation. These commentaries are by the early church fathers, and it's interesting to see how these people could view the same verses so differently (not at all how we are today, eh?). The work is far from completed, but he's finished up through about the middle of Chapter 7.
The Rev. 1-3 Catena (part of Litteral's Christian Library) is very similar, except it takes a more historical view in its commentaries. He has chapters 1-3 and 4-6 completed.
<><
Awesome Grace thru Faith article. It ties in great with your post on EMP's Lisa.
Sorry, you will have to cut and paste.
http://www.gracethrufaith.com/ikvot/our-rock-and-our-refuge
Grace
Jim C.
When I get back I'll watch your "real" apparitions & supernatural events. Glad to have a professional editor on board to weed out the fakes!
I found this site today-It's put together by a Baptist group. That somewhat surprised me because I didn't think they spent much time of end time studies.
This is not their home page but had some intriguing articles. One was re:Flight 93 in 911.
"The official story has been that passengers on the United Airlines flight rushed the hijackers in an effort to prevent them from crashing the plane into a strategic target – possibly the U.S. Capitol."
Even Defense Secretary Rumsfeld let it slip that the aircraft had been shot down.
"During his surprise Christmas Eve trip to Iraq, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld referred to the flight being shot down – long a suspicion ... Was it a slip of the tongue? Was it an error? Or was it the truth, finally being dropped on the public more than three years after the tragedy of the terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000?"
Evidence in the area had long contradicted the official story..."
One More Time
Don't forget this:
Psalm 27
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh, [a]
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident.
4 One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.
7 Hear my voice when I call, O LORD;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, "Seek his [b] face!"
Your face, LORD, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
O God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing out violence.
13 I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.
This is from a July 25th CNN article re: Obama quotes.
"I can say affirmatively an effective U.S. foreign policy will be based on our ability not only to project power, but also to listen and to build consensus," Obama said.
"The U.S. and Europe can and will achieve far more when we join in a common cause," he added.
Obama used the speech to warn about the dangers of allowing new walls to come between the U.S. and its allies, highlighted what he saw as common transatlantic goals while also accepting the differences of the Bush years.
In an echo of former President Ronald Reagan's speech when he demanded the Berlin Wall be pulled down, Obama said: "The walls between the countries with the most and those with the least cannot stand. The walls between races and tribes; natives and immigrants; Christian and Muslim and Jew cannot stand. These now are the walls we must tear down."
He touched on issues that have generally divided Europe and the U.S. such as climate change as well as comparing Berlin's Cold War struggle with today's international challenges like fighting terrorism.
"People of the world -- look at Berlin, where a wall came down, a continent came together, and history proved that there is no challenge too great for a world that stands as one," he said.
"While the 20th century taught us that we share a common destiny, the 21st has revealed a world more intertwined than at any time in human history."
Joel has a new post.
Dear Father, I thank You for this day.
I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning.
I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God.
You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me.
Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to You.
I ask now for Your forgiveness. And, I trust that you will keep shaping and molding me in the image of my LORD and Savior, Yeshua.
Please keep me safe from all anger and harm.
Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.
Let me make the best of each and every day, to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.
Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things.
Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over.
And give me the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits.
I know that when I can't pray,
You listen to my heart.
Continue to use me to do Your will.
Continue to bless me that I may be
a blessing to others.
Keep me strong that I may help the weak...
Keep me uplifted that I may have
words of encouragement for others.
I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way.
I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood.
I pray for those who don't know You intimately.
I pray for those that don't believe.
But I thank You that I believe that God changes people and God changes things.
I pray for all my sisters and brothers.
For each and every family member
in their households.
I pray for peace, love and joy
in their homes; that they are out of debt and all their needs are met. And that they find Your perfect will for their lifes and that they are able to keep their heart and minds focused on the real purpose You have for each member of Your body, sharing the gospel with a lost world. Help each one of us not to get caught up in all the snares that Satan and the demons lay out for us so that we take our eyes off Your goal for us.
I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than You, our God.
Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.
I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees it.
And Father, I ask that you take this blogspot and shape it into something You can use for Your Glory. May it be a very special place that You usher people to who are hurting or who need to find the Savior.
And, I pray that it will have such a sweet aroma and fragrance that after you have taken your Bride out of this world, that it will lure people to this place where they can find the way to Your Salvation.
In Yeshua's name. Amen!
Denise
Maranatha!
Amen and Amen to your prayer, Denise!
Marge, thanks for thinking of me. I am doing fine, but will be glad when school starts and things can 'sort of' settle down around my house. Hubby and I are off to Chattanooga, TN (Aquarium) in the morning with three grandchildren in tow (2 eleven year olds and a 4 year old)! Fun-Fun! So I'll be away from my computer for a few days!
The Lord bless you and keep you all!
Blessings! (Mary)
just checking in after being gone for a couple of days.
Wow what a great prayer, Denise! Amen!
Mary, we hope you have a wonderful time with your family!
You wrote about Marge...please tell her we said hello and that we hope she will post again here soon. We miss her!
Jim, as far as I know, I don't think the Bible actually says Israel will stand alone when the many countries described in Ez 38 go up against her.
No countries are mentioned as to coming to Israel's rescue....so
many people assume it means that no country will come to her aid.
The Bible does say that when these countries come against Israel, that He will come to her aid, and cause a lot of devestation.. and everyone will know that He is God.
2nd victim dies following Tenn. church attack
Former Astronaut claims Aliens are real
That wasn't bad-The Sound of Music is my favorite movie!
Aliens are real
Details on Bible Lawsuit
Gay Bishop-In the eye on the storm
AMEN Denise -- Great prayer!
Donna - Welcome back
Mary & Lisa - Have a safe & great trip.
GT - Good to "see" you. Glad to hear you are well!
Grace - good article & psalm!
Thanks all for great input.
Prescribed by the Great Physician
*****************************
The next time you feel like GOD can't use you, just remember...
Noah was a drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Samson had long hair and was a womanizer
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
Peter denied Christ
The Disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
Zaccheus was too small
Paul was too religious
Timothy had an ulcer...
AND
Lazarus was dead!
And Don't forget
Jesus Helped them all!!!!
Jim C.
I liked that double edged sword picture on the "early fathers" Revelation commentary.
They did a nice job as far as I can tell for the time frame they were living in.
Since God opens His prophets "spiritual eyes" only at the particular times He desires His prophetic information revealed it does not surprise me the current interpretations would be considerably different today.
We seem to be so close to the brink of the Trib that especially now & during the 70th week - so much more revelation will be able to be understood than in past eras.
Praise the Lord His timing is impeccable!
Somewhat frustrating to us since we tend to prefer the “drive through” revelation instead of patiently waiting on the Lord & His perfect timing.
Alesia; and don't forget - mac is an instigating, pot-stirring, trouble maker, so there's hope for him too.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.
The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:4-9
Yhe grace of our LORD Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
In His Love,
Donnie
Lisa, Shalom! I hope you and yours enjoy your trip to Canada. Just watch out for those HRCs. When can we expect you back?
I agree about the image of the two-edged sword. What I enjoy most, though, are the commentaries by the people who were just coming out of the time of persecution comparing them to the people who were 100 or 200 years past that time, living in societies that were at least nominally Christian.
When you get back, there's a guy that's been posting on the End-Times thread over at Catholic Answers that has a really interesting way of looking at Revelation. I don't think I can summarize his view here, because frankly it sounds to me like something from a graduate theology course. The best way I can describe it is that trying to figure out who is Gog and what countries will be around during the end times is pointless, because Revelation should be viewed as an overview of all of church history, leading up to the final apostasy. Like I say, some VERY interesting insights. My problem with him is that he's insisting that any (what I call) PRACTICAL interpretation of Revelation is pointless. Several of us are pointing out that such interpretations are far from pointless. Aside from the fact that Revelation is so multi-level that it's open to several means of interpretation, with no one being THE correct way, it helps us prepare to witness to people when things start happening. I'll post the link to his webpage if anyone is interested.
One more thought about the "Eucharist coming alive": it's significant to me as a Catholic that it shows the Host with flames as well as beating like a heart. There's a picture you frequently see in Catholic homes that show the Christ with his heart exposed. The heart is pierced and bleeding, it has a circle of thorns around it, and it is on fire. Jesus is offering us His heart, burning with love for us, that we should come to love Him too. It's called the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and it's a very popular devotion. The prayer goes like this:
Sacred Heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore you, I love you, and with a lively sorrow for my sins I offer you this poor heart of mine. Make me humble, patient, pure, and wholly obedient to your will. Grant, good Jesus, that I might live in you and for you. Protect me in the midst of danger, comfort me in my afflictions, give me health of body, your assistance in my temporal needs, your blessing on all I do, and the grace of a holy death. Amen.
I'm really, really interested in your thoughts about the "Virgin Mary Apparition" and the Paranormal TV links I posted. What makes the apparitions at Zeitun so interesting is that in Egypt it was (and still is -- even more so) illegal for a Christian to tell a Muslim ANYTHING about Christianity. To do so is considered proselytizing and can be punished by jail time. Yet here were these events, being seen by thousands, broadcast on Egyptian TV, which the Muslims couldn't explain. So for the duration of the apparitions, the government had to turn a blind eye to the Christians explaining about Mary, the Mother of Jesus; about how Mary, Joseph and Jesus stayed at the site of the church while hiding from Herod, etc.
The "Paranormal TV" link is also very interesting because it shows another type of Eucharistic Miracle, where the communion host just appears on the girl's tongue, supposedly placed there by an angel, with the event caught on film.
Safe journeys!
<><
The immutability of God:
I Change Not
The "apologist" is Richard Abanes. I've been a little critical Of Ken Silva myself at times as I feel that he can be a head hunter. But the implications of this action can be very serious.
Saddleback "Apologist" Threatens Web Host Company with Legal Action - IPOWER to Shut Down Purpose Driven Critic
We've got some new folks here...
Welcome Denise & Donnie!!!
Thanks for your input.
HI Anne,
Here is where you can find the table of contents and the first chapter of Berner's "The Silence is Broken" book.
I hope you had a nice visit with your daughter!
I was thinking about some of the recent comments on how blog sites could bring people to Christ and how we ought to move in that direction, I thought why don't we do some of those things right here?
I think we ought to go back to some basics...the things that interest us and brought us here to begin with...current events, end time discussion and of course some basic info on Christianity.
Obviously there are some ongoing debates, etc on probably all of these topics, but that's ok.
I personally do not see the good in constantly bringing up Todd Bentley, for example, and his relatives sex change operation, etc., especially to the degree it has been brought up.
Not to mention the huge variety of (way out) topics, all going on at the same time.
I really miss Nate and Lori's newslinks, for example, and personally would rather see more
of that than links to the supposed birth of a cow- human.
If I were a non Christian interested in end time- Bible prophecy possibilities, I would need as much basic, clear info as possible about that and about steps to take to have a saving faith in Christ.
Trying to weed thru so much stuff to find this importnat info could be challenging for someone searching, I would think.
Thank God and thank you Alesia and Mac and MR Hyde that the main posts at Mr Hydes Place are wonderful
So....just some thoughts, and of course, just my opinion.
This was from Shoebats corner:
Friends
As President Bush and our "great" state department have done a 180 degree turn and have adopted the proposed policies of Senator Obama by engaging in "peace and surrender talks" to Iran. The very same policies of Neville Chamberlain in the 1930s. There no longer is an aircraft carrier in the Gulf of Arabia. America has already sold out Israel with its pledge to stop Iran from getting nuclear weapons.
In 1967 after the six day war Abba Eban (a person on the left) commented "As we looked around us we saw the world divided between those who are seeking our destruction and those who would do nothing to prevent it." Nothing has changed. America by its actions if not its words have betrayed their faithful ally just as Great Britain betrayed its ally Czechoslavakia.
The words of Churchill come right back to haunt me and Walid as it should do every free loving person of the West.
"We have been given a choice between war and shame, we have chosen shame and we will get war."
No more than 63 years after the end of World War 2 the world is repeating the identical mistake. God Help us all.
Ahmadinejad offers ‘positive’ response to U.S
Notice how he approves of the U.S's
"New Behavior." Not to mention he looks the the cat who swallowed the canary.
Jim C.
When I click on the Paranormal TV link my own blog page comes up.
The current prophetic supernatural movement is quite interesting in that we can see an obvious (obvious at least to us) glimpse of "signs & wonders" orchestrated by evil intentions but covered under the guise of Christianity.
Although those following these prophets are misled and some even demon possessed/influenced-God can use even what we consider the worse of all possible situations for good. If He didn't allow it in the 1st place-it would not be happening.
I think some people may have been actually physically healed (hopefully not w/spiritual damage)
and others have seen the light & left this movement all together.
Through studying this movement we can see the workings & trappings of the "New Age" spiritual disease and how to spot it, avoid it, & warn others about it.
If we are at the brink of the Trib then it's possible this "New Age" collective conscience, 3rd Heaven, Contemplative Spirituality, Universal religion will be a/the tool used in the "Falling away" of Christians spoken of in the Bible.
So back to the Apparitions of Mary I can see how in the circumstance of Egypt or Anti-Christian countries it can have a positive effect on the Muslims to lead them to Christianity. They may give Christianity some consideration after witnessing a "sign & wonder" such as this one.
On the other hand if the Apparition of Mary leads people away from full devotion and worship of YWHW & Jesus then although God allows it-it does not bring Glory and honor to whom it should.
If it reinforces devotion,
prayer, confidence & trust in Mary-which in the non-Catholic circles is not Biblical-then to me it is not inspired of YHWH.
We have had some discussion on this before but in the Bible Mary is not lifted up. It's Jesus & YHWH
who receive all the glory
, honor, praise, & devotion.
So although we are not in agreement on this particular subject on the role of Mary in our Christian journey - I find many admirable attributes in the Catholic faith & just to let you know I love & pray for you always.
*And enjoy ALL of our conversations
BTW-we return on Sunday.
Urgent prayer needed for a family in Afghanistan (she is a friend of my sister-in-law):
Dear Friends,
I am writing this email with great sorrow and fear. This is hard to believe even for me, my family and the rest of my people. We have lost many dear friends and relatives within a month. We have recieved dead bodies of our relatives and friends . We have seen so many orphans crying for food, begging on the streets
of Kabul. Those who lost whatever they had in Behsud, those who were forced to leave their motherland. Those who will never see their beloved parents again.
The Kuchies (Pashtun nomads) along with the Taliban while having the support of government have attacked Behsud (a city near Bamian and are killing the HAZARAS, burning down schools, people's houses, their farms and livestock. The Hazara minority in general and the HAZARAS in Behsud in particular are amongst the
poorest and most marginalised minority groups in Afghanistan. They live in remote villages, having no access to basic living facilities and no roads connecting them to other main cities. The only health center which was build by some charity organisations was burned down by the Kuchies last week. Pashtun nomads armed by the government and some terrorist groups (the Taliban) are forcing the Hazaras to leave their motherland. By now, over 7000 people have displaced, hundreds of children, women and men are killed while the government shows no interest/intention to stop the violence, yet supporting the
perpetrators.
There is no media coverage on the issue and ethnice cleansing is ongoing. If the situation continues like this, a real Darfor will happen in Afghanistan. The
situation is really terrible and we are fearful that the violence against the Hazaras spreads to Bamian (my motherland), Kabul and other provinces with the Hazara population.
Please pray for my people at this difficult time. We can only pray for justice-
We have no support from anybody. We have lost hope. I am ready to die for my people, ready to do anything for the innocent kids died in their schools, for
the women and men who are getting killed only because they are the Hazaras but I alone can do nothing.
Please pray for us all and support us by spreading the news.
Kobra
FYI: Kobra's message was from Monday July 21st.
Officials: US talks to Iran to legitimize attack
Gates: War with Iran would be 'disastrous
Iran seeks 'common ground' with West
Olmert: Living with 270,000 Arabs in Jerusalem means more terror
Israel Seeks to Retain First Place in Water Tech
Turkish court deliberates banning ruling party for Islamic principles
What Is The Market Value Of An Arab Terrorist? AND Antichrist’s Press in Training?
Islamic group claims responsibility for deadly India blasts
Russian Navy Aircraft Test New Weapons In Arctic
The Earth Charter Initiative
Donna, (and anyone else for that matter) if you desire, I will send you the news links daily in your email. But only if you wish.
Shoot me off an email to:
Campsmore@gmail.com and I'll add you.
Lori - Why not just post them here like in the good ole' days?
Lisa - Have a good trip. I suspect the cave will be a little slow without you. ;-(
Where in the worl is Nate? You've been given shout outs & no reply!
Pray all is well.
For that matter - where is Harold?
Alesia, when I did that before, it seemed like there was some opposition. Plus, I am now working outside the home full-time and it's time consuming writing the html code to post in blue. Not to mention I post at two blogs... and have an email blast once a day for news links...
Now, If I could find a way to make a career out of this? he he he
Forgot to add...
Absolutely am praying for the Hazaras.
Fair enough, Lori.
Thanks for today's Lori Links!!
I don't recall the opposition
I always looked forward to them.
Hey Lori...wow lots of news links!
You do not need to email me them!
I constantly check the news for news updates. I just think relevant news links are good for this blogsite.
I do not remember anyone expressing any opposition about the news links.
Personally, I like them and think we need them!
But please do not feel you have to if you are short on time with working, etc.!
I do it more often if I can... thanks for the feedback
What a heartbreaking situation Kobra wrote about.
Please know they will all be in my and our prayers.
Maranatha
Mostly, we just miss you!
And so many others, too!
Donna, that's so sweet. I appreciate your prayers for Kobra. We cannot even begin to immagine what it must be like her for and those people.
Thanks for the links, Lori. They're great.
Also praying for Kobra and the Hazara.
Have a good trip, Lisa.
Nate...calling Nate. Are you out there?
So true, Lori.
Sometimes I feel like the Israelites, when they were wandering around in the wilderness, constantly complaining about everything, even though they had all of their basic needs taken care of.
We really have no clue how horrible living conditions can be.
Someone I asked to pray, said they could only groan. I understand this because it's exactly what happened when I tried to pray.
I cannot imagine facing what they're experiencing.
If someone screams in our neighborhood, it's probably just a couple kids or a "domestic" situation out of control.
But when confronted with these types of horrors, it must torture the listener, always wondering if they're next.
God help these people... Please comfort, deliver and strengthen them in Jesus name.
Can we be good without God?
What is the connection between belief in God and morality?
Why am I not surprised?
Paper, rapped for outing Obama note, claims campaign pre-approved leak
Nate,
NO WAY! That's my church!!!!
Well, not officially since our membership is still back in Pittsburgh at a Presby there, but we've been going to Calvary since moving to Hatfield (and now Perkasie) in 2002. Small world for sure!
So you're familiar with the Perk restaurant? We live 2 blocks up the street from there. We lived in Hatfield for about 3 years and then the Lord moved us to buy our current house in Perkasie.
I think I remember way back at Joel's that you mentioned you were from the Philly area and I wondered how close to my neck of the woods you were. I'm actually from central PA, near State College area, but my hubby grew up in the city/suburbs so I'm the transplant.
That is entirely too cool! Do you ever visit? If so, let me know and we can meet up!
Blessings,
Jen
Let's see....
Meredith "retired" earlier this year due to a host of health issues he'd been dealing with. I think he was burned out as well and needed a new direction. He took a 2 month leave beforehand to seek the Lord on the matter and made the decision in the spring. Everyone was terribly sad to see him go, of course. Charles is now the lead pastor and we love to hear him speak.
The church has had a growth explosion since we've been there so they just finished a 2nd addition this year...much more room for the youth programs plus a cafe/play area that's open to the public daily. Lots of women bring their small children to play there so it's a good outreach to the community. I was a bit worried at first that it might go in a seeker-friendly direction (Calvary has that flavor to begin with, but it's a slippery slope toward the feel-good gospel.) So far we haven't seen that and in fact, lately, it seems the direction is tilting back toward more traditional approaches (singing the old hymns, for example) but definitely still reaching those who aren't familiar with the basics of the faith. There's an invitation to accept Christ at each service so I'm pleased to hear that message given each week.
I have to tell you a funny story about the R&S...I've never eaten there but I don't think I ever will be able to...when I was pregnant, I'd drive past it daily on my way to work and for several months they were advertising oyster pie. I guess it's a favorite in these parts? Anyway, the thought turned my stomach so much that I actually used to drive a longer way around just so I wouldn't see the sign! It's forever seared in my mind now :0
We frequent the Heritage alot since they have cheap kids meals...60 cents per year on Thurs., so we can feed the trips for about $5. The old management is back, by the way, so I've heard people are happy to eat there again.
And yes, although there are still cornfields along the road, it isn't "country" to me, having grown up on a farm. For my husband, though, it's the sticks and he can't believe we live as far away from the city as we do. The other day I had to follow a tractor hauling hay and that made me feel good. Everyone else was honking and trying to zip around.
Blessings,
Jen
Nate! You're back!
I was all puffed up with self-importance when I saw the links were for me, then quickly deflated when I saw they were for Donna! Now I'm jealous! ;-)
So, we've got Lori and Nate back, think we can get JCChick? And all the rest?
Lori, thank you for sharing the prayer request for these poor people. I will be praying. Please update if you hear more.
Donna, thanks for the link to The Silence is Broken. Now I have to remind myself why I wanted it!
I had a great long weekend with two of my daughters. We don't get the chance to just get together and hang out much anymore, so the time was very precious.
wow what a small world! (jen and nate).
Anne, earlier today I wrote about how I missed the news links from lori and nate...which is why nate said they were for me.
Obviously, the news links are good for everyone...and for blog in general:)
Lisa, Shalom! Here's a corrected link to that video:
Photo Proof of Miracles
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I know it is late in lots of places (especially here in Okieland) but I have to tell you all something great.
For the past 18+ months, I have had such a terrible time with pain in my left hip, lower back and pelvic areas that I had to given up. Since last Thanksgiving (November for Mac) I have not driven except on 7 occasions when Jim couldn't drive me. I hurt so bad I would become physically sick and nothing was touching the pain in the way of meds.
I made up my mind last Friday evening that I was going to go to church no matter how bad I hurt. I called my friend Linda and she said she would come by, pick me up and I could attend Sunday School with her. She is the teacher and also a real prayer warrior. I hurt so bad Saturday that I was tempted to cancel but I didn't. Sunday morning I got up and took my shower, ate breakfast and in the process of dressing for church, I discovered I wasn't hurting anywhere at all. I attended SS and Church without pain one and I am very pleased to tell you that I am still pain free. Hallelujah! Well come on and praise the Lord with me!
I asked Linda to come here and give her testimony of the whole day but she said she has to leave that to me as her computer is throwing fits again.
Anyway, I just can't tell you how great it feels not to be sitting on a boiling and raging rear-end any more.
OH, NATE! Great seeing you in print again. I have been praying for you because it is not usual for you to be so silent so long! Love you!
All of you are included in that,
Grany
Grany, Praise G_D! Wonderful news!
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Thank you for those comments, Denise and Donnie. Nate; good to hear from you.
Donna; Mr Hyde was chuffed to get a mention earlier.
Grany; Amen to Jim's comment.
Grany,
That's wonderful. God is sooo good.
I've been reaing a book by Dr. Charles S. Price called The Real Faith for Healing. For those who haven't heard of him, he was a minister who had a powerful healing ministry in the first half of the 20th century. More about Dr. Price can be found here:
Dr. Charles S. Price (1887-1947)
The following is an excerpt from a brief biography of Dr. Price I found at: http://www.johncarverministries.org/pricebio.html
Dr. Price had the privilege of ministering under the unction and anointing of the Holy Spirit in a ministry unparalleled in these days of "signs following," where the lame walked, the blind received sight, and cripples were made whole. His God-given ministry of faith -- the faith of Jesus Christ -- continued until three days before his departure to be with his Lord on March 8, 1947.
Dr. Price was known for his simple, gospel preaching that exalted Christ. He was also known for his word pictures, in which, under God, he was able to paint the tenderness and love of his Master with such clarity that those who sat under his ministry were brought into personal contact with their Lord.
Anyway, I find this interesting because it relates to:
Grany's wonderful testimony
the Todd Bentley mess
other requests we've had at the cave to pray for the Lord's healing touch
Faith
Kathy,
Thanks for pointing me to your post where Kristin addressed the topic of OSAS. I saw it and read it almost immediately. Believe it or not, I agree with much of what she said. I've been wanting to post a reply but haven't had a chance to write out my thoughts and questions about what Kristin wrote.
Anyway, I have to tell you, in his book, Dr. Price argues that Real Faith for Healing only comes from Christ. It is divinely imparted. He was absolutely convinced of this. It's got me thinking really hard about the nature of faith (which, as you have observed, is one of the fundamental issues at the heart of the OSAS debate).
I'm also interested in the topic of healing because I believe it is for today (not of the belief that miracles were only for the apostolic age). I have had diabetes and hypothyroid since 1976 (when I was a kid).
God's grace has definitely kept me in good health as far as my diabetes goes. It can sure take a toll in terms of resources and physical energy. I would LOVE to receive a healing from Jesus. As Dr. Price points out though, we need to seek the Healer more than the healing. Amen!
If it is his will that I remain diabetic until I get to heaven, I'm fine with that. The thing I struggle with is the question of whether it is His will.
Strangely, I have often felt that the Lord has given me faith to pray for others and see them touched. There have been several instances when I have prayed for folks who were near death and the Lord seemed to miraculously breath life back into them to the point that they got dramatically better for a few weeks or longer and then later passed away. They weren't completely healed after my prayers but the level of new life quite dramatic considering how close they were to passing.
Anyway, just thinking out loud regarding healing and trying to understand what the Lord says about it and how he wants us to press in regarding healing (for ourselves or for others).
Jim (G)- That Charles Price link looks interesting and I agree with your thoughts on healing. I'm going to read the Faith articles when I get a chance.
Dr. Charles S. Price Books
Thanks Mac.
The book I'm reading (The Real Faith for Healing) was edited and rewritten by Harold J. Chadwick to update the language for a more modern audience.
Apparently, the original work is available for free in pdf here:
The Real Faith
Kathy, be sure to check it out.
From the Forward by the Editor:
Why was this book rewritten? Dr. Price was a great orator, after the style of William Jennings Bryan. His sermons are filled with grand flourishes as he spoke of the wonders of God and Christ--and he wrote the same way. When his book ws first published, it matched well his speaking style, and most of his readers were familiar with it. But as the years have passed, the art of oratory has virtually vanished, and books written in that style are increasingly difficult for modern readers to follow and understand. For that reason, we rewrote this book in the leaner and faster style that most readers today are accustomed to. In so doing, however, we were careful to retain and clarify all of Dr. Price's teaching on the real faith that so answered his questions, satisfied his heart, and brought help and heling to thousands.
oops. ...help and healing to thousands.
JIM G.
Thanks for the links to Dr. Charles S. Price. As a little child I remember his name being highly spoken of in our home and also, we used to have several of his books. As I have stated in earlier posts, I had the privilege of attending a 4 Square Gospel Church when I was growing up and loved every moment of it and the memories. Suffice it to say, the relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit were real, personal and precious. I truly believe it was that early foundation that began my communion with Abba on a firm basis. I don't like and will not participate in "Flakey"; never have and never will. I feel this way about it. My relationship to this point with Abba has been so exciting, so wonderful and pure that I have no desire for anything that would deter me from His perfect will and direction in my life. Believe me, I know when I have put my foot in poo-poo and I know it immediately. It is up to me to extract my foot, ask for forgiveness and get on with my walk. It isn't up to me to set principles or judge the congregation. No! I have all I can manage just keeping my own feet clean.
I loved Dr. Price's comments contained in the PDF that you so graciously linked us to. Thanks so very much.
I thank all of you for your prayers and encouragement; they mean so very much to me. I am still pain free and I am so excited about it that I would love to have a big hoedown to celebrate but I am afraid I would shock our Indian (from India) neighbors.
Keeping you all in my prayers and loving every minute of it,
Grany
Jim G,
Yes, faith, the ability to believe the gospel message and submit to it is given by God! Excellent article! With nothing good in us it has to come from Him, and then once we’ve been given that gift of faith what’s good in us then is Jesus!
I believe Jesus heals today. But I also believe if an infirmity will keep us humble and focused on Him, He will keep that in our lives because He knows what will best conform us into His image. It’s all about letting Him have control because He always knows best.
I will tell Kristen you read the article. She would love to dialogue with you so when you do have time be sure and bring your comments and questions. I agree with her, I don’t think the two points of view are as far apart as it may first seem.
A great day all!
If you think about it, the trials the Lord allows into our lives can be faith builders, if we submit to His sovereign working in our lives.
Great comments and links and discussion.
Grany, how wonderful that you have been healed and are doing so well!!!!! WOW!!!!! Praise God!!
I am looking forward to reading these posts further along with the links regarding healing! Thank you for them!
I got the Silence is Broken book in the mail today! YAY!
Gotta run for now and help my husband and son.
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Ok, I got to thinking even more. I have a dear friend at church who is wheelchair bound. She is a great example to me of leaning on the Lord and of trusting God in hard circumstances. You never know who's faith you might encourage when you bear up under trials! Her sweet smile every time I see her always brightens my day!
hi all just checking in really quickly-we are in southern cal and the earthquake today was quite a rush but all are safe. thankfully we were in a store and not on any rides. we didn't feel any of the aftershocks.
Jib, glad that you made it through safely. I'm still waiting to hear from my brother and sister.
This project is sponsored by George Orwell and his Big Brother
Glad you are ok Joyce. My daughter is there on vacation. She, hubby, and daughter are at Disneyland. She called to say all the rides were shut down. Having grown up in So Cal I've experienced more earthquakes than I care to remember!
Jim C,
My sister finally got through to me. From what I understand there was no major damage or injuries.
Kathy
we were in downtown Disney! how funny that they are here too.
Joyce
of course I didn't get hurt during the quake but my son has this irritating and dangerous habit of not looking where he is going and walking blindly in front of me at inopportune times and he did so again. I managed for the most part to avoid falling on him but might have stepped on him. in my efforts to avoid the larger injury to him I aggravated my foot. drat.
Oh no! And your foot was starting to get better?! I just learned that they were at California Adventure, not Disneyland. My daughter and granddaughter had just stepped off a ride and they said they felt really dizzy. How funny that you guys are so close! There was a bit of damage. My sister's tea cup fell off a shelf, broke, and scratched her coffee table!
Greg Laurie's blog includes a video of his message on Sunday concerning the death of his son Chris, age 33 that you all might want to check out when you have a chance.
Jib, we is going to get you a big bubble and put you inside to protect that foot. I always wanted to try that one out when i was PG with my son. I was already shaped like a ball and even bounced like one.
Good to hear from you.
Jim G. I am really enjoying that link you posted of Dr. Price. I am still reading and enjoying it immensely. I am planning on ordering two of the books listed on the web site to share with my kids.
Time for me to close shop and think about retiring for the night.
God bless you all,
Grany
“All the way my Saviour leads me,
Cheers each winding path I tread;
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me on the living bread.
Though my weary steps may falter,
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the rock before me,
Lo, a spring of joy I see.”
Charles S Price "The Real Faith"
Thanks again, Jim. I love Dr Price's devotional writing style. It seems a rare thing in writers nowadays.
Jib; Grany is right about that bubble!
There's a new post.
I hope everyone is having a good sleep and may everyone have a God blessed day.
And don't forget to have a good breakfast! You know who I'm talking to.
Well, back to my closet I go.
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