Gal 6:10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
My Blog List
Links
- A Christian Thinktank
- Bible Prophecy Today
- Dr. Constable's Bible Study Notes
- Israel, Epicenter Of The World
- Joel C Rosenberg
- Joels' new blog
- Koinonia House Online
- Lambert Dolphin's Library
- Middletown Bible Church
- Olive Tree Ministries
- Persecution.Com
- Study Light Resources
- The Official Ray C Stedman Library
- The Omega Letter
- The True.Origin Archive
Discernment Ministries
150 comments:
I'm starting to grow weary & we're not even in the thick of things yet. (What a wimp I must be!)
My D.H. spoke w/our Pastor today-apparently there is supposed to be some sort of protest next Sunday against our Church (& 4 others targeted in S.D.) by an Anti-Christian group. (I don't know which one it is-yet)
My first thought of course was that spiritually speaking our Church must be causing some havoc for the Kingdom to be one of the 5direct targets.
Our pastor is naturally concerned by the developing situation so if you could please pray for pastor Ray-
Homosexuals give Obama standing ovation."I appreciate that many of you don't believe progress has come fast enough," Obama said. "Do not doubt the direction we are heading and the destination we will reach."
....
"My expectation is that when you look back on these years you will look back and see a time when we put a stop against discrimination ... whether in the office or the battlefield," Obama said.
"We have never had a stronger ally in the White House. Never," Joe Solmonese, the group's president, said at the dinner before the president spoke.
(Why do I have this funny feeling that Obama is emboldening these Anti-Christian groups to come out of the woodwork @ this time?)
You are right, Jim C, about the History Channel. They stated at the beginning of the program that they would not be taking a position on Newton's end times theories, but they sure seemed biased to me. I like watching the HC, but I don't know why I keep watching anything related to the Bible and getting myself riled up. I guess it's good to know what "they" are saying...
Those who suffer the same things from the same people for the same Person can scarcely not love each other.
C. S. Lewis
Suffering—the soil of spiritual growth
"The Bible does not promise that Christians won't suffer. In fact, the Scriptures give much evidence that we can expect to suffer, given the evil that is in the world around us and the sin that is in us.
What God does promise is that our suffering can become the catalyst for new growth. God promises to redeem our suffering into his glory.
What griefs are you currently suffering? Can you entrust them to God, confident that he will use them to bring new growth into your life?
The worst kind of suffering is that which we experience alone. When we suffer with another person who is sympathetic to our problem, the suffering is easier to bear. Throughout history, God has sympathized with suffering people. He hears our cries. How would your life and outlook be different if you become convinced that God never failed to respond to your pain?
Lisa, here's the crackpot group that will be leading the protest at Maranatha Chapel. They are so out on the fringe, they may as well be considered "anti-Christian"
Update on Westboro Baptist Church
I looked at their "list". Well, at least they are hitting all the Spirit filled S.D. Churches.
The unfortunate part is that this "Baptist" situation will play right into the hands of the "hate crime" proponents & many people will only remember it was a "Christian" group who behaved this way-justifying their views of Anti-Christian sentiment.
They are also protesting in front of the Jewish places here as well.
Too bad I can't hold up a Matthew 7:22 sign. "Lord, Lord..."
I wonder what their point is in doing such a thing. It's a long way to fly in order to be nasty and hateful. What could they possibly hope to accomplish?
Capitol Resource Institute
Yesterday evening Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB 54 and SB 572, both authored by Senator Mark Leno, into law. SB 54 requires California to grant all the privileges and rights of marriage to same-sex marriages performed outside of California prior to the passage of Proposition 8 last year. SB 572 requires the governor to declare every May 22 Harvey Milk Day in California.
"This is tragic news for California families," state Karen England, executive director of Capitol Resource Institute. "The governor has chosen to completely undermine the will of the people -- the millions of Californians who have twice stated that they intend for only traditional marriage to be recognized in our state. By signing SB 54, the governor thumbs his nose at the initiative process and the voters who trust that their vote means something.
Last year the governor vetoed a bill identical to SB 572 that would have declared Harvey Milk Day in California. In his veto message, the governor cited the local influence of Milk in San Francisco, stating that Milk's recognition should not be mandated statewide.
"We don't know why the governor suddenly changed his mind and decided to impose a radical social agenda in every classroom," stated England. "One possible explanation is the influence of the governor's Hollywood friends. After a biopic on Milk received Academy Award recognition earlier this year, Hollywood political activists began lobbying the governor to sign the resurrected Harvey Milk Day bill. It seems that the governor places more value in the opinion of his Hollywood friends and their values than the values of the people who voted him into office."
Lisa, Shalom! Wow! You're getting picketed by Fred Phelps and his merry band! I wonder what's going to happen when Fred dies? I used to live in Topeka back when he was just getting started. "Westboro Baptist Church" consists almost entirely of Fred Phelps, his children and their spouses, and grandchildren; who all live in a compound in Topeka, KS. The company where I worked was once picketed by them because we processed the Medicare/Medicaid payments for the State of Kansas, which meant we were supporting "fags" by keeping them from dying of AIDS. At one point there was a tee shirt going around that I wish I had bought. It showed this guy carrying one of the Phelps' signs "GOD HATES FAGS" who is being struck by lightning. The caption above and below the picture read, "GOD LOVES EVERYONE... but He ain't too fond of Fred!"
What they're hoping to get is media coverage. These are the people whose protests got legislatures all over the country to prohibit demonstrations within 200 feet of a funeral, because they were picketing the funerals of soldiers who had been killed in Afghanistan and Iraq. The deaths of these mother's sons, you see, was God's punishment for homosexuality, and they wanted to make sure that the fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters and children of these brave men and women knew that THEY THEMSELVES were responsible for those deaths because they were supporting fags in the military.
The only way to defeat hate, esp. hate on this scale, is through love. My prayers will be with you.
<><
My son went to the gun show yesterday and there were people buying guns with gold. He said the vendors were prepared, they were doing scratch tests.
uh
Makes one wonder!
Church censors biblical creation
The Melbourne Anglican requests an article from CMI and then refuses to publish it.
Jib,
Check this out-Now their bosom buddies! Barack Obama makes Tony Blair his unofficial-first friend.
IN Cambridge:
Bishop's invite to occult party
Now he hopes to target the faithful in a bid to take them to the dark side.
And down in Australia:
'Evil spells are being cast on parliament'
Catch the Fire Ministries pastor Daniel Nalliah has organised a "prayer offensive'' to combat evil forces including witchcraft, homosexuality and abortion.
The discovery of a "black mass altar'' at Mount Ainslie in Canberra by a group of school students had inspired him to organise a prayer gathering at the area on Saturday.
"The type of altar discovered on Mount Ainslie pointed to a black mass and the work of dark forces wanting to cast spells on Australia and federal parliament,'' Mr Nalliah said.
Uncle Bob has gotten so many letters regarding the video "Did Jesus identify the anti-christ?" that he had to respond. So he sent it out to all on his mailing and I thought I'd post it here.
I have seen this attachment several times and I personally think it is quite a stretch. Although I do think God is using Obama to prepare the way for the next prophecy to be fulfilled, which is the War of Gog and Magog, I do not at all believe he is the antiChrist. Yes, to me Obama is evil and he turns my stomach just to see him, but he does not fit what I see in the Bible.
If we look at prophecies about the antiChrist, such as found in Isaiah 10, we find him being referred to as the Assyrian. I can find nothing about Obama that fits this. I personally believe the antiChrist will be born somewhere in what was the old Assyrian empire. I think there is a strong possibility that he will be an Islamic leader.
As I said, I do think Obama is being used by God in several ways. Remember when we study Ezekiel 38 and 39 (The War of Gog and Magog) there is no nation on earth that will come to Israel's aid. God plans it this way so that when He defeats the massive army made up of countries led by Russia and Iran everyone, especially the Jews, will know that He is God.
I see Obama playing a part in that in several ways. Obviously he is destroying America. Our dollar will be worthless with what he is doing, which will lead to the one world currency. At heart, Obama is an internationalist. He has no problem deep down with diminishing America in favor of a one world government. These things are laying the foundation of what will come in the tribulation.
But even more important to what is to come next, the War of Gog and Magog, Obama is playing into God's hands with the way he is treating Israel. His heart is with the Palestinians. I actually see the Nobel Peace Prise as part of God's work. Consider this hypothetical: Now that Obama has won that award he will feel emboldened to push Israel for more "land for peace" to try to justify his having received the Peace Prize. Netenyahu is against that, of course, but he has softened somewhat this last month. But even more, I think Obama will go so far as to push for the dividing of Jerusalem. That will be too much for Netenyahu to stomach. He then will finally realize that Obama will never back Israel and he will go ahead and unleash his jets upon Iran's nuclear facilities. That will be a personal affront to the egotistical Obama. And because of Obama's vast popularity in the rest of the world, all nations will cry out against Israel. Israel will be totally alone in the world, just as Ezekiel 38 says they will be. Iran will retaliate, which is the hook in the mouth of Russia that the Lord prophesied in Ezekiel, because Russia will now have to back Iran due to the mutual defense agreement entered into by Iran and Russia last year. That will be the beginning of the War of Gog and Magog. All Islam will be up in arms, too.
After it is over and many Islamic nations and Russia are soundly defeated by God, the result worldwide will be dramatic. Oil will be scarce and very expensive. The whole world will blame Israel for the economic shambles it will be in. At that point the antiChrist will rise up. He will calm the fears of the nations and actually propose a seven year peace treaty with Israel. That will be the start date for the tribulation.
Of course, true believers will have been raptured by then. Actually, I feel fairly strongly that the rapture will have occurred at the beginning part of the War of Gog and Magog. (on the Feast of Trumpets).
Obviously I am not a prophet. But this scenario makes sense to me in light of what I see in God's Word. I could very well be wrong, but it follows the plan laid out in the Bible.
But as for Obama, I think his rising star will fade once he has accomplished the things God wants him to accomplish as far as laying the foundation for God's end times and the return of Jesus.
I may have gotten carried away and written much more than you wanted. I guess you asked for the time and I built a watch. But these are my thoughts.
In Christ's love, Bob
"A mighty fortress is our God.
A bulwark never failing.
Our helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe—
His craft and pow'r are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not His equal."
A Mighty Fortress is Our God
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
Psalm 46:1-3 NLT
The great reformer
"After posting his ninety-five theses on the door of Wittenberg's Castle Church in October 1517, Martin Luther faced many years of trials and persecution. And during the years of the ensuing Protestant Reformation, Luther came to know better than most the gracious power of God's sheltering hand. He confidently stepped forward to defend the truth he found in God's Word, despite excommunication from the Roman church, continual threats to his life and freedom, and times of intense spiritual battle.
In the comforting words of Psalm 46, Luther found the inspiration for this hymn that would become the battle cry of the Protestant Reformation. Many who suffered for their faith during that time found solid comfort in Luther's words of faith and praise. "A might fortress is our God!"
Amen, Sister Alesia!
We have nothing to fear if God is on our side!
I have heard that, if everyone in the world was against you, that God and you would still be in the majority!
Jim C. Check this out:USA Survival Org Someone said it belongs to a practicing Roman Catholic. It seems to have a lot of Obama/Vatican/UN articles posted on it which shows how split Catholics are with who is supportive of what.
From "Vatican backs Obama's Global Agenda":
While the Vatican statement congratulating Obama (On the Nobel Peace Prize) was also seen by some as a surprise, it too makes sense. The Vatican expressed the hope that "this most important recognition will ultimately encourage such a difficult but fundamental commitment for the future of humanity, so that it might bring the expected results."
The "expected results" are evident when one considers that Pope Benedict, the leader of 1.2 billion Catholics, had endorsed a "World Political Authority," a form of world government, in his recent encyclical "Caritas in Veritate." This world political authority, in the Vatican view, is supposed to "manage the economy," bring about "timely disarmament," and ensure "food, security and peace."
However, researcher Carl Teichrib points out in a new study (PDF) that some Catholic writers are reluctant to face up to the Vatican's embrace of global government....
Hi Folks...I hope all is well with you all. I was hoping you could all say some prayers from my older brother. I have been praying for him for so many years. He is so lost in so many ways.
Please pray with me for my brother that He will open his eyes and know that He is Lord and Saviour! In Jesus Name, Amen!
Praying for your brother, Donna. I have one that needs saving as well.
Two European Nuclear Scientists Arrested as Al-Qaeda Suspects
Yes, Donna, I will pray.
I have a friend whose son has turned away from his faith, saying to his heartbroken mother that there are more ways to God than Jesus. My friend says she can't pray 'Maranatha,come Lord Jesus', not until her son returns to Him.
I feel the same way, though I do feel excitement and longing about being with Jesus. But, I care about so many who would be left behind and my heart feels heavy for them.
Well
Lori I appreciate your Uncle's stance but I have read an studied a number of articles and I remain unconvinced that the AC has to be either Assryian, Islamic or Roman for that matter. Marge always used to say that God always has a few curve balls and I think this particular matter as well as what the great lie is going to be are the 2 areas in which I am expecting a curve ball. I think the 2 biggest factors as to who the AC will be are what is meant precisely as the Prince of the people who destroyed the Temple and lacks the desire of women. Both of those can be parsed to many interesting conclusions
Lisa
those kooks are dangerous! I appreciate the article. Those 2 bear watching for certain.
As to Frucht, I appreciate the view of someone who comes from an Orthodox Jewish background and approaches things from that perspective. While i don't agree with him on everything-e.g he adamantly states that the AC has to be an of Roman/Italian descent and I remain open although I am admittedly more swayed by those saying at least of Western descent as opposed to Assyrian or Islamic descent. I don't necessarily understand precisely where he comes from and some of the studies border on tedious quite frankly, despite that I have found his teachings to be quite instructive and gives my busy little mind something to chew on. Besides, as my husband grew up in the Catholic church and didn't go to a Christian college this is my sneaky way of getting exposure to good sound doctrine other than that of church and sunday school. We started with the Trial of Christ, very interesting I might add, and then proceeded to his study of the Feasts of the Lord. We also covered Nicodemus coming to Christ by night. Interesting about that was that we learned that the term "born again" actually started with Judaism and that what is preached about John 3 may not be culturally accurate nor have the meaning most think it has. We are now covering Sin, Faith and Salvation. We listen to it together while driving longer distances and in general our son listens along also and sometimes he even requests it!
There have been times when I have read something that I just don't agree with it but after I re read it several times and study I concede that his view is probably more accurate than what I thought or had previously been taught and sometimes I still think he is wrong :-)
Anne
thanks I appreciate that
Jim G
in all seriousness, the Mpeg files on the sin and salvation teachings (I think about 11 hours or so) from Frucht are very interesting and you might find that his explanations are the most consistent and understandable on OSAS.
Donna
don't lose faith about your brother. my mom prayed for her family for DECADES before she saw them come to Christ. My grandfather was probably in his late 30's or early 40's when my mom was saved. He was saved shortly after my brother's death at age 69. My grandmother probably wasn't saved until her 70's and she was roughly 15-20 years younger than he. her next older brother (2 years older than my mom) died of cancer at age 67? or so.
my mom was saved when she was around age 12! she is still praying for her last remaining brother who is in his late 60's and made no commitment to Christ as of yet.
prayer request
my mom's half sister's family is falling apart. her sis is 80. her youngest daughter nearly died of illness recently and her older daughter has discovered her hubby has drug, alcohol and porn problems. cleaned out all the money, stole some of my cousins more $$ jewelry she makes and tried to kick she and her mom out of the house with no money. they wouldn't go and he in in the basement. they are both afraid. her youngest son nearly died of MI. This part of my mom's family have been fairly strong Christians.
I'm done hogging the blog :-)
Jib,
As far as I'm concerned, you can hog the blog anytime. I appreciate your posts. ll hours or so though? Hmmm. Actually, I'm very interested. I'll just need to find the time.
Ooops. I meant "11 hours..."
Thanks, and I will pray for all of you and your family members and loved ones.
speaking of Marge...I wonder how she is doing...I have not been on much lately either.
BTW...it was great seeing GT's posts!
We could use more "grounded" folks here, IMO
I don't recall if I've posted a link to this before. It be funnier if it wasn't so true.
Humorous look at Emergent Church thinking (or lack thereof)
Lisa, Shalom! RE: that USA Survival Org; I can't say whether the guy who runs it is Roman Catholic or not. I CAN say that the person who wrote that "Vatican backs Obama's Global Agenda" article never read the encyclical in question, "Caritas in Veritate" ("Charity in Truth"). It sounds like the author just read someone else's analysis of it; said analysis done by someone who didn't read it either but just read a summary of it somewhere. (That type of stuff happens far more often than you might hope.)
This encyclical was released in reaction to the global financial crisis of the past year, and the recognition that the world economic system is moving to "globalism" (whatever that means.) The encyclical neither condemns nor endorses "Obama's Global Agenda"; it simply states how governments, corporations, and responsible individuals must view and treat the gifts that G_D has given them so that the people they are responsible for can access things like clean food and water, education, etc. It mentions "globalization" in this context: the need for any economic system to respect human dignity. This view goes back to an encyclical Pope Leo XIII wrote called, "Rerum Novarum" ("Rights and Duties of Capital and Labor"). This was issued in 1891, back at the beginning of the labor movement. It was partially a response to Marx's "Das Kapital", and it details the rights and obligations labor and management have towards each other.
Simply put, in the Catholic Christian view, capitalism in its pure form is evil, because it removes the essential dignity of man and makes him simply a replaceable part in a machine designed to make money for a few. Communism/Socialism are also evil because they remove the essential dignity of man by denying him the fruits of his own labor (and again, make him a replaceable part of the Dictatorship of the Proletariat.) Any just economic system must respect human dignity, or it is evil. "There can be no peace without truth, and there can be no truth without justice."
<><
Jib, am praying for your family.
I highly recommend listening or watching this sermon by Pastor Chan. It begins with a guest speaker talking about the church in Iran. Select the “Slow Down and Show Grace” sermon 10/04/09
Cornerstone Church
Humility, not humiliation
"You rescue those who are humble, but you humiliate the proud."
Psalm 18:27 NLT
The high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, the Holy One, says this: "I live in that high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I refresh the humble and give new courage to those with repentant hearts."
Isaiah 57:15 NLT
About this week's promise
"May God's grace give you the necessary humility. Try not to think—much less, speak—of their sins. One's own are a much more profitable theme! And if on consideration, one can find no faults on one's own side, then cry for mercy: for this must be a most dangerous delusion.
C.S. Lewis
Humility is not effacing oneself. It is not destroying one's sense of self-worth. It is honest recognition of our own worth, our worth as God sees us.
Pride elevated us above others, and often above God himself. But to destroy one's sense of self-worth is also unacceptable, for it denies the value God placed upon us when he created us in his image and when he sent his Son to die for us.
Christ did not die for worms but for people he loves very much, and those people have great worth or value in God's eyes.
To see ourselves as God sees us—that is our goal.
Rifqa's testimony & prayer for muslims
I don't know if this qualifies, or if this is true, but if it is, this is very fascinating given that the bible seems to reference places by their original ancient names
Obama born in Syria?
This is the quote that got my attention...
"However, the Assyrian Empire of 824 - 625 B.C. did extend into Kenya. Interesting yes? Coincidence? Maybe. It's something to consider."
Lori - didn't read the article yet but my heart breaks for that poor girl, Rifqa.
I was so upset to hear, yesterday, that they are sending her back to Ohio. I pray that they drag it out long enough for her to turn 18.
Please, let's all continue to pray for her safety.
I think this young girl has become a great witness for the Lord, through her circumstances.
Not fearmongering here, but just to give information. I just watched the History Channel's program Day After Disaster. Very informative about what happens after a nuke goes off in D.C. with practical advice (run or stay put?) and little known info about the shadow government (Continuity of Government) which will be in place if all of our government officials are taken out.
It was not on the regular programing, but on Comcast On Demand.
That video is on youtube already... Day After Disaster
Day After Disaster
Anne,
Well, what was the advice if a nuke went off? Should I Stay or Should I go?
Sunstein: Take organs from 'helpless patients'TEL AVIV – President Obama's newly confirmed regulatory czar defended the possibility of removing organs from terminally ill patients without their permission.
Cass Sunstein also has strongly pushed for the removal of organs from deceased individuals who did not explicitly consent to becoming organ donors.
2012 forecast: Food riots, ghost malls, mob rule, terror.
A trends forecaster says the current economic "rebound" from last winter's Wall Street collapse of banks, insurance companies and automobile manufacturers is an artificial blip created by 'phantom money printed out of thin air backed by nothing."
And Gerald Celente of TrendsResearch.com, says people right now should be bracing for "the greatest recession" which will hit worldwide and will mark the "decline of empire America." Crop failures could be among the minor concerns.
(I guess we'll see if this is the case-here is the part I liked the best:)Now comes his forecast for a global depression and for the United States, "Obamageddon."
The people over at "Cutting Edge" do not think this will be the case at all & it's all hype. That it's not in the Illuminaiti's game plan-yet and that Scripture points to a mid-Tribulation time of economic collapse.
(So they are not stocking up-buying seeds or going into survival mode. Following is an excerpt:)
"When I line up Scripture with the Illuminati Plan, I see no global Great Depression at all, even during the time World War III is raging. Advanced nations will experience limited, planned trouble in enough dosage that the Illuminati can use the crisis as the excuse to dissolve elected governments and establish Absolute Dictatorships throughout the world. When Antichrist arises, there will be no elected governments anywhere in the world.
But, when Antichrist does arise, he and his economic advisers will be able to resurrect the failed economies of the world as a new global economy, with a cashless global currency and with a "Mark of the Beast" system which will allow Antichrist and his False Prophet to control the peoples of the entire world.
Traditional Bible scholars have long taught that many nations of the world will experience some degree of prosperity right up to the point of the mid-point of the Tribulation, when Antichrist triggers God's Wrath by committing the Abomination of Desolation within the newly-built Temple, inside the Holy of Holies.
We believe that a global Depression will not occur until the second half of the Tribulation Period. All this talk of an impending global economic depression is just talk designed to scare you. It is no wonder that Jesus predicted that, at the End of the Age, "men's hearts will fail them for fear".
Lisa, the guys at Cutting Edge apparently hold to a concurrent opening of the seals to come to that conclusion. Or do they view the seals opening midweek?
Lisa, I have to admit I was not watching with full attention. I was interrupted and distracted at times, so I have to watch it again. But, you have to decided if you would be able to get out in a short amount of time and you have to know which direction the plume is going. Considering traffic and general chaos, my take was it's better to stay put in the best shelter you can find. I have a basement and figure I have about 20 to 30 minutes (assuming an explosion downtown) to get a makeshift fort, surrounding a small area with as much dense stuff as I can find and getting some food, water etc in there. It's not perfect but better than being stuck in traffic with nowhere to go. The tornado shelters in the local mall might be better, still. That's about 2 miles and I could walk/run there.
They did say don't go to school to pick up your kids. They probably have shelter there, of some sort, and you'd just get stuck in the chaos and traffic.
One tip that seemed quite useless. If you are caught outside, stand up close to a building so that your entire body isn't exposed. Are they serious?? Maybe when I watch a second time I'll find they didn't really say that. :)
If the nuke goes off in another city, where I don't live, I'm gathering my family and heading out of town.
Mac,
I really don't know. I don't think they're pre-trib though. I guess time will tell on the U.S. monatary issue but personally I think it will go bust.
Since they have a different viewpoint I just thought it was interesting to take note of though. Most of their focus is on the Illuminiti & New Age influences & how that ties into Biblical Prophecy.
Who knows, they could have a point.
It may really depend upon when the next major war in the M.E. happens to occur. Since Turkey is now pulling back from Israel & our Pres. is more pro-Palestine-it looks like it could happen at any time.
ATTY,
That was a real interesting article on the Assyria & Kenya connection. I re-posted it on a couple other blogs as well. It's always neat to read the comments.
Jim C.
Marzulli blogged about "Fatima" today. Apparently there is a new movie coming out soon.
Now I've got that song going through my head...Should I stay or should I go...
BTW, if you are closer to ground zero than I expect to be should one go off in my city, but still far enough away to survive the initial blast, then I think you would definitely go.
L.A. Marzulli blogged today about Fatima. There is a new movie coming out about it.
Shalom, all. Looking for some prayer and a miracle. I just balanced my checkbook and realized I had made a mistake, and I now have only $135. I have some money stashed around the apartment, so I'll be able to pay rent at the end of the month, but I can't pay child support. I'm hoping to hear about the job I interviewed for by the end of the week or the early part of next week.
I don't feel panicked, though. Just a sense of patience. I'm going down to Dept. of Human Services tomorrow to see what's available. We will see what G_D has in store for me.
<><
Jim, I'll be praying.
Anne, Shalom! I watched that program, and got a lot of good tips from it. If the device is a "suitcase nuke" or a gun-type uranium bomb (like the bomb that hit Hiroshima), if you are within 3 miles of ground zero, be prepared to say "Hi!" to Jesus as you walk through the pearly gates. If you are further than 10 miles from ground zero (a little less if you're not in line-of-sight, due to hill or construction) then you should be safe from the immediate blast effects. The problem comes if you're between 5 and 10 miles from ground zero. As I understand it, if that is the case you should try to leave ONLY if you have what you know is a clear path out of the area (i.e., back roads, no interstates) AND if you can carry enough supplies to get you to where you are going. If you need a full tank of gas and your car is below half-full, forget it. The pumps at the local stations won't work (power will be out) and stations further out won't be taking credit cards (those systems will be out nationwide).
The big danger, beginning about half-an-hour after the blast, will be fallout. That's where you need to know where the plume is going -- if it's passing over your escape route then you should shelter in place. (The advice to stand close to a building is if you are caught outside when the fallout starts falling. You don't want to get any of that fallout on you.)
If you're going to shelter in place, having a lot of dense stuff around you won't be as important as having plastic and duct tape to cover the doors and windows. You want to minimize the amount of outside air coming into your shelter. I used to have plans on building a hand operated air pump that used toilet paper for the filter mechanism. (It used to be that oil filters for cars were nothing more than toilet paper in a container.) If at all possible, you want to keep a positive pressure in your shelter to keep the fallout from making its way into your shelter.
As for "gathering my family and heading out of town", do you know where you would be heading? Is it other family? Do they know you would be coming? (And have they agreed to shelter you?) Do you have bug-out bags ready for each person in your family? Do you have a supply of currency in various denominations handy? (Example: keep $200 in a packet made of 5-$20 ($100), 6-$10 ($60), 6-$5 ($30), and 10-$1 ($10). If you can swing it, bring along a couple of rolls of quarters, dimes, and nickels.) And do you keep your escape vehicle gassed up at all times?
<><
Atty
I had seen a similar article before or perhaps read it in Corsi's book on BOO. He makes the claim that BOO is no black but rather Arabian based on the family names. Apparently most of the tribe that BOO comes from, at least according to Corsi's book, is of Christian/African descent. BOO's family, in a twist of irony, were slave trading Arabs and he is more Arab in his ethnicity than African at least by heritage. Forget which of the books it was, sorry.
Odd request-if you would I need my coat and gloves to be actually put in lost and found. While I could go out and buy new gloves, DH actually did buy another pair but we still need the missing pair, as well as my new coat. left it in a meeting room today and despite the room attendants word it has not appeared in lost and found at all. have a problem with raynaud's in hands which is exacerbated by cold. plus I brought a light weight jacket but it's really to cold for the light weight jacket so I'd like the warmer one back.
just a thought on the whole prosperity thing. One of the things Frucht talks about in his book footsteps, which is pretty much not what I have read elsewhere at all, is that the One world government and monetary system will be in place
PRIOR to the trib time which if true, could also stabilize things such that it will be stable at the time of the Rapture.
Explore flu trends - United States
We've found that certain search terms are good indicators of flu activity. Google Flu Trends uses aggregated Google search data to estimate flu activity.
This would be funny -- almost Pythonesque -- if it weren't so blessedly funny:
Exploding sheep spark earthquake fears
Rumours of an impeding volcanic eruption have been sparked in Jordan following an underground methane gas leak that caused a flock of sheep to explode and burst into flames.
Jim, there would be instant Marshall law and then do you think for even a second the gov't would allow people who are potentially contaminated to leave that area to possibly spread contamination? I honestly don't see that happening. I told DH, if I have to go in a nuke, I want to be at ground zero. GLORY!
Here's a site with info on What to do if a nuclear disaster is imminent
At the bottom of the page is Proverbs 22:3 The prudent sees danger and hides himself,
but the simple go on and suffer for it.
This is not an attempt to restart the debate about whether or not to store up supplies! :)
Homeland Security's advice, including stay or go.
Oh, Jim C, all of your questions are good, and since we have thought this out and talked as a family together, the answers are yes. The question of martial law would of course be a problem. Maybe we'd be able to get to our destination first? Lori, being at ground zero is best! Except that I just hate leaving others behind.
HORATIO SPAFFORD AND THE NIGHT SEASONS - (Print)
Horatio Spafford was a prominent lawyer and real estate investor in Chicago when the 1871 Chicago Fire hit and destroyed almost all of his property. Two years later, Spafford sent his wife and four daughters ahead of him to England, where his friend DL Moody would be preaching. On the voyage there, the ship sank and all four children were drowned. His wife alone was saved. The couple went on to have three more children, but tragedy struck again when their four year old son died of pneumonia in 1880. Near the end of his life, Spafford moved to Jerusalem and ran charitable ventures like soup kitchens, hospitals, and orphanages. He died in 1888 of malaria and was buried in Jerusalem.
While Horatio Spafford endured crippling tragedy after tragedy, he is most famous for having written one of the most beloved hymns of all time: "It Is Well With My Soul." In the midst of serious personal sorrow, God brought Spafford to a place of peace and security wholly independent of his circumstances.
It is easy to fear in life. There are no promises of happiness or fairness. If anybody promised you a rose garden, then they were either naive for downright dishonest. In fact, when things seem to be running smoothly, tragedy can and often strikes and knocks us off our temporary pedestals of comfort. In John 16:33, Jesus warned us that in this world we would have troubles. "But be of good cheer," he said, "I have overcome the world."
In 1 Peter 4:17, Peter tells us that as God begins to wrap up time as we know it, He will allow events to happen in the body of Christ that will try us and test us to the max. How will we make it through this time of testing, if we don't understand what God is doing, and if we crumble at the first hint of suffering? We desperately need to have a grasp of what God's purpose is for allowing these kinds of trials and, most importantly, we need to understand what to do and how to act in them.
Night Seasons
During a night season, God initiates a purging, a cleansing and a purifying of our souls from everything that is not of faith. At this time, God crushes our self will, so that He can merge it with His own. In other words, it's our own private Gethsemane. As Jesus cried in the garden, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death...Nevertheless, not what I will, but what Thou wilt." (Mark 14:34-36) During this dark season, God teaches us to say, just as Jesus did, "Not my will, but Thine." (Matthew 26:39)
During this time, God can begin to transform our reliance on physical things to things of the spirit. He wants us to learn to walk by faith, not by our senses, our feelings or our understanding. God wants to teach us how to detach ourselves from all physical, emotional and spiritual supports, so that we will be able to respond with "Not my will, but Thine."
Because this season can often be a time of desolation, of dried bones and ruined hopes, many Christians - because they don't understand what God's will is or what He is doing - get so discouraged and defeated that they give up and turn back.
Many will feel like Job, who "looked for good" but only "evil came"; and for "light," but found only "darkness." (Job 30:26) Or like Isaiah, who uttered "We wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness. We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes; we stumble at noonday as in the night; we are in desolate places like dead men." (Isaiah 59:9-10)
..cont...
If we can only remember during our night season that the Holy Spirit has led us into this darkness on purpose. God is not angry at us, and He has not abandoned us – He paid the ultimate price for us, how could He ever abandon us? He brought us to a necessary place where precious things can happen. As he told Mary, whose brother Lazarus had died, "Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" (John 11:40)
It is in these places, when our normal human securities are stripped away and all we have is Jesus, that He can begin to do in us those excellent things that can make all the difference in our lives and in our walk with Him. When the only thing we can do is cling to God, we come to that place where we see Him more clearly than ever before. That's when the fear goes away, and we can join Horatio Spafford in singing with greater appreciation:
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pain shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
And Lord haste the day, when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
To be continued
Lisa,
Well - where's the rest of it?
Very good, thanks
Prayers for the little boy stuck in the experimental balloon floating over Colorado. The family was building it in their back yard (the parents are both storm chasers), while the parents weren't looking the boy climbed in the gondola and the balloon got away. It's filled with helium, not hot air, so they can't wait for the hot air to cool and bring the balloon down.
The boy's name is Falcon. In about half an hour, he'll be over the Denver Intl. Airport.
<><
The balloon just landed, and the boy isn't in there. This means that he fell out of the balloon somewhere along the way.
<><
even if a person does not believe in global famine until the mid trib time, yet there must be some global and catastrophic event or series of events which make it possible for the AC to be accepted, and for nations to give up their sovereignty. It is hard to believe what would cause China, Russia and the US to let europe lead (despite Obama's frantic efforts to make it happen).
It is probable that even pre-trib christians will still be around at this horrible time of preparation. The mid-trib guys will have to stock up for two such events, with a short breather in-between. I personally am planning only on the first crash, as my reservations are for the early flight up.
It is interesting how quick Turkey is switching it's allegiance and signing up for the gog-magog coalition.
Syria is in the game with all of their mid-range missiles in the hands of hesballah, so the international stage seems just about ready for curtain call.
God bless,
Wayne
The news is up!
I hope that little boy released the balloon and is hiding somewhere close to home because he is afraid.
Alesia,
I cut and pasted that one out of the Koinonia House weekly newsletter so you'll have to wait until "next week" for the cont.....
part.
There was a prophetic post today sent out by Strom called "Harness of The Lord" but it will take four posts to post it because of it's length. Is that too long?
I would link it but he doesn't post them on his website but just sends them out via e-mail.
I just heard the boy was hiding in the attic
Lisa, here's the post:
THE HARNESS of THE LORD
-by Bill Britton.
There is a terrific operation of the Spirit going on today to bring the Sons of God into an absolute confinement to the perfect will of God. This is the Day of His perfection, the day in which He is preparing the channel through which He shall pour forth His Glory for all the world to see. This channel is His Body in the earth, that glorious company of people who are being conformed through much tribulation and fiery tests to the image of the Son of God... The weapons of their warfare are not carnal, natural weapons, but they are mighty weapons, mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. These are those who shall "be strong and do exploits."
But before God can commit this great and tremendous ministry into their hands, they must submit themselves to the discipline of the Lord, letting Him truly be the Lord of their entire lives. We have long since dealt with the question of open sin, but now God is dealing with the inward rebellion of our own wills. Some good Christians are not now being so dealt with, for they are not in this Firstfruits Company, but nevertheless there is a real dealing of God going on within those who are called into the High Calling of God. This is a very real thing, and is the work of the Refiner's Fire. To those who are going through it, some of its aspects are horrible, but very necessary, and the end result thereof is glorious as we are brought into absolute and complete submission to the will of our Lord.
It was in a minister's conference and convention in Tulsa, Oklahoma that God gave me a vision which I want to share with you concerning this harnessing of our own wills. There were more than 30 ministers present in this particular Thursday morning service, and God, the Father of spirits, was present to deal with His sons, to correct and discipline them in absolute obedience to His will. there was such a stern dealing in the Spirit that no one could go to the pulpit and minister. There was a reluctance among the ministers to say anything except that which was directly ordered by the Spirit. And as those men of God sat there in the awesome presence of Almighty God, some of them having many years of ministry, some missionaries, all of them capable of getting up and preaching a powerful sermon, I was impressed by the way they responded to the discipline of the Spirit. And in the midst of this terrific dealing of God with our spirits, the Holy Ghost gave me this vision.
I SAW the KING'S CARRIAGE
On a dirt road in the middle of a wide field stood a beautiful carriage, something on the order of a stagecoach, but all edged in gold, and with beautiful carvings. It was pulled by six large chestnut horses, two in the lead, two in the middle and two in the rear. But they were not moving, they were not pulling the carriage, and I wondered why. Then I saw the driver underneath the carriage, on the ground on his back, just behind the last two horses' heels. He was working on something between the front wheels on the carriage. I thought, "My, he is in a dangerous place; for if one of those horses kicked or stepped back, they would kill him, or if they decided to go forward, or got frightened somehow, they would pull the carriage right over him." But he didn't seem afraid, for he knew that the horses were disciplined and would not move until he told them to move. The horses were not stomping their feet nor acting restless, and though there were bells on their feet, the bells were not tinkling. There were pom-poms on their harness, over their heads, but the pom-poms were not moving. They were simply standing still and waiting for the voice of the Master.
(cont...)
(cont...)
THERE WERE TWO YOUNG COLTS in THE FIELD
As I watched the harnessed horses, I noticed two young colts coming out of the open field, and they approached the carriage and seemed to say to the horses: "Come and play with us, we have many fine games, we will race with you, come catch us." And with that the colts kicked up their heels, flicked their tails and raced across the open field. But when they looked back and saw the horses were not following, they were puzzled.
They knew nothing of the harness, and could not understand why the horses did not want to play. So they called to them: "Why do you not race with us? Are you tired? Are you to weak? Do you not have strength to run? You are much too solemn, you need more joy in life." But the horses answered not a word, nor did they stomp their feet or toss their heads. But they stood, quiet and still, waiting for the voice of the Master.
Again the colts called to them: "Why do you stand in the hot sun? Come over here in the shade of this nice tree. See how green the grass is? You must be hungry, come and feed with us, it is so green and so good. You look thirsty, come drink of one of our many streams of cool clear water." But the horses answered them not so much as a glance, but stood still, waiting for the command to go forward with the King.
COLTS IN the MASTER'S CORRAL
And then the scene changed, and I saw lariat nooses fall around the necks of the two colts. They were led off to the Master's corral for training and discipline. How sad they were as the lovely green fields disappeared, and they were put into the confinement of the Corral with its brown dirt and high fence. The colts ran from fence to fence, seeking freedom, but found that they were confined to this place of training. And then the trainer began to work on them, with His whip and His bridle. What a death for those who had been all their lives accustomed to such a freedom! They could not understand for this torture, this terrible discipline. What crime had they done to deserve this? Little did they know of the responsibility that was to be theirs when they had submitted to the discipline, learned to perfectly obey the Master, and finished their training. All they knew was that this processing was the most horrible thing they had ever known.
SUBMISSION and REBELLION
One of the colts rebelled under training, and said, "This is not for me. I like my freedom, my green hills, my flowing streams of fresh water. I will not take any more of this confinement, this terrible training." So he found a way out, jumped the fence and ran happily back to the meadows of grass. I was astonished that the Master let him go, and went not after him. But He devoted His attention to the remaining colt.
This colt, though he had the same opportunity to escape, decided to submit his own will, and learn the ways of the Master. This training got harder than ever, but he was rapidly learning more and more how to obey the slightest wish of the Master, and to respond to even the quietness of His voice. And I saw that had there been no training, no testing, there would have been neither submission nor rebellion from either of the colts. For in the field they did not have the choice to rebel or submit. they were sinless in their innocence. But when brought to the place of testing and training and discipline, then was made manifest the obedience of one and the rebellion of the other. And though it seemed safer not to come to the place of discipline because of the risk of being found rebellious, yet I saw that without this there could be no sharing of His glory, no sonship.
(cont...)
(cont...)
INTO the HARNESS
Finally this period of training was over. Was he now rewarded with His freedom, and sent back to the fields? Oh no. But a greater confinement than ever now took place, as a harness dropped about his shoulders. Now he found there was not even the freedom to run about the small corral, for in the harness he could only move where and when his Master spoke. And unless the Master spoke, he stood still.
The scene changed, and I saw the other colt standing on the side of a hill, nibbling at some grass. Then across the fields, down the road came the Kings carriage, drawn by six horses. With amazement he saw that in the lead, on the right side, was his brother colt, now made strong and mature on the good corn in the Master's stable. He saw the lovely pom-poms shaking in the wind, noticed the glittering gold bordered harness about his brothers, heard the beautiful tinkling of the bells on his feet. And envy came into his heart. Thus he complained to himself: "Why has my brother been so honored, and I am neglected? they have not put bells on MY feet, nor pom-poms on MY head. the master has not given ME the wonderful responsibility of pulling His carriage, nor put about ME the gold harness.
Why have they chosen my brother instead of me?" And by the Spirit the answer came back to me as I watched. "Because one submitted to the will and discipline of the Master, and one rebelled, thus has one been chosen and the other set aside."
A FAMINE in THE LAND
Then I saw a great drought sweep across the countryside, and the green grass became dead, dry, brown and brittle. The little streams of water dried up, stopped flowing, and there was only a small muddy puddle here and there. I saw the little colt (I was amazed that it never seemed to grow or mature) as he ran here and there, across the fields looking for fresh streams and green pastures, finding none. Still he ran, seemingly in circles, always looking for something to feed his famished spirit. But there was a famine in the land, and the rich green pastures and flowing streams of yesterday were not to be had. And one day the colt stood on the hillside on weak and wobbly legs, wondering where to go next to find food, and how to get strength to go. It seemed like there was no use, for good food and flowing streams were a thing of the past, and all the efforts to find more only taxed his waning strength. Suddenly he saw the King's carriage coming down the road, pulled by six great horses. And he saw his brother, fat and strong, muscles rippling, sleek and beautiful with much grooming. His heart was amazed and perplexed, and he cried out: "My brother, where do you find the food to keep you strong and fat in these days of famine? I have run everywhere in my freedom, searching for food, and I find none. Where do you, in your awful confinement, find food in this time of drought? Tell me, please, for I must know!" And then the answer came back from a voice filled with victory and praise: "In my Master's House, there is a secret place in the confining limitations of His stables where He feeds me by His own hand, and His granaries never run empty, and His well never runs dry." And with this the Lord made me to know that in the day when people are weak and famished in their spirits - in the time of spiritual famine, that those who have lost their own wills, and have come into the secret place of the Most High, into the utter confinement of His perfect will, shall have plenty of the corn of Heaven, and never ending flow of fresh streams of revelation by His Spirit. Thus the vision ended.
(cont...)
(cont...)
INTERPRETATION of THE VISION
"Write the vision and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it." (Hab.2:2). "Harness the horses: and get up, ye horseman." (Jer.46:4). I am sure that many of you who can hear what the Spirit saith to the Church, have already seen what God was showing in the vision. But let me make it plain. Being born into the Family of God, feeding in the green pastures and drinking of the many streams of the unfolding revelation of His purpose is fine and wonderful. but it is not enough. While we were children, young and undisciplined, limited only by the outer fence of the Law and ran around the limits of the pastures (that kept us from getting into the dark pastures of poison weeds), He was content to watch us develop into young manhood, spiritually speaking. But the time came to those who fed in His pastures, and drank from His streams, when they were to be brought into the discipline or "child training" for the purpose of making them mature sons. Many of the children today cannot understand why some of those who have put on the harness of God cannot get excited by many religious games and the playful antics of the immature. They wonder why the disciplined ones run not after every new revelation or feed on every opportunity to engage in seemingly "good and profitable" religious activities. They wonder why some will not race with them in their frantic effort to build great works and great and notable ministries. They cannot understand the simple fact that this company of saints is waiting for the voice of the Master, and they do not hear God in all this outward activity. They will move in their time, when the Master speaks. But not before, though many temptations come from the playful colts. And the colts cannot understand why those who seemingly appear to have great abilities and strength are not putting it to good use. "Get the carriage on the road," they say, but the disciplined ones, those in God's harness, know better than to move before they hear the voice of the Master. They will move in His time, with purpose and great responsibility.
And the Lord made me to know that there were many whom He had brought into training who had rebelled against the discipline, the chastising of the Father. They could not be trusted with the great responsibility of mature sonship, so He let them go back to their freedom, back to their religious activities and revelations and gifts. They are still His people, still feeding in His pastures, but He has set them aside from the great purposes for this end of the age. So they revel in their freedom, feeling that they were the Chosen Ones with the many streams of living water, not knowing that they have been set aside as unfit for His great work in this end of the age.
(cont...)
(cont...)
He showed me that through the chastising seems grievous for the time, and the discipline hard to endure, yet the result with all the glory of sonship is worth it all, and the glory to follow far exceeds the suffering we endure. And though some lose even their lives in this training, yet they will share alike in the glory of His eternal purposes. So faint not saints of God, for it is the Lord that doth bring thee into confinement, and not thine enemy. It is for thy good, and for His glory, so endure all things with praises and thanksgiving that He hath counted thee worthy to share His glory! Fear thou not the whip in His hand, for it is not to punish thee, but to correct and train thee, that thou mightest come into submission to His will, and be found in His likeness in that hour. Rejoice thou in thy trials, in all thy tribulations, and glory thou in His cross, and in the confining limitations of His harness, for He hath chosen thee and He hath taken upon Himself the responsibility of keeping thee strong and well fed. So lean thou upon Him, and trust not in thine own ability and thine own understanding. So shalt thou be fed, and His hand shall be upon thee, and His glory shall overshadow thee and shall flow through thee as it goes forth to cover the earth. Glory to God! Bless the Lord, He's wonderful! Let Him be Lord of your life, friends, and complain not at that which He bringeth to pass in your life.
(cont...)
PLENTY in THE TIME of FAMINE
For in the hour when famine sweeps the land, He shall feed by His own hand those who are submitted to His perfect will, and who dwell in the secret place of the Most High. When terror stalks the land, those in His harness shall not be afraid, for they shall feel His bit and bridle and know the guidance of His Spirit. When others are weak and frail and fearful, there shall be those who shall be strong in the power of His might, and shall lack for no good thing. In the hour when the traditions of the religious systems have proven false, and their streams have dried up, then His Chosen Ones shall speak forth with the true Word of the Lord. So rejoice, sons of God, that you have been chosen by His grace for this great work in this last hour.
The fence which kept the colts in their own meadows and their own pastures mean nothing to the team in the harness, for the gates open to them, and they go forth pulling the King's carriage into many strange and wonderful places. They do not stop to eat the poison weeds of sin, for they feed only in the Master's stables. These fields they trample under their feet as they go forth on the King's business. And so to those who are brought into absolute subjection to His will, there is no law. For they move in the Grace of God, led only by His Spirit where all things are lawful but not all things are expedient. This is a dangerous realm for the undisciplined, and many have perished in sin as they leaped over the fence without His harness and His bridle. Some have thought themselves as being completely harnessed and submissive to Him, only to find that in some avenue of their lives there dwelled rebellion and self-will. Let us wait before Him until He puts His noose around us and draws us to His place of training. And let us learn of the dealings of God and the movings of His Spirit until at last we feel His harness drop about us, and hear His voice guiding us. Then there is safety from the traps and pitfalls of sin, and then we shall abide in His House forever!
-SOURCE: 'The Church in Action',
PO Box 707,
Springfield, MO. 65801
Lisa, thanks for the "It is Well With My Soul" story. I knew it before but it was salve for my heart today. I think I may be getting some sad news soon, can't say for sure it's just a rumor right now. So, I won't say yet what's up, but it sure was good to read that.
I'm away for a few days again and might not have internet access. Oh, I hope I do. I should be back next Thursday.
"God bless us, every one!" Tiny Tim
Lisa, Shalom! I read that L.A. Marzulli blog on the new Fatima movie (The 13th Day). All I can say is that this is someone who has made up his mind that the event was demonic and then has built his entire set of arguments and interpretation of events around that belief. It's clear he has done so by the points that he raised, answered, AND ANSWERED INCORRECTLY!
Point 1: where he claims that "No one ever tested the spirit that appeared to the three children." BUNK! Most everyone else in the village thought the children were making things up; the local priest, however, after questioning the children, thought they had in fact seen something supernatural. However, he believed it was from the Devil. He therefore asked Lucia to ask the "beautiful lady" certain questions, which the Lady did answer. This included things like using the name of Jesus in praising G_D. The apparition passed the tests.
Point 2: The apparition did not tell the children she was Mary Mother of Jesus until the end of the apparitions. If you know anything about the history of Marian apparitions, you'll know that this is typical. IN fact, if she had identified herself as Mary in the very first apparition, this would have been a strike against this being a valid apparition.
Point 3: He claims that the apparition communicated telepathically. I cannot find any documents about Fatima that refer to telepathic communication. Again, if this was the case, it might be a mark against Fatima being authentic. During the apparitions, only the children could hear Her, and at times only Lucia could hear Her. This does not mean the communication was telepathic.
Point 4: The Three Secrets -- actually three parts of one secret. Maybe it's because I'm Catholic, but I don't see anything inherently unChristian in there being secrets. If nothing else, if you think of us as being at war with evil, then there is some intelligence that has to be handled by just the generals. The secrets did not involve anything regarding the Christian faith. If they did, if the secrets claimed to be adding to the treasury of the Christian faith, then the apparitions would have been IMMEDIATELY seen as false. Instead, the three parts had information that was not to be revealed until later. The first part was a vision of hell; the second part was basically a battle plan to save souls from hell; and the third part (the one that was kept secret until the 1990's) involved the assassination of a Pope.
Point 5: He seems to find it amazing that there was opposition to this as being a valid apparition among some of the clergy. Big whoop. Again, that always happens with any apparition, and it's important that it happens. It's what aids the process of discernment. The opposition was not silenced, it's just people stopped listening to them.
Point 6: It was the Masons who described the event as "a dull silver disk"; none of the other 70,000 witnesses used those words. I wonder what THAT sounds like. (For the record, the other witnesses used words like, "contained all the colors of the rainbow".)
Point 7: He is clearly wrong here. There are photos available that were taken during the miracle; it's just that they are in black-and-white (and very grainy B&W, given the state of the photographic art) so there's nothing that immediately makes you realize that is what you're looking at.
The event was witnessed not just at Cova da Iria outside of Fatima, but up to 20 miles away. In other words, it was an actual physical phenomenon.
So, sorry, L.A Marzulli just blew it.
<><
BTW, why is it that people like Marzulli always talk about Fatima, but never bring up Lourdes? Or for that matter, why don't they ever bring up Guadalupe?
<><
Wayne, I agree with your thoughts about needing a catastrophic event or series of events to make it possible for the AC to be accepted.
Speaking of catastrophic events, I'm beginning to think we're already in the tribulation.
I know this a shock announcement but I've just discovered that my regular coffee shipment has been delayed by two weeks! I've had to change my brand!!!!
Well, back to the closet I go.
Jim C.
I don't know why-let's ask him. It never hurts to interject another perspective on the matter.
Not to mention it may be helpful if there are other facts about the case he may not be aware about.
Jim C.,
I was listening to Catholic Answers Live on the radio on my way home from work. I only caught about 5 minutes of the broadcast. The topic was What Catholics Believe About the Second Coming. The guest was a guy named Jim Burnham.
Anyway, I heard him say something that suprised me. I'm paraphrasing here but basically he took the position that the nation-state of Israel has no place in prophecy. He somewhat chided Protestants who believe that God's sovereign hand was in the rebirth of Israel in 1948.
Is this the position of the RCC? Does the RCC really teach that the nation-state of Israel and Jews today have no place in prophecy because the Church has replaced Israel as God's people?
I've heard of this replacement theology before but had no idea that the RCC embraced it (assuming I understood Jim Burnham correctly and also assuming he was articulating RCC doctrine and not just his own opinion).
My ex-wife sent me this in response to a conversation about living with a 14-yo girl:
Q: How many women with PMS does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: One. Only ONE!! And do you know WHY? Because no one else in this damn house knows HOW to change a light bulb! They don't even care that the bulb is BURNED OUT! They would sit in the dark for DAYS before they figured it out. AND, once they figured it out, they wouldn't be able to FIND the light bulbs despite the fact that they've been in the SAME CUPBOARD for the past 17 YEARS!!! But if they did, by some miracle, actually find them 2 DAYS LATER, the chair they dragged to stand on to change the STUPID light bulb would STILL BE IN THE SAME SPOT!! AND UNDERNEATH IT WOULD BE THE WRAPPER THE STUPID DAMN BULBS CAME IN! WHY? BECAUSE NO-ONE EVER CARRIES OUT THE GARBAGE!! IT'S A WONDER WE HAVEN'T ALL SUFFOCATED FROM THE PILES OF GARBAGE THAT ARE 12' DEEP THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE HOUSE!!!
Wait... what did you ask me?
<><
Jim G., Shalom! I'm REALLY glad I didn't hear that episode today. I think Jim Burnham is a really good apologist but his views on Israel drive me up a wall. What he's teaching is a hold-over from Replacement Theology. RT was never part of Roman Catholic doctrine, but it was the accepted teaching for centuries. It pretty much died a quiet death during Pope John Paul 2, but there are still people trying to keep parts of it alive. I believe Burnham is taking the view that a lot of Orthodox Jews took (and still take) in that the Modern State of Israel has no relation to the Biblical Israel, since the Biblical Israel cannot be reconstituted without the Messiah. I view that as intellectual laziness and a cop-out. It means that you don't have to care what happens to Israel, since it has no relation to the Israel of the Bible.
His view is one of 4 views held by the Church. It is a minority opinion.
<><
OK I fiddled around with the blog's front page but I can put it back to what it was. Let me know what you think.
Hyde:
I like it, nice changes, I vote no.
Maranatha!
Mac,
That's a beautiful new pic. I like it even more than the previous one which was great. This is from a guy who generally doesn't like change.
Jim C.,
Thank you for that response. I was going to be really troubled and even more suprised if it reflected your views. I know this sounds judgmental but I don't understand for the life of me how someone could not see the miraculous ways in which God has rebirthed and protected Israel and how the whole WORLD hates Israel with such an irrational hatred and yet is blind to the injustice and hate poured on Israel by her enemies.
What a beautiful picture, mac! I love it!
Off the Wall News is ready
Jim G.
That's funny! All I can picture is Jim C. holding up that "support Israel" sign on the local news.
Nope- He definately doesn't buy into that one.
Someone posted this article over at Marzulli's site today Is The Large Hadron Collider Being Sabotaged from the Future?
Interesting thought. The poster mentioned- yes-it's the Restrainer.
Personally I think the whole Hadron Collider deal is bad news so I'm estatic it has continually broken down.
Jim C.
(Thanks for posting that yesterday!)
Do you know the events surrounding "Our Lady of the Roses" & what this message is all about?
“How I warned and warned that Satan would enter into the highest realms of the hierarchy in Rome. The Third Secret,My Child,is that Satan would enter into my Son’s church.”-Our Lady of the Roses,May 13,1978.
Love the new pic, Hyde! Have been gone, so need to catch up on posts.
Will update you all soon.
Lisa, in 1970, a woman in Bayside NY named Veronica Lueken claimed to experience a Marian apparition. The apparitions purportedly continued on the grounds of St. Robert Bellarmine's Roman Catholic Church at Bayside, and continued until her death in 1995. According to Leuken, Mary claimed the title "Our Lady of the Roses" as well as "Mary Help of Mothers." Lueken claimed that Mary (as well as other saints) would visit her and give her messages. The messages were decidedly apocalyptic and toward the end of her life, became (in my opinion) decidedly bizarre.
Note that I keep saying "purported" and "claimed". In Catholicism, any claims of any kind of apparition or locution (apparitions = seeing things; locutions = hearing voices) must be investigated by the local bishop. The local bishop may make a final determination; he may refer it to a committee; or he may refer it to the Vatican. In Lueken's case, in 1986 the local bishop at the time reached a negative judgment on the apparition. (Apparitions can be judged positive, negative, or false.) Among the reasons given were that ...The "messages" and other related propaganda contain statements which, among other things, are contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church, undermine the legitimate authority of bishops and councils and instill doubts in the minds of the faithful, for example, by claiming that, for years, an "imposter (sic) Pope" governed the Catholic Church in place of Paul VI.
There are at least two groups who are still promoting the apparitions and the messages. One of these organizations is pushing to have the investigation re-opened, claiming (with some justification) that the original bishop's was flawed, that the charges of non-Catholic teachings were based on hearsay rather than actual transcripts, and that the bishop did not follow Church guidelines for investigations. The other organization (These Last Days Ministries) is still promoting prayers at the shrine that was set up at the site of the visitations.
<><
P.S., regarding your comment yesterday about sending my list to Marzulli, you can do that if you want. However, judging from what he wrote at the end of his entry, he's already gotten a lot of flak from Catholic sites. But, since we're being deceived, our observations can't be trusted.
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I now need to change the title. It's not mr hyde's place. God made it.
Any suggestions?
Some news to share:
Deliberate Sin
This is an entry by Mark Mallett. It's been haunting me since reading it a few days ago. Obviously, from where I found this linked, it's haunting other people too.
'Called out of darkness' and into light of Christ
Anne Rice has gone from writing about vampires to consecrating all her writing to Jesus Christ.
Quran texts appear on baby's body in Dagestan
Can't help but wonder if this is the beginning of a case of posession.
CLEARING CONSCIENCE OF LIES LARGE AND SMALL PURIFIES WHAT WE WEAR IN ETERNITY
Even white lies stain your soul.
The new world devised by Maurice Strong and George Soros
Man builds working replica of Noah's Ark (exact scale given in Bible)
Excellent pictures!
<><
EVER DREAM THIS MAN?
Every night throughout the world hundreds of people dream about this face
<><
um, Hyde, absolutely not!
Mac,
Do you know where the picture was taken? Did you take it?
Jim C,
EUOOOOOOO- Who is that yucky man picture? No, I have never dreamed of him but now that the image is ingrained in my subconscious- it wouldn't surprise me if he popped up now- yuck,yuck,yuck!
He reminds me of an old horror movie where a clown was a serial killer.
Oh-and I had to see that right after a conversation w/a guy from the GMO ministry site from Syria trying to convince me to convert to Islam.
(You could really imagine that going on-right?!)
What is the ultimate point of that nightmare guy picture? Some seducing spirit or something?
Jim C; Very strange image indeed. The theories are interesting too!
Hello to you all. I have not said "hi" for a while but am still enjoying the great comments here and the "off the wall news" too.
I have something interesting to share about how the Lord completely took care of something that had been troubling me...
I started a new job as a pharmacy technician about a month ago. I came to quickly learn that the owner/boss was a very difficult woman and I became tense and nervous each time I worked. I started getting sick the night before each shift and I had clumps of hair in the drain after wasching it. I was corrected all of the time on how I said things and such when others were not corrected on the same things, nothing I did wrong just different from how the owner says things. Anyway, I was a reck for a month, prayed all of the time about this job and asked the Lord to help me in it and help me to do well. I decided that I would be doing my work for Him, no one else. Well, it just kept getting worse and I started to make small mistakes with the register, I would end up over at night on money or the bank would give me too much change and I would miscount it, ect. I was offered a different job at a nice retirement home/assisted living as a nurse assistant and was debating if I should quit me pharmacy job to take this one (it would be different hours). So, I was praying about it and was actually quite scared to approach my boss to tell her I was quitting, did not want to be a quitter, did not want to let down fellow co-workers, ect. So, the other day I go inot work and two hours into my shift, in the middle of helping a customer, my boss and her assistant called me into the office and fired me! Told me I did not have enough attentnion to detail, told me to go home right then, as if I had done soemthing criminal. It was so humiliating! I walked home and prayed along the way. I quickly came to realize that this was the Lord's way of helping me. He took it completely out of my hands and relieved me of a job that was stressing me out and provided a different job that I could excel at. What a great God! and what a great friend! I know it was His doing. I felt that He did not care all that much about this situation but He showed that He does, and like a loving father He took care of it. The humiliation I suffered is nothing in comparison to Christ's humiliation. My pride was wounded but that is a good thing because I do not want to be full of pride. Praise the Lord!
Donna, prayed for you brother the other day. I understand, as most of us do, on this situation.
Jim C, prayed for your money situation too. I know how that goes too. I made a mistake just recently and am now negative on my bank account. Ugh, hate those money mistakes!
Hope you all are well today and blessing to you all.
Diana
Lisa and Diana, about that "dream guy", there's a very good chance that this is a viral hoax. I was reading some of the comments and ran across one that showed that the owner of the web site (the one who registered the domain name) is an Italian marketeer. So this whole site may just be someone's way to develop word-of-mouth advertising.
<><
Oh, and Lisa, here's hoping that things go smoothly this weekend with Westboro Baptist.
Diana,
Thank you for sharing. I've been in the same shoes in the past and know how it feels not to want to quit but on the other hand you realize that you're not in a good situation. I was also fired on the spot @ a small interior design firm by an unpleasant owner.(She said I didn't work/design "fast" enough.)When she & her husband had found out that I moved from the beach area to the country-(I had to drive close to an hour to get to work per day) she considered me a “lower class” person & had a mocking spirit.
That whole situation sort of ticked me off so I ended up starting my own business and working for myself which was the best thing I ever did & was quite successful @ it thanks to the gifts the Lord has blessed me with.
I bet the Lord already has some people lined up for you to minister to in the new position which would be difficult if not actually unrealistic if you were still working as a pharmacy technician.
Actually I've always wanted to help out in a retirement home/assisted living place!
My favorite school project of all time was designing a continuing care retirement facility. But better yet-I'd rather visit w/the elderly in person.
(From the "Gathering Storm" Newsletter:)
You're Community Has been Hit With a WMD Attack - Now What?
I had dinner the other night with friends and their friends. At the dinner was a hospital administrator that just came back from a seminar that taught medical first responders how to handle a terrorist WMD attack.
I sat nicely and listened how medical personnel would handle the triage process of separating those that were infected or radiated from those that were not. I listened to how obedient citizens would stand in line in the area waiting to be cleared or brought to a segmented holding hospital away from non-infected citizens. The process described was orderly.
I said bull cookies!
The first thing I would do is vacate the area before the authorities came in. I said I was not about to wait around an infected or radiated area or downwind of one while I turn my life over to the authorities. My wife, a medical professional, said that was very selfish of me to willfully leave the area and expose other people. I said how do you know I would be infected or radiated? She said how do you know you weren't? I said I'll make that decision myself and when I leave you're coming with me.
Selfish of me.
The reality of the situation is that my reaction and many others like me would be normal and a movie entitled Right At Your Door explores that scenario. According to the film'sofficial website the synopsis is thus:
After multiple dirty bombs are detonated, spreading deadly toxic ash across Los Angeles, Brad (Rory Cochrane) inadvertently quarantines his wife, Lexi (Mary McCormack) outside their new home by safely sealing himself inside. With the city under siege and Martial Law in affect, Brad and Lexi struggle to survive with little supply, limited time and no information-all the while separated by thin doors and thinner sheets of plastic. When "help" finally does arrive, it appears to be anything but.
"The "help" referred to consists of squads of toxic suit wearing troops and cops that cuff and take away contaminated survivors in unmarked black vans. Cochrane's character even suggests that he has seen cops on the streets exterminating survivors by shooting them in the head."
Right At Your Door relays a personalized account from two isolated characters with only confusion and dread propelling the plot.
Living in Los Angeles, Brad begins his daily routine of worship for his wife Lexi. While most men deeply in love with their wives may not wake up extra early just to prepare a nice steaming latte for their wives, Brad is an out-of-work musician, happily supporting his wife's 9 to 5 work routine while he languishes about strumming a guitar at home.
Having seen Lexi off to work, Brad is just settling into his deadbeat shuffle when he hears over the radio that dirty bombs are exploding all over Los Angles. Brad makes a mad dash to find his wife, but is turned back towards home by police barricades.
Scenes of people fleeing a disaster plagued downtown, only to be gunned down by police officers, are unsettling.
As the film depicts, would you trust the authorities? And would you still trust them after they have left a red mark on your front door without explanation? Would martial law replace the US Constitution? And think about this. In 2003, UK police revealed that they may have to shoot any victims of a chemical, biological, nuclear or radiological strike.
What cinematic value the film has, I don't know. But the story posited by the film is a lot closer to reality than the orderly process described by the hospital administrator.
Hi, Diana,
Praise God that He answered your prayer and got you out of that awful situation. Do not look back! You prayed about it and God led.
Reading your story brought back unfond memories of my last job, which gave me panic attacks literally. (When I saw "The Devil Wears Prada" recently on TV, I had flashbacks -- "That's my ex-boss!")
I knew that I would have to quit or lose my health, but kept hanging on because I didn't want to leave my boss in the lurch. Then she cut my hours back and literally forced me to quit.
Thinking back on that experience I realize I wasn't perfect (though I did give the job my all), but my biggest mistake was taking the job in the first place.
I thought this was the right job for me for many reasons -- I could witness for the Lord, good salary, good hours, close proximity, etc., etc., but not until too late did I realize that I had never really prayed to God as to whether I should take the job or not. God let me have my own way and I paid the price, and still am in a way.
One thing I learned is that no job can be better than having the wrong job.
But most of all, I was reminded of an important lesson --
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Prov. 3:5,6
So I pray, Diana, that you will find your new job a blessing, and that you can be a blessing to others.
Vicki
Jim G - I got that pic at this site.
The first photo is called Stairway to Hell. Don't let that perturb you.
Sweat lodge deaths cast negative spotlight on guru. Interesting story of this guy's life. A son of a preacher becomes a New Age spiritual leader and a multi-millionaire.
Hi JIm C...I started to read marc blog that you linked to re: deliberate sin...but I just could not get past the first couple of sentences. With the heavy focus on Mary, I just couldn't continue.
I certainly hope the rest of the article taught that if we turn towards Him, then He will take away ALL of our sins...past, present and future...just as the Books of the New Testament teach....even our deliberate sins.
Amen, brother!
Jim G
actually replacement theology was a dominant theology even in most protestant circles for some time. for a time Dispensationalism had turned the tide but for several of reasons the replacement theology is on a come back
1-a misunderstanding of history
2-political correctness toward the Arabs
3-an underlying hatred of the Jewish people which is satanically inspired
4-the fact that the Rapture has not yet happened.
Jib,
I didn't know Replacement theology was on a comeback-really? Well, I guess so w/the Rick Warren's & Joel Olsteens & IHOP's. I don't know exactly about the IHOP's but from what I've read it hasn't sounded too good.
The Planned Destruction of Marriage
“You will see a time in which we as a nation finally recognize relationships between two men or two women as just as real and admirable as relationships between a man and a woman.”
President Obama.
Speaking at the Human Rights Campaign national dinner, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, in Washington, DC.
The Strong Delusion of God
Donna, Shalom. I'm sorry, but I can't help you. There are a lot of articles linked to here written by people who KNOW, by the grace of G_D, that I am doomed because I'm Catholic. Some of those, after talking to me, may come to believe that I am probably saved. (Of course, I'm being held back by false doctrines preached by the Roman Church, but they'll pray that someday I'll be freed from those chains.) Yet, I still read these articles, filtering out the anti-Catholic stuff, because there may be in them some nugget of truth that may help me live a life closer to what G_D knows I can be. If you cannot read some of the stuff I link to because you are unable or unwilling to filter out the Catholic stuff to find those nuggets of truth, then I don't see how you can be living your life in the world unable or unwilling to filter out the dross and drab to find the glory of G_D in His creation.
Life isn't made of just those beautiful landscapes that get posted online, where G_D's Glory is made plain. Life is made of such glories all around us everyday, but we have to take the effort to filter out the "noise" that clouds our vision. (That's one of the reasons G_D made prayer.)
MY GOD, I believe, I adore, I trust, and I love Thee! I ask pardon for for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not trust and do not love Thee.
<><
Jim C.,
AMEN, brother!
EU Divides World into 10 World Regions
ATTY: I saw that several months ago. But I was curious to know how they determined the regions. I wrote to them and the auto-response promises an answer within 3 days. I'll post the response here.
Campsmore, I'd love to hear their response. I vaguely recall hearing or reading months ago that the EU had set up 10 regions already as well, but the strange thing is that I sometimes get so desensitized to these developments that I dismiss them when I first become aware of them, and then later when I'm in a different frame of mind, they suddenly have more significance to me. Maybe too many things happening at once - LOL
Peacock on a Powerline
Iguana
Jim C;
I checked out that article by Marc Mallet, very interesting. I have read his stuff before. This particluar quote spoke to me the ohter day when I was fired from my job...
If someone causes you trouble, think what good you can do for the person who caused you to suffer. Do not pour out your feelings. Be silent when you are rebuked. Do not ask everyone’s opinion, but only the opinion of your confessor; be as frank and simple as a child with him. Do not become discouraged by ingratitude. Do not examine with curiosity the roads down which I lead you. When boredom and discouragement beat against your heart, run away from yourself and hide in My heart. Do not fear struggle; courage itself often intimidates temptations, and they dare not attack us.
That really stood out to me.
Thanks for sharing. I overlook the stuff on Mary as well when I read Mallet's articles. I think he has a great many things to say that benefit the body of Christ. My grandmother was a lifelong Catholic who loved Jesus more than anything and although i am not Catholic I know that I will see my dear grandmother again. It was said at her funeral that she would say "It is all about Jesus" and it is.
Diana
HI JIm...I hear what you are saying.... "take the meat and spit out the bones" or whatever that saying is.
You're right...I can't seem to get past certain teachings that I really feel are harmful.
I will pray about it all though.
I ver much appreciate your kindness and patience!
So little time to comment and I want to read all the links! Lori, there are iguanas outside my deck where I'm staying! I've never seen one before and was so surprised to seen your photo, just the day I saw my first one!
I loved the Mark Mallet quote: When boredom and discouragement beat against your heart, run away from yourself and hide in My heart.
...run away from yourself and hide in My heart. That's a keeper.
I've been talking with a wonderful Jewish woman (she calls herself secular, but she fully practices her religion) who has been asking me so many questions about my faith. She says she's never talked with anyone like me (an evangelical believer who take the Bible literally) before! I had the chance to give my testimony and answer her very direct questions, such as what do I think about heaven and hell, what will happen to the Jews who don't believe in Jesus, what about homosexuality. She is very smart, very learned, and very direct. Pray for me, er...I mean please pray for her. ;) I'm in over my head. And pray that the Lord will use me as he did those uneducated fishermen.
THE TENDERNESS OF GOD
(John MacDuff, "The Night Watches")
"He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will
carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close
to his heart. He will gently lead the mother
sheep with their young." Isaiah 40:11
How soothing, in the hour of sorrow, or bereavement,
or death, to have the countenance and sympathy of
a tender earthly friend. Reader, these words tell you
of One nearer, dearer, tenderer still; the Friend that
never fails; a tender God!
By how many endearing epithets does Jesus exhibit
the tenderness of His relation to His people.
Does a shepherd watch tenderly over his flock?
"The Lord is my Shepherd."
Does a father exercise fondest solicitude towards
his children? "I will be a Father unto you."
Does a mother's love exceed all other earthly
types of affection. "As one whom his mother
comforts, so will I comfort you."
Is the 'apple of the eye' (the pupil) the most
sensitive part of the most delicate bodily organ?
He guards His people "as the apple of His eye!"
"He will not break the bruised reed."
When the Shepherd and Guardian of Souls finds
the sinner, like a lost sheep, stumbling on the
dark mountains, how tenderly He deals with him!
There is no look of wrath; no word of upbraiding; in
silent love "He lays him on His shoulders rejoicing!"
Reader, are you mourning over...
the weakness of your faith;
the coldness of your love;
your manifold spiritual declensions?
Fear not. He knows your frame! He will give
'feeble faith' tender dealing. He will "carry" in
His arms those that are unable to walk, and
will conduct the burdened ones through a path
less rough and rugged than others.
When "the lion" or "the bear" comes, you may
trust the true David, the tenderest of Shepherds!
Are you suffering from outward trial?
Confide in the tenderness of your God's dealings
with you. The strokes of His rod are gentle strokes;
the needed discipline of a father yearning over his
children the very moment He is chastising them.
The gentlest earthly parent may speak a harsh
word at times; it may be, needlessly harsh. But
not so God. He may seem, like Joseph to his
brethren, to 'speak roughly'; but all the while
there is love in His heart.
The 'pruning knife' will not be used
unnecessarily. It will never cut too deeply.
The 'furnace' will not burn more fiercely than is
absolutely required. A tender God is seated by
it, tempering the fury of its flames.
And what, believer, is the secret of all this
tenderness? "There is a Man upon the Throne!"
Jesus, the God Man Mediator; combining with
the might of Godhead, the tenderness of spotless
humanity.
Is your heart crushed with sorrow? so was His!
Are your eyes dimmed with tears? so were His?
"Jesus wept!" Bethany's Chief Mourner still wears
the Brother's heart in glory!
Others may be unable to enter into the
depths of your trial; Jesus can; Jesus does!
With such a tender God....
caring for me,
providing for me,
watching my path by day, and
guarding my couch by night,
"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone,
O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8
Lisa, just wondering how things went with Westboro Baptist at your church?
<><
I think there may have been a post here (or on another blog/forum) where some were speculating that the U.S. military might resist some of Obozo's orders, well check this out - Wow!
http://oathkeepers.org/oath/
Jim C.
Well, D.H. went to the 1st Service (so he wouldn't miss them) and he saw the group. They are not allowed directly in front of the Church so they were protesting at a busy street corner adjacent to the Church - Holding up hateful signs, saying their chants, and they had their own camera man present to tape the event. (in case anyone should punch them in the nose or ?)
They were gone by the time the kids and I arrived for 2nd service so we didn't have to see it.I don't think they were their very long-1/2 hour? (They had quite a few places to hit over the weekend mind you.)
I cannot even describe the grace with which our Pastor handled the situation. (So I won't-it would not do him justice.)They even held up some nasty sign with his name on it.
If you watch the beginning of today's sermon you can see how he addressed the situation to the congregation.
Anne,
Isaiah 53 came right to mind. Has your Jewish friend read that one lately?
John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes
Who hath believed our report and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Hyde:
The post "Tenderness of God" is just what I needed!
It has been going thru my mind this week for some reason; "He will not break the bruised reed." It is easy for us to forget that He was fully human and had all our experiences and trials as well as bearing all our sins. The "Gentle Shepherd" and the "Lion of Judah".
Diana:
My mother was a Catholic, and I was raised in the RC church. I remember her saying something very similar to your grandmother. She always said "put Jesus first, It's all about Him". I hope for half the faith, love and fruit of the Spirit that she had.
Maranatha!
Unless the Lord builds the house
"Benjamin Franklin is best known for his inventions (lightning rod) and his aphorisms ("early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise"). But he was also a key figure when the thirteen colonies were giving birth to a new nation.
At the age of 81, Franklin was the oldest representative at the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Weeks after the convention began, representatives were still haggling about the relative voting power of large states and small states. Then Franklin stood up and said,
"In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for the divine protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard and they were graciously answered.…Have we now forgotten this powerful Friend? Do we imagine that we no longer need his assistance? I have lived a long time, and the longer I live the more convincing proof I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men.…We have been assured, sir, that 'except the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain that build it,' and without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel."
The verse from Psalm 127 had its effect. A compromise was soon worked out, and a Constitution ratified by the states the following year.
Thanks, Lisa, I'll remember that if I have the chance to talk with her again.
I am glad to hear that there are some folks who hold Mary in high regard, but who feel that it's all about Jesus, which it is.
I have to say I get concerned about my mother in law. She is an awesome wonderful lady whom I love very much.
My concern is my mother in law's faith in Jesus's mother; Mary is her primary focus,and not Him.
Mary is who she prays to and seeks guidance from. Personally, I don't think this is the way it is supposed to be and I have problems with the focus being on anyone other than Christ.
My mother was also a devout Catholic towards the end of her life, when I was just 4. I hope and pray her primary focus was on Christ, our Lord and Savior as it is He who saves!
I have a new addition to Off the Wall News , Today in History
ATTY
yes I know what you mean about the overwhelming amount of information prophetic and otherwise.
Lisa
oh yes.
It's called neo replacement theology or another name starting with "s" which I can't remember off the top of my head. The liberal "evangelical" left and emergent church leaders, such as those you mentioned, are indeed promoters of this.
Jim C
well said
Jib, I found this article where Dr Ice discusses NRT.
Neo-Replacement Theology
This is a Word doc:
Variations Within Supersessionism (Michael Vlach's paper at 2007 meeting of Evangelical Theological Society)
Lori, I posted a link to your site at the Omega letter.
Supersessionism Info Page
From Cutting Edge today:
RFID MICROCHIP TV ADVERTISEMENT* (Now I wonder how long it will take to go main stream TV.)
This video offers the following advantages for anyone who has agreed to allow an RFID chip to be implanted.
1) Doctors in an emergency room can quickly identify the victim and see his/her medical history, this enabling them to more quickly take life-saving action
2) For Elderly people who cannot remember to take their medications
3) A grandfather declares that he took an RFID chip because he is "in love with his children's children"! Tugging at the heart strings.
4) Because a young man wants to take better care of his elderly Mom
5) A man with Diabetes touts the efficiency of RFID chip in helping him take his medicine as he is supposed to take it.
6) Finally, the Emergency Room doctor comes on the screen to tell us all that he appreciates it very much when the people whose bodies land on the E.R. gurney have had an RFID chip implanted.
This second video shows how much more convenient traveling becomes when travelers use RFID-implanted documents.
Using your RFID and Traveling in the USA Video
Holy Moly!! I just looked up the Govt. Travel site-it's a picture of the North American Union!!Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
I am not going to freak out- I am not going to freak out- I am not going to freak out.
I am totally calm and residing "in Christ"- yeah right! I'm going to need A LOT more training to deal with what's coming up on the horizon. LOL
Mr Hyde, thanks, the Omega letter has a high circulation.
Lisa, My DH sent me an email today circulating thru gov't websites. He works for the USPS. Anyway, Motorola is sponsoring a free seminar called, Trends, opportunities and the future of RFID.
Date: Tuesday, October 20
Time: 2:00 p.m. Eastern | 11:00 a.m. Pacific
Duration: 1 hour
Defense Systems will present Lt. Col. Cary Ferguson, product manager for the Joint-Automatic Identification Technology Program, in an eSeminar at 2 p.m., Tues., Oct. 20, where he will discuss radio-frequency identification solutions and insights.
Attendees will learn about:
The latest initiatives and projects the Product Manager Joint-Automatic Identification Technology, Army Product Management Office, are involved in;
Current RFID applications offered on the RFID-III multi-vendor IDIQ contracts;
The Army's transition from American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards for active RFID; and
The Radio Frequency In-Transit Visibility system, and the operational value that asset visibility provides.
William Welsh, managing editor of Defense Systems, will moderate.
Following the presentation, there will be a question-and-answer session. The entire eSeminar will be made available in an online archive.
All 1105 Government Information Group eSeminars are free of charge.
For more information, please visit www.motorola.com/government.
Anne
meant to post earlier but totally forgot. There are a couple of books you might find useful and they are quite short, from Frucht-he is jewish after all. The first is "Jesus was a Jew" and it does give some background on how to effectively witness to Jews and some of their common objections answered, past and current rabbinical teachings etc. The other is "messianic Christology". Don't let the name spook you. It is essentially every OT prophecy related to Messiah and how they were fulfilled in Christ. One of the things to remember with some Jews is that many Jews do not consider all parts of the OT equally inspired-which is why you frequently see the phrase "law and the prophets" used because the writings such as the Psalms were not and apparently are not considered as inspired as the law and prophets. Frucht does suggest at least with the more orthodox Jews that you start with prophecies regarding Messiah by reviewing those in the 1st 5 books and then the prophets. Is 53 isn't as much of a slam dunk as you might think. Prior rabbinical thought was that it did refer to Messiah ben Joseph but apparently current rabbinical thought and teaching is that Is 53 refers not to Messiah but to the nation of Israel.
If you are interested and just can't afford maybe I can lend you my copies. I have a fed ex account and can send them to you and even mail you a return label :-)
Hyde
thanks for the leg work. that is indeed the most recent article that came to mind although I seem to recall seeing teachings on it from quite a few of the folks at the prophecy blogspot.
a good book to read on the history of replacement theology from a Jewish perspective is "standing with Israel" by David Brog (last name might be wrong)
Lori,
From the Govt. Website on the RFID:
"The page you are trying to reach is no longer at this location or the system is temporarily inaccessible. Please try again later or use our site navigation or search engine above to locate your desired page."
I wouldn't really be all that suspicious except that many times a site is taken down and "re-worded" after some people catch onto it.
The great part is when people cashe it & can compare how the origional had been updated & morphed into more obscure language.
(Obama and gang are known for it.)
Shalom, all! Some news that's passed my way, and a thought for the day.
God is not the Creator, claims academic
The notion of God as the Creator is wrong, claims a top academic, who believes the Bible has been wrongly translated for thousands of years.
Loma Prieta predictor Jim Berkland still picking quake dates
If your dog has run away, there may be an earthquake coming. At least that's what Jim Berkland might say. As a Santa Clara County geologist in 1989, Berkland says he accurately predicted that a large earthquake would hit the area during the World Series.
New Conservative Bible will eliminate 'liberal' text
If Andy Schlafly has his way, there will be no socialists or snake handlers in the Bible. No woman caught in adultery. And, definitely, no Stephen Colbert.
Will 'Antichrist' come to your neighborhood?
Petition seeks to stop 'the most horrific movie ever seen'
Yes, this film has to be stopped. Here is a link to the IMDB entry on the film. Click on the "Synopsis" link to get a summary of the story. I enjoy a good horror flick, but honestly, reading this description almost made me sick. To give you a clue, the film includes graphic images of genital mutilation and sadomasochistic torture.
Sign the petition.
Easy steps can cut winter heating bills
Natural gas and heating oil prices rose again Thursday, continuing a recent upward tick. But you don't have to simply hope for lower prices and milder weather to reduce costs – you can cut 5% to 30% of your energy bills by taking a few simple steps, says Christina Kielich of the Department of Energy. Start by combating myths and learning how your home works.
BEGONE SATAN!
A Sensational Expulsion of the Devil which occurred in Iowa in 1928.
My confidence is placed in God who does not need our help for accomplishing his designs. Our single endeavor should be to give ourselves to the work and to be faithful to him, and not to spoil his work by our shortcomings. -- Saint Isaac Jogues
St. Isaac Jogues is one of the 10 North American Martyrs. He along with 9 others were martyred on 18 October 1646. Tomahawked in the head by an Iroquois chief on 18 October 1646 at Ossernenon in what would become upstate New York, USA. His head was displayed on a pole and his body thrown in to the Mohawk River.
(To give you an idea of what this man was made of, he spent 6 year in New France (Canada) ministering to the Hurons, before being captured by the Mohawks. He spent 13 months as a slave, being tortured, mutilated, and teaching the Faith to anyone who would listen. After escaping and spending a year in France recovering (he had to get special permission to offer the Mass, because he couldn't hold the host between his thumb and index fingers, since his index fingers had been removed), he returned to Quebec to work with the Iroquois.
<><
Breaking News: Is there a Historic Anglican - Vatican Announcement Coming?
The Official Bulletin from the Vatican Press officially announced this evening that a Press Conference is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, 20 October 2009, in the John Paul II Hall of the Vatican Press Office. Here is the translation of the official announcement issued early this evening:
“We inform accredited journalists that tomorrow, Tuesday, 20 October 2009, at 11 a.m., in the John Paul II Hall of the Press Office of the Holy See, a briefing will be held on a theme pertaining to the relationship with the Anglicans, at which His Eminence Cardinal William Joseph Levada, Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and His Excellency Msgr. Joseph Augustine Di Noia OP, Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments will take part".
...
Damien Thompson, whose reporting for both the London Telegraph and the UK Catholic Herald is also usually very accurate and reliable ties in a Press Conference to be held tomorrow in London where both Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster and Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury will appear together, at 10 a.m., Tuesday, 20 October, at 39 Eccleston Square, London.
Archbishop Vincent Nichols is the head of the Roman Catholic Church in the United Kingdoms; Archbishop Rowan Williams is the head of the worldwide Anglican Communion. These press conferences are going to be held at the same time, about 4:00AM Chicago (Central) time. Should be fun to see how CNN covers this.
<><
Here's a good resource:
Jewish Objections to Jesus
Jim C
Dr Tipler, physicist at Tulane, would disagree
The Physics of Christianity. A fascinating first chapter/intro. don't agree with with his dating of the earth but the fact that he finds the trinity perfectly understandable and correct due to physics is mind boggling.
Donna, Shalom! Something that most Protestants (esp. American Protestants) seem to miss out on is the role of royalty in Scripture. So many American Protestant churches are so ... Americanized ... where there is the minister and the church board and everyone is really equal. Sometimes I get the feeling that G_D is viewed less as King and rather like the Chairman of the Board.
Catholics, on the other hand, Know Their Royalty. We get a lot of flack about how we're always moving in our services -- standing, sitting, kneeling, not to mention the genuflecting and bowing. But, That's What You Do With Royalty. That Is How You Behave Before Your King. When you come before the altar, where G_D is present in the consecrated bread and wine, you genuflect. (What's more, you genuflect using your right knee, because He is your Sovereign Lord and King. With lesser royalty, you would use your left knee. Protocol, my dear.)
This is all a lead-in for this fact that so many Protestants ignore: Mary of Nazareth, Mother of Jesus, Mother of our Lord and King, is a Gebirah. When kings would have many wives and concubines, there would not be one woman who would be queen. Instead, that honor went to the mother of the king, what we would call the Queen Mother, which, in Hebrew, is Gebirah. Bathsheba was Gebirah to King Solomon. In 1 Kings 2:19 we read: So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him about Adonijah; the king got up to meet her and bowed before her; he then sat down on his throne; a seat was brought for the king’s mother, and she sat down on his right.
"Gebirah" is used 15 times in the Old Testament, starting with Sarah, wife of Abraham. We know that these women had a great deal of influence: they would be crowned, their presence was required for state and religious functions, and (most importantly) they were the only ones who could come into the presence of the king without being called for or announced. Anyone else who tried to do so would be executed. If we go back to 1 Kings 1:15, we see that Adonijah is trying to have himself declared king by acting like the king. Bathsheba simply walks into David's presence without being announced. (A few verses later, when Nathan comes to David, it is clear that he is announced before entering the king's presence.) By doing so, she has declared that she is the Gebirah and that her son, Solomon, is the rightful heir.
So now we fast forward to 1 Kings 2. Starting with verse 13, Adonijah comes to Bathsheba to ask her to ask Solomon to give him Abishag the Shunamite for his wife. (Abishag was one of David's concubines.) Why didn't Adonijah go to Solomon directly and ask him in person? Probably because after what had happened earlier, Solomon would not have allowed Adonijah into his presence. Bathsheba, though, being Gebirah, could go in and ask Solomon on behalf of Adonijah. This illustrates another role for the Gebirah. As the only person who could enter the presence of the king unannounced, the Gebirah could intercede on the behalf of someone.
What's more, it's clear from 1 Kings 2:19 that Gebirah was treated with the greatest honor and respect. She would be crowned; she would be seated at the right hand of the king; she was both counselor and intercessor to the king. If we accept and believe that Jesus Christ is the rightful heir of King David, then in the New Davidic Kingdom that is Heaven, Mary is Gebirah, the Queen Mother, seated at the right hand of Jesus her Son. As Gebirah, we venerate her (NOT adore -- adoration is for G_D alone) and ask her to intercede for us. There is nothing that keeps us from asking Jesus for things directly -- He is our brother. Just remember that Adonijah was Solomon's half-brother, and he didn't feel comfortable asking Solomon directly. And just as the kings of old were well disposed towards those who respected and honored the Gebirah and listened to her advice, so Jesus will be well disposed towards those who respect and honor His Mother.
<><
Today's Marriage Minutes
Do's of Marriage
• Verbally share the events of the day
• Renew statements regarding the relationship: "I love you." "You are special to me." "I missed you."
• Touch each other in meaningful ways — hugs, kisses, holding hands, sitting close
• Remember, commitment leads to communication; communication stimulates forgiveness; and forgiveness offers grace, which develops intimacy
• Show appreciation for something your partner has done — say "thank you"
• Take turns asking and explaining when you have misunderstood each other
• Share hopes and dreams — a basic key to a close relationship
• Be a good listener — no response may be necessary
Jib, thanks for your kind offer, I'm humbled.
I am at a conference in Mexico and the Jewish woman is attending with her husband. I will likely not see her again after tomorrow. She doesn't believe that the OT is inspired but rather that it's simply the oral traditions which were written down "as best they could" and may or may not actually be true. I am no match for her knowledge of the many religions as she minored in religion, nor history as she continues to study history...thoroughly.
I'm finding that I need to come through the personal door and let her find that she needs to seek God with all her heart, and then she will find Him. I think she would be open to that proposition.
I'm meeting a number of women here who are having some personal problems. I just want God to use me in this short time.
Who do you listen to?
"Therefore anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven." Matthew 18:4 NLT
But his officers tried to reason with him and said, "Sir, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, wouldn't you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply to go and wash and be cured!" So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his flesh became as healthy as a young child's, and he was healed!
2 Kings 5:13-15
And all of you, serve each other in humility, for "God sets himself against the proud, but he shows favor to the humble." So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and in his good time he will honor you. 1 Peter 5:5-6
The most important thing
"One of the greatest theologians in the history of Christendom was undoubtedly Aurelious Augustinius, better known as St. Augustine, who was converted in the year 387 and later became Bishop of Hippo in North Africa. One of his memorable sayings was this—"For those who would learn God's ways, humility is the first thing, humility is the second, and humility is the third." That may at first sound like an unwarranted exaggeration, but it is surely an echo of these words in the Old Testament—"[God] has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)
Anne, good for you!
I pray that the Lord uses you mightily.
Anne
hope your conference in Mexico is going well. does your hotel have people outside it with machine guns guarding you like ours did? we even had cops on the beach with 45 hand guns for protection. bizarre and yet in so many parts of the world the norm. You could offer to keep in touch with the woman, refer her to the site that Mac suggested (which is quite good), refer her to Frucht's site at www.ariel.org or a combination of the above. Satan is trying to intimidate you by causing you to think you don't have the right stuff to share. I suspect this woman is more open than you think you Satan wouldn't be attacking you.
Jim C
personally I think protestants could honor Mary a little more and Catholics a little less. While your info is undoubtedly historically accurate it remains to be seen whether the application of men's customs actually holds true in the Spiritual realm. A criticism many agnostics, atheists, and liberal theologians have is that the story of the virgin birth and godlike son is not peculiar to Christianity and indeed dates back to the tower of babel era so they feel we "lifted" the story from these early sources. My readings suggest that the veneration of Mary was a later phenomenon not introduced until around the time of Constantine? or thereabouts. I have seen some theologians suggest that that particular emperor and/or his mother are responsible for the introduction of the veneration of Mary and I have seen some suggest that the introduction of this idea was a way Satan used to make the church less effective in it's mission-increased potential for taking the emphasis of Christ and then later with the prominence of Mary accorded in the RCC people could be easily deceived into thinking it was a reworking of old mythos and not true. There being 2 ways to corrupt the spread of the gospel-forces from without and forces from within. Persecution made the church spread like wild fire so dilution from within apparently was the solution. we're seeing much more evidence these days of the forces from within with folks like Warren although much of the church's current ineffectiveness actually dates back to the end of the 19th century. Food for thought at any rate.
For me, since I have had a child with all it's attendant problems and rewards etc I have been awestruck at just what she agreed to. I guess the benefit is that Christ likely wasn't your typical kid in some ways and other ways He was. Can you imagine being His parent and trying to wrap your head around the fact that you were raising the God-man:someone who participated in the creation of all things? mind boggling.
Anne
another thought is perhaps she has studied the world's religion looking for answers and peace for her own life's problems. make no mistake she is a seeker after truth despite what she says;the fact that she is a practicing Jew but considers her self secular I think speaks to that. you may be the person who plants the seed and you are up to it with God's help.
Hi Anne,
Just to encourage you, I had an experience last summer (08) with a JW team that came back to our house many times over several months. At first I did the usual polite listening, accepted their literature (then promptly sent it to the trashcan), etc. I must have given the impression that I was flexible enough that they kept coming back. It was always the same older lady (interestingly she was Jewish by birth and had lived in Israel for 7 years) but she brought several different 'interns' with her. I was intimidated by her knowledge even though I knew she wasn't interpreting much of it correctly, so the first few times I didn't try to rebut anything (plus I didn't feel like giving up my free time while the kids were napping to spend it on her subject.) But after they would leave, I'd have such a burden about not speaking up and so I began to take it to prayer. I yielded to God and said I'd speak no matter how simplistic or awkward I sounded, the next time they came. I still remember where I was the next time I heard the doorbell. I knew it was her because she had figured out when the kids were napping. I felt so much anxiety and wanted to hide, but I called on Jesus and you know what words actually came out of my mouth? "I'm ready." I didn't conciously speak them, but they came out anyway. So I began to interact on that visit and although she still did more talking than me, I gained so much confidence and peace that time. Each time after that, I spoke a little more and questioned a little more (her tact was using the growing decay of society, etc. and the worry that posed for parents with young children as a way to get me to talk about what I believed about who is in control of the world.) I could see right through that, of course, and I think I really surprised her when I said I wasn't worried at all about the future because of Who holds us daily. We discussed God's plan for Israel and I found it fascinating that JWs (and she particularly, being Jewish) took the spiritualized view of New Jerusalem...many replacement theology overtones.
Anyway, on her last visit (I didn't know it was to be her last at the time, but she hasn't come back in almost 9 months), her intern asked me how I knew so much about the Bible and where did I learn so many things. I think perhaps that my sacrifice of those hours (and yes, I sacrificed many loads of laundry and hours of housework in the process) was meant to reach the younger people who came with the older lady. She didn't show any budging by the time we were finished, but that last girl, I think she was probably thinking things over and perhaps that's the reason the lady didn't return again.
The laundry got done and the house is still as messy as it was 9 months ago, but I'm very hopeful, confident, in fact, that there's at least one person out there now on a new journey of faith. God is faithful when we call on Him and it's encounters exactly like this that the Holy Spirit was sent for. Doesn't matter what comes out of our mouths, because when we yield to Him, the Spirit will open the ears and they will hear exactly what He wants them to know.
Blessings,
Jen
new post is up.
Post a Comment