AN UNCONVENTIONAL RENDEZVOUS

Judges 13:18-20 “And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?
So Manoah took a kid with a meat offering, and offered it unto the LORD: and the angel did wonderously; and Manoah and his wife looked on.
For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell to the ground.”

It began and concluded as a very routine outing; like so many over the past three years. In fact, it often seems as though Kalamazoo has reached a saturation point. This is more perception than reality and Burdick street has a continual influx of souls. At the northern end of the downtown region, there’s a bus/Amtrack station on the west side and the homeless shelter on the east side of the street. Beyond this point, heading north across the tracks, it heads into the more economically troubled portions of the city. Heading south from the bus station, there’s a college campus with a student body of about 5000. Beyond that, shops and restaurants line both sides of the street. At this point, Burdick street transforms into what is actually more of an outside walking mall than a street; with wide heated sidewalks and a single narrow lane for southbound traffic. At the extreme southernmost portion of the street, one finds Bronson hospital. This coming together of worlds makes Burdick street a very rich area in terms of  reaching souls; even in the dead of winter when tendancies to remain inside limit the volume of traffic.

The outing of February 4th started out very average. Following a trip around the perimeter of the bus station, I headed down Burdick street; prayerfully pondering the scene playing out ahead. While on the west side of the street; after it reduces down to a single lane of traffic, I was watching oncoming pedestrians, but I noticed an older man waiting by the curb on the east side of the street. He wore glasses, a winter cap, and a somewhat long grey winter coat. He appeared to be somewhat shorter than me. I also noticed two college students approaching the man from the south. A guy walking his bike and a lady were proceeding at a casual pace toward the KVCC campus. I noticed this, however, I was still focused on the traffic on my side of the street. The students passed the man about the same time as I did; only I was across the street. I then heard the lady say the words “No way dude” and I perceived that he had asked for finaicial assistance. (At this point I figured that he was probably staying at the shelter; although outwardly he didn’t appear as being one in need)

It struck me as stange and the ladys tone of voice was almost rude. I stopped in my tracks and determined to go over and help the guy out with a $20 (it’s all going to burn anyways) It wasn’t so much that I felt led to do this, however, the ladys response really agitated me. In the few seconds that it took for me to swing around and head across the single lane for traffic, “the old man was gone.” At first, natural reasoning switches into high gear and I began trying to figure out where he could have possible taken off to. There was no crowd to mix with. No doors in the vicinity that would facilitate such a departure. NOTHING. I looked in every direction but the old man was simply gone. The only possible way to make such a departure…..was…..”up and out?” The two students were still strolling northward; oblivious to the bewildering tranpiration behind them. I remained in this spot for a moment; taking in the scene and trying to see if I was overlooking something. I’ve heard of things like this, and fully believe that the Lord intervenes in the world in such manner, however, this was completely unexpected.

The remainder of the day proceeeded in routine fashion, except for the occasional revisiting of this incident; wondering if perhaps I had simply overlooked something. In my spirit, it was like a reassuring gesture that, despite ambient appearances, be they routine or traumatic, the Lord is in complete control and can alter a situation in a moment. It was also a reminder of how little we understand about the situations at hand. For example, I know absolutely nothing about the two college students and therefore, I really have no idea as to what all was in play. They returned to the campus; never thinking for a moment that they may well have said “no way dude” to a messenger from heaven. It’s quite possible that each of us have entertained angels unawares on more occasions than we could ever imagine. The only difference between this incident and all of the other possiblilities is that my eye caught a glimpse of something that simply didn’t add up in the natural.

Many of us have a lingering contradiction in our lives. We proclaim a supernatural gospel. We see lives transformed by the precious blood of Jesus and remember the hour in which we first believed. We know full well that the Lord can heal all manner of illnesses and moves in ways that no one can anticipate. We know that if an undoubting person says to a mountain “be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.”  Jesus explained that all things are possible to those who believe. Yet despite this understanding, we somehow expect the ambience to function according to the laws of physics. “What goes up must come down” and “for every action, there is an equal reaction.” While indeed, the vast majority of what we see transpires within the perimeters of physics, the truth is that what we see is a very tiny sliver of all that’s transpiring around us. The ongoing battles between principalities and powers continue on as the enemy strives to hang on to his captives while luring the saints into one distraction after another.

Well I must be going for now. We’re supposed to be receiving several inches of snow this week and as such, I may have time to make the rounds in the blogosphere. The urgency for getting the gospel into the streets is still high and, the first half of this year is critical. I’ve been wondering how much longer this blog will remain active; however, every time such thoughts come to mind, a flurry of posts are presented that make putting forth a concluding entery impossible. Plus this is a place of contact with a lot of saints from other venues and I really want to keep this place of contact open. One thing is for certain; each of us will have a final blog entry at some point.

Tonight on Coast to coast AM (Monday Feb 8 broadcast) George Noory will be talking with Dr. John Hall about electronic harrassment, mind control, and how CIA/NSA technology is being used to track, intimidate, and even read the thoughts of people. It may sound crazy to some, but these are very strange times and I plan to stay up for this. Here’s Dr Halls site:

A NEW BREED – SATELLITE TERRORISM IN AMERICA

Here are links to three more sites that one may want to check out when time permits; all of which are on the blogroll:

APOCALYPSE 2010

SIGNS OF THE END

END TIMES PASSOVER by JOE ORTIZ I learned of this site from a comment left at the post THE FREE RADICALS.

Blessings always in Jesus name.

E O N – O – S P H E R E

The afternoon of January 31 was typical of most Sunday afternoons in this venue. While the aroma from Mrs timbobs pot roast filled the kitchen, I was busy peeling potatos and listening to Alexander Scourbys reading of Proverbs. (of all the audio bible products available today, nothing compares to the voice of the late Alexander scourby) While this makes it possible for one to multitask, the bible in an audio format has one serious drawback. When listening ,instead of reading, it’s hard to “park and cogitate” on a single place and subsequently one has to continually stop multitasking for a moment, hit the “repeat” button, and wait until that passage is reached again. On this particular afternoon, the following passage became the point of reflection; thereby necessitating the need to continually hit repeat:

Proverbs 8:22 “The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.”

This chapter speaks of the all-encompassing wisdom of God and compels the simple, who desire understanding, to partake of this wisdom. It should be noted that the phrase “in the beginning of his way” does not imply that there was ever a time in which God was not. It simply tells of a moment in eternity in which “time” became an aspect. The fabric of the everlasting is like an ocean; stretching in every direction forever, while the dimension of time is but a tiny bubble sitting in the middle of the infinite. Whenever one begins to consider the boundless attributes of our faithful Creator, a sensation of overwhelming awe will ensue. He inhabits eternity past and future, he is completely holy; without shadow or turning, and his love for us is beyond comprehension; a truth that was manifest when he took upon himself a body of flesh and paid for our sins with his own blood on an old rugged cross.

Proverbs 8:23-24 “I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
When there were no depths, I was brought forth; and there were no fountains abounding with water.”

As new creatures in Christ who are born of the Spirit, we often reflect on the age to come, when we shall be forever in the presence of the Lord Jesus and with each other. Joy fills our heart as we consider a “world without end” and without grief. As if trying to fathom everlasting future isn’t impossible enough for our finite understanding, when one considers “everlasting past” it just blows the lid off. I mean “everything that anything had a beginning…right?” Not according to scripture. When Jesus stated “Before Abraham was, I am” it revealed the truth that he is indeed God manifest in the flesh and that he has always been. “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him and for him.” Through the finished work of Calvary, we have forgiveness of sin and eternal life. 

When a person begins to grasp just how great our salvation is, it’s enough to leave one speechless. Proverbs continues:

Proverbs 8:25-26 “Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.”

Perhaps I’m just an eccentric dreamer, but it seems almost impossible to be out in creation without ones thoughts drifting toward the Lord. Whether it’s working in the yard on a warm sunny day, watching moonlight illuminate the snow that extends in all directions, or gazing into the vastness of the universe, the very creation testifies that “God is” and that he is a most incredible Creator. From the most far-flung galaxies down to the most seemingly insignificant sub-atomic particles, the complexity of all that we see is unfathomable. This is not simply the by-product of a big bang, followed by an inculculable number of “chance occurances.” It is the design of an eternal God who established it and “saw that it was good.” And this is merely the stuff that’s destined to melt with a fervent heat. We cannot even begin to fathom what the eternal will look like. A few years ago, I read the testimony of one who had been granted a visit to the heavenly throne room. This person described how, in that realm, aspects such as praise and singing were as a physical substance. (WOW)

Proverbs 8:27-28 “When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:”

This swerves into another thing that I like to ponder; that being the world previous to the flood. Without a doubt, the first earth was vastly different from the present; even to the point of the meteorological processes that were in play. There was no rain but “there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.” Instead of several rivers running into a single river and flowing to the sea, a single river ran out of Eden and became four. Likewise, the geography of that time seems to not coincide with the current; suggesting that the global flood was far more altering of the environment than we tend to consider. I wonder if perhaps when the fountains of the deep were broken up (Genesis 7:11) this gave rise to the earths present geological functionings. (Just a thought) Interestingly, two of the rivers that originated from the river out of Eden were the Euphrates and the Hiddekel; both of which are prophetically significant. The Euphrates is mentioned from Genesis to Revelation. The Hiddekel, which is the Tigris, is mentioned only one other time:

Daniel 10:4 “And in the four and twentieth day of the first month,was I by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;

This is where, after three weeks of mourning and eating no pleasant bread, Daniel had an encounter with the messenger who had been withstood by the prince of the kingdom of Persia. The significance of this is almost too deep to even begin to ponder, however, in verse 14, the messenger states “Now am I come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.” The understanding that this messenger was bringing is so important that the enemy seemed to pull out all of the stops to prevent it from getting through. One can only imagine the confusion if we were to be facing the events of the end without the myriad of scriptural warnings on what to expect. I remember once hearing of a movement that transpired during the early centuries of this age. Some wanted to remove the book of Revelation from scripture because it was cosidered “too disturbing.” This would have been a catastrophe, however the Lord preserves his word. Oops; time to refocus.

Proverbs 8:29-31 “When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
Then I was with him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him:
Rejoicing in the habitable part of the earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.”

It’s interesting; how political leaders and those with an agenda will hold conferences and set up treaties aimed at preventing what they are now calling “climate change;” thereby making one of my favorite t-shirts obsolete. (the one that reads “Glogal warming is nothing, compared to eternal burning”) Yet the Lord is ultimately in control and everything functions in accordance to his design. In Job 26:7, we read that he “hangeth the earth on nothing.” Everything in its place; everything working as the Lord has purposed, and everything proceeding according to his word. Again, if this is the complexity of the temporal, one cannot even begin to fathom what the everlasting will be like. For those who are in Christ, it’s an everlasting ambience that has never been defiled by rebellion and sorrow has no dominion. A realm without end where we shall be forever in the presence of Jesus and surrounded by the great cloud of witnesses.

I Corinthians 2:9-10 “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”

Well this is only half of what was on my heart, so a follow-up post will be necessary.  Two things before going. First, there’s a new link on the blogroll, entitled LARRY WHO which offers up a lot of insight on a host of relevent issues. Secondly, I would ask that prayer be offered for our Pastor, Steve Miller, as he is leaving for Burkina Faso in about twelve days. I’m not sure as to how long he’ll be there, but the trip involves working with some orphanages in that country. Well I’ll close for now. The passage at the end of this post is well known, but it’s been dropped in my spirit a lot (I mean A LOT) over the past three weeks. Blessings always in Jesus name. 

Mark 13:10 “And this gospel must first be published among all nations.”

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February 4, 2010 (0200) Hello again. The link that I’m about to disclose requires some explaining. Many who stop by here are familiar with Steve Quayle and the myriad of information found on his site. For several years, Steve hosted a shortwave radio program which I would listen to at every opportunity. He once mentioned how, for years, he had asked the Lord to grant him a two week warning before the bottom falls out of all that we have come to know. In conjunction with this request, he has set up a “bright red screen” that will appear on his website; should the Lord grant this insight. In other words, if a person goes to Steve’s site and sees a bright red screen, it’s quitepossible that “the world is about to be turned upside down.” (We know from I Thessalonians 5:3 that sudden and unexpected calamity is on the horizon) With this being understood, the following link is quite incredible:

DREAM ABOUT MY RED SCREEN FROM WOMAN WHO DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT RED SCREEN! WHEN RED SCREEN IS UP (this is NOT it), THIS WILL BE THE FINAL 14-DAY WARNING

While this may be something to be mindful of, it should not be a persons solitary indicator insofar as the timings that ae in play Nonetheless, I was impressed to share it. It is imperative for each of us to be in a place spiritually where we are hearing what the Spirit is saying. We cannot simply hold onto the coattails of another. It was in the summer of 2008 when I heard Steve talk about the red screen that’s set to appear on his site at the proper moment. I’ve not heard any mention of this since; until now.  

JESUS IS RETURNING!

THE FREE RADICALS

John 8:34-36 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever commiteth sin is the servant of sin.
And the servant abideth not in the house forever: but the Son abideth ever.
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

II Corinthians 3:17 “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

Many professing Christians will believe themselves to be walking in this liberty. Indeed everyone who is born of the Spirit does walk in a measure of it. Just knowing that our sins are forgiven and that we have an eternity in the presence of the Lord, carries an incredible amount of liberty and peace. But when a person grows into the fulness of this freedom, their life will be altered in ways that will appear radical, and even “irresponsible” in the eyes of those who have never experienced it. Folks who have entered this realm continually abide close to the Lord Jesus. The fellowship is indescribably sweet and they diligently seek out the quiet spaces as to spend time with him. They trust so completely in his word, that the threatenings of this world are unable to initiate fear. They will not be moved by the enticements of this life as their affections are set completely upon the Lord Jesus and the age to come. They no longer conform to the worlds standards; nor do they weary themselves in pursuit of an ever-increasing stake in this worlds agenda.

This is a place that it’s probably safe to say that all of us are striving toward, but have not reached the fulness of. For example, over the weekend, I found myself thinking of our personal finaicial outlook and some trouble spots down the road. It caused apprehension that “should not have been;” especially over things which are temporal. Seriously! Someday; be it in a few months or in several years, we will no longer abide at this address. This is a temporal thing and fear over potential outcomes in the flesh indicate that ones affections are not as set on the everlasting as they should be. I have so much growing to do and I oftentimes wonder if I have any business bringing up some of the topics covered on this blog. Without a doubt, this forum is of a “thinking out loud” nature. This instalment offers reflections of a place that I’ve often tasted, but have not reched in full. (with the times being as they are, we need to be diligently moving toward fullness in this area)

There are some distinct areas in which we are to walk in freedom. As we grow into the fulness of Christ, this freedom will cause us to be a city set upon a hill without our even consciously trying to be one. It’s astonishing as to how dominating the fear factor is. Even those who profess to have absolutely no fear of God or the hereafter are dominated by fear. Fear of lack, fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of their worldview being exposed, the list of apprehensions is endless. We are to walk only in a godly fear (which is life) and should not become rattled by the myriad of senarios before us. Below are some distinct areas of the freedom that we’ve been called to:

( 1 ) FREEDOM FROM DEATH.

Hebrews 2:14-15 “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage,”

For an unsaved person, the fear of death governs their life. They will work, establish a comfort zone, and build a kingdom on earth to preserve their life and make it as enjoyable as possible. Because death, for one who knows not the Lord Jesus, is the end of expectation and a leap into the unknown. Folks will go to incredible lengths to find comfort when it comes to the inevitable; even to the point of embracing a complicated array of deceptions. However, without knowing the Lord Jesus, the element of fear remains; unless one has become so hardened that they no longer have any godly fear. I remember reading the final comments of Karl Marx. He was on his death bed and about to slip away, when his maid asked for some parting words that he could be remembered by. He angrily told her to leave him alone. “Final words are for fools who didn’t say enough in their lifetime” he told her. No fear of God at all as he was slipping into a realm that he had spent his life believing didn’t exist. 

Truly the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. When I was lost and undone, I had a very occultic and new-ageish view of the world. (Astonishingly, I didn’t recognize them as being such) But these ideas were hindered by a profound fear of death and a belief that God was real. This fear persisted; despite my best efforts to find comfort in spiritual concepts apart from scriptural truth. That fear kept me from pursuing paths that were calling out to me. I stood in their doorway; I entrancingly listened to every word, but was “unable to proceed.” (I was a really strange child)

( 2 ) FREEDOM FROM SIN

On the morning of January 24, our pastor preached about rebounding after we stumble. He touched heavily on the seriousness of sin and issued this statement:

“Sin begins as a thought, which leads to an act, which leads to a habit, which leads to a lifestyle, which leads to death.”

We are not to be in bondage to sin. There’s a popular notion that living a life of holiness is a form of legalism. This idea has been further engrained by those who do take a legalistic approach to holiness and issue a strict set of guidelines. But true holiness isn’t bondage and when one is free from sin, the ulurements of the world will lose their influence over us. When we are filled with the Spirit and have living water springing up from within, the things that we once viewed as being “the necessary ingrediants for a good time” will be exposed. We’ll see the former things for what they are; agents of bondage and death. Our lack of attachment to worldly things will not stem from a legalistic set of regulations, but from an authentic “loss of interest.”

( 3 ) FREEDOM FROM WORLDLY FEAR.

Matthew 6 31: 34 “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

To completely trust the Lord for everything; regardless of physical conditions. When we grasp this, we’ll stand out while the world is going nutty around us. I often hear comments such as “I don’t know how you can stand working here” (I hear this often at work) or “I don’t know how you guys can handle Matthew.” (Our oldest son, Matthew, is autistic) People view circumstances that are, or would, drive them out of their tree, and wonder why we can handle it. They see potential senarios on the horizon and become so fearful that they simply “cannot think about it” and wonder why we are not likewise fearful. When we begin to understand just how temporal this world is, how long eternity is, and what our primary mission is in this life, senarios and threatenings will not move us to apprehension. Regardless of what transpires, these agents of oppression lose their voice the moment that we step into eternity.

( 4 ) FREEDOM FROM RELIGION AND TRADITION. There are two sides to this and both will probably foster disagreement. The first is traditions of the world; be they conformity to holidays, dressing in accordance to the present trends, doing certain things at certain times, or what have you. Either way, the prevailing trend of “being like this” or “doing that” confines us to the perimeters of what the world considers to be “normal.”  

This mindset is likewise widespread in the church as too often we conform to the expectations of others instead of seeking the Lord and being transformed. In many venues, the teachings of men, who have been soundly indoctrinated prevail, while the flock clings to their every word. The undiscerning are encouraged to ”get with the program” instead of diligently seeking the Lord Jesus before whom we all shall stand. Without a doubt, the Lord grants teachers and pastors according to his will. But each of us must be individually atuned to the Holy Spirit and prayerfully searching the scriptures. Not using the theological lens or list of standards that we were presented with when we began to fellowship with the church down the road, but in a diligent quest for understanding from on high. (Jeremiah 33:3 and james 1:5)

When we begin to walk in the liberty of Christ, we’ll become a threat to those who have elected to remain within the comfy confines of religion or take comfort in their theology. But the fellowship with the Lord and peace will be “out of this world.” Not to mention the fellowship with like minded saints. One reason that CR and I talk so much is that we engage in discussions that few seem to be interested in. Our conversation always rockets into the realms of the everlasting. Ponderings about the deep things of God, ponderings of events soon to unfold, concern for the priceless souls all around us, and an eternity where we shall forever be in the presence of the Lord. It’s astonishing to see professing saints become “uneasy” and seek an exit strategy when some of these topics arise. (especially prophetic considerations from a post-tribulation rapture standpoint)

Well, I have to go because this post has exceeded 1700 words. Lord willing, I’ll try to make it around over the weekend. I often wish that we were all in a single geographic area, but that’s probably a selfish desire. Each of us have a position in this temporal world that only we can occupy. Besides, we “will” be in the same place when our testimony here is completed. How important it is for us to maintain an eternal perpective. Until the next time, blessings always in Jesus name.

OUT HERE…there be MONSTERS

Genesis 9:6 “Whoso sheddeth mans blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.”

Proverbs 29:2 “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”

This post is a grusome; albeit very brief, departure from the normal flow. I’m questioning whether or not it carries benefit, and yet it’s on my heart to place it out here. First of all, an acknowlegment must be issued to Glen Beck  of Fox News who has brought to light some historical information that few of us may be aware of. Those of us in the west; especially the citizens of the United States, have a dangerous element in our  worldview which cuts across ideological boundaries and is based primarily upon our limited experience. It’s a mentality of “BACK THEN and OVER THERE.” The atrocities of history; even the more recent events, somehow seem afar off and bearing little relevance on the present. The illusion of continuance is dangerous beyond our grasping. If we are truly in the final moments of the age, we should be aware of what this means. It means that the return of Jesus is at the door and he’s coming for a bride without spot and blameless. It also means that events lie before us, which are so horrific, that they’ll surpass all of histories previous seasons of despair. 

II Peter 1:10 “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:”

Revelation 13:7 “And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

Recently I heard a report about police officers who have had to take a life in the line of duty. Virtually all of them report that their lives are forever altered by the incident. “The person who was killed remains with them for the remainer of their days.” Sadly, however, recent history is filled with individuals who were so hardened that the life of another meant nothing to them. On Friday, January 22, Glen Beck featured a documentary entitled “THE REVOLUTIONARY HOLOCAUST: LIVE FREE OR DIE” It featured information on some of the bloodiest regimes in the twentieth century. Some of this information I had never heard about; despite having an interest in historical events. The number of souls lost during these times is staggering and one cannot help but think of the eternal and prophetic issues which have, and are, playing out. Afterwards, I lay awake in bed; my thoughts seeming to almost trip over each other as I sought out a starting point for prayer.

Daniel 8:27 “And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the kings business; and was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.”

Profoundly large numerical values tend to circumvent our comprehension. If we hear of a soul perishing at the hands of an assailant in our city, we instantly think of the tragedy and loss that that has transpired. But when this number is in the millions, we cannot fathom it. From a historical and prophetic standpoint, we consider events that either have, or soon will, come to pass, with our theological lens firmly in place; not grasping the scope of the event in terms of souls. The reality of it is that “a million” isn’t just an arbitrary number. It’s 1+1+1+1+1+1+1….until the number 1,000,000 is reached. We’re approaching a time wherein the world situation will be so horrific, that unless Jesus returned at the time appointed, there would not be a single person remaining. The loss of souls will be at a rate unsurpassed by any previous time. DO ANY OF US REALLY UNDERSTAND THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE HOUR? I’m asking myself this and I fear that, too often, my actions do not reflect this urgency. In reflecting back on the atrocities mentioned in this documentary, one cannot help but wonder what the final moments of the age will resemble.

Below are some links that shed light on some of the tyrants of recent history The first link may initially seem an unlikely stop, but a necessary one as it entails an ideology that has resulted in the deaths of untold millions.

THE PLAYWRIGHT IN SPITE OF HIMSELF George Bernard Shaw was a fabien socialist who was born in 1856. The documentary last Friday featured film footage wherein this man detailed his worldview. George Bernard Shaw expressed having no problem with “elinminating” various segments of the population in pursuit of the communist utopian society. “No regard for human life” as an agenda is held in higher esteem than eternal souls. In one of the segments, he expressed high regard for Benito Musselini. (It should be noted that, despite widespread belief to the contrary, the differences between socialism and fascism are minimal. This truth is manifest in the comments by George bernard shaw) It would be easy for one to think that these are just the notions of one given to a worldview that has been effectively discredited, until one considers the bigger picture. There are, at this very moment, people in high places, who believe that the worlds population must be reduced to 500 million. These people are devoting time and funneling financial resources into endeavors designed to bring this about.

STALINS FORCED FAMINE 1932-1933 7,000,000 DEATHS When ideologies and lust for power trump human life, the result can be catastrophic. To stem the tide of nationalism, collective policies were imposed upon the citizens of the Ukraine. Citizens were removed from their farms, Storehouses were raided and the borders of the Ukraine were sealed off. Within a single year, over 7 million Ukranians perished from starvation. Interestingly; at the time of this event, the Ukraine required 10 million bushels of grain per year to sustain its population. In 1932, they had produced over 12 million bushels. Sadly, however, Stalin viewed these people as a “problem” and subsequently initiated policies designed to “starve them into submission.”  

MAO TSE TUNG He called it “the great leap forward” but it resulted in the death of seventy million Chinese citizens. It’s sad that we hear of politicians in various venues who hold this man in high esteem; having no understanding of the horrors that played out during his tenure as Chinas head of state. “Seventy million souls!” That’s the equivellant of the entire population of Iran. It also equals the approximate number of abortions that have transpired in the U.S. (depending upon which statistics one adheres to) Chairman Mao once stated that “political power comes largely from the barrel of a gun.”

Note: The above site has a detailed listing of twentieth century tyrants and the numbers of those who perished at their hands. This list includes Saddam Hussein, Pol Pot, Francisco Franco, Shiro Ishii, Slobodan Milosevic, several high ranking officials of Hitlers “Third Reich” and sevral people that most of us have never heard of. This information can be found in the column to the right of the information about Mao Tse Tung.

THE KILLING MACHINE: CHE GUEVARA FROM COMMUNIST FIREBRAND TO CAPITALIST BRAND This guys picture is everywhere, from t-shirts to artwork. His name appears in musical lyrics and a number of public officials have expressed admiration of him. Until the documentary last Friday, I didn’t even know who he was. I had seen the picture and, in my spirit, knew that something was “very very wrong” but I knew not the the story behind Che Guevara. Tens of thousands of Cuban citizens perished at the hands of this loyal follower of Fidel Castro. I’m 45 years old; how did I not know the story behind this guy? Judging by the popularity of his image, it would appear that most others are likewise uninformed. I mean NOBODY would wear a t-shirt that featured a picture of Adolph Hitler. Yet the image of Che Guevara is considered “a fashion statement.”

Every soul who perished at the hands of those who viewed them as “a problem” was fearfully and wonderfully created in the image of God. The initial passage of scripture reveals just how serious it is to take another life. I have actually prayed (fervently) that I would never be in a situation where such a decision would have to be weighed. Even if someone was threatening this family and I were to neutralize them, I wouldn’t be able to handle knowing that the attackers fate had been sealed at my hand. I have no guns in the house and have no plans to ever pursue an agenda of such. My hope is in the Lord Jesus and I keep this family in fervent prayer; knowing that the Lord can sustain us in the most trying of times. (Psalm 91 says it all.)

One more topic is in need of addressing. Last Friday was the 37th anniversary of the Roe Vs Wade decision by the Supreme court which legalized abortion. It was also the day in which testimony in the Scott Roeder trial began. Scott Roeder is the man who gunned down late term abortion doctor George Tiller. This entire case is hard to think about; especially since this doctor had no problem with engaging in “religion” while taking life. (He served as an usher at his church) Taking a life is sin; be it an adult or an unborn child. George Tiller had been threatened many times in the past, and on one occasion, he was shot. Yet he determined that his ”service” was worth the risk to himself. When a person holds a “cause” in higher esteem than those who are created in the image of God, it can only bring sorrow and loss. “These are very strange times.”

FAMILY OF ABORTION BUSINESS OWNER IRVING FELDKAMP DIES IN MONTANA PLANE CRASH Irving Feldkamp owns the largest chain of private abortion clinics in the country. These facilities perform more abortions in California than Planned Parenthood. Last March, he lost fourteen family members when their plane crashed in Butte Montana. One of the aspects of this event is worth mentioning. The plane crashed into a cemetary; very close to a monument that had been erected in memory of all the unborn children who have perished from abortion. God is not mocked and while he is very longsuffering, judgment does come. David Meyer offered commentary in the May 2009 issue of the Last trumpet Newsletter. It’s in the final paragraph of the segment entitled “Hells Society.”

Well this is a very long post and it’s time to close. I apolagize for the grusome topic. My prayer is that it will foster a soberness before the Lord, a heart of thanksgiving for all that he has blessed us with, and a greater understanding of the battle before us. Every day, souls are perishing. Whether a land is under the thumb of a tyrant, or peace and safety are having a season, every morning the sun rises on a slightly different population. Some perished during the night while others were born into this fallen place. May we all draw close to Jesus and be about the business of reaching the lost while they are within range.

The February issue of the Last Trumpet Newsletter has just been posted, and is entitled THE TRUE STATE OF THE UNION. The lateness of the hour is undeniable; especially when one considers the timings which are pointed out in this letter.

The following link comes from Steve Quayles site and is simply titled WORD FROM INTERCESSOR This was given by one who has chosen to remain anonymous, which may cause some to be skeptical.  Yet I would encourage any who stop by here to “prayerfully” consider the information presented in this writing. If we are atuned to the Holy Spirit and grounded in scriptural truth, we’ll know whether or not this is authentic. In these times, there’s simply no substitute for hearing what the Spirit is saying unto the churches.”

Blessings always in Jesus name.

Proverbs 6:16-19 “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”

C L A R I T Y

Greetings in Jesus name. This is a very impromptu posting, but it’s intended to bring attention to a very important topic. The following posts have fostered much cogitation as they bring to light some important spiritual principles. Everything posted here and linked is done so with the intent of encouraging the saints to draw closer to the Lord Jesus and compel those who have never been born of the Spirit to consider the words of life. Regardless of the topic that a post may address (even the apocalyptic ones) the overall intent is the same. The following posts are a real encouragement to let go of everything that’s not of God and to set our affections firmly upon things above. This life is ever so brief, but eternity is everlasting. Here are the links:

AFTER I LEFT THE CHURCH SYSTEM (not true church) (Stirring The Deep) This addresses the danger of leaving our first love in favor of a church. This will challenge some ideas that have been engrained into many of us, but it’s a needful challenge. We must ensure that Jesus Christ is truly Lord of our lives and that we’re not serving a religious superstructure. On this site, Rachel is also going through a mentoring series that’s designed to foster a deep intimate relationship with the Lord.

REFLECTING CHRIST CLEARLY (Cindy in S.D.) This post encourages us to let go of everything that’s cloudying up the spiritual waters. That we may be abassadors for Christ; reflecting an accurate image of our Savior and Lord in a world where multitudes are hanging in the balance.

HELP!! MY HUMILITY ISN’T SHOWING (Five Peas in a Pod) This post encourages us to continually examine ourselves, using a humourous situation involving a truck. It’s important because we can unwittingly respond to situations in ways that are well-intended, but possibly damaging. This was a big one for me because it’s something that I deal with daily.

BEYOND SUCCESS (Cindy Hansen) The truth that stood out for me was how all of our past circumstances have contributed to where we are now. This spoke to me there’s a season in my past in which I drifted severely. It was, without a doubt, the darkest time of my life, and yet, as a result of that season, a lot of lessons were learned. I fear that, had it not been for that dark season, I would have ended up conforming to the evangelical “status quo” and believing that all was well. It’s hard to explain and while I could do a post on it, the truth is that I really don’t like to think about that time; other than to praise God for bringing me out of it.

REVOLUTION (Scottish warriors) “You must become temporary residents or travelers in this world.” With these opening words, the tone is set and five points are brought forth that are needful in drawing close to Jesus and letting go of our religious facades. We must return to our first love. When we do this, all of the superficial will be left by the wayside.

All of the above sites are worthy of routine visits. As always, there are a lot of other posts on various sites that should be listed here. Such is the case whenever a post like this is done and time is very limited.

Blessings always in Jesus name.

BUT THE ANSWER OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE TOWARD GOD

The morning of January 17 turned into the most incredible time that we’ve had thus far at the new fellowship. An awesome time in the Lord, coupled with a very timely message about sincere generosity and giving of ourselves to those in need. And like many of our pastors messages, this one touched on the error of the prosperity gospel, wherein the focus is placed on getting stuff for ourselves; not giving of ourselves to those in need. The message was in response to the tragedy in Haiti where many thousands have perished and thousands more are coming to terms with incredible loss. I subsequently found myself revisiting the book of James tonight, which explains how our faith will become manifest in our works. (Our actions will reveal what we are truly believing)

The most incredible part of the morning transpired when eight souls were baptized. This group consisted of two kids and six adults; two of whom are middle aged. (The six adults are actually three married couples) Their testimonies were incredible and most of them revealed years upon years of friends and loved ones praying for them. One of the men told of how his marriage had been about to fall apart without remedy until he was born of the Spirit. This morning, he and his wife were both baptized. To be honest, baptism is a topic that I almost intentionally avoid discussing because of certain controversies. (My statement of faith on this issue would not line up completely with any “official theological position.”)  Nonetheless, this was one of the most incredible baptism service that I’ve ever witnessed.

Two things were encouraging about this morning. First was the souls who have been recently saved. When we hear of another name being recorded in the book of life, it’s always a cause for rejoicing. It also causes us to overflow with thanksgiving unto the Lord Jesus as we reflect back to the moment when our name was written down in glory. The second thing was the testimonies about years of intercession, seed planing, and watering by other saints which led to these souls coming to Jesus. (II Timothy 2:24-26) I thought about the number of unsaved folks whose names are on my prayer list; many of which have been there for a long time. This morning encouraged me to keep praying for the priceless eternal souls around me who are still outside the ark of safety; no matter how discouraging their individual situations may become. The enemy is playing for keeps, therefore we need to be “praying for keeps.”

Sometimes there’s a tendancy to feel as though we’re not really doing much by praying. (At least I struggle with this.)  It’s erroneous; even sinful, to think like this. This perception stems from our old fallen nature which measures everything in accordance with physical endeavors that produce readily observable results. And yet, it’s in the prayer closet that strongholds are brought down. We don’t wrestle against flesh, we battle giants in the spiritual realm. Entities who chose to abandon their place in the presence of the Lord and are now trying to destroy as many souls as possible. On the flip side of this, fervent prayer doesn’t excuse us from the need to minister physically when we are in a position to do so. If our neighbor is hungry and we have the means to remedy this, we are called to do so in Jesus name. This was also touched on in the message this morning.

James 2:15-17 “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Een so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”

Well I must be going for now.  Sunday was a very encouraging day and it was worthy of an impromptu posting. This church with whom we are currently fellowshipping is affiliated with a large pentecostal denomination, but they don’t appear to be status-quo-ish. This doesn’t mean that we can stop watching. If anything, we must be even more careful and discerning. This is clearly a season of separating between the sheep and the goats. In time, this will affect every fellowship; including New Hope. It’s imperative to be hearing from the Lord and ready to move in a moment; should He instruct us to do so. As was mentioned in the previous post, the Lord sees the whole picture; we can only see a cloudy fragment.

Blessings always in Jesus name.

Matthew 9:37-38 “The saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”

I Peter 3:21-22 “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.”

BUSY BODIES

Daniel 12:3-4 “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”

This is a post that requires much carefulness in writing because if not worded correctly, erroneous impressions may be created. The past week was so filled with activity that, once again, I’m having to write during the overnight hours that lead into Sunday morning. It’s a thing by which the obligations of life consume so much time that, instead of being about the business that the Holy Spirit has placed upon our heart, we find ourselves in a perpetual cycle of errands and obligations. The tandem of work and home, combined with a steady mixture of things to be carried out at regular intervals, and the spontaneous obligations that seem to manifest without warning, can devour every moment of ones day. Almost none of these activities are actually bad, in fact many are necessary. For example, if a child has to be taken to the doctor, it’s our parental responsibility to attend to this need. And we never know when an opportunity to share Christ may emerge in the waiting room.

The problem is that our lives can become so defined by the obligations of this temporal realm that we never get around to our Fathers business. Last Monday, January 11, I was minded to go into the streets of Kalamazoo, however, events on the home front made this impossible. So I determined to go up Tuesday “NO MATTER WHAT!”  Something else came up Tuesday and so Wednesday was my next goal. The next thing I knew, it was Saturday morning and I had spent the entire week tending to a neverending procession of tasks which were necessary but lacking in eternal significance. Every Saturday is likewise consumed by a neverending list of tasks. The things which are not completed on Saturday, are reassigned to Sunday afternoon. And then the cycle begins all over again. It seems as though temporal things consume an ever-increasing portion of each 24 hour period and they work to keep ones thoughts on the things of this world.

For many, if not most, it’s not a big deal to be continuously running to and fro without end. Many (if not most) Christians, seem perfectly content with the treadmill and the carefully proportined time slots that they give unto the Lord each week. They conform to the consensus and settle into a predictable routine. But for me, it no longer works. The standard model stopped functioning about five years and ten months ago, when the Lord did two things “suddenly” in my life. First, he brought me out of a profoundly backslidden state that had lingered for a few years. Secondly, he granted me a heart for eternal matters on a level that had not been manifest in previous seasons. It was kind of like being “rebooted.” I was delivered, not only from weights and sins which had led to years of stagnation, I was also delivered from the superstructures of religion. Subsequently, much of what takes place in many churches these days seems as little more than showmanship. Fancy buildings with state of the art equipment, where programs and marketing have replaced the working of the Holy Spirit. 

I apolagize for sounding so negative. It was a frustrating week as, despite the overwhelming sense of urgency, I was hemmed in by the issues of twenty first century living. Even more astonishing is that very few seem to understand the lateness of the hour. I knew to expect an increase in obstacles, but this doesn’t make it easier to contend with. It’s an area where I have to learn patience. Every trip into the streets is a struggle to navigate past an arena of obstacles. It was laid on my heart that this struggle will become more intense as time progresses. This coming week, Lord willing, I’m minded to be in Kalamazoo on Monday and Elkhart on Tuesday. Right now, the coast is clear, but one never knows what a day may bring forth. The urgency is not waning; it’s growing stronger. The return of the Lord Jesus Christ is closer now than it was five hours ago. At some point, the final name is going to be recorded in the book of life and the door will be shut.

Well it’s about time to close. One thing that I must remember is to not allow circumstances to “get to me.” It’s very possible to become so obsessed with the way that we’re certain things should go, that we miss the opportunities that routinely emerge before us. (note to self) The Lord sees the entire picture while we observe just a fragment. We cannot possibly navigate properly in the flesh. The truth is that, if were atuned, many opportunites can become manifest when “our plans” go awry. For example, when I’m tied to the house in the afternoon because Matthew is home with an illness, it’s an awesome time for prayer. Through prayer we can literally touch the lives of millions and bring down strongholds in places that we’ll never visit in the flesh. I would contend that an anonymous elderly lady in an apartment who spends most of her day in prayer, does more for the cause of Christ than all of the worlds celebrity preachers combined.  I pray that, regardless of our circumstances, we would strive to be about our Fathers business and not become frustrated by situations.

Blessings always in Jesus name.

II Timothy 2:4 “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may plese him who hath called him to be a soldier.”

DIMINISHING OPPORTUNITIES

Proverbs 11:30 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”

Revelation 14:13 “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”

The words “And I heard a voice from heaven” place quite a profound emphasis on the above passage of scripture.

How does one adequately grasp the sense of urgency that’s demanded of the hour? How does one effectively communicate to those of a leisurely nature that “time is running out?” How do we discern as to whether or not we ourselves understand the lateness of the hour? We’re quick to proclaim “yes indeed; time is certainly running out. The signs are everywhere!” We say it with the most serious tone of voice that we can muster. “Jesus is returning!” (This is true of course) We study the corresponding scriptures and we rehearse our preferred end-times senario to the point that we can run through the timeline in our sleep. And yet, in many instances, our actions don’t reflect this urgency. (This is more of a self-evaluation than an observation of others) We (or I) follow the path of least resistance, we maintain the integrity of the routine and somehow expect the cycle to keep resetting because it has been doing so for as long as we can remember.

The concept of “time running out” can be hard to fathom; even though we have all seen it transpire in our lives. When we attend a funeral, we are remembering one who once jouneyed through the dimension of time but has now passed into eternity. Ecclesiastes 7:1-3 explains how the passing of a life will cause the living to consider their own situation and its inevitable conclusion. Shortly after getting to work Thursday evening, a thought was dropped into my spirit. ”Hell is full of people who thought that they had more time.” It about stopped me in my tracks as this the significance of this began to manifest. It goes without saying that every soul who has ever departed this world without Christ has forever lamented every moment of procrastination. In this life, we may often lament not utilizing earlier years as we should have. (I know that I certainly do) But an everlasting lament is uncomprehendable to us.

While this set the tone for the evening, what transpired after our first break has set in motion a number of things. My work station is a “blessed monotony” in that it offers much time for cogitation. I load and unload gear sets into four machines for processing, which keeps me ”walking in a circle” most of the night. (Woo Hoo! lol) This is good, because shortly after retrurning to my work station, I suddenly became stirred in a way so profound that I couldn’t even stand still. The need to “turn it up” insofar as street activity, became overwhelming. I was deeply impressed with the need to go way beyond one-on-one encounters. To begin making signs and to obtain a magaphone. (Fare thee well, oh comfort zone of mine) The imporatnce of making the most of “every available moment” was (and is) profound. Equally profound was the understanding that most who call themselves “Christian” will be quick to point out, just how ineffective these methods of outreach are.

Signs are relatively easy to employ. They can be displayed anywhere and we used them to a small degree in Virginia. Since last summer, nearly every downtown around here has featured a person holding a sign in a marketing capacity; offering to purchase consumer gold. (I’m certain that it’s an orchestrated plan to remove gold from the population) While I’m striving to hear from the Lord on specifics; signs can be very effective seed planters. A few words (not too many words) that force the reader to consider their present state, such as “If you died tonight would you be in heaven or hell?” That’s a question that will make many return visits to a person who is not right with God. In the night; when everyone else is asleep, Holy Spirit gently brings forth the realization that, despite all of their trappings and reputations, they will eventually leave it all behind. The unresolved issue of their eternal destiny becomes manifest. Because in a moment, a persons final breath can pass, ever so silently, through their respitory system. This concentration of atmosphere may neglect to reveal that none of its colleagues will be making subsequent visits. 

Street preaching works in much the same way. Seeds are planted; most of which may not be instantly observable. My ventures into the streets over the past years have been primarily “one-on-one encounters with others. I’ve not actually “street preached” since my days in Virginia and I’ve “never” used a megaphone. (Calvin Stringfield, a saint in Philadelphia, used a megaphone routinely back in the 1980s) But of all the cogitations to come forth from the 2 hours that make up our second rotation, the most profound was the sense that “this window is closing.” The time between now and June (of 2010) must be utilized to the utmost. It’s important to note here; that the dividing lines between “thus saith the Lord” and my imagination are not as clear as they should be. As such, it’s imperative to be continually seeking clarity. A brief moment of improper handling can negate years of planting and watering in the heart of another.

At lunch time (8:00 pm) I made a call to CR and told of the evenings transpiration. Here, I learned that CR is also being deeply stirred about such issues. An overwhelming sense that “the only thing that really matters now is be about our Fathers business.” Every other endeavor seems as nothing. Undoubtedly, we are still in the theater of atoms and, as such, must function in a world where time is a monitor of flow and gravity an enforcer of laws. We work, we sleep, (sometimes we sleep. lol) and we embark upon decisions that say to the world “this is what’s dear to my heart.” But as we become increasingly homesick for the age to come, everything that places the worlds cares at center stage leaves us cold. We are truly in this world, but not of it. A city set upon a hill; proclaiming to the passers-by that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. “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.” WHAT AN INCREDIBLE SALVATION!

Well I’ll be going for now. This has been a week in which the shortness of time has been a primary cogitation. There’s a new post on the seldom used auxillary blog which does a type of “dry run” through a calamity of epic proportions. None of us kow exactly how long the present situation will hold up, but we should rejoice in every day that the Lord allows; knowing that somewhere in the world, souls will be added to the kingdom. Here’s a link to the other post:

LIFE AFTER-MATH (Please be prepared; this isn’t pleasant)

Also needful are links to katherine Albrechts sites. Katherine follows privacy issues; dealing primarily with RFID chips, big brother, and the coming beast government. Along with all of her normal endeavors, she has a childrens book coming out this summer entitled “I WON’T TAKE THE MARK.” (How often is this talked about in Sunday school?) Kathrine was interviewed last week on Coast to Coast AM. Here are links to her sites:

KATHERINE ALBRECHT

SPY CHIPS

The following link is to a report by Henry Makow that I found on Steve Quayles site:

AUSTRALIAN EDEPT UNVEILED WORLD SATANIC CONTROL Things are not as they appear on the surface and they haven’t been for a long time. This is simply more evidence that points to the lateness of the hour. May we all be sober minded and engaging in works that will follow us into eternity.

JANUARY 11, 2010 Hello again. I just came across the following post. It touches on such an important topic that a link is needed:

THE PATH LESS TRAVELLED. ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE SOJOURNERS (Watchers on the Wall) This post covers the importance of enduring unto the end. It also discusses the importance of waiting upon the Lords timing and letting go of every weight and sin. A vry timely posting indeed.

Blessings always in Jesus name.

Hebrews 5:14 “But strong meat belongeth to them that are full of age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

steadfastly…..

Psalm 84:10 “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.”

It’s after 3:00 am and I “really” should be sleeping. The temperature outside has dipped into the single digits. The sky is crystal clear and the stars are brilliant; giving testimony of a God who inhabits eterntiy and changes not.  The waning moon is bathing the snow-covered landscape with an almost surreal glow. There is “absolutely no wind” coming across the fields and the only sounds are the occasional howls of the coyotes which inhabit this portion of all that is. Other than that…..silence. A short while ago, I was out there; walking by the road and considering the ambience. So cold…..so serene….so…..out of this world. It’s one of those nights that carries ones thoughts deep into the realms of eternity. Spontaneous meditations are placed into words and offered unto the Lord. In the silent venues; undisturbed by the affairs of vanity, one can focus entirely upon heavenly things. Feelings of indescribable gratitude as we think upon Jesus; our Savior with whom we shall be with forever and ever.

“And so shall we ever be with the Lord.” Forever and ever. Despite how breathtaking the scene is just beyond the walls of this dwelling, it’s but a temporary thing. Tomorrow morning, the sun will most likely rise and this picturesque moment will be only a memory.  I have to rise earlier than normal, run to Joe’s house, pick up hay for the goats, run home, put the hay in the barn, clean up, run to church, run back home, and tend to a myriad of other tasks which have no eternal significance. (None of these tasks are “bad;” they’re simply things which bcome irrelevant at the point of ones departure) At some point, the strong-but-erroneous sensation of “this crazy cycle is never going to end” will call upon me; suggesting that I surrender to the agents of discouragement. Too many times, I’ve given in to this temptation. And yet this too is but for a moment. This crazy cycle of “to-dos” will eventually run its course and be gone. Eventually, we will be absent from the body and present with the Lord.

The year before us is shrouded in mystery, however, we know that the acceleration will continue. The shortening of days, the separating between the sheep and the goats, and the continued implementation of a global governing entity. There are things coming upon the earth that will turn everything familiar into a memory. At some point, a brave new world will emerge and it will appear that all of the age-old problems have been solved. With smooth words, it will call out to us and ask “why are you still hanging on to those outlandish ideas?” It will be an hour of temptation such as we have never seen before. And yet, just as all the hours previous, this one too will surely pass. At the appointed moment, the trumpet shall sound and Jesus will return. He will send his angels into the four corners of the earth to gather his elect. Those who know him will put on immortality. Those who know him not will cry out to the rocks “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth upon the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.”

“And so shall we ever be with the Lord.” Forever and ever. If there’s one admonition that’s needful as we head toward the moment of Jesus’ return, it’s to hold fast the profession of our faith. No matter what befalls us in this world, we know that it’s but a temporary situation. We must remain mindful of the eternal picture and not be overcharged by those things which are but for a moment. Earlier, while walking along the road, I was thinking about how this serenity is soon to be swept away by the agents of chaos. Not only this beautiful January night, but the status quo as we have come to know it. We must ensure that our heart is in heavenly places and that we are not harboring any thoughts of unbelief. We read about the great falling away in II Thessalonians and understand that these are folks who once walked with the Lord Jesus but stopped doing so. They bought into a lie.

II Thessalonians 2:3 “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;”

And now I REALLY MUST GET TO BED! As we head into 2010, I pray that we’ll not only keep our hearts with all diligence, but that we’ll also be about the Fathers business with all diligence. Earlier I was thinking about how the enemy is fully aware that he has but a short time left and is diligently seeking to destroy all that he can. The devil places a lot of effort into running out the clock on the lost. How much effort are we putting into reaching them? I’m asking this of myself and I don’t like the answer. I have squandered an astonishing amount of time over the years. We must strive to make the most of each day that the Lord has made. Because every morning, when we wake up, hell is larger than it was when we went to bed. May we all be faithful ambassadors for Christ in the days before us.

Blessings always in Jesus name.

AN UNHOLY REVIVAL

Genesis 6:5 “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

Genesis 11:4 “And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

All of us were born with a sinful nature and a desire for an identity that’s apart from God. It’s rebellion that stems from pride; the original sin, which caused Lucifer, along with a third of the angels to leave their first estate. This rebellion was introduced to Adam and Eve with the words “Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof,then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil” We know that, after the fall, the world became unimaginably wicked as the population expanded. The Lord had to destroy that first world by a global flood, of which there were only eight survivors. After the flood, the very meteorlogical patterns were altered, the fear of man came upon every animal, and that the life span was greatly reduced.

We also know that subsequent generations went about to make a name for themselves by remaining as a single human community. On a plain, in the land of Shinar, they set out to build a tower that would reach unto heaven and the Lord determined that nothing would be restrained from them. This construction project resulted in the Lord introducing multiple languages into the population, causing them to scatter across the face of the earth. As we depart the book of Genesis and consider the time of the present, we are reminded of what Jesus revealed to us concerning the times prior to his glorious return:

Luke 17:26-27 “And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in mariage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.”

The days prior to Jesus return will be defined by rampant iniquity (II Timothy 3:1-5) departures from the truth (II Thessalonians 2:3) and the uniting of the world behind a single man whose coming is after the working of satan. II Thessalonians 2:8-9 and Revelation 13:4-16) The fact that the first two are well underway is undeniable. The third, however, is quickly coming to be and I’m convinced will be greatly accelerated in this coming year. We must use every hour of every day wisely; being about those issues of eternal significance and forgoing our own agenda. Time is simply running out and, eventually, “it will be gone.” Before going any farther, a segment of the January 2010 Last trumpet Newsletter must be quoted. Here’s another link, followed by the quote from David Meyer.

ANTICHRIST SABOTAGE OF AMERICA

“A major world event took place on November 19th, 2009, and very few people took notice. The European Union, or United States of Europe, emerged as its first permanent President was selected. This is the position that was to go to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, but another man was selected by the European Parliment. The man selected is Herman Van Rompoy, who was the Prime Minister of belgium. In his aceptance speech, Van Rompoy stated the following: ‘2009 is the first year of global governance, with the establishment of the G-20 in the middle of the financial crisis. The climate conference in Copenhagen is another step towards the global management of our planet.”

The truth is that a global governing body is beginning to function, and in time, everything will be brought under this mechanism. A precious few seem to be even remotely aware that this process is underway. One of the things that always astonishes me is the timings that David Meyers always brings forth each month. Timings which most of us would never notice, but are undeniable insofar as their significance, such as that mentioned in the following paragraph:

“I recently received a letter from one of our subscribers in the United Kingdom, and she wrote the following words: ‘Well, the United Kingdom is now officially not a sovereign state anymore. As of midnight last night, we became integrated into the European Federation…’ The nations of Europe are now one, and this is most certainly a latter day revival of the Roman Empire. The original Roman Empire fell in the year 476 A.D. No king or emperor was ever able to revive that empire. In 1534 King Henry VIII of England caused an even greater rift by breaking away from the Roman Catholic church and starting the Church of England. Thus there was a physical and a spiritual rift, a deadly wound, which seemed impossible to heal. When we add those numbers of 476 and 1534 together, we have the number 2010, the first full year of the revived Roman Empire.”

Also mentioned in this newsletter was the fact that Herman Van Rompoy was born on Samhain (October 31) in the year 1947. The date alone is significant, which subsequently, caused me to wonder about what other events transpired in that year. Other developments, taking place in the year 1947 include the following:

1. Chuck Yeager breaks the sound barrier
2. Invention of the transistor
3. India and Pakistan gain independance
4. The crash in Roswell, New Mexico
5. Discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls

The first two fall in line with Daniel 12:4. (It should be noted that, with the present state of technology, the logisitcal hurdles to implementing a global marking system have been effectively cleared) The third could be significant insofar as Revelation 16:12. The fourth would fall into the “last days deceptions” catagory while the fifth offers physical evidence to the truth that the word of God endures unto every generation. We know that in the following year, (1948) the nation of Israel was officially recognized. This event effectively established the truth that we are witnessing the end of the age. Time will tell, insofar as how Herman Van Rompoy plays into all of this. (Prior to being mentioned in the newsletter, I had never heard of this guy) I do not want to suggest anything that would facilitate a “jumping to conclusions.” Nonetheless, the following passage of scripture that has been stuck in my mind ever since reading of Herman Van Rompoy:

Daniel 11:21-23 “And in his state shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.
And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.”

The words “a small people” have been the focal point of this. Belgium is not a large country. It’s over 11 thousand square miles in size and has a population in excess of 10 million. It is, however, the home of the B.E.A.S.T supercomputer, located in Brussels, and is now the country of origin for the first European Prime Minister. I’m not trying to manufacture connections or read anything into all of this. I could be completely barking up the wrong tree. Nonetheless, there are some strange anomalies to all of this. Below are a couple of links concerning the supercomputer in Brussels:

THE MARK OF THE BEAST  

THE ANTICHRIST 666 MARK OF THE BEAST

So what does this all mean? It means that we must be about our Fathers business NOW! We must make the most of the remaining time that we have as the hardness is already setting in. Earlier tonight CR and I were having one of our “normal discussions” when something came up. In the days to come, we may well find ourselves isolated from any like-minded saints and surrounded only by those who have bought into the lie. It will be just us and the Lord Jesus. We must ensure that our relationship with him is solid and that we’re not entertaining thoughts of unbelief. It bears repeating: the package of illusions, which are soon to be unleashed, will make perfect logical sense and appear to have, at their core, the welfare of all humanity. The worlds population has already been conditioned to believe the lie. Those who maintain the testimony of Jesus are going to be made to appear completely out of touch, silly, mean-spirited, and “worthy of death.”

This topic has become more involved than I anticipated and I need to wrap it up before making any more potential connections. A while back I saw an animated feature which involved a guy who was obsessed with conspiracy theories. A lady visiting his study was looking at a layout of information on the wall. After a couple of moments, she stated “I had NO IDEA that the girl scouts were responsible for crop circles.” (I wonder if they have a merit badge for that) An imagination-run-amock can manufacture all kinds of senarios, and then piece together enough evidence to support it. Kind of like the practice of adopting a theological view and then arranging scriptures in a way that will support the view. We need to be hearing from on high as we venture into the new year. May we all be atuned to the Holy Spirit and have our affections set on things above.

Two more links that are well worth a visit:

THE SAUL SPIRIT IS RISING (beware) (Scottish Warriors) Understanding the battle that is before us is imperative and this post defines it perfectly.

WE KNOW IN PART AND WE PROPHESY IN PART  (Dont Be Fooled 666) This is a reminder that we see but a small piece of the much larger picture. We must walk close to the Lord Jesus at all times.

Blessings always in Jesus name.

Revelation 22:12-13 “And behold I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.”