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GOD’S NOT A DEMOCRAT

Posted in A Nation Divided, tagged , , , on August 16, 2013| 14 Comments »

Nor is He a Republican or a Libertarian. And I would seriously doubt He’s a Southern Baptist.

Political leaders, political parties, and large religious bodies do not have the wisdom, power, or understanding within themselves to fix what’s wrong with America.

Only the Lord God Almighty does. And until we acknowledge that fact, bow before Him, and obey Him, America will continue its plunge into oblivion.

America has a terminal heart disease. From the Whitehouse to the church house America needs a blood transfusion and a heart transplant. If we are to survive as a nation, the only cure is His blood and His heart in place of our sick, impaired hearts and minds. From the smallest to the greatest, our country must return to roots of faith and trust in the Sovereign God, Creator and Sustainer of the Universe and His Son, The Lord Jesus Christ.

Otherwise, we are doomed.

Storm winds of misconception and deception have swept across this land for several decades, carrying with them the lies of hatred, the diseases of pride, and the cancers of rebellion. Fire hoses of evil. Turned on full-blast. And we are drowning in the deluge of those who “call evil—good and good—evil.”

“An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign shall be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet;…Now when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places, seeking rest, and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came’; and when it comes, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order. Then it goes, and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation” (Matthew 12:39, 43-45 NAS).

Just look at history to confirm we are following those historical footprints. America is in deep trouble, folks. Look at your emails, Face Book posts or listen to your choice of evening news. We are a divided country. And the silent majority still sleeps, thinking everything’s gonna be all right.

No, it’s not. That’s part of the lie. Things never stay the same no matter how much we wish they could. Everything under the sun is either being daily renewed or is dying. And God is the only One capable of giving life. Refreshing. Restoring. Rejuvenating. Life.

So is God pacing the corridors of the clouds, wringing His hands screaming, “Oh no! What am I going to do now?”

Certainly not. He knows the beginning and the end. We are on His time schedule. Not ours. And He is in control of all things, even those who refuse to believe He is I AM.

King Solomon wrote over three thousand years ago:

“That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done. So, there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:10 NAS).

 

            The chaos we see today began in the Garden when God’s created people chose to disobey, to rebel against His instructions, and then suffered the consequences for their choices—just like God said they would. They died. Physically and spiritually.

 A large percent of Americans believe they can rebel against God’s instructions and live. To expect different results from the same type of rebellion is foolish deception. Yet we all have friends, neighbors and relatives who reject God, pretend He doesn’t exist, and believe there will be no consequences for their choices.

            Jesus said we can identify those who belong to Him—by the fruit of DSCF2870 005DSCF2869 004their lives. So understand, I’m not judging anyone—Republican, Democrat or Libertarian. Even my Southern Baptist brothers and sisters—but  God gave me the clear instruction: I am to be a fruit inspector.

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit; but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15-20 NAS).

 

Love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance is  listed as identifying fruit produced in our spirit, through God’s Spirit, when we are walking in obedience to Christ.  “The Fruit of the Spirit”. Did you notice those nine character attributes are lumped into a singular product? Fruit—not fruits.  For years I thought I could pick and choose. Who wants to be patient? And meek? Get real. “Til the day I saw “fruit” not “fruits”.

When we come to Christ, the Spirit of God begins the growing, fertilizing, pruning process. Transforming our lives to produce fruit. Good fruit.

What do you hear and see on the evening news? From every branch of government? From every political party? From most of the folks you know? Love? Joy? Peace? Patience? Gentleness? Goodness? Faith? Meekness? Temperance?

Don’t even bother to answer.

Americans are not God’s fair-haired children. God is not an aging, permissive grandfather. As far as I know, the only nation God called His own are the Jewish folks. The only plot of ground He called holy is Jerusalem. And look at what God has done to His kids because of their rebellion. Like it or not, believe it or not, “God is the same. Yesterday, today, and forever.”

He also said, “Those who bless Israel I will bless and those who curse Israel I will curse.” Pull out a history book. Read and see what has happened to every nation, since The Book of Genesis, who cursed Israel. In the books of Daniel, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and many of the minor prophets, God gives us a list of His future dealings with most every nation, with the exception of America.

Interesting or frightening? You decide. But I don’t find one of the Old or New Testament prophets mentioning Americans, Republicans, Democrats, or Libertarians. Or yes, even Southern Baptists—only the Jewish people and those who belong to Jesus and those who don’t belong to Him. Where do you fit in the mix?

Understand. Justice delayed doesn’t mean justice denied. It means we are still experiencing the love, the mercy, patience, and everlasting kindness of God, as He waits for those folks who will change their mind in these last days, acknowledge their sin, and by faith come to the cross for mercy, grace, and pardon. Those who will come to Jesus, accept His sacrifice for them, and live.

But His mercy and patience will not last forever. And should you die tonight, the choice you made today: His love, His blood and His heart—or eternal separation from Him—will be your choice. Forever.

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EVERY IDLE WORD

Posted in A Nation Divided on August 8, 2013| 18 Comments »

The past few months I’ve noticed two websites posting on Face Book with quirky names. I’ve looked at the sites once and thought their messages had overstepped the boundaries of decency and just scrolled on by.

Until a week ago.

On that day one of these sites displayed a very questionable caricature of the president’s wife. I disagreed with their disrespectful display of America’s first lady, no matter who she is. To me this post tested the boundaries of slander. And I responded with a short, but civil, rebuke.

The responses? Hateful dialogue. Supposedly from Christians.

During the passing of the Texas abortion bill, we ran into the same hate filled comments—from both sides. And I’m sure many of you have suffered vengeful replies to many of your comments on social media. Perhaps even among friends and church members.

So where do we draw the line in the sand? Where do we overstep our boundaries, with comments, replies, and commentary?

When things are unjust and it seems evil has the upper hand, does that give a Christian the right to slander those who have chosen unrighteousness rather than righteousness?

What liberties and boundaries does a Christian have in expressing their disagreement with lawlessness and iniquity, within and without their party of  preference?

Where does truth end and slander begin?

How can a Christian speak the truth in these dismal times, yet still glorify Christ?

Each morning we wake up to greater chaos. In our families, in our nation, and in the world. The rumble of discord beats a steady rhythm that is growing louder every day. Jesus told us that His ascension ushered in the last days. And that was two thousand years ago.

I believe most of us would agree we were instructed in Matthew to be familiar with and recognize the signs that would herald the end of this age. And from my understanding of scripture, we are close. When? I don’t know, but I want to be ready. How about you?

Our nation is in dire trouble: spiritually, morally, financially, constitutionally, militarily. But we are given example, after example throughout the pages of God’s Word, what happens when a nation rebels against God and rejects His Only Son, The Lord Jesus Christ.

And we wonder why we’re in the mess we’re in?

Yet we expect a different outcome when it’s Americans who have thumbed their collective noses at God and walked after their own understanding. As we say in Texas, “There just ain’t no cure for stupid.”

Most of us stand guilty of vomiting opinions, solutions—words, words, words—on anyone who will listen, but we must turn to scripture for the final word concerning our behavior in these last days.

Mark 3:24 says:

“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.”

God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Whether you believe it or not, rebellion and continued disobedience must be judged.

In the Book of Matthew Jesus said:

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle (careless) word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:33-37 NKJ, parenthesis inserted from NAS).

Every idle word? Yikes! My list of  worthless words I’m sure could drain the ink well dry. Jesus said my words will either justify me or condemn me.

My husband always replies to any questioning about his comments, “Well, I’ll just shut-up. Shouldn’t have opened my mouth in the first place.” Sometimes that’s not a bad idea, if we could. The idle words leap off our tongues and the good words, well, so often we’re too afraid to speak them. Afraid what others will think of us. But did Christ commanded us to shut up?

 In Acts 26:25, Paul says:

“But he said, ‘I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner.’”

Paul appeared before this Roman ruler and spoke the truth about every matter going on in the Roman empire. And he gave testimony to the reality of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I’m sure Paul didn’t slander the Roman government, nor any of the Roman officials. He spoke the truth about Jesus and the sovereign God of the Universe. Paul had seen Jesus. He knew his assignment and the permanent consequences if he failed..

Speaking to the church Paul said in I Corinthians 2:7-8, and 14:

“…but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;…But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot  understand them, because they are spiritually appraised .”

Paul spoke the things God taught him from the Old Testament and from personal revelation from the Lord Jesus Christ and The Spirit. He spoke to all men with an attitude of respect. But he did not dilute the truth of the Word of God. And he paid for his courage and boldness to speak truth with his life. In light of seeing Jesus, Paul could do nothing less. Am I willing to give my life for God’s Truth? Are you?

The Book of James tells us, in Chapter 1, verse 19:

“This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.”

James does not tell us to be silent. He instructs us to listen. Hear. Get all the information and then speak. Slowly, without anger.

And finally in Ephesians 4:14-15, 25, 29-32 NKJ:

“…that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ.” 

“Therefore, putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,’ for we are members of one another…let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

Is this easy to do? No. It’s impossible without the Holy Spirit’s abiding, teaching, leading, guiding. And slapping His hand over my mouth. Often.

Are the things we see developing unsettling? Upsetting? Yes.

Are they worse than they’ve ever been? No. Not yet.

But the Lord has told us what’s coming, how we are to overcome each difficult day, and He has told us these final days are numbered.

And, as the song says, “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.”

But what about ‘til then, how are we to act and react?

Our hope is through the power of the Word of God, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the finished work our Lord Jesus has provided for us. Is enough of God’s Word stored in the memory bank of your mind and heart to provide the armor you will need in the days to come? Have you tuned your ear to the world’s chaos or is your ear tuned to hear the gentle voice of His Holy Spirit? The voice that tells you “this is the way, walk in it.”

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 

DSCF2530Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand, stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:10-18 NKJ).

In these last days, we are to educate ourselves in the Word of God. We are to be ready to give a reason to all who ask why we believe. We are to stand firm in the truth of God’s Word, pray without ceasing, and occupy ‘til Jesus returns.

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PETITION AND PRAYER FOR PASTOR SAEED ABEDINI

Posted in A Nation Divided on July 30, 2013| 3 Comments »

 

My heart is pierced this morning for allowing myself to forget, for my failure to pray without ceasing for Pastor Saeed Abedini in prison in Iran for his faith in Christ and his love for the Iranian people.

When I opened my Bible this morning and read the 56th Psalm, Pastor Saeed’s name flashed through my mind. Are you equally guilty of forgetting to pray for this  man of God?DSCF2830 005

From news reports it seems we are not alone in allowing this Christian pastor to be beaten, tormented—and now missing, without doing everything possible to secure his release. The current Administration has chosen to vacation and campaign, refusing to do whatever it takes to rescue yet another courageous American. Just like they did in Benghazi—they are silent.

Refusing to intervene. Refusing to help. Refusing to rescue.

 But God will hold every government official who has turned their back on these brave Americans accountable.

However, the purpose of my words this morning is to point you to God’s Word. To the words of King David when he had been seized by the Philistines in Gath. And words we can pray, with one accord, to intercede for our brother in Christ, Pastor Saeed Abedini:

“Be gracious to me, O God, for man has trampled upon me; fighting all day long he oppresses me. My foes have trampled upon me all day long, for they are many who fight proudly against me. When I am afraid, I will put my trust in Thee. In God, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me? All day long they distort my words; all their thoughts are against me for evil. They attack, they lurk, they watch my steps, as they have waited to take my life. Because of wickedness, cast them forth, in anger put down the peoples, O God!

 

Thou has taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in Thy bottle; are they not in Thy book? Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call; this I know, that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? Thy vows are binding upon me, O God; I will render thank offerings to Thee. For thou has delivered my soul from death, indeed my feet from stumbling, so that I may walk before God in the light of the living” (Psalm 56 NAS).

Father in Heaven, I ask You, in accord with Your will, to burden my heart to cry out for the relief and rescue of Pastor Saeed. I ask You to confuse the enemy so they turn against each other. I ask that you put a shield of comfort around Pastor Abedini’s family. But most of all Father, please deliver Your precious child from the grasp of these evil men. Please bring this Psalm of comfort and power to his heart and mind this moment, because I know Your Words bring hope, light, and peace. Please send Your mighty angels to astound Your enemies and heal his wounds and give him Your strength. Remind me to pray without ceasing until Your answer comes. And I will give You glory, Father for Your answer. In Jesus name—Amen.

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NEWS CEASES TO BE NEWS…

Posted in A Nation Divided, tagged , , , , on July 13, 2013| 12 Comments »

 

 

When news becomes propaganda.

When journalists and reporters twist truth to satisfy their point of view, opinions, or narcissism.

When reporting turns from facts into slanted half truths, which are in essence complete lies.

Monday evening, on the south lawn of the Texas State Capitol, in Austin. Channel Five TV News exhibited a blatant example of truth-twistingDSCF2689 to square with their political and moral views. And Channel Eight, as well as other stations who transmitted their news feed, walked the crooked path with them.

Channel Five reporters chose to broadcast only pro-abortion views and represented to their audience a DSCF2690pro-abortion crowd that far outnumbered those favoring life.

Nothing could have been farther from the truth.

I personally witnessed a Channel Five camera crew positioning and repositioning the reporter and interviewee to reflect the pro-abortion folks in the background. Never panning the whole scene so a viewer might DSCF2684recognize the impact of the actual numbers. And the sea of blue that covered the Capitol landscape.

The pictures attached to this blog are photos, taken by me, that evening from a variety of views.

But why should I be surprised? Isn’t that what we’ve become accustomed to? We now have what we have tolerated—news media, journalists, reporters, and photographers who have become skilled propagandists. Editorialists. Unable to separate truth from deception, morality from immorality, and facts from lies—always seeking the sensational, morbid, chaotic—stirring the nation’s pot of emotions. Always DSCF2687pitting one group against another. And for what? Ratings? Money? Power?

I looked out over those clad in orange, most of them out of the main stream in dress, behavior, and attitudes. Most were young folks, schooled and being educated in hot beds of socialists scholars who teach them there are no absolute truths. Therefore, lies don’t even wiggle the needle on the students’ radar.

And we have tolerated that twisted truth and watched while it captured and overwhelmed major institutes of higher learning in America. Warping, wrenching, and worming into our public schools, our homes, and yes, even into our churches.

Every evening we vegetate in front of idol worshipping screens stationed front and center in our living rooms, and listen to absurd mouth-pieces who border on insanity, those who are bringing certain destruction to truth, justice, and the American way.

The silent American majority doesn’t even blink over murdering a DSCF2695baby in the womb at any point in the gestational period. This mind-altering deception started with changing the meaning of words, i.e. It’s not a baby. It’s a fetus. Just tissue. And we now have what we tolerated. A lie from the father of lies—Satan. And we have acquiesced to his lie.

Proven, scientific technology  now records a baby’s development, from inception to birth. And whether you believe it or not, in no way changes proven, scientific evidence. When your heart and mind are in rebellion against God, it’s easy to believe the lies of abortionists, rather than seek and believe truth that would save the mother and the baby.

Incidentally, abortion organizations have a large and very angry dog in this fight. Greed. And money. Enormous sums of money.

The abortion industry is a mega-billion dollar industry in the United States. Planned Parenthood’s—talk about an oxymoron—stake has DSCF2692unlimited dollar signs attached to the end of their name. And Gosnell type clinics span the inner cities of every state, painting the horror of their operation with the pretense of “helping women.”

And women seeking abortion have sought sin’s moment of sexual pleasure, then demanded an abortion to solve the consequences. We are allowing and paying for abortion to be used as birth-control. When in fact the choice to say no, the choice of a movie instead of sex, the choice to refuse access to your body to anyone but your marriage partner would prevent this crime.

Medical files overflow with post-abortive accounts of wrecked lives. Men and women, who for years, have suffered and are continuing to suffer DSCF2691from the “tissue-fetus-lie.” Lives plagued with guilt, depression, illness, and even suicide because of the inability to live with the consequences of murdering their flesh and blood.

Because that’s what Americans have tolerated.

Since the Roe v. Wade Court ruling,  Americans have tolerated the murder of over fifty-five million babies. That would equivocate to double the number of soldiers killed in The American Revolution, Civil War, World Wars I and II, Korean and Viet Nam wars combined. Or just shy of killing the total populations of California and Florida.

God’s Word is clear on this subject. The shedding of innocent bloodDSCF2693 pollutes the land. And whether you believe God’s Word or not in no way changes its truth and validity.

Americans have polluted the soil of this land, from Sea to Shining Sea. And the blood of these innocent babies will be required from all who have stood silent. All who have not repented and been forgiven. All who have stood, thumbed their nose at God and chanted “hail Satan,” like those in orange shirts screamed these past two weeks in Texas.

Our screams should reverberate over the echo of bloody screams to God from babies tortured, sliced, and sucked out of their mother’s womb. Yet we continue to elect men and women whose voting history validates their stance. And we return them to represent us, election after election. And we wonder why our nation is in trouble?

We have what we are tolerating.

It is long past time to stand up, speak up, and stand firm in the streets, neighborhoods, homes, courthouses, and schoolhouse for defenseless babies. Babies slaughtered while we have chosen to occupy ourselves with a myriad of trivial, unimportant things that will burn like straw when the Lord returns.

DSCF2698Are there truths important enough to die for?

You bet there are.

And stopping abortion in America is one of the hills on which we must choose to sacrifice our time, our energy, and our lives.

I found it significant to note, on Monday evening, after all their attempts to disrupt and antagonize the prayer rally failed, those in orange shirt, folded up their signs and quietly slipped away. Before the rally was half over.

Perhaps some of their hearts actually heard and were convicted by the Word of God spoken by those leading the rally. Perhaps some of them were in fact paid agitators who recognized their mission had failed. Perhaps they withdrew to regroup for the battle that took place on the floor of the Senate yesterday, where many of those orange shirts were taken away. Arrested for carrying bags of fecal matter and urine, attempting to incite chaos to stop the vote. Fox News did show pictures of some of those orange shirts being removed from the Senate gallery.

The good news is those reckless attempts failed too. SB2 passed 19-11. This battle will be staged throughout America. Perhaps it’s already underway in your state.

So, from this day forward, carefully choose what you decide to believe—what you choose to tolerate. News or propaganda? Truth or lies? Life or death?

—

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AND I WONDERED

Posted in A Nation Divided, tagged , , , , , , on July 2, 2013| Leave a Comment »

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for Thee, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; when shall I come and appear before God?” (Psalm 42:1-2 NAS).

 

Have you ever been working in the yard, forgetting about everything but the task at hand, and suddenly realize you are thirsty? So DSCF2652thirsty you drop everything and flee to the fridge or water faucet for a refreshing, cool drink of water?

As I read this Psalm today, I wondered, do I become that thirsty for God?

Does my soul pant for God like the deer pants for the water brooks? Or does my soul pant for the things God has given me?

Do I become so distracted by the abundance of His blessings, I shove Him to the end of my I-love-You line?

Oh, I get up and go to church every Sunday, and I wonder, is worshiping God number one on my list, or am I wondering what the choir director has planned, or what the preacher will talk about? Perhaps the central thought on my mind—where am I going to have lunch and who is going to come with me?

Yesterday we celebrated the 4th of July at First Baptist Dallas. And I knew there would be special music. One of our Texas Senators was going to deliver the morning message. It would be a time of joy-filled, flag-waving worship.

I got up early, knowing church would be crowded, and considered wearing red, white, and blue. But, in light of the shameful events in America and in Texas the past weeks, my heart mourned.

Senator Ted Cruz delivered a powerful message, recalling the founding fathers, principles, and legacy of this nation under God. He called us to prayer and to action. To stand up and speak up.

And I wept.

Our forefathers gave their lives so we would have the freedom to worship God; and, I have to ask myself, have I allowed Sunday morning to become entertainment rather than a time for repentance and confession and true worship of my Lord Jesus Christ?

The choir sang The Battle Hymn of the Republic.

And I wept.

God has blessed this nation. Prospered us and built up the walls of America as our founding fathers placed their faith and trust in Him, but I’ve sat silent while those who mock God tossed His Word and prayer out of public schools, murder generations of  this nation’s babies, and are determined to force us to accept a deviate culture God identified as unnatural and wrong since the beginning.

 And I wonder, have I grown accustomed to the violation of God’s laws, shrugging my shoulders and shaking my head, while approving and feeding the coffers of movies and TV shows that revile righteousness and worship at the feet of false gods?

Do I refuse to say no to my children and grandchildren when they desire to pattern their dress and behavior after sports figures and teen idols who thumb their noses at the Lord God Almighty?

No, this 4th of July will not be a time of celebration for me, but one of remembering, cherishing, and repenting. Remembering and cherishing the sacrifice of those who’ve gone before me. Remembering and repenting for my silence and my failure to proclaim the whole truth of The Word. And remembering and repenting for allowing my soul to be satiated with the things of the world, rather than thirsting for the living God.

How about you?

In Ezekiel 9:4 God said about ancient Israel:

“Go through the midst of the city, even through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations which are being committed in its midst. But to the others He said in my hearing, ‘Go through the city after him and strike; do not let your eye have pity, and do not spare. Utterly slay old men, young men, maidens, little children, and women, but do not touch any on whom is the mark; and you shall start from My sanctuary.’ So they started with the elders who were before the temple” (Ezekiel 9:4-6 NAS).

 

Where will God find you this 4th of July, 2013?  Will you join me?IMG_1980 190 Sighing, groaning, and praying for God’s mercy and healing for me and the rest of His rebellious children.

 

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THE MANUSCRIPT OF LIFE

Posted in A Nation Divided on June 27, 2013| Leave a Comment »

A writer loves to pound the keyboard into a first draft of his or her soon-to-be New York Times best seller. Ha! That’s fun. But before any story begins, the author must determine where and how the story will end—the point of destination.

Yes, that’s necessary, in writing and in life.

 “…that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” (Romans 1:19-20 NAS).

Every manuscript, from the beginning scene is pointed toward the appointed conclusion. Within the page allotment. And not over the word count limitation.

Our lives have limits too.

God made you and me and numbered our days, before we were born. Scripture says He even numbered the hairs on our head. We are of utmost importance to the Almighty Creator of the Universe. And He alone knows the end of our life stories. But we have a responsibility and a privilege in this equation. We get to choose our destination.

“For Thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave me in my mother’s womb…My frame was not hidden from Thee, when I was made in secret and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth…and in Thy book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them” (Psalm 139:13-16 NAS).

 

Writers infuse their pages with a variety of characters, from silly to sullen and lovely to licentious, depending on the story. We develop their personalities, characteristics, and appearances. Some are keepers and even journey through multiple books. Others are troublesome, don’t move the story forward, and just aren’t a fit. So we push them into the shadows or delete them from the text.

During the course of our lifetime we meet many people. People who impact our lives for good. There is an old rhyme that says: “Make new friends, but keep the old. Some are silver and some are gold.” Precious gold and silver friendships bring encouragement, love, and joy. But we also meet folks who just aren’t a fit, who may even be harmful. And we must choose which relationships we desire to develop, and those we need to dissolve.

“How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding. For its profit is better than the profit of silver, and its gain than fine gold…Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not proceed in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not pass by it; turn away from it and pass on”  (Proverbs 3:13-14, 4:14-15 NAS).

Writers always, always, always develop a plot line. A thread, weaving through the story, with twists and turns to entertain, to offer the reader a satisfying conclusion. We become absorbed in our character’s actions or words and can often be surprised, forcing a change of plot we never saw coming.

And like these story book characters, our lives twist and turn consequentially with our good and bad choices. We become ensnared in the consequences of choices others make.

 “The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore, I have hope in Him. The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. It is good to wait silently for the salvation of the Lord” (Lamentations 3:22-26 NAS).

 

Next? Those pesky edits. Day. After day. After day. Edits done to adjust the ebb and flow of words in the pages of our manuscript.

God develops a plot line for our lives, a line in accord with His perfect will.

 “For I know the plans I have for you, ‘declares the Lord,’ plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 NAS).

Problem is, we often reject or catapult over His line into enemy territory. Like the characters in our books, we become proud and haughty, demanding our way not His. But there’s good news—our immaturity and rebellion doesn’t surprise God. Nor does He throw us on the trash pile. He knows exactly what we’re going to do and what we’ve done. And He edits our lives and loves us in spite of wrong choices. And every sin, if we tell Him what we’ve done and determine to turn and walk in obedience to His Word.

And He promises His children He will take the messes we make, and work out our off-the-road-and-in-the-ditch moments for good to bring glory to His name and to conform us into the image of Jesus. Our Father in heaven continually edits the cadence of our lives and transforms our testimony about Him to benefit others.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren” (Romans 8:28-29 NAS).

 

 A manuscript ready for publication can be years in the making. And even when these scripts are accepted, every writer knows there will be another year or more of a kazillion edits by the publisher before the book goes to press.

God has charted a course to develop His story in each one of us. We are a WIP (work-in-progress). The difference is our life stories remain for eternity. Somewhere. Depending on the eternal decision we make now. While life and breath remain, there is always time to edit our destination.

Because of the grace of God and Jesus death, burial, and resurrection, we can know our where we will spend eternity. You either trust Him, or you don’t. You either obey Him, or you won’t. You either love Him, or you don’t.

 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him” (John 3:16-17 NAS).

  

Writers choose the times, circumstances, and places for their stories to begin and end.

God has already chosen the time, circumstance, and place your earthly story  will end. However, He loves you so much He allows you to choose your eternal destination.

Twice born or separation?

Heaven or Hell?

No limbo. No in between. No non-decision.

Life with Jesus now and forever. Or life now and an eternity without Him.

Which plot line are you traveling? Which map are you following? Which destination have you chosen this day?

“…we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain—for He says, ‘At the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you,’ Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation—” (2 Corinthians 6:1-2 NAS).

 

“My son, keep my words, and treasure my commandments within you. Keep my commandments and live, and my teaching as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart” (Proverbs 7:1-3 NAS).

 

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BLACKBERRIES, STICKERS, AND COBBLER

Posted in A Nation Divided, tagged , , , , , on June 17, 2013| 11 Comments »

            Springtime in Florida was always a multi-colored landscape of hues of green, buttercup yellow, and pastel pink. We watched for those delicate white blooms to dot prickly vines that grew along roadsides and covered fence lines. Those tiny flowers with pollen-filled centers, swayed in the breeze and honey bees swarmed, promising yummy desserts and black stained fingers.

            Lumpy, green balls soon replaced the blossoms and confirmed this was indeed the perfect patch. Our very own blackberry patch. We kept an eye on those hard green spheres as they ballooned into hundreds of scarlet berries. And we waited for sunny days and spring rains to urge their yearly transformation into plump, delicious blackberries.

            Eventually the day arrived. And the berries were ripe for picking. One such day, our family piled into our ‘57 Ford, and headed toward our special berry patch alongside a country road near the marshes of the St. Johns River, outside of Jacksonville, Florida.

            The Gooding family joined this annual first-blackberry-picking event of the season. There were six of them—three boys and three girls. My brother and I brought the number to eight boisterous youngsters—ready for the hunt!

            Parents set our boundaries and issued warnings about snakes, stickers and sandspurs. They might as well-a’-been-talkin’ to the wind. We grabbed our buckets and raced down the slope to be first to find the biggest blackberry in the patch.

            Shouts of competitive exuberance filled the air.

            “I got the big one!”

            “ Nope, I do!”

             We shrieked and laughed and scrambled here and there, hoping to find the berry of the day—waiting to be picked by someone—hopefully me. And truth is, we ate as many as we picked, evidenced by toothy grins smeared with tell-tale black juice tinting our lips, our tongues, and grimy fingers.

            During one of those scrambles Elaine, running faster than all the rest, lost her balance, bounced bottom first down the sandy slope, and landed right in the middle of a patch of cactus.

            Her wails brought an end to our fun. We gathered our juice-stained buckets, full of  luscious berries and trudged up the hill. And deposited our black jewels in pans provided by the moms. The two dads carried the wounded berry-picker to the car where she laid, face-down across our laps, and cried all the way home.

            Our moms washed the black treasures, then mixed ingredients for the anticipated cobbler. My dad churned the homemade vanilla ice cream that would crown the scrumptious berries already bubbling in the oven.

             That left the unpleasant task of removing those nasty stickers from Elaine’s backside to her dad.

            I’ll admit, we were not sympathetic onlookers. She had spoiled our fun. We sneaked peeks around the corner and snickered and giggled with every shriek of pain—secretly grateful it wasn’t one of us.

            Glasses of iced tea with mint sprigs, bowls filled with warm cobbler and scoops-full of homemade ice cream proved our blackberry-picking day a success.

             Then we lingered in the backyard as the last moments of the day slipped away, swaying and singing in old wooden swings that hung by gnarled ropes from aged oak trees. But when fireflies flickered in the hedges, a whole new chase was on—to see who would capture the biggest, brightest insect.

            Everyone but Elaine, who stood with her bowl of cobbler and a sore backside. And her reward? The paddle from the ice cream churn!

            I no longer search country lanes, but drive to Walmart and buy expensive berries, packed in plastic—not a kid’s bucket—with a layer of moldy ones on the bottom.

             This evening I sat on the patio and watched the sun sink below the horizon, while the latest accounts of troubling information blared on the evening news, and my grandchildren texted me in three word sentences.

            I recalled these joyful childhood memories as I watched a couple of fireflies dart in and out of the bushes around our pond and marveled that times may change, but God is the same—yesterday, today, and forever. He is sovereign and on His Throne.

            But it makes my heart sad that my grandchildren will never experience the excitement of beating their friends to the biggest blackberry in the patch, or catching the brightest firefly in their jar, or joining lighthearted conversation with grown-ups as the day comes to an end.

            My memories of a tummy full of cobbler, topped with fresh homemade ice cream, wrapped in the blanket of love provided by family and friends, while holding my jar full of God’s miraculous, little lights, are safely tucked in the secret places of my heart.

            Precious memories this world of technology and idols can never duplicate.

“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10 NAS).

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WHITE AND READY TO HARVEST

Posted in A Nation Divided, tagged , , , , , on June 8, 2013| 6 Comments »

Behind the wheel for hours, I had driven by fields of ripe-for-harvest DSCF2553crops, from corn, to beans, to wheat, and I was starved. There were numerous exits along the interstate, but the only available food was greasy, fried, junk.

Yuck. Succumb to Crisco or hold out for healthy?

Ever had to make that decision on a trip?

Hungry and the only eatable morsel was junk food. Food that makes arteries slam shut, adds extra pounds in unmentionable places, and doesn’t begin to satisfy our bodies needs.

Instant everything has taken over our nation and we have learned to crave. From food, to technology, to fad clothing, to gorgeous homes, and fancy cars. Yes, even to instant religion. We crave the newest and best of the world’s junk, in spite of the cost. And we want it right now.

But we are starving. Spiritually.

Historic Churches 0018We come to the sanctuary on Sunday morning hungry for comfort. Hungry for meaning and hungry for help with an unending list of trials and problems. And we sit for an hour, maybe two, attempting to cram our souls with enough spiritual fast food to last the next seven days—we hope.

Then Monday arrives and the rumblings in our soul match the rumblings in our tummies and we look for anything to satisfy the emptiness. To quell the loneliness. To rescue us from the jam we’re in.

Monday evening football and prime-time soaps creep in. Spiritual junk food snacks. And if that’s not available, surfing the web offers mind-numbing entertainment to snuff the hungry growl. We sit before the screened idols, running out of evening, with no time to sit before the God of all creation to feed on His Word. We fall asleep with our bellies and our souls and our minds filled with the junk food of the world, but never satisfied. And we wake up Tuesday morning to begin the process. Again and again and again. ‘Til next Sunday.

The challenge for the twice-born children of God is to provide those DSCF2559who come to the sanctuary with the necessary meat of His Word and not the deceptive—I’m okay,  you’re okay—social gospel message—useless blubber that makes us happy for the moment but fades when we must face life in the jungle of this world.

 We need spiritual protein, vitamins, and minerals found only in the principles and precepts of the Word in order to build-up our souls in His love, His strength, and His power.

Unfortunately many in the church are anemic, ineffective, powerless Christians. Christians who are not making wise dietetic choices. Christians who rely on the deceptions of the world instead of on the promise of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, given by the Spirit of God, when we seek and ask Jesus.

That’s why many churches are in decline, not experiencing a great DSCF2556harvest. The fields of our neighborhoods, cities and nation are white, beyond ripe, but we’re not prepared to reap. We’re too busy about ourselves, our families, our lives.

We are powerless to kick that lifestyle habit of junk. Only God can transform our life and only as we daily surrender to the authority and sovereignty of Jesus Christ as Lord.

Ah, but we don’t like to surrender. To anything.

Do you remember when we used to sing, At The Cross—“Alas and did my Savior bleed, and did my Sovereign die. Would He devote that sacred head for such a worm as I?”

That hymn has had the misfortune of a face-lift. A scourging, if you will. We now sing about those people as sinners—not worms. And the reference is to a group, not an individual. To me. To you.

Yet in Psalm 22:6 King David referred to himself as “a worm, and not a man.” Are we better than this King—a man the scripture identifies as “a man after God’s own heart?”

In this age of every kind of correctness, the world teaches we must never refer to ourselves or anyone else as a worm. That would damage our self-esteem. And therein lies the heart of the matter—pride.

Jesus was nailed to a splintered cross where He hung, broken, and bleeding. Men gambled to win his clothes as His blood splattered  in puddles on the ground. Did He or anyone else consider His self-esteem?

God turned His back on His only Son, as this Passover Lamb took, in His own perfect body, the sin and evil of everyone for all ages—past, present, and future.

And He hung there and died.

God’s Lamb.

So that you and I might live.

The next few verses indicate Isaac Watts comprehended the grace and love and power Christ exhibited on that bloody cross when he penned these words in 1707:

“Was it for crimes that I had done He groaned upon the tree?

Amazing pity, grace unknown and love beyond degree. Well

 might the sun in darkness hide and shut His glories in, when God,

 the mighty Maker, died for man the creature’s sin.

Thus might I hide my blushing face while His dear cross appears,

dissolve my heart in thankfulness, and melt mine eyes to tears.

But drops of grief can ne’er repay the debt of love I owe;

Here, Lord, I give myself away, ‘tis all that I can do.”

 

All that I can do? Oh no. I can serve on the Board of Deacons, I can teach a Sunday School class, I can serve in the women’s ministry. I can—I can—I can—. Exhibit pride? Me, a worm? Never.

Unless we learn to humble, rather than exalt ourselves, blush and remember His cross, and our hearts dissolve in thankfulness that brings tears, we will continue to clench our fists and scream “mine” rather than “Thine.”

As long as we care more about coming back to the sanctuary next Sunday morning to chant the same seven-words-twelve-times-praise-chorus-performance, loud and long, in rock-star-fashion, more than we long to seek His face and more than we long for the coming of our Lord Jesus and His kingdom, there will be no power. No urgency. And no abundant harvest.DSCF2541

And the harvest we were instructed to reap for the Kingdom will lie rotted in the fields of this earth, left to be reaped at the end of the age, by the angel’s sickle and cast into the winepress of the wrath of God. (Revelation 14:17-20 NAS).

“Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. Already he who reaps is receiving wages, and is gathering fruit for life eternal; that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this case the saying is true, ‘One sows, and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor” (John 4:35-39 NAS).

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WHEN SMILES VANISH

Posted in A Nation Divided, tagged , , , , on June 3, 2013| 2 Comments »

Her text message was devastating.

Every ounce of joy along with every want-to-smile drained from my heart. And I wept like only another childless mother weeps.

My friend’s grandbaby died. An infant, a little over two months old. Future plans, hopes and dreams, gone in an instant.

My mind raced back twelve years to that other phone call. The first one that wiped the smile from my soul.

I remember wondering if my brain would ever again send a message that would  warm my heart and allow the crinkling lines that used to etch the corners of my eyes, relax the muscles of my lips, and direct them to remember their upward path?

‘Til then I found myself dumped on the sidewalk of life, gasping for air, flopping like a fish out-of-water. Hating morning. Fearing evening and everything in between. Part of me wanted to die and the other half lacked the faith to live.

In those-after-days I cried, “Oh, Lord Jesus, help my not-even-mustard-seed sized faith.”

Death. What an ugly word. My heart ripped open. A bleeding, gaping hole. Days saturated with helplessness and hopelessness droned on like a freight-train-to-no-where.

I was tired, but sleep fled. My neck and shoulders ached from the iron weight of grief. My stomach growled but food was repulsive. All were symptoms. Symptoms of grief from the unexpected death of our twenty-eight year old daughter.

But the loss of an infant adds a multitude of extra layers to grief. Not of what we will miss, but the loss of what will never be. This side of eternity.

Ambiguous thoughts randomly pop-up like troublesome boogers in a parent’s or grandparent’s mind. What would the little one have become? Who would this gift from God have looked like? Mom or Dad? Maybe a grandparent. Whose personality would the sweet dumpling have reflected? Each image is like grabbing onto Jell-O. Yet, each painful mirage must be grieved.

The “if only” mud puddles grow murky and deep. Storm clouds of anger and resentment over unfulfilled dreams and expectations bluster and, if we’re not careful, send us spinning in a vortex of self-destruction.

While the rest of the world continues to survive and thrive.

Everyone but the family.

Where do we go? What can we do? Will the pain ever subside? Will the anger and guilt leave?

Yes, but not as quickly as we hope.

But after God’s roto-rooter of grief has purged the frivolities of pretense from our hearts and souls, God Himself will have comforted our hearts and enlarged our capacity for joy and pain to reside. Together. Then we will become His physical arms of love and comfort to others about to enter this dark tunnel. We will stand ready to give witness to them that there is a day when their joy will return.

However, even when the light of the Son finally shines on our pathway, bringing us comfort, and our smiles return, tender scabs of grief will always remain, ready to bleed when scraped by another death.

Christ promises He will bring good out of the bad stuff—our certification that we have become conduits of His love. Conduits flowing with the river of His grace and strength, waiting to be poured out on those about to cross death’s threshold.

Christ told us death is an enemy. Adam and Eve didn’t understand and neither do we, until we are humbled in the presence of this powerful foe. Until we recognize our utter helplessness and are willing to lift our precious babies, with open hands, and give them back into the arms of our Father in Heaven.

King David’s infant son had been gravely ill and David mourned. But on the day the baby died, the King arose, bathed, dressed and ate and said, “He shall not return to me, but I shall go to him” (2 Samuel 12:15-23 NAS).   What a glorious promise.

One day those who have loved and trusted Jesus will be united with those who have gone before us. That’s a promise. Then we shall all attend the funeral of death. That’s God’s promise too.

As days grow darker here on this earth, know that your baby is alive. Healed and in the presence of God. Forever. And that precious one will never again have to die. And one day you will be with them, and there will be no more pain, no more tears and no more death. Forever.

So when your smile returns, and it will, that joy-filled-glow will radiate from deep in your soul and will give praise, honor, and glory to God and to The Lamb.

“The righteous man perishes, and no man takes it to heart; and devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from evil, he enters into peace; they rest in their beds, each one who walked in his upright way” (Isaiah 57:1-2 NAS).

If you have lost a child, a month ago, two years ago, or twenty years ago, and you are still struggling with grief, I urge you to go to www.griefshare.org and click on Find-A-Group. GriefShare offers practical, everyday helps in dealing with the issues we all face when losing a loved one. Please find a GriefShare group near you today and go for help, hope and comfort.

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SPECTATORS OR SOLDIERS?

Posted in A Nation Divided on May 28, 2013| 8 Comments »

These past weeks, television networks have covered horrific tornado scenes in Grandbury, Texas, and in Moore, Oklahoma. And we’ve watched.

Over the past years we’ve been glued to the tube by the Oklahoma bombing, the 9/11 massacre, the heartbreak and disaster of Katrina and countless other tragedies that have unfolded on the screens in our living rooms.

We have been schooled to be spectators. And we have become experts.

These tragic events cause our hearts to heave, our tears to flow, and our emotions to be stirred. But we reside in a tornado of deception. The media moves onto the next news worthy event. And we flip the channel to the next calamity and return to what we think is normal.

 For the spectators.

 In the weeks following 9/11 America’s churches filled to capacity. We were jolted into the reality of terrorists who wanted to kill us. And this nation came face to face with our consequential helplessness. People prayed—in droves—turned back to God and prayed some more. But twelve years later, those months of national humbling have passed, replaced by a deeper apathy, deception and open rebellion toward God.

We’ve retreated to our living rooms, cranked up the volume of the tube, and watched as the world implodes.

But God hasn’t called His children to be spectators, He has called us to be soldiers. Christian soldiers. Soldiers, marching through the battlefield of life, with orders from Headquarters to “go and make disciples.”

Oops, that’s not a politically correct paragraph, is it? Too bad—it’s truth.

In prior years we sang the hymn “Onward Christian Soldiers”. How long has it been since you’ve sung that one on Sunday morning? Do you younger folks know the words? Is this song even in the hymnals any more? Are there hymn books or just words that flash on a screen?

Let’s stop and think for a moment about the differences between spectators and soldiers.

Other than the price of a ticket, spectators have no vested interest in anything. They’ve come to watch, to be entertained—at the ballgame, a concert, or even at church. If you’re a spectator, you’re not likely to read the details of the program. And if you have to pay extra for one, forget it.

The entertainment ends, the spectators gather any belongings they arrived with and  rush on to the next event. Spectators probably don’t even remember the topic of the sermon or what the choir sang, if church was the event. And even if it was a ballgame or concert, the details fade in light of the next dalliance, distraction or diversion on the agenda.

Spectators are usually lighthearted, happy folks, on the surface. Easy to get along with, fun, and always ready for life’s next delight. ‘Til trouble comes.

But what about soldiers. The word even sounds serious, doesn’t it?

The word soldier infers there is a war. Soldier indicates there is army. And Christian Soldier implies there is a Commander.

Every soldier must read the manual, cover to cover, if they plan to live. And a soldier always puts on the assigned battle gear. A soldier is vigilant for any sign of an enemy attack and is prepared for the battle at a moments notice.

DSCF2530“Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:10-12 NAS).

 

News flash—we are at war! A spiritual war rages around and in us each day. The ravages of this battle litter the surface of our earth, just like the devastation caused by the catastrophes we watch on the evening news.  Yes, there is an ongoing battle and we have a very real enemy who has painted the bulls-eye of destruction on our backsides.

But spectators don’t believe this battle exists. As long as they are fed and clothed, life is good. To acknowledge this battle would require a reality check that might convince them perhaps this current world is a dangerous place and the enemy is real.

These happy-go-lucky folks live life in a hot zone, attempting to run through the mine fields of life dressed in their undershorts, and they will become battlefield casualties.

Each day skirmishes flare in our homes, at work, and in the classroom. Every plot of dirt, concrete and water on the planet is engaged in this battle and most of us are not even aware we trample through remnants of defeat or arenas of victory each day.

However, the enemy has no new tricks. Why should he? The old ones still work quite well. This generation of distracted, disinterested and desensitized people is growing. Deceived throngs, just like Jesus said there would be in the days before He returns.  

The day after the Moore tornadoes, one of the news commentators asked several of those interviewed: “Officials have said no one should have survived this tornado. How do you think so many people survived? And why?”

From the fire chief, to first responders, and a few of those who survived responded: “timely media warnings, technology, and lessons learned from past tornadoes.” Not a one of those interviewed answered—by the mercy and grace God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Are you a spectator or soldier? Do you hear the warning sirens? Do you see the storm clouds gathering? Are you on the alert, preparing and accepting the mercy and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ? Or are you dismissing the warnings, refusing to prepare for the storm that is coming? Watching? Living only for the next moment?

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 6:16-17 NAS).

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