Delay in Posting My Blog

Today, 9/26/2012, I discovered that I packed my printer power cord instead of my computer power cord so I’ll have to postpone posting my blog until probably Sunday night or Monday.

Keep reading though:

Sep 26: Neh 1-5
Sep 27: Neh 6-7
Sep 28: Neh 8-10
Sep 29: Neh 11-13; Ps 126
Sep 30: Malachi

Just think, by Sunday, 9/20/2012, you will have read the entire Old Testament.

Don’t forget that Friday, September 28th, begins the 40 days of prayer leading up to the election, the Call2Fall is so important. The future of our country is at stake.

You can get more details at:

http://www.jhm.org/Resources/FortyDaysOfPrayer

Until next time…

Ezra 7 - 10

Ezra begins the story of himself by tracing his ancestry back to Aaron the priest. He describes himself as a scribe well versed in the Law of Moses. He along with a number of others came up from Babylon to Jerusalem in the seventh year of the reign of King Artaxerxes. He was given everything he asked for of King Artaxerxes “because the gracious hand of the Lord his God was on him. His intention was to study and obey the Las and to teach its decrees and regulations to the people of Israel. The king’s decree is included in the text. Ezra had a lot of authority.

Ezra was a man of praise and prayer and fasting. He acknowledges that God is the one who took care of them on their journey.

After they arrive in Jerusalem, they discover that the men of Israel had married women who were not Jewish: “So the holy race has become polluted by these mixed marriages…” Ezra is utterly appalled and confesses their sin to the Lord. He prays “weeping and lying face down on the ground.” A large group of people gather there with him. They make a covenant to divorce their pagan wives and to send them away with their children. The book concludes with a detailed list of the men who broke God’s law by intermarrying.l What a mess that must have been! The men who broke the law and the women and children who were sent away must have grieved terribly.

Tomorrow, we’ll read Nehemiah 1 - 5.

I’m posting this at 5:46 am because, this morning, I am driving my niece and nephew to NC and won’t be home until Sunday. I should be at my brother’s in GA tomorrow and hope to post the next one from there. We’ll complete the Old Testament on 9/30/2012 – amazing, isn’t it?

Until next time…

Esther 6 – 10 and Do you remember January 3, 2007?

Esther 6 - 10

When we left Esther yesterday, she had invited the king and Haman to a special dinner to be held the next day. That night, the king couldn’t sleep and had an attendant read to him the book of history of his reign. He read the account of how Mordecai had exposed the plot to kill him. When he was reminded that Mordecai had never received any reward or recognition for his service. Haman, who had come to ask the king to impale Mordecai on a pole, was brought in so the king could ask him what he should do to honor a man who truly pleased the king. Thinking the king meant to honor him, Haman gave the king a long list rewards including:

• Dressing him in one of the king’s own royal robes
• Allowing him to ride a horse that the king himself has ridden (one with a royal emblem on its head
• Leading the him on the horse through the city square accompanied by an official shouting “This is what the king does for someone he wishes to honor.”

The king told Haman to do this for Mordecai. Haman had no choice but to do it, then hurried home completely humiliated. Haman’s wife tells him it would be fatal to continue opposing him. The king’s eunuchs came to take Haman to the banquet.

When the king presses Esther to tell him her request, she tells him the she and her people have been sold to those who would kill, slaughter and annihilate them. When the king asked who had done this, Esther told him it was Haman. The king became enraged and stormed out. While Haman was begging for his life from Queen Esther, he made the mistake of falling on the couch where Queen Esther was reclining. Right then, the king came in and asked Haman why he was assaulting the queen right before his eyes. Haman ends up being impaled on the pole set up for Mordecai.

Queen Esther ended up getting all of Haman’s property. When the king found out how Mordecai was related to Esther, he gave his signet ring to Mordecai. Mordecai was also appointed by Esther to care for Haman’s property. After Esther begs the king to save his people, Mordecai, with the king’s permission issues a decree that the Jews can unite to defend their lives.

Needless to say, the Jews were very happy throughout the land. They overpowered their enemies and killed 300 men in the fortress of Susa alone. All of these events are celebrated annually with the Festival of Purim where they feast and give gifts of food to each other and presents to the poor. Mordecai the Jew became the prime minister with authority much like that of King Xerxes himself.

Can you see why this is one of my favorite books?

Tomorrow, we’ll read Ezra 7 - 10.

Do you remember January 3, 2007?

I've been saying this for years, but this email probably explains it better and more clearly. This is NOT a political message, but rather a clarification to remind us all of the correct facts.

Remember that on October 9, 2007, 11 months before our economic crisis occurred (that was actually created), the Dow hit its highest point ever, closing at 14,164.53 and reaching 14,198.10 intra-day level 2 days later.

Unemployment was steady at 4.7%. But things were already being put in place to create the havoc we've all been experiencing since then. And it all started, as this email explains, on January 3, 2007.

I'm sending this to each of you regardless of your party preferences because I believe it is something you may not have considered.

This tells the story, why Bush was so 'bad' at the end of his term.

Don't just skim over this, it's not very long, read it slowly and let it sink in. If in doubt, check it out!!!

The day the Democrats took over was not January 22nd 2009, it was actually January 3rd 2007, which was the day the Democrats took over the House of Representatives and the Senate, at the very start of the 110th Congress.

The Democrat Party controlled a majority in both chambers for the first time since the end of the 103rd Congress in 1995.

For those who are listening to the liberals propagating the fallacy that everything is "Bush's Fault", think about this: January 3rd, 2007 was the day the Democrats took over the Senate and the Congress.

At that time:

The DOW Jones closed at 12,621.77

The GDP for the previous quarter was 3.5%

The Unemployment rate was 4.6%

George Bush's Economic policies SET A RECORD of 52 STRAIGHT MONTHS of JOB GROWTH

Remember the day...January 3rd, 2007 was the day that Barney Frank took over the House Financial Services Committee and Chris Dodd took over the Senate Banking Committee. The economic meltdown that happened 15 months later was in what part of the economy? BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES!

Unemployment... to this CRISIS by (among MANY other things) dumping 5-6 TRILLION Dollars of toxic loans on the economy from YOUR Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac FIASCOES!

Bush asked Congress 17 TIMES to stop Fannie & Freddie - starting in 2001 because it was financially risky for the US economy.

And who took the THIRD highest pay-off from Fannie Mae AND Freddie Mac? OBAMA !!! And who fought against reform of Fannie and Freddie? OBAMA and the Democrat Congress.

So when someone tries to blame Bush. REMEMBER JANUARY 3rd, 2007....THE DAY THE DEMOCRATS TOOK OVER!"

Budgets do not come from the White House. They come from Congress and the party that controlled Congress since January 2007 is the Democrat Party.

Furthermore, the Democrats controlled the budget process for 2008 & 2009 as well as 2010 & 2011.

In that first year, they had to contend with George Bush, which caused them to compromise on spending, when Bush somewhat belatedly got tough on spending increases.

For 2009 though, Nancy Pelosi & Harry Reid bypassed George Bush entirely, passing continuing resolutions to keep government running until Barack Obama could take office. At that time, they passed a massive omnibus spending bill to complete the 2009 budgets.

And where was Barack Obama during this time? He was a member of that very Congress that passed all of these massive spending bills, and he signed the omnibus bill as President to complete 2009.

If the Democrats inherited any deficit, it was the 2007 deficit, the last of the Republican budgets. That deficit was the lowest in five years, and the fourth straight decline in deficit spending. After that, Democrats in Congress took control of spending, and that includes Barack Obama, who voted for the budgets.

If Obama inherited anything, he inherited it from himself. In a nutshell, what Obama is saying is I inherited a deficit that I voted for and then I  voted to expand that deficit four-fold since January 20th.

There is no way this will be widely publicized, unless each of us sends it on!

PLEASE DO YOUR PART !!!

“Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery !”  Winston Churchill

Until next time…

Esther 1 – 5 and Please Read This

Esther 1 - 5

Esther is another one of my favorite books. The first verse sets the time when the events recorded in Esther occurred. We get a picture of the expanse of his kingdom in the phrase “127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia.” We also learn that he ruled his vast kingdom from “his royal throne at the fortress of Susa.”

Daniel 8:5 mentions that he saw in his vision himself in the fortress of Susa. The first verse of Nehemiah also mentions his being in the fortress of Susa. According to the internet, Susa is in Iran and some of the fortress is still there, though apparently falling apart.

The story in Esther begins with King Xerxes giving a banquet for all his nobles and officials as well as all the military officers of Persia and Media and the princes and nobles of the provinces. That had to be a pretty big group. The celebration lasted 180 days and really displayed the weal, pomp and splendor of his majesty.

At the end of this six-month period, the king gave a banquet for all the people who were in the fortress. This lasted a week and was held in the courtyard of the palace garden. No expense was spared and people were encouraged to drink as much wine as they wanted. Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace.

Can you believe the number of eunuchs mentioned? Seven. On the last night of the banquet, they were sent to fetch the queen, but she refused to come. He gets very angry and seeks advice on what he could do about it. They tell him if he lets her get away with this, “women everywhere will begin to despise their husbands and will start treating them the same way.

He makes an order that Queen Vashti be forever banished from his presence and will choose another queen more worthy than she. He also sends a proclamation that every man should be the ruler of his own home and should say whatever he pleased. Wouldn’t that go over well with modern-day feminists?

Later, he decides to search the empire for the most beautiful young virgins from which he will select a new queen.

At this point, we are introduced to a Jewish man of the tribe of Benjamin, who lives in Susa, whose name is Mordecai. His family had been exiled with King Jehoichin of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar. As it happens, he had a “very beautiful and lovely young cousin, Hadasseh, also called Esther. After her father and mother died, Mordecai had adopted her and raised her as his own daughter.

Esther was among the young women brought to the king’s harem at Susa. Hegai, the eunuch who cared for the harem was “very impressed by Esther and treated her kindly.” Now, no one knew that Esther was Jewish, because Mordecai advised her not to tell anyone. Mordecai kept a close eye on Esther, visiting her near the courtyard of the harem on his daily walk.

Each of these young women was given 12 months of beauty treatments before being taken to the king’s bed. After their encounter with the king, they were taken to a second harem for concubines. A eunuch named Shaashgaz was in charge of this harem. There they stayed until the king called them again.

When it was Esther’s turn to meet the king, Hegai advised her and she asked for nothing except what he suggested. The Word says “she was admired by everyone who saw her.” The king loved Esther more than any of the others and set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti. He gave a great banquet (boy, did that guy love to party!) in her honor and declared a public holiday for all the provinces. Mordecai became a palace official, but Esther continued to keep her background a secret.

During the time Mordecai was on duty at the king’s gate, two of the king’s eunuchs plotted to assassinate Xerxes. Mordecai told Queen Exther and she told the king, giving Mordecai credit credit for the report. The two eunuchs were impaled. Don’t you wish you could read The Book of the History of King Xerxes’ Reign mentioned in the text?

In chapter 3, we are introduced to Haman, who was promoted over all the other nobles. He loved that, as the king had commanded, all of the officials would bow down to show him respect, all that is except Mordecai. Mordecai had told those he worked with that he was a Jew.

Needless to say, Haman was enraged by this lack of respect and, having learned Mordecai was a Jew, decided to find a way to destroy all of the Jews in the entire empire.

This vile man Hama convinces the king that it is “not in the king’s interest to let them (the Jews) live and offers the king 10,000 large sacks of silver to the royal treasury. Imagine that! Unbelievably, the king goes along with it and issues the decree, even going so far as to offer Haman his signet ring. Decrees were written and went out to all provinces that all Jews were to be slaughtered on March 7 of the next year. All of their property would go to those who killed them. It was also proclaimed in Susa.

Mordecai’s response is interesting. He didn’t rally all of the Jews together and start a rebellion. He didn’t make plans to flee the area. He “tore his clothes, put on burlap and ashes, and went out into the city, crying with a loud and bitter wail.” And he wasn’t the only one. There was great mourning among the Jews. They did the right thing: they fasted, wept and wailed, and many people lay in burlap and ashes.

Esther apparently had no idea what Mordecai’s problem was, for she sent Hathach (one of the eunuchs) out to him to find out what was bothering him. He sent her a copy of the decree and asked Hathach to explain the situation to her. He also asked her to go to the king and beg for mercy for her people.

Esther sent word to Mordecai that the king had not sent for her for thirty days and, if anyone approached the king without his request, if he didn’t hold out the golden scepter, they would die. Mordecai tells her “If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”

Esther asks Mordecai to get all of the Jews in Susa to fast for her, not to eat or drink anything for three days, night or day. She and her maids would do the same. Then she would go to the king.

Mordecai and Esther responded as the godly people they were. Their first instinct was to fast and pray. This is always the most effective response to trouble and discouragement.

On the third day, Esther puts on her royal robes and goes in to see the king. He welcomes her by holding out the golden scepter. He even tells here he will “grant his request, even if it is half the kingdom.” She invites the king and Haman to a special banquet the next day.

On his way home from the fortress, Haman sees Mordecai and gets angry because Mordecai is not trembling before him. When he gets home, he brags to his wife and children about how the king has honored him and, even more, how Queen Esther invited only the king and himself to a special banquet the next day. But he tells them that Mordecai has spoiled it all by just sitting at the palace gate.

Haman’s wife Zeresh is every bit as vile as her husband. She advises him to set up a seventy-five feet tall pole and, in the morning, to ask the king to impale Mordecai on it.

We’ll have to wait for tomorrow to see how this turns out.

Tomorrow, we’ll read Esther 6 - 10.

Please Read This

Read this to the end - it will take your breath away Rev. Austin Miles

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (9/11/12) When the DNC came to Charlotte, area churches, 100 of them, offered hospitality, not knowing how much the Dems hate God and would actually boo God at the convention. They had no idea how that hatred would be directed at them and their churches.

The Sunday before the DNC, over 9000 people had come together to pray for the convention. Then, wanting to extend hospitality to the visitors to their city, 56 of the churches set out to “Adopt-a-Delegation.”

They put together gift baskets featuring Carolina Pralines and a letter welcoming them to the city and offering assistance in transportation, childcare or spiritual matters.

According to writer, Todd Starnes, The DNC banned the churches from distributing the gift baskets to delegates because, DNC said, the congregations hold values that are contrary to the party platform. Read that carefully.

David Benham, one of the organizers of the outreach said, “We were just trying to display Southern hospitality.” DNC officials, however, conveyed to city leaders that the Christians would not be allowed to present their gift baskets.

Even the Charlotte Mayor’s office jumped in to tell the churches not to participate, saying that their views on women’s rights are contrary to the platform. That’s right….the same platform that booed God later.

Benham then asked if they could send welcome letters to the delegates. Again, the DNC refused, because, they said, “The churches hold pro-life values.”

The baskets did not contain a single political or pro-life message. They just wanted to give them regional candles and a welcome letter. The DNC refused to return numerous phone calls seeking comment.

But it gets worse. When a gathering of 200 Muslims showed up to pray for the convention, the Dems welcomed them with open arms and the liberal media gave extensive national coverage.

It is ironic that this day, in the shadow of that Islamic prayer event, we commemorate the greatest tragedy in American History, when Muslims attacked America on September 11, 2001, brutally killing thousands.of innocent people.

Muslims who publicly state their hatred of our country with fierce determination to kill us all and put America under Sharia Law, are welcomed by the Democratic Party while Christians are pushed out of sight like criminals because they respect life and hold family values.

These are the same democrats who want you to vote them into office to direct the United States of America and every life from beginning to end.

It is obvious that we must not let this happen.

Our thanks to Rev. Ed Berkey (retired) who alerted us to this story.

Austin Miles

Have you decided where your core beliefs lie?

Don't forget to vote!!!

Until next time…

Zechariah 8 – 14 and Luke Air Force Base

Zechariah 8 - 14

Zechariah receives another message from the Lord that he will be returning to Mount Zion and will live in Jerusalem. This will cause Jerusalem to be called the Faithful City. He assures the people that he will rescue his people from the east and from the west. He’ll bring them home again, they will be his people and he will be faithful and just toward them as their God. He urges them to finish the Temple. He gives them rules to live by that he has given them before. He says the traditional fasts and times of mourning are now ended. They will become festivals of joy and celebration for the people of Judah.

He gives messages against the land of Aram and the city of Damascus and then a lot of other places. He tells the people to shout in triumph because their king is coming to them – righteous and victorious, yet humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt. A wonderful prophecy fulfilled by Jesus as recorded in Matthew 21. He promises to repay two bessings for each of their troubles.

Israel should be delighted by the prophecy recorded in Zechariah 9:15 = “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies will protect his people, and they will defeat their enemies by hurling great stones.” Wow! And he also says: “Though I hjave scattered them like seeds among the nations, they will still remember me in distant lands. They and their children will survive and return again to Israel.

It’s not hard to believe what is recorded in Zechariah 12 – “I will make Jerusalem like an intoxicating drink that makes the nearby nations stagger when they send their armies to besiege Jerusalem and Judah. On that day I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock. All the nations will gather against it to try to move it, but they will only hurt themselves.

We also see more prophecy about Jesus – “They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son. He talks in chapter 13 of the fountain that will be opened “to cleanse them from all their sins and impurity.” He talks of Christ standing on the Mount of Olives , east of Jerusalem, and that mountain splitting apart with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. “Then the Lord my God will come, and all his holy ones with him. On that day the sources of light will no longer shine, yet there will be continuous day! … life-giving waters will flow out from Jerusalem, half toward the Dead Sea and half toward the Mediterranean, flowing continuously in both summer and winter. … And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be one Lord—his name alone will be worshiped.”

Those who are now fighting Israel should take note of Zechariah 14:12 – “And the Lord will send a plague on all the nations that fought against Jerusalem. … On that day they will be terrified, stricken by the Lord with great pain.”

Tomorrow, we’ll read Esther 1 - 5.

Luke Air Force Base

Good morning....welcome to the United States of America !  Make sure you read to the end, that's where it gets really good!

True Story..... Luke AFB is west of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by civilization that complains about the noise from the base and its planes, forgetting that it was there long before they were...  A certain lieutenant colonel at Luke AFB deserves a big pat on the back.  Apparently, an individual who lives somewhere  near Luke AFB wrote the local paper complaining about a group of F-16s that disturbed his/her day at the mall. When that individual read the response from a Luke AFB officer, it must have stung quite a bit. The complaint: 'Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base: Whom do we thank for the morning air show?  Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 A.M, a tight formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall, continuing  west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet.  Imagine our good fortune!  Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyn's early bird special? Any response would be appreciated. The response: Regarding 'A wake-up call from Luke's jets' On June 15, at precisely 9:12  a.m. , a  perfectly timed four- ship fly by of F-1 6s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over the grave of Capt. Jeremy Fresques.  Capt Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day. At 9 a. m. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and friend.  Based on the letter writer's recount of the fly by, and because of the jet noise, I'm sure you didn't hear the 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques as I gave them their son's flag on behalf of the President of the United States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who understand the sacrifices they have endured..  A four-ship fly by is a display of respect the Air Force gives to those who give their lives in defense of freedom.  We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respects. The letter writer asks, 'Whom do we thank for the morning air show'?  The 56th Fighter Wing will make the call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents of Capt Fresques, and thank them for you, for it  was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of their  lives. Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you....Jesus Christ and the American Soldier.  One died for your soul, the other for your freedom. Lt.  Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. "Send 'em up, I'll  wait!" Love it! This has got to be one of the greatest quotes of all time. I thought this might make you smile. :-) ...conversation overheard on the VHF Guard (emergency) frequency 121.5 MHz while flying from Europe to Dubai. Iranian Air Defense Site: 'Unknown aircraft you are in Iranian airspace. Identify yourself.' Aircraft: 'This is a United States aircraft. I am in Iraqi airspace.' Air Defense Site: 'You are in Iranian airspace. If you do not depart our airspace we will launch interceptor aircraft!' Aircraft: 'This is a United States Marine Corps FA-18 fighter.  Send 'em up, I'll wait!' Air Defense Site: (.... total silence) God bless our troops.  There is something about a Marine that makes other countries listen to reason. How ALL phones SHOULD be answered! GOOD MORNING, WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA . .......... Please Press '1' for English.. Press '2' to disconnect until you learn to speak English.   If you agree.......Keep it going, if you don't agree delete it, but you won't forget that you read it.

Until next time…

Zechariah 1 – 7 and The New Aspirin

Zechariah 1 - 7

Ezra mentions Haggai and Zechariah in the same sentence, but Haggai doesn’t mention Zechariah and Zechariah doesn’t mention Haggai. Haggai first message comes on August 29^th of the second year of King Darius’s reign. The next message he mentions was received on October17th of that same year. Zechariah says that his message from the Lord came in November of the second year of King Darius’s reign. The crux of the Lord’s message is “Return to me, and I will return to you.” He tells them to stop sinning.

Zechariah received another message in February of the next year. This message came in a vision during the night. This message reaffirmed God’s love for Jerusalem and Mount Zion and said that he would show mercy to Jerusalem and his Temple would be rebuilt. The Lord said he was angry with the nations that inflicted harm on them “far beyond his intentions.”

An angel shows Zechariah Jeshua the high priest standing before the angel of he Lord. Satan, “the Accuser,” was there making accusation against Jeshua. The Lord rejects Satan’s accusations and rebukes him. The picture of Jeshua with his filthy clothes that were exchanged for fine new clothes – a picture of his sins being taken away. He talks about bring his servant, the Branch and describes a single stone with seven facets with an inscription on it.

An important message from the Lord sounds familiar: “Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other.” This is always how we should live, isn’t it?

Tomorrow, we’ll read Zechariah 8 - 14.

New Heart Attack Info On The New Aspirin

Heart Attack info on New Aspirin

You are part of my ten!

Read and heed!

This can't be read TOO many times!!!!!

This is good info.

We did not know that you should not lie downwhile waiting for the EMT

Heart attack info NEW ASPIRIN/ Serious stuff, no joke!!

Just a reminder to all: purchase a box, keep one in your car, pocketbook, wallet, bedside, etc.

IMPORTANT READ......

Something that we can do to help ourselves.

Nice to know.

Bayer is making crystal aspirin to dissolve under the tongue. They work much faster than the tablets.

Why keep aspirin by your bedside?

About Heart Attacks

There are other symptoms of an heart attack besides the pain on the left arm. One must also be aware of an intense pain on the chin, as well as nausea and lots of sweating, ho wever these symptoms may also occur less frequently.
Note: There may be NO pain in the chest during a heart attack

The majority of people (about 60%) who had a heart attack during their sleep, did not wake up.

However, if it occurs, the chest pain may wake you up from your deep sleep.

If that happens, immediately dissolve two aspirins in your mouth and swallow them with a bit of water.

Afterwards:  CALL 911
- say "heart attack!"
- say that you have taken 2 aspirins..
- phone a neighbor or a family member who lives very close by
- take a seat on a chair or sofa near the front door, and wait for their arrival and...
DO NOT lie down

A Cardiologist has stated that, if each person, after receiving this e-mail, sends it to 10 people, probably one life can be saved!

I have already shared the information- - What about you?

Dredd

Today, I went to AMC and saw the movie Dredd . I had no idea whether I would enjoy it, but I did. It was a futuristic movie with lots of action, lots of evil villains, and a couple of great heroes.

What impressed mke the most were the weapons the judges used. I want one, but they aren’t available yet. I don’t want to spoil the movie so I won’t give any kind of description of the weapon I’m talking about.

If you don’t like a lot of blood and gore, stay away from this movie.

Until next time…

Haggai and A Busy Laundry Day

 Haggai

If you recall, yesterday, Haggai and Zechariah (we’ll start that book tomorrow) were mentioned as having prophesied to the Jews and, as a result, they started rebuilding the Temple again. Today, we get a broader picture of that prophesy.
Through the prophet, God asks the people why they are living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? He points out that they are planting much, but harvesting little. They eat but are not satisfied. They drink but are still thirsty. They put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Their wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes. He talks about the drought they were having and tells the people to start rebuilding his house.
The people began to obey the message from God and begin once again to rebuild the Temple.
In the second (and last) chapter, Haggai talks about the future glory of the Temple being greater than its past glory and the fact that God will bring peace. Looking at the Middle East right now, it’s hard to believe that Jerusalem will ever know peace.
We are told to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. I hope you try to do this daily.
Tomorrow, we’ll read Zechariah 1 - 7.

A Busy Laundry Day

Today, I went to my cousin Richard’s and did my laundry. It seemed to take hours and I am currently exhausted, but oh so glad it’s done.
Tomorrow, I think I’ll take a break and go to the movies.
Until next time…

Ezra 4 – 5 and Psalm 137; Social Security

Ezra 4 – 5 and Psalm 137

Yesterday, we read about the beginning of the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. Often, when the Lord’s people do what the Lord tells them, enemies rise up to oppose them. This was true when the people started to rebuild the Temple. These enemies were sneaky and approached Zerubbabel and the other leaders to offer to build with them. They refused. Then the local people tried to frighten the people to stop the work. They did this for quite a while, during the entire reign of King Cyrus and until Darius of Persia took the throne.

You have to give them kudos for persistence. Even years later when Xerxes bean to reign, the enemies of Judah wrote him a letter of accusation and during the reign of King Artaxerxes they sent a letter to Artaxerxes about the rebuilding of the Temple. They tried to convince Artaxerxes by telling him that Jerusalem was an evil, rebellious city. They warned that, once the Temple was completed, the Jews would refuse to pay their tributes, etc. to the King. The King ordered that the rebuilding was to stop. This continued until the second year of King Darius of Persia. At this time, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo prophesied the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem. As a result, Zerubbabel and Jeshua started to rebuild the Temple of God.

As a result of this, Tattenai, governor of the province west of the Euphrates River and others came to ask who had given them permission to rebuild the Temple. I love the way Ezra writes that “because their God was watching over them,” the leaders did not prevent the rebuild until a report was sent to Darius and he made the decision. Tattenai sent a letter to King Darius asking him to check the royal archives in Babylon to see if King Cyrus ever issued a decree to rebuild the Temple.

A scroll was found showing King Cyrus had made a decree that the Temple was to rebuilt. He ordered the leaders to not only allow the Temple to be rebuilt, but also to pay the full contruction costs, “without delay” from his taxes collected in the province west of the Euphrates. He ordered also that young bulls, rams, and male lambs be given to the priests in Jerusalem for the burnt offerings to be presented “to the God of heaven.” He also ordered them “without fail” to provide them with as much wheat, salt, wine, and olive oil as they need every day.

What a set back for God’s enemies! Imagine how joyful that first Passover after the Temple was completed was, the remembrance of the God that brought them out of Egypt and gave them the Promised Land.

Tomorrow, we’ll read Haggai.

Social Security

A History Lesson on Your Social Security Card
1934 – 1980
With the elections just a little over 3 months away you'll soon be hearing some Democrats running for political office, warning how the Republicans want to take away the old people's Social Security.
Just in case some of you young whippersnappers (& some older ones) didn't know this it's easy to check out, if you don't believe i

t. Be sure and show it to your family and friends. They need a little history lesson on what's what and it doesn't matter whether you are Democrat or Republican.
Facts are Facts:
Social Security Cards, issued in 1934, and up until the 1980s expressly stated the number and that card were not to be used for identification purposes. Since nearly everyone in the United States now has a number, it became convenient to use it anyway and the message, NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION, was removed.
When Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat, introduced the Social Security (FICA) Program. He promised:
1.) That participation in the Program would be completely voluntary,
No Longer Voluntary
2.) That the participants would only have to pay 1% of the first $1,400 of their annual Incomes into the Program,
Now 7.65% on the first $90,000
3.) That the money the participants elected to put into the Program would be deductible from their income for tax purposes each year,
No longer tax deductible
4.) That the money the participants put into the independent 'Trust Fund' rather than into the general operating fund, and therefore, would only be used to fund the Social Security Retirement Program, and no other Government program.
Under Johnson, another Democrat, the money was moved to The General Fund and Spent
5.) That the annuity payments to the retirees would never be taxed as income.
Under Clinton & Gore, Democrats, Up to 85% of your Social Security can be Taxed
Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are now receiving a Social Security check every month -- and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of the money we paid to the Federal government to 'put away' for us -- you may be interested in the following:
Q: Which Political Party took Social Security from the independent 'Trust Fund' and put it into the general fund so that Congress could spend it?
A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the Democratically controlled House and Senate.
Q: Which Political Party eliminated the income tax deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding?
A: The Democrat Party.
Q: Which Political Party started taxing Social Security annuities?
A: The Democrat Party, with Al Gore casting the 'tie-breaking' deciding vote as President of the Senate, while he was Vice President of the US
Q: Which Political Party decided to start giving annuity payments to immigrants?
AND MY FAVORITE:
A: That's right!
Jimmy Carter and the Democrat Party.
Immigrants moved into this country, and at age 65, began to receive Social Security payments! The Democrat Party gave these payments to them, even though they never paid a dime into it!
Then, after violating the original contract (FICA), the Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want to take your Social Security away!
And the worst part about it is uninformed citizens believe it!
If enough people receive this, maybe a seed of awareness will be planted and maybe changes will evolve. Maybe not, some Democrats are awfully sure of what isn't so.
But it's worth a try. Spread the word.

Until next time…

Ezra 1 – 3 and Stolen

Ezra 1 – 3

Ezra recounts the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy the Temple would be rebuilt. Did you see what King Cyrus of Persia said? “The Lord, the God of Heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.” He allowed any who were exiled from Juda to go to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. He even directed Mithredath, the treasurer of Persia, to give the articles Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the previous Temple to Sheshbazzar, the leader of the exiles who were returning – 5400 articles of gold and silver, in all.

Chapter 2 lists the numbers from various leaders, families, Levites, and Temple servants who returned from exile. A total of 42,360 people return plus 7,337 servants and 200 singers.

The first thing to be rebuilt after the exiles returned was the altar of the God of Israel so they could sacrifice their burnt offerings. Imagine their joy when they celebrated the Festival of Shelters. After this, during the second year, they started to rebuild the Temple itself. Many wept and others shouted for joy when they saw the new Temple’s foundation.

Tomorrow, we’ll read Ezra 4 – 5 and Psalm 137.

Stolen

Today, I went to AMC and saw the movie Stolen starring Nicolas Cage, Josh Lucas (from Sweet Home Alabama), Danny Huston (Stryker in the X-Men movies), Sami Gayle (Nicki Reagan Boyle in Blue Bloods) and Mark Valley (Christopher Chance in Human Target and Oliver Richard in Harry’s Law) I really like Nicolas Cage, in spite of some of his antics and he did his usual good job in this. The movie had lots of car chases (my favorite(, real, evil villains, and a good story.

It’s amazing how you are persuaded to root for the bad guys and how the bad guy can sacrifice and do good things.

Until next time…

Daniel 10 – 12, Santa Barbara, In God We Trust, and Empty Chair

Daniel 10 - 12

Chapter 10 recounts another vision of Daniel’s, one which “concerned events certain to happen in the future—times of war and great hardship.”

We get a good picture of Daniel’s spiritual life. In this case he had been in mourning for three whole weeks – we don’t ever learn what he was mourning about, but we do know he had eaten no rich food, no meat and no wine. Also he didn’t use fragrant lotions.

This vision concerned a man dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around his waist. His body looked like a precious gem and his face flashed like lightning. His eyes flamed like torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze and his voice roared like a vast multitude. Daniel’s response to this was to faint with his face to the ground.

How warmed his soul must have been when the man in his vision reached out, touched him, lifted him up, and said, “Daniel, you are very precious to God.” He tells Daniel not to be afraid. God has noticed that Daniel was praying and humbling himself before God. The man was there to answer Daniel’s prayer.

He goes on to tell Daniel how the prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked his way for 21 days and that Michael, one of the archangels, came to help him. He is there to explain what will happen in the future in the time yet to come.

Daniel’s response to this was an inability to speak, but the man touched him and he became stronger and spoke.

The man speaks not only of a spirit prince of Persia, but also of a spirit prince of the kingdom of Greece. He tells Daniel that there will be three more Persian kings who will succeeded by a fourth who is richer than the others. He goes on to tell about a mighty king who will rule Greece and accomplish all he sets out to do. His kingdom will be broken into four parts, but not be ruled by that king’s descendants. He goes on in great detail about what will occur.

He talks of a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence, but that everyone whose name is written in the book will be rescued. He tells Daniel to keep the prophecy a secret and seal it up until the time of the end when many will rush here and there and knowledge will increase. He gives specific times about what will happen from the time the daily sacrifice is stopped and the abomination of desolation is set up to be worshiped.

He also promises Daniel that he will rest and at the end of the days, will rise again to receive the inheritance set aside for him.

Tomorrow, we’ll read Ezra 1 – 3.

Santa Barbara

The first picture and the last picture are taken at the beach in Santa Barbara right next to the pier. There is a veterans group that started putting a cross and candle for every death in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The amazing thing is that they only do it on the weekends.

They put up this graveyard and take it down every weekend. Guys sleep in the sand next to it and keep watch over it at night so nobody messes with it.

Every cross has the name, rank and D.O.B. And D.O.D. on it.  Very moving, very powerful??? So many young volunteers. So many 30 to 40 year olds as well. Amazing!

Did you know that the ACLU has filed a suit to have all military cross-shaped head stones removed?


And that they filed another suit to end prayer from the military completely. They're making great progress. The Navy Chaplains can no longer mention Jesus' name in prayer thanks to the ACLU.

Prayer:
'Heavenly Father, hold our troops in Your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in this our time of need. These things I humbly ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, Amen.'

GOD BLESS YOU

 

In God We Trust

US POSTAL TIP - IMPORTANT
Payback is fun!
WE THINK THIS IS A GREAT IDEA. WE' L L START WRITING IT ON THE FRONTOF OUR ENVELOPES, TOO!
----------Including Bills

You may have heard in the news that a couple of Post Offices in Texas have been forced to take down small posters that say
"IN GOD WE TRUST."

The law, they say, is being violated. Anyway, we heard proposed on a radio station show, that we should all write "IN GOD WE TRUST" on the back of all our mail.

After all, that's our National Motto. We think it's a wonderful idea.

We must take back our nation from all the people who think that anything that offends them should be removed.

If you like this idea, please pass it on and DO IT. The idea of writing or stamping "IN GOD WE TRUST" on our envelopes sounds good to us.

SOME PEOPLE ARE HAVING A RUBBER STAMP MADE TO ENSURE IT IS SEEN. Let's use it as our signature on e-mails, too!

It's been reported that 86% of Americans believe in God. Therefore, we have a very hard time understanding why there's such a mess about having "In God We Trust" on our money and having God in the pledge of Allegiance.

Could it be that WE just need to take action and tell the 14% to "sit down and shut up"?

Empty Chair

Initially the Democrats had a field day ridiculing Eastwood's routine with the empty chair.

It appears Eastwood may have been somewhat more clever than they anticipated.

Look at what his routine spawned

 

Until next time…

Daniel 7 – 9 and How to Fix the Debt

Daniel 7 - 9

Up until this point in the book, Daniel has been interpreting the dreams of others. In chapter 7, he describes his dreams and visions. His vision concerns four beasts that represented kingdoms and terrified Daniel. He seeks and receives an explanation of the vision. Finally, Daniel sees someone “like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven… He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.” (Even so come, Lord Jesus.)

In chapter 8, Daniel describes another vision, this one about a ram with two long horns and a male goat with one very large horns between his eyes. The goat tramples the ram and becomes very powerful. The goat’s large horn is broken off to be replaced by four prominent horns pointing in the four directions of the earth. From one of the prominent horns dames a small horn with great power.It extended toward the south and east and toward “the glorious land of Esrael.” It attacks the heavenly army and even challenged the Commander of heaven’s army by cancelling the daily sacrifices and by destroying his Temple. Daniel overhears two holy ones talking about how long the rebellion that causes desecration (or the abomination that causes desolation) will continue and how long the Temple and heaven’s armies would be trampled on. The answer was 2300 days and the Temple will be made right again.

The angel Gabriel tells him the meaning of the vision, that it relates to the time of the end. The two-horned ram represents the kings of Media and Persia. The male goat represents the king of Greece and large horn between his eyes represents the Greek Empire. The Greek Empire will break into four kingdoms but none as great as the first. A master of deception will take over nd destroy many without warning. He even takes on the Prince of princes in battle, but he will be broken, though not by human power. He tells him that none of these things will happen for a long time. All of this made Daniel sick for several days. He was greatly troubled by his vision and could not understand it.

Did you every wake from a dream with a terrible feeling of dread, uncertain of what caused it, maybe not even remembering what you dreamed?

I think we are near those end times and that Jesus, the Prince of princes, will return soon. The Middle East is in crazy chaos right now with the devil and his minions attacking everything we stand for. Pray for America. Pray for those being attacked by the demon extremists.

Daniel 9, which takes place in the first year of the reign of Darius the Meade who became king of the Babylonians. Daniel was reading the word of the Lord which had been revealed to Jeremiah and learned that Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years. He prays and fasts and confesses that they have sinned and done wrong. He recognizes their rebellion and refusal to listen to the prophets. He recognizes that God has kept his word and done to them exactly what he warned. He asks the Lord to forgive his people.

While he is praying, Gabriel appears and explains the vision. He basically gives Daniel a way to know when Messiah (the Anointed One) will appear and when he will be killed, “appearing to have accomplished nothing.” He talks about how the Antichrist will make a treaty with people for a period of seven years, but after half this time, will set up a sacrilegious object that causes desecration until his fate is finally poured out on him.

Tomorrow, we’ll finish reading Daniel – chapters 10 - 12.

How to Fix the Debt

I’ve seen this before but thought it was worth repeating.

Warren Buffet is asking everyone to forward this email to a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise. In three days, most people in the U.S. will have the message. This is one idea that really should be passed around. We're ALL in this mess together ... it's up to us to fix it ... for our kids! Read and pass on to 20 of your friends... Warren Buffett, in a recent interview with CNBC, offers one of the best quotes about the debt ceiling ... "I could end the deficit in 5 minutes," he told CNBC. "You just pass a law that says that any time there is a deficit of more than 3% of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election." The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only 3 months and 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in 1971 - before computers, e-mail, cell phones, etc. Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took one (1) year or less to become the law of the land - all because of public pressure. Warren Buffet is asking each addressee to forward this email to a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise. In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one idea that really should be passed around. Congressional Reform Act of 2012 1. No Tenure/No Pension A Congressman/woman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they're out of office. 2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose. 3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan,just as all Americans do. 4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%. 5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people. 6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people. 7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen/women are void effective 12/1/12. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen/women. Congress made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work. If each person contacts a minimum of twenty people then it will only take three days for most people (in the U.S.) to receive the message. Don't you think it's time? THIS IS HOW YOU FIXCONGRESS! If you agree, pass it on. If not, delete. You are one of my 20+ ... please keep it going, and thanks! We're ALL in this mess together ... it's up to us to fix it Until next time…

Daniel 4 – 6 and Picture from Texas

Daniel 4 - 6

In today’s reading, we seethree pagan rulers who were affected by Daniel, his character, the abilities God gave him, and his faith.

Once again, Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and only Daniel was able to tell him what the dream meant. Daniel was obviously reluctant to explain the vision to Nebuchadnezzar, but the king encouraged him not to be afraid to explain his dream. I think I would been a little scared if someone started a dream interpretation with “I wish events foreshadowed in this dream would happen to your enemies, my lord, and not to you!”

Daniel foretells that the king will “be driven from human society, and …. Live in the fields with the wild animals. This was to go on for “seven periods of time” until the king learned that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them ti anyone he chooses. Daniel advises the king to stop sinning and do what is right. A year later, the dream is fulfilled as Daniel predicts.

When it was all over, Nebuchadnezzar praised and worshiped the Most high and honored the one who lives forever.

After Nebuchadnezzar was king, Belshazzar, his successor, holds a big party and uses the gold cups taken from the Temple in Jerusalem. “While they drank from them they praised their idols made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.” All at once, they say the fingers of a human hand writing ont the wall of the palace. He called for all of the usual crew to tell him what it meant, but they couldn’t. The queen mother suggested Daniel be consulted. The writing (Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin) meant that God had numbered the days of his reign and it was over. The king had been weighed on the scale and had not measured up. His kingdom woulkd be divided and given to the Medes and Persians. The king died that very night.

Apparently, others were jealous of Daniel’s abilities and sought to harm him. They set him up, knowing he prayed three times every day. They tricked Darius into signing a decree that anyone who prayed to anyone or anything other than Darius would be thrown into a den of lions. Daniel, despite the decree, continued to pray three times every day. Of course, he was arrested, but Darius wasn’t too happy about having to throw Daniel in the lion’s den, but couldn’t find any way around it. Amazingly, he says to Daniel, “May your God whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you” and he “returned to his palace and spent the night fasting.” And he was rescued.

The king sent a decree that everyone throughout his kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel and even said “for he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end. He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”

Tomorrow, we’ll be reading Daniel 7 - 9.

Picture from Texas ... this guy has some guts!

Until next time…

Daniel 1 - 3

Daniel 1 - 3

The book of Daniel is one of my favorites, probably because it is about a true man of God who displayed great character. There are others in the book of Daniel who live with integrity.

Daniel was one of the young men of Judah’s royal family and other noble families who was chosen by Nebuchadnezzr’s chief of staff Ashpenaz to be brought to Babylon as captives. We learn that Daniel was strong, healthy, good-looking, and young. He was a learned man gifted with knowledge and good judgment and had to be suited to serve in Nebuchadnezzar’s royal palace. This group of young men were to be trained for three years in the language and literature of Babylon and then enter royal service.

Daniel 1 mentions four men specifically: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. They were all from the tribe of Judah and were given new names:

Daniel à Belteshazzar

Hananiah à Shadrach

Mishael à Meshach

Azaroaj à Abedmegp

Isn’t it funny that we think of Daniel by his Hebrew name, but the others by the names Ashpenaz gave them. These four distinguished themselves by their wish not to have to eat the foods given them by the king. All they wanted was vegetables and water and asked to be tested on this diet for ten days to see how they looked compared to the others who ate the king’s food. Of course, Daniel and his friends looked healthier and better nourished than the others. Needless to say, they were allowed to eat just the vegetables and water.

God blessed these four men with unusual aptitude and God gave Daniel the “special ability” to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams. They were so extraordinary that the king would consult them about matters that required wisdom and balanced judgment. Daniel remains in the royal service until the first year of the reign of King Cyrus.

It’s a good thing God gave Daniel his special gift, because Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and asked the Magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers not only to tell him what the dream he had meant, but also to tell him what he had dreamed. When they could not, he started rounding up all of the wise men of Babylon to be executed, including Daniel and his three friends. When Daniel found out why they were being rounded up, he asked to see Nebuchadnezzar, to ask for more time to interpret the dream and to tell him what the dream was.

Daniel approached this in the same way he approached most of his challenges. He went home and asked his friends to pray the God of heaven to show him the dream and its interpretation. When God gave him an answer that night in a dream, Daniel praised the God of heaven. He tells the king about the dream and what it means, the upshot of which is that Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom would be followed by others but eventually the God of heaven would set up a kingdom that could never be destroyed or conquered. Nebuchadnezzar rewards Daniel and his friends with positions of authority.

In chapter 3, we see the ego of Nebuchadnezzar leading him to build a ninety-foot high by 9-foot wide statue of himself that everyone was to bow down to whenever the music sounded. Anyone who refused was to be thrown into a blazing furnace. Someone tattles to the king that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were not complying with the law. Nebuchadnezzar gives them a final chance, but when they refuse to obey, he has them thrown into the furnace. The king was so angry he had them heat the furnace seven times hotter than ever and threw the young men in fully dressed. The flames from the furnace were so hot they killed the soldiers who threw the young men in. As Nebuchadnezzar says, “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god.” He gets as close to the fire as he can and tells Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to come out of the fire. There was not one hair on their heads singed and their clothing didn’t even smell of smoke. As a result, the king praises the God of the young men and promotes them to even higher positions in Babylon.

All I can saw is, “WOW!”

Until next time…

Joel and Whens

Joel

Not much is known about Joel except that he was a prophet, he was the son of Pethuel (whoever that was) and he had a message from the Lord. We also know that he was either a contemporary of Amos or preceded him since Amos quotes Joel in Amos 1:2 – “The Lord’s voice will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth will shake. But the Lord will be refuge for his people, a strong fortress for the people of Israel.”

In the first chapter, he talks about the cutting locusts, the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts and the stripping locusts. The grapes are ruined. The grapevines and fig trees are also destroyed. Hence, there is no grain or wine for an offering at the Temple of the Lord. I imagine our farmers who are experiencing the terrible drought this year could sympathize with the people of Israel – everything has dried up. Joel calls for the priests to mourn and call for a time of fasting. He warns that the day of the Lord is near and how terrible that day will be.

Thr second chapter says everyone should tremble in fear because the day of the Lord is upon upon us. The description of the day and the events that take place are very troubling: it’s a day of darkness and gloom; it’s a day of thick clouds and deep blackness. A mighty army of attackers is marching toward them. The Lord himself is at the head of the column.

He tells the people there is time to repent and turn to the Lord; to come with fasting, weeping and mourning; to tear their hearts instead of their clothing. The Lord “is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.” The Lord promises to give them back what they lost to the locusts.

It is hear that the Lord promises to “pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour out my Spirit.” He talks about wonders in the heavens and on the earth. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

In the third chapter, Joel talks about the Lord gathering the armies of the world into the valley of Jehoshaphat. There he will judge them for the way they had treated the people of Judah. He tells them to hammer their plowshares into swords and their pruning hooks into spears. The day of the Lord will soon arrive, after which Jerusalem will be holy forever and the Lord will make his home in Jerusalem with his people.

Tomorrow, we’ll be reading Daniel 1 - 3.

Whens

Don't just poo-poo this email. Read it and see the truth, the known facts, this is not a fictional list of things, it is factual! WHEN I GOT DONE READING THIS I GOT SHORT OF BREATH.

Looking back thru the past 4 years, many "Whens" pop up. Read them all to better understand where we are going as a country.WHEN - he refused to disclose who donated money to his election campaign, as other candidates had done, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - he received endorsements from people like Louis Farrakhan, Muramar Kaddafi and Hugo Chavez, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - it was pointed out that he was a total newcomer and had absolutely no experience at anything except community organizing, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - he chose friends and acquaintances such as Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn who were revolutionary radicals, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - his voting record in the Illinois Senate and in the U..S. Senate came into question, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - he refused to wear a flag lapel pin and did so only after a public outcry, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - people started treating him as a Messiah and children in schools were taught to sing his praises, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - he stood with his hands over his groin area for the playing of the National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - he surrounded himself in the White House with advisors who were pro-gun control, pro-abortion, pro-homosexual marriage and wanting to curtail freedom of speech to silence the opposition, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - he said he favors sex education in kindergarten,including homosexual indoctrination, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - his personal background was either scrubbed or hidden and nothing could be found about him, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - the place of his birth was called into question, and he refused to produce a birth certificate, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - he had an association in Chicago with Tony Rezco – a man of questionable character and who is now in prison and had helped Obama to a sweet deal on the purchase of his home - people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - it became known that George Soros, a multi-billionaire Marxist, spent a ton of money to get him elected, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - he started appointing White House Czars that were radicals, revolutionaries, and even avowed Marxist /Communists, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - he stood before the Nation and told us that his intentions were to "fundamentally transform this Nation" into something else, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - it became known that he had trained ACORN workers in Chicago and served as an attorney for ACORN, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - he appointed cabinet members and several advisers who were tax cheats and socialists, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - he appointed a Science Czar, John Holdren, who believes in forced abortions, mass sterilizations and seizing babies from teen mothers, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - he appointed Cass Sunstein as Regulatory Czar who believes in "Explicit Consent," harvesting human organs ithout family consent and allowing animals to be represented in court, while banning all hunting, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - he appointed Kevin Jennings, a homosexual and organizer of a group called Gay, Lesbian, Straight, Education Network as Safe School Czar and it became known that he had a history of bad advice to teenagers, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - he appointed Mark Lloyd as Diversity Czar who believes in curtailing free speech, taking from one and giving to another to spread the wealth, who supports Hugo Chavez, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - Valerie Jarrett, an avowed Socialist, was selected as Obama's Senior White House Advisor, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - Anita Dunn, White House Communications Director, said Mao Tse Tung was her favorite philosopher and the person she turned to most for inspiration, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - he appointed Carol Browner, a well known socialist as Global Warming Czar working on Cap and Trade as the nation's largest tax, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - he appointed Van Jones, an ex-con and avowed Communist as Green Energy Czar, who since had to resign when this was made known, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - Tom Daschle, Obama's pick for Health and Human Services Secretary could not be confirmed because he was a tax cheat, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - as President of the United States, he bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - he traveled around the world criticizing America and never once talking of her greatness, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - his actions concerning the Middle East seemed to support the Palestinians over Israel, our long time ally, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - he took American tax dollars to resettle thousands of Palestinians from Gaza to the United States, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - he upset the Europeans by removing plans for a missile defense system against the Russians, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - he played politics in Afghanistan by not sending troops early-on when the Field Commanders said they were necessary to win, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - he started spending us into a debt that was so big we could not pay it off, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - he took a huge spending bill under the guise of stimulus and used it to pay off organizations, unions, and individuals that got him elected, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - he took over insurance companies, car companies, banks, etc., people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - he took away student loans from the banks and put it through the government, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - he designed plans to take over the health care system and put it under government control, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - he claimed he was a Christian during the election and tapes were later made public that showed Obama speaking to a Muslim group and 'stating' that he was raised a Muslim, was educated as a Muslim, and is still a Muslim, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - he set into motion a plan to take over the control of all energy in the United States through Cap and Trade, people said it didn't matter.

WHEN - he finally completed his transformation of America into a Socialist State, people woke up--- but it was too late. Add these up one by one and you get a phenomenal score that points to the fact that Barrack Hussein Obama is determined to turn America into a Marxist-Socialist society. All of the items in the preceding paragraphs have been put into place. All can be documented very easily.

Before you disavow this do an Internet search. The last paragraph alone is not yet cast in stone. You and I will write that paragraph.

Will it read as above or will it be a happier ending for most of America?

Don't just belittle the opposition. Search for the truth. We all need to pull together or watch the demise of a free democratic society.

Pray for Americans to seek the truth and take action for it will keep us FREE. Our biggest enemy is not China, Russia, North Korea or Iran.

Our biggest enemy is a contingent of politicians in Washington, DC . The government will not help, so we need to do it ourselves.

Until next time…

Ezekiel 46 – 48

Ezekiel 46 – 48

Today’s reading is the last of the book of Ezekiel. We see Ezekiel continue with the rules for ministry at the Temple. In chapter 47, we see a description of a stream flowing east from beneath the door of the Temple and passing to the right of the altar on its south side. Ezekiel tells about the man showing him how deep the river was at intervals of 1750 feet with the river steadily getting deeper. The river will flow east through the desert into the valley of the Dead Sea. Surprisingly, the waters of this river will make the salty waters of the Dead Sea fresh and pure. Fish and other living things will flourish wherever this water flows. The shores of this river will be covered with nets drying in the sun. He talks about fruit trees of all kinds growing along both sides of the river. The leaves of these fruit trees will never turn brown and fall and there will be fruit on their branches – a new cop every month. The fruit will be for food and the leaves for healing.

The land would be divided among the twelve tribes of Israel. Foreigners who have joined them will be like native-born Israelites and will also receive an allotment among the tribes.

Tomorrow, we’ll be reading Joel.

Ezekiel 44 – 45, etc.

Ezekiel 44 – 45

In today’s reading, we see the man bringing Ezekiel back to the Eastern Gate in the outer wall of the Temple area and found it closed. The man tells Ezekiel that this gate has to remain closed and will never again be opened and that only the prince may sit inside this gateway to feast in the Lord’s presence. Did you know that this gateway remains concealed until this day?
Ezekiel then sees the glory of the Lord filling the Temple. He fell face down on the ground. He makes it clear that the men of the tribe of Levi who abandoned me what him had to suffer the consequences of their unfaithfulness. Although they could be Temple guards, they could not minster to the Lord as priests. This did not apply to the family of Zadok of the family of Levi who had ministered faithfully in the Temple. He then gave Ezekiel rules about how they were to minster in the Temple and about the Temple. He also set up taxes for the princes of Israel.
Tomorrow, we’ll be reading Ezekiel 46 – 48.

Messenger Bag Progress

Today, I finally finished stitching my messenger bag – I don’t think my hands will ever be the same. I only have to set a couple of rivets and touch up the color and it will be ready to use. I’ll do that in the morning and take a picture of it so you can see how it turned out. After that, I can start working on my sewing machine case again.

September 11, 2012

 Today was kind of a quiet day because of the events of September 11, 2001. Do you think you are safer now than then? This week there was a report of three members of Hezbollah who were caught coming across the Mexican border. Those three were caught. One must wonder how many have not been. caught. Our own government helped supply guns they knew were destined to end up in Mexico. Our attorney general (Eric Holder) has covered up his role in this. Our government is selective about which laws they enforce. Our freedoms are in danger everywhere. We’re sending a BILLION DOLLARS to the government of Egypt, where they have attacked out embassy. But don’t get me started.
NEVER FORGET!
Until next time…

Ezekiel 42 – 43 and A New iPhone App

Ezekiel 42 – 43

In today’s reading, Ezekiel continues to describe the measuring of the Temple. The man has brought him back around to the east gateway, where “suddenly, the glory of the God of Israel appeared from the east.” And this glory did not come silently – there was the sound of rushing waters and “the whole landscape shone with his glory... And the glory of the Lord came into the Temple through the east gateway.”

Were you aware that the Eastern Gate is sealed shut – I think the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ will appear there and come through that Eastern Gate.

Tomorrow, we’ll be reading Ezekiel 44 – 45.

A New iPhone App

Today, I heard about and downloaded a new iPhone app called Obama in His Own Words. You can hear some of Obama’s own words in his own voice. For example, you can hear him talk about having visited all 57 states or say if the economy isn’t fixed within the first 3 years, it’s going to be a one-term proposition.or “when you spread the wealth around it’s good for everybody and on and on and on. Many of the promises he made that have obviously been broken are there also – like his promise to cut the deficit within his first term.

If you have an iPhone, the app is free.

Lunch with Esther

Today, Esther and I had lunch together at The Genghis Grill – it was fabulous. It’s located on Providence next to Walgreen’s just north of Lumsden. Try it, you’ll like it.

Until next time..

Ezekiel 40 – 41 and Born 1930 - 1979

Ezekiel 40 – 41

In today’s reading, an amazing thing happens (as if that is unusual with Ezekiel) – on April 28, fourteen years after the fall of Jerusalem, the “Lord took hold of” him. In a vision, he took him from Babylon to the land of Israel and set him down on a very high mountain. He was able to see a city and a man appeared whose face shone like bronze. This guy was standing by a gateway entrance and held a measuring cord and a measuring rod. Ezekiel could see a wall surrounding the Temple area. The man does a lot of measuring of what makes up the Temple, starting with the Eastern gate and Ezekiel describes a lot of the stuff he see.

Tomorrow, we’ll be reading Ezekiel 42 – 43.

Born 1930 - 1979

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED THE
1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!

First, we survived being born to mothers
Who smoked and/or drank while they were
Pregnant.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing,
Tuna from a can and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-base paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles,  Locks on doors or cabinets and when we rode Our bikes, we had baseball caps not helmets on our heads.

As infants & children, We would ride in cars with no car seats, No booster seats, no seat belts, no air bags, bald tires and sometimes no brakes.

Riding in the back of a pick-up truck on a warm day
Was always a special treat.

We drank water From the garden hose and not from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, From one bottle and no one actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, white bread, real butter and bacon..
We drank Kool-Aid made with real white sugar.

And, we weren't overweight.

WHY?

Because we were Always outside playing...that's why!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day,
As long as we were back when the Streetlights came on.

No one was able To reach us all day. And, we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps
And then ride them down the hill, only to find out
We forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes
a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's and X-boxes.
There were no video games, no 150 channels on cable,
No video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's,
No cell phones, No personal computers, no Internet and no chat rooms.

WE HAD FRIENDS 

And we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth And there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, And the worms did not live in us Forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, Made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, Although we were told it would happen, We did not put out very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and Knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just Walked in and talked to them.

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team.
Those who didn't had to learn to deal With disappointment.
Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law
Was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

These generations have produced some of the best
Risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever.

The past 50 years Have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all.

If YOU are one of them?  CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good .

Kind of makes you want to run through the house
with scissors, doesn't it ?

The quote of the month is by Jay Leno:
"With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control,
mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of swine flu and terrorist attacks. Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'

A Small Prayer!

God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go.

When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need. Take 60 seconds and give this a shot! All you do is simply say the following small prayer for the person who sent you this.

Father,
God bless my friend in whatever it is that You know they may need this day! And may their life be full of your peace, prosperity, and power as he/she seeks to have a closer relationship with you.
Amen.

Progress on my Messenger Bag

Today, I sewed the front flap of my messenger bag to the back. I then attached the straps to the back. All I have left is to sew the front to the other side of the gusset. This isn’t a great picture of what's done so far, but it will give you an idea of where it’s going.

 

Until next time…

Ezekiel 38 – 39 and Stitching Up a Storm

Ezekiel 38 – 39

In today’s reading, Ezekiel receives a message from God to prophesy against Gog of the land of Magog, the prince who rules over the nations of Meshech and Tubal. He warns that he and all of his many allies, including Persia, Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer and Beth-togarmah, will be punished with disease and bloodshed, torrential rain, hailstones, fire, and burning sulfur. In this way, the Lord will show his holiness and greatness == then they will know that God is the Lord.

They and all their armies will die on the mountains and fall in the open fields. He”will make known my holy name among the people of Israel and will not let anyone bring shame on it. Israel will use the wood from their weapons for fuel. It will take seven months for the people of Israel to bury the bodies of their enemies and cleanse the land.

God will have mercy on all Israel, for he jealously guards his holy reputation.

He will never again turn his face from them, for he will pour out his Spirit upon the people of Israel.

Tomorrow, we’ll be reading Ezekiel 40 – 41.

Stitching Up a Storm

I spent most of today working on my messenger bag and defrosting my refrigerator. I sewed one side of the gusset to the back of the bag. Tomorrow, I plan to sew the flap to the back. I Have to do this stitching during the daylight hours in order to see where the needle goes. This is going to be a neat project once I’m finished.

My sister-in-law finally arrived home yesterday after her grand tour of the eastern part of the country. So glad to have her back.

Until next time…

Ezekiel 35 – 37 and The Cold Light of Day

Ezekiel 35 – 37

Ezekiel gets a message from the Lord concerning Edom, a message of destruction telling them they would be wiped out. Hethen goes on to repeat what he had said before, that Israel would be restored. The Lord would show how holy his great name is. He would gather Israel from the nations to which they had been exiled and bring them home again to the land. He would sprinkle clean water on them and they would be clean.

In this passage, we also see Ezekiel’s vision of the valley filled with bones, completely dried up bones. The Lord tells Ezekiel to speak a prophetic message to the bones, that the Lord will be putting breath into them and make them live again. The bones rattle together and become covered with muscles and flesh and skin, but still with no breath in them.

The Lord encourages Ezekiel to tell the breath to come from the four winds and breath into the dead bodies so they may live again. He also predicted the reunion of Israel and Judah. He stated that he would make a convent of peace with them, give them their land and increase numbers. He would put his Temple among them forever. He would make his home among them, He would be their God and they would be his people. Finally, the nations would know that he was the Lord, who makes Israel holy.

Tomorrow, we’ll be reading Ezekiel 38 – 39.

The Cold Light of Day

Today, I went to see The Cold Light of Day at AMC Theaters in Brandon. It’s a great movie. Bruce Willis is in it and Sigourney Weaver. It’s a great movie wiht plot twists you won’t believe and lots of car chases.

Until next time…