Can This Be Happening?

The following is an article from the Jerusalem Post: In reference to President Obama's recent trip to the G-20 summit. It paints a dangerous picture of America moving away from being an ally of Israel.


Somewhere between apologizing for American history - both distant and recent; genuflecting before the unelected, bigoted king of Saudi Arabia; announcing that he will slash the US's nuclear arsenal, scrap much of America's missile defense programs and emasculate the US Navy; leaving Japan to face North Korea and China alone; telling the Czechs, Poles and their fellow former Soviet colonies, "Don't worry, be happy," as he leaves them to Moscow's tender mercies; humiliating Iraq's leaders while kowtowing to Iran; preparing for an open confrontation with Israel; and thanking Islam for its great contribution to American history, President Obama made clear to the world's aggressors that America will not be confronting them for the foreseeable future.


Scripture encourages us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
We can still do this, on behalf of our country.
We need not stop praying for Jerusalem and for the Israeli people.
All you have to do is look at the nations who have opposed the Jews. Not one is in a place of prominence, in fact all have been relegated to a mid-level importance in the affairs of the world. I believe that the spirit of Ishmael is contending with the spirit of Isaac for the right to rule and reign in this world. This doesn't mean that God has been caught off guard, his plans are without fail.

What I do believe is that it is time for the body of Christ to be the body of Christ and quit worrying about public opinion. This will not afford us the right or opportunity to be proud and arrogant, no. For too long the church has been about the business of saber rattling. Pounding our chests and proclaiming what we are against. It is time we be about the business of love and prayer. Humility and purity are in short supply within the church today. When we aren't celebrating our own efforts we are creating an enemies list.

In one respect, the devil has won.
He has drawn the professing church (not to be confused with true church) into fighting on the devils terms and turf. What if the church suddenly became the real church and disappeared? What if humility caused us to walk and serve in love without fanfare or billboard. What if we reflected the nature of Christ, not with mass media or manipulation but through genuine love that speaks truth and does not back down when assaulted by the world.

We read in Acts 4:29 of a prayer that was prayed by Peter after being released for preaching the Word of God. "And now Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that thy bond-servants may speak thy word with all confidence (boldness).

America's future is found in Israel's safety.
If we reject and turn from Israel, we risk grave consequences.
Pray for the leaders of this country to awaken from their own self-delusional sleep.
Let the heavens be filled with the prayers of the saints for the safety of Jerusalem.

God on you.......
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Sticks and Stones

"The absence of profanity will offend no one."
Bill W. ~ Founder of A.A.

Ephesisans 4:29 ((Recovery Bible)
Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that you words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

Our words we choose and use say a lot about our character.
As the world around us continues to spiral downward into a moral black hole, we need to realize that God has granted to those who believe an incredible gift. That words we speak when directed by the Holy Spirit can bring healing.
Maybe I should be more careful about not only what I say, but how I say it.

Seems like everyone is talking but no one is really saying anything.
Personal opinion rules the airways and hearts of the people.
Yet, those who follow Jesus has words of truth that can set people free from the bondage of their sin.
Choose your words carefully.
Speak them in love.
Let God do his work .
Sound's like a plan

God on you...
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His Crown of Thorns

This is an untouched photo taken by the Hubble telescope at some part of the galaxy that doesn't have a name. It is so far out that it is known by numbers.
Scientist say this is a rotation of dust particles and bits of space debris that has been caught up in a gravitational pull of a nearby star.

They can explain it seven ways to Sunday but you know what I think.

The heavens declare the glory of God.

Romans 1:20 reads:

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.

To me this picture looks like the crown of thorns that was placed on Jesus' head before his Crucifixion. This picture was posted today on the Fox News Web page. Funny that they would post it this week, the week of Jesus' passion. The week of His death. You know, maybe God has a lot of reminders out there to wake us up and stir us to remember what life is truly about.
Without Christ, there isn't life....
With Christ, there is life eternal.....

God on you.........

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Speaking Through The Natural

Since 1994, I have come to the belief that God moves in seasons.
By that, I mean that God seems to cause certain parts of His nature to be more evident than others.
During the 50's the emphasis was healing.
Great crusades move throughout our country as men preached the Word of God and followed it by demonstrating this truth. The men were not to be the center of attention but God. The men and women who carried this Word were merely conduits through which God flowed to bring healing to many.
During the 60's, the move was toward the Father heart of God. We learned that God had a softer side, if you will. I don't say this to make God out to be a wise old grandfather who gleefully doles out quarters to his grandchildren. We were made aware of the love of God.
During the 70's and 80's, we saw a change in the music of the church.
Some would say that the church embraced the secular side of music, I would disagree.
I simply believe that the body of Christ changed. By that, I mean that those who were being saved brought a new sound and a different style of worship. Even today in mainstream Southern Gospel, you can hear the tempo's and tenor of music from many different streams. The Words are the same, but the vehicle used to deliver has changed.
In the 90's we saw a world wide renewal break out. First in a small church in Toronto and then in a church in Pensacola, Florida. Each operating from a different model but producing the same result. The face of the church was changing world wide. What was once a stoic and somber Church of England became alive with purity and power of the Holy Spirit as people "brought back" what was going on in Toronto.

I write all of this to say that I truly believe we stand on the beginning of the next season.
There are stories I am receiving from here in our own town of healing.
A man I personally know and have prayed for on countless occasions was healed of cataracts last week. It happened through an interaction and sudden appointment with a group from Redding, California who came to Gadsden to minster. Other stories are filtering to me of others who were healed.
I truly believe we are receiving the "now" part of the future Kingdom of God. What do I mean by that? We see in Revelation the fullness of the Kingdom. No more death. No more sickness. No more tears. Today, in our time, we still see sickness and tears and death. But even in this, we see the splashing over of the goodness of God as he continues to interact in our time and space.

There are other pieces to this prophetic puzzle that I have been studying and praying about.
Hopefully in the near future,God will release me to share what I think is going on. As always, we hold loose the things God shows us, waiting the confirmation from Him.

God on you.......
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Good Stuff

I have been in kind of a black hole when it comes to worship music.

I'm not blaming anyone or anything, but I haven't really heard anything that caught me. Until now...

I was at Gadsden Vineyard yesterday and was perusing the bookstore when I had an impression to buy this CD. It wasn't an overwhelming urge but a very subtle, "buy this." To be honest with you, I didn't want to because the last few CD's I've bought of Vineyard Worship Music were not very good. So, against my own thoughts and opinion, I purchased BRIGHTER DAY by Vineyard Music Group.

How wrong was I?

It is really good.

The arrangements are not what I would look for in music, but they are not overpowering or distracting from the lyrics (Which are powerful).

My favorite song?
THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD.

"And it all falls down....the weight of the world....and it all falls down....on Jesus."

Speaks of his time on the cross and the burden that was placed on him.

Powerful lyrics.

It's been a long time since I was driving in my truck and attempted to steer with my knees because I had both arms raised as I praised God. Kind of scary ain't it?

This CD might not be for everyone..............

But it was perfect for now and perfect for me.

I am refreshed.

God on you.......

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"There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path."

I see this all to often in the lives of people who are trying to work a program of recovery. This knowing comes too often from having "Tried" to live clean and sober. The idea of living life becomes a mental concept that is played out and carried out under the direction and guidance of the one caught in addiction.

Underlying problem with any addictive behavior is a broken relationship. Because of our sin, we have a broken relationship with God. The very one who gives us life and has the power to enable to walk in freedom, we reject because of sin. Our sin commands us to live outside the influence and control of this God. The sin belittles us into believing that we know what is best, not God. Wasn't that the promise of the serpent in the garden of Eden? "God has kept from you information. God doesn't want you to see and understand as he does!" The serpent beguiled Eve with the greatest promise ever......."Eat this fruit and your eyes will be opened and you will be like God." If I am like God..........I don't need God. That is the curse we carry today.....We have convinced ourselves, through out sin, that we are like God. Able to discern the difference between good and evil. Just because one can discern the difference doesn't mean one can make the right choice. As Charlie Daniels said in his song, "When I had to choose between good and bad, I'd pick bad two out of three."

Don't just know the path. Walk it.

God on you......

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Thoughts

Today is April 1st.
April fools day.
I haven't played any pranks or jokes today, although my grandson, Tyler, played one on me.
It lead to fits of laughter and hugs as he reveled in the thought of getting one over on Poppa.

Bible Study:
Taught from II Kings 5 last night.
The story of Naaman the leper.
Powerful man: Commander of King's Army
Man of integrity: Mentioned in Scripture.
Then comes the words........"But he was a leper."
All the positives were shot down with those 5 words: But he was a leper.
He begins the journey to be healed at the suggestion of an Israeli slave girl who knows of a prophet.
Naaman makes the trip to meet this man of God, Elisha.
Naaman arrives. Elisha sends his messenger to the front door and dispense with the wisdom for the cure of Naaman's leprosy. Go wash yourself (or dip) seven times in the Jordan river.
Naaman is furious on many different levels.
(1.) I am important.
(2.) This prophet doesn't even come to meet me personally, he sends his messenger.
(3.) Whats up with this "Go to the Jordan and dip myself 7 times?"
(4.) This is not the way I want it to happen.
(5.) We've got rivers in our country that are much better than the Jordan.

This is so like people who come into recovery.
They want to be clean and sober, but they want it on their terms.
12 Steps? You've got to be kidding me? That's too simple.
There are other ways and rehabs that are so much better than this.

The addictive mind looks for the softer, easier way.
The sin driven mind looks for the softer, easier more pleasing way.
But God says, "Jordan River and 12 Steps."

Naaman eventually gave in and did what he was told.
Guess what?
He was healed.
Imagine that? Doing what we have been told to do. Wouldn't that be called obedience? I think so.
"You want to follow me?" Jesus said.....
"Deny yourself....Take up your cross.....and let's go."
Three simple things that will provide life and life abundant.
The human mind still screams, "That's too simple! It has to be harder than that."

I do love God......
He understands exactly how simple I am.

God on you.....
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