The Time is Now

The song, “Go your own way” by Fleetwood Mac years ago was a very passionate, but heart breaking hit. The story of many, the words were written by Lindsay Buckingham surrounding his brokenness over his lost relationship with fellow band member, Stevie Nicks.

He may have written those words about the woman he loved, but unfortunately they ring true today in the hearts of many across our nation.

Going our own way simply doesn’t work in any relationship. “Doing our own thing” is a sign of sheer selfish arrogance with a rebellious spirit which surfaces in our behavior and actions.

The “truth” is based on one fact. God’s word which is Jesus himself.

No choices, no alternatives, no detours. Yet, it is the very dimension left out of every corner and crevice of the hearts of America.

John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Sadly, egotistical pride stands in the way of making right choices. Stepping on anyone who gets in the way of vanity crosses their line of decency. As long as getting their needs and desires met, hurting others along the way is of no consequence. The danger lies in the loss of owning a conscience.

If you live in America and don’t see the “blind leading the blind” then you need more than new glasses. You need a bucket of cold water thrown over your head.

Following anyone who lives in that “dream world” will suffer the same shame, embarrassment and possibly costly after affects.

“Don’t be misled, my beloved brethren.” James 1: 16

This is where knowing and understanding the Bible sets the standards of right and wrong. No excuse is applicable whether it is believed or not. Judgment does not discriminate.

As we are witnessing, lies are being exposed, fraud and underhanded dealings are leaking out of the mouths of “rogue agents.” The liar is always looking over their shoulder for fear of a “whistleblower.”

The fate of others is directly affected by those around them who choose to “go their own way.”

America, it is time to stand for truth.

If you are one that has been “duped” by the illicit exploits of the sins of others, swallow your pride and get over it.

 If you don’t, you will join the many who are right now hanging on to a twig.

 

Copyright @ 2013 All Rights Reserved

 

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An Unlikely Pair or Not?

It was one of those things.

Gene Simmons or
Chaim Weitz (Hebrew)

Had I not seen it for myself I would not have believed it.

Gene Simmons, the hard rocker of KISS, speaking out on behalf of Tim Tebow?

Gene Simmons and Tim Tebow on the same team?

Actually yes. His LA Arena Football team. He is actively recruiting Tebow to play for the team he owns.

The group “KISS” was very popular when I was growing up, but I never listened to them nor did I have any desire to watch their vulgar acts and shows.  Simmons wasn’t shy with his lewdness or improprieties.

After delving into this possible “odd couple” my husband told me to watch a video of Simmons speaking about Tim Tebow.

I was shocked as I heard him defend this man of God for his Christian faith. He continued to politely but with strong firmness extend his wrath toward the media and anyone who would persecute him.  His words were not that of an aging rocker but an avid spokesman.  It was apparent this man left his costume years ago and took on a career as a very successful business man.

He was wise with his fortune from his guitar days of KISS.

The hard rocker is now worth 300 million and owns or is partnered with numerous outstanding companies.

Gene Simmons speaks 4 languages: English, Hebrew, Hungarian and German.

I must admit judging from his horrid past it was evident he was made of a lot more than ugly face makeup.

Reading his bio as my husband and I tried to understand his position which seemed so out of character, I discovered he is an Israeli born American whose heritage has come alive.

In March of 2011 Simmons returned to his homeland of Israel. He describes the visit as a “life-changing event.”  After the trip he told how he still feels like an outsider here in America, but loves this nation. In October of 2011, 6 months after this change, whatever it was he married his longtime live in wife, a former playboy playmate.  Prior to that his views on marriage were against the institution.

He is now a staunch supporter of conservatism and regrets voting for President Obama in 2008. His reason? Beginning with the President’s venture for Israel and the Palestinians to go back to the 1967 settlement lines, Obamacare and the U.N. which he describes as “the most pathetic body on the face of the earth.”

As the President continued to de-militarize our military, Simmons began to disagree more and more with the Obama Administration.  He supported the war in Iraq and President George Bush’s stance on foreign policy. He voted for Mitt Romney in November of 2012.  He is quite open about his change of heart in politics.

In his own words:

“I’m ashamed to be surrounded by people calling themselves liberal who are, in my opinion, spitting on the graves of brave American soldiers who gave their life to fight a war that wasn’t theirs…in a country they’ve never been to… simply to liberate the people therein. I wasn’t born here. But I have a love for this country and its people that knows no bounds. I will forever be grateful to America for going into World War II, when it had nothing to gain, in a country that was far away… and rescued my mother from the Nazi German concentration camps. She is alive and I am alive because of America. And, if you have a problem with America, you have a problem with me.”

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Simmons

So….a partnership with Tim Tebow isn’t so bizarre after all.

Tim Tebow

Ummmmmmm……and he has never been a politician?

Psalm 125: 5 “Peace be upon Israel.”

http://video.foxnews.com/v/2663900878001/will-tim-tebow-play-for-gene-simmons/

 

Imagine….there’s no heaven

Rumors have it Santa Claus isn’t real.

Neither is the tooth fairy.

Explain that to millions of children who wonder how Santa always knows where they are or what they want for Christmas?

How does the tooth fairy know when little Joey or Susie’s smile has an empty space in front?

1971 John Lennon wrote:

Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people living for today

Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people living life in peace

The song went viral producing a movement endorsing such imaginations.

Why is it so easy to believe in Santa?

Why do parents tell children the tooth fairy will be by after midnight? So they will get money or go to bed on time?

John Lennon said it is easy to believe there is no heaven, hell or religion. How is that easy?

I don’t want to believe there is no Heaven and I could care less about hell because I won’t be going there.  That doesn’t mean I don’t believe hell exists.

Religion exists to contradict or delude the truth made up by man to push a cause, particular doctrine or personal belief system.

However, John Lennon and his many fans, supporters or groupies may have imagined “no religion” to actually mean no Christ or Christianity since it is often used in that context.

Christianity is not a religion. It is a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Let’s just imagine:

Jesus is about 10 years old. He and his siblings along with some neighborhood friends are outside on a sunny day in Nazareth where he grew up.  Imagine them playing “David and Goliath.”  One of his siblings decides Jesus should play the part of David since he was the King.

Sibling #1: “Why do you always want Jesus to play the King or the leader of an army?”

Sibling #2:”Because he is the King.”

Sibling #3: “No he isn’t. He’s just like us. What makes him so special?”

Friend #1: “Aw, come on guys! Don’t start with this again! Let’s play!”

Sibling #2: “But you know what mom and dad told us. Remember that day they sat us all down and told us about him? He may be 10 now, but he was born the Savior of the World.”

Sibling #1:”And you believed them?  You are dumb!”

The crowd jeers.

Jesus and the brother who stood up for him watch the rest of them run down the street to the local gym.

“Brother James, those closest don’t recognize me.  Prophets are not honored in their own hometown.” (Mark 6:4)

Why is it easier to believe John Lennon’s words than to believe Jesus is the Savior of the World?

Wouldn’t the world really be peaceful if everyone accepted Jesus as the Messiah today?

Imagine that.

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Copyright @ 2013 All Rights Reserved

Try God: Where does the enemy live and why did he fall? (Part 2)

Does the enemy live somewhere in the deep, depths of the center of the earth? Is he chained to some wall in a dungeon under the Bermuda Triangle moaning and groaning?

Believing this myself for many years, there was always a hesitation.  

2 Corinthians 10: 3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds), casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”

Maybe it’s me but if you “cast down” it has to be done from the top down. Other scriptures that account for this are: Ezekiel 28:8, Rev. 12: 4.

The Apostle Paul speaks of a 3^rd Heaven in 2 Corinthians 12: 2 as does the book of Revelation. If there is a 3^rd Heaven, there must be a 1^st and 2^nd also. According to Mel Bond in his research the 1^st heaven is the atmosphere we breathe and where Satan and his demons abide. The 2^nd Heaven are the stars, planets, moon and/or galaxies. The 3^rd Heaven is where God is as Paul spoke about going there.

In Revelation it speaks of how the 1^st heaven will be demolished.

Read Ezekiel 28. The chapter describes an individual who was the Prince of Tyrus; a supernatural being wiser than Daniel, and secrets could not be hidden from him. The being thinks he is a “god” but according to the Almighty God he is just a man who will be slain by ruthless nations, thrown into the “pit” beneath the seas and die a violent death. Hence the Lake of Fire.

Now before you go “whoopin’ and a hollerin’ about how this could be, please be patient. There are many versions or “conspiracy theories” about the “heavenlies.” In another blog-post I will go into further detail of how satan became the Prince of Tyrus and how he came to be the devil himself to start with.

So why did he fall?

How did evil begin?

Ezekiel 28: 4-5 the Sovereign Lord described him as wise and understanding; one who amassed great wealth in gold and silver. God continues beginning in verse 11 explaining to him he was a model of perfection, adorned by every precious stone while in Eden with settings of gold. He was anointed a guardian cherub until evil was found in him. God expelled him to earth in response to his love of himself.

Verse 7: “Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor.”

Originally God had created him “perfect in his ways” until pride stepped in. He uses pride today as a main attack with people. His pride made him fall.

God created Adam and Eve. Since then every human has been born. Satan was created by God to be a Prince; a spiritual being anointed by God as an angelic cherub. (Verse 14) This was a particular order of angels created with musical genius within them. Instruments like the “tabret” or a type of tambourine and pipes came from him. It has been thought at one time he was one of the main worship leaders in heaven.

Once I read he had been anointed a cherub with musical gifting, the thought immediately entered my mind how he is influencing secular music today. It makes sense when you have groups who play and sing evil lyrics, dress like they came straight from the “shop of hell” and are named Marilyn Manson. The music industry is fueled by satanic hate of God mixed with drugs, alcohol and immorality gone completely wild.

I have never read a Rolling Stone magazine but while in college I heard about the words David Bowie spoke about Rock Music. In the February issue of 1976 he said:

“Rock has always been THE DEVIL‘S MUSIC . . . I believe rock and roll is dangerous . . . I feel we’re only heralding SOMETHING EVEN DARKER THAN OURSELVES.”

The shock of his words sent shivers in the music industry; of course no one believed him.

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2013/02/25/none-perish-who-believe-in-christ/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2013/02/25/the-truth-of-the-resurrection/

http://larrywho.wordpress.com/2013/01/22/forty-years-ago-today-i-was-an-affable-agnostic/

http://vineoflife.net/2013/02/25/satanist-discovers-that-jesus-christ-always-renders-satan-powerless/

Copyright at 2013 All Rights Reserved

 

My Song wasn’t Written by Josh Groban

God gifted many people with the vocal cords of angels. Musical geniuses, worship leaders, choirs, the Jennifer Hudson’s and Josh Groban’s of the world are blessed to open their mouths for all to hear their Adams Apples move.

We are surrounded by music on the radio, TV, concerts, Church and even in the shower. Musical prodigies and instrumental virtuoso’s have no limit in today’s culture. The harmonious melodies of all varieties are heard from the “Church in the Wildwood” to The National Anthem to American Idol.

Venues of rock concerts to the local taverns have skyrocketed talent that otherwise we would never know about.

But….I don’t have Celine Dion’s larynx or our church worship leader’s vocal box. The day God gave “sets of lungs” I must have been absent. Why he didn’t give me notice I still haven’t figured out.

I wanted to sing. Not sound like a croaking frog or a sick cow.

Why wouldn’t God want me to be able to sing like Bob Marley or Janis Joplin?

Why wouldn’t God gift me to spread his word through song? My husband has an esophagus that could serenade Juliet.

How did that happen? Was he in a different gift line than me? Or did God leave me out on purpose?

It’s bad enough I have no ability whatsoever to carry a tune, playing a musical instrument is worth a call to 911 for noise disturbance.  There was no point in trying out for a tour with Josh Groban.

Worshipping God is difficult when the sounds reverberate from your throat like a squealing pig. So what does one do that has no tone? No melody? No harmony?

Enjoy the great and talented voices of others God has gifted.

Realize that just because we weren’t born to sing, doesn’t mean our gifts are any less useful or needed.

Search for the gifts and talents that God gave someone who was never meant to sing.

Moses had a speech impediment. The day he saw a “burning bush” he probably hadn’t written on his calendar, “Today I become the Deliverer.”

Joseph was treated with total disdain by his own brothers.  The day he became the 2^nd most powerful man in Egypt probably wasn’t his answer to ” What do you want to do when you grow up?”

And we can’t forget the Apostle Paul who hated Jesus and anyone who followed him. An educated Jew, Paul was blinded by God on a road trip. Did he wake up that morning, pack his bags and schedule a meeting with God to reform his ideologies of what it meant to be a Pharisee? Do you believe he expected that day on the Damascus road to become a “Jesus Fanatic?” Naaa….that wasn’t on his to do list.

Many are born with gifts and automatically know what to do with them.

But many are not born with natural gifts. Our journey is different.

It is like getting up on the wrong side of the bed and falling out of it.

Trial and error can turn into years of seeking God to find his plan for us as individuals. Along the way he may grant us clues or signs but often still feel like we are in the dark.

We make the mistake on our Damascus roads of seeking the goal; of always looking for that moment of knowing why we are here so we can begin to do God’s work.

In God’s world it may not be the goal as much as the process. Life gets in the way of identifying we are doing the call of God every day.

The reflection of our hearts; the service of our hands, the written word in a blog.

The smile we shed on a downtrodden soul or the laughter we share in an offbeat joke.

Maybe our voice, our Adams Apple of music is simply living out our own Damascus Road in the light of God’s son in our little corner of the world.

http://ladydeidre.com/2012/07/15/soaring-season/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/07/14/believing-is-the-proof-of-the-spirits-work/

http://jesuscarriesme.com/2012/07/14/security-comes-from-faith-and-obedience/

http://diasolifeontheborder.org/2012/07/14/gods-timing-is-perfect/

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

Ecclesiastes 3: 1 “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.”