Early this morning as I gazed out across our lake toward the eastern horizon, I quickly became aware of the stillness of the moment.
The usual spring breezes seemed to be holding their breath, allowing the water’s surface to appear smooth as glass. The tall trees that hugged the distant shoreline were casting their shadowy images down onto the still water as if they were bowing in submission. Even the birds were silent this morning – perhaps quietly anticipating the glorious spectacle about to unfold.
My eyes were drawn to the skies above those tree tops, where intricate cloud formations were perfectly positioned and ready to participate in the dawning of a gorgeous new day.
Then, slowly at first, emerging rays of sunlight began to fill the empty irregular spaces between the clouds - much like new-found pieces added to a jigsaw puzzle. Within minutes the sky above the horizon was transformed from its cloak of gray into a blazing color of breath-taking beauty. It was as if God had poured out vessels of liquid gold from heaven’s storehouse.
As the precious heavenly color flowed its brilliance into the sky, forming a curtain of golden hues behind the clouds, the Master Painter with brush in hand blended His new day’s creation into a masterpiece of perfection. The awesome picture that filled the eastern sky also projected itself as a mirror image reflection down onto the lake surface below.
That magnificent scene had only been displayed for a few minutes before being gently pushed aside by the light of the on-coming day. However, the message was very clear. In that short span of time, I was truly humbled, privileged, and blest to witness a silent, but eloquent, symphony to the power, glory, and majesty of the Creator.
Psalm 19:1 NIV
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Don
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Jews Reclaiming THEIR Land and Holy Sites!!!
Cave of Machpela (Patriarchs)
A group of Jews has moved into a house in Hevron near the Cave of the Machpela (Patriarchs), after buying it from an Arab owner.
The Jews quietly moved into the building, renamed “Machpela House” overnight, hoping to avoid a confrontation with local Arab neighbors.The new residents insist they possess all the necessary legal documentation to prove their purchase of the building. “It's very exciting,” said Shlomo Levinger, one of the new owners. “It's taken us years to buy a house near the Cave of the Patriarchs. Police are not allowing anyone to enter until higher-ranking officers make a decision on the property,” he added. “We have been told that anyone can leave, but no one can enter. Naturally, we're not going anywhere.”
A large contingent of IDF troops arrived to maintain security at the scene and declared the area a “restricted military zone” soon after the new residents moved in.
"The issue now is whether Defense Minister Ehud Barak will allow them to stay," Hevron Jewish community spokesman David Wilder told Arutz Sheva Thursday morning.
An IDF spokesperson told Hebrew-language media the Jewish purchase and move was “irresponsible,” and a “dangerous provocation that could inflame passions, especially ahead of Land Day.”MK Michael Ben-Air disagreed, referencing in his remarks the 1929 pogroms in which 67 long-time Jewish residents of Hevron were slaughtered by their Arab neighbors, and their homes stolen from them.
Ben-Ari told reporters in a statement, “It's time to reclaim all of the homes seized by the enemies in the City of the Fathers. The rule of law must allow for the most basic thing – to let the Jews return to the dozens of Hevron homes that belong to the Jewish community.”The far-left Peace Now organization has worked tirelessly to pry Jewish families out of Hevron, one of the four holy cities of Judaism mentioned in the Bible.
Peace Now recently filed a petition with the Supreme Court asking the government to evict Jewish families from their apartments in Beit Ezra – a building that belongs to the Ezra family, the last to leave after the 1929 Hevron massacre.
Baruch atem b'Shem, Yeshua
Cave of Patriarchs
Flash 90
The Jews quietly moved into the building, renamed “Machpela House” overnight, hoping to avoid a confrontation with local Arab neighbors.The new residents insist they possess all the necessary legal documentation to prove their purchase of the building. “It's very exciting,” said Shlomo Levinger, one of the new owners. “It's taken us years to buy a house near the Cave of the Patriarchs. Police are not allowing anyone to enter until higher-ranking officers make a decision on the property,” he added. “We have been told that anyone can leave, but no one can enter. Naturally, we're not going anywhere.”
A large contingent of IDF troops arrived to maintain security at the scene and declared the area a “restricted military zone” soon after the new residents moved in.
"The issue now is whether Defense Minister Ehud Barak will allow them to stay," Hevron Jewish community spokesman David Wilder told Arutz Sheva Thursday morning.
An IDF spokesperson told Hebrew-language media the Jewish purchase and move was “irresponsible,” and a “dangerous provocation that could inflame passions, especially ahead of Land Day.”MK Michael Ben-Air disagreed, referencing in his remarks the 1929 pogroms in which 67 long-time Jewish residents of Hevron were slaughtered by their Arab neighbors, and their homes stolen from them.
Ben-Ari told reporters in a statement, “It's time to reclaim all of the homes seized by the enemies in the City of the Fathers. The rule of law must allow for the most basic thing – to let the Jews return to the dozens of Hevron homes that belong to the Jewish community.”The far-left Peace Now organization has worked tirelessly to pry Jewish families out of Hevron, one of the four holy cities of Judaism mentioned in the Bible.
Peace Now recently filed a petition with the Supreme Court asking the government to evict Jewish families from their apartments in Beit Ezra – a building that belongs to the Ezra family, the last to leave after the 1929 Hevron massacre.
Baruch atem b'Shem, Yeshua
Monday, March 26, 2012
Israel Soon to be Alone in the World
According to the Word, Israel will be alone in the world, and that day is on our doorstep. This should give us good reason to carefully read all the prophecies, for they are about to come to pass. God does not Lie!!
by Gil Ronen
Israel leaves UNA senior diplomatic source said Monday that the Foreign Ministry management has decided to sever its ties with the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The decision was reached after the UNHRC decided to appoint a committee of inquiry to look into construction of Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria.
The source said that the decision stems from a series of unilateral moves that the "Palestinians" are trying to lead against Israel.
According to Monday's decision, Israel's UN Ambassador, Ron Prosor, will not appear before the Council and will not reply to requests by the UNHRC for materials and for the coordination of visits in Israel.
The source added that while thousands are being murdered in Syria and a massacre takes place in France, the UNHRC lends equal importance to construction in Judea and Samaria.
Regarding the High Court decision on Migron, the senior source said that the verdict must be honored. "Everyone accepts the High Court's decision," he said. "The test is in the alternatives that the government offers the residents."
The source said that Yisrael Beitenu's threat to leave the government over Migron referred to a situation in which the government decides to carry out a forcible eviction. At present, he said, there is no threat to leave the government because of the High Court decision.
Baruch atem b'Shem, Yeshua
Friday, March 23, 2012
Hypocritical UN Policies Against Israel
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Friday he may recall the Israeli ambassador to the UN Human Rights Council and cut ties with the body.
Binyamin Netanyahu UN Hypocrisy
The 47-nation UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted five resolutions condemning Israel Thursday, including one that establishes a massive new “fact-finding mission” to investigate alleged Israeli violations relating to settlements. The vote was 36 in favor, 1 against (U.S.) and 10 abstaining. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was quick to issue a statement denouncing the UNHRC. “This is a hypocritical council with an automatic majority against Israel. This council ought to be ashamed of itself," he said. "Until today, the council has made 91 decisions, 39 of which dealt with Israel, three with Syria and one with Iran," the prime minister noted. "One only had to hear the Syrian representative speak today about human rights in order to understand how detached from reality the council is. Another proof of its detachment from reality came last week when it invited before it a representative of Hamas, an organization whose ideology is based on the murder of innocents.” Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, noted that “On the same day that the UN Human Rights Council voted for a severely watered-down text allowing Sri Lanka to determine what advice it receives from the UN—and as it ignored our own proposed resolutions on systematic abuses committed by China, Cuba, Saudi Arabia and Zimbabwe—the current session is adopting half of all its condemnatory resolutions against one single state, Israel.” “Sadly, the council remains selective and politicized, and is failing its founding mission to protect victims,” Neuer added. “The council’s new fact-finding mission on settlements is a fraud, with the guilty verdict dictated in advance, and is contained in an egregiously one-sided resolution that says nothing of officially-sanctioned Palestinian terrorism, rocket fire and incitement to hatred, anti-Semitism and genocide.” Baruch atem b'Shem, Yeshua
Binyamin Netanyahu UN Hypocrisy
The 47-nation UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted five resolutions condemning Israel Thursday, including one that establishes a massive new “fact-finding mission” to investigate alleged Israeli violations relating to settlements. The vote was 36 in favor, 1 against (U.S.) and 10 abstaining. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was quick to issue a statement denouncing the UNHRC. “This is a hypocritical council with an automatic majority against Israel. This council ought to be ashamed of itself," he said. "Until today, the council has made 91 decisions, 39 of which dealt with Israel, three with Syria and one with Iran," the prime minister noted. "One only had to hear the Syrian representative speak today about human rights in order to understand how detached from reality the council is. Another proof of its detachment from reality came last week when it invited before it a representative of Hamas, an organization whose ideology is based on the murder of innocents.” Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, noted that “On the same day that the UN Human Rights Council voted for a severely watered-down text allowing Sri Lanka to determine what advice it receives from the UN—and as it ignored our own proposed resolutions on systematic abuses committed by China, Cuba, Saudi Arabia and Zimbabwe—the current session is adopting half of all its condemnatory resolutions against one single state, Israel.” “Sadly, the council remains selective and politicized, and is failing its founding mission to protect victims,” Neuer added. “The council’s new fact-finding mission on settlements is a fraud, with the guilty verdict dictated in advance, and is contained in an egregiously one-sided resolution that says nothing of officially-sanctioned Palestinian terrorism, rocket fire and incitement to hatred, anti-Semitism and genocide.” Baruch atem b'Shem, Yeshua
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
UPSIDE DOWN AND INSIDE OUT
More and more I am finding myself in a state of incredible sadness, frustration, and helplessness concerning all that is going on in the world today. It is sometimes overwhelming...often feeling as if a massive tsunami is sweeping over me, leaving a broad path of devastation in its wake.
Does anyone understand what I am saying? Is anyone with me on this?
Good people are hurting financially...many deal with serious health problems...they have family relationship issues...large numbers of people go to bed hungry each night...many have lost their jobs and homes...and for some, it is a constant struggle to face the thought of tomorrow – almost to the point of hoping the day would not arrive for them.
Today, there is greed, hatred, and corruption everywhere we look. As a whole, the world has become financially bankrupt, morally bankrupt, and spiritually bankrupt. Evil exists almost everywhere, and is now called good...everything is inside out...upright things have been cast down...and right is now left. The so-called “American Dream” is rapidly disappearing...it is almost gone...never to return.
My emotions cry out for everything to somehow go back to where we once were not long ago. I would fix it all today if I could, but I know that is impossible.
The God of the Bible is quickly being kicked out of our society. Pagan religions have rushed in to fill the empty void areas. Apostasy has entered our churches...either eliminating or diluting the Truth. The narrow way that Jesus taught as the only path to heaven has become a wide freeway - allowing anything and everything to go there. As a result, the thousands of people that die every hour of every day are dying without Jesus in their life...only to face a Godless eternity.
Are you seeing these things happening, too? Or, is my imagination just working overtime? Oh...there is so much more that must be told!
The world is about to explode with nations and peoples killing one another in war and violence. Natural disasters are occurring with increasing frequencies never before seen...bringing death and destruction from earthquakes, floods, tornados, drought, famine, and more. In addition, many deadly new diseases have emerged during the past few years. For the first time in history, mankind has the means available to destroy all life on planet earth...and some men have the mindset to do just that.
The tiny nation of Israel...God’s chosen land for His chosen people...is now totally surrounded by nations that are aggressively pursuing their goal of destroying Israel and the Jewish people. The USA...once an ally in support of Israel...has now joined with all other major nations of the world in turning her back on the Jewish people and the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The God-sent consequences for those actions will be swift and sure. Of that, we can be very certain!
As if people needed any more disruption in their lives, then, ponder this as well. During the last days a one-world government...a one-world economic/financial system...and a one-world religious system will be set in place. They will be controlled by a new-world-order, and led by a one-world leader. Aggressive efforts toward accomplishing those objectives are currently being carried out by a group of the world's most powerful and influential individuals.
Are you still following along with me? Now...listen very closely, for this is most important!
While I am saddened, frustrated, and feel helpless concerning all of those things, the situation is not hopeless. My hope is in Jesus Christ...our Blessed Hope! My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. Christ is the solid Rock on which I stand...all other ground is sinking sand. It is only by the grace of God that my faith and trust is in Jesus my Savior, my Lord, and the Master of my life. With Him by my side, I can face tomorrow and be assured of victory in Jesus!
Many of the things we see happening in the world are warning signs described by Jesus, that when we see them, we would know the time of His return is very near. Today, all of creation is groaning under the pain of the warnings, or "beginning of sorrows", that Jesus said would happen just prior to the Rapture of the Church and the Tribulation. Those who are watching will not be surprised or alarmed as they occur, for believers know they must happen. Scripture also commands that when we see the signs, then, we must look up and expect to see the King of Kings and Lord of Lords return at any moment to call for His own.
I am wholly leaning on Jesus’ Name. How about you? The time is very short, my friend. Is your hope built on Jesus, the solid Rock...or on something less? You must be very sure!
Don
Does anyone understand what I am saying? Is anyone with me on this?
Good people are hurting financially...many deal with serious health problems...they have family relationship issues...large numbers of people go to bed hungry each night...many have lost their jobs and homes...and for some, it is a constant struggle to face the thought of tomorrow – almost to the point of hoping the day would not arrive for them.
Today, there is greed, hatred, and corruption everywhere we look. As a whole, the world has become financially bankrupt, morally bankrupt, and spiritually bankrupt. Evil exists almost everywhere, and is now called good...everything is inside out...upright things have been cast down...and right is now left. The so-called “American Dream” is rapidly disappearing...it is almost gone...never to return.
My emotions cry out for everything to somehow go back to where we once were not long ago. I would fix it all today if I could, but I know that is impossible.
The God of the Bible is quickly being kicked out of our society. Pagan religions have rushed in to fill the empty void areas. Apostasy has entered our churches...either eliminating or diluting the Truth. The narrow way that Jesus taught as the only path to heaven has become a wide freeway - allowing anything and everything to go there. As a result, the thousands of people that die every hour of every day are dying without Jesus in their life...only to face a Godless eternity.
Are you seeing these things happening, too? Or, is my imagination just working overtime? Oh...there is so much more that must be told!
The world is about to explode with nations and peoples killing one another in war and violence. Natural disasters are occurring with increasing frequencies never before seen...bringing death and destruction from earthquakes, floods, tornados, drought, famine, and more. In addition, many deadly new diseases have emerged during the past few years. For the first time in history, mankind has the means available to destroy all life on planet earth...and some men have the mindset to do just that.
The tiny nation of Israel...God’s chosen land for His chosen people...is now totally surrounded by nations that are aggressively pursuing their goal of destroying Israel and the Jewish people. The USA...once an ally in support of Israel...has now joined with all other major nations of the world in turning her back on the Jewish people and the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The God-sent consequences for those actions will be swift and sure. Of that, we can be very certain!
As if people needed any more disruption in their lives, then, ponder this as well. During the last days a one-world government...a one-world economic/financial system...and a one-world religious system will be set in place. They will be controlled by a new-world-order, and led by a one-world leader. Aggressive efforts toward accomplishing those objectives are currently being carried out by a group of the world's most powerful and influential individuals.
Are you still following along with me? Now...listen very closely, for this is most important!
While I am saddened, frustrated, and feel helpless concerning all of those things, the situation is not hopeless. My hope is in Jesus Christ...our Blessed Hope! My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. Christ is the solid Rock on which I stand...all other ground is sinking sand. It is only by the grace of God that my faith and trust is in Jesus my Savior, my Lord, and the Master of my life. With Him by my side, I can face tomorrow and be assured of victory in Jesus!
Many of the things we see happening in the world are warning signs described by Jesus, that when we see them, we would know the time of His return is very near. Today, all of creation is groaning under the pain of the warnings, or "beginning of sorrows", that Jesus said would happen just prior to the Rapture of the Church and the Tribulation. Those who are watching will not be surprised or alarmed as they occur, for believers know they must happen. Scripture also commands that when we see the signs, then, we must look up and expect to see the King of Kings and Lord of Lords return at any moment to call for His own.
I am wholly leaning on Jesus’ Name. How about you? The time is very short, my friend. Is your hope built on Jesus, the solid Rock...or on something less? You must be very sure!
Don
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Saturday, March 10, 2012
SNAKES ALIVE!
Several years ago my wife, Carol, and I were driving on a road trip through a half dozen states south of Minnesota. Along the way, we often stopped at the roadside rest areas to stretch our legs and purchase a cold soft drink.
However, we had an interesting experience during one of those stops. I do not recall which state we were traveling at the time, but it was very likely either in Nebraska, Kansas, or Missouri. Although the specific location is not important, the memory of what we saw there was enough to give us nightmares.
As I was wandering around, I noticed a barbed wire fence separating the grounds of the rest area from a large field of native prairie grasses, dirt, rocks, and gravel. The un-kept area looked as though it had not been used for decades, or even longer. Then, I saw a sign nailed to one of the fence posts that read, “WARNING...SNAKE INFESTED AREA...KEEP OUT!”
Whoa! That sign quickly caught my attention. There were venomous snakes just beyond that fence only a few feet away! I thought, “Okay...I will not be going in there. But, why would the snakes not crawl under the fence to where I am standing...and beyond? How would they know to stay on their own side of the fence? Maybe they are all over the place...even in the parking lot!”
I turned around and slowly tip-toed through the lawn toward the direction of the car...carefully looking for any unusual movement under every blade of grass. Oh...did I mention that I was not particularly fond of snakes? Carol had already made fast tracks to the safety of the car, and had the door shut and windows rolled up tight.
Thankfully, we did not see any snakes, but they were probably nearby. We were very happy to be back on the road again.
That true story is a reminder that snakes of a different kind are poised and ready to strike our personal lives. Most of the time we do not even see them, but they are certainly there. They are quiet, subtle, and can move quickly to poison the heart and mind of folks who are unaware of the danger.
The snakes that invade our lives often appear as something good, but are evil. They will often masquerade as being fun and colorful, but will eventually bring heartache and pain. Deceit is one of their deadly trademarks, and can cause the most unsuspecting person to fall to temptation.
Churches are certainly not immune to an invasion of snakes, either. In fact, churches are prime targets for them. Every day we see more and more churches becoming mired down in pits of apostasy...the result of snakes being allowed to cross over the church’s threshold. Many of the snakes that enter there are false teachers promoting a watered-down gospel message, and the abandonment of sound Biblical principles.
Of course, the snakes to which I am referring are the schemes devised by the devil himself...who made his grand entrance disguised as a serpent to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. As explained in 1st Peter 5:8, "...your adversary the devil walks about...seeking whom he may devour.”
Victory over the snakes of this world can be achieved, but only if we have the strength and mighty power of the Lord God residing within us.
Ephesians 6:10-12 NKJV
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Don
However, we had an interesting experience during one of those stops. I do not recall which state we were traveling at the time, but it was very likely either in Nebraska, Kansas, or Missouri. Although the specific location is not important, the memory of what we saw there was enough to give us nightmares.
As I was wandering around, I noticed a barbed wire fence separating the grounds of the rest area from a large field of native prairie grasses, dirt, rocks, and gravel. The un-kept area looked as though it had not been used for decades, or even longer. Then, I saw a sign nailed to one of the fence posts that read, “WARNING...SNAKE INFESTED AREA...KEEP OUT!”
Whoa! That sign quickly caught my attention. There were venomous snakes just beyond that fence only a few feet away! I thought, “Okay...I will not be going in there. But, why would the snakes not crawl under the fence to where I am standing...and beyond? How would they know to stay on their own side of the fence? Maybe they are all over the place...even in the parking lot!”
I turned around and slowly tip-toed through the lawn toward the direction of the car...carefully looking for any unusual movement under every blade of grass. Oh...did I mention that I was not particularly fond of snakes? Carol had already made fast tracks to the safety of the car, and had the door shut and windows rolled up tight.
Thankfully, we did not see any snakes, but they were probably nearby. We were very happy to be back on the road again.
That true story is a reminder that snakes of a different kind are poised and ready to strike our personal lives. Most of the time we do not even see them, but they are certainly there. They are quiet, subtle, and can move quickly to poison the heart and mind of folks who are unaware of the danger.
The snakes that invade our lives often appear as something good, but are evil. They will often masquerade as being fun and colorful, but will eventually bring heartache and pain. Deceit is one of their deadly trademarks, and can cause the most unsuspecting person to fall to temptation.
Churches are certainly not immune to an invasion of snakes, either. In fact, churches are prime targets for them. Every day we see more and more churches becoming mired down in pits of apostasy...the result of snakes being allowed to cross over the church’s threshold. Many of the snakes that enter there are false teachers promoting a watered-down gospel message, and the abandonment of sound Biblical principles.
Of course, the snakes to which I am referring are the schemes devised by the devil himself...who made his grand entrance disguised as a serpent to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. As explained in 1st Peter 5:8, "...your adversary the devil walks about...seeking whom he may devour.”
Victory over the snakes of this world can be achieved, but only if we have the strength and mighty power of the Lord God residing within us.
Ephesians 6:10-12 NKJV
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Don
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