Ok this is a fun little diversion that is making the blogging rounds. You do a google search on the the phrase "[Your Name] Needs" and see what comes up.
Anthony needs coaching in the game of life.
Anthony needs your feedback!
Anthony needs touches, and to forget the past.
Anthony needs every second to achieve some measure of atonement.
Anthony needs all the help he can get.
Anthony needs a new team.
Wow! Ever so revealing ... this has to be the fortune cookie of the 21st century!
Friday, October 28, 2005
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Are Disasters Increasing?
One of the signs culminating in Jesus' presence is "earthquakes in one place after another". (Matthew 24:7) As we have previously discussed the Greek word "seismos" which is generally rendered "earthquakes" at Matthew 24:7 basically means a commotion. At Matthew 8:24 it is used to for a great sea storm. It is used in 2 Kings 2:1 (4 Kings 2:1, LXX) for the great windstorm that carried Elijah to the heavens. Therefore we can understand that Jesus may have been giving as a sign not just earthquakes, but the whole gamut of turbulant disasters including such things as tornadoes, typhoons, and hurricanes.
Jesus called these things "birth pains". (Matthew 24:8, NIV) Labor pains build toward child birth, getting stronger in intesity and closer together. Therefore we can expect that the signs Jesus spoke of to build in severity and increase until the birth the kingdom. At this time the complete number of 144,000 holy ones join together with Jesus in his heavenly kingdom to begin ruling. (Revelation 19:7,8,11-16) This Kingdom will bring about judgment for wicked mankind and long awaited rewards for the righteous.
With this in mind we pay attention close attention to world events, particularly the indicators Jesus spoke of - war, famine, pestilance, and tumultuous disasters. It is interesting that in response to unique happenings in the world today that even people who do not read their Bibles are starting to take notice of what is going on believing that what we are experiencing seems out of the ordinary.
Considering just the natural disasters that are plaguing humanity a recent Newsweek article, The Last Word: Preparing for The Worst, indicates that there is an increase is disasters. Janos Bogardi, director of the U.N. University's Insitute for the Environment and Human Security said in an interview, "There are absolutely clear signs and compelling statistics showing the situation is getting worse. We now are experiencing 2.5 to 3 times as many extreme events of climatic or water-related emergencies per year as we did in the 1970s. At the same time annual economic losses [from disasters] have increased sixfold." When asked why we are seeing this Mr. Bogardi commented, "Climate change certainly plays an important role. That leads to extremes at both ends of the spectrum. We have more floods, more droughts, longer heat spells without rain and more storms."
This compliments the scenario painted in the October 2003 Pentagon study entitled An Abrupt Climate Change Scenario and Its Implications for United States National Security. Therein the report suggests a huge environmental fallout caused by global warming within the next 10 to 20 years. It graphically speaks of various doomsday scenarios including whole countries rendered inhabitable, nuclear wars fought over food and water supplies, and a sharp increase in disasters, famine and disease. So while this report is speculative it is worth noting the national governments are becoming increasingly open to idea that severe climate change may become a reality very shortly.
As Christians we remain aware of the realities of the Lord's prophetic words. We pay attention to the apostle Paul's advice found at 1 Corinthians 7:29-31: "Moreover, this I say, brothers, the time left is reduced. Henceforth let those who have wives be as though they had none, and also those who weep be as those who do not weep, and those who rejoice as those who do not rejoice, and those who buy as those not possessing, and those making use of the world as those not using it to the full; for the scene of this world is changing." And certainly while it would be unwise to be dogmatic about the exact meaning of our times we would be foolish to ignore our surroundings, being like those in Noah's day who were "eating and drinking" - those who "took no note until the flood came and swept them all away" (Matthew 24:39)
Jesus called these things "birth pains". (Matthew 24:8, NIV) Labor pains build toward child birth, getting stronger in intesity and closer together. Therefore we can expect that the signs Jesus spoke of to build in severity and increase until the birth the kingdom. At this time the complete number of 144,000 holy ones join together with Jesus in his heavenly kingdom to begin ruling. (Revelation 19:7,8,11-16) This Kingdom will bring about judgment for wicked mankind and long awaited rewards for the righteous.
With this in mind we pay attention close attention to world events, particularly the indicators Jesus spoke of - war, famine, pestilance, and tumultuous disasters. It is interesting that in response to unique happenings in the world today that even people who do not read their Bibles are starting to take notice of what is going on believing that what we are experiencing seems out of the ordinary.
Considering just the natural disasters that are plaguing humanity a recent Newsweek article, The Last Word: Preparing for The Worst, indicates that there is an increase is disasters. Janos Bogardi, director of the U.N. University's Insitute for the Environment and Human Security said in an interview, "There are absolutely clear signs and compelling statistics showing the situation is getting worse. We now are experiencing 2.5 to 3 times as many extreme events of climatic or water-related emergencies per year as we did in the 1970s. At the same time annual economic losses [from disasters] have increased sixfold." When asked why we are seeing this Mr. Bogardi commented, "Climate change certainly plays an important role. That leads to extremes at both ends of the spectrum. We have more floods, more droughts, longer heat spells without rain and more storms."
This compliments the scenario painted in the October 2003 Pentagon study entitled An Abrupt Climate Change Scenario and Its Implications for United States National Security. Therein the report suggests a huge environmental fallout caused by global warming within the next 10 to 20 years. It graphically speaks of various doomsday scenarios including whole countries rendered inhabitable, nuclear wars fought over food and water supplies, and a sharp increase in disasters, famine and disease. So while this report is speculative it is worth noting the national governments are becoming increasingly open to idea that severe climate change may become a reality very shortly.
As Christians we remain aware of the realities of the Lord's prophetic words. We pay attention to the apostle Paul's advice found at 1 Corinthians 7:29-31: "Moreover, this I say, brothers, the time left is reduced. Henceforth let those who have wives be as though they had none, and also those who weep be as those who do not weep, and those who rejoice as those who do not rejoice, and those who buy as those not possessing, and those making use of the world as those not using it to the full; for the scene of this world is changing." And certainly while it would be unwise to be dogmatic about the exact meaning of our times we would be foolish to ignore our surroundings, being like those in Noah's day who were "eating and drinking" - those who "took no note until the flood came and swept them all away" (Matthew 24:39)
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Ways To Promote Love
I'm just trying to brainstorm some ways to promote love within the congregation.
1. Give someone a hug.
2. Give someone a card for no reason.
3. Visit a widow.
4. Commend someone.
5. Talk about how Jehovah has blessed you.
6. Visit someone in the hospital.
7. Give money to someone who is out of work.
8. Take an "orphan" to the movies/park/ballgame.
9. Invite a family over for a meal.
10. Speak only good things about a person.
11. Don't participate in harmful gossip.
12. Talk to someone you've never spoken to.
13. Provide upbuilding comments.
Any more?
1. Give someone a hug.
2. Give someone a card for no reason.
3. Visit a widow.
4. Commend someone.
5. Talk about how Jehovah has blessed you.
6. Visit someone in the hospital.
7. Give money to someone who is out of work.
8. Take an "orphan" to the movies/park/ballgame.
9. Invite a family over for a meal.
10. Speak only good things about a person.
11. Don't participate in harmful gossip.
12. Talk to someone you've never spoken to.
13. Provide upbuilding comments.
Any more?
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Hurricanes - Part of the Sign?
We often speak of the sign of Jesus' presence as recorded in Matthew 24 and Luke 21 asbeing wars, food shortages, pestilance, and earthquakes. However a careful look at the Greek word seismos commonly rendered "earthquakes" in these scriptures reveals that this can include other natural disasters such as hurricanes.
Strong's Concordance and Lexicon provides the following definition for Seismos: "a commotion, i.e. (of the air) a gale, (of the ground) an earthquake—earthquake, tempest"
So while this word can mean earthquake it can also mean wind storm. It is used this way in Matthew 8:24 to describe the great tempest at sea that Jesus calmed. (The parallel account at Mark 4:37 describes it as a "great violent windstorm")
Knowing this can help us effectively keep watch as things happen around us.
--
As a side point, recently a link has been discovered between hurricane activity and earthquakes. Physicist Randall Peters of Mercer University in Macon Georgia has shown that wind storms can trigger seismic activity and weak earthquake swarms. Earth Trembles As Big Winds Move In - New Scientist; July 1, 2005.
Strong's Concordance and Lexicon provides the following definition for Seismos: "a commotion, i.e. (of the air) a gale, (of the ground) an earthquake—earthquake, tempest"
So while this word can mean earthquake it can also mean wind storm. It is used this way in Matthew 8:24 to describe the great tempest at sea that Jesus calmed. (The parallel account at Mark 4:37 describes it as a "great violent windstorm")
Knowing this can help us effectively keep watch as things happen around us.
--
As a side point, recently a link has been discovered between hurricane activity and earthquakes. Physicist Randall Peters of Mercer University in Macon Georgia has shown that wind storms can trigger seismic activity and weak earthquake swarms. Earth Trembles As Big Winds Move In - New Scientist; July 1, 2005.
Monday, October 17, 2005
my mundane weekend
The work computers had been running fine since the last meltdown. I got optimistic and thought that the server had been fixed however I have been shying away from even touching the thing lest it bomb out again. I don't know what I was thinking on Friday but I decided that I should change the administrator username and password - afterall it had been the same for the past two years. B-I-G M-I-S-T-A-K-E.
This weekend we had plans to visit Rebekah's relatives in Ohio. Every October they have a small reunion. Usually they have it close to home; however, this year circumstances neccesitated that we go to Ohio.
I pretty much figured that I would have to stay home this weekend and work. Once again I had to leave the computer overnight while it rebooted. An eight hour process. Saturday morning I went in at 5:00am to check on things - things were working so I got to go to Ohio afterwall.
Ohio was uneventful. There was food. There was Karaoke. And yes I did do a not-so-bad rendition of Neil Diamond and not-so-good version of Britney Spears. The motel we stayed at was probably the classiest two star place I have ever stayed at. It was the only non pay-by-the-hour motel in down so we really had little choice. But the joint looked like those rundown motels in the slasher movies were people get killed.
On Friday I received my 10-volume Ante-Nicene Fathers set. I brought volume 1, the 2nd Century writings with me. It is really interesting how similar these writings by the so-called "Church Fathers" matches our (JW) commonly held beliefs. For starters there is a very clear seperation of the Father and the Son. (It took many battles and political wrangling for the trinity doctrine to become dogma - long after the Nicene counsel.) More surprising IIrenaeus expresses that thought of a "gradation and arrangement of those who are saved" wherein some are raised to Heaven and some are ressurected to live on a restored and perfected Earth. Sound familiar? (Papias, who is said to been friends with the apostles particularly John, expresses this view as well.) So while these writings cannot stand on their own they are very useful, particularly the very early writings, in corroboration with the Bible.
Saturday we drove home stopping to visit a friend in Bloomington, Indiana. He took us out for some great Thai food and we got to walk around the square a little bit. I like those little college towns!
This weekend we had plans to visit Rebekah's relatives in Ohio. Every October they have a small reunion. Usually they have it close to home; however, this year circumstances neccesitated that we go to Ohio.
I pretty much figured that I would have to stay home this weekend and work. Once again I had to leave the computer overnight while it rebooted. An eight hour process. Saturday morning I went in at 5:00am to check on things - things were working so I got to go to Ohio afterwall.
Ohio was uneventful. There was food. There was Karaoke. And yes I did do a not-so-bad rendition of Neil Diamond and not-so-good version of Britney Spears. The motel we stayed at was probably the classiest two star place I have ever stayed at. It was the only non pay-by-the-hour motel in down so we really had little choice. But the joint looked like those rundown motels in the slasher movies were people get killed.
On Friday I received my 10-volume Ante-Nicene Fathers set. I brought volume 1, the 2nd Century writings with me. It is really interesting how similar these writings by the so-called "Church Fathers" matches our (JW) commonly held beliefs. For starters there is a very clear seperation of the Father and the Son. (It took many battles and political wrangling for the trinity doctrine to become dogma - long after the Nicene counsel.) More surprising IIrenaeus expresses that thought of a "gradation and arrangement of those who are saved" wherein some are raised to Heaven and some are ressurected to live on a restored and perfected Earth. Sound familiar? (Papias, who is said to been friends with the apostles particularly John, expresses this view as well.) So while these writings cannot stand on their own they are very useful, particularly the very early writings, in corroboration with the Bible.
Saturday we drove home stopping to visit a friend in Bloomington, Indiana. He took us out for some great Thai food and we got to walk around the square a little bit. I like those little college towns!
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Monday, October 10, 2005
it is already the hour for YOU to awake from sleep
Habakkuk 2:3 "For [the] vision is yet for the appointed time, and it keeps panting on to the end, and it will not tell a lie. Even if it should delay, keep in expectation of it; for it will without fail come true. It will not be late."
My friends if you've been reading this blog or my previous one for any length of time you may have noticed a change in focus. This in many ways reflects the changes that I've been going through some big, some small. On an individual level I still enjoy many of the same things I've always enjoyed, such as making music; however these things have taken somewhat of a backseat to my primary focus - the Kingdom of God.
I hope I'm not coming across and haughty or arrogant or "holier than thou". Please understand that I cannot stop speaking about these things. (Acts 4:20) Jehovah has blessed me in so many ways and I'm just trying to do all that I possibly can to make good on that. This is something that weighs on me because it is a heavy responsibility. Particularly in view of times and the work that needs to be done. The end is coming quickly. I firmly believe that "the time left is reduced." (1 Corinthians 7:29)
Let's consider 2 Peter 3:3,4. "3 For YOU know this first, that in the last days there will come ridiculers with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires 4 and saying: “Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep [in death], all things are continuing exactly as from creation’s beginning.”"
Certainly that scripture applies to the world in general. However there are elements of that mentality today within the congregation. Sone assume that all things are continuing just the same since 1914 when it is believed that Christ's presence began. They are failing to look out and see that things are not the same. That the foretold wars, famine, pestilences, earthquakes that we are experience now or that are on the horizon will dwarf anything we have seen in the past. Indeed it is already the hour for us to wake up! (Romans 13:11-12)
But when we see these things occuring - more frequently, more devastating - there are some things to keep in mind. Jesus likens these events to labor pangs. (Mark 13:8; Matthew 24:8). Labor pangs build toward the birth of child. When the pangs increase and become closer to together we know that the time for the blessed event to occur. Therefore we see these things taking place more and more we know we are getting closer to the end. Things are not the same now as the were in the 1990's which are not the same as they were in the 1950's which are not the same as they were in the 1900's.
Once again I can only encourage all to build faith and love now. Read the Bible daily. When reading the Bible pray for Jehovah's holy spirit to help you. Learn to trust and rely on Jehovah. Keep on the watch. Wake up and stay awake.
"11 [Do] this, too, because YOU people know the season, that it is already the hour for YOU to awake from sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than at the time when we became believers. 12 The night is well along; the day has drawn near. Let us therefore put off the works belonging to darkness and let us put on the weapons of the light. 13 As in the daytime let us walk decently, not in revelries and drunken bouts, not in illicit intercourse and loose conduct, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not be planning ahead for the desires of the flesh" (Romans 13:11-14)
Christian Love,
My friends if you've been reading this blog or my previous one for any length of time you may have noticed a change in focus. This in many ways reflects the changes that I've been going through some big, some small. On an individual level I still enjoy many of the same things I've always enjoyed, such as making music; however these things have taken somewhat of a backseat to my primary focus - the Kingdom of God.
I hope I'm not coming across and haughty or arrogant or "holier than thou". Please understand that I cannot stop speaking about these things. (Acts 4:20) Jehovah has blessed me in so many ways and I'm just trying to do all that I possibly can to make good on that. This is something that weighs on me because it is a heavy responsibility. Particularly in view of times and the work that needs to be done. The end is coming quickly. I firmly believe that "the time left is reduced." (1 Corinthians 7:29)
Let's consider 2 Peter 3:3,4. "3 For YOU know this first, that in the last days there will come ridiculers with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires 4 and saying: “Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep [in death], all things are continuing exactly as from creation’s beginning.”"
Certainly that scripture applies to the world in general. However there are elements of that mentality today within the congregation. Sone assume that all things are continuing just the same since 1914 when it is believed that Christ's presence began. They are failing to look out and see that things are not the same. That the foretold wars, famine, pestilences, earthquakes that we are experience now or that are on the horizon will dwarf anything we have seen in the past. Indeed it is already the hour for us to wake up! (Romans 13:11-12)
But when we see these things occuring - more frequently, more devastating - there are some things to keep in mind. Jesus likens these events to labor pangs. (Mark 13:8; Matthew 24:8). Labor pangs build toward the birth of child. When the pangs increase and become closer to together we know that the time for the blessed event to occur. Therefore we see these things taking place more and more we know we are getting closer to the end. Things are not the same now as the were in the 1990's which are not the same as they were in the 1950's which are not the same as they were in the 1900's.
Once again I can only encourage all to build faith and love now. Read the Bible daily. When reading the Bible pray for Jehovah's holy spirit to help you. Learn to trust and rely on Jehovah. Keep on the watch. Wake up and stay awake.
"11 [Do] this, too, because YOU people know the season, that it is already the hour for YOU to awake from sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than at the time when we became believers. 12 The night is well along; the day has drawn near. Let us therefore put off the works belonging to darkness and let us put on the weapons of the light. 13 As in the daytime let us walk decently, not in revelries and drunken bouts, not in illicit intercourse and loose conduct, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not be planning ahead for the desires of the flesh" (Romans 13:11-14)
Christian Love,
Saturday, October 08, 2005
earthquakes
"and there will be ... earthquakes in one place after another." (Matthew 24:7)
Quake toll exceeds 30,000
My prayers to all those who have suffered loss.
Friends we are getting so very close. Stay awake. Keep on the watch.
Quake toll exceeds 30,000
My prayers to all those who have suffered loss.
Friends we are getting so very close. Stay awake. Keep on the watch.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
all the more so
The US media has finally picked up on the story of the avian flu, no doubt in part to the fact that in a speech earlier this week the President held it out as a possiblity that the country should prepare for. (Of course the preperation he spoke of was in the context of giving the military increased ability to operate internally for the purpose of crisis management, quarantine, and innoculation.)
It is believed by health officials that this flu has the potential to be even more deadly than the spanish flu of 1918. As Christians you then have to ask yourselves, If the spanish flu was telling us that Jesus' presence had begun in 1914 what will the avian flu be telling us? More importantly we need to ask ourselves what we should be doing in view of the urgency of the times.
As Christians we need to keep in mind that the judgment begins with the house of God. (1 Peter 4:17) Knowing that, we need to constantly keep an eye on ourselves to make sure that we will fair well in that judgment. A good starting point for self examination is a personal study of the letters to the seven congregations in Asia Minor provided in Revelation chapters 2 & 3. Jesus' words in these letters finds direct application to the Christian Congregation. Through these letters Jesus tells us what we are doing good and what we need to work on.
I just began reading these letters again starting with the letter to the congegation of Ephesus. (Rev 2:1-7) That congregation's biggest strength was that it was zealous for the truth; they didn't tolerate liars and false apostles, apostates. However Jesus cautioned them that they had left the love they had at first. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul specifically commended them for the love they showed to the holy ones (Ephesians 1:15 ASV per NA26 text). However over time this love that promoted good works had evidentally eroded. In the Revelation Jesus encouraged them to return to these former deeds.
Because the judgment is soon to be upon us we need to use the time we have to shore up our congregations by promoting love and faith. We owe this to our brothers and sisters - certainly this is the primary reason for our fellowship. The day of Jehovah is drawing ever near therefore we need to encourage each other ALL THE MORE SO. (Hebrews 10:25) If we have faith then our faith should translate in our rendering good works - love and support to our brothers and sisters. We need to care for them in their time of need or our faith is dead. (James 2:14-17)
For those of us in the US we need to understand what the annual report is telling us. We need to comprehend what 0% growth means. It means for every individual that we reach out the ministry, persuade to accept the truth, patiently study with to bring to accurate knowledge, help toward repentance, and finally baptize into the Christian congregation - for every individual that we bring into the congregation through the front door - one of our brothers and sisters is leaving out the back.
Please look around at your congregation and decide who you would care to lose to the world. Hopefully you would wish none that fate. So let us all try our hardest to encourage all toward endurance and rescue those who have left. Is the ministry within the house somehow less important than the ministry in the field?
Your brother in Christ.
It is believed by health officials that this flu has the potential to be even more deadly than the spanish flu of 1918. As Christians you then have to ask yourselves, If the spanish flu was telling us that Jesus' presence had begun in 1914 what will the avian flu be telling us? More importantly we need to ask ourselves what we should be doing in view of the urgency of the times.
As Christians we need to keep in mind that the judgment begins with the house of God. (1 Peter 4:17) Knowing that, we need to constantly keep an eye on ourselves to make sure that we will fair well in that judgment. A good starting point for self examination is a personal study of the letters to the seven congregations in Asia Minor provided in Revelation chapters 2 & 3. Jesus' words in these letters finds direct application to the Christian Congregation. Through these letters Jesus tells us what we are doing good and what we need to work on.
I just began reading these letters again starting with the letter to the congegation of Ephesus. (Rev 2:1-7) That congregation's biggest strength was that it was zealous for the truth; they didn't tolerate liars and false apostles, apostates. However Jesus cautioned them that they had left the love they had at first. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul specifically commended them for the love they showed to the holy ones (Ephesians 1:15 ASV per NA26 text). However over time this love that promoted good works had evidentally eroded. In the Revelation Jesus encouraged them to return to these former deeds.
Because the judgment is soon to be upon us we need to use the time we have to shore up our congregations by promoting love and faith. We owe this to our brothers and sisters - certainly this is the primary reason for our fellowship. The day of Jehovah is drawing ever near therefore we need to encourage each other ALL THE MORE SO. (Hebrews 10:25) If we have faith then our faith should translate in our rendering good works - love and support to our brothers and sisters. We need to care for them in their time of need or our faith is dead. (James 2:14-17)
For those of us in the US we need to understand what the annual report is telling us. We need to comprehend what 0% growth means. It means for every individual that we reach out the ministry, persuade to accept the truth, patiently study with to bring to accurate knowledge, help toward repentance, and finally baptize into the Christian congregation - for every individual that we bring into the congregation through the front door - one of our brothers and sisters is leaving out the back.
Please look around at your congregation and decide who you would care to lose to the world. Hopefully you would wish none that fate. So let us all try our hardest to encourage all toward endurance and rescue those who have left. Is the ministry within the house somehow less important than the ministry in the field?
Your brother in Christ.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
random-x
On Saturday Trey, Mike, and Seth came over. Their band Random-X is playing at a gathering today and wanted to record a quick CD to pass out. So we hammered out three songs. If we had more time we could've polished them up a bit however I like what they came up with. I'm pretty impressed by them considering they are all under 16 years of age. So please check out their myspace page and listen to the songs they have up. Trey wrote and sings on "So Long" and Mike wrote and sings on "Rewind" - both are gems. Good stuff.
--
I tried to buy the Concretes CD at Target. I guess I assumed they would have it since the Concretes are all over their TV commercials - but I wrong. I just downloaded it from iTunes. I like it and it reminds me of Mazzy Star a bit. However it makes me miss my organ.
P.S.
We took my organ sale money and bought me a new suit. Somehow it doesn't seem like a very good trade off.
--
I tried to buy the Concretes CD at Target. I guess I assumed they would have it since the Concretes are all over their TV commercials - but I wrong. I just downloaded it from iTunes. I like it and it reminds me of Mazzy Star a bit. However it makes me miss my organ.
P.S.
We took my organ sale money and bought me a new suit. Somehow it doesn't seem like a very good trade off.
Friday, September 30, 2005
caffeine
Well ... here's to turning over a new leaf in life.
After years upon years of soda drinking with no adverse health effects (that I know of) caffeine now makes me dizzy and sick. So I guess I'm going to have to make some changes and go back to water or something.
No tea.
No coffee.
No soda.
I can barely comprehend that.
(I posted the lyrics to "Caffeine" by Kristin Hersh as they seem fitting. today.)
I'm wearing long sleeves and the air has a chill to it. They are saying it is going to be a bad winter which is pretty convenient if you are an energy executive seeing as how natural gas is 100% up. For the rest of us this bad news. Mina came up with a nice idea - we will just buy some blankets.
Look out for October.
Hug your loved ones.
--
The best of us puking
The rest of us not doing so well
You can tell by the way we look over your shoulder
Watching for the next big thing
Caffeine in the blood, caffeine on the brain, bad well water
Set off a chain reaction, a desparate set of principles
I wish we were lonely
I wish we were boring
It's so much easier
You're driving and I am your backseat shadow
The radio keeps playing
The radio keeps saying Nothing lost and nothing gained
But if you don't like it then leave
What if you won't take it from me?
I can soothe you
I feel your heart beating
I hear your soft breathing
-caffeine Kristin Hersh
After years upon years of soda drinking with no adverse health effects (that I know of) caffeine now makes me dizzy and sick. So I guess I'm going to have to make some changes and go back to water or something.
No tea.
No coffee.
No soda.
I can barely comprehend that.
(I posted the lyrics to "Caffeine" by Kristin Hersh as they seem fitting. today.)
I'm wearing long sleeves and the air has a chill to it. They are saying it is going to be a bad winter which is pretty convenient if you are an energy executive seeing as how natural gas is 100% up. For the rest of us this bad news. Mina came up with a nice idea - we will just buy some blankets.
Look out for October.
Hug your loved ones.
--
The best of us puking
The rest of us not doing so well
You can tell by the way we look over your shoulder
Watching for the next big thing
Caffeine in the blood, caffeine on the brain, bad well water
Set off a chain reaction, a desparate set of principles
I wish we were lonely
I wish we were boring
It's so much easier
You're driving and I am your backseat shadow
The radio keeps playing
The radio keeps saying Nothing lost and nothing gained
But if you don't like it then leave
What if you won't take it from me?
I can soothe you
I feel your heart beating
I hear your soft breathing
-caffeine Kristin Hersh
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Gethsemene
Last night I was reading over the different accounts of the last hours of Jesus' life on Earth. I was particularly moved by the account of what transpired in the garden of Gethsemane. The mental image of Jesus I carried in past is him at his strongest - the power that he displayed while driving the money changers out of the temple - the calm dignity he displayed while suffering abuse in the courts. However this account of Gethsemane is Jesus at his most vunerable. It is not pleasant but at his most human it enables me to relate to him more.
There is one verse in Mark 14 that particularly caught my attention, "...and he started to be stunned and sorely troubled." (v. 33) I started to wonder why suddenly Jesus was "stunned". In the Greek this word, ekthambeo, carries the thought of being startled, thrown in terror, alarmed. What must it have been like? Have you ever gotten so scared that it is like the wind is knocked out of you? Has a thought so dreadful ever come across you that you cannot move because of the sheer horror of it?
Imagine what it was like for Jesus. He evidentally knew hew was to die since he had been preparing the apostles for his death for some time. Maybe there in the garden as the zero hour approached the gravity of the situation suddenly came upon him. Honestly to be killed is one thing - to be reviled, beaten, flogged, and impaled is quite another.
Jesus tells his three companions, "My soul is deeply grieved, even to death. Stay here and keep on the watch with me." (Matthew 26:37) I wonder if apostles understood what he was going through? Have you ever had a friend try to reach out and communicate to you the pain they are experiencing and you don't comprehend it? Here Jesus is telling them quite simply, "Stay with me. Don't leave me. Stay awake."
Jesus then goes ahead of then a little ways, maybe just out of earshot, and then "he fell upon his face". He literally collapses in despair and begins praying to his Father. He said “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me. Yet, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39) Mark's account of this prayer is even more tender for he address his Father as "Abba", daddy or papa.
I think about his prayer and what he was asking and why he was asking it. I don't think it is wrong to at least consider the thought Jesus was greatly troubled by what he was to suffer. Wouldn't you be? And not just troubled by his own personal pain but also in despair over the stakes that were riding on the next day. All of humanity hung in the balance. His Father's righteousness was in question. This was alot to have on your shoulders.
In Luke's account Jehovah sends an angel to comfort Jesus. Even while his closest friends fell asleep nearby his heavenly Father didn't leave him. Yet in the arms of this divine comfort, Luke writes "But getting into an agony he continued praying more earnestly; and his sweat became as drops of blood falling to the ground." (Luke 22:43,44) So severe was his anquish that a medical condition called hemohidrosis or hematidrosis befell him. As a result of hemmoraging in the sweat glands his sweat became mixed with blood. This can cause the body to go into shock. (And I wonder about this. Jesus was a perfect man and yet his body was physically breaking down under the pressure. When he says, "I am troubled even to death" there is an indication that the mental trauma was so great that he felt it would kill him right then and there.)
The hour then came, just as his betrayer approached to lead the arrest Jesus picked himself up and prepared to face his destiny. When the troops asked for Jesus he didn't run, he didn't hide, he boldy said, "I am he." That boldness and composure would be the mark that he carried throughout his numerous trials and tortures.
There is one verse in Mark 14 that particularly caught my attention, "...and he started to be stunned and sorely troubled." (v. 33) I started to wonder why suddenly Jesus was "stunned". In the Greek this word, ekthambeo, carries the thought of being startled, thrown in terror, alarmed. What must it have been like? Have you ever gotten so scared that it is like the wind is knocked out of you? Has a thought so dreadful ever come across you that you cannot move because of the sheer horror of it?
Imagine what it was like for Jesus. He evidentally knew hew was to die since he had been preparing the apostles for his death for some time. Maybe there in the garden as the zero hour approached the gravity of the situation suddenly came upon him. Honestly to be killed is one thing - to be reviled, beaten, flogged, and impaled is quite another.
Jesus tells his three companions, "My soul is deeply grieved, even to death. Stay here and keep on the watch with me." (Matthew 26:37) I wonder if apostles understood what he was going through? Have you ever had a friend try to reach out and communicate to you the pain they are experiencing and you don't comprehend it? Here Jesus is telling them quite simply, "Stay with me. Don't leave me. Stay awake."
Jesus then goes ahead of then a little ways, maybe just out of earshot, and then "he fell upon his face". He literally collapses in despair and begins praying to his Father. He said “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me. Yet, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39) Mark's account of this prayer is even more tender for he address his Father as "Abba", daddy or papa.
I think about his prayer and what he was asking and why he was asking it. I don't think it is wrong to at least consider the thought Jesus was greatly troubled by what he was to suffer. Wouldn't you be? And not just troubled by his own personal pain but also in despair over the stakes that were riding on the next day. All of humanity hung in the balance. His Father's righteousness was in question. This was alot to have on your shoulders.
In Luke's account Jehovah sends an angel to comfort Jesus. Even while his closest friends fell asleep nearby his heavenly Father didn't leave him. Yet in the arms of this divine comfort, Luke writes "But getting into an agony he continued praying more earnestly; and his sweat became as drops of blood falling to the ground." (Luke 22:43,44) So severe was his anquish that a medical condition called hemohidrosis or hematidrosis befell him. As a result of hemmoraging in the sweat glands his sweat became mixed with blood. This can cause the body to go into shock. (And I wonder about this. Jesus was a perfect man and yet his body was physically breaking down under the pressure. When he says, "I am troubled even to death" there is an indication that the mental trauma was so great that he felt it would kill him right then and there.)
The hour then came, just as his betrayer approached to lead the arrest Jesus picked himself up and prepared to face his destiny. When the troops asked for Jesus he didn't run, he didn't hide, he boldy said, "I am he." That boldness and composure would be the mark that he carried throughout his numerous trials and tortures.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
The Great Sea Monsters
Genesis 1:21 "And God proceeded to create the great sea monsters ... And God got to see that [it was] good."
I have always been fascinated by the so-called great sea monsters. When I was little I used to get these cards that had pictures of animals on one side and a little factoid about them on the reverse. My favorite was the narwhal! At the time it was so elusive that instead of a photograph there was only a painting.
Today I was happy to read the news article Giant Squid Photographed for First Time. A team of Japanese scientists are the first to capture a picture of a live giant squid - a creature so elusive that we only knew of its existence when bodies or pieces of bodies washed up on shore. It is rumoured that once upon a time these animals would attack sailing ships. Presumably today they are scared away by the sounds of motors and we no longer have these threats.
The 41st chapter of Job describes a mighty sea creature called Leviathan which is described by God as "king over all majestic beasts". Some Bible commentators have suggested that Leviathan is a crocodile. To which we can only ask when has a crocodile ever breathed fire? (vs 18-21) I'm still waiting to catch of glimpse of this great sea monster - albeit at a safe distance in a fire proof suit!
I have always been fascinated by the so-called great sea monsters. When I was little I used to get these cards that had pictures of animals on one side and a little factoid about them on the reverse. My favorite was the narwhal! At the time it was so elusive that instead of a photograph there was only a painting.
Today I was happy to read the news article Giant Squid Photographed for First Time. A team of Japanese scientists are the first to capture a picture of a live giant squid - a creature so elusive that we only knew of its existence when bodies or pieces of bodies washed up on shore. It is rumoured that once upon a time these animals would attack sailing ships. Presumably today they are scared away by the sounds of motors and we no longer have these threats.
The 41st chapter of Job describes a mighty sea creature called Leviathan which is described by God as "king over all majestic beasts". Some Bible commentators have suggested that Leviathan is a crocodile. To which we can only ask when has a crocodile ever breathed fire? (vs 18-21) I'm still waiting to catch of glimpse of this great sea monster - albeit at a safe distance in a fire proof suit!
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
blackout
9:30pm Tuesday Night
We are returning home after grocery shopping. I'm hungry and can't wait to get a pizza in the oven. I go to the bedroom to change out of my dress clothes.
The lights go out.
My dad was over monday to fix the my circuit box so I assume there is a problem.
There is a problem but it is not ours alone. The whole street is out.
Correction the whole block is out.
Correction the whole neighbourhood is out.
Interesting how dependent you are on power and when it suddenly vanishes you are left running around and bumping heads like some pitch-black Three Stooges episode.
Two weeks ago, after Katrina, we bought matches, and lighters, and a big flashlight. The flashlight came in handy. (Next on the disaster-prep shopping list will be a crank radio.)
We took a drive around the dark town. It seemed like it was our chunk of neighborhood that was out. (1,500 people or so)
We came back home and there was nothing to do but sleep.
At 11:00 pm the lights flickered to life and my bedroom fan began blowing on me. We breathed a collective sigh of relief and collectively realized how enslaved we are to the power grid.
Further study:
The "Little House" book series.
Items to buy:
Crank shortwave radio.
We are returning home after grocery shopping. I'm hungry and can't wait to get a pizza in the oven. I go to the bedroom to change out of my dress clothes.
The lights go out.
My dad was over monday to fix the my circuit box so I assume there is a problem.
There is a problem but it is not ours alone. The whole street is out.
Correction the whole block is out.
Correction the whole neighbourhood is out.
Interesting how dependent you are on power and when it suddenly vanishes you are left running around and bumping heads like some pitch-black Three Stooges episode.
Two weeks ago, after Katrina, we bought matches, and lighters, and a big flashlight. The flashlight came in handy. (Next on the disaster-prep shopping list will be a crank radio.)
We took a drive around the dark town. It seemed like it was our chunk of neighborhood that was out. (1,500 people or so)
We came back home and there was nothing to do but sleep.
At 11:00 pm the lights flickered to life and my bedroom fan began blowing on me. We breathed a collective sigh of relief and collectively realized how enslaved we are to the power grid.
Further study:
The "Little House" book series.
Items to buy:
Crank shortwave radio.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Broken
Friday morning I got the call:
"Anthony you'd better come in early. The computer systems are down".
Overnight the we had a lightning storm and the system had failed. I spent all-day trying to get it going again and I came up short. So I threw myself out at Saturday and finally got it to go ... barely ... slowly.
The machine's a mess. The tape backup drive is failing.
I hope a new machine is in the budget cause we are going to need one ...
--
Friday night I got in beat down and stressed. Rebekah, bless her heart, went out and got me some taquitos and a six-pack of Negra Modelo. That made things beter. Comfort food.
--
Saturday we took Mina out - lunch, book store, Toys-r-Us, City Museum. The City Museum is fun anytime but at night it gets so much better (and cheaper). We happened to bump into fellow Nucleargopher/Band Kids labelmate Nathan. What a surprise that was! We exchanged numbers. Hopefully we can get together now that he is around here.
There was a fight in the dodge-ball pit.
--
Sunday after the meetings we went to Quizno's and I chomped down on a piece of ice and my molar broke.
Life.
We went to D.Z.'s memorial service. It was really sad.
I was thinking about the resurrection and how wonderful it would be to be able to raise people from the dead. What a joy! There's greater happiness in giving the receiving. How I wish I could bring them back!
"Anthony you'd better come in early. The computer systems are down".
Overnight the we had a lightning storm and the system had failed. I spent all-day trying to get it going again and I came up short. So I threw myself out at Saturday and finally got it to go ... barely ... slowly.
The machine's a mess. The tape backup drive is failing.
I hope a new machine is in the budget cause we are going to need one ...
--
Friday night I got in beat down and stressed. Rebekah, bless her heart, went out and got me some taquitos and a six-pack of Negra Modelo. That made things beter. Comfort food.
--
Saturday we took Mina out - lunch, book store, Toys-r-Us, City Museum. The City Museum is fun anytime but at night it gets so much better (and cheaper). We happened to bump into fellow Nucleargopher/Band Kids labelmate Nathan. What a surprise that was! We exchanged numbers. Hopefully we can get together now that he is around here.
There was a fight in the dodge-ball pit.
--
Sunday after the meetings we went to Quizno's and I chomped down on a piece of ice and my molar broke.
Life.
We went to D.Z.'s memorial service. It was really sad.
I was thinking about the resurrection and how wonderful it would be to be able to raise people from the dead. What a joy! There's greater happiness in giving the receiving. How I wish I could bring them back!
Friday, September 16, 2005
. . .
I wish I knew what to do
Where to go
When to move
Can you help me to see?
I'm so unkind
My eyes are blind
I'm so unworthy
I'm so worldly
Father hold me
I hope this isn't blasphemy
Come down and save me
I love you
There is no fear in love
So where does that leave us?
I love you too much
My heart might burst
...but I've had worse.
Where to go
When to move
Can you help me to see?
I'm so unkind
My eyes are blind
I'm so unworthy
I'm so worldly
Father hold me
I hope this isn't blasphemy
Come down and save me
I love you
There is no fear in love
So where does that leave us?
I love you too much
My heart might burst
...but I've had worse.
Monday, September 12, 2005
Glasses
I was drinking out of a measuring glass and it dawned on me that we need to buy some glasses. As it stands we have:
1 shot glass
1 martini glass
1 wine goblet
1 drinking glass
I doubt we will be entertaining anytime soon ...
1 shot glass
1 martini glass
1 wine goblet
1 drinking glass
I doubt we will be entertaining anytime soon ...
Thursday, September 08, 2005
My Friend
I started to feel better about the disaster now that our Government is getting the situation under control.
But then I got the call that one of my old friends had died. Suicide.
So that is now upsetting to me.
We grew up together as young kids and then we saw each often when we were teenagers.
Eventually he went to Bethel and I lost track of him.
I felt like calling him a month or so ago but never got around to it.
I really wish I had because when terrible things like this happen we always seem to wonder if there was something we could've done.
So my prayers and thoughts today are going to his family.
Come, Lord Jesus. Come!
But then I got the call that one of my old friends had died. Suicide.
So that is now upsetting to me.
We grew up together as young kids and then we saw each often when we were teenagers.
Eventually he went to Bethel and I lost track of him.
I felt like calling him a month or so ago but never got around to it.
I really wish I had because when terrible things like this happen we always seem to wonder if there was something we could've done.
So my prayers and thoughts today are going to his family.
Come, Lord Jesus. Come!
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Keep On The Watch
I've been incredibly sad about the New Orleans situation.
Sad is maybe an understatement.
Crushed.
Distraught.
Weak.
And those words don't seem to describe how I truly feel about the matter.
There is a lot to say about these things ... about what is going on.
But what can you say?
Please realise the value of having some provisions set-aside in your home in view of the times.
FEMA Emergency Preparedness Checklist
Above all else recognize that when the tribulation as spoken of by Jesus (Matthew 24:9,21) hits no amount of disaster preperation will be able to save us. Things will be so bad that the only salvation would be through Jehovah and at the hand of our savior Jesus.
So a key to preparation is reading the Bible, praying, drawing close to Jehovah right now. Examine your life and honestly see if something is standing in the way of your relationship with your heavenly Father. If you find something blocking your path don't hesitate to get rid of it. (Matthew 18:8,9)
I firmly believe that the tribulation is coming quickly. Can you look out and the world and see that is no longer slowly advancing from bad to worse but it is a near free-fall toward collapse and breakdown?
Keep on the watch. Keep your oil supply going strong.
Be ready for anything.
Trust in Jehovah no matter what!
Sad is maybe an understatement.
Crushed.
Distraught.
Weak.
And those words don't seem to describe how I truly feel about the matter.
There is a lot to say about these things ... about what is going on.
But what can you say?
Please realise the value of having some provisions set-aside in your home in view of the times.
FEMA Emergency Preparedness Checklist
Above all else recognize that when the tribulation as spoken of by Jesus (Matthew 24:9,21) hits no amount of disaster preperation will be able to save us. Things will be so bad that the only salvation would be through Jehovah and at the hand of our savior Jesus.
So a key to preparation is reading the Bible, praying, drawing close to Jehovah right now. Examine your life and honestly see if something is standing in the way of your relationship with your heavenly Father. If you find something blocking your path don't hesitate to get rid of it. (Matthew 18:8,9)
I firmly believe that the tribulation is coming quickly. Can you look out and the world and see that is no longer slowly advancing from bad to worse but it is a near free-fall toward collapse and breakdown?
Keep on the watch. Keep your oil supply going strong.
Be ready for anything.
Trust in Jehovah no matter what!
Friday, September 02, 2005
My Money Where My Mouth Is
I could write about my bad day yesterday. I could but anything that I'm going through is extremely petty in light of what is happening just south of me.
To me this is worse than September 11th. September 11th was at least comprehensible on a simplistic level. Warefare between nations is rarely simple but at least we can understand it.
But this ...
Young children are being raped and murdered. Can you comprehend that?
Thousands of dead bodies floating being eaten by birds, fish, and alligators. Can you comprehend that?
People dropping like flies without food and water. Can you comprehend that?
People being rounded up (coralled) and sent to stadiums. Can you comprehend that?
People shooting their military. Can you comprehend that?
The military shooting their people. Can you comprehend that?
I find it very difficult to understand these things ...
People throw out their reason when the get scared. The human tendancy to hang on to life will make rational people act desperate. You can see that in New Orleans. No food. No water. No nothing. They become animal.
I think of Revelation where only those who receive the mark of the beast (align themselves with that last political world rulership) will be able to buy and sell. Think about what that would mean for you. You are starving. Your kids are starving. This world government is dangling food in front of you and saying you can eat if you join us, you can get healthcare if join us, we can protect you if you join us. And yet we have to make a choice to side with God's Kingdom and let the consequences be what the consequences will be.
It calls to mind the three Hebrews who refused to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar's idol. (Is it coincidence that the idol carried the measurements 60 and 6? The name of the Beast is 600 60 6.) They were willing to suffer the consequences - death by fire - for their giving Jehovah their God exclusive devotion. Would Jehovah save them? It didn't matter to them because it wasn't about them. If He would He would if He didn't they would still worship him. Their concern was Jehovah and Jehovah only. And so they were grabbed and hurled into the fire. It appeared that Jehovah wouldn't rescue them. It wasn't until the 0 moment and they hit the flames when Jehovah did save them. At the very point of not turning back He sent an angel to deliver him. This is a lesson for those who will make up the great crowd that survives the Great Tribulation.
For awhile now I have felt in my bones and my heart that we are close. Each new day tells me I'm right.
The terrorist attacks of September 11th happened and we woke up ... and then went back to sleep.
The tsunami hit and we woke up ... and then went back to sleep.
We can't afford to go back to sleep. Not now. Not this time.
Jesus gave us the stuff to look for in Matthew 24 and Luke 21. I know some of us feel that list came true in 1914 or shortly thereafter and we don't have to keep on the watch anymore. But the stuff we are going through and will soon go through will make all those "big events" seemingly insignificant. Really how bad will World War I seem if ever we were involved in a nuclear war? Really how bad with the spanish flu seem if the dreaded avian flu begins spreading to humans? Really how bad will the great depression seem if the american economy collapses and plunges the world into global depression? And if/when the weather finally breaks due to global warming how will anything compare to the natural disasters, disease, and food shortages that such a change will bring about?
I don't know that any of that stuff will happen but as a matter of practicality I think you have to assume and prepare for the worst. Remember "for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again." (Matthew 24:21)
I think we have decided to sell everything non-essential and try to live as simply as possible for the time being. This will probably include stuff we love like record collections and music equipment It's not that the extra money will be any protection but I just don't want to be encumbered by possessions. I don't want to be the guy who is staying behind when the warning is given because he is afraid of losing his stuff. I don't want to be the guy shot and murdered for his material posessions.
Matthew 24:15 “Therefore, when YOU catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place, (let the reader use discernment,) 16 then let those in Ju·de´a begin fleeing to the mountains. 17 Let the man on the housetop not come down to take the goods out of his house; 18 and let the man in the field not return to the house to pick up his outer garment."
This is the guy I really want to be ... I want to be the guy that is able to flee unencumbered without looking back. (Remember Lot's wife? These things are a lesson for us to learn from.) When it comes time to move or preach or whatever work there is to do in the final days I want to do it without reservation.
To me this is worse than September 11th. September 11th was at least comprehensible on a simplistic level. Warefare between nations is rarely simple but at least we can understand it.
But this ...
Young children are being raped and murdered. Can you comprehend that?
Thousands of dead bodies floating being eaten by birds, fish, and alligators. Can you comprehend that?
People dropping like flies without food and water. Can you comprehend that?
People being rounded up (coralled) and sent to stadiums. Can you comprehend that?
People shooting their military. Can you comprehend that?
The military shooting their people. Can you comprehend that?
I find it very difficult to understand these things ...
People throw out their reason when the get scared. The human tendancy to hang on to life will make rational people act desperate. You can see that in New Orleans. No food. No water. No nothing. They become animal.
I think of Revelation where only those who receive the mark of the beast (align themselves with that last political world rulership) will be able to buy and sell. Think about what that would mean for you. You are starving. Your kids are starving. This world government is dangling food in front of you and saying you can eat if you join us, you can get healthcare if join us, we can protect you if you join us. And yet we have to make a choice to side with God's Kingdom and let the consequences be what the consequences will be.
It calls to mind the three Hebrews who refused to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar's idol. (Is it coincidence that the idol carried the measurements 60 and 6? The name of the Beast is 600 60 6.) They were willing to suffer the consequences - death by fire - for their giving Jehovah their God exclusive devotion. Would Jehovah save them? It didn't matter to them because it wasn't about them. If He would He would if He didn't they would still worship him. Their concern was Jehovah and Jehovah only. And so they were grabbed and hurled into the fire. It appeared that Jehovah wouldn't rescue them. It wasn't until the 0 moment and they hit the flames when Jehovah did save them. At the very point of not turning back He sent an angel to deliver him. This is a lesson for those who will make up the great crowd that survives the Great Tribulation.
For awhile now I have felt in my bones and my heart that we are close. Each new day tells me I'm right.
The terrorist attacks of September 11th happened and we woke up ... and then went back to sleep.
The tsunami hit and we woke up ... and then went back to sleep.
We can't afford to go back to sleep. Not now. Not this time.
Jesus gave us the stuff to look for in Matthew 24 and Luke 21. I know some of us feel that list came true in 1914 or shortly thereafter and we don't have to keep on the watch anymore. But the stuff we are going through and will soon go through will make all those "big events" seemingly insignificant. Really how bad will World War I seem if ever we were involved in a nuclear war? Really how bad with the spanish flu seem if the dreaded avian flu begins spreading to humans? Really how bad will the great depression seem if the american economy collapses and plunges the world into global depression? And if/when the weather finally breaks due to global warming how will anything compare to the natural disasters, disease, and food shortages that such a change will bring about?
I don't know that any of that stuff will happen but as a matter of practicality I think you have to assume and prepare for the worst. Remember "for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again." (Matthew 24:21)
I think we have decided to sell everything non-essential and try to live as simply as possible for the time being. This will probably include stuff we love like record collections and music equipment It's not that the extra money will be any protection but I just don't want to be encumbered by possessions. I don't want to be the guy who is staying behind when the warning is given because he is afraid of losing his stuff. I don't want to be the guy shot and murdered for his material posessions.
Matthew 24:15 “Therefore, when YOU catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place, (let the reader use discernment,) 16 then let those in Ju·de´a begin fleeing to the mountains. 17 Let the man on the housetop not come down to take the goods out of his house; 18 and let the man in the field not return to the house to pick up his outer garment."
This is the guy I really want to be ... I want to be the guy that is able to flee unencumbered without looking back. (Remember Lot's wife? These things are a lesson for us to learn from.) When it comes time to move or preach or whatever work there is to do in the final days I want to do it without reservation.
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