It Saddens Me

IF there is one thing that saddens me personally, aside from all the sin and darkness in the world, it is the lack of interest young folks show in the Bible.

It appears that many enjoy the fellowship, the issue discussion, the music, the camaraderie of "church," yet they are unwilling to get to the nitty-gritty of the deeper aspects of God and His dealings with mankind.

It must be reckoned with.

Sin. Repentance. God's Character. Prophecy. Judgement. Power.

When one grapples with these things one can focus on love, compassion, and good. It flows naturally out of an understanding of God's heart, at least what humans are capable of!

Because God is beyond our comprehension in all ways. As Paul suggested in his writings, things unspeakable...


When one gets caught in the mire of human reasoning, theology, and spiritual distraction the devil knows he has won the battle. There is a lack of understanding that leads to fruitlessness.

That, my friends, is a the real test of Christ's love. You will be known by your fruits.


What is the root that grows the fruit?


A good understanding of Scripture (mind you, not even complete understanding!) will set you on the path to fruitfulness. When you question the Word, when you reason it away from its stated meaning, you lose your fruitfulness.

When you read and meditate on the Word you are tapping into the life-giving sustenance that drives your spiritual effect on others.

When you read the Bible you are immediately struck by the prophecies, what is still to come. So many prophecies have been fulfilled already, even ones in our day and age. (ISRAEL!)

Knowing Biblical prophecy gives a grid to your worldview, to your sanity, to your mental health. As things unfold you are fully aware of the implications, you have perfect peace in the hands of the God who has planned this all out from the beginning of time.

It's powerful. It's truth, and everyone, every young person NEEDS this to live fruitfully.

Alas. It's not been predicted that everyone will believe God. Actually there have been indications that 2/3rds of mankind will eternally perish. One third of the angels fell, but two thirds of mankind will.

That is not in Scripture, but in traditional writings. It would make sense. So many have already perished without the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

So many (it seems almost overwhelming sometimes!) are perishing in their sin, unrepentant, lost. Some actually believe their sin is completely acceptable on all levels.

Signs of the times, "as in the days of Noah"...another prophecy for our times being fulfilled.

What can we do?

We can share the Gospel. We can assure young believers that studying prophecy will greatly help them navigate their lives. We can minister lovingly to anyone who crosses your path. We can live this day, moment by moment, in surrender to the God who made Creation. We can affirm life, love, and righteousness. We can love one another. We can humble ourselves before the Judge of the Universe.

Come on, young people! Study to show thyself approved UNTO GOD! Get into the Word and find your purpose for living.


It will battle suicide, depression, sin, heart-ache, aimlessness, poverty, rebellion. It will bring pure joy.

What are you waiting for?


Olive Tree Ministries, with Jan Markell, holds their annual prophecy conference this weekend in Minneapolis. It's all day on Saturday, 8:30am to around 5:00pm. Consider attending this wonderful event, and find your reason for living.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Motive. It's about Motive

https://amgreatness.com/2018/09/24/americas-aimless-accusatocracy/

Repent

In order to avoid eternity in hell you must repent.

You must put your faith in Jesus Christ. God gives this gift of eternal LIFE to be freely accepted by anyone. He will not force you.

Please trust in Christ. Time is so short.


Jesus mentioned hell more than he mentioned heaven. God is the Creator of all things.

Read Colossians! He made things justly and perfectly.

Repent from your sin and come to Christ.

What can convince you to love your Maker?

Please humble yourself and turn away from sin. Turn your eyes upon Jesus.

Atheist Dies & Goes to Hell... Turns back to Jesus (R$E)

TRUTH: 'Peacing' It Back Together Released

Part 1 PIBT 1/17

Steve Quayle and Dane Wigington Hagmann Interview Clips for True Legen...

Corgi Hollows: Marge's Elixir (Re-sharing because it's relevant)

Corgi Hollows: Marge's Elixir: I grew up knowing a woman who was a friend of my mother, and who was very knowledgeable about nutrition. Marge had said that if she could ra...

Ephesians 4 by Martin Luther:

Weisungen für das neue Leben

25 Darum legt die Lüge ab und redet die Wahrheit, ein jeder mit seinem Nächsten, weil wir untereinander Glieder sind. 

26 Zürnt ihr, so sündigt nicht; lasst die Sonne nicht über eurem Zorn untergehen 

27 und gebt nicht Raum dem Teufel. 

28 Wer gestohlen hat, der stehle nicht mehr, sondern arbeite und schaffe mit eigenen Händen das nötige Gut, damit er dem Bedürftigen abgeben kann. 

29 Lasst kein faules Geschwätz aus eurem Mund gehen, sondern redet, was gut ist, was erbaut und was notwendig ist, damit es Gnade bringe denen, die es hören. 

30 Und betrübt nicht den Heiligen Geist Gottes, mit dem ihr versiegelt seid für den Tag der Erlösung. 

31 Alle Bitterkeit und Grimm und Zorn und Geschrei und Lästerung seien fern von euch samt aller Bosheit. 

32 Seid aber untereinander freundlich und herzlich und vergebt einer dem andern, wie auch Gott euch vergeben hat in Christus.

This just seems to have more oomph.

Ephesians 4

20 But ye have not so learned Christ;

21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

27 Neither give place to the devil.

28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

The Last Shift

Tonight is my last shift working at the Deli at the local grocery store. The store closes for good on October 1, but the deli is closing tonight.

I have so many thoughts about this small milestone.

I came out of housewifery two years ago. My son had a chronic illness, cancer, and the medical costs were eating our savings. That, and a move to a more pricey home---from one completely paid off. We had wonderful health insurance, but cancer is expensive. You try different health foods, you pay for the gas for multiple trips downtown (parking was covered by a generous donor at the clinic----you know those big fundraisers hospitals put on?) Still, there were sometimes parking costs. We bought a car that was easier to fit into downtown parking...

We graduated from the full sized van.

We could not have done cancer without our close family and friends. They were our lifeline to sanity and ease financially.

We're through with those expensive days now, we hope. The hotels at the Mayo Clinic, the meals eaten out those nights with no time to prepare something at home...

One friend gave us a gift card to the Holiday Gas Stations. That was so thoughtful! We usually buy our gas at Costco, (cheaper) but it was fun to stop for coffee on occasion.

Gifts of $20, $50, even $500 and $1,000 were breathing room for us.

So much is not covered by insurance. You know that. I am SO thankful for generous friends.

So hi-ho, hi-ho, it was back to work I went.

The Deli was a place nearby, with much local color. It was a great job for an introvert like me! I worked alone in the big old kitchen, oven frying chicken, making salads, waiting on customers. I had time to think and plan, breathe, grieve, dream.

The store is a place I've known my whole life. Every single customer tells me how sad they are to see the store close. The little town it is in sorely needs a grocery store!

Margaret worked there too, sometimes we helped with covering each other's shifts. She is a coffee maven, working also at Caribou Coffee, a Minnesota coffee shop, so her experience in the food industry far out-measures mine. She started at the Deli after her return from France. A few weeks ago we had a conversation about crabby customers.

We get them from time to time, people who believe you are not worthy of their glorious condescension. It may be a snobby business man or woman wearing the expensive polo shirt or designer heels. It might be a life-hardened face sick of dealing with anyone or anything. You can spot them right away, and you sink into subservient mode. Don't think the people who serve you don't read you like a book! We do.

Your manners and your demeanor really do communicate.

I'm glad I've had this experience. I've learned so much, and I've learned to be kinder. I've learned to be careful about people. I've learned that a red-faced messy old guy who probably drinks way too much needs a kind word and his eyes light up with a little joke or pun.

I've learned that kindness matters.

I knew it before, but I've seen it demonstrated now. There was so much opportunity to SERVE.

I won't miss my weekends being tied up. Subbing will hopefully fund all the things we still need to manage.

I'm studying for the GRE now. I hope to take it in December. When Greek Class is done with its first session.

BACK TO SCHOOL again, and it's okay. I've learned some life lessons and I've gained a ton of confidence with my own cooking skills!

I can make an incredible potato salad, folks...

Confessions

I must confess that I harbor ill feelings for leftists these days. They are so hard to love.

But God says we must love them. When they swear, when they're "ugly" -----(not physically,  but in spirit) when they treat you like dirt.

When they talk around your assertions and ignore your reasoning. 


But then, the spirit is only able to witness to itself. Leftists affirm murder, whether it is through abortion or socialism.


There is no meeting in the middle on this. The spirit speaks, and gives evidence of itself in all things.

Please, Lord Jesus! Help me obey you and love -----

Lucianne 9/21/2018 On the article "Mistaken Identity?"

"

Reply 2 - Posted by: LadyHen, 9/20/2018 7:10:26 PM     (No. 11765720) And men and women write articles and wail and gnash teeth on WHY oh why young men aren´t more forward, why aren´t they asking women out on dates and chatting up gals like they used to? WELL DUH! Don´t think this kind of stuff, and overzealous HR departments run by feminists, and #MeToo doesn´t have a chilling effect on young men now. All a woman has to do is make an unsubstantiated accusation and your life as a husband, father, a man, your career, your financial future, your everything is over.. gone. If it can happen to Judge K, it can happen to any man. " A comment on Lucianne this morning. Truth.

Come Lord JESUS!

Come Lord Jesus!

Maranatha!

Save your Children from the evil one!

Make us your light, your witnesses unto the ends of the earth

We are waiting, Lord,

We have oil in our lamps, we have the Holy Spirit who reassures our spirits that we belong to the Father in Heaven, creator of heaven and earth.

Thankful hearts today, for your blessings, your care, your protection.

May God be glorified!

Life, Ongoing

I spent the last three days being an art teacher at the high school. Everything went really well, and I'm getting to know so many of the students. It's been rewarding.

Cherie has morphed into a VARSITY cross country runner since I last wrote, and that has been amazing! She has improved her times and helped her teammates place better. It's been such a fun season so far! Many more meets to go----

We've had family visiting. My sister-in-law, gardener extraordinaire, brought tomatoes and cucumbers from her Iowa acreage. We took her and my brother-in-law to the wonderful ice cream place in Mound--Lost Lake Creamery. It's closing this weekend for the winter, but next summer you can try it out!

Last Friday Cherie and I drove to Albert Lea, Minnesota to have "The Tabernacle Experience" at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds. We met friends there---

This is a travelling exhibit that replicates the original tabernacle in Exodus. I really didn't know what to expect, but it was very moving for me. I came home with home-school material, a beautiful necklace that is fashioned like the high priest's breastplate, and a CD of beautiful Hebrew praise music. I'm playing this music in my car, and I LOVE IT.

Last year I learned the Otiot, the ancient Hebrew picture alphabet. I do have a desire to learn languages, as they are the way humans (and God) communicate. Our church has begun a Bible Institute recently and the first class they offered is an introduction to Greek. My husband and I signed up and last evening was the first class.

My husband took three semesters of Greek at Wheaton College, so for him it's a review. I'm pretty fresh. This week's assignment is to learn the alphabet and 26 words. Let's see if I can do it. It took me all year to memorize the Otiot.



I guess I'll really have to study this week!

The Corgi Hollows History Day is fast approaching. It has rained and stormed all week here, which keeps things unaccustomedly green.

I hope we have clear skies on October 13, the big day, but as I said----rain or shine! We'll have a rip-roaring time ;)

Email me at corgihollows@gmail.com for information.

Meanwhile it drips today. The cats wanted out but accepted the invitation to come back in shortly after. This is a day to catch up, write, and plan!

Two big birthdays to celebrate this weekend, with friends and family, an organ concert (Michael Barone's  Pipedreams  35th Anniversary at Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie) and the LAST SHIFT at the Deli!

Time passages. Life just keeps rolling along.  

Thank you James O' Keefe

https://youtu.be/S9qugiX6uYY

Worldview

http://thefederalist.com/2018/09/18/need-know-intelligence-agencies-covered-1996-crash-twa-800/

Persecution on the Rise

https://mobile.wnd.com/2018/09/china-to-ban-foreigners-from-preaching-online/

Big news

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/statement-press-secretary-34/

The Bull

https://canadafreepress.com/article/yes-trump-is-a-bull-in-a-china-shop...and-the-china-shop-needs-to-be-wrecke

Julie Roys

http://julieroys.com/responsible-scandals-church/

Gospel Truth

Yesterday my mom and I talked about sharing the Gospel. She was saddened by the lack of response to the Good News and asked why it even matters to share it when no one is listening. She asked me why I persisted in saying the same thing over and over.

I have asked myself that many times. It seems like it's not worth it. There is so little feedback.

But I have found that over the years, as a Bible-carrying student in high school, a Sunday School teacher, a missionary, a Good News Club teacher, a teacher/mom raising children, and now someone involved in jail ministry---the Gospel can be new and fresh each time you share it.

It never gets old. There are always nuances to emphasize. There may be completely different people around. If it is the same people there are different circumstances to address.

Someone has noted that it takes several exposures to the Truth before someone accepts it, usually. It may be a quick conversation, or a snatch heard on the radio. It might be a tract. Any one of these things could convince someone to convert to belief in Christ, but more often it is a combination of these things.

When I write on this blog I always start out with an issue that's on my mind. I end up with the hope that is in me in Christ Jesus, because that is the most important thing.

We all need to practice sharing Christ! The more you do it, day in and day out, you will be accustomed to it, eating---breathing---sleeping the Gospel! It's practice that makes perfect, and what should you be perfecting?

As believers we should be perfecting sharing Christ.

Yes, it is offensive to people. You always have to check if you are the offense, or the Gospel. You shouldn't be the offense. The Gospel is inherently offensive.

So, I make no excuse for continuously pointing to the Gospel. I am praying for many people whom I know do not know Christ, but I have links to them one way or another: family, friends, acquaintances, co-workers, students, and those I meet online.

And God knows who is really listening, who is being touched by just that particular message, argument, or line of reasoning. God in his infinite wisdom chose us weaklings to deliver the truth.

What really matters? Politics? Events? History? Art? Music?

Every single thing on this earth is eclipsed by Faith. Faith is something that matters in all areas. It is the vital link to joy.

So I will continue to harp on. I will continue to practice sharing Christ. I will keep it up, and I will keep praying that I will not grow weary or discouraged. I know that I am to be obedient to my God, and He has commanded me to share the Good News.

How about practicing with me?

SPEAK THE TRUTH

A Gift of a Day

We had planned to go camping. It's Labor Day weekend, and Fort Ridgely beckoned. I haven't camped since Ed was diagnosed with leukemia four years ago.

But storms were forecast, and we just didn't have the gumption to set up a tent in pouring rain.


Instead we drove to Fort Ridgely, had a picnic with my in-laws, hiked with Corwyn up and down the steep valley of the Minnesota river and got back in the truck the minute the deluge began!

We drove home in rain, and went to bed early.

I had my first substitute call while I was away, and since I couldn't respond I missed the job. Today is the first day of school. I don't have any real regret, as I needed a day at home.

There are so many things happening----Cross Country, the deli closing, projects, cleaning, pets to care for, people to help, schedules to manage! SCHOOL!

I have a friend who is going through a terrible trial right now. Please pray for her.

Hummingbirds are being driven away from their feeders by honeybees. I couldn't believe all the Monarch butterflies I saw at Fort Ridgely. It was impressive. Honeybees, too. They were all feasting on Goldenrod.

I expect the hummers and butterflies to depart soon. There is nothing so amazing as the migration of creatures in the animal world. It is always so astoundingly complex and next to impossible!

Psalm 50:11 I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.

That verse comforts me. The NIV says insects, not wild beasts. They are included, for sure.

God takes care of His animal kind.

Mankind is the reason for the terrible mass death among different species all over the earth---ocean life, birds, insects! Sin affected the animal kingdom as surely as it affected humans. I am so thankful that God will redeem the earth and its animal kind as well as those of us who love and serve Him! The promise is there, in Scripture. I don't curl up and weep when I see the devastation. I hate it, but I know there is hope.

We are called to be stewards and we obey God in all His goodness. But we are realists, knowing that the earth is suffering from sin.

Today I need to steward my time. Laundry, organizing, and maybe a bike ride or swim later on.

Family is visiting from the east coast, so I want to be free for fun and games too! 


A day is a gift. I think we substitute teachers get this on a whole different level!


And so the school year begins...

The Genesis 6 Conspiracy

I'm reading a fascinating and fully researched book by Gary Wayne.

I don't feel like I can believe everything he writes in the book, but there are some interesting ideas!


I'm thoughtfully considering his information.


Here's something that makes sense that I had not considered before:

Fallen angels are not demons. Demons are the disembodied spirits of the offspring of the creatures mentioned in Genesis six. They are constantly looking for something to indwell, they are spiritual entities that can torment, abuse, and hurt. There are also ranks of angelic beings, too. Satan/Lucifer was a Seraph. Seraph has links to Serpent in the Hebrew.

Do you believe in the supernatural? Do you believe in the spiritual?


There is far more to it than we can even imagine.

What do you think of that? 

Blog Readers:

It's fun to find out who is reading my blog. I just see counts, not who, but I will mention things and there are certain people who perk right up and say "I know, I read that---"

And there are others, who you'd think MIGHT actually be interested.....who have no clue what I am writing.

It lends itself to being a bit more open about things.

As you know, I am extremely careful about names and places. I try to be vague when it comes to certain things that may reveal identities or specifics.

General things like cities or parks are fair game, or politicians. But I try to protect my own people.

I do not plan to reveal any specifics, but I do feel a greater sense of freedom about what I can write here. People that have had an impact on me in my life are truly fair game!

(I won't mention names!)


Sometimes there are negatives, and those shape our worlds more often than positives!

In any book there is a protagonist and an antagonist. Antagonists are interesting and necessary.

Cherie and I were discussing "Emma" by Jane Austen. Jane Fairfax is an interesting "antagonist." She is disliked openly by the heroine of the story, yet the reader feels that the author is definitely on her side.
It's a twist of literature that lends to the interest of the story.

Perhaps I can present "antagonists" in the same way---because I truly care about many "antagonists" in my life.


It's an interesting time to identify your antagonists. Politics is polarizing, and over the horrid Obama years I felt that people still interested themselves in ongoing friendships and relationships.

Trump became president and all the pretense came down. Leftists don't just hate Trump. They hate anyone who can see the good of what he is doing! The masks of civility came off.

People who once were interesting acquaintances, family, even friends are alien since the election.


It is a loss we will have to bear.


Perhaps it is a gift from the LORD, a way to cull the people of influence in life, those that don't or should not merit your interest or time.


WE are called to preach the gospel. That is a command to keep from Christ Himself. If people don't respond to that we are COMMANDED to leave. Shake the dust off your feet.

YES there is grief, yes, there is loss! Losing relationship is always painful, and should be! God knows this!


But there is also a command to go on, and follow the LORD.

Trump gave an interesting prophecy to evangelical leaders a week ago. It was supposed to be private, but someone recorded him. He warned the Christians that the attacks that have been so merciless on him will transfer to evangelical Christians if leftists regain any political power.

Fascinating. We are to prepare for persecution on a whole new level!

Persecution for believers is a given. We should expect it, and bring it to Christ. He understands and He will give the grace and strength to get through it.

We true believers hold the Rapture to be the Blessed HOPE that will whisk us away from such hardship, but the Rapture actually whisks us away to a marriage supper with Christ, the Bridegroom! It preserves us from the wrath of God that will fall on the earth before Christ and His bride return at the Second Coming to begin a 1,000-year reign on earth, where Christ Himself walks and rules.

It's in the Bible.

Simple, plain reading of the text will take you to this interpretation. One female pastor (I know, a travesty!) asked me "What's Plain reading?'

It's when YOU read the text and YOU see the words, and YOU get the message from the text.  You are not filtering it through some theologian, some scholar, some powerful personality.

It's YOU reading it. Don't be so afraid to READ the BIBLE, and ask God to HELP YOU understand it.

Trust God! The Bible is His word, His message to you!

Read it Genesis to Revelation and receive a special blessing. I try to read it through every year, and GOD HAS BLESSED ME!

God directs each facet of my entire life! He convicts me of my sin, He helps me overcome. He provides for me lavishly, things I could never have even hoped for! He is a generous Provider!

He requires my obedience, and He blesses me. Salvation is just the beginning of His great blessing on my life. I have eternity to look forward to, but the blessings are happening right now! Praise GOD!


Do you think my life is easy? Do you think I have no trouble? I hope that after reading this blog for years now you have seen the trials and tribulations of my insignificant life. I'm insignificant on this earth, but not to my LORD and savior. He loves me.

He's preparing me to be with Him, and that is the single most significant thing in my life. Everything else is just "gravy."

So come with me. Don't look back! Look up to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith! Don't worry about the unbelievers and their politics, their trouble with the world! It doesn't matter!

Love them, serve them, be kind to them, but let them go! OH, have you shared Christ with them? Have they ever heard the plan of salvation? Do they show evidence of the Holy Spirit in their lives?

The fellowship of true saints is a beautiful thing, and it unites souls all around the entire earth! It's amazing.


If you are reading this and you have not humbled yourself and repented before your Maker, please do. So much awaits you as His child.

Don't wait. Follow Christ today. He is the LORD GOD, Maker of Heaven and Earth! He is worthy of your adoration and your obedience. He is the reason for everything, and the only true reason for life.


Don't let Satan trick you out of eternal joy.

The funeral for the establishment

http://www.atimes.com/article/a-funeral-for-a-world-that-never-was//

Ldotters

http://www.lucianne.com/thread.aspx/?artnum=951292&Reply_Id=11744346&Page=1#11744346

Why There are No Aliens

I saw this on the BBC and thought you should see it: This video explains why we cannot go faster than light - http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20170228-why-cant-we-go-faster-than-light