Heaven Bound

“Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love endures forever” Psalm 118:1

I like the start of a New Year.  For me, its as if something magical happens when the clock strikes midnight and the old year passes into history and the new year begins. Fresh as new fallen snow, the newly born year waits in blind anticipation for the first imprint upon its pristine and virginal surface. And for one breathless moment in time it seems as if anything is possible. And the dashed hopes and dreams of yesterday become once again attainable.

I have long thought that the year 2018 would be special. In my mind, there is a close correlation to the present year with Psalm 118. And with the tumultuous year of 2017 behind us it is reassuring to know that the first and last verses of this incredible Psalm begin and end with these same words –

“Give thanks to the Lord for he is good and his love endures forever”

A reminder and promise twice stated that in spite of how things may look (during this coming year) the Lord is indeed good and his love endures forever. 

A promise to remember as this world increasingly looks like a train wildly out of control. A train careening down a steep mountainside destined to end up in a smoldering heap before reaching the end of the track with no one in control and no one to intervene.  Thank God it isn’t so for Psalm 118 is as much a Psalm of triumph as it is anything else. And God’s will and purposes will prevail.

As I close this post tonight I want to wish each of you a happy and blessing filled New Year. It’s an exciting time to be alive for God is in the process of doing mighty things for his people. The year of his favor, you might say. And we have a front row seat for watching all he is about to do. Join me in watching, if you will. For 2018, by all looks will be a year to remember.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper who love thee” Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints” Psalm 116:15

Pictured above is the small church in which I grew up. Not unlike the small church in Sutherland Springs, Texas yesterday where 27 people were killed and 20 more were injured.  As you can see, it is the small kind of country Church you can find almost anywhere USA – particularly in rural America. A place where people know each other well – often times from cradle to grave – a place where people meet for worship and fellowship – singing, talking, laughing, and sometimes crying.  A place where  people knit together by a common faith share some of the most important moments of their lives. Births, baptisms, weddings and funerals. A place where God is worshipped and small town values are held to.

It was heartbreaking and beyond belief that anyone could walk in to a setting such as this and shoot without discrimination . With victims ranging in age from 18 months to 77 years of age there was no one who was not a target. With little time to react or escape victims were mown down where they sat. And within a few short moments what had began as a bright Sunday morning dissolved in to a bright sea of blood. Leaving a community and a nation heartsick and in shock in its aftermath.

It’s a tragedy when anyone loses their life. Especially in such a senseless way. And as we scramble to make sense of such a loss in the end their really is no making sense of it. Yes, we can point at different things that may have been factors but in the end what the Bible says is true –

“The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked – who can know it”? Jeremiah 17:9

To our way of thinking that seems a bit harsh as we like to think of ourselves as good. And yet the God who sees deep in to the human heart says differently. We at times can do good but the heart condition itself is prone to something far from the good that we want to do. And for this reason is desperately in need of change.

The folks at FBC in Sutherland Springs understood this. And while the visitor who claimed their lives intended them harm given half a chance they would have embraced him as one who needed Jesus and for whom he died.  A pity he walked in with a gun instead of the hurt and hardened heart that beat within his chest. For the love of Jesus would surely have met him there had he given it – but half a chance.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper who love thee” Psalm 122:6

Waiting and watching with YOU for the soon return of Jesus! Cindy

“The treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously …. and shall divide the land at a price.” Isaiah 24:16 and Daniel 11:39

We are entering perhaps one of the most prophetic weeks of our time. With Israeli elections tomorrow and the promise of the unveiling of the long awaited peace plan to follow there can be no doubt that we are set to see the unfolding of events in the very near future that we could once have only imagined.

A few years ago I wrote a post titled “The Die Has Been Cast”.  It likened the dividing of the land of Israel to the dividing of Christs’ garments at the time of his crucifixion. The post was written December 2016 and while the peace plan failed to materialize at that time we can be assured that (at the appointed time ) it will and that time is looking more and more like it could be anytime now.

In Luke chapter 13 Jesus laments over Jerusalem with these sorrowful words:

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem ….”

Have you ever heard such heart wrenching words? The sorrow for a people and city that would ultimately reject him. Whose choices (even well into the future) would tear at his heart much like the bloodied garments that were torn from him at the time of his crucifixion. He would have spared them what was coming. He would have done anything for them. And he did …… But they would not.  Instead they calculated the sum of his worth and deemed it to be very little.

Interesting how things turn around. Likewise, the world has summed up her worth – not by whose possession she is (God’s) but simply by how much money she can bring. And while it may not be much (by the world’s standards) there is a certain amount of satisfaction to be gained (or so it would seem) by simply rolling the dice for her garments.

And while this is touted as a “peace plan” make no mistake –  this is first and foremost about money. Which is why the scripture makes it clear –

“They divided my land for a price”

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper who love thee” Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy

“Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Matthew 17:4

The photo above was taken some years ago when we were teaching on the Feast of Tabernacles. The temporary shelter (or Sukkah as it is known in Hebrew) is reminiscent of God providing for his people enroute from Egypt to the promised land. It was during this journey that the people learned to trust and rely on God. Kind of like the journey we as believers are on as we travel through this life … learning to trust and rely on God along the way.

When I look at this photo I am amazed by the radiant joy in each face. Kind of like the way the Bible describes the face of Moses after he had been in the presence of the Lord. It shone!

There are a number of things happening in the next few days and weeks that strongly portend to the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy and the soon translation of the Church in to heaven. No coincidence (in my opinion) that the sun in its darkened state will pass through no less than 7 American cities named Salem as it make its way across the country on Monday August 21. (Salem the original name for Jerusalem). A sign perhaps that as the Church is removed …. God’s focus will once again fall on Israel, and more specifically on Jerusalem, the City of the great King.

There is a plethora of information available regarding the Revelation 12 sign of September 23, the Great American Eclipse and a whole host of other things for anyone who is interested. No wonder scripture tell us that in the end times knowledge would be increased. What is happening, what is being discovered and what is being revealed can only be a literal fulfillment of the verse from Daniel which says:

“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Daniel 12:4

Scripture also says,  “when you begin to see these things come to pass (the signs of the end) …. look up ….. your redemption draws nigh” (Luke 21:28).  I dare say when Monday comes there will be few faces not looking up. Which in one way may be a literal fulfillment of this verse. Particularly, if the August 21 solar eclipse is intended as a sign. And I believe it is.

And for one brief moment – perhaps, its last – a country once united in its diversity – “give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” ….. will be divided by the same. Her diversity no longer her strength but her weakness – a result of rejection of the God who provided the unity under which she thrived.

In the next few weeks, we will once again assemble a group for building a sukkah. And we will rejoice in knowing that God himself desires to dwell with us and that in spite of the ever increasing chaos around us we can have peace knowing that he has promised to return – telling us “I will never leave you nor forsake you”.  And this is where we find true unity … which reminds me of this song:

“How good and pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity”

So in the midst of ever deepening darkness and chaos remember this from Revelation 22:11

“Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right and let the holy person continue to be holy.”

In other words, the majority are going to do what they are going to do. Expect it. Less hand wringing … and more praying ….. less despair and more rejoicing. For this world system is in the process of falling away. It will implode upon itself. And we are reminded once again “this world is not our home”.

“And by faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country, he lived in tents, as did Isaac an Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, who architect and builder is God.” Hebrews 11:8-10

Are you looking for that city? Are you ready for the return of Jesus? And are you ready to go –  up to Jerusalem!  I pray so …. for he is coming soon!

“Then the survivors from the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles”. Zechariah 14:16

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper who love thee” Psalm 122:6

Waiting and watching with YOU for the soon return of Jesus! Cindy

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It happened again. A false emergency alert on the Hawaiian islands of Oahu and Maui. And people are steamed. How can they trust the emergency alert system (they ask) if officials keep setting it off in error.

Yesterday September 18th at 5:10 p.m. it happened again and it would be 8-12 minutes before authorities acknowledged that it was once again a goof. Not quite as bad (but almost) as the false alarm regarding incoming missiles the island received on Saturday January 13, 2018 at 8:07 a.m. An alarm which came with these words “SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER THIS IS NOT A DRILL.” Can you imagine! And it would be at least 13 minutes before that message would be refuted. Perhaps the 13 scariest minutes of ones life!

Years ago I had a vivid dream of a nuclear attack on the Island of Oahu. And thank God nothing of the sort has happened (yet) which is not to say that it won’t. And I certainly hope and pray that it never will but I have to tell you these false alarms are a bit concerning. Two mishaps in 613 days. What’s going on? Are the authorities in charge really that inept? And even if the answer to that question were yes it would not diminish the impact of why this has happened twice in a relatively short period of time.

In a state where Pearl Harbor is a constant reminder of the element of surprise. People want the assurance that the emergency alert systems are working and reliable. And I can’t blame them for that. I would be too.

For more on Wednesday’s mishap you can click here.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper who love thee” Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus! Cindy

“On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS”  Revelation 19:16

One would have to be living under a rock to not have heard the latest regarding Kanye West and his new album Jesus Is King! And if you’re of my generation (over 60) and not exactly sure who this man is you surely have figured it out by now. Larger than life he is someone (along with his wife Kim Kardashian) who has commanded attention for quite some time. The poster family for money, vanity and fame one could hardly pick up a magazine or tabloid – not to mention the reality show that featured them – without running into either them or their extended family.  So how unlikely it is (to a lot of us) that God would use a man such as this to shake up a generation largely written off as hopelessly materialistic and completely out of touch with the faith and values of their fathers.

I just love how God works. Taking the unlikely and making it likely. Doing exactly the opposite of what we might expect him to do in order to accomplish his purposes. I remember this quote from Jonathan Cahn and find it as humorous as it is appropriate.

“Be careful about putting God into a box as he’s very good at getting out of them!”

For a generation steeped in materialism. Indoctrinated into post-modernism how refreshing it is to see a man with such a powerful persona step up and say unabashedly Jesus is King! I love it and am dancing with joy to see so many people especially young people responding to his message. What we need now is prayer that all of those making decisions for Christ will have someone to mentor them and help them to grow in their faith.  And prayer for Kanye as the devil is surely out to get him and is furious at losing one of his own.

It’s amazing to me the choice of words Jesus is King. He could have said anything – Jesus is awesome, Jesus is wonderful but what he chose to say was Jesus is King! Don’t you find that amazing! Whether in faith or in general discussion around the coffee pot at work – doesn’t matter – the fact is that lips that perhaps never uttered those words before are now saying it ….. and for good reason ….. Jesus is King! How close we must be then to the day of his return. A forerunner, I think of a very soon turn in events. How blessed we are to see this day.

“... that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven, on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord…” Philippians 2:10,11

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper who love thee” Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy

On Sunday afternoon July 30th tons of sewage was released unexpectedly from the Niagra Falls Waste Water Treatment Plant into the Niagra River engulfing the Maid of the Mist docks in a thick and odorous sludge.

According to the article this is a normal practice (periodically releasing sewage) but never during the height of tourist season. Also, according to the article (which you can read here ) the deep black color of the tainted water was also somewhat unusual . . . normally the water when released does not turn the inky black color that it did on Sunday.

The Maid of the Mist is a tour boat which takes tourists from the calm waters of the Niagra River and nearby Rainbow Bridge to the more turbulent waters of Horseshoe Falls (also known as Canadian Falls) passing along the way both American and Bridal Veil Falls. Rainbows formed by the mist of the falls as the boat enters their powerful spray undoubtedly one of the most spectacular features of the tour.

I find it interesting that a place as well known and iconic as Niagra Falls is for weddings (and honeymoons) should be sullied by an outpouring of sewage just 22 days before the sun cuts a dark path through the heart of the country on August 21. The number 22 (a double 11) can signify disorder and chaos. Appropriate you might say for a country as divided as this one is right now over issues such as traditional marriage, abortion and sexuality.

I can see a number of themes running through this incident.

A young country (the United States) like a young maiden (the Maid of the Mist tour boat) at a place known for weddings mired in an odorous sludge …. which came unexpectedly like a flood – the aerial view of the mishap first noticed by Rainbow Air Inc. which provides helicopter tours to the area.

It also makes me think of the Laodicean church and the 5 of 10 virgins/maidens not ready for the wedding of the ages. But who are rather mired down by the cares of this world.

A divine symbol? Maybe yes, maybe no. Nevertheless something to think about, I’d say.

“But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage until the day that Noah entered into the ark. And knew not until the flood came and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matthew 24: 37-39

“Pray for the peace Jerusalem they shall prosper who love thee” Psalm 122:6

Waiting and watching with YOU for the soon coming of Jesus!

Cindy

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews. We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him’” Matthew 1:1-2

We’re all familiar with this passage of scripture. How the wise men followed the star to Bethlehem to see the new born Jesus. Actually, Jesus was about two years old when they arrived, the journey from the East (Babylon) a long one. The wise men or Magi as they were known knew the Hebrew scriptures well and had long waited (and watched) for this day. And when it finally arrived they saddled up their camels and set out on a journey that would change their lives.

I have often thought how exciting it must have been for them to make that journey. To see the word of God fulfilled in their generation. God overtly at work in bringing about his plan of redemption. Then it occurred to me that we have been blessed in a similar way.  On September 23, 2017, the Revelation 12 sign will appear in the heavens.  And with that information we all have the opportunity for our lives to be equally changed. But like any journey it requires a first step. A saddling of the camel you might say. For if the wise men had never saddled their camels they would never have met the King.

Many are not aware that God designed the sun, moon and stars not just for light and for seasons but also for signs.

“And God said, Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from night and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years …” Genesis 1:14

And this is one of those signs. Perhaps one of the most significant to be found in all of scripture.  An indication that God is on the move and that history and life as we know it is going to change in the most radical way possible. A sign this big, this prominent is indicative of a likewise big event.  To say that it is unparalleled would not be an understatement.

Where do you stand on this? Are you a curious by stander? A skeptic?  The sign of Revelation 12 waits for no one. It is coming. The heavens were designed in anticipation of this day.  The Church is about to be caught up to heaven and the 7 year tribulation is about to commence.

If you’re not familiar with these terms get a Bible and read the latter part of the book of Revelation. You don’t need to understand it all to grasp the point that this earth is not a place you will want to be when all of this gets underway.

The only thing you need to do is to respond to God’s gracious invitation for salvation. I’ve listed a few verses below to help you in that decision.

“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16:31

“If you declare with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hearts my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person and they with me” Revelation 3:20

“… I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” 2 Corinthians 6:2

Yes, today is the day of salvation. Get on that camel and follow that star – the time for meeting the King is near. Are you ready?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper who love thee” Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon, the very soon, return of Jesus! Cindy

“If the path be beautiful ask not where it leads”

Some time ago, I received a copy of one of my favorite home and garden magazines. The cover of the magazine looked something like this. Inscribed across the top of the cover were these words, “If the path be beautiful ask not where it leads”.  And while those words may sound exciting if not out right tantalizing it actually makes for poor advice for we all know there are many things in life that appear beautiful but in the end are anything but.  And this is particularly true in the spiritual realm.

The Beautiful Side of Evil

When we think of deceiving spirits, we think of them as dark and malevolent; the path on which they travel equally dark and dank and full of brambles. But deception by its very nature is exactly the opposite. In other words, it is often the path that seems the brightest that is the most dangerous of all – the one that appears most sunlit that leads to the darkest of places.

The Bible warns us of these things.

The apostle John in 1 John 4:1 has this to say:

“Beloved do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out in to the world.”

And in 2 Corinthians 11:14 –

“And no marvel, for Satan himself is transformed in to an angel of light”

And that is what makes it so hard. For who would believe that anything so seemingly good, so beautiful, so full of “light” could be so bad.

Poppies, poppies, poppies ….

Remember in the movie “The Wizard of Oz” when Dorothy and her companions were overcome by the scent of poppies. How beautiful the path they were traveling until it turned deadly.  Sadly many individuals (and religious organizations) operate their spiritual lives in very much the same way. Mesmerized by the beauty of the path (they are on) they fail to see or consider where it may lead. They assume that they know but a false assumption is a deadly assumption. The fragrance of beauty, the fragrance of death.

“There is a path before a person that seems right, but it ends in death” Proverbs 14:12 (NLT)

In closing todays post, I would like to pose some questions for thought.

What path are you on? Have you thought about it?  It may be beautiful, it may feel good, it may even be religious. But where does it lead?

The Bible tells us that there is only one road, one path, one way to heaven and that is through Jesus Christ. Jesus himself said,

“I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me” John 14:6

Is the Jesus you believe in the Jesus of the Bible? If he is not, he cannot save you. Be careful (I’ll say it again) that the Jesus you believe in is the Jesus of the Bible. Not the brother of Satan, the archangel Michael or a good and righteous teacher. If one of those so mentioned  is your “Jesus”, he cannot save you! You are on the wrong path!

Do not be deceived!

Are you trusting in your own good works? Do you think you can live anyway you choose as long as your good out weighs your bad? Do you live your life with the false assumption that there is in the heavenly realm a scale which registers not in pounds but in good and bad deeds as a prerequisite for entering the pearly gates?  If this is what you believe, know now that the gates will be closed to you. You will not enter. No one enters heaven by their deeds.

Do not be deceived!

The Bible says that there is none righteous, “no, not one”  Romans 3:10

“For by grace you are saved through faith, and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast” Ephesians 2:8,9

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In just a few days, we will celebrate resurrection Sunday. Jesus went to the cross to pay for our sins. He gave up his life in order to give us life. This was the path he chose because of his great love for us. No man could atone for the sins of another. Only God himself who was sinless was able to pay the price. God came down …. entered the human realm in order to make a way of salvation for us. Its a free gift, by faith ….. we can’t earn it, we can’t buy it. It is solely and completely a gift for which we will have all of eternity to say thank you.  The way of the cross was not pretty …. but its the only path that truly leads to a beautiful end.

If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior please make that decision today. The days of grace are quickly coming to a close. Don’t be left behind.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper who love thee” Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy

It was sobering this week to see this headline in the news –  “North Korea Could Soon Launch Attack on Hawaii”  – an article you can read here if you have not done so already.  After living in Hawaii on the island of  Oahu for 14 years, I have developed a love for the islands and the people of Hawaii in a way that for me is as close as family. It is my second home.

On February 20th, 2008 I had a very vivid dream which was as disturbing in content as it was distressing in nature. The dream involved a mushroom cloud indicating a nuclear event over the Diamond Head side of the island of Oahu. I was so impressed by this dream that I committed it to memory that night and made sure to write it down the next morning. It was a dream that was hard to forget and even though it has been some years now it is one I have never forgotten.

In 2012, I wrote extensively regarding the dream in a three part series titled “Echoes of a Paradise Lost” after reading that fellow blogger William Frederick at End Times Forecaster had had a similar type dream on Feb 20th (same date as mine) except in 2012 – four years later. For this reason, I thought it might be good (in light of recent headlines) to revisit the subject again. I spoke with William via e-mail this week and he agreed and has re-posted some of his original information and thoughts on the subject on his blog today which you can read here.

For parts one, two and three on my original series, you can find them here, here and here.

As of this writing, I do not have any additional insight in to some of the other components of the dream. Is the word Wisconsin relevant? If so, in what way? Why would William Frederick and I have similar type dreams on the same date but in different years?  Is God warning in advance that our beloved islands could suffer a second Pearl Harbor? An event so terrible that it would eclipse even the original which was so horrific at the time that it was termed by President Roosevelt as “a day that would live in infamy”.

I don’t know. We watch and pray.

Please pray for the safety and protection of these islands …. and as always –

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper who love thee” Psalm 122:6

Watching and Waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy