Heaven Bound

 Zoom on lightning caused by electrical discharge within volcanic ash column, Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland

********************************

“The fifth angel poured out his bowl  on the throne of the beast and his kingdom was plunged into darkness.”  Revelation 16:10

 The images coming out of Iceland have been stunning. Visual, visceral images of lightning charged fire and brimstone being hurled heavenward from the bowels of the earth, as if hell itself had been unleashed.  And, from the looks of things, this is just the beginning.

A plunge in to darkness

 A friend of mine called yesterday, leaving a message on my voicemail.  A little chit chat and then – “I was wondering what you think of the volcano.  I think the other one is going to blow (Katla) and the world will be in darkness.”  Interesting words, as my friend is an unbeliever.   I have been trying for some time to reach her with the gospel, and so far, she has been politely attentive but, not very receptive but, apparently, the increasing number of natural disasters, is beginning to get her attention, – which is exactly what they are designed to do. For the world is indeed in the process of being plunged in to darkness both spiritual and physical and people across the globe are going to be finding themselves increasingly affected in personal ways as these disasters and other supernatural events continue unabated; increasing in both frequency and intensity.

For the thousands that have perished in recent earthquakes, a little lag time at an airport is not such a big deal.  But, for those caught in the frustrating circumstances of finding themselves stranded and having to bathe out of an airport sink, it is a big deal.  With the recent grounding of virtually all air travel across Europe, millions of people have been affected and all this from the eruption of just one volcano.  What will the evening news look like when city after city and country after country are affected by simultaneous mega disasters?  A scenario even the director of Hollywood’s worst disaster movies could never have imagined.  

Days of Purification and judgment

I read somewhere that the name Katla is derived from the name Katherine.  If this is so, this could be interesting because the name Katherine means pure.  And fire, we know from scripture is a purifier. Fire in the Bible is also a symbol of testing and of judgment.  For us as believers, the fire will try the quality of our works and we know, that what is not of Christ will be burned up just as it says in 1 Corinthians 3:13 – “And, the fire shall test the quality of each man’s work”  but, for unbelievers and the nations who have oppressed Israel, it is a time of judgment. 

“How long O Lord? Will you be angry forever? How long will your jealousy burn like fire? Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the kingdoms who do not call on your name, for they have devoured Jacob and destroyed his homeland.”   Psalm 79:5-7

The days as we know are short, I pray that we who are in the Lord will understand and know that we are in a time of refining; of purifying–  that we might be the bride our Lord longs for; the one who in garments spotless and clean has made herself ready for the soon return of her beloved bridegroom.

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

 Fishing Waikiki

I spent the afternoon today at Waikiki, but, this time without a beach towel.  My friend and I had been talking the last few weeks about going to Waikiki sometime for the sole purpose of witnessing.  I thought this was a great idea – sometime!  I’ve always like to teach and consider it my gift, more or less, but, evangelizing ….. ummmmm …..not so much. Which is not to say, that over the years, I have not taken the opportunity to share with family and friends, because I have, but, cold call witnessing; getting out on the street kind of stuff – uh ….. not my bag.  But, in studying Matthew 24 as a good watchman should, I found myself face to face with the last few verses of the chapter which ends with the parable of the wise and faithful servant, a parable which challenges us to be busy about the Master’s business, until he returns. As I thought and prayed about these verses, I felt myself being challenged to come out of my comfort zone, to step up to the plate in ways that I never have before, so that I might not only be a witness for him, but, that I might also be a witness of him – to the great and marvelous things he wants to do through the work of his people in the days before his return.  I truly believe, this is what he desires.

With all that is happening lately; earthquakes just about every other day, volcanos blowing their tops and society unraveling faster than a kitten with a ball of yarn, we may sometimes feel as if we just want to find a mountain top somewhere, where we can go, sit, pray and – wait.  But, that is exactly what God does not want us to do.  God wants us to be busy about his business to the very last hour before he comes and I believe this is why he ended the Matthew 24 discourse in the way that he did.

Now, I know that being busy in God’s work is highly individualized and relative to our family and work responsibilities.  I was talking to my daughter about this the other day and she is eight months pregnant.  Undoubtedly, the degree to which God expects to use her at this time in her life is different from how he expects to use someone like me, someone who no longer has the responsibility of small children to care for and has a lot of free time on her hands.  So, I believe it is all relative.  But, what I do see for myself are windows of opportunity, windows which for one reason or another, I have chosen to avoid in the past.

 the fisherman and …. the fish

As I mentioned above, my friend and I had been praying about this for a while and finally decided today was the day.  So after church this afternoon, we packed our water bottles, sunscreen and sunglasses and headed for the beach – ready to go fishing.  Today was typical Hawaii weather, sunny but, not too hot; temperature in the low 80’s.  Waikiki beach was bustling with people as usual.  Surfers and tourists, locals and snowbirds and an ever increasing number of homeless.  I had a small Bible packed in my bag and we had a few tracts which we had selected to take along as well.  In praying about our approach, we decided, the way we thought God could use us best would be by interacting with people.  We didn’t want to simply thrust a tract into someone’s hand and walk away. 

As we walked along the beach, we prayed for the Holy Spirit to lead us.  So many people; where to start.  We saw three women sitting at a table, one in a wheel chair.  We walked up and said, “aloha”  and introduced our selves.  We ask them where they were from and they told us they were visiting from Canada.  They also told us that they had one more day on the island before they had to leave. We told them we had come to the beach to talk to people about God and to find out if there was anything we could pray for them about. Two of the women said yes and told us they had been having some problems with asthma.  So, we prayed – we prayed for their asthma, we prayed for a safe flight home for them and we prayed the message of the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, God’s son  – we then left them a tract, wished them God speed and went on our way.  And, this was our pattern for the afternoon.  No, we didn’t lead anyone to salvation and no, we didn’t speak to dozens – we spoke to a few.  And, everyone for whom we ask if we could pray, said yes.

I have to say that this afternoon was a real blessing and we both agreed we wanted to go fishing again  – soon.  Did we do everything perfectly, probably not – we know we have a lot to learn, but, trust God to teach us and equip us along the way – but, for us, it was a very rewarding and joyful first try. 

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “And, I will make you fishers of men.”  Mark 1:17

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they will prosper who love thee. Psalm 122: 6.  Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy

 The Jewish Month of Iyar

We have just entered the second month of the Jewish year, the month of shining or blossoming and with all that has been happening lately and with all of the interesting and peculiar history tied to this month, I think it will be a month that we will not soon forget.  Within this month is the second Passover, a kind of make up date for those who could not bring their Passover sacrifice at the required time.  This month also uniquely contains two celebrations of the moon, the Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of a new month.  In Bible history, on the first day of Iyar, Solomon began construction on the first temple, and on the exact same date, hundreds of years later, Ezra began his work on rebuilding the temple as well.  It was also the month of Iyar in which God supplied mannah from heaven sustaining the Israelites for the 40 years they were wandering in the desert.  In modern history, Iyar became important with the establishment of the state of Israel on May 14 1948 (Iyar 5, 5708) and the liberation of Jerusalem during the 6 day war of 1967 (Iyar 4, 5727).

Although sandwiched between the month of Nisan (Passover) and the month of Sivan (Pentecost) without any significant religious observance attached to it, as you can see from the dates above, God has used the month of Iyar in a very important and special way. 

April showers, bring May flowers

On the Gentile calendar, we’re about half way through the  month of April.  A month with a much more ominous history.  For instance, Adolph Hitler was born April 20, 1889 and believe it or not, Mohammed was born the same day, April the 20th in 570 A.D.   I find it very interesting that these two individuals would share the same birthdate, two individuals, who have been instrumental in the deliberate attempt of the annihilation of the Jewish people. But, just as April showers bring forth May flowers, the state of Israel not only was not annihilated at the hands of April born Hitler, they actually blossomed and were re-born out of the ashes of the holocaust in the beautiful month of blossoming, the month of May/Iyar.  In this same way, the followers of Mohammed will be defeated (along with the anti-christ) and the nation of Israel will one day soon, come in to full bloom, receiving her Messiah, the one who has waited for her for so long.

+++++++++++

And, April of course is a month of significance for all Americans, as we remember with sorrow those who lost their lives in the Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995 and the students and faculty who were killed in the shootings at Columbine High School in Denver, Colorado on April 20, 1999. 

++++++

With all that is happening on the prophetic time line, I think the month of April will prove to be a very significant month in a signs kind of way, something I believe the first 15 days have already demonstrated.  But, the month of Iyar is something different, its a counting of the Omer to Pentecost, something which has great significance for us as believers. A counting down of days.  Just as Iyar was a month of blossoming for Israel, I believe, it may be for us who are watching and waiting for the bridegroom, a month of shining  – the bright, white, shining wedding garments of the bride.

 “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father, he who has ears, let him hear”  Matt. 13:43

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they will prosper who love thee. Psalm 122:6.   Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy

   President Barack Hussein Obama

“The Lord, has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure your show yourself pure, but, to the *crooked you show yourself shrewd. You save the humble, but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.”  Psalm 18:24-27

 * crooked as defined in the hebrew greek lexicon as perverse, deceitful, false, a man of fraudulent speech – http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H6141&t=KJV

++++++++++++++++++++

On April 9, President Obama addressed the nation from the Rose Garden offering his condolences to the families and friends of the miners who lost their lives in the West Virginia mining accident.  President Obama began his remarks stating that he wished to say a few words about the tragedy in West Virginia, but, then chose to precede those remarks with news of the retirement of Chief Justice John Paul Stevens.  It seemed a bit odd to me, that someone who wished to publicly express condolences which would mean so much, to so many, would preface those remarks with the rather mundane subject of a retirement.  Then, when the President finally gets around to expressing his condolences, he does so with little change in tone of voice or facial expression from his previous remarks, and, also, cannot resist the opportunity to boast about his days in the Senate and what he had done to improve mine safety.   

When he had completed his condolences, he quoted from Psalm 18:28.  “You O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” 

 What you may not know, though, unless you looked it up, like I did, are the verses which precede it.  The verses which I quoted above.  Verses which I believe though not spoken by the President, were subtly indicated by the events which happened in and around the President as he spoke.  If you have seen the video of the President’s speech, you know what I am talking about, if not, take a look at it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrAki0RThfE

As you look at the video, at about the 5:52 marker, you will hear the latch to the door behind President Obama click open and apparently swing open of its own accord.  This happens just about the time President Obama finishes telling the story of the young miner who had left a note for his baby daughter in case he was killed in the mine and taken to heaven.   Then, as he continues to speak, he mentions praying for the souls of those whose lives had been lost, but, just as he is about to mention the word pray, the door suddenly slams shut.  President Obama flinches ever so slightly at the slamming of the door and continues speaking until he finally ends what he is saying by quoting from Psalm 18:26.  Strangely though as he is quoting from the Psalm, a cloud passes over head momentarily shadowing the porch on which he is standing in darkness just as he is speaking of darkness, and then returning it to light, when he says light.

++++++++++++++++

I first saw the video at New Wineskins when I returned home from Bible Study late Monday night.  It was about 9:30 p.m. and I hadn’t read Ultra Guy’s latest post and wanted to do so before I went to bed.  After watching the video, I thought, wow!  It was really incredible and I made a mental note to remember to tell my daughter about it the next morning.  So the next morning, while I was driving to work, (hands-free, of course!) I called her for our usual “before I start” work chat and told her about the video.  Amazingly, by the time I had finished, she was just bursting to tell me about the dream she had the previous night which was very similar to what I had just related to her, a dream she said, which woke her up at about 12:30 a.m. (West Coast time) which would have been about 9:30 p.m. my time.  This is what she said –

  She told me that in her dream, she was standing on a porch to a house.  And while she was standing there, she heard a door behind her unlatch, followed moments later by a loud slam.  Curious as to what it was, she said, she went into the house to investigate and when she did, she saw a door on the floor which went into a cellar.  Somehow, she said she knew, it was the entrance to a very evil place and something equally evil had just come out from or went into that door.

 Wow!  The similarities of her dream to what I had just told her were incredible!  Now, I know that dreams are a bit nebulous at best. But, my daughter and I have a history of God confirming things between the two of us. So, I took what she was saying with more than a grain of salt. What she thinks her dream meant, and I agree, was that God was confirming my original impression of the video, that the incidents involved were not coincidence, but, in fact, have spiritual implication.  And, when I looked up the verses which precede the Psalm quoted by President Obama, I’m almost certain of it.

I also wondered what Chief Justice John Paul Stevens might have to do with this, (if anything) and I did find out that he was involved in striking down the ten commandments from the Texas State Capitol – (or attempting to) –

Stevens wrote a dissent in Van Orden v. Perry, 545 U.S. 677 (2005), which was joined by Justice Ginsburg; he argued that the ten commandments displayed in the Texas Capitol grounds transmitted the message: “This State endorses the divine code of the ‘Judeo-Christian’ God.” The Establishment Clause, he wrote, “at the very least […] has created a strong presumption against the display of religious symbols on public property”, and that it “demands religious neutrality — Government may not exercise preference for one religious faith over another.” This includes a prohibition against enacting laws or imposing requirements that aid all religions as against unbelievers, or aid religions that are based on a belief in the existence of God against those founded on different principles.

 I guess what I see in this, is that our God is in control!  The arrogant one speaks, but, God speaks louder!  As it says in Psalm 18:26  “to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.”  Obama thinks he holds center stage, but, our God says otherwise. 

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they will prosper who love thee!  Psalm 122:6.  Waiting and watching with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy

“Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill.  Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming. It is close at hand — a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness, Like dawn spreading across the mountains, a large and mighty army comes, such as never was of old nor ever will be in ages to come.”  Joel 2:1-2

A one hundred year marker

Last night while eating dinner, I was listening to one of my favorite on-line talk radio programs.  If you have never taken the time to listen to Steve Coerper’s Anakypto Forum on Blog Talk Radio, you are missing out.  Last night, Steve had a guest on his program by the name of Craig McClain.  I was not previously familiar with Mr. McClain and missed his introduction as I was still putzing around in the kitchen as the program was starting, so I can’t tell you much about him, except that he is an excellent speaker and what he spoke on was absolutely riveting!  Once I sat down to listen, I was glued to my chair. He had me hanging on every word!  In a nutshell, Mr. McClain believes that just as the first coming of Jesus was predicted to the very day, so, the second coming will be as well. 

Interestingly,  Mr. McClain has put together an algorithm by which he makes his case.  He believes and has a very good defense for the *1914 date of the start of World War I as the marker for the  generation, that Jesus speaks of when he said “this generation shall not pass away until all these things are fulfilled.” – a generation of 100 years.  It can hardly be coincidence, that World War I started on Tisha b’ Av of 1914.   A day which led  just 3 short years later to the Balfour Declaration of 1917 which opened the way for the Jews to return to their homeland in Palestine.  Interestingly, Tisha b’ Av is also the day which commemorates the destruction of the first and second Jewish temple as well as the anniversary of the day the twelve spies returned to Moses with the negative report.  That the 100 year marker would start on this day, I believe, is not only plausible, but, probable, for World War I set the stage for the second World War, the Holocaust and the eventual return of the Jews to the land.  

 By counting backwards from 2017, Mr. McClain gives what he believes to be likely dates for the rapture and for the second return of Jesus.  I could share those dates with you, but, I would much rather that you listen to the program yourself, so that you get all the information in context.  It’s a short 30 minute program, but, packed with information and Mr. McClain does a super job in laying it out in an easy to understand format.  Take a few minutes to listen to it,  I guarantee, you will be blessed!   If you’re skeptical about knowing the exact dates, I suggest keeping an open mind, for our God is very PRECISE.  Also, Mr. McClain has a very interesting and obvious interpretation for the Matthew 24:36 scripture, “of that day and hour no one knows …except my Father in heaven” one which I had never heard or thought of before.  I think he is definitely on to something, but, one way or the other, based on the Jewish feasts, I think we have a pretty good idea of when these days will be anyway. In my opinion, based on what I’ve studied, we’re counting down the days!  Here’s the link to the April 9 program, check it out;  you’ll be blessed!  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/stevekerp

The road to Armageddon

I came across this news article on the Drudge Report tonight.  Maybe some of you have seen it already.  It’s titled “Gendercide: China’s shameful massacre of unborn girls means there will be 30 million more men than women.” 

    Most of us are aware of the one child policy in China and the favoritism toward male babies as opposed to female babies.  Apparently female babies are looked upon as a liability, as they cost the families in dowries, where male children are looked on favorably as a financial asset because they stay with the family and will by tradition care for their parents in their elder years. 

 Most of us who study Bible Prophecy are well aware of the implications  that this policy will have in the near future regarding the massive army that comes out of the East as mentioned in Revelation 16.  What struck me about this particular article was the admission, that one of the ways for dealing with the problem of male to female ratio as the males reach marrying age, would be war!  In this regard, this article was a real eye opener. It also brought a lot of sorrow to my soul as I can say, I have never spent much time thinking the massive number of abortions in this Asian country, especially among baby girls.  The strong hold the enemy has on this nation and culture is truly frightening.  Female babies are viewed as “spilt water” – in other words,  without worth.  And the male babies who are so treasured at birth, will themselves become expendable as they reach young adult hood when a solution is needed to the overwhelming problems that have been created by this policy.  What a tragedy! 

 The one child policy established in 1979 is systematically paving the way for Armageddon in fulfillment of the Revelation 9 and 16 prophecy.  If you would like to read this very eye opening and infomative report, click here:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1265068/China-The-worlds-new-superpower-beginning-century-supremacy-alarming-surplus-males.html

Resurgence of Nazism

I came across these disturbing images from South Africa tonight while reading the news. Thousands of people giving the Nazi salute at the funeral of a white supremacist leader.  Though Hitler may be dead, the venom of his ideology lives on, carrying its dual venom of anti-semitism and racism to the next generation.   From the Drudge Report: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1264753/Funeral-Eugene-Terreblanche-takes-place-amid-tight-security.html

Time is short, sound the alarm!  The deeper the darkness, the brighter the light!

 Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem, they will prosper who love thee!  Psalm 122:6.  Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy

*  Thanks to the eagle eye of fellow blogger and brother Art (Ultra Guy) over at New Wineskins for correcting me on my dates regarding 1914 and 1917.  I had said, World War I started the 9th of Av 1917, when it was actually 1914.  The Balfour declaration was in 1917.  I’m going to paste some information below which I think you will find interesting regarding both of these dates. 

**  Tisha b’ AV

 1. Ten of the 12 spies returned with a bad report on the 9th of Av. (c. 1435 BCE).
2. Solomon’s temple was destroyed by the Babylonians on the 9th of Av (c. 587 BCE).
3. The second temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE on the 9th of Av.
4. In 71 CE the Roman army plowed the city of Jerusalem with salt on the 9th of Av.
5. Bar Kochba was killed and his army destroyed on the 9th of Av, in the year 135 CE.
6. In 1290 CE, England expelled all Jews from the country on the 9th of Av.
7. In 1492, Spain expelled all Jews from their country on the 9th of Av.
8. In 1914, on the 9th of Av., World War I was declared. In Eastern Russia, the Russian government began a campaign of severe persecution against the Jews at that time.

*** Balfour Declaration of 1917 

“His Majesty’s government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavors to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country.”^[1]

Moses at the Springs of Marah (Bitter Waters)

Today is Nisan 24, the anniversary of God bringing the Israelites out of Egypt and through the Red Sea.  In Exodus 15:23, it is recorded that after passing through the Red Sea, the Israelites traveled through the desert without finding water.  When they finally arrived at a place with water, to their dismay, it was undrinkable; the water was bitter.  The scripture states that the Israelites grumbled against Moses, saying, “what are we to drink“.   Then, Moses cried out to the Lord and the Lord showed him a piece of wood.  He threw it into the water, and the water became sweet.

Today April 8 (Nisan 24), amid wide grins and jovial speech, President Obama along with President Dmitry Medvedev of Russia signed the new Start nuclear weapons reduction treaty. A seven year agreement which has been more than ten years in the making.  A treaty hailed by President Medvedev as a “win-win situation”.  In his words, “the entire world community has won.”  But, have they?

Today in the Jerusalem Post, it was announced that Prime Minister Netanyahu would not be traveling to Washington D.C. for the nuclear security summit.  It was a decision based on the inevitable pressure that Israel would fall under for opening up to the world community its own nuclear facilities.  For this reason, instead of attending himself, the Prime Minister has opted to send his deputy Intelligence Minister, Dan Meridor instead. But, whether the Prime Minister attends or not, pressure to open up these facilities will almost certainly be applied.  The surrounding Islamic nations will make certain of that and Medvedev and Obama will be happy to oblige.  In the days to come, the signing of this treaty is going to draw Israel to a place of very bitter waters.  For Israel’s nuclear capability, as they see it,  is the only thing standing between them and annihilation by their enemies. 

Did you see the strange photos of the smoke plumes following the launch of the Discovery Shuttle on Monday April 5?  For those of you who haven’t already seen this on Five Doves today, check this out:  http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/apr2010/day48.htm   A big thanks to “Day” for posting it.   Anyway, these smoke plumes are very strange and truly demonic looking in my opinion.  A three day warning before the signing of the Start treaty?  I wonder.  Monday was Nisan 21, the anniversary of the day the Israelites passed safely through the Red Sea but, also, the anniversary of the death of the Egyptians who were swallowed up in their pursuit of them. 

In the days to come, the anti-christ will pursue Israel in to the desert until she is faced once again with certain death.  Like the crossing of the Red Sea, Israel has faced insurmountable odds, rising from the ashes of the holocaust, to become a thriving Oasis in a previously arid wasteland.   But, the enemy of God’s people continues his relentless pursuit, and this time will force her to the bitter waters of Marah, one more time.  And, when it seems once again that death is certain, the people will call out to God for deliverance just as they called out to Moses. This time though, they will call out for their Messiah, the only one who can provide them with what they really need, not only deliverance from their enemies, but, the sweet water of salvation; the living water that only Messiah Yeshua can provide, so that they will never thirst again!

Amen and Amen!

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem, they will prosper who love thee.  Psalm 122:6    Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy

Although the USGS denies that earthquakes are increasing in number or intensity, I found this video clip on CNN today, that says otherwise.  Meteorologist Chad Myers talks about the Sumatra quake and questions whether it is a “coincidence or a trend.”  In his words, “I don’t believe it is coincidence,”  “there is something going on here,” “I don’t think the earth is angry, but, it is an active time for tectonics,” he then proceeds to advise everyone living in a fault zone to have their earthquake preparedness plans up-to date.  You can find the video here: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2010/04/06/tsr.myers.indonesia.earthquake.cnn?hpt=T2 

As I was thinking about this, the words of Jesus in Matthew 24: 8 came to mind – “And, all these are the beginnings of sorrows”.  “Sorrows” in the greek is the word odin, and actually means, “the pain of childbirth or intolerable anguish.”  For those of us who are watching, these things are obvious.  But, I believe in the very near future, it will not only be obvious to us, but, it will be obvious to everyone else as well (whether they admit it or not). For I think we will see large magnitude earthquakes and other disasters occurring not just monthly or weekly, but, most likely daily or more.

  “As fire consumes the forest or a flame sets the mountains ablaze, so pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your storm. Cover their faces with shame so that men will seek your name O Lord.”  Psalm 83:14

Today Rio de Janeiro received record rain fall today; the heaviest rainfall in the history of the city.  11 inches in less than 24 hours with more expected.  95 people known dead with many more buried under mud and rubble.  “Beginning of sorrows.”   

As Jesus said in the sermon on the Mount,  “Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”  In the days ahead as sorrows multiply, as they surely will, so too, will opportunities for offering comfort multiply as well.  The kind of comfort that only God can give through His son, Jesus Christ.  May we, in these last days, these days of sorrow, be busy about the Lord’s work for as it says in 2 Peter 3:9 “God is patient, not willing that any should perish, but, that all would come to repentance.” 

Amen Lord, Amen!

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they will prosper who love thee!  Psalm 122:6   Waiting and watching with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy

  * If you experience an error mid-paragraph on this page, please click here for the better version: https://cindybythesea.wordpress.com/

A few days ago, I and a few hundred other friends of Israel sent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 10,000 beautiful yellow roses as a symbol of our friendship and support.   Unfortunately, because of the current political situation, the Prime Minister feels he is unable to accept our gift.  I don’t know for sure, but, I have the strong feeling, that although he feels unable to accept our gift, it does not mean,  that he does not appreciate our gift.  I think, the inability to accept the flowers has less to do with him and more to do with our own President whom he fears offending, in fact, he’s already stated that.

I continue to have the highest respect for the Prime Minister, but, I feel he is making a mistake.  It never works to try to appease your enemies or as in this case,   friends who behave like enemies.   You gain nothing from it and lose respect in the process.   For all appearances, the issue over roses is minor, but, when you look at it a little more closely, I believe it could actually be a watershed event.  No matter which way it goes, the implications are dramatic. 

If the PM accepts the roses, he is in essence agreeing that he has been mistreated at the hands of the Obama administration.  Everyone knows the flowers are a kind of condolence.  For Obama, he won’t like this kind of public admission; it leaves him with egg on his face, something I believe will embarrass and infuriate him,  he won’t like Israel standing up to him and he won’t like American Christians for siding with them.  I believe this will only increase his disdain for Israel and those who support her.

If the PM rejects the roses, he will be looked on as weak by the Obama administration, an act which will only serve to increase the pressure that is already being applied.   I don’t believe that the rejection of the roses by the PM  in any way risks alienating those who sent them. I believe most people who sent them did so out of a heart for God and understand the true difficult position the Israeli leadership is in.  I do believe though, that whether the flowers are accepted or not, President Obama will look unfavorably on those who sent them.

I read the other day, another news  story regarding the housing  issue of East Jerusalem and the story described President Obama as being livid when he heard about the housing development.  If he was livid over that, what might he be like over other more important issues.  I have a feeling, behind the public smile is a very calculating and cruel personality. 

 I pray for Prime Minister Netanyahu that he might have the wisdom of a Solomon.  Trying times are ahead for this little thorn shaped nation, its shape somehow aptly defining the situation it finds it self in during these final days of history – a “thorn in the side of the nations.”

I was reading from the book of Jeremiah when I came across this verse: 

“With my great power and outstretched arm, I made the earth, its people and the animals that are on it, and I will give it to anyone I please.”

This verse reminded me of the stirring theme to the great movie from 1960,  Exodus, starring Paul Newman, Eva Marie Saint and many other well-known actors and actresses.  The film has to do with the founding of the state of Israel in 1948.  And if you haven’t seen it or listened to its stirring theme in a while, take a couple of minutes to do so now.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVZpeNGFrB8  . But, before you do, let me set the tone for you by presenting the lyrics from the first stanza.

“This land is mine, God gave this land to me.  This brave and ancient land to me. And when the morning sun reveals her hills and plains, Then I see a land, where children can run free.  So take my hand and walk this land with me, And walk this golden land with me” 

Christians around the world, remain the best friends that Israel has, but, it won’t be long until the friends who love her so dearly will be gone.  And, it is a friendship which will be missed, for Israel will find themselves alone, in a very friendless world.  I like the way Joel Rosenberg phrased it, “God, is in the process of weaning Israel off the nations.”  Actually, this is a good case for the rapture.  As long as Israel has us or any one else to look to besides the Lord, they will not be ready to meet their Messiah.  The day is quickly approaching when they will have nowhere to turn, but to Him.  God has been longing and waiting for this day, and because He does, I do too.

“Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem, they will prosper who love thee.” Psalm 122:6.   Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus! 

  *If you experience an error mid-paragrah on this page, please click here for the better version:  https://cindybythesea.wordpress.com/

    Passover Matzah 

This Saturday evening, I will be teaching on Passover for a group of about 20.  It’s something I’ve done a number of times over the years and the joy in the preparation is something I can only describe as heavenly.  I love Passover for its special food, the beautiful table setting, and the closeness of friends and family;  but, most of all, I love  Passover, because it points so perfectly to Jesus, our Passover Lamb.   With all the talk about the shroud of Turin this week and the revealing of the real face of Jesus on the History Channel special,  I couldn’t help but, think during this very special week of Passover, that anyone who has ever been to a Passover Seder before, has already seen the best picture of the Messiah this side of heaven.

On every Passover table is Matzah, the unleavened bread of Passover.  Leaven is yeast, the stuff that makes bread rise.  Unleavened bread is used at Passover in remembrance of the hasty  flight the Israelites made out of Egypt –  “On this night, we eat only unleavened bread, why?”  “Because our forefathers had to flee Egypt in haste and there was no time for bread to rise.” 

Leaven in the Bible is symbolic of sin; sin like leaven puffs things up, in other words, pride.  When Jesus said, “I am the bread of life” he wasn’t talking about bread from our local Supermarket.   Jesus was talking about the unleavened bread of Passover, the Matzah.  Just as Matzah is without leaven, so Jesus our bread of life is with out the leaven of sin.

A close up view of Matzah

 If you have never seen a loaf of Matzah close up, take a look at the one in this photo.  And, yes one flat looking cracker is referred to as a loaf.  Passover Matzah is distinctive for three features.  1) It is without leaven  2) It has distinctive markings which appear across it as stripes or grill marks and it has a bruised appearance  3) It is also, pierced on one side. 

Matzah can be eaten anytime of year, but, Passover Matzah must have these distinctive characteristics to be considered kosher or fit for Passover use.  This is so important, that Matzah to be used for Passover is actually inspected by Rabbi’s for these very distinctive markings.  If you look on the side of a box of Passover Matzah, it will say both where it was inspected and by whom.  This is serious business!   They must have these markings!  The box I have in my kitchen right now says: “Under the supervision of the Chief Rabbinate of Jerusalem Hala selected according to Jewish law.  All equipment throughly cleaned during production. (Cleaned to make sure it was free of leaven).  Amazing, when you think about it!   Consider these verses: 

 Isaiah 53:5, “he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, by his stripes, we are healed.” And as it says in John 19:34, “But, one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side and forthwith came there out, blood and water.”

    the best picture

Every year when I teach at Passover, I hold up a loaf of Matzah and say, “this is the best picture of Jesus you will ever see, this side of Heaven”.   And, its true.  Matzah is the perfect representation of Him.  Jesus, the unleavened bread of Passover, Jesus who was born in Bethlehem, the House of Bread. 

When I sit at the Passover table Saturday evening, the Matzah is just one of a whole host of things I will be speaking about.  The Passover Seder is replete with symbolism  that points specifically to Jesus as the Passover lamb and the fulfillment of its promise.   To think, that God has preserved the beautiful picture of his Son and our redemption in this way over these many  thousands of years is more than amazing.  Bowing down in worship, all I can say is – 

“Worthy is the lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!  Amen and Amen!!   Rev. 5:12 

* Some versions of this page may have an error that I have not been able to correct. If one of the center paragraphs is missing a couple of lines, click here for the better version.    https://cindybythesea.wordpress.com/

Happy Passover and Happy Resurrection Sunday to all of you!  Waiting and watching with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!   Cindy

     Moon Corona

I grew up in the rural four corners area of the country, in a time when our “weather channel” consisted of walking out side to see first hand what weather conditions were –  “Yep, it’s cold outside and the wind’s still blowing,” looking at the night sky for things like a ring or halo around the moon, a long recognized Farmer’s Almanac kind of thing for “Yep, its gonna snow” and my grandfather’s trusty barometer which he checked nightly before going to bed – a “never miss” for predicting weather conditions in our neck of the woods.  So, last night when my Mom called excitedly to report a double ring and halo around the moon on the first night of Passover, I couldn’t help but, get a little excited too.  Double rings, the first night of Passover!  Wow!  Signs of a wedding for sure, and a double ring ceremony at that!  I could almost hear those heavenly wedding bells begin to peal. 

Funny thing is, my mom called from New Mexico.  She’s seen enough weather in her 73 years that a sign in the heavens which typically means snow or rain,  would not ordinarily have caught her attention.  I have to imagine then, that it was something quite spectacular.  My mom also knows the significance of Passover and I credit her for putting the two together so quickly.  But, I’ve searched the internet  today and have not found a single reference to or photo of –  a lunar corona for March 29.  The photo above, is  a stock image and not the one my mother saw.   I do find it interesting, that Ultra Guy of New Wineskins has been posting on a recent earthquake in New Mexico which occurred two or three days ago.  Any possible connection?  I have no idea.  As of his last post, he was still working on some additional information about that earthquake that he will be sharing with us soon.  Should be interesting.

The moon is the Messianic symbol of the bride.  Just as the moon reflects the radiance of the sun, the bride of Christ is a reflection of the glory of the Son.   In the Song of Songs the bridegroom comes for his bride in the spring of the year.  Listen as the bridegroom speaks –

“Arise, my darling, my beautiful one and come with me.  See! The winter is past;  Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.  The fig tree forms its early fruit, the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come my darling, my beautiful one; come with me'”  Song of Songs 2:10-13

    Ripening figs

I looked up figs and found some interesting facts that seem to fit.  Check it out:

“The common fig bears its first crop in the spring. A second crop is harvested in the fall.  Figs require full sun all day to ripen to palatable fruits.  Figs must be allowed to ripen fully before they are picked.  They will not ripen if picked when immature.  A ripe fruit will be slightly soft and starting to bend at the neck.  Harvest fruit gently to avoid bruising.  Fresh figs do not keep well and can be stored only 2-3 days in the refrigerator.  Dried figs can be stored 6-8 months. (From Fig Fruit Facts).

The amazing fig!  How interesting that it figures so prominently in scripture.  It was a fig leaf that first covered the nakedness of Adam and Eve, (a covering by their own hands and not the one God would provide for them), a fig tree that would symbolize the nation of Israel and  its re-birth in the latter days, and the time of the early figs, which according to the Song of Songs, is the time the Bridegroom would come. 

The time for the harvesting of the early figs – ripe, mature, necks bent in worship, and ready for the picking – is here.  The harvest of the late figs;  a future crop  -(autumn harvest/Israel/day of Atonement) – yet to come.  Will we have a double ring ceremony this spring?  I don’t see why not – and if a double ring halo around the moon over the skies of New Mexico is any indication, we will!!!!    One way or another,  our bridegroom is coming for us soon!

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they will prosper who love thee!  Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!   Cindy