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God Bless!
God Bless!
Nancy
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Rick Warren Strikes Again
Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil;
that put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
This morning, after grabbing my cup of coffee, I opened up my laptop and found I had left the Fox News website up. I had been keeping tabs on what was going on in Syria. One of the headlines that immediately caught my eye was one about Rick Warren, the leader of the 20,000 + member mega church, Saddleback Church in California and author of the books, "The Purpose Driven Life" and "The Purpose Driven Church", both of which I do not recommend reading.
Rick Warren has been called America's pastor. Not that it really matters, but I have a real problem with that. I'm just as American as the next person. But in my opinion, Rick Warren does not fit the biblical definition of a pastor. Pastors are to speak the truth to a lost and dying world. Rick Warren compromises the truth. In "The Purpose Driven Church", Warren pushes numbers/members, not necessarily the salvation experience. He recommends removing things like crosses, old time hymns and even church members who don't go along with the purpose driven church plan. The evangelical church today should be embracing the cross, the old time hymns and the saints who believe the gospel. If it weren't for the cross of Christ, I wouldn't be on my way to heaven today. I love modern praise and worship. But it's the old time hymns that truly make my heart sing out to the Lord. And it's the saints that hold on to the true gospel, who pave the way and pray for the rest of us. Warren also is a proponent the "Chrislam" movement. He encourages it and has been a guest speaker to push that agenda to the sheeple.
So what headline was it that I felt it was important enough to blog about today? Fox News, the Christian Post, the Christian News Network and other news sources posted the headline that Rick Warren regretted making a video (supposedly only for Saddleback church's eyes) in 2008 saying that he was supporting Proposition 8 and biblical marriage... marriage between a man and a woman. He regrets taking a stand for what the bible says about marriage being between a man and a woman? Really? You regret taking a stand with the Creator of both man and woman? Are you kidding me?
This post to my blog today isn't about my stance on homosexuality and gay marriage. Anyone who knows me knows that I believe both homosexuality and gay marriage is wrong. It's not biblical and its a sin. But, just because it's wrong and a sin, it doesn't mean that we don't care about the person who lives that kind of life style. As Jesus taught, we are to love the sinner and hate the sin. All of us, and I do mean all of us, sin. Sin is sin. And we need to reach out to the gay community in the same way that someone reached out to each one of us. But I digress, that isn't my issue or the subject of my post today. My issue is with Rick Warren. God has given Rick Warren an amazing opportunity to reach out to people in the same way that Billy Graham did. He could reach out to millions with the pure gospel of Jesus Christ. Instead of preaching "Chrislam", Rick Warren could be preaching Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Why not take the opportunity that the Lord has given to him and give the homosexual community the chance to be set free? Luke 4:18-19 ~ "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord."
Rick Warren is not doing those things. He is not only leading those who are in his church astray, but every person who picks up one of his books or hears him speak are getting a perverted gospel preached to them. To an extent, we ourselves are responsible to be Bereans and search the scriptures, and, if we find ourselves in a church that doesn't preach the gospel, then get out of it. But those who have been called to be pastors have a responsibility to shepherd their flocks. And anyone who follows Rick Warren's teaching, and agrees, are part of his flock. Instead of bringing sheep into the sheepfold, he's leading them astray. He's giving voice to a movement that is aggressive and shakes it's finger in the face of a loving God. Warren is, in essence, telling them, it's OK to sin. It's never OK to sin, and those of us who call Jesus Lord, struggle with sin continually. As I tell my own family time after time, I'm not perfect, just forgiven. But instead of teaching his flock how to reach for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, he is telling them that it's OK to compromise.
As Rick Warren continues to pollute the gospel of Christ, prayer should be going up to the throne room for him, so that his heart and his eyes would be enlightened once again. God still loves Rick Warren just as much as He ever did. But Rick Warren knows the truth and is choosing to ignore it. I don't pretend to know why unless part of the reason is pride. But someone else who God gave an awesome responsibility and opportunity to, fell because of pride and led many millions astray. Seems to me he would be an example that Rick Warren wouldn't want to follow.
So what headline was it that I felt it was important enough to blog about today? Fox News, the Christian Post, the Christian News Network and other news sources posted the headline that Rick Warren regretted making a video (supposedly only for Saddleback church's eyes) in 2008 saying that he was supporting Proposition 8 and biblical marriage... marriage between a man and a woman. He regrets taking a stand for what the bible says about marriage being between a man and a woman? Really? You regret taking a stand with the Creator of both man and woman? Are you kidding me?
This post to my blog today isn't about my stance on homosexuality and gay marriage. Anyone who knows me knows that I believe both homosexuality and gay marriage is wrong. It's not biblical and its a sin. But, just because it's wrong and a sin, it doesn't mean that we don't care about the person who lives that kind of life style. As Jesus taught, we are to love the sinner and hate the sin. All of us, and I do mean all of us, sin. Sin is sin. And we need to reach out to the gay community in the same way that someone reached out to each one of us. But I digress, that isn't my issue or the subject of my post today. My issue is with Rick Warren. God has given Rick Warren an amazing opportunity to reach out to people in the same way that Billy Graham did. He could reach out to millions with the pure gospel of Jesus Christ. Instead of preaching "Chrislam", Rick Warren could be preaching Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Why not take the opportunity that the Lord has given to him and give the homosexual community the chance to be set free? Luke 4:18-19 ~ "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord."
Rick Warren is not doing those things. He is not only leading those who are in his church astray, but every person who picks up one of his books or hears him speak are getting a perverted gospel preached to them. To an extent, we ourselves are responsible to be Bereans and search the scriptures, and, if we find ourselves in a church that doesn't preach the gospel, then get out of it. But those who have been called to be pastors have a responsibility to shepherd their flocks. And anyone who follows Rick Warren's teaching, and agrees, are part of his flock. Instead of bringing sheep into the sheepfold, he's leading them astray. He's giving voice to a movement that is aggressive and shakes it's finger in the face of a loving God. Warren is, in essence, telling them, it's OK to sin. It's never OK to sin, and those of us who call Jesus Lord, struggle with sin continually. As I tell my own family time after time, I'm not perfect, just forgiven. But instead of teaching his flock how to reach for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, he is telling them that it's OK to compromise.
As Rick Warren continues to pollute the gospel of Christ, prayer should be going up to the throne room for him, so that his heart and his eyes would be enlightened once again. God still loves Rick Warren just as much as He ever did. But Rick Warren knows the truth and is choosing to ignore it. I don't pretend to know why unless part of the reason is pride. But someone else who God gave an awesome responsibility and opportunity to, fell because of pride and led many millions astray. Seems to me he would be an example that Rick Warren wouldn't want to follow.
Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an
hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not
minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you,
inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And
these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous unto life eternal.
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In the next couple of days A Watchman's Words will be moving to a domain of it's own instead of using blogger. I'm grateful to the Lord and humbled that He would give me this opportunity and this ministry. I do ask for your prayers as we make the move and also in the days to come that I would hear God's voice and speak the words that He would have me to speak. The new domain will be www.awatchmanswords.com.
Until next time!
~Nancy
~Nancy
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
No Turning Back
But of the times and seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I should write to
you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the so cometh as a thief in the night.
Recently I have seen quite a few videos and read a number of articles that have come to the same conclusion... that bible prophecy is coming to pass right before our very eyes, and it's coming to pass at a rate like never before. Many have noted that in the past, they really had to search for events that fulfilled bible prophecy. And were fortunate if they had something monthly, much less weekly. But now bible prophecy is coming to pass so quickly, it's hard to keep up.
I am blessed to be taught by a number of bible prophecy teachers. Pastor JD Farag from Calvary Chapel Kaneohe. He has some excellent video teaching on YouTube on their channel Aloha Bible Prophecy. Pastor JD is an Arab, born in Jordan. For six years now, at the Lord's direction, Pastor JD has been doing a Mideast Prophecy Update at the beginning of their Sunday morning services. He has recently had to start an occasional Midweek Mideast Prophecy Update on Thursday nights because of the increase of prophecy coming to pass. As he says, he is continually having to update the update. Pastor JD has been saying quite a bit that the speed that we are seeing bible prophecy unfold is surreal. Geoffrey Grider of Now The End Begins also stated this past week that he is super busy trying to keep up with all that is happening in the world today and keep his blog and radio programs on BlogTalk radio up to date. In the Nearing Midnight section of the Rapture Ready website, both Terry James and Todd Strandberg stated in their December 3rd articles, that we are seeing events happening at an exponential rate of speed. These are just a few examples of bible prophecy teachers coming to the same conclusion.
So where are we in the scheme of things? What events are happening that would bring so many to the same conclusion? I'll list just a few: 1. Unrest in Egypt and Mohammed Morsi becoming the evil leader of Isaiah 19, 2. Unrest in Syria and the coming destruction of Damascus according to Isaiah 17. President Bashar Assad has ordered that deadly sarin gas be mixed and loaded into bombs and readied to be used. This is definitely huge and I just can't help but thinking that it won't be much longer and Damascus will no longer exist. 3. There's an increase in the number of earthquakes according to Matthew 24:7, 4. An increase in the number of wars and rumors of wars according to Luke 21:9, 5. The NWO (new world order) and one world religion according to Revelation 13.
Israel is God's time piece for the end times. In 1948 Israel defied the odds and became a nation in a day. Isaiah 66:8 ~ "Who hath heard such a thing? Who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in a day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children." Israel was dispersed among the nations in 70 AD for crucifying her long awaited Messiah, six million Jews lost their lives in the Holocaust, but miraculously, on May 14th, 1948, Israel became a nation again and her children started coming back to their promised land. Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 24:32, to learn the parable of the fig tree. Jesus used that parable to explain to them that when the fig tree's branches are tender, and puts forth leaves, they knew that summer was near. So likewise, when they saw all these things begin to come to pass, they would know that His 2nd coming was near, even at the door. If Israel becoming a nation again was the beginning of birth pains, then how much closer are we today to His coming again to the earth? But He will come as King of kings and Lord of lords to rule and reign forever.
Time is running out. I told a friend on the phone tonight that I believe we are at 11:59 and 45 seconds. As I have heard Pastor JD say: "There's no more time to get ready, you need to be ready NOW!" Jesus told us in Luke 21:28 ~ And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Jesus will be here to take His bride home to heaven, make no mistake about it. Someday soon, you're going to look for someone you love, someone you know, who knew Jesus and warned you of this time, and they will be no where to be found. And by then, it will be too late. Jesus will have come for His church and taken them out of the way while everyone left on the earth will face the judgments of the book of Revelation. But let me ask you this: If you can't live for Jesus now, what makes you think you will be able to serve Him in a time where you either starve or eat, take the mark or not take the mark and live or die? Those are the choices that you will be faced with. If you choose to live for the Lord Jesus, you won't eat, you shouldn't take the mark, and if you don't take the mark, it will mean almost certain death. Please don't wait until then to make the right choice. Make that right choice now, so that you will be ready to go in the rapture and not go through God's wrath of Revelation. If you need help making that choice, please feel free to contact me.
Israel is God's time piece for the end times. In 1948 Israel defied the odds and became a nation in a day. Isaiah 66:8 ~ "Who hath heard such a thing? Who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in a day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children." Israel was dispersed among the nations in 70 AD for crucifying her long awaited Messiah, six million Jews lost their lives in the Holocaust, but miraculously, on May 14th, 1948, Israel became a nation again and her children started coming back to their promised land. Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 24:32, to learn the parable of the fig tree. Jesus used that parable to explain to them that when the fig tree's branches are tender, and puts forth leaves, they knew that summer was near. So likewise, when they saw all these things begin to come to pass, they would know that His 2nd coming was near, even at the door. If Israel becoming a nation again was the beginning of birth pains, then how much closer are we today to His coming again to the earth? But He will come as King of kings and Lord of lords to rule and reign forever.
Time is running out. I told a friend on the phone tonight that I believe we are at 11:59 and 45 seconds. As I have heard Pastor JD say: "There's no more time to get ready, you need to be ready NOW!" Jesus told us in Luke 21:28 ~ And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Jesus will be here to take His bride home to heaven, make no mistake about it. Someday soon, you're going to look for someone you love, someone you know, who knew Jesus and warned you of this time, and they will be no where to be found. And by then, it will be too late. Jesus will have come for His church and taken them out of the way while everyone left on the earth will face the judgments of the book of Revelation. But let me ask you this: If you can't live for Jesus now, what makes you think you will be able to serve Him in a time where you either starve or eat, take the mark or not take the mark and live or die? Those are the choices that you will be faced with. If you choose to live for the Lord Jesus, you won't eat, you shouldn't take the mark, and if you don't take the mark, it will mean almost certain death. Please don't wait until then to make the right choice. Make that right choice now, so that you will be ready to go in the rapture and not go through God's wrath of Revelation. If you need help making that choice, please feel free to contact me.
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free
and bond to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads;
And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the
mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number
of the beast; for it is the number of a man; and his number is six
hundred threescore six.
of the beast; for it is the number of a man; and his number is six
hundred threescore six.
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Until next time!
~Nancy
~Nancy
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Signs in the Sun, Moon and Stars
And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the
earth: blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
earth: blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood, before the
coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.
And the moon into blood, before the
coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.
Today, November 28, 2012, there was a penumbra lunar eclipse. This was the second and last lunar eclipse of 2012. There has also been two solar eclipses in 2012.
The prophet Joel told us that in the latter days there would be signs in the heavens and in the earth. A lunar eclipse isn't a very spectacular event in this day and age. Sure, if you happen to be lucky enough to be in a part of the world where you're able to observe either a solar or lunar eclipse, then it's pretty neat to be able to watch it. But nothing earth shattering in the grand scheme of things. But when was the last time you saw the sun darkened or the moon turned to blood? In a total solar eclipse, it looks like the sun is darkened, but it just a shadow covering the sun. We also have what we call blood moons. A blood moon happens because of refracted light. And how much refracted light depends on how much dust and clouds are in the atmosphere. Again, it looks like the moon has turned to blood, but it's just the way the setting sun hits the clouds and dust around it. I used to think that Joel meant a solar eclipse and a blood moon when he said that the sun would be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. But really, what kind of signs would those be if that's what they were?
In my mind, when we are given signs to look for, that means something out of the ordinary. Why would God use signs that could be explained away by man? I mean, He's free to do that obviously. He's God. But if man can explain away a sign or two, then how is that going to get someones attention, which is what the signs are all about? A total eclipse of the sun isn't something we see very often. But they still aren't going to get much attention outside the scientific community, the press and a few astronomer wannabes. According to the NASA website, we won't have another total eclipse of the sun until August 21, 2017. And although blood moons are more common place than a total solar eclipse of the sun, and awesome to look at, they are still common place enough to not get that much attention. In fact, the last one I saw was a pretty disappointing sight and barely pink, much less red. That's not to say that the Lord wouldn't use eclipses and blood moons in some way as latter days indications that the church age is about to come to a close. But I just don't think that's what He meant by this passage in Joel.
We have to remember that the world (and man) has been going through the most cataclysmic time in history. The church has been raptured and man has gone through the seal, trumpet and bowl judgements. The armies of the Antichrist have gathered in the valley of Megiddo to fight against the Lord Jesus Christ. Tribulation saints are waiting in expectation of the second coming of the Lord Jesus with all His saints. They know their wait is almost over. For some reason, I just don't see a total eclipse of the sun or a blood moon making much of an impression on anyone right about then. But if the sun is really darkened and the moon turned blood red, I can see those two signs making saint and sinner alike taking a second look.
Jesus told us in Luke 21:11 that there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. As neat as a total eclipse of the sun or blood moon ares, I just don't believe they are in the category of a great sign. I could be wrong, it has been known to happen, but that's my opinion. There was one more sign Jesus told the church to look for: Luke 21:28~ Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.
If you don't know Jesus as the Lord and Savior of your life, I invite you to ask Him to forgive your sins and save your soul. The closer we get to the rapture of the church and the second coming of Christ, things in the world will get worse, not better. The time is getting close. If you need help asking Jesus into your life, please feel free to contact me.
We have to remember that the world (and man) has been going through the most cataclysmic time in history. The church has been raptured and man has gone through the seal, trumpet and bowl judgements. The armies of the Antichrist have gathered in the valley of Megiddo to fight against the Lord Jesus Christ. Tribulation saints are waiting in expectation of the second coming of the Lord Jesus with all His saints. They know their wait is almost over. For some reason, I just don't see a total eclipse of the sun or a blood moon making much of an impression on anyone right about then. But if the sun is really darkened and the moon turned blood red, I can see those two signs making saint and sinner alike taking a second look.
Jesus told us in Luke 21:11 that there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. As neat as a total eclipse of the sun or blood moon ares, I just don't believe they are in the category of a great sign. I could be wrong, it has been known to happen, but that's my opinion. There was one more sign Jesus told the church to look for: Luke 21:28~ Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.
If you don't know Jesus as the Lord and Savior of your life, I invite you to ask Him to forgive your sins and save your soul. The closer we get to the rapture of the church and the second coming of Christ, things in the world will get worse, not better. The time is getting close. If you need help asking Jesus into your life, please feel free to contact me.
For we know that the whole creation groaneth
and traavaileth in pain together until now.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Egypt, Israel's Friend?
*This post was originally posted November 19, 2012. Due to technical problems I had to redo the post.*
Ezekiel 29:12
I will make the land of Egypt desolate in the midst of the countries
that are desolate, and her cities among the cities that are laid waste,
shall be desolate forty years: and I will scatter the Egyptians among
the nations and disperse them through the countries.
that are desolate, and her cities among the cities that are laid waste,
shall be desolate forty years: and I will scatter the Egyptians among
the nations and disperse them through the countries.
Since the Arab Spring (2011 - 2002) and Mohammed Morsi's inauguration in 2012, Egypt's commitment to peace with the nation of Israel has been in question. Morsi is a leading figure in the Muslim Brotherhood, the Arab world's largest Islamic movement. In October 2012, Morsi sent a letter to Israeli President Shimon Peres stating that he wanted to strengthen ties between Israel and Egypt. But on November 14, 2012, Morsi condemned the Israeli air strikes in the Gaza by the IAF.
According to the media, Egypt is a key player in negotiating a cease fire between Israel and Hamas. But last Friday, Egypt's Prime Minister Hisham Kindil arrived in Gaza to show solidarity with Hamas and their rocket attacks into Israel.
A bilateral peace treaty between Egypt and Israel was signed by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin in 1979. The treaty was honored by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. The two countries have lived in peace until the Arab Spring and Mohammed Morsi's installation os the new president of Egypt in June, 2012. The Muslim Brother has called for a jihad against Israel. Beings as Morsi is a leading figure in thr Muslim Brotherhood, I would say that speaks volumes about how he feels about peace with the "Zionists".
What does that mean for the cease fire that is supposedly being brokered by the Egyptian government in Cairo? I can only give you my opinion and that is that I am not going to hold my breath that a cease fire can be brokered between Israel and Hamas. Hamas wants the Gaza blockade opened up and they want to be able to keep their Fajr-5 rockets. The Fajr-5's are long range rockets that are capable of hitting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Of course Israel can't allow Hamas to keep those rockets. And if the Gaza blockade is opened up, Israel risks even more weapons being smuggled in to use against her. The Israeli's can't allow that either. Sending the Egyptian Prime Minister to Gaza to show Egypt's solidarity with the Palestinians pretty well says what stand Egypt is taking. Will there be a cease fire? I don't know. 97% of Israeli citizens favored the air campaign in the Gaza but only 30% favor a ground invasion.
What Egypt seems to neglect to understand is Genesis 12:3 ~ I will bless them who bless thee, and I will curse those who curseth you. Our Ancient of Days doesn't take too kindly to anyone or any country coming against Israel. And if the Egyptians (and all Muslims for that matter) would put the Quran down and start reading the bible, they would find out what their reward would be for coming against the apple of God's eye. They should look back on Egypt's history. Pharaoh refused to let Moses and the children of Israel go. Even after multiple plagues brought on the country, and the deaths of all the Egyptian first born children, including Pharaoh's son, Pharaoh still hardened his heart. But it wasn't the Children of Israel who drowned in the Red Sea, it was Pharaoh's armies. Both Isaiah 19 and Ezekiel 29:1-13 give us a vivid picture of what will happen, and in fact, is happening in Egypt, as a reward for their treatment of Israel.
We're living in very troubling times. But those of us who belong to the Lord Jesus, also see these times as very exciting times. As each day passes, we are one day closer to seeing the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, who was, who is, and who is to come. Revelation 1:8. If you don't know the Lord Jesus Christ and know that feeling of excitement that only a true child of God can know, please feel free to contact me. I would be honored to introduce you to my Savior.
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The burden of Egypt.
Behold, the Lord rideth on a swift cloud,
Behold, the Lord rideth on a swift cloud,
And shall come into Egypt;
The idols of Egypt shallbe moved in His presence,
And the heart of Egypt will melt in its midst.
Until next time!
~Nancy
~Nancy
Monday, November 26, 2012
No Guarantee
Whereas ye know not, what shall be on the morrow.
For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that
appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that
appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
I do want to take this opportunity to apologize to all of you for not updating the blog the past few days. As most of you know, I had a very good friend who was in the hospital on life support last week after having a major heart attack. She passed away yesterday (November 25th) after she was removed from life support a day earlier. Instead of doing a prophecy update tonight, I am hoping you won't mind if I blog about what the Lord Jesus is speaking to my heart right now as I grieve Carol's death. I will get back to the regular blog tomorrow. Just afford me this opportunity to speak from a heart that hurts right now.
Carol was one of the best friends anyone could ask for. She was blunt, even blunt to the point of hurting your feelings. She was an Italian spitfire if I had ever seen one. She was crazy. Not crazy in a bad way, but crazy in a funny way. She once had a kitten that my kids had given to her. She put flea powder on this kitten and he was way too young for flea powder. He was a sick kitten for awhile, but pulled through. But after that, he always ran sideways. So Carol named him Sidewhinder. LOL Carol owned the first chow chows that I had ever seen. And it was her chows that made me fall in love with, and respect the breed. Since then, I have owned and loved 3 chow chows. Everytime I look at my third chow, Tai, I will remember Carol and thank her for introducing me to her Maggie and Alf. She hated the smell of sour apple gum and any time any of the kids had it in their mouths, she made them go out on her front porch and sit and chew it so she wouldn't have to smell it. As my daughter Ashley and I were leaving the hospital last Friday, we were talking about the sour apple gum. Ashley said "You know Mom, Carol always made us go sit out on her front porch while we chewed the gum so she wouldn't have to smell it, but then she always came outside with us." :) But even through all the craziness, she was fiercely loyal... as a wife, as a mother, as a grandmother and as a friend.
I knew Carol for 27+ years. And I have to admit, the majority of that time was when I was away from the Lord as a "prodigal". Needless to say, I am not proud of that. And over this past week and a half, the enemy has really used that to heap guilt on my head. But as another friend of mine reminded me, I wasn't always a prodigal and Carol had heard about Jesus from me, more than once.
I don't know whether or not Carol accepted the Lord. But through all of this, I have learned a very valuable lesson. There is a reason why Jesus says we are to be a light to those who are living in darkness. Too many people talk the talk, but don't walk the walk. We never know if we are the last person someone who isn't saved talks to before they die. We here in the U.S. are very, very fortunate in that we typically get more than one chance to hear the gospel and accept the Lord Jesus as Savior. But we need to take every advantage God presents us with to share the gospel. Jesus tells us in John 4:37 that one sows and another reaps. We don't always know which we are doing, but one is every bit as important as the other. What good is it to have the word of the living God living in us, if we aren't willing to share it? What good is sharing the gospel, if we aren't willing to reap the harvest? I know there are plenty of us who have said "I just want to hear the words well done good and faithful servant when I get to heaven". I have said it myself. But you know, the thing that should really be motivating us to do the works that He has commanded us to do is not hearing "Well done thou good and faithful servant" but seeing someone in heaven who has heard the Word of God from us and will live eternally because we were obedient to what the Lord Jesus commanded us to do.
Romans 8:28 ~ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. I don't know where my friend will be spending eternity for sure. But one thing I do know is this, I will never live with the guilt of wondering again, whether I did my job or not.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And he who winneth souls is wise.
Until next time!
~Nancy
~Nancy
Carol Louise Epperson
February 11, 1948 - November 25, 2012
February 11, 1948 - November 25, 2012
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Wars and Rumors of Wars...
Matthew 24:6
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that ye be not
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that ye be not
troubled for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Fox News' Megyn Kelly is reporting that the air strikes on Hamas are in preparation for something "large scale". An article in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz has featured an article which states that the current operation in Gaza is preparing the southern border for a much bigger Iranian operation by taking out Iran's power in Gaza. (Preparing the Ground for the Big Iranian Operation).
Iran's proxy's, Hamas (southern border) and Hezbollah (northern border) both have weapons that are supplied by Iran to attack Israel. Iran is going full speed ahead with their nuclear program, even after sanctions from the international community and the U.S. Iran's leaders have stated that their nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. But their actions speaks louder than words. Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has stated on numerous occasions that Israel (the Little Satan) and the U.S. (the Big Satan) should be wiped off the face of the earth. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly warned the international community of Iran's intentions, and has stressed how important it is to Israel and the U.S and the entire Mideast region, that the Iranian nuclear program be stopped. Netanyahu has gotten precious little help or support from the U.S. or the international community in his efforts to stop Iran.
The UN's head of the IAEA has reported that Iran's nuclear program has remained unaffected by the sanctions leveled against it. The IAEA reported an increase in the supply of a more purified form of uranium that can be more easily converted to weapons grade material. (Iran's Nuclear Capabilities Set to Double). Time is running out. During his recent speech to the UN in September, Prime Minister Netanyahu gave a Spring, 2013 as a possible red line date before military action will have to be taken against Iran should they refuse to halt their nuclear program. President Obama has done very little to help deter Iran from their nuclear ambitions. At the start of Operation Pillar of Defense, President Obama acknowledged that Israel had a right to defend herself. But behind the scenes, he has been pressuring Israel to back off with the threat of delaying parts shipments for the IDF and IAF. Sending Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is almost comical since she hasn't shown herself to side with Israel either.
Persia is listed in Ezekiel 38 as one of the nations that will will join with Russia to invade Israel. Persia is modern day Iran. I don't know what is in store for Iran at the hands of Israel. But I do know what the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has in store for Iran and it's nothing short of destruction for coming against the apple of God's eye.
The UN's head of the IAEA has reported that Iran's nuclear program has remained unaffected by the sanctions leveled against it. The IAEA reported an increase in the supply of a more purified form of uranium that can be more easily converted to weapons grade material. (Iran's Nuclear Capabilities Set to Double). Time is running out. During his recent speech to the UN in September, Prime Minister Netanyahu gave a Spring, 2013 as a possible red line date before military action will have to be taken against Iran should they refuse to halt their nuclear program. President Obama has done very little to help deter Iran from their nuclear ambitions. At the start of Operation Pillar of Defense, President Obama acknowledged that Israel had a right to defend herself. But behind the scenes, he has been pressuring Israel to back off with the threat of delaying parts shipments for the IDF and IAF. Sending Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is almost comical since she hasn't shown herself to side with Israel either.
Persia is listed in Ezekiel 38 as one of the nations that will will join with Russia to invade Israel. Persia is modern day Iran. I don't know what is in store for Iran at the hands of Israel. But I do know what the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has in store for Iran and it's nothing short of destruction for coming against the apple of God's eye.
For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
Until next time!
~Nancy
~Nancy
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