The Heat Of The Battle

Day 340 in my "Year In My Life Through Pictures" blog series

"Is it hot enough for ya?" That's a common question these day around here in Paducah and I would also assume across much of the United States. Temperatures have been above 90 since May 29 here, which is about 10 degrees higher than "average". Of course Al Gore is looking pretty good to some people right now, but then again he claimed that the below average temperatures and increased snowfall this past winter were caused by Global Warming as well. Go figure.

The forecast has us remaining in the 90s at least until next Thursday, with the exception of 2 days that they are saying will be a chilling 88 and 89. All I can say is, "I'm glad I have a job that lands me in front of a computer the majority of my work day." I have, however, worked in the heat like this on my works factory floor and it is rather warm, especially with all of the welding that takes place. Many steps have been taken to alleviate the heat for the workers, extra fans, extended break times, free Gatorade, etc. are all beneficial to my co-workers, but it is still hot any way you slice it.

It does seem that we are having a lot of "strange" weather. Maybe strange is not the correct word to use, maybe "extreme" would be a better adjective. We have seen numerous tornadoes rip across the U.S., my area of the country is still recovering from the worst flooding in almost 100 years, the North East saw a rare tornado in their region over the past few day. This is not to mention the earthquakes and volcanic activity lately too. I stop short of saying it is of "biblical proportions" because I know that God is still holding nature at bay and is still long-suffering. The Earth is showing its pangs as Romans 8:22 tells us.

The coming of the Lord is eminent and many people are eluding to that fact. Many say it, but don't really believe it though. They say, "You better get right with God, because He's coming back soon. Just look at the weather". Which may very well be true, but most that say this are not "right with God" in the first place. They are "right with" their false theology and easy believism mentality. If we truly believed Christ's Earthly return was upon us, any day now, would we be so lax in our evangelism? Would we sit idly by knowing that our friends, family members and co-workers are headed to hell? Would we remain silent and hope that someone else tells them the true Gospel? I think not. It just shows the state of the Church today. We have fallen asleep and become lukewarm. Does that sound familiar?

I pray that I, foremost, along with the rest of the Body of Christ awaken from the slumber. May God grant us revival in our hearts so that we can be faithful and true witnesses for Him. May He be gracious to us, even though we do not deserve it so we can bring glory to Him and magnify His Name above all. How awesome it would be if the Church would actually be the Church instead of being quiet in slumber, allowing the junk that passes for Christianity to run rampant, without so much as a peep from anyone except "judge not lest thou be judged". I say that if we remain silent and allow heresy and blasphemy that has defined the modern "church" we are part of it ourselves and stand in the judgment of God. We need to take Proverbs 17:15 to heart:
Proverbs 17:15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

So where do you stand in these last days? For the Lord or for the harlot that passes itself off as the Bride of Christ? I stand for Christ and by His grace I will glorify His Name. How about you?

Camping Trip

Day 322 in my "Year In My Life Through Pictures" blog series

If you have been living under a rock or tucked away in the Andes Mountains I must let you know that tomorrow is supposed to be the last full day of existence. According to Harold Camping May 21st is to be Judgment Day. How he comes up with this estimation is quite mind boggling and I will not even attempt to explain it. There is a brief description on his wikipedia page in the "Controversy" headed section.

Will the Rapture take place on May 21st, this Saturday? It's possible, but it will not be because of Camping's leap in mathematics. The Lord can return at any time and when He does I pray that you are ready to meet Him. In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 we are told to not be concerned about dates and times. It almost seems like Paul is directing those in Thessaloniki to just be concerned about edifying one another and to not worry (and those that are true believers today). He encourages them and us to know that we are guaranteed to be saved and taken up with Christ on whatever day He comes back for His bride.

I read the Left Behind books several years ago. They actually made an impact on me and I "rededicated" my life to God. Actually I just reassured myself of my false conversion when I was 8 years old, once again pointing back to that time of my life and once again saying the sinners prayer and asking Jesus into my heart. Thing is I was still not trusting in Christ and Hi perfect sacrifice for me. I was still trying to be saved by my own means. If I wanted to be saved bad enough I would be, or so I thought. There is nothing biblical about that, but after living so many years hearing the same types of messages that is all I knew. I was living in deception and I was headed to Hell.

It was still several years later, after living still in unrepentant sin that God did take the scales from my eyes and truly save me. I now do not point at something I did, but to Christ as my salvation and trust in Him to save me and not a prayer I mumbled as a child. Only the blood of Christ has the power to take our sins away, not a prayer or a decision, not a walk down an aisle or being baptized. Only a total surrender to God and a repentant heart are the pathway to salvation. He has said that if those things are present He will save you - not out of obligation because you do them, but because of Christ. His grace and mercy made a Way, the only Way, and it is narrow. Do not be deceived and do not look at anything other than Jesus Christ as your salvation. If you are, then you are not saved and are on the way to judgment, whether it be Saturday or 30 years from now. We are promised that after death is the judgment and I can guarantee 100% that you will die some day if the Lord does not return soon that is. Today is the day of salvation - who or what are you trusting in?

Awesome Display Of God's Power

Day 287 in my "Year In My Life Through Pictures" blog series

I have to confess first thing, I did not take this picture, but wish I had. It is really cool. Probably the first I have ever seen with lightning and a rainbow in the same picture. It certainly beat any picture that I could have taken today.

Pictures like this catch a split second of time that will never be recreated. Now, with this photo, the split second awesome display of our God can be enjoyed for many years to come. I have been noticing more of nature that God has given to us. Even the mighty thunderstorms that rolled through this evening displayed the glory of God. The crashing thunder and winds only are a minimal fraction of what God can do. After all, look at the fastness of the Universe and see His glory on display. Why else would He create so many solar systems, planets and stars except to show us how awesome He is?

It does seem like we are smack dab in thunderstorm alley right now. Somehow our weather patterns have been more intense over the past couple of years. I know that the U.S. is not mentioned in scripture about the end times, but the weather is, so maybe this is one of the signs announcing Christ's return. No other time in history have as many prophecies been fulfilled. Are you ready? Is Christ Lord of your life? Have you seen your utter depravity and lack of ability to save yourself? Turn to Him and place all trust for all things in Him. Today is the day of salvation, you may not get another.

Tag! You're It

Day 233 in my "Year In My Life Through Pictures" blog series

Trying to figure this one out. It seems to be a non essential tag. It came off of a shirt, some company took the time and money to have it sewn in only to tell you to remove it before you wash or wear it. Why? I am guessing that it is an anti-theft device (aka mark of the Beast - just kidding, maybe). These are similar to the anti-theft devices in everything from razors to iPods to let workers in retail know that something is leaving the store that hasn't had its tag deactivated. They are more hassle to the consumer, because we've all set the alarm off at least once.

These tags are evolving though. Wal-Mart is set to use these tags as tracking devices to see how their customers travel throughout the store as they shop. Doing this will allow them to crunch the data and see how to better lay out the store so you have to walk around more products that you might buy on a whim. They already out the milk in the back of the store to make you walk all the way back there and spot the other snacks and cookies that will go with your milk.

The tags can also be used by the government to track people. Embedded in drivers license that one must carry can be chips that can track where you've been, how long you've been in a particular place and who you're with. Sounds real big brotherish to me, but it is a precursor to the mark of the Beast that I alluded to earlier. Maybe an implanted chip that will store all of your personal information and that no one can steal from you. It would be used in place of drivers licenses, credit cards, to store your medical records, etc. The push is happening as society gets more and more scared to be robbed or of having their identity stolen. It is all going to happen in the name of safety and security.

Not to sound all "Left Behind" or anything, but Christians need to be aware of what's going on. We all need to start preparing for the days ahead. I've never been a conspiracy theorist and I am just now under a pastor that is preaching through the end times faithfully to scripture, so I am still trying to figure out the scenario anyway. My eschatology is very skewed, as was all of my other theology from a lifetime upbringing in the American church and its easy believism/ man centered messages. I do know that Christian persecution is happening now and will only progress. The religion of Islam is on the rise and all kinds of false teachers and false prophets litter the airwaves and pulpits across the globe.

Stand strong Christian and know that God is still on His throne. Nothing is a surprise to Him and He will see His children through to His glory. Stay strong and keep your gaze on Christ and allow Him to direct your path. Be strong, be vigilant and keep proclaiming the truth.

(Also keep tearing out those tags from your clothes. Especially GAP, Old Navy and any of the other off shoots of that company as they embed the tracking chips in their regular tags)