New Year, Your Direction

“O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my request before you and wait in expectations”-Psalm 5:3.

New Year’s has cultural significance as a time of evaluation. It has come to signify that month of the year where we sit back and reflect on that which has past and that which is to come. That which has passed in our own life, that of our family, nation and our world. What do we make of it all and what decisions do we make as a result? 

Traditionally, we try to right our course in the journey of life at this time of year if that would seem warranted. Some areas of correction include: health, education, career, financial and relationships. The means of moving forward always include our spiritual outlook. What do we believe and whom do we believe. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you”- Matthew 6:33

The Bible places a value on truth, not the kind of truth that Pontius Pilate was questioning when he uttered the famous line, “What is truth” (Matthew 6:33) as he interrogated Jesus. Jesus pointed out the truth of scriptures and further pointed to himself as the “truth.”

The truth that I am thinking of, is the truth about ourselves. Do we need to lose a few pounds. Do we need to change careers? Do we date people who are bad for us? Do we prefer to spend time with our dogs or cats over people? Can we be brutally honest about ourselves? Without the ability to “consider our ways,” as the Bible calls it, we are hopelessly relegated to live less than the life that we should. “Now therefore thus saith the Lord of Hosts; consider your ways”- Haggai1:5.

It is hard to be honest today primarily because we are living during times of exceeding deception. It is all around us and we have grow accustomed to it. “My son is so smart,” when he is not. “My daughter is such a nurturer,” when she is the biggest bully ever. “My boss didn’t appreciate me” when the truth is, you didn't appreciate him or her. “My dogs are my grand-babies,” oye vey! No one will hold you accountable because they are either afraid to or they don’t know the truth. 

We all have things to think about this year. During the COVID lockdowns, many people in Westchester County, New York were getting in the best shape of their life. They decided that the only way to sublimate their rage against the world not being their oyster was by letting off some steam in an intense workout. I would see them speed walk or bike by my house every day. 

I, on the other hand, put on what I affectionately call my “COVID 25,” You have no doubt heard of the common phenomena of first year college students putting on weight due to the stress of being away from home for the first time. Perhaps without parental support they eat the wrong foods or spend too much time at the bar. 

Much as I tried to fight the spiritual battle of COVID with God as the center of my coping, I failed to keep strong as often as I should have. “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”- 1 Thessalonians 5:18. When I prayed, and read my Bible, I had clarity of this scriptural truth. When I missed the fellowship of my church and focused on my fears, I ate comfort food.Ugly Truth Number 1. 

Truth Number 2. I had been ignoring some medical information that I had received at my own peril. I was told that the pressure on my eye seemed high but yet I did not seem to have glaucoma. I had struggled to find an eye doctor after my doctor retired. My former eye doc was the perfect combination of knowledge, and bedside manner. He had compassion and competency. He had reached the height of his field and had offices on Park Avenue in New York City. 

I always knew that when he retired that he would be hard to replace. When they made him they broke the mold. I looked for friendly recommendations but still had a hard time finding my next eye care professional. When I did, she was not a keeper. She was insensitive and her office seemed like a medical mill dedicated to getting people in and out. When she told me, she does not know why I do not have glaucoma she did not really explain what she meant by that. She said, we will just have to watch it. She made a lot of thoughtless comments that day.

I was shocked and fearful of losing my sight. I also did not feel she would be the professional that I would want in charge of my eye health. As I began to search for a new eye doctor in Westchester County New York nothing went smoothly. Like getting a plumber when I need one, no one seemed to have someone that they would wish to recommend. As time when by, I found myself frozen with fear. I was afraid to face this health challenge.

Then, COVID hit and it was all too easy to get out of doctor’s appointments since many of the physicians were only dealing with emergency cases. One ophthalmologist that I was considering even closed his office for a short time. He had to redesign his office in order to decrease the chances of anyone getting COVID. Shortly after that, he went into early retirement. 

I prayed to the Lord to give me the strength to face this challenge and to help me to see even this with spiritual eyes and wisdom. I knew that as I reflected on things that I needed to change in 2023, that only through the Lord, with his strength could I face and get through this issue. “Do not be anxious about anything  but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God”-Philippians 4:6.

January is also the month where I will try to approach estranged family members. Ugly Truth 3: Once I became a Christian, it was a foregone conclusion that my family would take sides on the great spiritual divide that is gripping our world. Issues ranging from whom I voted for in the last election, gender fluidity and sustainability have created a civil war in my family and in our world. With the New Year, I can’t help but try to approach some family members and try once more to fight these battles with the full armor of God. Like the apostle Paul when he went to preach to the Corinthians, I have to try and keep my total focus on the truth about Jesus Christ lest the debate devolve into an intellectual exercise in futility.

As I sought for a New Direction in this New Year, I found that all that I had put off and all that I feared were merely false evidence appearing real. With small efforts at reducing my eating portions, I have already lost some weight. My fatalistic fears about my eyes have not been realized. With fear in my belly, trepidation in my heart and a prayer on my lips constantly, I made an appointment with a new doctor. The results of that exam were good news. Plus, this doctor is a keeper. Thank you Lord for your healing grace and new beginnings! Verse for the New Year: “Create in me a clean heart O God; and renew a right spirit within me”- Psalm 51:10.

As for my relationship problems, I will make an approach this week with much prayer and dependence upon the Holy Spirit’s guidance. As 2023 has begun, I hope that you will keep it real, pray and seek a New Year, Your Direction. 💕

Christmas 2022- Who is Jesus?

The headlines concerning just Who is Jesus were wild this year. Some news stories suggested that if Jesus were here today, he would march in a gay pride parade. Some professor tried to prove that Jesus was transgender and it made international headlines. Other stories suggest that some World Economic Forum participants have openly discussed Jesus with much derision, even suggesting that Jesus is fake news. In the cancel culture that we live in, why would any of us be surprised if that were true?

As we arrive at Christmas 2022, we even find the President of the United States giving a Christmas message without mentioning the name of Jesus. He seemed to do everything to avoid making a clear and affirming  Christian message. It seems Santa Claus has replaced Jesus as the center of Christmas. The popular culture has successfully replaced the message of the Savior of the world being born in Bethlehem with a message centered on gift-giving, entertainment and general peace, love and other feel good stuff.

🎶 “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” not because a Savior was born who could save us from our sins.  What about the ever popular , 🎶🎶 “all I want for Christmas is you”,  and by “you” I don’t mean Jesus. It is official, we have cancelled the real Christmas! The Bible predicted as much when it said in 2 Thessalonians 2:3a Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless there be a falling away first. Meaning the time of the Antichrist will not come until many have rejected God. It makes sense too. 

We need God Almighty to make sense of our lives and our world. If we reject the message of the Bible and instead turn inward to our own thoughts and directives we would be easy prey for the Antichrist. If history has taught us anything it is that people look for leadership in all the wrong places.

Who is Jesus? I could think of no better thoughts for Christmas 2022 than to contemplate and reaffirm the truth about what we celebrate on Christmas. Jesus had an interesting conversation with his disciples in the gospel of Luke 9:18-22 which mirrors the ideas that we are exploring today. In the context of Luke we find that Jesus had given authority to his disciples to preach and heal in his name. As they ministered to the crowd they were beginning to understand many things that Jesus had taught them. 

There was more equipping yet to come as Jesus prepared them and us for a greater understanding. And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am? They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias, and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again. He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God. And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing; saying, the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day. - Luke 9:18-22. 

The crowds, then and now. have a lot to say about just Who is Jesus? Some people thought Jesus was a prophet. What has changed? Today there are whole religions who believe Jesus is merely a prophet. Some people thought that he was a popular reformer such as John the Baptist, many today believe Jesus is a sort of Che Guevara or a gender equity activist. 

The power of this central historical figure has never been lost on many movers and shakers so, they seek to co-opt his power and message to propel their agenda to the forefront. Political movements have done it and the Antichrist will do it too. Jesus explored this topic with his closest disciples. He wanted them and us, to know that there will be controversy around just Who is Jesus. 

Jesus asked his disciples and us the second question, which is who do you say that I am? If you have any doubt I want you to again hear what Peter said, The Christ of God. The whole bible was written from Genesis to Revelation to point to, direct to and describe the Savior of the world and his mission. As we celebrate Christmas this year, let us not lose sight of this. Let us affirm the truth amid a world scrambling to understand just Who is Jesus. Let us proclaim and acknowledge him as we open our presents by the tree, as we meet and greet family and friends and eat a celebratory meal. Merry Christmas in the name of Lord Jesus we celebrate!

As is my custom every year, I review blog statistics and attempt to say Merry Christmas to all my readers in their native language. I can’t get accent marks working when on blogger but, here goes anyway: 

Merry Christmas, Feliz Natal, з Різдвом, Veseloho Vam Rizdva, Boas Festas, Joyeux Noel, с РождествомHristos, Razdajetsja, Zalig Kerstfeest, Frohliche Weihnachten, Buon Natalie, عيدميلادمجيدmerry Milad Mubarak, Natal Mubarak, Sretan Bozic, メリークリスマス,merry merry Merii Kirisumasu, Happy Christmas, Selamat Hari Natal, Feliz Navidad, Sheng Tan Kuai Loh, Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal, wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia, Wesolych Swiat, and کریسمس مبارک

Russian Friend

The last time that I blogged about the Russian-Ukrainian War was near Easter of this past year. I was moved by the contemplation of Christ’s death and Resurrection to hope for an Easter miracle, the cessation of this war.  Sadly, that was not to be. However, I did not think the war could possibly last this long. Yet it has. The stories of rape, torture, death and destruction are unfathomable and each day brings more and more cruelty beyond the pale. 

The inability of the United Nations, the United States, the European Union and NATO to deal with this situation effectively is all you need to know as regards the power and efficacy of such groups. What about the billions that have poured into Ukraine from all over the world, and the economic sanctions against Russia? China, India, Turkey, Iran, and North Korea are doing so much damage supporting Russia as they seek more and more influence on the world stage. The faith that we place in our own earthly wisdom and institutions are misplaced. God is the only one who will eventually end all wars for good. 

Amid all of this, I feel like I have been living a double life with my Russian Friend Jenica* . Even though it has been almost a full year since the Russians invaded the Ukraine, Jenica and I have yet to have a real and serious discussion on the war. When I look out my window here in the United States, I am able to see people with Ukrainian flags on their lawns in support of that country.  I have been giving donations to Christian ministries active in Ukraine and yet I have yet to discuss any of that with Jenica.

Am I one to shrink away from stating my point of view or painful truths?  Have I had a fear of losing our friendship, yes at times. But, first and foremost I am fearful of reprisals against Jenica which could result in her getting into trouble in her country of Russia should any of our communications be intercepted. Even though that is a good reason that we should be careful when and how we communicate our feelings about this war, it feels like it is the big elephant in the middle of the room every time we talk.

Our friendship as a result, seems less than authentic. War divides. It always has and it always will. People support that side which they passionately agree with and that causes divisions between those who disagree. Yet, Jenica and I have the bond that exists between people who place their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Jenica and I met on a Missions Trip. We were paired up working as a team. We did arts and crafts for children and assisted in teaching youth inspired gospel messages. That was several years ago where such things would be possible between an American and a Russian. Today, she is a university student in Moscow. The first day that the Russians invaded Ukraine, she sent me a text message evincing great shock as to what had just occurred. 

At that time, she and I were understandably in shock. However, Russians both young and old are not accustomed to betraying either their emotions or their political positions easily. Besides, it is always in the back of my mind that she is in a vulnerable position since any even perceived disapproval of the war in Russia could lead to incarceration. I try to keep that in mind every time that I feel that I want to bring up this topic. 

During this awkward first discussion, I let Jenica know that our bond in friendship is our faith in Jesus Christ and I reminded her that neither she nor I are politicians or generals.  What influence could we have on such important decisions that those above us make? I spoke of the power that we have in God. As the war began, my comments to her as I recall entailed staying close to God amid these events. I wanted to say so much more but I was unsure how safe that would be.

Jenica and I often share our thoughts and feelings about everyday events and situations in our lives. We share problems and discuss solutions. But, just lately, Jenica has this uncanny ability to text me when I have just watched a news report about a Ukrainian toddler getting run over by a Russian soldier or when I just read a report of a grandmother who got raped by a Russian soldier. My emotions are all whipped up and I wonder if I should discuss this with her. Other times I wonder if she even knows what is actually happening. 

This seems to be the year of energy and fuel disruptions. Recently, I was reading about a Russian assault on energy grids in Ukraine. These attacks have left many civilians without power forcing people into dire circumstances during sub-zero temperature conditions. As yet another allegation of war crimes is leveled against the Putin regime, I wonder how accusations of possible war crimes can be bandied about as if they have no meaning. 

Recently, when I was out Christmas shopping, Jenica’s text message came in. I told her that I was Christmas shopping and she began to remind me of the Russian traditions of the season. As usual, she mentioned what sounded like the most important part of her holiday which is gathering around her television with the rest of her family and listening to the annual New Year’s address to the nation by Vladimir Putin. 

I have often wondered if Jenica knows that the traditions of Christmas that were once celebrated in Russia were stopped by the Communists when they took over the country in 1917. I wonders if she understands the reason that she is placing pre-eminence upon the New Year’s festivities instead of the celebration of the birth of Jesus is due to the fact that her countries communist regime sought to stamp our religious practices. What a clever idea, to replace Christmas with New Year’s. They could not simply stop winter celebrations could they? Also, let us place Putin on the throne instead of Jesus. It has been working too hasn’t it? 

Until now that is. Jenica suprised me when she wondered if this year the enjoyment of the holiday would be marred by disagreements within families over Putin’s war in the Ukraine. She also said many families are divided in their opinions about the war. Some people disapprove of the war while their relatives might support it. 

This is a time, a moment in history where you have to choose a side. As believers we know there are only two choices, with God, or against God. If we are with God, it will reflect in the view that one has concerning world events such as this war, the role of government in our lives and the list goes on. Our views in a real sense will effect our family relations, our friendships and the way we choose to conduct business. Yes, Jenica was right, this year there is division but, it is a lot bigger than Vladimir Putin. It is between God and Satan and it is time for us to begin to act like we know this. Repent, read your bible, and find a bible-centered church to attend or online. 

*name is change for privacy.

NEXT-Christmas Message 2022

Let’s Talk Turkey

Can we talk about some of the family drama that accompanies Thanksgiving? It really should be a wonderful time spent with family and friends but a lot of times feathers fly and I don’t mean from the turkey. Take Mia* for example, she had just completed her Wednesday, pre-Thanksgiving workout and was getting ready to go bake pie when a knock came at the door. She wasn’t expecting anyone. When she opened the door it was her daughter Blair*who Mia had not seen for fourteen years. 

Mia’s daughter Blair had left home when some pesky rules like no drugs, no sex in your parents homes and oh yeah, getting passing grades just made her know that she needed a fresh start. She reasoned that other Westchester County, New York parents allowed those things. I have a minor correction for Blair, most parents in Westchester County, New York would be okay with the sex and the drugs as long as you were a high academic achiever, oh and that if you got pregnant you got an abortion so as not to ruin your bright future.

In Blair’s mind and in order to justify her actions she concluded that she got thrown out of her house. Over the years, the words, I’m sorry mom and dad never escaped her lips. Nor, did she seem to connect with how actions may have consequences such as being asked to leave if you can not follow house rules. Although she claims faith in Jesus Christ, she never related to the story of the Prodigal Son, especially that part where he understands he deserves to be treated like the servants. And I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants- Luke 15:19. NO, Blair thinks her parents should treat her like nothing ever happened. Treat her like royalty even. What of her rebellion against God?

Then, there is Claudio*. Claudio, his wife, and kids are visiting his mom in Westchester County, New York for a week to celebrate Thanksgiving with her. His mom, Maggie* has some major issues to discuss with him such as fears over her declining health. In the past, Claudio has not been supportive of his mom except in extreme emergencies such as when she broke her arm a few years back and needed help after her surgery. On Facebook when he recounted the event, he was somehow the one suffering.

Claudio is planning on taking his kids to see New York City sites, visit old friends and drive the family, including his mother, to Philadelphia for a big old-fashioned Portuguese-American Thanksgiving. Only problem is, with Claudio it is all about having a good time, posting those special moments on Facebook despite the interpersonal relationship problems that have long existed between him and his mom. 

He has drawn clear boundary lines such as telling his mom that he is too busy with his career and his kids to babysit her. Anyway, “you’re still young mom, you will live to be 100!” Hey, way to go Claudio, what a great way to make himself feel better about abandoning your mom! 

Another person visiting her parents for the holidays is Morgan.* Morgan’s mother is beseeching God and trying to do everything within her power to stay well this holiday season because Thanksgiving and Christmas are the last times she may see her daughter for a long time. She wants to host her daughter and not lose one precious moment with her. If she should have to quarantine, due to that pesky virus or come down with the flu that has been going around she might even miss her daughter altogether. 

It’s only one holiday season, why is she so worried about it? That is because Morgan has informed her parents of her decision to enter a cloistered monastery after the holidays. During this year long Postulancy, she will live in a closed off world in earnest among nuns who have taken a vow of silence, poverty and chastity. Morgan’s telephone time will be restricted to two times a month and visits no more than two times per year. 

What do all these stories have in common? A few things. The parents of all of the above adult children are all saved, spirit-filled Christians.  Morgan, Blair,and Claudio once went to the same Church a long time ago. Claudio began attending that Church after he attended a bible study that a group of students ran. The transition to living on campus for Claudio was not easy. Naturally shy, he failed to make friends his first year at school. He repented for sins committed, professed Jesus Christ as his Savior and went on to attend a Bible-centered Church for many years.

Although Blair sailed through elementary school with no social or academic problems, high school was another story. She was struggling in her identity. She straddled the worlds of both Christianity and Westchester County New York progressive liberal society. As you may have guessed it was one or the other. Which would Blair choose? For a while there it looked like she was close to making a decision for the Lord, and then it happened!

The youth ministry kicked her when she was down. By down I mean down. Her parents were separated, her sister had psychiatric problems and she was struggling academically and socially in high school. She had migraines too. 

The church youth ministry announced an upcoming opportunity to be in a stage show. It would require Blair to memorize a monologue and attend weekly practice sessions with the youth group. It was probably the worse time for Blair to do this event considering the huge amount of school work that she already had to do, including SAT preparation classes. She really wanted to be part of this event and spent a lot of time writing and practicing a Christian monologue for the upcoming show. 

Every week she attended the youth group practices all the way up to the night of the performance. At the last minute the youth minister said she could not participate because she was not yet baptized. Blair was devastated. It was never the same between her and Jesus. As her mother drove her home that day, she told her that what had happened was not Jesus but part of the sin nature of humanity. But, can you blame Blair, she expected the church to represent Jesus?

As far as what represents Jesus, Morgan began to feel that instead of the risen Lord and the salvation status that this entailed, that she wanted to instead focus on the passion and death of Jesus. Maybe, even relive it daily. Where did she ever get such an icky idea? The cloistered nunnery of course. When I checked out their webpage and facebook page it shocked me. The morbid fascination with Jesus’ death instead of his glorious overcoming of death and sin seemed wrong to me. The website also seemed to contain a lot of drippy, teenage crush type talk about Jesus. 

How did Morgan get to this point? Her Father is an amazingly gifted teacher of the Bible. I know he taught her better than to believe that she can be a co-redemptive along with Jesus. The convents website made it quite clear that nuns could come alongside Mary and Jesus and gave undue importance to the nuns role in the redemptive process placing itself in direct opposition to what the Bible says. 

Did she desire to have what her father had? Did she covet his position in the church? Did she have the mistaken notion that somehow her father was Jesus Junior? I tend to think that was part of it. I also believe that she might be agoraphobic. Fear of being out in public and social anxiety appear to be another part of her attraction to a lifestyle that would mean that she would spend major parts of her day in total silence and have big restrictions on relationships outside of her cloistered convent. 

All three of the above Thanksgiving Day guests profess Christianity. All three of them went from a Jesus alone, Bible alone, salvation by faith church to churches that are more social justice seeking rather than biblical justice seeking. The Bible verse that comes to mind immediately when I think about where they are now has to be 2 Timothy 3:5 which states: Having a form of godliness, but denying the power therof: from such turn away! Blair, Claudio and Morgan all talked turkey and Jesus during this past holiday gathering but something was missing.They talked about all the volunteer work, and prayer that they do to make the world a better place. 

All three of them seem to be living with continuing ungodly behavior. The type of continuing in sin that marks a person as not a follower of Jesus. We need to honor our parents for example. The love Claudio, Blair and Morgan profess to have for their parents is undermined by the insensitive things that they constantly say and do. Maggie deals with loneliness and health problems, Claudio never seems to understand that his mother needs help but he always has times for others. Parents are part of God’s hierarchical structure for our lives and when you see a large-scale insensitivity to that, it means rebellion against God’s order. That is serious. It portents end time settings that are described in the Bible. Blair is a social justice warrior who couldn’t get past the entrée before bringing up racism, sustainability and her hatred of the status quo all while singing hymns to God and saying that some people have said she is a saint. People who don’t agree with her are toxic or have bad energy.

All three of these adult children are ferociously focused on bringing justice, coming alongside Jesus’ in praying and working for lost souls. None of them seem to be enamored with the Old Testament though. That is another clue into what’s going on with them. Let’s Talk Turkey. The New Testament is the completion of the Old Testament and together they make up everything that God wants us to know. The Old Testament is the foundation for the New Testament. It is like having a house without a foundation. It was the only scripture that Jesus read and it was good enough for him and he honored it as he went on to bring out the fuller meaning of it. Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them-Matthew 5:17.

Claudio outright thought it best if his mother did not bring up the topic of the Old Testament in front of his  children. Wow. What about the covenants between God and man established there or promises made in the Old Testament that are only fulfilled in the New Testament. I liked reading the end of the book in high school when I didn’t have time to read all my assignments but, let’s face it, Shakespeare halfway is no way. Blair has made God into anything she wants him to be and he is hardly recognizable when she mixes him in with the laws of attraction and other such nonsense. Morgan’s parents Thanksgiving holiday consisted of crying their eyes out and trying to help her sell her condominium and sell all her possessions before entering the convent. She even has to get rid of her 401(K). I can’t believe the Catholic Church would ask her to do that. 

Let’s Talk Turkey: Is there any hope for this next generation? For the first time in my life, I am not sure. After all the Bible says people will fall away, so why am I surprised that Blair, Claudio and Morgan have fallen away from where they once were with Jesus? Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death-Mark13:12.

Are those times here? We live in a cancel culture where you can be denounced when you do not go along with the popular theories of the time. Though things seem bad lately, I pray for individuals such as Blair, Claudio and Morgan to change the direction of their lives. I pray that they repent, place their faith in the Jesus of the Bible and be heirs to his eternal legacy. 

* The stories are all too true so, the names have been changed for privacy. Please note that there would be an accent over the A in Claudio only this keyboard doesn’t do it. 

Election Insanity

 Two-thirds of Americans say the country is at its lowest point in their memory, and more than a quarter report being so stressed they can’t function most days, according to a recent survey commissioned by the American Psychological Association in which more than three-quarters said the future of the country was a significant source of stress in their lives.

Can you believe that, the American Psychological Association did a survey like that? I could have told them that every one is stressed out to the max. Along with gas prices and inflation, it seems the elections are all anyone is talking about. The results are still up in the air 4 days after the election. This is not the way we have ever run things in the United States before. In the age of technology where data can be processed in the blink of an eye, we are now trying to convince the electorate to wait for the election results for days if not weeks after every major election. Something stinks.

People know that the United States is in a fight for its’ life. Everything that we are and have been is been changed and elections seem to make no difference one way or the other because no one respects when someone else they don’t agree with wins or even trust that the election can be held in a fair way.

This country is divided in its’ opinions concerning the direction this nation and the world should take. However, that does not seem to matter to the elected officials who decide things no matter how their constituents disagree. Those of you who are regular readers know that I believe this is a spiritual civil war. The sides are not Biden or Trump, democrats versus republicans. What we are seeing played out across the globe is God against Satan.

As I said, the whole world is caught up in this spiritual scenario. There is the Russian and Ukrainian War, Chinese lockdowns and their continuing preparations for war. What about Iranian nuclear ambitions?  We are all living in cataclysmic times. There is inflation, recession, energy disruptions, transportation problems, fertilizer, food and medical disruptions. We have or have had protests in many places including,Sri Lanka, France, Austria, England, and Iran. 

People everywhere sense the ongoing insanity and they keep on trying to get their politicians to listen to them but it is to no avail. All these politicians seem to be working together towards goals no matter what their voters elected them to do. Evidence the two-week climate change summit in Egypt going on right now. One hundred and ninety-seven nations have signed an accord concerning our money, and our lives. Have we been given a say in all this? NO.

Can we even know the true scale of the protests and how many people disagree with the tyranny that is overtaking the world? Unfortunately, true journalism does not exist in main stream media anywhere. The only sources are not standard outlets but those small social media influencers, or websites trying to record the true events whilst the algorithms keep trying to put them on page 20 of the search results. When there is reporting on important issues and topics, the news media puts in on the back burner or interprets it away for you telling you what you should think about it all. 

I began writing this blog post  the night before the U.S. elections. I started my evening by listening to some blues C.D’s. As the above study suggests, we all have reasons to sing the blues these days and this musical genre helps to process and expunge those emotions. I then participated in a prayer event hosted by the group, My Faith Votes.  On election morning,I continued to focus on prayer and then texted some friends various bible verses and my prayer intentions as I prepared to go out and vote.

Are our votes safe? The answer for all of us is, No. The question is ridiculous. How could our votes be safe when we rushed in with changes in procedures and technology without due diligence necessary to test for effectiveness. The next elections held any where on this planet will be a referendum on the issues facing our world. There is tyranny versus freedom. Surveillance versus privacy. Fossil fuels versus the alternative green energies. The education of our children is being hijacked by radical anti-God elements with every perverse and insane ideology being shoved down our children’s throats. We have to have the moral courage to stand up for what is right before our God. 

Election Insanity Results: As I took several days to write this blog post, I notice that the elections are still being counted and the tide may be turning against the republicans. Why am I not surprised? The results did not produce a red wave, but, they did not produce a blue wave either. Governors who signed pro-life legislation sometime in the past year all got re-elected. There are 23 democratic governors and 24 republican governors. The United States house of representatives did shift over to republican domination and the senate seems to have tipped republican but, it seems to be tipping back again. Who knows what is going on politically at the moment but, it is not good and has lots of biblical overtones portending end-time script. I am not sure if lawsuits will change the results or some uncounted ballots will show up and change everything. It is all so complicated suddenly. 

I have never felt the insecurity and confusion over an election that I have during this past Election Insanity  and it continues as I experience uncertainly in the veracity of the election results and in my future. The so-called president of the United States who is nothing but a low-down head of a crime family who no longer has normal cognitive function has just promised billions of dollar of money towards climate change goals. If you think that electing a man not fit for office is a fluke note that the newest senator of the United States from Pennsylvania is also not cognitively competent to hold office and somehow shares all of the Presidents goals. Did the people of Pennsylvania really elect him? If so, they have Election Insanity. 

Or is it some delusion being delivered in judgement on a nation whose spiritual comeuppance has come?  Perhaps, it is the satanic plot described in the books of prophecy. Stay tuned.

Is My Pastor Going Woke-Part 2

I knew this week would give me more clues into whether my Pastor was going woke or not. That is because this week we were going to be studying the book of Nahum. As far as I have seen, Nahum is a prophet that many a woke Pastor tries to ignore, make apologies for, or reinterpret altogether. I wondered if my Pastor would even find some justification for not doing the book at all!

Anyway, Sunday rolled around, and I arrived at Church early as I had signed up to be a church greeter. I realized that the book of Nahum would be a watershed moment for our Church. When a Pastor is forced to face what the fiery prophet Nahum said about God judging the nations it provides clarity about what their church is and what it stands for. 

So many things are changing in churches today. It is no longer right or godly to stick by a Pastor or a church which has failed in its’ God given mandate to preach the Word of God. The book of Revelation draws a vivid picture of churches who while following some of the tenets of the faith have failed miserably in others. 

Ephesus had forgotten its’ first love. What a sad, sad thing to say about a Church. Then there was Pergamon. This Church appeared to suffer from many spiritual lapses. So many sins were committed that it needed to repent. Thryatira was following some false prophet. Do you get the picture? When a church has a problem, the Bible does not ignore it and neither should we.

Unfortunately, many people think of church as something other than what God wanted it to be. Some think it is their Church which brings salvation when in point of fact only Jesus alone can bring salvation. There are those who think of the social networking aspects of their Church and don’t care about how they are living their lives at all. So, what if my Pastor, or yours, is woke and departs from the teachings of Jesus and substitutes a false gospel? The Bible says that such a one is accursed.

As my Pastor opened the book of Nahum, I knew that if he was departing from biblical truths that it would be imperative that I respond to that challenge. The Pastor started his sermon by giving some useful background information including the historical setting of the book. The prophet Nahum appears to have preached during the time of King Josiah, the last good King of Judah. Nahum’s message to the Jewish people explained that the time had finally come for the just judgement of God to come upon the Assyrian state. 

Interestingly enough, God’s judgement of that civilization had been previously forestalled when they heard the words of another prophet Jonah and they accepted the opportunity God have given them through the prophet to repent. The opportunity to repent of their sins was accepted in Nineveh the capitol of the Assyrian empire. God always gives individuals and nations opportunities to fly right. In fact, being truly sorry for our sins and accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior could come just moments before our death and the judgement of God that should come because of all the wrong that we have done would be mitigated by Jesus’ atoning death for us. It was only some time later when the Assyrians disobeyed God again that their time of punishment would arrive.

As the sermon unfolded I was taking notes to see if my Pastor flinched from revealing the true content of this tiny book in the Bible. I resolved to compare my notes of his sermon to the book of Nahum after service to make sure. Was he going to mention that God’s wrath was coming? Or would he shy away from verses describing the destruction of Nineveh in chapters 2 or 3?. Finally, the message in Nahum points to the fact that believers in God can feel comforted by God but for the enemies of God there will be judgement. Would the Pastor be able to get through this without changing the message or interpreting the book into oblivion? 

In today’s world we are moving away from the traditional concepts of justice. There are so many headlines that you can read telling of gangs of people in the United States stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of handbags or other merchandise and security guards or citizens just watching or recording a video of the event without interceding. People get beat up on the streets, while people walk by in major cities of the United States. It all points to confusion of the moral sort. What of letting murderers and rapists off with light sentences? What of all the national conflicts going on at the moment? Rockets being shot off here and there and everywhere?  It all points to ungodliness on a grand scale and God will have his say.

I am relieved to know that upon hearing my Pastor’s sermon and scrutinizing its’ content that my Pastor passed the woke test. The last thing this world needs is one more fallen away Christian. With everything going on in the world we need to put on our full spiritual armor everyday and make a decision to be in God’s camp. We need to hold our Pastors accountable and leave churches that no longer represent Jesus Christ. Phew, that was a close call!

The Lord is good-indeed, He is a fortress in time of distress, and He protects those who seek refuge in Him. But with an overwhelming flood He will make a complete end of, He will drive, His enemies into darkness. Nahum 1:7-8. 

Next Week: Election Insanity

Is My Pastor Going Woke? (Part 1)

My Pastor has been doing a sermon series on the twelve “minor prophets.’ I was excited when he began. I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to hear this part of the Bible discussed. Along with the book of Revelation, the minor prophets have gone out of fashion in many churches. The topics covered threaten many aspects of the house of cards that is modern theology. Therefore, the truth is not preached.

In late summer, my Pastor told the congregation that he was praying for inspiration to find a topic for his next sermon series. He asked us to pray for him and to email him with any suggestions of books in the Bible that we would like to study. I prayed and when he still did not find inspiration, I latched on to that opportunity to ask the Pastor if he would consider doing a study of the so-called “minor prophets.”

I hate the designation of certain short books in the Bible as well as certain people being relegated to the title of “minor.’ Especially, when word for word, these tiny books pack a huge wallop. Although every commentary and pastor will inform you that the term “minor” only refers to the size of their books, a certain sting of insignificance have always been assigned to their status. 

The minor prophets are rich in meaning for us today. Their messages about following God and consequences for living an ungodly life are raw and uncensored. It is real spiritual news rather than the fake spiritual news that we are being spoon fed everyday in many Christian books and churches. Because of this, many pastors are afraid that their congregation can not handle these books.

Every Sunday, many congregations are getting carefully featured positive only lessons from their bibles. So, reading passages about the consequences of sin and evil is rather jarring. Isn’t “God love Pastor?” Or, but “God is merciful right Pastor?” 

Pastors know how it ended badly for the minor prophets, either being stoned or killed. and they are not anxious to repeat that experience themselves. Other pastors, know that people will leave their church if they were to be so bold as to teach the full counsel of the Bible. Pastors may justify these omissions in their duties in various ways. 

But, God will judge the nations. He has, and he will again. It seems like it will happen anytime now too. Interestingly enough, a recent survey indicates tht many pastors do believe it is the end times but, they are reticent to preach about it. Does that make any sense? Well, it would have to the minor prophets. They preached against false prophets and teachers who refused to illuminate the truth.

So, who are the twelve minor prophets and what did they teach? Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi. The themes range from the evil that people do, God’s justice, God’s mercy, and prophecy. This is the story of life on this planet, the nature of God and of man. No filters. It is as vital today as it was when it was first written thousands of years ago.

Some themes and a few excerpts from these books will illustrate these points. Let’s start with the first few prophets. The theme of Hosea is God’s deep and abiding love despite Israel’s unfaithfulness to Him. Our Heavenly Father cleverly constructs Hosea’s life to be a living example of mankind’s betrayal of him. Hosea is living with a wife, Gomer, who neither loves nor respects him. She cheats on him and brings forth the product of that infidelity when she gives birth to other men’s children. Before we know that we are sinners, I think we regard Hosea as a reflection of ourselves. In time and spiritual maturity we can come to understand that we are really Gomer!

How painful it is to experience betrayal by someone we love. Cheating is a deep pain and scar that sometimes never heals. As Hosea goes thru this process we are asked to understand that this is how we conduct ourselves with God. No one can blame Hosea when he divorces Gomer but, God asks Hosea to take her back as his wife after a time which points to how God takes us back amid the treachery of our betrayals. “ Listen to the word of the Lord, O sons of Israel, for the Lord has a case against the inhabitants of the land, because there is no faithfulness or kindness or knowledge of God in the land.”-Hosea 4:1

Joel preaches against drunkenness, idolatry, sexual immorality and tells of a time when God will judge the nations. Joel preached about lifestyles that sound a lot like the way people are living now. We need Joel now more than ever. Joel brings out this theme in the context of a plague of locust that had arisen. As my Pastor read of the locusts that God brought as punishment for the sin of the people then, I was reminded of recent insect infestations around the world.

Whether it is locusts, killer bees, flesh-eating bacteria, ebola, avian flu or the viruses plaguing us,  these events seem to be on the increase and overtaking our planet. Have we reached the judgement point as in the time of Joel? Joel goes on to compare the overtaking of the land by locust with the overtaking of the land by soldiers. That also rings true, our world is getting increasingly aggressive and it seems like a repeat of the fearsome armies of cruel Assyrians may be coming to get us. Even so, here is what God has in mind: “I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.”-Joel 2:28

My Pastor was doing an amazing job digging into the various prophets. I looked forward to each and every week of biblical truths to be explored. However, one recent Sunday I sensed the Pastor pulling back from the text. Trying to summarize some chapters so that we could move ahead to a more positive part of the book rather than focus on the continuing message of sin and judgement.

Was the Pastor feeling pressure from his congregation? Had someone made a comment? What if they did? I wondered if he himself was struggling as the prophets did when they had to bring God’s message of sin and judgement to the world. You can take the Christian Housewife out of Westchester but you can’t take the Westchester out of the Christian Housewife. I wondered if I should say something about this whole thing to the Pastor.

Over the years, in Westchester County, New York, I have learned that comments to the Pastor or elders on church matters are not welcome. Many Churches in Westchester have undergone a radical departure from the faith and the response from the congregation must be : don’t ask, don’t tell. The falling away is complete except for a remnant of the faithful who have kept the faith there.

That is why I left New York. I am in a different place now. But, I could not shake the idea that questioning of any type would be met with anger and denials. Still, I am a pushy New Yorker. After all, I do not really regret standing up for important biblical principles over the years, even if it has gotten me into trouble from time to time. Isn’t that being true to the faith? One way to stay on course is staying true to the full text of the Bible and not editing out things that you either do not like or that you are afraid your congregation won’t like. The whole bible tells us what God would have us know, any less shows us half-truths.

True to my direct New York style of communication, I later commented to the Pastor that he should never apologize for preaching what is in the Bible nor should he try to soft pedal a message that is vitally important for our times. He told me that he is merely trying to keep the message balanced and grounded in the full prophetic teaching. Now, I was worried. Was my new pastor going woke?!    

The next Sunday, he continued in his sermon series on the 12 minor prophets. He doubled-down on the declaration that he is trying to keep the prophets message balanced when he discussed the next prophet we were studying, which was Amos. It was my distinct impression that he began to summarize and skip a few too many things. Okay so the prophet was describing God as judging Edom, Ammon and Tyre. The prophet definitely stated that God would not turn away his anger. How is this not important?

Either God has the right to judge or he doesn’t. Right now as the Judeo-Christian ethic gets overthrown and some weak on crime, abolish jails philosophy takes its’ place, we see the questioning of God’s authority and the power of the Bible no longer drives public policy. For some pastors this is a lot to wade into. Amos tells it straight when he says, “Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, just as you have said.”-Amos 5:14.

Amos preached against the evil of sexual immorality, oppression of the poor, drunkenness and idolatry, These are all huge issues today and the minor prophets offered an anecdote to all these lifestyle errors. Repent, turn your life over to God, and follow him. Some of these passages outlining sin and judgement are hard to read. But, I feel the same way about reading the news too. However, no matter how hard it is to face the truth about our nation or our world, as it is outlined in the news or in the Bible, we must not put our heads in the sand. The thing is, God will not leave us nor forsake us if we follow him. Help us Lord to face the sin of our lives and that of this world. Strengthen us through the reading of your holy word the Bible. God bless our pastors.

Next week: Is My Pastor Going Woke? (Part 2)

It’s Only Words

The Bee Gee’s did a little known song in the 1960’s entitled, “It’s Only Words.” In that song, one of the brothers Gibb croons,”you think that I don’t mean a single word that I say.” Of course the implication in the song is that his words and his love are true. As a Christian, we have to place a value on the truth and speaking the truth is at the center of that.

Naturally, none of us ever succeeds in never telling a lie. We can have a long stretch of being godly in this respect and then something threatens us in some way and we place truth in second place to that reality. God’s directives are shoved aside. The justifications for our lies can be very elaborate. Is it any wonder that the early nineteenth century Scottish author Sir Walter Scott once said, “Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.”

The elaborate, intricate and delicate nature of a web is probably the perfect analogy for the anatomy of a lie. When I was a child, I would spend copious hours of the day observing nature. Those were the days! I marveled at the amazing shape and beautiful form of each and every spider’s web. Some could be quite large and clearly the spider expended much energy and time creating it. 

Do lies take on such an elaborate nature? We seem to be living in an age where all the things that have been called truth are being questioned or thrown out. People are living by whatever truth that they want to. This is even if that truth makes no logical sense or is even criminal. I see churches, nations and our world, building a web of deceit that is very much like a spider’s web. At times citizens feel as if they are caught as prey in these webs of lies. 

Is It Only Words when we surrender to the political correct environments in our corporate workplace? Just when we are in the middle of a busy project, or under a firm deadline, an email informs us that we need to take the latest re-education course and make sure to answer each and every question correctly. If we do not, we may not be in good standing and have to go down to the principle’s office otherwise known as Human Resources. 

Is It Only Words when we go along with someone asking us to call them “they” or “them” ? What if you will be fired from the hospital or school that you work at if you don’t say what they want you to say? Is it okay then? Here’s a few questions requiring each and every one of us to explore the truth. Is there freedom of speech anymore? Freedom of religion? Is it okay with God to lie if we are in danger? What if someone asks you to get the mark of the beast or else? Do you see the terrible trajectory that we are on?

Romans 8:5-6 “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

What of the everyday family dilemmas when we think it okay to tell a tiny lie to our partner? How about bigger lies that we use to cover up drinking, cheating, thefts or worse? In the sphere of parenting there are many lies that a parent justifies telling on behalf of a child. They will lie to a school, coach, pastor or even their spouse for a variety of reasons. Does the truth matter? It’s Only Words to many people.

What are the legal ramifications of our words these days? So many people escape criminal convictions by using the law or lies to shield them from the consequences or their actions and the just punishment that should result. I really believe that many people even believe the lies they tell the court. They are so deeply ensconced in their web of lies that they begin to live in this alternative reality. 

The words of that song continue, This world has lost its’ glory, let’s start a brand new story. As this world gets crazier and crazier, it has indeed lost its’ glory,  I have begun to see some brave souls rebel against this altered truth. I am surprised to hear some politicians saying the right thing here and there. Some tech giants.Some parents coming down correctly at a school board meeting. And, a friend of mine who was dealing with fearfulness because of all that has been happening is starting bible studies and prayer time at her apartment. 

She is discovering that stepping out in faith is the anecdote to fear. The solid ground of God and the Bible are the story and we must build our lives around that no matter how bad things get. We will be persecuted for it. It has happened in my life, has it happened in yours? Yet, as Martin Luther said, Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen.” Martin Luther based his truth on a thorough reading of the Bible. He saw how the world around him had digressed and ignored the words of the Bible. In putting the Bible into the average person’s hands he was able to give individuals the power to live their faith. 

It’s Just A Subsciption!

Recently, several Christians that I know, announced they were canceling subscriptions to their streaming services. One such man Yves,* shared his reasons with me. He and his wife live a very busy and active life. Their viewership of programming coincides with their desire to follow God. Therefore, the shows are few and far between. Of course there are Christian movies to be had on most streaming services but when Yves and his wife added up the number of programs that they found palatable it just did not make financial sense to continue paying good money for bad programming. 

Pastor Bradley* made the same decision. When Pastor Bradley watches most programming, it makes him long for the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ. The notions of love and marriage so askew. The lack of respect for parents, the elderly or even the police force seem front and center. Although it gives Pastor Bradley many ideas for his sermons, it just makes him sad to see how Hollywood and its’ ilk are reflecting God-rejecting values. It was an act of obedience to God to let his subscription go.

Then there is dear Vera* a woman well into her 80’s who can barely operate a computer or her mobile phone. All she wants to watch on television is the weather, old movies and to hear some of her favorite Christian pastors on their Sunday programs. Despite her inability to operate modern devices, she has great moral clarity on the current state of the news and entertainment industry. Even as she has begun a cognitive decline she can reason that paying for services that promote mostly ungodly values puts more and more money into the hands of people promoting such things. She shows a moral bravery in her desire to defund the immorality. 

All of these recent discussions made me kind of quesy. Why, because I have struggled with these issues my entire life. Trying to be in the world and not of it, takes a certain toll. You will not be popular at school, your job or in social circles when you explain that you are not watching that most bingeable of television series, or that summer blockbuster movie currently streaming. Try explaining the biblical principles to people ensconced in all that and you see downright persecution.

I experienced all of that as you have or will if you decide to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Following God imparts grace but it also requires actions. Faith without works is a dead thing. Everyday we have to actively make choices that support our status as spirit-filled, born again believers. Jesus bought us with a heavy price, his death and resurrection. Oughtn’t we honor that by living the truth? What is this particular truth that I am referring to?

The truth is we are in a vast, global spiritual war. The forces are good and evil. One of the weapons of choice in this war, are the news and entertainment. We can not join ourselves to evil. Yet, in the case of a streaming service, you are joining yourself to God’s opposition. Your monthly fee to these services gives you the disgrace of having every abomination before God touted and dignified. Even if you are only watching the Christian channels you are still paying the salaries of every abomination to God on the other channels. 

From the moment the first drop of grace fell upon my head, it broke my heart to see what could be a good television, movie or live theater production go bad by the addition of, and pivot towards anti-Christian promotion. It still does, but I know that where we are spiritually will naturally finds its’ place in our books, plays and scripts. Today, the entertainment industry is an all out war for the hearts and minds of everyone from birth to death trying to pull them away from the things of God. 

The factories of spiritual death put out record volumes of material which have ensnared even the most well-meaning christian believer who are not prepared for the power of this propaganda. Many of us let our spiritual weapons down at the end of a long day at work or with the kids. Sometimes, we just want some mindless entertainment to help us relax on the weekend. But, get this, there is no such thing as mindless entertainment.

The arrows hit their mark when our spiritual shields are down. As I write this post, I am closer than ever to stepping away from the remote for good. There are literally only 3 or 4 shows that I like and for that I am  bankrolling the enemy. As I share my spiritual struggle on this front I am inspired by Yves, Pastor Bradley, and Vera to finally do what I know is right and with that try to redirect my money and attentions to other more worthy pursuits trying to be all I can for the Lord. 

* The names have been changed but the stories are not.

Strange Fire

This past month or so, I have seen a lot of parent/child relationships hit the fan. It was inevitable that I would write about it. The state of the family is just not in a good state in Westchester County, New York or elsewhere. Take my friend Amy* from Chappaqua. She is truly a blessing of a friend. She is a godly, loving woman who often serves others. 

Amy has been a strong Christian presence in my life and when I need her help in any way, she is always there. It has always amazed me to think that it was Amy’s daughter who brought her mother to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Emily* started to study the Bible with a church group in college. She chose to get baptized and shared the Good News of Jesus when she was home between semesters. It is hard to believe that it is the same Emily when I see the way she treats her mother now. 

Does Emily think that her mother will be around forever, or does she just hate her that much? I have asked myself that question a lot. Don’t get me wrong, Amy isn’t perfect but Emily is also far from perfect.The stuff that Emily may be holding against her mom is mostly petty. Except that there is a divide as regards Amy’s born again beliefs. Emily has veered away from the faith and now attends a church that allows gay marriage and transgender naming days. She stopped reading the children’s Bible that Amy sent to her grandsons a few Christmas’s ago because she thought it was too violent. All of a sudden she is triggered by her mother’s biblical statements on life, love and war. Strange fire, strange fire!

Then there is Lawrence*. Lawrence has spent a lifetime working in the Youth Ministry of a well-known church in Westchester County. He has been passionate about teaching and equipping the next generation of young people to know Jesus and to content for their faith. He has had many challenges along the way, including financial and health issues. Yet, he has truly been gifted by God for this ministry and has earnestly sought to follow the Lord.

So, that is why it broke my heart to hear the news that his beloved daughter has decided to become a cloistered Catholic nun whose order makes chocolate fudge. It is not common knowledge at the church yet, but a family member needed to confide in me during this crisis. As you can imagine, Lawrence is feeling like a complete failure within his own house because his own daughter has turned her back on her  former bible centered, spirit filled relationship with Jesus Christ. Strange fire, strange fire!

Dee’s* problem with her daughter Chloe* feels almost like her daughter has joined a woke cult. She thinks she is a Conservative Christian but, she could only pass for one in her new state of California. In the rest of America except for the bi-coastal regions of the United States, she would be called a triggered, flaky, woke, neurotic, woman. Typical of that group is that she treats her pets far better than her parents. In her Gaia faith, it is all the same. Yet, in the Holy Bible there is a difference. Strange fire, strange fire!

“And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. 

And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.

Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the Lord spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified, and Aaron held his peace.”-Leviticus 10:1-3

Within each of the above stories, I see the theme of strange fire played out. There is arrogance and a state of righteousness that all of these women feel as they go before the Lord. They feel certain that,”they have this” or that,”it is all good.” But, God knows the difference between the truth and a lie. He has imparted certain standards within a family setting, including the way we are to treat our parents. 

There seems to be an entitlement among these young girls that is mirrored in the story of Nadab and Anihu. Each of these girls claims they are a Christians or a follower of Jesus Christ. They are sure of it, so sure that just like Nadab and Abihu, they boldly go before the throne with their unorthodox offerings. Their social activist constituents obedience to God as far as they are concerned.

We seemed to be living in a kind of Nadab and Abihu world these days. Orthodoxy seems to have gone by the wayside and with it the clarity of the truth. The truth has been compromised and with that, some strange fire is being offered up to the Lord. 

* The names and some events have been changed to ensure privacy.