ELECTION FEVER

The law of the Lord is perfect,

converting the soul;

The testimony of the Lord is sure,

making wise the simple;

Psalm 19 - 7

It's never about shutting the door in the face of the prostitute, homosexual, adulteress or murderer.

Their door is always open, their mantra 'everyone is welcome here' and judging by the party policies flooding through our mail boxes I am sure the 'Church of Appeasement' will blend in nicely.

The only party any genuine christian could vote for (and sadly their numbers are greatly depleted) is the Christian Party.   ukchristianparty.org but Lord where are their candidates?.   Certainly not on my conservative turf - their followers may well return T. May to her throne, God help us all, the choice is between the devil and the deep blue sea.   My vote will be wasted as it was in the last election.   On the other hand whilst I consider J.C.  (that's Jeremy Corbyn - we have to wait a little longer for the return of our Lord) an honest and peaceable contender the Labour Party Policies are as far away from our so called 'Christian Country' status as one can get.

Sadly, biblical history reveals a country gets the leaders it deserves so its a case of God help us all.   

Truth is dead in the water and presiding powers will crush any dissent as quickly as it rises.

One can't help noticing the lack of policy regarding Sharia Law - "Okay - we'll tiptoe around that one"   This is a very serious problem in less desirable areas of London and who cares what happens in cities and towns north of the Watford Gap.

Why hasn't the issue been raised regarding the new test available from 2018 on the National Health for detecting Down's Syndrome.  (What Nazi tactic is festering under that label).   Down's syndrome children are earthbound angels, simply beautiful and their place in heaven is assured.

All parties rattle on about prostitution, gambling, pornography.   Fallen angel stuff and as old as the book of Enoch.  As long as men walk the earth they will dip their toes in the devil's pool.

Where are the policies for free education.   Or any of the issues surrounding explicit sex education.

The devil is in the detail.

What about our precious NHS - quiet on that one as well.   Of course you can march with a placard saying "Hands off our NHS" but the grubby money making hands have other plans.   

Assisted suicide - with another conservative government we won't need to worry about that, just drive off Beachy Head or Land's End its a fantastic idea for getting rid of the elderly.   Now - hands up those who watched and were inspired by 'Logan's Run.'   

Our presiding Prime Minister has said the UK must address the persecution of christians around the world.   Might I politely suggest you can't be a christian unless you accept the words of Christ and follow Him.   It's all hype and easy to say when you are surrounded by 24 hour surveillance.   Would she have offered her neck to save Lee Rigby.    Jesus offered his neck for all mankind.  I doubt any politician would stand in the firing line and yet they are the very cause of the hatred and revenge festering in the terrorist heart.   Their hands are soaked in the blood of innocent people but out of reach of retribution until they stand before the throne of God.

There is only one government that can be trusted, that of our Saviour God.    His the judgement and its approaching fast.

In this world my vote will not count.   My heart tells me that is irrelevant because what is written in scripture will come to pass as surely as night follows day.

Revelation 3 - 10 is surely encouragement for those who face persecution at the hands of the adversary.

"Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

And should any sneer at the fact that Coptic christians in the Middle East haven't been able to avoid their untimely end perhaps they should understand that for any child of God death is merely the fast track to His Kingdom.   They are home.    It is those left behind who struggle unable to accept that  earthly relationships are momentary, we don't belong here - we are aliens.   We have a Saviour and He died that we might live.   Hopefully they will turn to Him.      

Revelation 22 - 13-14

I am the Alpha and the Omega, 

the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.

Blessed are those who do His commandments,

that they may have the right to the tree of life,

and may enter through the gates into the city.

My heartfelt pity is for those who clutch desperately at their earthly possessions ever fearful that tomorrow might bring disaster and loss on a scale unimaginable - their worst nightmare.

Thank you Lord for the most precious gift any mortal could receive, Your compassion and love for  just one lost sheep and the amazing glimpse of your Kingdom to come.

Todah Yeshua

Baruch ha ba b'shem Adonai.

SHALOM.

THE LUNATIC FRINGE

When the wheel turns, those who are lowest rise,

and the highest sink.

Patience, then, believer, 

eternity will right the wrongs of time.

C.H. Spurgeon.

Rising at dawn there was a hint of the coming day.   Thick mist covered the hills and fields.   In the east the sun was rising illuminating the high clouds edged in gold.   The sun continued it assent rolling back the pure white eiderdown.    Bird song filled the air and for a moment heaven touched earth.

Precious moments in a sad, sick world, perhaps a fleeting glimpse of Your Kingdom to come, when Your Mighty Hand will sweep away the dross and deal with the ugly face of evil and injustice.   Finally there will be peace for those who chose love, not war.

Sometimes I struggle to see God's hand in a world full of pain.   Where evil men and women devise their merciless agenda and bow at Satan's altar.  Their time is now but it is fast running out.   They greedily snatch every advantage and prepare for every possible scenario but the smell of death chases after them and when the lights finally go out they will follow their Dark Lord into the abyss.

The world is upside down and therefore the first are last and the last first.   See how the servile sons of Satan lord it in the earth.   What a high horse they ride. * 

The martyrs are restless their number has yet to be completed.  Little has changed in this stinking soup of humanity.   Speak TRUTH and they crucify you.   Expose their dirty dealings and they eliminate you, the only difference it may be quicker.   Lethal injection, a poisoned prawn cocktail, a nudge under the on.coming train.   

The martyrs are restless, how many more truth seekers will bite the bullet at the hands of the oppressors.   There ARE many  'real nut jobs'  in this world** and at the moment they are dancing around he of duck fame.   All governments need to focus and release the good guys.   Round and round we go - produce the evidence, provide the proof, it is rapidly becoming a circus of lunatics but they wriggle in their death throes.

Both Snowdon and Julian Assange are without doubt the real heros of this age, exposing the nasties that feed off the poor and underprivileged those unable to use the might of an equally corrupt expensive legal system.

Matthew 13 - 30 

Yeshua warned us the wheat and the tares have to grow side by side until the harvest.    We can only pray we finish up in the right bundle - safely stored in our Father's barn.  The tares will carry the label.   "BURN IN THE FIRE"

And the beautiful start to a perfect day ends with torrential rain.   Would that it could wash away the filth of this sinful world.   

RACHEM, RACHEM RACHEM ELOHIM.

SHALOM   

* C.H. Spurgeon
** Donald Trump

LITTLE ACORNS

There are three effects of nearness to Jesus

Humility, Happiness and Holiness.

C.H. Spurgeon

Simply put things that offend a Holy God offend His children.   Spiritual discernment a most essential gifting when observing humanity.

There's something reassuring about a writer who gets his message across without hyperbole or verbal gymnastics and inspires in the reader "Hallelujah" planting a colourful flower of encouragement against the dark stormy clouds of propaganda and media hype.

There's something to be dreaded in my over enthusiasm for a particular author or C.D. and the need to bless another christian with the experience.  Way down the line, too late, I realise something is missing from my bookshelf.   Unable to remember its recipient I decide, well bless whoever has it and perhaps I can get another copy from Amazon.

As fate would have it, it is usually out of print and rogue traders are in their with first edition or just merely a paper back at the staggering sums of £199 - and that is a lower figure.   Not quite sure what the christian author would think of this blatant exploitation considering the original book was around £8.99 and clearly within the reach of the masses.   But then when you really know Jesus its never about money.   Yes you need to cover printing costs and countless cups of coffee researching His Word but the challenge is to reach those in the wilderness.    In the case of this particular blogger speed is of the essence, time is short,  so it is offered to the Lord and anyone who stumbles across my blog site F.O.C.  to hopefully edify but failing that pollute their "trash box"

Perhaps that is why my hero is Adrian Plass.   His humanity and easy read style makes comfortable - or uncomfortable (depending which side you are on) reading for the simple sheep stumbling onwards towards the Knackers Yard and finally His En Gedi pasture and the Good Shepherd.

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

Waterside

"Wow, am I exhausted" said the woman hiker to her flushed companion  "how many miles have we done?  I am surely out of condition but then it is Spring, by mid summer I will hopefully be in my stride."

"We've only just started" said her companion laughing "a couple of cakes and a tray of tea will put your sugar levels up.   Ordering from the man behind the counter they moved to a table near the window which overlooked the rambling moors.

"Weird about that field we passed wasn't it"  she commented "all those kids just sitting around a rather scruffy looking individual "quiet as I've ever seen them, I wonder if he could drop in on one of my classes" she suggested "even one session would be a blessing in disguise".

Isaiah 53 - 2 - 3

He has no form or comeliness;

And when we see Him,

There is no beauty that we should desire Him.

He is despised and rejected by men,

A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.

And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him.

He was despised and we did not esteem him.

A waitress approached the table with their order.   Overhearing their conversation she said "That was Dan you saw in the field.   He's regarded as suspicious by those in the luxury houses around here.   It's said he is homeless and sleeps rough but he is attracting quite a following of young people."

"Well" replied the man busily pouring the tea and moving the plates around "he must have something these kids need, we are both teachers and I for one am lucky if I can hold their attention for five minutes."

"My daughter is usually among the crowd" said the waitress "I worry about her because she tends to go "off-piste" every once in a while but then she's back at his feet accepting his correction and instruction to stay focused."

"Let's hope it contagious" said the man laughing "after all if you can find a field of followers without screaming, sex and drugs and loud music I can only say he must be exceptionally charismatic"

"Oh he is" said the waitress smiling at the couple as she walked through the kitchen door.

"Ready to tackle Skiddaw" enquired the man of his companion.

"Not today" replied the woman smiling "but I will go a little further and then call it a day."

The man headed toward the till to settle his bill. 

"There's a tip for the waitress" he said smiling at the stocky man behind the till.

"What waitress" said the man "it's self service here pal - don't forget to drop in next time you pass."

"Well that was rather peculiar" said the woman to her companion as they headed towards the next hill.  "What do you make of that?  We just ordered and sat down shouldn't we have been informed it was self service.?"

Later that evening they sat in their local pub recounting the experience with their friends.   

"Just get's you here doesn't it" said the woman hand on her heart  "the way the Education System is attempting to fill the kids with junk.  Permissiveness and every disgusting perversion and those kids were just sitting on the grass listening with obvious respect to a man whom society in general has labelled a tramp.   You know our children are the future of our country.   God help us all.

"It reminds me of the poem by David Everett - an American Poet (1769 - 1813) it was my Nan's favourite saying "tall oaks from little acorns grow"

The poem goes like this:

You'd scarce expect one of my age

To speak in public on the stage;

And if I chance to fall below,

Demosthenes or Cicero.

Don't view me with a critics eye,

But pass my imperfection by,

Large streams from little fountains flow,

Tall oaks trees from little acorns grow.

Can't remember it all but it continues

These thoughts inspire my youthful mind,
To be the greatest of mankind,
Great, not like Caesar, stained with blood,
But only great as I am good.

Written for a school Declamation.

"Perhaps we can creep to the end of the crowd next time and listen to what he is saying, whatever he has I could do with a bucket full to reach my unruly mob and that includes my own kids"

"Never mind" said her companion "half term at the end of next week - thank God.

He shall gather the lambs with His arm,

and carry them in His bosom.

Isaiah - 40 - 11 

    

IN A NUTSHELL - TIME TO BOW DOWN

THE GOOD SHEPHERD

The sighs, the ignorance, the feebleness of the little ones of His flock

draw forth His compassion.

C.H. Spurgeon

LET EACH COUNTRY GET IT'S OWN HOUSE IN ORDER - then join with others, respecting different cultures, it should not be the strong crucifying the weak - there in lies world war.

In Luke's gospel 5 - 27 Yeshua teaches:

"But I say to you who hear *Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you."

In Matthew 5 - 38 Yeshua teaches:

"You have heard it was said "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.  But I tell you not to resist an evil person.   But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also."

Small wonder the Sanhedrin found Him a threat to their preaching.   Was Moses a tad over zealous - but hey leading a flock of sheep is not an easy job.   One bag of sheep food and they are "off to trot" in another direction - even the wrong direction.

Yeshua was born into this world and His mission was predestined.   He knew exactly what would happen when he taught his disciples the ways of a loving God.   The same destination awaits those who speak out against cruel and oppressive governments.   

He kept it simple.   Keep the commandments - and if the world listened there would be no KILLING.   LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR AS YOURSELF.    We all love self - but if treat our neighbours with that same love of self we would not steal or covert or wish any harm to another human being.    As it is the covetous eyes are everywhere.   Moral decay is rampant, we are listening to the devil and our destruction is close at hand. 

It is appalling when a so called "Knight of the Realm" sits in supreme judgement on other countries.   There is no way Britain or any other country can eliminate ISIS simply because it thrives on individual suicides and can activate cells virtually around the globe.   Unfortunately the assassins don't mind who they kill or where, even to the point of using their own people as "human shields"

In reality continuing wars fill the coffers of the government, perhaps it's the only thing keeping Britain rolling at the moment.  Observe the labels on clothing.   Designer labels - MADE IN PERU - the less expensive - MADE IN TURKEY.   WHY!!!   No one is saying "I will not buy that - I won't support the companies that make millions out of slave labour. "  

One particular Hawk and Knight of the Realm proudly declares Britain as a christian country with all the arrogance of a supremacist.   The Bride of Christ is sick - truly sick - and only the simplest of lambs hiding out on the mountains will see the return of their King.   

Perhaps the faintest glimmer of hope lay in the actions of one Andrew Watson, Bishop of Guildford who has actually sacked Stephen Sizer.    Well done Bishop.   Now follow the commandments of your Holy God and clear His house of the abominations that dwell therein - then the sheep will beat down the door to His Sanctuary. 

ALMIGHTY GOD WILL DEAL WITH ISIS when human kind finally acknowledges the ONLY JUDGE AND HIS POWER AND GLORY.

Until then the merciless bombing will continue and innocents will be sacrificed at the altar of those who consider their agenda first and their coffers foremost.  

As for his sheep -  frequently He carries them by giving them a very simple faith, which takes the Promise just as it stands, and they run with every persecution straight to Him.    Todah Yeshua.  
   

RACHEM, RACHEM, RACHEM

ADONAI.

    

ENDURANCE

The best of God's saints must drink the wormwood;

the dearest of His children must bear the cross.

C.H.Spurgeon

Something happens in the spring.   As the flowers open and the birds sing I thaw out and my old friend pain gathers momentum determined to blight my day and remind me that I have to struggle on regardless.   Perhaps its the chill winds that suddenly bite when the sun goes behind a cloud and you've mistakenly stepped out in a tee shirt.     Thanks to the vagaries of our present weather systems you can get a heat wave in February then suddenly biting winds and a cold snap, the last defiant gesture in an otherwise mild winter. 

Back to the G.P. for a top-up prescription of the tablets that have wrecked my digestive system for over forty years and act like concrete on my elementary canal as the degenerative disease slowly increases it grip.

Sorrowful brown eyes meet mine.   Lovely boy!!!!!  He hands me a card which informs me there is  a "healing ministry" at a sister practice in another town.   Now did he have faith or what?   Incredulously I enquire "can this condition be healed" he replies "yes" his brown eyes still firmly focused on the doubting Thomas.   Lord knows I am a member of the 'missing parts club' and would have preferred healing any time rather than surgery given a choice, but having finally reached the stage when the remaining bits are essential to life it is very much a question of 'Thy Will be done' and I'm going home.  

Now the stress and strain of daily activity pushes me to an afternoon nap which is quite refreshing and then a 'sleepless in the city' night or is it just that I am waiting for the 'thief in the night' and don't want to be caught napping when my Lord turns up.

Back comes the usual condemnation.   "Your faith isn't strong enough"  I reply "Oh yes it is" perhaps my prayer would be "forget about me Lord save that little child with cancer or the young mother with leukaemia after all what is the point of keeping an old duck alive.  I have christian friends who have been through open heart surgery and then found they had cancer.   Please don't tell me they don't have faith, they work tirelessly to reach lost souls.     

Some are healed and they don't believe in anything other than their consultant who tells them "we are going to beat this"   How does the Lord choose between one child and another?     Looking on the bright side I would have to consider He is taking them home, saving them from something much worse down the line,  that seriously challenges the faith of a desperate mother.        

My faith gets stronger by the second as I see bible prophecy playing out knowing that I am rapidly approaching the summit and need more than an oil change.   Of course a touch of luxury might help.   The odd cruise or a couple of weeks on the Costa del Sol but if it comes to sin or poverty, I'll take poverty.   I just couldn't live with a guilty conscience or grab the lion's share in a world where there is so much injustice and many are starving.   I am certainly not a prosperity christian.   Yes, you can bless me Lord,  I'll just give it away.   The Lord said "blessed are the poor in spirit"  Well I am poor and am blessed with His Spirit, and certainly don't want the embarrassment of trying to get my camel through the eye of a needle.

I'll pop a few pain killers and take it easy for a few days after all it can't be long until I hear those blessed words "Time's up" or "come yea blessed of My Father"   The battle will be over and my little boat will finally beach on heaven's shore and the real adventure begins.

Meanwhile sickness will continue because the global powers are polluting the very air we breath,    the food and water we drink.   Our love affair with the car continues and pesticides are still sprayed on the land.   

Liza McKenzie (she of the pink hair) commented on "Going Underground" R.T.  apparently it is considered 'if you are not valued - you need to go'  suggesting that the film 'I Daniel Blake' is just the  tip of the iceberg.   With an ageing population how long before euthanasia creeps in the back door disguised as just another flu jab. 

We are called to carry our cross whatever that may be to the finish line.   We know without a shadow of doubt that when our eyes close on this world we open them in His Kingdom.

We need winds and tempests to exercise our faith,

to tear off the rotten branch of self-dependence,

and to root us more firmly in Christ.

The day of evil reveals to us the value of our glorious hope.

C.H. Spurgeon

    

   

  

SOONER RATHER THAN LATER

Worldling's may well be afraid, for they have an angry God above them,

a guilty conscience within them, and a yawning hell beneath them;

but we who rest in Jesus are saved from all of these by rich mercy.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

EASTER weekend and spring has arrived.   The sheep with their tiny lambs huddled together in the fields, overcast skies heralding the cool windy weather.   The early trees now dressed in their greenery, pink and white blossoms fall like snow covering the pavements.

Another bank holiday of sales and discounts, trips to the coast, barbecues and the great chocolate binge.   Any chance of enjoying an old series on the television interrupted by a charity drive for donations to help abused children their pale frightened faces reflecting the hidden horror of those who prey on innocence both physically and mentally.   The slaughter in the Middle East continues unabated supported by the West.     

    

 CRY OF A SHEEP

There's really nothing else to do

but in the darkness reach for You.

Hands of evil washed in blood,

children dragged from rubble and mud.

The heartless stares of those who sell

arms and bombs - their end hell.

Innocent victims scream and die,

Life for life the desert's cry.

Prophets and scribes warned of retribution,

Incineration the final solution.

T. Hills

2016

Of course its not in the bible, but in Mel Gibson's dramatization of the passion of Christ (now an Easter ritual in many christian homes) as Yeshua collapses for the last time Simon of Cyrene says  "almost there" and with Yeshua literally hanging on the cross beam he drags Christ to the final torture.

Regardless of poetic licence I doubt any film production of the crucifixion of Christ has had the impact that this film has had.   The words "almost there" are particularly poignant for genuine christians this Easter who realise without a doubt that persecution will continue unabated albeit in a more subtle sinister way in the west (get the children and you have an infected adult) nevertheless it's very clear to those who study the bible the end times are unfolding and we are "almost there"

"That is Reality" Jacob Prasch's teaching on Luke 24 - 13-50 available on You Tube is another excellent explanation of coming events.   Better to be forewarned and forearmed.   Satan's cohorts are already at work even amongst professing christians.   Children are attacking parents and global leaders are deliberately provoking each other.   It's just a matter of time.

The old testament teaches us we get the leaders we deserve and the Western world will face the Wrath of God.   He will not be mocked.

     

According to statistics 90,000 christians were murdered for their faith around the globe in 2016, not sure that hit the headlines but then I don't read the broadsheets.

PEOPLE POWER

They march with a banner they march to proclaim

the murder and carnage is 

NOT IN MY NAME.

Men of war ignore their cries, bombs and guns - ensure supplies.

Behind closed gates, their safe estate,

their Judas prize will set their fate.

Now watch the commotion, as they fall in slow motion.

The ground heaves open

THE LORD GOD HAS SPOKEN.

T.HILLS

2016

Throughout history we seem to have gone round and round in circles.   In his book of "Daily Preaching" C.H. Spurgeon (1834 - 1892) wrote:

"There never was a day when Protestantism seemed to tremble more in the scales than now that a fierce effort is in the making to restore the Romish antichrist to his ancient seat.   We greatly want a bold voice and a strong hand to preach and publish the old gospel for which martyrs bled and confessors died."

For those in the loop that sounds very familiar.   One world religion headed by the Catholic church with a soup of everything else under its authority.    Further more the denominations in the U.K. have tied their colours to the mast and are slowly leading their flock astray.      

It was not altogether surprising to find my ancestors had leapt across the denominational divide a few times.     My own great grandfather of Jewish descent abandoned his faith to marry my great grandmother a Catholic, my grandfather in turn was raised strict Catholic.      My grandmother (a protestant) abandoned her faith to marry my Catholic grandfather.   I went one better and married an atheist. !!!   Of course in my heart I believed he would come to know my/his God and despite many heated debates over the years he appeared to have left it to the last minute.  He always believed the answer was 'out there'    There also appears to be a very glib approach to any suggestion of hell amongst the unbelieving, one bloke chortled "I don't want to go to heaven, all my mates will be in hell"        

Of course the barbaric slaughter in the Middle East is history repeating itself U.K. style.   Our founding fathers were burnt at the stake and the Royals in their day not only decapitated their relatives and enemies, they made an awful mess of William Wallace, body parts all over the place.   Yes the U.K. has a very bloody history and it didn't end on these shores, which goes some way to explain the casual approach to the suffering masses by the ruling classes.   

The hypocrisy is amazing but then it is all part of the agenda and until Yeshua, the Prince of Peace returns we are just going to have to dodge the brick bats and hold on.   As my son proclaimed "You have your insurance Mum"   I actually thought he meant my Life Insurance.   I replied "yes but I have to die before I am 84 for the grandchildren to benefit.   He replied "No, I mean your faith"

My role as the wingeing widow continues pestering God for the blessing of faith for my son who believes in justice, caring for others and for the planet but remains as blind as a bat where a creator God is concerned.    However I will continue to try and get the message across knowing that God in His time deals with us all.

Revelation 21 - 5
Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new"

Revelation 21 - 8
"But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolators, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

The thief on the cross next to Yeshua knew he was a sinner and that he deserved his punishment, but he said "Lord remember me when you come into your Kingdom" and Yeshua replied "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise"      

We are all imperfect.  We are all sinners.   Only Yeshua can save you from yourself.   Salvation is in Christ alone.

Isaiah 

43 - 2-5

When you pass through the water I will be with you;

And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned.

Nor shall the flame scorch you.

For I am the Lord your God

The Holy one of Israel, your Saviour.

SHALOM

          

Be content to live unknown for a little while,

and to walk your weary way through fields of poverty, 

or up hills of affliction;

for by and by you shall reign with Christ,

for he has made us kings and priests  unto God,

and we shall reign for ever and ever.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

ANOTHER BIBLE

Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak;

they are to be submissive, as the law also says,

and if they want to learn something let them ask their husbands

at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.

1 Corinthians - 34

Well there goes Paul and his instruction for the male congregation.   Many a vicar has fond memories of when he actually led the church, was respected and loved by all the sheep.  After experiencing the behaviour of women who actually consider themselves the mouth piece of a Holy God - 'Oh the Lord told me to tell you'  my usual reply was "No, the Lord is perfectly capable of telling me Himself - He has my ear" 

Of course it all goes back to Eve and a succession of women in the bible who usually managed to manipulate their situation and improve their status.   Today most are self opinionated and you can almost hear the clash of the titans as they battle it out.   Am I a fan of female clergy - no.   There is much work for women both in the church and outside, their talents are endless, but I cringe at the effect power and position can have on a once seemingly pleasant personality be it in politics or religion.   

Once again Yeshua gave very clear advice to his followers in Matthew 5 - 37

"But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No', 'No'.   For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.   And that applies to the guys as well.  

Who takes any notice of the bible these days inside or outside the church.   The answer to every problem is in that book with stunning examples of what not to do.   You don't nick another man's wife without expecting consequences down the line, but guys tend to cast the older wife aside for a younger model.

Matthew 10 - 9 - Yeshua said "Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate"  And for those who actually hook up in church, please don't tell me God planned the union.   His  Word stands and He doesn't contradict Himself.

God help us, the gentle home loving women have all but disappeared to be replaced by the hard stare of the feminist and one trip through a crowded town centre on a Friday night will show how they party.   Often in groups and whether standing or collapsed in the gutter their language is crude to say the least.   Men tend to gather with their drinking buddies - there's strength in numbers.   Its football, booze and anything else that's on the menu.   Marriage on the other hand offers no stability as fidelity is almost non existent.   Men can become the partner tied to the sink their masculinity challenged, reminding me of an advert on t.v. many years ago considered extremely funny.  Large women who put their husbands in an apron handed them a bottle of cleaning fluid and pushed them towards the grime.

Thankfully I enjoy being a woman - granted an old woman - but from a better time slot.   The Pat Boon approach "you can kiss my hand but no further without a band of gold"   Old fashioned yes, but quite biblical, I believe in marriage for life and I certainly waited patiently for my soul mate and still believe the woman is the home maker and the husband the "hunter gatherer" that way is balance and its biblical, but the churches are far from obeying the words of Christ, they sell a new bible.

No, I don't want to see a woman in a pulpit.   She has hormones and anyone on the receiving end of a hissy fit will know they are not stable either to lead in a church or appoint themselves as prophets - two weeks out of four.

Thankfully I have left all that behind and now have to deal with the odd whisker growing out of my chin.   For the moment it stands proud and alone until  I manage to see it and pull it out, but should this growth pattern increase I could put in as an "extra" for Gandalf  in any production of "Lord of the Rings"

The dark Lord's cohorts are having a field day with a slightly confused Trump.   For heaven's sake leave him alone, he's doing his best.   We all know the 'back room boys' are busily organising plans for a global war and that he is just a 'figure head'  hopefully 'baruch ha ba shem adonai' soon Lord.

So its back to the teaching of Yeshua - which most ignore, adjust or twist and they always use the excuse 'oh that was then, not now' or 'he was talking to the Jews it doesn't apply to us - we are not under the law' carefully avoiding Matthew 5 - 18.    It's the 'grace umbrella' for every transgression.

Matthew 5 - 48 Yeshua  (Jesus) said "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect"   

In reality there are a lot of cracked vessels (pots) - I am surely one,  but there again if you speak out you are accused of being a critical spirit and judgemental.   The study note on Matthew 7 - 1 'judge not, that you be not judged' - explains.   Jesus does not forbid criticism, opinions, or condemnation of wrong doing.   What he forbids is censoriousness, the spirit of fault finding overlooking one's own shortcomings.   

Just dare to speak the Truth in the hearing of others and someone in the church with a different agenda will report your remarks a.s.a.p.   There are many examples of clergy preaching from the pulpit who have found themselves involved in litigation and a prison cell,  yet apparently we are repeatedly told we are a christian country.   We need to understand what is happening and why.   Yes God is merciful and loving but perhaps His patience is running out.   

Just may be the war mongers in this country might realise there is a God watching as they create new killing fields.    They will be held accountable.

Genesis 4 - 10

And He (God) said "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground.

11 - So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand.

At the end of the day they are pseudo christians, they don't believe in God let alone the bible or Yeshua the Prince of Peace but they crawl into church for a socialite wedding or funeral.   

As a mere grain of sand on God's beach all you can do is hand the Lord your gifting, whatever that may be for His glory.   Discern the preacher, teacher and politician.  If their words and actions do not proclaim the Word of God they belong to the Prince of this world and their time is short.

However for the average Joe, myself included  (after all the Grand Designer made the blue print) the Lord is gracious, compassionate and forgiving.   He designed the human race, some have faulty circuits, some have brilliant minds, some are infected by evil, He knows us all, we are His creation so it is not surprising that in Matthew 19-25  His disciples asked the question 'who then can be saved' to which the Lord replied 'With men this is impossible but with God all things are possible.'   Yeshua has amazing compassion for sinners, he knows their story.  

There are born again christians around the globe who are hearing the Lord.   Some hear His voice others experience what can only be called telepathy - a thought not your own pops into your mind disturbing your concentration on a completely different subject.   From personal experience the word or message is brief.   The warnings are in the bible and every born again christian knows without a shadow of doubt that prophecy is unfolding.   The Holy Spirit will highlight a verse or text, even the words of a song.

In the early years of my christian walk I would collect music C.D's appreciating the modern praise and worship albums.    I purchased a C.D. by Maire Brennan called "Whisper to the Wild Water"  there were 13 tracks on the album and as the C.D. reached the end I realised there were actually 14 tracks.   The final track not illustrated on the album cover was Maire's version of the pop classic 'Don't give up' originally in the charts sung by Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush.

In reverse Maire sings first and Michael McDonald replies.   It remains a very relevant song to all those suffering unemployment, homelessness and despair.    To really appreciate this you would have to listen to the song but for me personally it was as though God was soothing and healing a heart torn apart by the sudden death of my one and only love.   I often wonder did she realise that the slight adjustment to the lyrics would have that effect.   Or was that just the way God reaches us in time of need.

Don't give up cos you have ME....................

Don't give up you still have ME

Don't give up cos I know there's a place where you belong. 
The rest of the lyrics are the same as the Peter Gabriel recording.  

In essence the 'US' on the Gabriel recording was replaced by ME and it was just a tiny alteration but it spoke volumes to a hurting heart.  I believe God uses lyrics, singer and song to reach us. 

If that isn't encouragement for those who suffer persecution and ridicule and are considered just plain barmy I don't know what is.  It's thanks to that duet I managed to get a grip and soldier on without any sedation or medication albeit slightly on auto pilot through the dark months that followed.

Now more than ever we need to lean on the Lord.   We realise Satan is pulling the strings of his victims, men and women sold out to this world,  we rest in His promise "and lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age"   Todah Yeshua.

And if finding a genuine group of born again christians is a problem - they are tending to go underground - then Yeshua pointed the way and taught his followers:

Matthew 6 - 6

"But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door,

pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret

 will reward you openly."

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