Witness To An Apocalypse: Pandemic Set to Ruin Economy

Over the past two weeks I have been an eyewitness to an apocalypse which threatens to destroy economies around the world. The pandemic has ravaged countries leaving panic and anxiety in its wake. Fights over toilet paper and other basic necessities have ensued in many places. We are now being told that we need to "stay home" and not work. For many who can go online and work, this is crazy. It won't stick, but for some functions and many small businesses this dictator like order will.

I have been unemployed and underemployed for the past eight years. This shutdown of non-essential businesses has make it even more difficult for me and others like me. It almost seems as if the "powers that be" are really pushing for electronic currency. They want to get rid of physical currency because they can't control it. This pandemic and the economic crash will be the perfect opportunity to roll this out. Everyone will be forced to accept this electronic currency or forfeit life sustaining food and shelter.

I have to keep telling myself that this won't happen. Yet I see it with my own eyes. I see all the disenfranchised being ignored and pushed to the side. My heart aches and I feel helpless. I wonder why the Lord is allowing this to happen. It just doesn't seem right or fair.

I started another blog to chronicle my thoughts during this pandemic called "In The Midst of A Storm". It has helped me to focus on what the Lord says in his word. We are in a fight right now to preserve the rights of the disenfranchised. They deserve a voice, especially those who aren't as savvy with technology as the rest of us. As I witness this apocalypse I wonder what the world will be like when the pandemic dies down. Will we even recognize it?

There are forces that are tearing this country apart. They are trying to blame the Christians for this. They tell us that church is bad. They want us to fall and reject the Lord. They don't know us. They definitely don't understand the Christian bedrock of this country. They stir up trouble, but don't understand the consequences.

Sometimes I do think that maybe God allowed this pandemic to eradicate those who have blatantly defied him. I can't help thinking about the plaques that God sent Egypt.

In God's Presence: Anxiously Waiting His Return

The fear and despair of this world is palpable. I feel it in the air. Yet I know in my heart that fear has no place. God has got a hold of me. He is ever present and is my strong deliverer. Yes, the present world situation seems dire right now with the dreaded spread of this disease and the economic fall out. I admit that at times like this I do anxiously wait for his promised return for his children.

I can understand the anxiety the world is going through now. Many young people have lost their compass to life. They are being taught daily that God doesn't exist or that he won't punish them for the wrong they've done. Some people are also being taught that there will be no consequences for their bad actions. You could blame the generation before us for breaking a centuries old compact that was rooted in the Scriptures. Yet, I do see that a remnant is still here following that centuries old compact and teaching their young people.

As we anxiously wait for the Lord's return, we do have a mission to perform here. We have people that we need to witness to of God's grace and mercy. We also desperately need to tell them that God's mercy is not limitless, that eventually God's wrath will fall on those who remain unrepentant. I do think in the modern church we've gotten away from this emphasis too much. Yes, God is a God of Love. He does love the world and offers the free gift of salvation for all who believe in him. Yet God is also a God of wrath. He doesn't tolerate sin in any form...that is why Jesus had to die. He was and is the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. Once you understand...and I mean really understand this...then you can fully grasp what that sacrifice means for us today.

We are living in a very corrupt generation. Some would say that we're on the very cusp of the Lord's return. That should frighten and awe us. Yet I see some "so-called" Christians living on "the fence" scared to go one way or the other. I do have a feeling in my gut that it won't be too long before we have to choose to follow the One true God, Jesus Christ or suffer the consequences of eternal hell and damnation. God chooses his children to stand in his presence. He will give you the strength and endurance to stand against the fiery arrows that fly.

I don't know about you. I just know that I'd rather stand with God, then fall into the temporary oasis that Satan and his minions devise. I prepare my heart and my mind daily for the upcoming battles. I pray for all those around me that he will strengthen them as well.

In A Holding Pattern-Seeing the World in A Different Light

This week I have been in a sort of holding pattern. I've done some soul searching about where my life is heading. I know I don't want to go back to the unfeeling and selfish person I was when my parents were alive. I do still have a tendency to act in my own self interest. I also find it difficult to see things in a different light.

I guess that is the reason for the holding pattern. There are some things that I desire. There are some things that I need. Then there are the responsibilities that I have taken on that I've neglected lately. Some may say that I'm still grieving, that I really haven't gotten over the losses. Yes, in some ways I am still grieving, but it is definitely not as strong as it was a year ago.

The thing is that there are so many negative images that are pressing down right now. It makes it hard to move forward. My eyes have been open to seeing the world in a different light. The ugliness of it all stops me in my tracks. I can't seem to move past it.

I know the best thing for me to do is to continue to trust the Lord for all things. Yet so many times my faith wavers to the point where I start doubting the words I read in the Bible. I do have to stop listening to the voices that tell me that I'm doomed or lead me astray from the Lord. It isn't easy.

There are some days when I do feel that the Lord couldn't possibly want me. I feel inadequate and unable to do the tasks set before me. The holding pattern bars me from feeling anything. Yet I have to hope that some day soon everything will make sense, and I'll get out of this holding pattern. That day can't come soon enough.

I see the human desire to grab at the pretty packages only to discover they have turned to dust. The Lord knows I do long to make a difference in someone's life. The feeling that washes over me when I realize that I actually helped someone else is priceless. I do see the world in a different light now that I'm an orphan. I'm learning that I don't have to be alone. If I can share God's love with someone else knowing that they will spread that love to others, well that too is priceless.

The day will come when I will meet Jesus face to face. Right now the thought terrifies and excites me at the same time. It terrifies me because I know that I can't stand and face him by myself. It excites me because I know that I don't have to, that there will be others standing beside him. I know that by myself I falter and fall. When I'm lifted up though surrounded by my fellow believers, I can stand and face Jesus. They will be my testimony of my faithfulness and witness of my devotion to Jesus.

I do look forward to that day. Jesus knows and loves me. He understands my need to be surrounded by those who love me. Then I will definitely see the world in a different light.

Celebrating Life in the midst of a Dark World

Saturday I celebrated the first year of life for a close relative of mine. I marveled at his smile and enjoyed the feeling of his hands in mine. When I look at him I realize that there is hope and future for this dark world. I do pray from him and his big sister. I know that some of the things that we experienced when we were young, they will never know.

I think about the deep roots that my parents instilled in me and my siblings. I know that some of those roots have rubbed off on this younger generation. It is a good feeling to know that this close relative's parents have absorbed the lessons their parents have taught them. You may argue that the influences that their parents had was minimal. You may say that the roots have been torn asunder by the societal influences. I disagree. The words spoken by pastors and teachers over the years have created that deep rooted faith. It is the words that sink in deep. They do have a great impact for good or for evil.

Someday those same words will have a great impact on this life as well. These words of Jesus bring light to the darkness. You can't snuff them out. You can't demean them. They are life.

I celebrate life in the world around me. The darkness of this fallen world will attempt to steal my joy and rob me of my happiness. Yet when I look at the priceless moments that a tiny toddler can bring I realize that I don't have to wallow in the darkness. I can celebrate the life he has given to each one of us.

Soon enough our life will be over. When I think about my legacy, I realize that the only legacy that I want is to be known as a follower of Christ. It isn't easy. Some days it is really hard to believe and follow the One who gave me life. I do. I know that whenever I start to go my own way that I falter and fall. I need his guidance.

I cling to the promises God made in his word. He promises eternal life for all who believe. Yes, I know what you are thinking. "How can that be?" "Doesn't everyone die?" Jesus died to save us and bring us to the Lord God. In John 3:16 we read that "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believed in him should not perish, but have eternal life." In this dark world we only see death and darkness. We can't see the light. Yet we know that there is another world, a heaven above us where there is no darkness at all.

Through Jesus' death and resurrection we are renewed in him. We live through him. Yes, everyone does die, but afterwards we are resurrected to life or to damnation. Once we accept Jesus as our Savior we too can celebrate life in the midst of a dark world.

A Reason to Rejoice and A Reason to Mourn

I've been reflecting a lot about my current situation lately. I realized that I've been unemployed/underemployed for the past eight years. It was eight years ago I was terminated from a job that gave me a steady income, but wasn't steady as far as employment status. In other words, changes in the corporate structure made my continued employment unstable. To be honest the employment status was precarious for a long time before I was actually terminated. Changes happened that I really had no control over. Yes, I admit that I still mourn for the stability that I used to have at the one site. When that site closed, I was left with a unstable environment which I made the best of for about three years.

The society just celebrated their seventh year of existence today.  I rejoice over the many friends I've made through the society. I know I wouldn't have made them if I hadn't decided to pursue historical interests. I do feel that I am making a difference by making people aware of their historic resources. It is frustrating though to not be able to find a secure position that utilizes the skill sets I've picked up. I'd love to work with documents, scanning them and preparing them for storage. I'd like to learn more about architecture and putting things together.

I do have to admit that I run ahead of God at times. I want things now. I worry too much about what's going to happen. I do have a reason to rejoice. My God is providing for my needs. He knows what I need before I even ask. It can be hard to push against the obstacles that stand in my way. I know I do have to trust him even when it seems as if everything is going "south."

The pressures of society to perform a certain way or act out in mourning sometimes overwhelm me. I admittedly get depressed as I struggle to find sustainable work that won't compromise my belief system. I do have a reason to mourn when I see the struggles of my fellow contemporaries. They didn't ask to be pushed aside. The rapid increase of technology has left them in the dust. Some have balked at trying to learn all this new technology. It seems impossible. It feels like losing bits and pieces of yourself to the World Wide Web.

I do have to choose daily not to dwell on the obstacles in my way. I have to choose to be happy and content to wait on the Lord for his timing. It is hard. You do want to run ahead to see what's out there. Yet I know that it is best to wait for his guidance.

America's Hope and A Dawning of A New Age

The pundits would have you believe that the world's hope is to stop the consumption of fossil fuels immediately. They warn us that the changes we see now in the world are only going to get worse. They threaten to control us in every way. I am admittedly frightened by the words they speak. They dictate that only they can have what we have now. They tell us that we need to radically change our way of life. They want us all to live in boxes with only assigned elements.

The children and young adults have been brainwashed into believing that if they surrender control to them it will be alright. America's hope is not in the garbage that the Weather Channel and those environmental pundits are now pushing on us. The dawning of a new age will be a dark time if everything they want to push is put into practice. I admittedly fear for my young relatives and thank God that I don't have any of my own.

The facts are that God is in control of everything. We are fools to think that he doesn't have any say or that we can control the weather. It is the new manta though for everyone that we need to follow the harsh dictates of the radical environmentalists and worship the sun, moon, earth and heavens. Yes, it is true these environmentalists are making a cult of these socialistic dictates. They want everyone to bow down to them. It's not going to happen. There are those of us who believe that America's hope should be in the God of the Universe and in his son Jesus Christ. It is in him that we have our being and we have all been created by him to do his perfect will.

Losing Our Freedoms: Being Locked in A Socialist Prison

I've been absent from this blog for a little while now. A lot has happened and I'm still processing it. Yesterday I watched a 2nd amendment rally where most of the people were peacefully protesting. I didn't see any violence, even though it was expected. There was a lot of propaganda that unsuccessfully tried to portray the protesters as criminals.

When we continue to remain silent, we lose our freedoms. Some of us are quite willing to sacrifice freedom for safety. Yet when it comes right down to it, we actually lose both freedom and safety. What message are we sending to criminals when we enact laws that restrict our safety? Why would criminals voluntarily hand over their guns and register? They wouldn't. It is not for safety reasons that the government wants your guns. They want to control you.

The internet and the increasing insistence that everything must be online is just another way to control us. The people that have that control are capable of stripping our freedoms. We are slowly but surely losing our freedoms because we like the accessibility we have to everything. We really don't realize that accessibility comes at a very dear price. Some of us will eventually be locked in a socialist prison unable to speak.

I have to admit that I've been frightened by developments within this country and the world at large. Companies are still pushing people to "get online" and not giving an alternative avenue to do what they need to do. The electronic currency and banking trend is escalating with no end in sight. Yes, admittedly it does seem easier to have that money directly processed, but at what cost? I am pretty much old school and it takes me a long time to get comfortable with new technology.

The feeling of being "sucked in" is getting stronger. Some days I do feel like a rebel because I don't do things the way that everyone else does. My nose is not stuck on the screen of a Smart Phone. I don't own one. I do, however, text and send messages on my phone. I call it a hybrid because it has some applications but works like a flip phone.

I don't like the feeling of being sucked in. I'm guessing no one does. Yet it is exactly what the social media is doing. They are sucking us in with their sensational stories, most of them are purely made up lies. You start to believe them until you look around and find yourself locked in a socialist prison. You then ask yourself if there is any way out. It is then that you turn to God. He is the only way out. He is the only way to recapture our freedoms.