Feeling A Revival Coming On: Hanging on to the Old

Hi, well last week I was automatically switched to the new Blogger format. I liked some aspects of it. The big screen was great, but had a very difficult time with the label. I switched back to the old Blogger format, and will probably stay with it until Blogger decides to automatically change it to their new format.

I am feeling a revival in my spirit that is helping me cope with all the changes. I know that I do tend to hang onto the old for far longer than I probably should be holding onto it. I don't like feeling afraid and worried about gunshots and rioting. Yet I am beginning to understand that God is revealing the evil for what it is. We have become so complacent with our thinking, and allowed those who have an evil agenda to get away with a lot of "stuff."

When I hear about what evil agenda is being brewed up to take control of us, it is then when I realize all the more that we need to wake up from our complacency. It can get frustrating, I know, when you feel like you really can't do anything. Yet I know that God is in control, and that he will revive us to serve him. I oddly enough get a bit excited when I see prophecy being fulfilled right before my eyes. Some days, admittedly, I long to see Jesus and pray that I will hear him say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

Other days doubt swirls around me. I see everything changing so rapidly, and just want it to slow down. I mourn the loss of so many things that I cherish. Yes, I am guilty of hanging on to the old. I think about the 1920s and speculate what could have happened to get everyone out of the "damn" masks. I see the evidence of a church revival in the beautiful old buildings, some sadly enough are no longer churches. I do wonder what could have happened to trigger that church growth and building. I don't think that will happen this time. Looking to the past I notice a  lot of things that were prevalent during that time from 1917 to the early 1920s that are not prevalent today.

Yes, I do feel that revival coming on though. This revival will be different than the revival that happened in the early 1920s. We have abandoned God entirely, unlike during the 1920s when God was still center in most people's lives. God hasn't abandoned us. I imagine that this revival will be awesome and worldwide, and will possibly be the last great revival until the Lord comes to take us home to be with him forever. I can't predict the future though. I trust God with it.

A New Beginning with Blogger: Feeling a bit disoriented

 I wasn't expecting this rather disorienting screen when I logged in this evening. I'm not sure I like it or not. It does take a little getting used to as I type. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. There were warnings that this format was going to change way back in June. Change has always been upsetting in some ways for me. You're probably thinking right about now that we've all gone through so many life-altering changes over the past five months that this shouldn't rattle me.

Actually the more I "play" with it, the more I like it. I definitely like the new bigger screen. I also like the big new button for the labels that I usually have at the bottom of the blog. I am wondering how it will look once I publish it though. Will the whole screen change?

I know you may laugh to see my reaction to this new beginning. Any huge change takes time to get used to for me. I am having a very difficult time adjusting to what people are now calling the "new normal." Mask wearers make me feel disoriented...like I stepped into a Doctor Who episode. If you recall the episode where everyone was wearing an earpiece that controlled their thoughts, it is the same feeling that I'm getting now with these masks.

Yes, I do understand the conditioning and how manipulative mind control can be. I also understand that some people can't be manipulated due to certain processes in their minds. These masks are a form of mind control. You get enough people to go along with the mask wearing, tell those that refuse that they are crazy and create an ongoing fear factor...you get disorientation. It doesn't help that many are making it seem that mask wearing is in "vogue" or your "patriotic" duty. I can't get behind that as it leaves behind so many of us who really can't wear masks for many reasons.

I admitted here that my main reason for not wearing a mask continuously as many do, is that I have maskaphobia. It started back in March, and was barely noticeable, but increased when the mask wearing became mandatory in my state. I still have a rather mild form. I can go to the grocery store if I only have to wear the mask for a few seconds as I step in, a few minutes as I wait in line (I've clocked the time...and do notice that after a few minutes my symptoms increase) and maybe fifteen minutes at the bank. I do have to advert my eyes, so I never look directly at someone...or I do start displaying those symptoms. I have prayed, and that has helped a little.

  

God is My Refuge and An Anchor in The Midst of A Storm

I was vividly reminded today that God is my refuge. I prayed all weekend and yesterday that the expected hurricane would pass us by. It wasn't until I let go of my anxious thoughts, reminded myself that God knows what I need, and how he has held me up in times past that I relaxed. I realized that I have been holding too tightly to things that aren't stable. Some people take refuge in their work, while others take refuge in church. Please don't get me wrong church has played a significant role in providing sanctuary, but it isn't a refuge.

In today's world where we see signs daily of the Lord's coming, it is sometimes hard to focus in on what's important. All of us need an anchor right now in the midst of this storm. We also need to reach out to others to let them know that they need to get right with God. I am reminded of the song that was first played on January 1st, and has become my theme song..."Almost Home." It has taken a little while to sink in that the Lord is speaking to us through this song. He's telling us that we're almost home.

I just have to take refuge in him, realizing that it won't be that much longer before I see him. I know what some of you are going to say right now. "You can't predict his coming." No, I can't predict it but know that everything that has been written in the bible about the end times is coming to pass right before our eyes. We just need to hang onto him, and not give into those who would steal us away if they could. I know that I am anchored in him. I am not afraid to write these words. I actually hope that someone sees them, and finds their refuge in him.

In a few more months we will see the Lord work to flush out the evil that has crept in. Actually if I can believe everything I'm seeing the Lord is already at work exposing the evil. I can't predict what's going to happen in November. I trust God that he will continue to protect me and love me.

Living the Christian Life in a Socialistic Society

Okay, you may be thinking right about now that our country isn't socialistic. You may also be thinking that there is no way that Christians can live in a socialistic country. Actually you might be surprised to know that in many socialistic countries Christians are thriving. I know I was. I thought and believed that Christians were dwindling in those countries, and the stories of persecution would have had a very negative effect on Christianity's growth. Then I recalled the story of Paul's conversion when he met Jesus on the way to Damascus. He was going there to persecute the Christians there and bring them back to Jerusalem. God had other plans for Paul.

Right now we're going through some really tough times. We haven't as yet, at least now in a widely physical realm, been subject to persecution. We have, however, been subject to mental and spiritual persecution to some degree. I know that I've felt torn about what's happening here and around the world. Socialism sounds great when you think about "free" stuff and the ability to help people get needed stuff. Who doesn't want free stuff? The brand of socialism that many have been pushing for as long as I can remember has finally grown roots in people's hearts. We have been brainwashed to believe that we're "saving the planet" by allowing the government to take over. We've been labeled as uncaring when we say that we can't take these illegal aliens in.

Yet there is a growing movement beneath the surface where Christians can live. It is an underground movement that the world ignores because they feel that they have won. They haven't. It is through this time of testing that many will come to know Jesus as their savior. I see it. I don't know what will happen next with this movement, but do know that God will use this for his honor and glory. We just have to keep our eyes focused on him, and not on the world.

Rays of Hope: Promises for the Future

It is hard when all your eyes are used to is dark and grim images to see rays of hope. They are there though. Sometimes you just have to reach out for them and hold on. These past seven months have been rather difficult for me. It all started when I was called for jury duty in a murder case. Actually everyone that showed up for jury duty was called for that case, so it wasn't just me. I had a very bad reaction I remember because of my innate sensitivity to the dark images that murder brings up. Luckily, some would say, I wasn't picked for the actual trial. I think that the lawyers noticed my reaction and figured that I wouldn't be a very good juror for that case. My mind has blanked it out for the most part, so I can't even remember what day it was. I know that it was probably in January or February.

I bring that reaction up because I've had similar reactions to the lock down and the mandatory mask wearing. I tell myself when I'm in the throes of an attack that God is there. I understand now why I've been reacting as I have been over the past seven months. My core has been shaken severely as my stability has disappeared. Stability is one of my big "bulwarks" and is what I need to function normally. The loss of stability creates a "perfect" storm for me both physically and mentally. I know that you have felt this as well. It isn't surprising.

What are those rays of hope? I look around me and see them every day when I turn off the news, turn away from Facebook and just breathe. The people that smile and wave sans masks really help bring me hope. The children playing normally without masks in the field brings me peace. The beauty of a sunset that paints the sky a brilliant orange fills me with joy. The small businesses that are now opening up, and those that have stayed open encourage me that things will get better.

There are some promises for the future. I see it as people start to wake up and take back their cities and towns from the rioters. I see it in the people that are now running for office that are pushing back against the socialist and globalist agenda. Yes, we are in deep trouble. There is no denying this any longer...yet I have to believe that God won't let us go down that dark path any longer. We have to believe that God hears us, and will rescue us from the evil ones.

Are We Living in the Last Days?...Thoughts to Consider

Hi, I know you all are thinking this. Admit it. I've thought about it a lot over the past few months. I just haven't allowed it all to sink in yet. There is a lot to consider when you actually study the scripture. It is easy to get caught up in theories about what the last days will look like, and if we're prepared to face them. I have caught myself wishing that the Lord would come and "beam" me out of here many times.

It is easy, but not really safe to think like this. The reasoning is that if you focus in on the Rapture, hoping against hope that you will be one of the "raptured", you are missing the big picture. The Lord has opened my eyes to the fact that I really shouldn't be wishing to be "raptured." I should instead be praying that I can further the kingdom of God here on Earth. That is not to say that I replace the picture in my mind of heaven or that I settle for my current state here on Earth. All I am really saying is that we do have some responsibilities here to follow the Lord's leading. We don't want to get so focused on the rescue that we lose sight of the people around us.

I have talked about the great need for repentance. The thing is that most people just don't understand what that means, or they just don't want to think about it. Some feel that they are too far gone, and that they can't be saved. Young people struggle most with this concept because they don't see the reward in it. They want to feel it deep inside...yet sometimes that type of repentance takes time. It isn't instantaneous as some would have you believe.

It does help to consider the information we're receiving at a mind blowing rate. There are many things we still don't understand but are being forced to accept. I do know my own mind. I know that I have a hard time accepting things that I know are manipulating the population to their own detriment. I guess that is why I developed this mild case of maskaphobia. I see that manipulation for what it is, but can't make others see it. I can't help but weep when I hear the calls to defund the police, and the really sad state Philadelphia is now in. I admit that I am scared to go there anymore.

All the talk about businesses literally pushing electronic means of payment sickens me. I understand about how easy it could be to "tag" people and block others from basic services. Do I think that what they are promoting could be the dreaded mark of the beast? It is possible. Yet I do feel that we do have some time before they try to implement it on a worldwide basis. I hope to see some "push back" from those who refuse to use their cards or apps, and insist on paying for items with cash. 

Why I only wear a mask when I step in a store; Maskaphobia is real

I know that many of you are concerned about my health. You wonder why I take the risk of exposing myself to this virus. You may have also wondered about the effects that mask wearing has on me. I can honestly say that I have a mild case of maskaphobia. If you are wondering what maskaphobia is, the most simplistic explanation is that I have a fear of masks, specifically of people wearing masks and the act of wearing a mask myself.

It is thankfully a mild case, one that I'm very slowly working on gaining control over through prayer. I won't say it has been easy for me to see the pictures of people wearing masks on television or to encounter people on the street or in the store wearing them. I do understand the reasoning behind it, but I think that is part of the reasoning behind why I have this maskaphobia. To me the mask symbolizes fear of the virus and being oppressed.

You can try to talk me out of this fear by citing numbers that tell you that the masks are working to slow the virus down. Unfortunately at this point I just don't believe you, and that just increases the fear for me. I experience that feeling every time I put the mask on to go into the store. You can imagine that my heart races, and I get short of breath when I feel that mask cover my nose and mouth. I try to take deep breaths right before I have to put the mask on. It does help. I've gotten used to it, but still find myself pulling it down off my face after a few minutes.

I don't like the stares I get when I do that, so I try to avoid looking at people while maintaining that six feet social distance. I do find myself rushing through the store, hoping that I can avoid running into anyone at times. I also feel a deep need to say something to someone to hurry them up. I can't stand in long lines as I get too antsy and anxious. (I'm figuring that this is a definite sign of maskaphobia.) I don't like that feeling, and try my best to reign it in as much as possible. I have noticed that the people in front and behind me have been more than generous in letting me go in front of them. I've also noticed that I've been so fortunate enough to be able to get out quickly enough that my maskaphobia doesn't get too bad.

I wasn't like this before the mandatory mask wearing. I never had any issues with people wearing masks before now. I have to chalk it up to the massive changes that happened so quickly which I now associate with the mandatory masks and lock downs. Yes, it is good to admit that fear sometimes overwhelms me. Yet I do know that God forgives me for that fear, and will support me through it.