Reviews and Views

…in my opinion.

Adversity and Hard Times

Proverbs 24,Verse 10:
“If you are slack in the day of distress, your strength is limited.” NASB
“If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!” NIV
“If you are weak in a crisis, you are weak indeed.” GNT

The day of adversity is not a time we look forward to nor desire. But as times of prosperity and trouble come, know that all are in God’s hands and determined by Him. When they are at our doorstep and how long they last are controlled by our Heavenly Father. It is in times like these God may seem to hide His face from us, and our prayers do not seem to be heard. Salvation and deliverance do not come as soon as we expect. During this time, our strength is small, and faith is little.

The question is whether we will fail and succumb to anxiety or fear instead of rising to meet the emergency. If we fail, then we are a weakling or a coward. The strength we seem to possess and of which we boasted, perhaps, is worth nothing. It is a sign that we have little Christian courage, which is always best known in adversity.

But at times like this, when the pressure seems so great, know that Jesus Christ is praying for us. Depend on Him to strengthen your heart. For this is the time that God enables us to grow. It is in the hour of trial that we display our spiritual strength.
~~~ sources: J.Vernon McGee, Benson, Gill, Pulpit

October 5, 2022 Posted by | Culture, Economy, Life | , , , | Leave a comment

The Book of Revelation – personal journey

Am I crazy to read or study a book of prophecy, judgment, warnings, and hope? More people today have questions about the future with all that is going on world-wide. Many scholars have spent a lifetime pursuing an understanding of the Word of God. Yet, the God of the universe has given His word that all will occur as He has said. Revelation has much to say about the coming days for this world. So if you are of a mind, please join me in a journey into a future that you may never have imagined or thought possible. Let us look at the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

What follows comes from a Pre-Tribulation point-of-view, an explanation provided later. Much of the narrative comes from reading a detailed analysis and discussion by Dr. Jack Van Impe in his book titled Revelation Revealed – verse by verse. See all his work at www.JVIM.com. Another source is the commentary Exploring Revelation by John Phillips, available at various book outlets. This journey will be in segments by chapter. I highly recommend both resources.

There are three main views on when the Rapture of the Church will occur:
(1) Pre-Tribulation (the rapture occurring before the tribulation),
(2) Mid-Tribulation (it occurs somewhere at the mid-point of the tribulation), and
(3) Post-Tribulation (occurring at the end of the tribulation).

So what is the rapture anyway? The biblical passage in
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 states that all believers in Jesus Christ, living or dead, will meet the Lord Jesus in the air and be with Him forever and ever. Then in 1 Thessalonians 5:9, the apostle Paul writes, “For God did not appoint us (believers) to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Also, Christ promised in Revelation 3:10 to keep believers from the hour of trial coming upon the earth. What is coming is not for them, but it is the time for Jacob’s trouble. Christ promises to keep believers from the trials in this time known as the Tribulation. A literal and consistent interpretation of the Bible lends itself to the pre-tribulation position as the most biblically-based view.

You can also find clear explanation to your biblical questions on www.gotquestions.org.

I plan to submit another posting each week until we conclude. Next, Book of Revelation – Chapter 1

March 21, 2022 Posted by | Culture, Economy, Last Days, Life, Religion | , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Coming Storm

Our generation is witnessing the birth of a new world.  As the old one prevails, this new world will be completely different from our own past, deceptive, and hard to fully comprehend as time unfolds.  It is being birthed in a sea of change and even now we are feeling the sea spray against our face.

What can we do to prepare?

  1. We should stop telling ourselves false stories and lies.  There is enough falsehood and pretending to make everyone sick to their stomach.
  2. We should mentally and spiritually prepare ourselves and others for the great changes ahead and a very different world that those changes will bring.
  3. Each of us should get out of debt as soon as possible.  As leaders of our respective families and organizations, we should be the first to set the example and ecourage others to do the same.  Payoff as much as possible…every $ matters now.
  4. It is now time to learn how to manage change instead of growth.  We will be required to understand and know how to do more with less.  Judgments must be honed in order to decide what is essential and what is not.  Strategtic decisions will need to be made on what to retain, what to eliminate, and what to outsource.
  5. We need to start immediately to rethink everything; such as life priorities and what we do with our time and how we relate to others.
  6. Now is the time to trust yourself.  Rely on your own intuition, research, and experience for what is best for you and your family.  Do not forget God and trust in Him.

The Unsustainable Future of Our Economy, Energy and Environment

What lies ahead will not look like the past.  According to Chris Martenson in his book, The Crash Course, the next 20 years will be different from the past 20 years.  (http://www.amazon.com/Crash-Course-Unsustainable-Economy-Environment/dp/047092764X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1317432318&sr=1-1).  There will be more uncertainty, more volatility, and more instability ahead.  This volatility will increase in frequency and intensity.  For many, this will be the beginning of sorrows.  By God’s mercy and grace, we are witnesses to this unfolding drama.

October 1, 2011 Posted by | Economy, Energy | Leave a comment

Are We There Yet?

Have you ever considered how really big some of the problems we face are? Though we seem to handle our personal problems well enough, the problems faced by our state and the country seem…well overwhelmingly at times and very complex.

Two biblical passages came to mind. “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” (Luke 21:25-26).

Many are trying to make ends meet under a financial strain with unemployment and higher prices for everything. The economic condition of their monthly paycheck (if they have one) has left many finding their way with much difficulty. Some have grown weary of the lies, false hopes, and unkept promises? Continual declarations of doom have others growing wary of the terror alerts while sensing that something evil is coming upon the world both politically and economically? The days seem to come with a mixture of light and darkness; hope and fear. More of one than the other on some days. But it is the Lord God that is our strength and in Him let us hope.

May 12, 2011 Posted by | Economy | 1 Comment

Have You Ever Wondered…

Have you ever wondered, “What is going on?”  Things we once took for granted or as fundamental are now assaulted due to changes we are still struggling to understand and comprehend.  Events over the last 16 months are a bit confusing.  For most, the future looks a bit unstable and uncertain at nearly all levels.  Confidence in our leaders, both nationally, state-wide, and locally is very low and in question.  There are no new ideas anywhere.  Some embrace an undefinable belief that “things” will return to “normalcy” soon – somehow.

Yet what is normal any more?  Is it normal for over 10% of our state and nation to remain unemployed; higher in many areas of this country?  There are predictions that unemployment in Georgia will rise to nearly 11% within a year.  Nationally, that percentage could continue to rise even higher  regardless of the current 9.7% unemployment rate.

Is it normal for families and their children to go to bed hungry?  Many local food banks are distributing more food than ever before as demand spikes – even here in Fayette County.  This is America – the breadbasket of the world.  Hunger should  never be a problem, but uncomfortably, it is becoming so.

Is it now normal that we distrust government, our neighbors, and those that have and those that don’t?  Why should we distrust others?  Because unfortunately we don’t speak truthfully to each other any longer.  We are now afraid that we will offend someone and be thought less of by doing so.  The truth is no one “thinks” about you as much as they think themselves.  We are all more prone to consider our own needs and wants than someone else.  This is part of the problem  We don’t take time to listen to others; to consider them of equal value; to offer a helping hand and to express love for one another.  Some do for the right reasons while others.  Others do so simply for political gain and to secure power.  May we offend each other with truth while offering our understanding and love.  If you don’t know the truth, then find out.  If you don’t understand love, then turn to GOD.

Bill Wyler (“I’m just saying…”)

February 7, 2010 Posted by | Economy | 1 Comment

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