Reviews and Views

…in my opinion.

A Ship Adrift

Occasionally, I come across a poem that is interesting and wanted to share this one.

“Caution!” howls the wind as the gale starts to blow.
The third mast is down and over the side; morale is low.
Dangers lie ahead; hidden by the swaying waves,
But the captain drives the crew to some destination he craves.
 
“With all haste, man the oars!” shouts the captain to his crew.
Other orders follow to the reviving few.
Hours turn to days; the storm does not break.
Now is not the time for a single mistake!
 
Hearts grow faint without a compass by day or stars by night.
Survival forces most to look for any respite.
Where is the savior they so desperately pray?
Why should another life be destroyed and tossed away?
 
The ship remained adrift for many days in an unsettling sea.
The exhausted crew begins to contemplate mutiny.
The battered hull begins to seep water when they all hear
The captain say “Be of good cheer.  We have nothing to fear.”
 
The rest of the story remains a mystery of late.
That ship has still not arrived at its destination to date.
With three masts down and sails torn and distrust settling in,
The ship floats helplessly with beaten men spread too thin.
 
Anonymous Author
 
 

April 9, 2012 Posted by | Poem | Leave a comment

The Unavoidable War?

You might want to listen to Edwin Starr’s lyrics from “War” as you read this post. Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv5BYEOQYLo

Tensions rise and fall in all parts of the world. But the tumultuous Middle East has seldom seen much peace. Now prideful boasting is heard in the streets, on the airwaves, and in the halls of governments. The main players in the drama on center stage are Iran and Israel. Side players wanting a larger role are the United States and Russia along with their allies.  http://www.geographicguide.com/pictures/maps/israel-map.jpg

Many around the globe are wondering if this coming conflict is the one prophesied in the Old Testament book of Ezekiel, chapters 38 & 39. Though reluctant to rush in with men, Russia is drawn into a growing conflict supporting Iran. At some time in the near future, those in power in Iran (the old Persia) will see this as their time to act. War will be started with a confederation of nations composed of Iran and Russia along with others in the Middle East; their common purpose: to eliminate Israel and plunder it and all of its inhabitants. The size of this confederation will be immense; causing others nations to stand aside out of fear basically leaving Israel alone. Russia already has a naval base in the Syrian port of Tartus. Assad of Syria would eagerly join Russia in an invasion of Israel; if for no other reason but to change the focus from internal conflicts at home in Homs to wiping out the Jewish homeland.

However, the Jews have one ally, GOD. He uses this invasion to show all of mankind that He is holy before the eyes of an astonished world. What happens next has not been seen before in modern times or in the history of modern warfare.

a) A great earthquake occurs in the land of Israel. This is a country familiar with earthquakes. Running through this area is the African Rift, which cuts through the Red Sea, Dead Sea, and into the Jordan River valley. The last major quake to hit Israel was in 1927. On average, a major tremor occurs every 80 to 100 years which indicates to us that a major earthquake is now overdue. The damage from this event will be unprecedented and immense to the extent that mountains move, cliffs crumble and every wall falls to the ground. So great is this earthquake that every creature and all people will tremble in fear.

b) In the panic that ensues from the earth shaking and splitting open, these invading armies will turn on each other in the confusion. These armies will misinterpret the situation they are in and start killing each other by the tens of thousands, but not Israel. Somehow they are protected by the hand of GOD.

c) A vast number of the great horde will be cut down. Some type of a rapidly spreading plague or sickness will weaken the remaining numbers as ongoing bloodshed continues. Of all the gases that could be released from a powerful earthquake & exposure to escaping magma is hydrogen sulfide (H2S).  http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hazards/gas/index.php. It’s a colorless, flammable gas with a strong offensive odor. It can act as a depressant; causing among other things headaches, dizziness, excitement, bronchitis and a diminished functional mental activity. Whether this is the plague referred to or not, this type of environment will disrupt all of the plans of the invading armies. They will probably have only one thing on their mind and that is how to get out of there as quickly as possible.

d) The remaining forces of that once invading army will then face torrents of rain and flash floods in the land with huge hailstones. Some of the largest hailstones on record were less than 6” in diameter and weighed about 2 lbs. When the Bible speaks of “hailstones”, we generally understand chunks of ice weighing up to 100 pounds. One of these hailstones could be hitting the ground in excess of 370 mph depending how long it takes to descend. Not much survives that type of destruction.

e) To eliminate any remaining opposition, GOD sends a burning sulfur to wipe them all out. One wondering if this is related to the massive earthquake and potential lava flows mentioned earlier or as others have speculated this is an indication of atomic weapons being used, but we are simply not sure. A fire will burn even to the cities of the invading armies in the far North.

But Israel survives it all and will plunder what is left by the invading forces in the fields and land. Russia and their hordes will be buried there and will not see their homelands again. The aftermath will take Israel 7 months to clean up. The wood or combustible materials left will provide enough fuel for 7 years. The sheer size of this invasion of troops and equipment will be nearly incalculable. They all perish and are buried in a tiny nation called Israel only a mere 8,000 sq. miles or less than the size of New Jersey.

This subject have already been debated for years.  When we get there, we will know the right approach, but will we have the will to do what is right?  That remains to be seen.

Bill Wyler

March 22, 2012 Posted by | Security & Safety | , , , , , | 1 Comment

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

Question: What is the answer to Jerusalem and Israel?

This is an excerpt from Joel Rosenberg’s Flash Traffic at http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com

The Hebrew Prophets such as Ezekiel, Daniel, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Joel tell us again and again that Israel will be all alone in the last days of history.  All the nations will eventually turn against her.  All the nations will work to divide the Land of Israel.  Jerusalem, too, will be divided.  The New Testament reconfirms this.  Indeed, the Scriptures indicate that the only hope for Israel is for her to turn fully and completely to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  As the “time of Jacob’s troubles” approaches — as the Day of the Lord approaches — the Bible tells us that the nations will betray the Jewish people.  Only the Lord will be faithful.  The question is, when the dark times come will Israelis turn their hearts to the Lord?

The Hebrew Prophet Joel warned us that the Lord is going to judge “all the nations” because “they have divided up My Land.” (Joel 3:2)  Yet Joel doesn’t call Israel to political activism, to international diplomacy, to military adventurism, or any other human endeavor.  The Lord says through the Prophet Joel, “‘Yet even now, return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, weeping and mourning; and rend your heart and not your garments’…Now, return to the Lord your God for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness and relenting of evil.” (Joel 2:12-13)  And if Israel does this, Joel tells us:  “Then the Lord will be zealous for His land and will have pity on His people.” (Joel 2:18, 27)

The Prime Minister’s speech to Congress was excellent in many ways.  He rightly described the “epic battle” underway in the epicenter.  He described a great shaking going on in the Middle East.  He rightly warned that Iran and her nuclear program is the greatest threat, that Hamas is the new al Qaeda, and that in all of the Arab world, only Israeli Arabs have true safety, security, and fully protected human and civil rights.  However, it should be noted that Netanyahu never cited the Bible, never called on the name of the Lord, and never called the Jewish people to trust fully and completely in the God of Israel, but rather promised to divide the land of Israel as a concession to the Palestinians, even while promising never to divide Jerusalem.  These were mistakes.  He wasn’t the first Israeli Prime Minister to make them.  But he is making them nonetheless.  He was right to thank the U.S. for all our help and support of Israel over the years, and he was right to seek continued help and support from the American people and government.  But neither he nor Israel should become dependent upon American help because the Bible tells us it won’t be there for long.

The Bible is clear:  only the Lord will save Israel.  It is time for Israelis to consider this very carefully.  For time is short.  “The Day of the Lord is coming; surely it is near.” (Joel 2:1).

Bill Wyler:  This same could be said for America; calling on the name of the Lord God for our own redemption and help in times of trouble.

May 26, 2011 Posted by | Religion, Security & Safety | 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

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