A REASON OUR WORLD IS A MESS?

One of my favorite subjects to write about is the wonderful things that happen when women support and encourage each other. There seems to be something in our nature that makes this difficult at times. Even women who claim to be great friends can find themselves at odds with each other when they lose their spiritual focus and adopt the world's mentality.

Why do girls and women secretly despise and envy one another?  Because they've lost their spiritual focus.  They are tuned into the world's mentality...a  world that says, "Gotta be the best, Gotta keep up with the Joneses, Gotta outshine all the rest." 

Women compete for many reasons. Sometimes they compete for men. Other times they compete for a job position. Instead of seeing ourselves as on the same team, we become rivals and it's one of the saddest things to watch take place between women.

When I was younger, I was guilty of seeing other women as rivals. I remember putting myself on a pedestal because I had a job as a mother, while a friend of mine stayed home with her child and had no income. I made critical comments that probably made her feel worthless. I saw myself as the woman who could do it all while my friend seemed weak and lazy.  I was thinking as the world thinks and my thinking was so twisted. I didn't realize then that my friend was fulfilling the role God gave her.

And now that I'm a self-employed stay-at-home wife and mom, I hear the same comments being made about me.  Women have all kinds of suggestions for me about how I can improve my life.  One woman literally gave me a headache with her ongoing ideas about how I could fill my days and my wallet.  But I don't want her life.  That's not the plan God has for me.  And that's the part she doesn't get.

We seem to have forgotten in this culture that women still have the right to choose where they want to be and what they want to do with their lives.  While I was criticizing my friend for devoting all her time to motherhood, I should have been admiring her. Maybe we can't all be stay-at-home moms, but we can realize that motherhood is God's high calling for a woman and we can choose to give that role the respect that it deserves.  Stay-at-home moms often make many sacrifices to be at home.  We should respect the choices they make.

Women are the glue that holds families together. If women can't support each other, is there any hope for society?  Perhaps the lack of support and encouragement among women is one of the reasons our world is such a mess.  The article below gives examples of society's mess and it's also proof that the love of many is growing cold, which is one of the signs of the last days.


18 Signs The Collapse Of Society Is Accelerating
from The Economic Collapse Blog

As the U.S. economy collapses, the thin veneer of civilization that we all take for granted is going to begin to disappear.  In fact, there are already an increasing number of signs that the collapse of society is accelerating.  In cities such as Chicago, roving packs of young people are "mob robbing" local businesses, randomly assaulting tourists and shoppers and are even pulling people out of vehicles.  This isn't just happening in the "bad areas" anymore. Over the past couple of months this type of crime has been common in some of the wealthiest areas of Chicago.  In fact, many Chicago residents are now referring to "the Magnificent Mile" as "the Mug Mile".

But it isn't just in Chicago that this is happening.  During this past Memorial Day weekend, cities all over the United States experienced a stunning wave of mass violence.  We are supposed to be an "example" for the rest of the world, but as our economic wealth crumbles we are witnessing the collapse of society all around us.  So what is going to happen when the economy gets even worse?
The United States used to be a fairly civilized society.  But now very few people seem to care how they treat others.  That is even the case with our own government.  As you will see below, the government is now sending SWAT teams in and dragging people out of their homes over unpaid student loans.
 
So if the government is going to be so brutal, what kind of message does that send to our young people?
Today our young people are facing a future that looks incredibly bleak.  It is hard to have faith in the "system" when the "system" simply does not work any longer.
What are you supposed to say to a young person when you know very well that there are no jobs and that there is very little hope?

Most Americans don't understand what is causing the collapse of the economy, but most of them do have a sinking feeling that something has seriously gone wrong.
For the last few years the American people have waited patiently for our politicians to "fix things", but they have not gotten the job done.
Instead, our economic situation is still declining.
So now frustration is starting to boil over, and it is only going to get worse.

The following are 18 signs that the collapse of society is accelerating....
#1 In a brand new article, Janet Tavakoli has vividly described the wave of shocking violence that is currently sweeping the city of Chicago.  What she says is happening to Chicago right now is beyond alarming....

This year, all hell has broken loose in downtown Chicago. Years of under-hiring have resulted in a police force that is unprepared for wildings and gang violence. Moreover, concealed carry in Chicago is illegal, unless one follows the Constitution.
Tourists and residents have been attacked by mobs of youths on buses, on beaches, on bicycle paths, near the shops of the Magnificent Mile, and outside their homes. Mobs of shoplifters plagued "Mug Mile" stores.

Terror has descended on many of the wealthiest areas of Chicago.  Some are even calling on Chicago residents to completely avoid areas like the Magnificent Mile during the weekends until more police are brought in.
Mobs of young people are "swarming" retail stores, assaulting shoppers and pedestrians and even pulling people out of their cars.
The following is one eyewitness account of the "wildings" in Chicago that Tavakoli included in her recent article....

At about 11pm last Friday night, June 3rd, I heard shouting, screaming, horns blaring and tires screeching from my apartment...When I looked out my window to the street below I saw a crowd of about 20 young people...directly across the street from the entrance to my building. They were leaning on parked cars and clogging the street. They were screaming at people walking and driving by. I watched them stop vehicles, including taxi cabs, and pull people from the vehicles...It was a frightening scene and I was sure someone was going to be hurt.

#2 If you don't pay your student loans you may find yourself getting dragged out of your home by a SWAT team.
You doubt this?
The following is how an article in The Daily Mail recently described one recent SWAT team raid in California that was apparently ordered by the Department of Education....

A father was dragged from his home and handcuffed in front of his children by a SWAT team looking for his estranged wife - to collect her unpaid student loans.
A stunned Kenneth Wright had his front door kicked in by the raiding party at 6 am yesterday before being dragged onto his front porch, handcuffed and led to a police car with his three children.
He says he was then detained for six hours while officers looked for his wife - who no longer lives at the house.

#3 One town in Connecticut was forced to shut down a beautiful new fountain because too many people were using it as a toilet.
 #4 This most recent Memorial Day weekend, cities all over America literally turned into war zones.  There were reports of mass violence in Miami, New York, Chicago, Charlotte, Myrtle Beach, Nashville and Boston among other places.
If you want to see video of some of the violence in Miami as it was happening, you can view it here.  The video is quite disturbing so please don't let any small children view it.
 #5 One of the hottest books in America right now is a "children's book" entitled "Go The F*k To Sleep".
 #6 A teenage girl in Washington state recently shot her Dad with a hunting bow because he took away her cell phone.
#7 In New York City, one 32-year-old man was recently charged with sexually assaulting an 85-year-old woman.
#8 Democratic strategist James Carville recently made national headlines when he told talk show host Don Imus the following....

"You know, look — this is a humanitarian — you know, you’re smart enough to see this . . . People, you know, if it continues, we’re going to start to see civil unrest in this country. I hate to say that, but I think it’s imminently possible."

#9 According to one new study, the percentage of U.S. households that contain a married couple with children has fallen from 44.3% in 1960 to 20.2% today.
#10 In Atlanta, two dozen teens recently violently assaulted two Delta flight attendants on a train for no apparent reason.  The following is how a local Atlanta newspaper described the attacks....

Their "Clockwork Orange" style blitz was over soon after it began. The teens boarded the train, headed to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, at the Garnett station a little after midnight seemingly intent on instilling fear. They succeeded.
“There was blood everywhere, people were hollering and screaming,” a witness told Channel 2 Action News. “We were intimidated. People were terrified. People were trying to run. But there was nowhere to run.”

#11 Federal prosecutors in Indianapolis have announced that they have broken up one of the largest child pornography rings ever discovered.  It was based in Bloomington, Indiana.
Are any small towns still safe?
#12 Barack Obama's food safety chief is defending armed raids of raw milk producers (including a raid on an Amish farmer) and he says that the FDA will "keep doing our public health job".
#13 In Florida, a 45-year-old Polk County sheriff's deputy has been charged with strapping children to a desk and spanking them with sex toys.
#14 In Sioux City, Iowa a 41 year old man recently walked into the office where his boss worked and beat the living daylights out of him.  The boss suffered four chipped teeth and needed surgery to repair his nose.  Apparently the boss was planning to fire the man.
#15 A 20-year-old woman in Oklahoma has been charged with killing the family cat and using the blood as part of a costume she planned to wear to a Lady Gaga concert.
#16 McDonald's recently held a "National Hiring Day" and about a million Americans showed up to apply for jobs at McDonald's restaurants all around the nation.  Well, in Cleveland a horrible fight broke out between some girls and it ended up with three people being run over by a car.  You can view video of this incident right here.  Please do not watch the video if you are sensitive to graphic violence.
#17 All over the United States, vicious restaurant brawls have been erupting with alarming frequency and many of them are being posted up on YouTube for the world to see.  You can see one example of this phenomenon right here.
#18 From coast to coast, "mob robbing" has become a very disturbing trend.
So what is a "mob robbing"?
Well, basically dozens of young people storm into a store together, grab whatever they want, and storm back out again.
Recent examples of this have been caught on video in Washington D.C. and in Las Vegas.
So does anyone still doubt that we are starting to see the collapse of society?
Sadly, things are going to get a whole lot worse.
In response to a recent article entitled "The Coming Economic Hell For American Families", a frequent commenter on my site known as "El Pollo De Oro" left the following comment about the collapse of society that is beginning to unfold....

Yes, it’s going to be VERY violent in The Banana Republic of America. Carjacking, kidnapping, drug trafficking, armed robbery and murder for hire will be major growth industries in the BRA when millions of formerly middle class Americans, now the neo-poor/neo-peasants, become increasingly desperate. The horrifying violence in Mexico will become a fact of life on this side of the border, the brutal kidnappings of the Philippines and Papua New Guinea will plague the BRA as well. Formerly middle class Americans who find themselves living in shantytown slums won’t like their new accommodations, and many of them will turn to violent crime in the hope of improving their miserable circumstances.

The truth is that about the only thing keeping our society together has been the unprecedented affluence that we have been enjoying over the past few decades.
Once that affluence is gone, the true character of the American people will come out, and we may not like what we see.
That is one reason why I pound on the economic crisis this nation is facing day after day.  Once our wealth is gone, there is going to be chaos in the streets of America.
So what are you seeing in your area of the country?  Do you see signs that the collapse of society is accelerating where you live?  Please feel free to leave a comment with your opinion below....

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Laura Story - Blessings

I CHOOSE TO CELEBRATE

When you take on a ministry, you expect negative responses.  People tell me I watch too much TV and I'm getting sucked into the doom and gloom that I read on the internet.  People tell me my posts are too negative and I need to find a balance. 

But what they see as negative, I see as bible prophecy coming to life.  It's exciting to me.  The so called "doom and gloom" doesn't upset me or depress me because Jesus told us that these things would happen. And the fact that they are happening means we're closer than ever to redemption.

Cry if you want to about the things that I post, I choose to celebrate.
 "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift your heads for your redemption draweth nigh."   -Luke 21:28 

2011 Proving To Be A Key Year Prophetically (Dispensational Caucus)
RaptureAlert ^ | March 24, 2011 | Michael Mickey

Posted on Saturday, April 09, 2011 3:37:58 PM by GiovannaNicoletta
Matthew 24:7: For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.


A World at War

Presently the United States is largely engaged militarily on three fronts, in Afghanistan, Iraq and most recently Libya but there are many other areas of the world where military conflicts are ongoing as well. Consider the following map I found on Wikipedia:

The areas shaded dark blue represent regions where major wars resulting in 1,000+ deaths per year are occurring. The areas shaded light blue are smaller-scale armed conflicts presently ongoing. Some of the conflicts on the map above are "nation against nation" conflicts. Israel's ongoing conflicts with Arab nations and the Korean conflict (North versus South) are examples. In contrast, other conflicts capturing headlines in the news of our world today can be uniquely identified as "kingdom against kingdom" conflicts.

Kingdom Against Kingdom

A host of African and Middle Eastern nations have been warring against themselves recently, citizen against citizen, citizen against government and vice versa. In light of Christ's prophecy, the spike in civil unrest and warfare we're presently witnessing in these areas is profound and noteworthy, many of the nations currently in turmoil holding key positions in bible prophecies yet to be fulfilled.

Among the nations currently experiencing civil uprisings and war-like "kingdom against kingdom" conditions are: Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Famines

Did you know that of the 100 crop species that provide 90 percent of the world's food, over 70 are pollinated by bees? That's the case according to the United Nations Environment Program's executive director Achim Steiner.

Bearing the above in mind, the United Nations is reportedly alarmed by a sudden and ongoing drop in global bee populations and with good cause.

Honey bee populations in recent years have reportedly dropped 10 to 30% in Europe, 30 % in the United States, and up to 85% in the Middle East.

In bible prophecy we're told that food is going to be scarce in the Tribulation Period to come (Revelation 6:5-6). Combine global human population continuing to soar with dramatic declines in honey bee populations and you have a near perfect recipe for prophetic fulfillment to occur, potentially in the near future.

Pestilences

In recent years we have been steadily warned by the global health community that potential exists for a global flu pandemic to occur that could cost millions of lives. The fear has been largely based on the possibility that the deadly bird flu (H1N1) virus would morph into a form transmissible from human to human with catastrophic results. Now scientists in separate studies are expressing concern that the H2N2 or Asian influenza virus, which claimed 1 to 4 million lives upon surfacing in 1957, could "come roaring back." As such, scientists are encouraging a pre-emptive vaccination program be developed as soon as possible.

Not only does potential for a global flu pandemic still exist, many drug-resistant "super bugs" have emerged and been discovered by the global medical community in recent years. It's no coincidence in my humble opinion. In light of bible prophecy and what science is forewarning us may be waiting in the wings for us, we can expect that trend to continue.

Christ's prophetic words ring more relevant all the time, don't they?

Earthquakes

Given what we have witnessed in recent years where earthquakes are concerned, the recent 9.0 Japan earthquake and subsequent tsunami still fresh in our minds, there is little doubt that we are witnessing the birth pains of the end times where earthquake activity is concerned.

Like travail upon a woman with child (1st Thessalonians 5:3), we know that all of the events foretold in bible prophecy, including "great earthquakes in divers places", are going to increase, both in frequency and duration. The Japan earthquake is a perfect example for us to consider in light of recent news.

With the Japanese people facing a potential nuclear disaster of epic proportions along with trying to rebuild, it is being reported that a different segment of the fault line responsible for the recent quake has had stress loaded onto it closer to Tokyo. While that doesn't mean Tokyo will be hit by a major earthquake soon, potential exists. Should Tokyo be hit by a major quake it would be devastating to the area's 39 million residents, many of whom are currently under great stress because radiation leaking from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant's reactors is being found in the area's food supply and drinking water. Even as the Japanese people bravely rise to meet the challenges before them, there has to be increased concern they're going to be hit again. It seems to be but a matter of time.

Of additional interest in light of bible prophecy, the Japan quake and subsequent tsunami is reportedly going to be the world's most expensive natural disaster in history.

When these things begin to happen

Luke 21:28: And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Christians, while it is natural for us to be concerned by all of the troubling things going on in the world around us, let's not forget that there is hope - a blessed hope that soon we will see Jesus Christ coming to take us home. Albeit somewhat hard to believe at times because we're all so spiritually and emotionally drained, our redemption is drawing nigh! We can be certain of this because the things prophesied by Christ to be taking place in the last days aren't just occurring here and there on our calendars anymore. They're occurring frequently, simultaneously and documentably so keep looking up! Jesus Christ is Lord and He is coming soon!

WALKING THE WALK

One of the signs Jesus gave of the end times is "the love of many will wax cold."  What does that mean?  It means that husbands will disregard their wives and vice versa.  It means that families will turn against each other and members of society will become uncaring toward their fellow man.  People will become selfish and concerned only for their own wants and needs. They'll be willing to step on anyone to satisfy themselves.  

When I see how people talk and act today, it's obvious that the love of many has waxed cold.  Children's love for their parents, for example, has waxed cold because they display so little respect.  "It's all about me" is the theme for today.  Whatever makes me look good, whatever makes me feel good, whatever makes me happy, that's what I will do and say.  And I don't care who gets hurt in the process.

This attitude is the exact opposite of what Jesus taught us to be.  Instead of concern for self, we are supposed to have concern for others and see them as better than ourselves.  In Philippians 2:3 we are told, "Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory, but in lowliness of mind (humility) let each esteem others as better than themselves." 


Wow!  That's something to live up to isn't it?  Are we even trying to live that way?  Look around and see how concerned people are for others.  Listen to the way people speak to each other and about each other.  Do you see and hear evidence of love?  Or has our love waxed cold?
                                                                        -Danelle

The Love Of Many Will Grow Cold

      By Mike Taylor

at

www.raptureready.com

---

In today’s fast moving world events,  and as we grow closer and closer to the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we need to ask ourselves, “do we esteem others better than ourselves”? Is the love for your neighbor, your spiritual brother in Christ more important to you than fulfilling the desires of the flesh?

We all like to be praised, to feel like we are accomplishing something worthwhile, to be top dog in our endeavors, but does that desire impede or diminish the life of our brothers and sisters walking with the Lord? Do we stand in the way of blocking or creating a stumbling block for our brethren, that they might even fall by the wayside?

We are called to be comformed to the image of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but does that include needless competition between brother and sisters of the church of Jesus Christ? Obviously, it does not. It only brings heartache and damages relationships that should be stronger because of our common bond.

Then why is the Church of God so torn up? I read with interest of a discussion on an online forum of a discussion of ministers who like to lift themselves up over the brethren they have been charged to lead by God. They don’t lead by example, they lead by coercion or with the title of “pastor”, saying “Look at me. Aren’t I a lovely picture of a follower of Jesus Christ?”. Is that what ministers of God’s Word are suppose to be about? I don’t think so. My interpretation of Jesus’ teaching is of the humble servant, who does not exalt himself, but lifts up others and points them along the path to God’s Kingdom and provide the light to their path, by using God’s Word.

God warns each and everyone of us, that the power and the prince of air would try and split us asunder and destroy our joy, through loss of fellowship, or in extreme, turn totally away from seeking the Lord and His righteousness. I’ve seen so many church divisions in churches that I’m sure it makes God sick to His stomach, because I know it does me.

What does Jesus says when it comes the word “love” and being shown by His followers.

Turn to John 13:34-35:

v.34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

v.35,   By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Think of it. Jesus was God in the flesh. He left His throne of glory, to become a humble servant to minister to others. He never coerced anyone to follow His lead. He ministered selflessly to everyone and anyone who needed Him, and point them to God, our Father. Should we not do likewise, as Jesus is our example? I know we should, but do we?

Jesus commands us to love one another, as He loves us. We should be showing the love shown us, and spread that to others around us. All people we come in contact with should see a difference in each of us that is lacking in their life. It is especially true when it comes to brethren and disciples of Jesus Christ.

Jesus came to flesh out His perfect law of liberty, which was visible by showing our love for one another…He says, starting  in Matthew 5:43 from His Olivet Sermon,

 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

5:44  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

5:45  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

5:46  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

What is the secular definition of love? This is taken from Answers.com, when asked what the emotion of love is, but let’s confine it to persons who we meet in our churches, or in the outside world on a one to one basis. Love and it’s synonyms:

love, affection, devotion, fondness.. These nouns denote feelings of warm personal attachment or strong attraction to another person. LoveAffection is a less ardent and more unvarying feeling of tender regard. Devotion is earnest, affectionate dedication and implies selflessness: ie. teachers admired for their devotion to children. Fondness is strong liking or affection.

Now what is the Biblical definition of love?

The Bible indicates that love is from God. In fact, the Bible says "God is love."  Love is one of the primary characteristics of God. Likewise, God has endowed us with the capacity for love. This capacity for love is one of the ways in which we are "created in the image of God.

When Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment Matthew 22:36-40:

 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

22:37  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

22:38  This is the first and great commandment.

22:39  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

22:40  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

I feel sad for the churches at large that profess Jesus Christ, but fail to show brotherly love for each other in their own congregations and are not long suffering for anyone with a difference of an opinion. Some will say that we should follow the traditions of the Church of God, but I point out, “should we not follow the teachings of the Word of God, instead of what men say?” If they don’t show love for their fellow brethren, who are called to be separate from the rudiments of the world, how can they even mention that they show love to people outside of the church body? They can’t.

Colossians 2:8,

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”

I’ve used that scripture to point out how the world will lead you astray from your basic calling through traditions of men, but the same holds true even in the local church groups. Are we not all sinners? Of course, we are.  We are saved by grace, but still men that have our faults and trials every day and have to pray and seek the righteousness of God everyday, or fall into the trap of the enemy, Satan the devil.

Jesus said in Matthew 24:12-13

v.12, And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

v.13,  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Does God hold us accountable when we forget to show others the love of God in our lives? It goes double for people who have been given the privilege to lead others in their congregations as ministers, but each of us have a duty to love and esteem others better than ourselves. We can’t just mouth the words, but have to put that feelings of love of the brethren ahead of our own desires, ahead of our own ambitions to be the “head” of anything.

In God's sight, unity or togetherness among His people is proper, and it pleases Him to no end. It has the same effect on us. Brethren who are thus joined together receive the benefits of the goodness and pleasantness unity produces. That is why we should yearn for this unity, because it is right, good, and fitting and because it is lovely, attractive, and appealing. 

We fellowship with other disciples of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for the following reasons:

Fellowship means "sharing," "communion with," "companionship with," or "association with." We have been called into an association—a companionship, a fellowship, a communion—with Christ. All these words are synonyms. The only difference might be the degree of the intimacy that is expressed. In addition, fellowship indicates people having things in common—they do things together because they share common interests. Foremost, what we have in common is our love for Christ.

Paul wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 13^th chapter, starting in verse 1:

13:1  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

13:2  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.

13:3  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing.

13:4  Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

13:5  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

13:6  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

13:7  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

13:8  Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

And further down in verse 13:

“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is LOVE.’

Are we showing love for one another in our daily lives, and especially to our brethren, or are we full of ourselves, puffed up in vain glory of our own accomplishments? Are we doing things for God or for ourselves to say “look at me?” or are we doing it for the right reason, to glorify God. Are we “esteeming others better than ourselves, or just mouthing the words?”

In this time of when the love of many are growing cold and men proclaim a righteousness of and by themselves, should we not get back to the basics of “God is Love” and show that in our lives in church and out of church. You have to examine your own life and decide if you have been doing what Jesus proclaimed or following the lust of the flesh.

God bless you all,

John, “mike” Taylor

If there’s anything I can pray with you on, or help you with any questions, feel free to contact me at realteam1999@sbcglobal.net

 

THE ESSAY

By Danelle Carvell

                                                        
                                                     

My Nana is on the left. I'm the sad-looking one eating a cookie. 

In October of 1992, I wrote an essay about my grandmother for my first college class, English 101.  I came across that essay recently while digging through some boxes in the basement. My teacher wrote some nice things in red ink on my final draft and she gave me an "A".  It's funny how reading something you wrote 18 years ago brings back all the joys, fears, and frustrations you felt at the time.

Time passes so quickly.  It truly is amazing how we move through life one day at a time, experiencing so many events and the emotions that come with.  Milestones like moving out of your parents house, a wedding and a first pregnancy soon become memories that bring forth bits and pieces of past conversations, past days that took place in past seasons.  Memories flood into my mind like a film with its scenes spliced together, not in any particular order.  Good memories and bad.  Laughter and tears.  Joy and regret.

When I wrote the paper about my grandma, I had been married to my first husband for five years.  But the essay takes me back even farther to the months just before my wedding, the summer of '87.  That was the year I got to know my grandmother, (who died a few years ago at the age of 102).   I also learned some things about myself and the person I wanted to become.

My grandmother left a legacy of hard work, unselfish giving, and the ability to put others needs before her own.  I wouldn't trade those months of living with her for anything.  She showed me the kind of woman I should be.  But it took years for me to grow into that person. Still, I'm grateful to her for saying, "You just come," without even thinking about it.  That's my grandma's legacy, and we should all be so willing and quick to help others without a thought about how it might affect us.  Nana lived by faith.  She did the right thing and then trusted God that it would work out.  That's the kind of woman I want to be.  I want to be like my Nana.

                                                                         NANA

She's my mother's mother.  I call her Nana.  Her hair is snow white, her skin wrinkled and pale, except for an age spot on her forehead and a galaxy of freckles on her hands, arms, and chest.  Her small brown eyes are partially covered by sagging lids, and her round glasses make them appear even smaller.

Nana walks with a limp because her left knee is constantly sore from arthritis.  She moves slowly, twisting her hips as she walks.  Going up and down stairs and getting out of chairs are difficult tasks for her.  Many things are difficult for this 85-year-old woman, and it wasn't until I lived with her for three months that I realized how frustrating it is to grow old.

It was the summer of 1987, several months before my wedding, when I moved in with Nana because my parents were selling the house that I had called home for twenty years.  "It will only be for a few months," I explained to her on the phone.  She didn't even think about it.  "You just come," she said.

Nana is known for her selfless generosity.  She thinks of herself last, she always did.  She stands at the stove in her apron while everyone eats, making sure there's enough to go around.  Then later, when all had their fill, she sits down and nibbles on the leftovers.  Every time I come to Nana's house, she offers me something to eat. That's her way of loving.  Now she was offering me a home.  I saw her as an angel of mercy, always willing to help and expecting nothing in return.

After living with her for several weeks, I saw a more human side to her.  She wasn't an angel, she was a sweet old woman who struggled to get through each day.  Her days were filled with never-ending tasks, and she tackled them slowly.  It took her a long time to hang up a load of wash.  I offered to help her, but she always insisted on doing it herself.

Through the white lace curtains of the kitchen window I watched her drop the wash basket onto the porch and shuffle slowly down the cement steps, hugging the banister all the way.  In the time it took her to reach the grass, I could have jumped those three steps and had several pieces of wash on the line.  I felt guilty watching her struggle, but I knew her work ethic.  She had to do it on her own.  Several times a day she would collapse into a chair and catch her breath. 

Nana did let me help in the kitchen.  It was the only place she felt comfortable receiving help, maybe because she could give something in return, a meal for my efforts.  Whenever she turned on the wrong burner, I discreetly corrected it.  She was so hard on herself when she did something wrong or forgot something.  "Oh Grandma," she would say in a tone of disgust.  Then I'd try to make her feel better by saying, " I do things like that all the time."

I got to prove my point one day while I was preparing to set the table for dinner.  As I lifted a stack of plates from the cupboard, the top three plates slid forward and shattered across the countertop.  "Oh well," I said.  "These things happen."  Nana seemed annoyed by my lightheartedness, although she didn't say anything.  But her face grew tense with agitation as we picked up the broken pieces.

I realized later that those plates were part of her only set of china.  They might have been a wedding gift and they probably had sentimental value.  But she bit her tongue and took the loss.  Although her disappointment was hard to hide, she valued me more than the plates, and Nana knew when to hold her words.  Kindness was the rule for everything she did, and hurting someone was never worth making a point.

I tried to help Nana as much as I could that summer, but between working and planning a wedding, it was easy to neglect her needs.  But I never neglected to set her hair in rollers every week.  That was important to her, and I enjoyed doing it.  One morning as I spread the rollers, clips, hair gel, combs and brushes across my workspace, Nana limped across the kitchen into the bathroom.  After about 15 minutes she hobbled back into the kitchen looking agitated and exhausted, her white hair dripping wet.

She took a deep breath and dropped into the chair in front of me. Then she held her face in her palms and cried.  I didn't know why she was crying.  I had never seen her cry before and it shocked me.  I stood behind her, not knowing what to say.

"An old woman hanging over a tub to wash her hair," she said between sobs.

I put my hand on her shoulder and said, "Nana, I would be glad to wash your hair for you.  I just assumed that you wanted to do it because you never asked me."

"That's my problem," she said.  "I don't speak up and ask."

I thought about all the times she had hung over that tub and how she must have struggled just to wash her hair.  Why hadn't I realized that she needed my help?  She patted my hand.  "I'm sorry," she said and wiped her nose with the cloth hankie she always carried.  "It's just frustrating sometimes to be an old lady."

As I wrapped her thin white hair around the pink curlers, I thought about all the fussing I had been doing in the past month, fussing about wedding invitations, flowers and things that really didn't matter.  I felt selfish.  And I felt lucky to be young.

I learned a lot about Nana that summer.  Living with her helped me to understand her.  She's a capable woman, but she's too old to do everything herself.  And even though she puts on a brave front of self-reliance, there's a part of her that's begging for help and I'm learning to be more aware of that.  I've come to realize how much she needs me, and I'm more attentive to her needs now.

Why is it so hard for people to ask for help?  God created us to need each other and yet we have such a hard time seeking and accepting help.  Self-reliance and independence must have been part of the legacy that was handed down to my grandma.    But not all legacies are good, and God lets us know when we need to make changes.  Since that summer, Nana is learning to speak up and ask.

THE BIG PICTURE AINT PRETTY

Suddenly Everyone Is Warning About The Next Financial Collapse

"Even the United Nations is warning of a potential dollar collapse."

From The Economic Collapse Blog

Are we about to see a repeat of 2008 (or something even worse)? Suddenly all kinds of people are coming out of the woodwork and warning that we could be on the verge of the next major financial collapse. Of course many economists and financial pundits just enjoy hearing themselves talk, and sometimes they will make outrageous claims just to get attention, but when so many ominous warnings come out all at once it does tend to make one sit up and take notice.

The truth is that global financial markets are even more vulnerable today than they were in 2008, and all over the globe we are seeing trouble signs. Japan is trying to recover from the worst natural disaster that they have ever seen and they are dealing with a nuclear crisis that never seems to end. The Europeans are trying to put another bailout package for Greece together and about a half dozen more European nations that are drowning in debt will need bailouts after that. In the U.S., there are all kinds of signs pointing to the collapse of the economy and the politicians in Washington D.C. continue to "kick the can down the road" and hope that our economic problems will somehow fix themselves.  Oil prices are incredibly high and turmoil is sweeping the globe.  Conditions are certainly developing that could bring about a "perfect storm" and cause another global financial collapse.

The following is just a sampling of the financial warnings that we have seen in recent days from some prominent voices....
*Economist Nouriel Roubini: "I think right now we’re on the tipping point of a market correction. Data from the U.S., from Europe, from Japan, from China are suggesting an economic slowdown."
*Jim Rogers: "I would expect to see some serious problems in the foreseeable future….By 2011, 2012, 2013, 2013, I don’t know when, we’re going to have an economic slowdown again."
*Mark Mobius, the executive chairman of Templeton Asset Management’s emerging markets group: "There is definitely going to be another financial crisis around the corner because we haven’t solved any of the things that caused the previous crisis."
*David M. Blitzer, Chairman of the Index Committee at S&P Indices: "Home prices continue on their downward spiral with no relief in sight."
*Jeffrey Gundlach, CEO of DoubleLine Capital: "I think we're looking at some type of echo in the credit crisis coming up here. That's what I'm afraid of."
*Carl Icahn: "I do think that there could be another major problem. Now, will it happen next week, next year, i don't know and certainly nobody knows, but i don't think that the system is working properly. I really find it amazing that we're almost back to where it was, where there's so much leverage going on in the investment banks today. There's just way too much leverage and way too much risk-taking, with other people's money."

Sadly, the world really did not seem to learn much of anything from 2008.  Global financial markets are still pretty much operating the same way that they did before the last crisis.  But back before the crisis in 2008 things were much more stable around the globe.

When the horrible earthquake and tsunami struck Japan earlier this year, most economists brushed it off and believed that Japan would be "resilient" and would bounce back very quickly.
At the time, I went directly against the mainstream consensus with this article: "14 Reasons Why The Economic Collapse Of Japan Has Begun".
I followed that up with another article entitled "The Japanese Economy Is In Much Bigger Trouble Than Most People Think".
So who was right?
Well, it turns out that Japan is now officially in a recession.  Their economy contracted at a 3.7 percent annualized rate during the first quarter.
As bad as that number is, just remember that the tsunami did not even hit until March 11th.
So what is the 2nd quarter number going to look like?
There is often a lag between a disaster and the economic effects of the disaster.  The economic impact of this nightmare is going to be felt in Japan for many years to come.  In fact, it is going to be very interesting to see what kind of earnings reports we seeing coming out of Japan in the months ahead.
The economic problems in Japan are also really starting to be felt around the rest of the globe.  The other day, USA Today published an article with the following headline: "U.S. economy damaged more than thought by Japan quake".
Amazingly, everyone seems to be really surprised that the worst tsunami in modern history is having a significant economic impact.
Meanwhile, the crisis at Fukushima just continues to get worse.
In case you haven't noticed, the Japanese are not even close to finding a solution to this crisis.
If you want to get a good idea just how bad things are getting around Fukushima, just read this article by Natural News: "Land around Fukushima now radioactive dead zone; resembles target struck by atomic bomb".
The mainstream media has been doing their best to downplay the crisis at Fukushima, but the truth is that it is now a worse disaster than Chernobyl and life in that region will never be the same again.
Conditions are also ripe in Europe for another financial collapse.
Have you been watching what has been going on in Greece?
It's crazy.  Without another bailout the Greek government will soon start defaulting on their debts.
The EU and the IMF don't want to give Greece more bailout money unless there are some significant "strings" attached.  But they also know that if Greece is not bailed out it will cause complete chaos in the financial markets.
The Greek population does not want more bailouts and more austerity.  There have been protests all over the country. Greek citizens have been pulling billions out of Greek banks as the country descends into chaos.
In the end, another bailout deal will get pushed through and the can will be kicked down the road a little while longer.
But what about all of the other European nations that need bailouts?
The government of Ireland is already indicating that they may need another bailout.
Portugal, Spain and Italy (along with several other European nations) are also teetering on the brink of financial disaster.
Most Americans do not realize it, but the European sovereign debt crisis really could set off another global financial crash.  Everyone really should be watching Europe.  It is going to be a very interesting summer.
Of course the United States continues to be an economic basket case.
More depressing housing data came out today.  U.S. home prices are now 5.1% lower than they were a year ago and they have fallen back to mid-2002 levels. CNN is declaring that a housing "double-dip" has been confirmed.
Sadly, U.S. home prices have now fallen farther during this economic downturn than they did during the Great Depression.
Also, the consumer confidence index fell from 66 in April to 60.8 this month.
Americans are becoming more pessimistic about the economy.
According to Gallup, 41 percent of Americans believed that the economy was "getting better" at this time last year.  Today, that number is at just 27 percent.
We are seeing a tremendous about of inflation in 2011, but incomes are not rising.  Unemployment is still rampant and very few jobs are being created.  What is even sadder is that a very high percentage of the jobs that are being created are part-time or temporary jobs.
But this was supposed to be the "recovery".  Barack Obama and the Congress pushed through "stimulus package" after "stimulus package".  We added trillions to our national debt.  The Federal Reserve has been printing money like crazy.  An all-out effort was made to pump up the U.S. economy in the short-term.
So after all of that, is this what the "recovery" is going to look like?
Meanwhile, all of those efforts have also made our long-term economic problems even worse.
Because of our exploding national debt and the reckless money printing by the Federal Reserve, faith in the U.S. dollar is dying.  Even the United Nations is warning of a potential dollar collapse.
We are in big, big trouble.
This is about as good as things are going to get for the U.S. economy.  Despite unprecedented efforts, the U.S. economy is still struggling mightily and our long-term economic problems are scarier than ever.
Sadly, most Americans still believe that wonderful economic times are on the way.  Most believe that this downturn is just temporary and that things will soon be better than ever.
How do you think they are going to feel when they find out the truth?

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"IN THAT DAY" IS NOW

 "And it shall come to pass in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem."
                                                                                                            Zechariah 12:9


Below is a link to an interesting article from World Net Daily.  Be sure to watch the amazing eye-opening video at the end of the article.  If you want to understand prophecy, don't listen to Harold Camping.  Keep your eyes on Israel and study your bible.

http://www.wnd.com/index.php/index.php?pageId=304105

SKIN POISON WE DON'T THINK ABOUT

Why Do So Many Skin Care Products
Use These Potentially Hazardous Ingredients?

from Dr. Mercola website   www.mercola.com

Simple answer: because they're cheap, readily available, and easy to dilute.
Are they in the products you currently use? It's time to check. Go grab your containers of skin care products and check them against the following …

Ingredient	Use	Dangers
Parabens	Heavily used preservatives in the cosmetic industry; used in an estimated 13,200 cosmetic and skin care products.	Studies implicate their connection with cancer because their hormone-disrupting qualities mimic estrogen and could disrupt your body’s endocrine system.
Mineral Oil, Paraffin, and Petrolatum		These petroleum products coat the skin like plastic – clogging pores and creating a build-up of toxins. They can slow cellular development, creating earlier signs of aging. They’re implicated as a suspected cause of cancer. Plus, they can disrupt hormonal activity. When you think about black oil pumped from deep underground, ask yourself why you’d want to put that kind of stuff on your skin…
Sodium laurel or lauryl sulfate (SLS), also known as sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)	Found in over 90% of personal care products! They break down your skin’s moisture barrier, potentially leading to dry skin with premature aging. And because they easily penetrate your skin, they can allow other chemicals easy access.	SLS combined with other chemicals may become a "nitrosamine" – a potent carcinogen.
Acrylamide	Found in many facial creams.	Linked to mammary tumors.
Propylene glycol	Common cosmetic moisturizer and carrier for fragrance oils.	May cause dermatitis and skin irritation. May inhibit skin cell growth. Linked to kidney and liver problems.
Phenol carbolic acid	Found in many lotions and skin creams.	Can cause circulatory collapse, paralysis, convulsions, coma, and even death from respiratory failure.
Dioxane	Hidden in ingredients such as PEG, polysorbates, laureth, ethoxylated alcohols. Very common in personal care products.	These chemicals are often contaminated with high concentrations of highly volatile 1,4-dioxane that’s easily absorbed through the skin. Its carcinogenicity was first reported in 1965, and later confirmed in studies including one from the National Cancer Institute in 1978. Nasal passages are considered extremely vulnerable, making it, in my opinion, a really bad idea to use these things on your face.
Toluene	May be very poisonous! Made from petroleum and coal tar… found in most synthetic fragrances.	Chronic exposure linked to anemia, lowered blood cell count, liver or kidney damage…May affect a developing fetus.