Changing Times

In March of this year I commented on the blatant and unrestrained political effort in this country to bend the course of our relationship with Israel . (Wherever I stand). Where the United States once was the strongest ally of Israel, it is now unfortunately becoming the friend that shows it how to hold the knife in preparation for it cutting its own throat.

While some are relieved that Hillary Clinton (an Israel supporter) will likely be Secretary of State, others are concerned that she is just who the rest of the Obama advisers need to do their dirty work. Who better to carry the knife than a trusted ally. But as I pointed out in my March post, we know it will happen in God’s time because His Word makes it clear that all nations will eventually turn on Israel.

How does that play out, though, here in America? After all, there is no other country on the planet with as many Jews as America. And there is no other country that gives them absolute freedom of religion and freedom from persecution like America.

Here are a some of observations:

In the election, the Jews in America were courted heavily by McCain because of the big differences in his stance and Obama’s with regards to Israel. However, the election results revealed that the Jewish vote went almost totally for Obama. Indeed, it is now known that those funds that were spent on Jews in hopes of getting out the vote to bolster support for Israel would have been better spent on deeply committed Christians. Apparently American Jews were far more interested in American economic issues. Many have ceased to care anymore for God’s promises to Israel, its religious heritage, or its future. To them Israel is a bothersome political state that stubbornly refuses to change with the world. They have their own lives to live in America.

Here is the reality for the future. There are two groups of people who care about Israel’s biblical destiny. That would be devout Jews and committed Christians. Around the world and most recently in America, both groups are being marginalized. If you believe in Israel’s destiny according to the Bible then sadly, even amongst Christianity you will be known as a religious fanatic. It is time to get used to that.

New International Pass Time

Here is a round-up of some news:

International -

Iraq – Two Christian Sisters Killed

Two Christian Sisters Killed by Islamic Extremists. full story

Christian Persecution Intensifies Across China

China Aid Association reports that since the end of the Olympics persecution has intensified. full story

U.S. Department of State Gravely Concerned by China’s Harassment of Pastor "Bike" Zhang

U.S. Department of State deeply concerned by continued harassment of Pastor "Bike" Zhang and his family. full story

Belarus – Protestant Bishop Deported

Ukrainian founder of largest charismatic church deported because of religious activity. full story

Afghanistan – Taliban Kills Christian Aid Worker

Taliban shot and killed Christian aid worker as she walked to work. full story

Now lets turn to National News

The Insane Rage of the Same-Sex Marriage Mob

Religious bashing protestors filled with hate decried the “hate” at Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church in Orange County, Calif. Vandals defaced the Calvary Chapel in Chino Hills, Calif., because church members had collected Prop. 8 petitions. full story

Free the GOP

The Party Won't Win Back the Middle as Long As It's Hostage to Social Fundamentalists (Christians) This is an article that advises the Republicans that the party needs to disinvite its Christian members. full story

This is just the recent news.

Truth

Be careful lest you too be fooled. As I comprehended what I will share below, I started to think, "There they go again. The main stream media is so disingenuous; so ready to believe lies!" And not to let them off the hook, but I got this feeling that if we abandon our discernment we too can be fooled.

By now, many people believe the story that Sarah Palin was confused that Africa is a country and that South Africa is merely the southern region of that country. Of course many of us were skeptical of that and Palin herself said it was not true. But it pretty much became common knowledge principally because there are so many Americans who want to believe she is stupid.

Here is how it happened. Martin Eisenstadt, Senior Fellow of the Harding Institute of Freedom and Democracy is the source of that "leak". MSNBC, the New Republic, and the Los Angeles Times picked up the story. The truth is that there is no Martin Eisenstadt. This article explains that there is no Harding Institute of Freedom and Democracy. It is a website that created fictitious people and entities just for the fun of fooling people. There is no conspiracy. It is just a couple of mischievous guys with time on their hands and the ability to recognize how vulnerable our society is to things like this.

I think it was Mark Twain who said something like, “A lie can go halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to even get its boots on.” Jesus said, “Know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” The world is rejecting Jesus’s offer. It is actually satisfied with the lie about Sarah Palin. It is satisfied with many things that simply are not true. All of us will be continually bombarded with lies. We are all susceptible to believing lies that fit our preferred world view. I pray that we continue to seek the Truth.

Free Ride on a Tilt-A-Whirl

Yes it is true-- at about 1:30 on Tuesday night I suffered a slight stroke. Thanks to all of you who were praying for me. The MRI results confirmed that it happened in the base of my brain (the part that regulates balance). But it is something that can be recovered from, and I just have to be faithful to a daily regimen of aspirin. It happened while I was in bed. I bolted up out of a restless sleep because the world started to spin violently. I made my way to the bathroom and started throwing up. That is when I realized I was in trouble because the spinning would not stop. Any movement or tilt of my head that took me off of center-bubble was accompanied by a deluxe tilt-a-whirl ride. I made my way to the sink where I froze in position, feet planted firmly, both hands grasping the edge of the sink and head locked forward, staring straight ahead. Anything that violated my rigid view sent my brain into violent swirls.

I stayed that way until the paramedics peeled my fingers from the sink and strapped me on to a gurney. The ride to the hospital was horrendous for me, exacerbated by the fact that the ambulance couldn’t find its way out of our new subdivision and had to make a high-speed U-turn at the end of our block. Then it wove its way across an empty town to the hospital. When I got to the emergency room, I learned later that I was third in line and importance. Five minutes before, two 14 year old Hispanic girls were rushed in: gunshot wounds. That beats dizzy guy.

Hats off to the doctor there who pushed past all the conventional reasons for being dizzy (no inner-ear infection, no drinking, didn’t climb into a clothes dryer) and realized there could be a more serious problems. Fifteen tests later they figured it out. I am blessed that so many people called and left messages.

I haven’t settled on all that God is showing me through this. It will take some time. Oh, I know there are some obvious things about what is really important in life. But I also know that each thing that he allows has a whole rich texture of concepts and truths. I guess I get a little time off (I haven’t taken a vacation yet this year) to ponder them.