6January2009
Posted by Joy Bischoff under: Judaeo-Christian Values Under Attack; What's News; World Affairs.
Here it comes. I have been waiting for it and now it begins. Terrorists are brilliant at psychological warfare. Hamas is turning the world against Israel with emotional stories such as the following. Evil Israel purposefully kills school children. That is the message they want people to internalize. The truth is, if you read the story and can perceive reality through a haze of anger and disgust, is that Hamas hid among the school children, using them as a shield, to shoot at the Israeli army.
I am dismayed that people keep saying that Israel should have just taken the rocket fire on their civilian population and not have retaliated, or have done so in a life for life manner. What a strange world we live in. What kind of damage is being done to the Israeli children living in constant fear, huddling in shelters? Yes it is worse for the Palestinian children so Hamas should stop. They alone have the power to stop because Israel cannot sit idly by while the rocket fire continues.
Now, a lot of people will believe that the Israeli army should have accepted the gunfire from the UN school without retaliation. Whose fault is it that those children were killed? Hamas! They used them as shields. That is a cowardly act. They have written statements saying they want all Jews dead.
Every single time Israel gives the Palestinians land for peace, the Palestinians break the deal. They laugh at Israel because they know they are not going to be giving anything for the land. Their hatred is so deep and entrenched…their children are taught that hatred at such a young age, that there is no negotiating with them.
For those who believe the Bible, we know that Armageddon will come and people will have to decide whether or not they support Israel or fight against them. There will be no fence sitting. This does not mean that we have to like everything Israel does, especially their government. There are a small group of Israelis who believe that Zion must be forcefully brought to pass. This small group is part of the push for a one world government. To hold all Jews responsible for this is unreasonable. Satan wants people to hate the Jews and destroy them. Study prophecy from the Bible and you will see that there will be a spiritual Israel in the last days that follow Christ, but there will also be a physical Israel. It was God’s will that Israel be reestablished in their ancient lands. They will eventually build a temple there and fulfill their destiny. Please do not give in to the propaganda and hate because this leads to a negativity that obscures the bigger picture of God’s eternal covenants with His children.
Israel shells near UN school, killing at least 30
By IBRAHIM BARZAK and STEVE WEIZMAN, Associated Press Writers Ibrahim Barzak And Steve Weizman, Associated Press Writers
GAZA CITY, Gaza – Israeli mortar shells struck outside a U.N. school where hundreds of Palestinians had sought refuge on Tuesday, killing at least 30 people — many of them children whose parents wailed in grief at a hospital filled with dead and wounded.
The Israeli army said its soldiers came under fire from militants hiding in the school and responded. It accused Gaza’s Hamas rulers of “cynically” using civilians as human shields.
Despite international criticism over civilian deaths and diplomatic push to broker a cease-fire, Israeli said it would push on with the offensive against Hamas.
Israeli ground forces edged closer to two major Gaza towns, and a total of 58 Palestinians were killed Tuesday — with just two confirmed as militants, health officials in Gaza said. A top U.N. official called for an investigation into the mounting civilian death toll.
Past Israeli ground offensives have been cut short when an errant shell or missile hit a civilian center, leading to international outcries that forced Israel to stand down….
Speaking shortly after the first attack, Maxwell Gaylard, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for the Palestinian territories, demanded an investigation.
“As one of the most densely populated places in the world, it is clear that more civilians will be killed,” he said. “These tragic incidents need to be investigated, and if international humanitarian law has been contravened, those responsible must held accountable.”
In Britain, Prime Minister Gordon Brown called it “the darkest moment yet for the Middle East.” He said he had been in touch with world leaders, including from Egypt and Turkey, to discuss ways to forge a cease-fire.
The international Red Cross said an ambulance post was hit as well on Tuesday, injuring one medical worker.
Israel launched its offensive on Dec. 27 to halt repeated Palestinian rocket attacks on its southern towns. After a weeklong air campaign, Israeli ground forces invaded Gaza over the weekend.
Nearly 600 Palestinians have been killed. Ten Israelis have died since the operation began, including a soldier who was shot on Tuesday.
The rising civilian death toll has drawn international condemnations and raised concerns of a looming humanitarian disaster. Many Gazans are without electricity or running water, thousands have been displaced from their homes and residents say that without distribution disrupted, food supplies are running thin.
“This is not a crisis, it’s a disaster,” said water utility official Munzir Shiblak. “We are not even able to respond to the cry of the people.” He said about 800,000 residents in Gaza City and northern parts of the territory had no access to running water from Tuesday. Gaza’s overall population is 1.4 million people.
Israel says it won’t stop the assault until its southern towns are freed of the threat of Palestinian rocket fire and it receives international guarantees that Hamas, a militant group backed by Iran and Syria, will not restock its weapons stockpile.
Visiting southern Israel, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he hoped to stop the offensive soon, but said it would depend on Hamas’ willingness to stop attacks and stop smuggling weapons into Gaza from neighboring Egypt.
“We have no interest in endlessly continuing the campaign. It will stop when the conditions that are essential for Israel’s security are met,” he said in the rocket-scarred town of Sderot.
The army says it has dealt a harsh blow to Hamas, killing 130 militants in the past two days and greatly reducing the rocket fire. Hamas is believed to have 20,000 fighters.
Israeli forces have seized the main Gaza highway in several places, cutting the strip into northern, southern and central sectors and preventing movement between them. Israel also has taken over high-rise buildings in Gaza City and destroyed dozens of smuggling tunnels — Hamas’ main lifeline — along the Egyptian border.
A high-level European Union delegation met with President Shimon Peres on Tuesday in a futile bid to end the violence. Commissioner Benita Ferraro-Waldner acknowledged Israel’s right to self-defense, but said its response was disproportionate.
“We have come to Israel in order to advance the initiative for a humanitarian cease-fire and I will tell you, Mr. President, that you have a serious problem with international advocacy, and that Israel’s image is being destroyed,” she said, according to a statement from Peres’ office.
Israeli leaders say there is no humanitarian crisis and that they have allowed the delivery of vital supplies.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090106/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_israel_palestinians
Imagine, if you will, armies from history having TV and internet available to show all the horrible details of war. An army defending its people would not have been able to defeat the enemy without a public outcry. Civilians have always been the real tragedy of war so when you have an army that uses civilians as a shield, the public outcry will grow to a fever pitch. Also, imagine the armies from history being told that they were only to kill as many enemy combatants as they were losing on their side. What does this kind of thinking bring? Permanent war and unbearable tensions that engender permanent hate.
Why do you think that Jehovah told His prophets to have ancient Israel destroy all of the enemy? It was to keep war from becoming generational. Does this mean I believe civilians should be purposefully targeted now? No, that is untenable in our modern world, but I do believe Hamas should be removed since they will never stop until Israel is destroyed.
So is this Armageddon? No, too many things are not yet in place, but it is certainly pushing events in that direction. You could say it is the prelude music to the opening of the play.
5January2009
Posted by Joy Bischoff under: What's News.
It bothers me to see the race card played by Roland Burris. There may be a valid point that we should have more blacks, hispanics, etc. in the Senate and House, but for the person in question to play that card is disturbing. Burris should not be seated because of the tainted Illinois governor, Blagojevich, but he wants us to overlook that problem so that we don’t look prejudice. This is emotional blackmail. The article below says that some who are supporting him are not doing so because he is black; that is good. But the fact remains that Burris himself is using race as the main issue.
Also, I do not appreciate Burris claiming that this is ordained from God. That gives religion a nasty taste to many and we can all sense the strain in our country between believers and non-believers right now. I had no opinion on the man before, but after reading this article, I am not supportive of him being seated even if it were done by untainted means. We need people of other races stepping up to the plate who will not use forced acceptance, but instead shows their good character as credentials. I have to admit that Obama did a good job on this issue in his run for the White House.
Burris to go to DC as his fate remains in question
By RUPA SHENOY Associated Press Writer
CHICAGO—Illinois U.S. Senate appointee Roland Burris is leaving for Washington on Monday afternoon for a high-stakes showdown on Capitol Hill about whether he’ll succeed President-elect Barack Obama in Congress.Burris, appointed by embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich, was leaving a day after dozens of black leaders and ministers organized by U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush gave him a rousing send-of at New Covenant Church on Chicago’s South Side. …
At the church sendoff, Burris took the stage to a crescendo of drums, organ music and applause as hundreds of supporters cheered his appointment.
“We are hoping and praying that they will not be able to deny what the Lord has ordained,” Burris said. “I am not hesitating. I am now the junior Senator from the state of Illinois. Some people may want to question that and that is their prerogative.”
Opponents say Burris’ appointment is tainted because it was made by Blagojevich, who is accused by federal authorities of offering to sell the vacancy to the highest bidder. …
Senate officials have said a Democrat will object to Burris being duly sworn with the rest of his class Tuesday and will propose that his credentials be reviewed for a period of time by the Senate Rules Committee. That would give Burris the status of a senator-elect and buy some time as Democrats hope Blagojevich will be removed from office before the committee completes its investigation.
At New Covenant Church, Rush called the Senate the “last bastion of plantation politics.” The Chicago Democrat said blacks had been “excluded systematically for too long.”
But several people sitting in the pews during the Burris send-off said their support for his appointment has nothing to do with the him being African-American.
“I’m elated, very happy, overjoyed. Burris has served this community for many years,” said 66-year-old D. Shepherd, a retired minister from Chicago. “He’s the best man under the circumstances; it’s not because he’s black.”
http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_11370882
4January2009
Posted by Joy Bischoff under: General; Guest Blogger.
Guest Blog by Sharon Anderson
Christmas was less than two weeks ago, yet so much can happen in such a short time that it may be easy to forget how we felt as we focused our attention on the birth of the Savior. I hope that we will continue to celebrate His birth and life and love, and that the Spirit of Christmas will remain with us throughout this new year. Here is one of my poems that expresses that idea.
Circling Christmas
May Christmas joys echo
across January snows
and faith, courageous
as the Star of Bethlehem,
brighten February nights.
May small miracles melt March
into spring, April angels point
the way to God’s glory, and His
tender mercies keep you in May.
Let kindness gentle your June.
May July be jubilant in liberty,
and August abundant in peace.
Give unto the least
your September service.
Offer friendship, freely as
October trees release their leaves,
and number among November
blessings the imminent coming
of God’s Son. Decembering
the year, close the circle.
Then come, more devoted than
before, to worship at the manger.
Sharon Price Anderson
2January2009
Posted by Joy Bischoff under: Humor.
Thanks to Peter Anderson for passing along this video. Laughter is the best medicine.
31December2008
Posted by Joy Bischoff under: General; Guest Blogger.
Guest Blog by Sharon Anderson
For more than twenty five years, at the end of December or the first part of January, it has been our tradition for each family member to fill out a New Year Questionnaire. Children who are old enough have filled out their own, while younger children have dictated their answers. We have even written in some individual information for those too little understand or talk yet.
We keep the questionnaires in a binder along with our annual Christmas letter (our family year end summary). Because our questionnaire has evolved over the years, our married children often request copies of the current form to use with their families.
Below is a list of the questions were are using now (some of which require more space to answer than others). As you can see, there are questions just for fun and others to help us think long term, to develop an awareness of current events and the world around us, and to consider the importance learning, friendship, serving, sharing the Gospel, improving, and becoming Christlike.
Perhaps you would like adapt our form to suit your family and begin a similar tradition. In any case, we wish you a HAPPY NEW YEAR and include a scriptural reminder to be of good cheer. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
New Year Questionnaire for January ______________(year)
My name is _________________________. I am _____________years old.
I like (don’t like) being this age because
I am ____feet _____inches tall and weigh ______ pounds.
My favorite color is
My favorite song and movie (or play) are
My favorite food is
My best friend is
My favorite subjects in school are
One of my favorite scriptures is
A good book I read this past year was
An interesting person I met
Three things I do well/ What I like to do most:
What I wish I could do better:
Three things of personal significance that happened in the last year:
Two things I learned during the past year:
Important news event(s) of the past year:
A service I performed for someone during the past year:
I shared the Gospel with
What I think the Lord wants me to do with my life. “My mission” is to
What I think I will be doing a year from now. In 5, 10, and 20 years:
What I want to accomplish during the coming year, spiritually, mentally, physically, socially.
What I can do now and in the coming months to become more like our Savior Jesus Christ.
30December2008
Posted by Joy Bischoff under: General.
It’s that time of year!
No, I do not have a crystal ball nor do I read palms but I thought I would offer predictions for the next few years just because it is New Years. Specifics would sink me in a minute so I will share only general trend predictions. The biggest mistake I have seen when reading books on prophecy is when writers try to pin certain events to a time table. Things usually take much longer to transpire than we expect because the time of the Lord is different than ours. Also, it seems God wants to keep us on our toes and not put off preparing.
2009: The year of steeply increased unemployment, escalation of world military tensions with an increase in armed conflict. By the end of 2009, we will be in a depression, whether or not the government admits this or not, but civilization will not crumble, society will stumble on.
For the individual, this will be a year of division. Fence sitters no longer welcome…the polarity will widen between those who believe in morals and those who do not until we no longer feel we are accepted unless we capitulate to the new climate of “tolerance”. There will be zero tolerance for personal opinion and we will be told how we must think. Get ready for passive-aggressive behavior from liberal activist friends and relatives who believe their day has come and send out strong feelings of disapproval if we do not verbally capitulate. This will be the year of decision regarding our true commitment to God’s teachings.
2010: This will be the year that socialism trumps our free society. Perhaps the reality of this change will not be publicly announced, but any who understand our constitution will recognize the fact. Many will pretend this is not happening and will struggle to maintain the illusion that things are going on as normal. This will take real effort and willful blindness.
Now that the decision has been made as to which side of the fence we are on, it is time to fully separate from Babylon. The spiritual separation of decision is over and now must reflect in our actions. The world will be darkening so that we need to keep the commandments and draw close in unity to God and loved ones in order to feel light and peace. We will lose some who cannot reject pornography, and other poisons to the soul. We will see some return to the Savior who see gray areas disappearing and desire the light.
Wickedness will be so rampant that many people will lose personal checks and balances and civil unrest will become a problem unless quelled by severe government action, which in turn will bring about further restriction of rights. Throughout 2010, it will become more dangerous to speak out against the loss of rights and also against moral issues such as gay marriage. There will be a quiet change in definition of the first amendment with the pretense that it was always this way.
The great challenge of this year will be to overcome fear and learn to trust the Lord fully, no matter the conditions. There will be some crumbling in our social structure in 2010 but many will limp along. There will also be betrayal by those who believe it is our duty to turn in people who they perceive as stepping out of line. Similar to the thought police in Orwell’s book 1984, very real events in China, Russia, etc. occurred when children, friends and relatives reported infractions, real or perceived, out of fear or a desire to ingratiate themselves with those in power. I doubt this will be as overt as it was in China or Russia, or Nazi Germany, but the mind-set will be there and it will spread like a disease.
2011: My prediction for this year is short and simple. Out of the increasing chaos and fiery furnace of trials will arise heroes. Men and women of courage who have kept their eye on the good fruits of political and religious truth will not lose their way amid swirling mists of darkness. They will stand firm as an example and a beacon of hope to those who fear and are tossed to and fro with every wind of political and spiritual doctrine. They will not panic due to uncertainty and turn to psychics and others who promise instant answers but will patiently wait upon the Lord and their steadying hand will save others. I am not suggesting that we take up arms against our government. Christ rendered unto Caesar that which was his. He set up a spiritual kingdom and taught truth. Those who can reflect the teachings of Jesus during great trials will be great examples who will lift up those around them.
2012: Heroes who have stood firm against social turmoil and not swallowed the ideology of political tyranny, and those who have held to them will create the energy to protect themselves and to organize their communities enough to be prepared for the further unfolding of End Time prophecies. Tensions will increase in every aspect of life.
2013: Because of the groundwork laid, the salt of the earth that did not lose its savor, will bring forth the rebirth of freedom, but it will not be fast and it will not be easy. War and civil unrest will challenge us but the lessons learned will have created the mental and spiritual toughness to see us through.
2014: The work started in 2013 to restore what our Founding Fathers gave us will continue and slowly people will sit up and look around and take their bearings. Circumstances will have underscored the wisdom of conservative principles and almost everyone will understand that unchecked socialism and liberalism destroys stability and the higher nature of mankind. Hope and freedom may begin to assert itself for a period of time as we head into 2015 or 2016. After this, a time of relative peace will ensue where our children can concentrate on their educations and families can create bright memories.
I could go on with my predictions but I think I will end them on the happy note that I believe that as the days of prophecy unroll, we will have periods of rest and relative normalcy to take a breath and recharge our batteries. The danger of those times will be that many will say: (Matt 24:48) - My lord delayeth his coming. It will be those easier days where we will be in danger of losing so many to the world but should also be a time of gathering many more to Christ.
At times people say to me that I should not concern myself with studying prophecy and that I should especially not teach about it because it is too negative. There are more verses on prophecy than any other subject in the Bible. If God did not want us to concern ourselves with that subject, He would not have inspired His prophets to write those things. He does want us to discern the signs of the times so we will prepare and so that we are not dismayed and filled with shock and fear when we see these things happen.
Jesus Christ let us know that circumstances would be more difficult in the last days than at any other time in the world: (Matt 24:21) - For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Hopefully, when those days are upon us we will remember that age-old saying, it is always darkest before the dawn; and oh what a dawn it will be.
Yet we do not have to wait until the Second Coming to be encircled in the arms of His love. Isaiah penned the promise that the Savior’s arms are always stretched out to gather us in.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
(St. John 14:27).
Although the timing for my predictions may not be exact, these trials will come and we must prepare. The darkness will either envelope us completely or force us to reach for the true source of light. The Savior will have a pure people when He comes, a people lit by His love and grace, reflecting His brightness and hope. May God bless us all.
29December2008
Posted by Joy Bischoff under: Judaeo-Christian Values Under Attack; What's News; World Affairs.
After reading comments from various news articles for the past couple of hours, I wanted to make an observation. At first I was happy that so many people finally are able to see that the Israelis are in a difficult spot and are not being the aggressors. I am not saying they are without fault because they do sometimes treat Palestinians poorly. Yet, when all is said and done, Israel has an obligation to protect her people from destruction and terror.
What has me surprised and worried, is the strength of the reaction that I’m reading. It reminds me of many stories from history where the blood rage of war hardens the hearts of the people to the point where they begin hating their enemy and they lose the Spirit of God. I have known Palestinians and although I feel sad that they want the Jews dead or gone, I do not hate them. Please, let us not degenerate into rabid rage on this issue because it will grow tentacles and effect every area of our life. We can have peaceful hearts even as we support Israel’s right to defend herself.
Can we love our enemies?
Can we pray for them in spite of what they do?
Would we be the same if we were raised with the same mindset?
Are we all truly children of God?
Remember the examples of societies that have allowed hate and war to overcome them:
Ether 15: 19 - But behold, the Spirit of the Lord had ceased striving with them, and Satan had full power over the hearts of the people; for they were given up unto the hardness of their hearts, and the blindness of their minds that they might be destroyed; wherefore they went again to battle.
Truly, God is our only refuge from the flood of anger and fear that is pervading the world. We should feel no gladness when our enemy drowns in their own hatred. Can we find peace anywhere but from His Spirit?
29December2008
Posted by Joy Bischoff under: World Affairs.
Although I truly hate doing this to our readers, I have to add more negativity to our lives by suggesting this could get very ugly. We need to brace ourselves because with Israel being concerned about Obama taking the reigns, I am concerned that a major offensive has just started. The repercussions could be severe and create a lot more instability in the world and spark more violence. But I do not know what else Israel could do. They are in an impossible situation and I feel deeply for them. I have Arab friends and I feel bad for them also but I have to support the side of reason. I spend years studying this issue and after reading a lot of records from the peace talks through the years, I know how I view the issue, not to mention what the scriptures have to say.
Israel says Gaza assault ‘war to the bitter end’
Dec 29 03:41 PM US/Eastern
By IBRAHIM BARZAK and MATTI FRIEDMAN
Associated Press Writers
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - Israel obliterated symbols of Hamas power on the third day of what the defense minister described Monday as a “war to the bitter end,” striking next to the Hamas premier’s home, and devastating a security compound and a university building. The three-day death toll rose to 364 on Monday, with some 1,400 reported wounded. The U.N. said at least 62 of the dead were civilians, and medics said eight children under the age of 17 were killed in two separate strikes overnight. Israel launched its campaign, the deadliest against Palestinians in decades, on Saturday in retaliation for rocket fire aimed at civilians in southern Israeli towns.
Since then, the number of Israeli troops on the Gaza border has doubled and the Cabinet approved the call-up of 6,500 reserve soldiers.
The strikes have driven Hamas leaders into hiding and appear to have gravely damaged the organization’s ability to launch rockets, but barrages continued. Sirens warning of incoming rockets sent Israelis scrambling for cover throughout the day.
One medium-range rocket fired at the Israeli city of Ashkelon killed an Arab construction worker there Monday and wounded several others. He was the second Israeli killed since the beginning of the offensive. …
On Monday, the White House released a statement saying “in order for the violence to stop, Hamas must stop firing rockets into Israel and agree to respect a sustainable and durable cease-fire.”
But in Damascus, Syria, a senior exiled Hamas official said there can be no talk of a truce with Israel until the assault ends and Israel reopens the Gaza crossings.
“We need our liberty, we need our freedom and we need to be independent. If we don’t accomplish this objective, then we have to resist. This is our right,” the official, Abu Marzouk, told The Associated Press in an English-language interview. …
Even though Hamas began the exchange, they demand that Israel stop the assault because they talk of a truce. At the same time they refuse to stop sending rockets into Israel. It is a farce anyway, to say they will talk truce because he then goes on to say they will resis until they have their freedom. What does this mean? Israel already gave them Gaza and years ago allowed them self-government. Israel was engaged in talks to establish a formal Palestinian state but this was not good enough for Hamas. They refuse to agree that Israel has a right to exist so what they are really saying is that they will not stop until Israel is gone. How then, does the talk of truce go forward? Where is the logic?
Most of those killed since Saturday were members of Hamas security forces, though the precise numbers remain unclear. A Hamas police spokesman, Ehab Ghussen, said 180 members of the Hamas security forces were among the dead, and the U.N. said at least 62 of the dead were civilians. A rise in civilian asualties could intensify international pressure on Israel to end the offensive. …
The press is partly to blame for this mess. They constantly expound on the civilian deaths and seldom mention the fact that the terrorists purposely place their installations in or by vulnerable civilian areas.
At the United Nations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon again condemned Israel’s excessive use of force and called for an immediate cease-fire.
“The frightening nature of what is happening on the ground, in particular its effects on children—who are more than half of the population—troubles me greatly. I have continuously stressed the need for strict observance of international humanitarian law,” he said….
What does the Secretary General suggest? Should Israel allow the terror to continue? What should their response be? Should they try to be measured in their response by exchanging life for life equally and an exact amount of daily fear? Does he not know the fear the Israeli children are facing daily with the sirens and hiding in bunkers? During the Vietnam War we tried the balanced attack idea. I thought it was stupid then and I think it is stupid now. If Israel exchanged lives equally with the Arabs, they would come up way short when their last person fell.
One Israeli strike destroyed a five-story building in the women’s wing at Islamic University, one of the most prominent Hamas symbols in Gaza. Other attacks ravaged a compound controlled by Preventive Security, one of the group’s chief security arms, and destroyed a house next to the residence of Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas prime minister. …
Of course they forget to mention that the science building there is believed to be the site of terrorist activity.
HERE
28December2008
Posted by Joy Bischoff under: Guest Blogger.
A New Beginning
In a few days we will begin a new year. It seems such a short time ago that the world watched anxiously as the new millennium began, but it has been nine years! Time does, indeed, fly swiftly away. Hopefully, as it does, we gain a divine perspective. Can we see now that many of the things which seemed so pressing in the not so distant past are not as important as we thought they were? Are we learning to recognize which things have lasting significance?
One scripture that helps me keep things in perspective is found in Matthew 10:28. “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. . . ” In other words, as long as we are on the right path and are right with the Lord, we do not need to fear what man can do. As we give our lives to the Lord we can have faith that He will lead us on those paths and allow us to have those experiences that will be for our benefit.
I love the following hymn by one of the most prolific poets and hymn writers in the English language, Charles Wesley (1707-1788).
Come, Let us Renew
Come, let us renew our journey pursue.
Roll round with the year
And never stand still til the master appear.
His adorable will let us gladly fulfill,
And our talents improve
By the patience of hope and the labor of love.
Our life as a dream, our time as a stream
Glide swiftly away
And the fugitive moment refuses to stay.
The arrow is flown, and the moments are gone
The millennial year
Presses onto our view, and eternity’s here.
Oh, that each in the day of His coming may say,
“I have fought my way through.
I have finished the work thou didst give me to do.”
Oh, that each from his Lord may receive the glad word,
“Well and faithfully done.
Enter into my joy and sit down on my throne.”
As the new year begins, may we resolve to use our talents to further the purposes of the Lord. Let us gladly do His will, patiently and faithfully pursuing the course that will allow us to fulfill our earthly missions, knowing that a glorious, eternal reward awaits us.
28December2008
Posted by Joy Bischoff under: Constitution in Peril; World Economy.
Guest Blog by Peter Anderson
2009: Summer of Civil Unrest?
By Patrick Wood, Editor
12-16-2008
Continued financial and social pressure on mainstream America is a guaranteed formula for civil unrest. The trigger will be recognizing that the American dream has been violently ripped away by financial charlatans. A two-class system sans middle class is not culturally acceptable to any American. Just think through where we stand right now.
For the government’s fiscal year ending September, 2008, bankruptcies rose 30%. By the end of December, a total of 1.9 million homeowners will have entered into foreclosure proceedings during the year.
Meanwhile, in 2008 alone, the national debt has been doubled in a hollow effort to stem the financial meltdown. It has done virtually nothing however, except to feather the pockets of a select few global banks and their corrupt executives.
America’s retirement planning is doomed just when baby boomers are set to retire. Social Security is bankrupt beyond repair, and 401(k)’s invested in stocks have been decimated by the bear market. Unfunded corporate pension plans (i.e., General Motors) evaporate upon corporate bankruptcy. Sadly, there are no second chances for most people: Retirement accounts cannot be rebuilt when you are 60 years old and unemployed. …
There is only one possible outcome: federal default and national bankruptcy.
When this happens, Americans will be shocked, dismayed and despondent. The American dream will have gone up in smoke, never to return again. With unemployment approaching 20 percent, there will be a seedbed of hostility just waiting to explode.
Primary targets of hostility will be banks, financial houses and the government. The finger pointing (whistle blowers?) will quickly reveal the pervasive corruption at the highest levels of government and business, and it will no longer be tolerated.
The young people in our country who will be most discouraged are those who voted for Barack Obama. They will discover his betrayal when they see him as a poser for the same global elite who wrecked our country in the first place. Obama promised change, but delivered globalist agenda instead. …
Addendum #2: On December 20, Ambrose Evans-Pritchard headlined in the Telegraph (UK), “Protectionist dominoes are beginning to tumble across the world.” He writes,
Greece has been in turmoil for 11 days. The mood seems to have turned “pre-insurrectionary” in parts of Athens - to borrow from the Marxist handbook.
This is a foretaste of what the world may face as the “crisis of capitalism” - another Marxist phase making a comeback - starts to turn two hundred million lives upside down.
We are advancing to the political stage of this global train wreck. Regimes are being tested. Those relying on perma-boom to mask a lack of democratic or ancestral legitimacy may try to gain time by the usual methods: trade barriers, saber-rattling, and barbed wire.
Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the head of the International Monetary Fund, is worried enough to ditch a half-century of IMF orthodoxy, calling for a fiscal boost worth 2pc of world GDP to “prevent global depression”.
“If we are not able to do that, then social unrest may happen in many countries, including advanced economies. We are facing an unprecedented decline in output. All around the planet, the people have reacted with feelings going from surprise to anger, and from anger to fear,” he said.
The world is about to head back into full-blown Marxist revolution.