How we should live.

What if the only thing I had to do was to sit at His feet and worship Him and let Him do everything? Luke 10:38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’[k] feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” 41 And Jesus[l] answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” So, let the Lord do everything? Realy? Like, every single thing? Yes. Let Him do the speaking, the leading the loving. And all we do is worship Him. Isn't that what He intends for us for all eternity? So let's start eternity now, let's start His plan now. His kingdom come, His will be done on earth as it is in heaven, right? Yes Lord we say, amen Lord. But now Lord You do it, Your kingdom, here now, as it is in heaven. Yes Lord Jesus. Amen. Jesus is Lord.

Caught!

As I sit in the court administration building, the sun shining, I stand guilty. I am asking for leniency, grace, mercy, something the law may not allow. Even though the sun shines outside, still in the heart of man darkness lurks. On my left a man was caught drunk while driving. In front of me a teen waits with his parents not knowing what his outcome will be. Will the judge show leniency? Well to finish this story, my traffic ticket was not forgiven, but they lessened it. Instead of a 65 in a 55, it's a 60 in a 55. So, the law was lenient, a little! Christ is merciful, graceful, a LOT!

U2 Songs of Innocence lyrics

Lyrics for new U2 album. Music is one part lyrics, 2 parts music & spirit. When David played before King Saul, and the demons fled because of it, it was because of a Spirit that was inhabiting the songs. That same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you. So if you are singing, writing, playing in that same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, then the same thing that happened when David played, demons fleeing, can happen in your music. If you chose to play in your flesh, it will conflict with the Holy Spirit of God, and if the Spirit dwells in you, then that Spirit, the very Spirit of God in you, will bear witness, testify, that the same Spirit is at work in the music. If there is not the fruit of the Spirit; Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self control, then it may be of a different spirit. If we are not listening to Holy Spirit filled music, then we cannot expect that the peace of God will inhabit it. 1 Samuel 16: 23 And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him. John 3:6 Jesus said, That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him So we see according to scripture, if we don't have faith, don't know Christ, even if we are doing the right thing, singing the right words, unless it is born of the Spirit, it cannot please God. If the Spirit of God lives in you, then you will be able to tell. If the music draws you closer to Christ, fills your mind with the things of God, it may be very well something the Sprit of God has given someone. If not, it may not be. Track 1 on Songs of Innocence Rock Genius The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone) U2 Produced By: Danger Mouse, Paul Epworth & Ryan Tedder [Verse 1] I was chasing down the days of fear Chasing down a dream before it disappeared I was aching to be somewhere near Your voice was all I heard I was shaking from a storm in me Haunted by the spectres that we had to see Yeah, I wanted to be the melody Above the noise, above the hurt [Pre-Chorus] I was young Not dumb Just wishing to be blinded By you Brand new And we were pilgrims on our way [Chorus] I woke up at the moment when the miracle occurred Heard a song that made some sense out of the world Everything I ever lost, now has been returned The most beautiful sound I'd ever heard [Verse 2] We got language so we can't communicate Religion so I can love and hate Music so I can exaggerate my pain, and give it a name [Bridge] We can hear you We can hear you We can hear you [Chorus] I woke up at the moment when the miracle had come I get so many things I don't deserve All the stolen voices will some day be returned The most beautiful sound I ever heard [Outro] Your voices will be heard Your voices will be heard Every Breaking Wave LYRICS U2 Produced By: Danger Mouse & Ryan Tedder Every Breaking Wave [Verse 1] Every breaking wave on the shore Tells the next one there'll be one more Every gambler knows that to lose It's what you're really there for Summer I was fearless Now I speak into an answer phone Like every falling leaf on the breeze Winter wouldn't leave it alone, alone [Chorus] If you go? If you go your way and I go mine Are we so? Are we so helpless against the tide? Baby every dog on the street Knows that we're in love with defeat Are we ready to be swept off our feet And start chasing Every breaking wave [Verse 2] Every sailor knows that the sea Is a friend made enemy Every shipwrecked soul, knows what it is To live without intimacy I thought I heard the captain's voice It's hard to listen while you preach Like every broken wave on the shore This is as far as I could reach [Chorus] [Bridge] The sea knows where are the rocks And drowning is no sin You know where my heart is The same place that yours has been We know that we fear to win And so we end before we begin Before we begin [Chorus] This song is about long distance relationships and how we all are on our own journeys at the mercy of the world. California (There Is No End To Love) LYRICS U2 Produced By: Danger Mouse, Declan Gaffney & Paul Epworth California (There Is No End To Love) [Intro x4] Bar-Bar-Barbara, Santa Barbara Bar-Bar-Barbara, Santa Barbara Bar-Bar-Barbara, Santa Barbara Bar-Bar-Barbara, Santa Barbara [Verse 1] California, then we fell into the shining sea The weight that drags your heart down Well that's what took me where I need to be Which is here Out on Zuma Watching you cry like a baby California, at the dawn you thought would never come But it did Like it always does [Chorus 1] All I know And all I need to know is there no end to love [Verse 2] I didn't call you Words can scare a thought away Everyone’s a star in our town It’s just your light gets dimmer if you have to stay In your bedroom In a mirror Watching yourself cry like a baby California, blood orange sunset brings you to your knees I've seen for myself There's no end to grief That's how I know [Chorus 2] That's how I know And why I need to know that there is no end to love All I know and all I need to know is there is no end to love [Guitar Solo] [Chorus 3] All I know And all I need to know is there is no end to love We come and go Stolen days you don't give back Stolen days are just enough This song is inspired by U2’s first trip to California, and mirrors other American-location-named U2 songs likeNew York and the much-derided Miami Song for Someone Produced By: Danger Mouse & Flood [Verse 1] You got a face not spoiled by beauty I have some scars from where I've been You've got eyes that can see right through me You're not afraid of anything they've seen [Pre-Chorus 1] I was told that I would feel Nothing the first time I don't know how these cuts heal But in you I found a rhyme [Chorus 1] If there is a light you can't always see And there is a world we can't always be If there is a dark that we shouldn't doubt And there is a light, don't let it go out And this is a song, song for someone This is a song, song for someone [Verse 2] You let me in to a conversation A conversation only we could make You breaking and enter my imagination Whatever's in there it's yours to take [Pre-Chorus 2] I was told that I would feel Nothing the first time You were slow to heal But this could be the night [Chorus 2] If there is a light you can't always see And there is a world we can't always be If there is a dark within and without And there is a light, don't let it go out And this is a song, song for someone This is a song, song for someone [Outro] And I'm a long long way from your hill or cavalry And I'm a long way from where I was and where I need to be If there is a light you can't always see And there is a world we can't always be If there is a kiss I stole from your mouth And there is a light, don't let it go out Iris (Hold Me Close) Produced By: Paul Epworth & Ryan Tedder [Verse 1] The star That gives us light Has been gone a while But it's not an illusion The ache In my heart Is so much a part of who I am Something in your eyes Took a thousand years to get here Something in your eyes Took a thousand years, a thousand years [Chorus] Hold me close, hold me close and don't let me go Hold me close like I'm someone that you might know Hold me close the darkness just lets us see Who we are I've got your life inside of me Iris... Iris... [Verse 2] Once we are born, we begin to forget The very reason we came But you I'm sure I've met Long before the night the stars went out We're meeting up again [Chorus] Hold me close, hold me close and don't let me go Hold me close like I'm someone that you might know Hold me close, the darkness just lets us see Who we are I've got your life inside of me Iris... Iris... [Bridge] The stars are bright but they do know The universe is beautiful but cold You took me by the hand I thought that I was leading you But it was you made me your man Machine I dream Where you are Iris standing in the hall She tells me I can do it all Iris wakes to nightmares Don't fear the world it isn't there Iris playing on the strand She buries the boy beneath the sand Iris says that I will be the death of her It was not me Iris... Iris... Free yourself, to be yourself if only you could see yourself Free yourself, to be yourself if only you could see... Volcano LYRICS U2 Produced By: Declan Gaffney [Verse 1] The world is spinning fast tonight You can hurt yourself tryin to hold on To what you used to be I’m so glad the past is all gone? [pre-Chorus] Been out in the wild Been out in the night Been out of your mind Do you live here or is this a vacation? [Chorus] Volcano, you don’t wanna, you don’t wanna know Volcano Something in you wants to blow Volcano You don’t wanna, you don’t wanna know [Verse 2] Your eyes were like landing lights They used to be the clearest blue Now you don’t see so well The future’s gonna land on you [Pre-Chorus] Been out in the wild Been out in the night Been out of your mind Do you live here or is this a vacation? [Chorus] Volcano, you don’t wanna, you don’t wanna know Volcano Something in you wants to blow Volcano You don’t wanna, you don’t wanna know You’re on a piece of ground above a volcano [Verse 3] You were alone Now you’re not alone You were alone But now YOU ARE ROCK N ROLL YOU AND I ARE ROCK N ROLL YOU ARE ROCK N ROLL YOU AND I ARE ROCK N ROLL [Chorus] Volcano, you don’t wanna, you don’t wanna know Volcano Something in you wants to blow Volcano You don’t wanna, you don’t wanna know You’re on a piece of ground above a volcano Raised by Wolves Raised by Wolves LYRICS U2 Produced By: Danger Mouse & Declan Gaffney [Verse 1: Bono] Face down on a broken street There’s a man in the corner in a pool of misery I’m in white van as red sea covers the ground Metal crash I can’t tell what it is But I take a look and now I’m sorry I did 5:30 on a Friday night 33 good people cut down I don’t believe anymore I don’t believe anymore [Verse 2: Bono] Face down on a pillow of shame There are some girls with a needle trying to spell my Name My body’s not a canvas My body’s now a toilet wall I don’t believe anymore I don’t believe anymore Raised by wolves Stronger than fear Raised by wolves We were raised by wolves Raised by wolves Stronger than fear If I open my eyes You disappear [Verse 3: Bono] Boy sees his father crushed under the weight Of a cross in a passion where the passion is hate Blue mink Ford, I’m gonna detonate in your den Blood in the house Blood in the street The worst things in the world are justified by belief I don’t believe anymore I don’t believe anymore Raised by wolves Stronger than fear Raised by wolves We were raised by wolves Raised by wolves Stronger than fear If I open my eyes You disappear This song appeared on U2’s surprise album Songs of Innocence. It was released on September 9th 2014. It talks about growing up in a tough part of town, with the effects of ‘The Troubles’ all around. Cedarwood Road Produced By: Danger Mouse & Paul Epworth [Verse 1: Bono] I was running down the road The fear was all I knew I was looking for a soul that’s real Then I ran into you And that cherry blossom tree Was a gateway to the sun And friendship, once it’s won It’s won... it’s one [Hook] Northside just across the river to the Southside That’s a long way here All the green and all the gold The hurt you hide, The joy you hold The foolish pride That gets you out the door Up on Cedarwood Road, On Cedarwood Road [Verse 2: Bono] Sleepwalking down the road Not waking from these dreams ‘Cause it’s never dead it’s still my head It was a warzone in my teens I’m still standing on that street Still need an enemy The worst ones I can’t see You can... you can [Hook] Northside just across the river to the Southside That’s a long way here All the green and all the gold The hurt you hide and the joy you hold The foolish pride that sends you back for more Up on Cedarwood Road, on Cedarwood Road [Verse 3: Bono] If the door is open it isn’t theft You can’t return to where you’ve never left Blossoms falling from a tree they cover you and cover me Symbols clashing, bibles smashing Paint the world you need to see Sometimes fear is the only place that we can call our home Cedarwood Road A HEART THAT IS BROKEN IS A HEART THAT IS OPEN Sleep Like a Baby Tonight LYRICS U2 Produced By: Danger Mouse [Verse 1] Morning, your toast, your tea and sugar Read about the politician's lover Go through the day like knife through butter Why don't you You dress in the colors of forgiveness Your eyes as red as Christmas Purple robes are folded on the kitchen chair [Chorus] You're gonna sleep like a baby tonight In your dreams, everything is alright Tomorrow dawns like someone else's suicide You're gonna sleep like a baby tonight [Verse 2] Dreams It's a dirty business, dreaming Where there is silence and not screaming Where there's no daylight, there's no healing [Chorus] You're gonna sleep like a baby tonight In your dreams, everything is alright Tomorrow dawns like a suicide But you're gonna sleep like a baby tonight [Bridge] Hope is where the door is When the church is where the war is Where no one can feel no one else's pain [Chorus] You're gonna sleep like a baby tonight In your dreams, everything is alright Tomorrow dawns like a suicide But you're gonna sleep like a baby tonight Sleep like a baby tonight Like a bird, your dreams take flight Like St Francis covered in light You're gonna sleep like a baby tonight Edit the description to add: • Historical context: what album the song's on, how popular it was • An explanation of the song's overall story (example: "In this song, Kurt breaks down a day at his grandparents' house") • The song's instrumentation and sound This Is Where You Can Reach Me Now This Is Where You Can Reach Me Now LYRICS U2 Produced By: Danger Mouse [Bono] For Joe Strummer [Chorus] Soldier soldier We signed our lives away Complete surrender The only weapon we know Soldier soldier We knew the world would never be the same Soldier this is where you can reach me now [Verse 1] We come from an ancient place Beyond what we can see We’ve come to colonise your night And steal your poetry Old man knows that I never listen So how could I have something to say Old man knows how to cheat ambition You don’t lose if you don’t play 1, 2, 3, 4, was enough [Chorus] Soldier soldier We signed our lives away Complete surrender The only weapon we know Soldier soldier We knew the world would never be the same Soldier this is where you can reach me now [Verse 2] On a double decker bus Into College Square If you won’t let us in your world Your world just isn’t there Old man says that we never listen We shout about what we don’t know We’re taking the path of most resistance The only way for us to go Hup, 2, 3, 4, was enough [Chorus] Soldier soldier We signed our lives away Complete surrender The only weapon we know Soldier soldier We knew the world will never be the same Soldier this is where you can reach me now [Outro] This is the site This is the season This is where you can reach me now This is the time This is the number This is where you can reach me now The song is dedicated to Joe Strummer, lead singer and co-founder of The Clash, another early influence for U2, especially in how they approached political matters in their music. The Troubles The Troubles LYRICS U2 Produced By: Danger Mouse [Chorus / Intro] Somebody stepped inside your soul Somebody stepped inside your soul Little by little they robbed and stole Till someone else was in control [Verse 1] You think it’s easier To put your finger on the trouble When the trouble is you And you think it’s easier To know your own tricks Well it’s the hardest thing you’ll ever do I have a will for survival So you can hurt me and then hurt me some more I can live with denial But you’re not my troubles anymore [Chorus] Somebody stepped inside your soul Somebody stepped inside your soul Little by little they robbed and stole Till somebody else was in control Somebody stepped inside your soul Somebody stepped inside your soul Little by little they robbed and stole Till someone else was in control [Verse 2] You think it’s easier To give up on the trouble If the trouble is destroying you You think it’s easier But before you threw me a rope It was the one thing I could hold on to I have a will for survival So you can hurt me then hurt me some more I can live with denial But you’re not my troubles anymore [Chorus x2] Somebody stepped inside your soul Somebody stepped inside your soul Little by little they robbed and stole Till somebody else was in control [Verse 3] God knows it’s not easy Taking on the shape of someone else’s pain God now you can see me I’m naked and I’m not afraid My body’s sacred and I’m not ashamed [Chorus] Somebody stepped inside your soul Somebody stepped inside your soul Little by little they robbed and stole Till somebody else was in control Somebody stepped inside your soul Somebody stepped inside your soul Little by little they robbed and stole Till someone else was in control

Starry sky; God verses man

I looked up this morning on my walk with God and saw one of the prettiest starry sky's I've seen in what seems like days or weeks. Then in comparison I saw a satellite, and then another! (Possibly the space station) When I prayed later I was reminded of the difference between what God makes and what man is capable of. The starry host, and a couple of tiny devices that can do some pretty cool things. The comparison is stunning, in His ability versus ours. And we ever doubt Him? He is a God of order. And if He can watch over all of that, surely He can watch over our little lives. "But our problems seem so big!" Not compared to how big He is! Look at your life or problems and compare them like the tiny little satellites compared to the gigantic universe, because that's how God looks at it! Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Waiting...

When I was in the Army, in basic training, it was the first time I ever remember running two miles or more...and on many days it was more! This morning my wife had a dream that she was running the Red Jacket Trail from Rapidan to Mankato, and she was carrying this serving tray, and it was making it harder for her to run, it was really hard at first. Then she put the tray down it became easier for her to run. We are being presented with an opportunity to re-open our feeding center in Mankato possibly even this week or next. I am supposed to get a call today about it. Whenever I was required in the Army to hold something as I ran, even something light, it seemed to be the heaviest burden in the world. Anything added to Jesus is too much. Anything added to His Word will always be wrong, even if it seems to be true. I need God's Word. "Lord, let us receive Your words of life today, You're the only One who has them, and You freely give them. I will not add anything to Your Words, and I will take nothing away from them, in Jesus name. Amen." Isaiah 40:31 31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

The 4th Quarter

Jesus is coming back in the camp. Why is this world becoming so crazy, and everything seems to be becoming more and more evil? Because maybe the Lord is cleansing it before He comes back. If that's true, He has to cleanse it. This is todays study, for Days of Praise: July 31, 2014 Without the Camp “And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.” (Exodus 19:17) This is the first of more than 30 references to events that took place outside the camp of the Israelites in the wilderness under Moses. In this first mention, it was “without the camp” that God first met with His people and gave them the Ten Commandments. The first temporary tabernacle was also “pitched . . . without the camp” (Exodus 33:7). However, when the regular tabernacle was established, it was placed in the midst of the camp, and the camp was considered holy before the Lord. “For the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp . . . therefore shall thy camp be holy” (Deuteronomy 23:14). Accordingly, anything unclean was commanded to be banned from the camp (vv. 10-13), including even “the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp” (Hebrews 13:11). Sad to say, however, the camp and the sanctuary did not remain holy, and God, in judgment, finally had to remove it from its place. Before its final removal, however, He whose blood had been foreshadowed by all the sacrifices did come personally to His people “to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself” (Hebrews 9:26). This sacrifice, however, could no longer be offered in the defiled sanctuary. “Wherefore Jesus also . . . suffered without the gate” (Hebrews 13:12). Now again, as in the beginning, God must meet with His loved ones personally, outside the camp. The organized “camps” of religion generally treat His disciples as misfits, and so, like outcasts, they must seek Him outside the camp. “Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach” (v. 13). HMM So if Jesus is coming back, soon, then He has to cleanse His camp, and He is asking all Christians to do the same; no more compromise. No more idols. No more almost good enough. No more 99.9%. No, He is demanding all. Hot or cold, sinner or Saint. Don't get me wrong, that's what He's always called for, but now it has to happen, there's no more time left, this is the 4th quarter, the final; this, is, it. The last time He said it is finished, He had accomplished all He needed to on the Cross. Now He is going to say it is finished and the new heavens and new earth will be established. I've always heard people talk about, "What would you do if you knew this was the last day on this earth? How would you live?" Would you go out and party, or go out and save, redeem. Didn't Jesus say, "Redeem the time for the days are evil." Ephesians 5: 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. So if this is it, if we have one last generation left before His return, how should we live? Matthew 24:33 33 so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. The word “recognize” used in Matthew 24:33 in the original Greek is in the imperative mode which means it is a command! We are commanded by Jesus to know when His return is near.Romans 13:11-14 11 Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. 12The night is almost gone, and the day is near Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. 1 John 2:28 28 Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-9 1 Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day We are not of night nor of darkness; 6so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. 7 For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. 8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ I believe Jesus is speaking of the time we are living in right now: Matthew 24:32-35 & Mark 13:28-31 (Both recorded the same) Luke 21:29-33 32(28) Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; 33(29) so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 34(30) Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. 29 Then He told them a parable: Behold the fig tree and all the trees; 30 as soon as they put forth leaves, you see it and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. The question that arises when speaking of the fig tree is not what is the fig tree. That point is clear. Virtually every theologian will agree that in the Bible, Israel is referred to as the fig tree. (Hosea 9:10; Joel 1:6-8, 12; Luke 13:6-9; Jeremiah 24; Jeremiah 29:16-19). When Jesus is talking about the fig tree in the Olivet Discourse, he is referencing Jeremiah 24:1-10. The question that comes up is the fact that in the Gospel of Luke, it is recorded as “Behold the fig tree, and all the trees” where as in Matthew and Mark it is recorded as “Now learn a parable of the fig tree”. This too isn’t really of much debate. There is no difference between the two. The fig tree is Israel and all the trees are the men of Israel (Judges 9:8-20). Matthew and Mark were saying that Jesus said behold Israel while Luke recorded that he said Behold Israel and the men of Israel. For further clarification, the fig tree is a symbol used in Scripture which always refers to the nation of Israel. Figs were used by Jehovah Himself as a symbol for Israel in a parable recorded in Jeremiah 24:1-2. The Lord then explains that the good figs represent those of Israel whom He would return to the land of their fathers and the bad figs were those of Israel whom He would destroy (Jeremiah 24:4-10). Trees, when used as a symbol, refer to the men of Israel. The symbol of trees representing the men of Israel can be seen in a parable told by Jotham to the men of Shechem as recorded in Judges 9:7-15 of the Old Testament. The trees Jotham referred to, that had once gone forth to anoint a king over themselves were the men of Israel as recorded in Judges 8:22. (Luke 21:25-26) "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken” Chuck Smith (Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa)- "We look at the deteriorating moral values in our nation—the divorce rate, abortion, pornography, drug addiction and child abuse. We witness what has transpired in the homosexual community. We are shocked at the violent crimes, the drive-by shootings and the terrorism that plagues our world. What is the world coming to? Is the end near? What will be the signs of Jesus’ coming and the end of the world? This was the very same question Jesus’ disciples asked. Jesus’ answer to them and to us is found in Matthew 24:37-39: As the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that [Noah] entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. Genesis 6:5 tells us what was going on in the days of Noah. “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” As we look at our world today, we see the parallel—the movie industry corrupting our values, television defiling our homes, children’s video games teaching violence—all these are polluting people’s minds until the thoughts and the imagination of man’s heart is continually evil. We read in Genesis 6:11 that “the earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.” Pick up the newspaper and you will see the hostility that fills the earth. Our nation’s morality has sunk to the place where Ruth Graham once said, “If God doesn’t judge America, He will need to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah!" (Thanks to http://www.arewelivinginthelastdays.com/article/generation/generation.htm for all the source material, pasted here on 7/31/14) We are living in the last days, but it is up to God to decide the day & hour, we cannot know that, only the season. Many scoffers will look at this and say something to the effect of, "Ah, "they've" been saying that for centuries, where's the promise of His return." But He's coming back still. Please, look at this as a personal warning; live your life in such a way that is pleasing to the Lord. Live by the Spirit, in the Spirit, and not in the flesh. Chose life, and live for Christ. God bless you and save you, in Jesus name, Amen. The day before I wrote this, this appeared: July 29, 2014 Two more giant holes have formed in the remote region of Siberia, which makes a total of three holes mysteriously appearing in the last few weeks. One of the new holes appeared on the route that reindeer herders are known to travel, making this a dangerous place for them and their herd. According to Yahoo Finance on July 29, locals in Siberia just happened to witness the hole opening up and while there are two conflicting stories reported, both sound rather mysterious and somewhat bizarre. One group of locals said they saw smoke coming out of the ground before the crater developed and then there was a bright flash. Another group reports a “celestial body fell, which created the crater. The first hole that was discovered last week was the biggest of all three. That one was about 100-feet across and 300-feet deep. While the other holes are close to the same depth as the first hole, the second revealed crater was about 50-feet across. The third was only 15-feet across. The Washington Post suggests that with the news filled with downed planes lately, not too many are paying attention to the craters forming in Siberia. Now that three have suddenly appeared, it may be time for attention to be drawn towards detecting just how the holes were formed. The size of the hole isn’t where the danger lies for people herding in that area, it’s the depth. It is the smallest of the three craters that lies on the route that the reindeer herders travel. The two larger holes are in the same area, which is called “the end of the world.” The area is dubbed this because it is such a remote location on the Yamal Peninsula. The third hole is on the Taymyr Peninsula, which is just as desolate a location as the location of the first two craters. A permafrost expert from Russia, Marina Leibman, believes that at least the first hole was caused by the release of methane gas under the permafrost. The permafrost consists of ice, water and soil and when the methane gas released it exploded through the surface of the ground. She said that within a few years, the craters most likely will become a lake, as that is how lakes are formed on the frozen tundra of Siberia. At the bottom of the first hole, icy water is already rising from below, so this expert may be right! (Source: http://www.examiner.com/article/siberia-craters-3-mystery-holes-open-up-locals-report-smoke-and-bright-flash?cid=sm-facebook-073014-9.00pm-SiberiaNewHoles)

God's grace

God's power, it's unlike ours in that it has no limits, no wearing out, and it's not at all dependant upon any others. Terrible storm last night. Torrential rain, high winds, basement flooded when the sump pump failed. We had an 8 gallon, 4 hp shop vac someone had just given us, what a blessing. But it was taking forever! Then I walked over to the sump, lifted it up, set it back down, and it worked! After an hour of "shop-vaccing" I felt we had gotten no where, but after seconds of the right tool for the job was turned back on, all the water was gone. The power of God verses our own power and strength is a lot like that. Except a lot more! I was going to wear out, literally. My strength was waning big time. Then God showed up, yes, in the form of a working sump pump. As I was sitting here this morning I was thinking about how much we need God's provision for our family, how much we need His power and strength, versus our own. As I was saying this to my wife, she pulled out a power cord she had just found, and was looking for. The power of God, that's what we need, and we prayed for that together, for our family and for our ministry. God uses little things like lost power cords and properly working sump pumps to remind us of His strength, His power. Without it, we are like a shop vac trying to clean out the ocean. During the storm God had me praying, intensely. Normally I just enjoy the beauty of a storm, this was different. I found out later there was much damage in many places. But my prayer was a reminder, we are in a storm, a storm that is claiming souls, and we need to be praying Church, and we need your prayers to do the work we are trying to do. As I was hauling bucket load after bucket load, up and down the stairs, that was my prayer, that we, The Church, would pray more, and more people praying, for our work. Our work of evangelism, our work of taking people to God who need a major cleansing, that only Christ can provide. Please Church, pray, intently, as if lives depend on it, because they do, everyday. After the storm, the next morning, I walked around, and there was debris everywhere. It reminded me of the state of people's hearts, and it made me sad. I remembered after the storm, the night before, I had watched a story about WWII, and Hitler and his men. They have video of them walking and laughing, carrying on as if they hadn't committed some of the greatest atrocities in all of history, and I asked how, why? Sin was the Lord's response. People are not a good judge of their own hearts, they can't see how evil they've become. As I looked at the wreckage from the storm, and remembered the carnage of Hitler and crew, I was reminded of what sin does to people, and how horrible it is. God has given me compassion for them, for the lost. They need Jesus, just like I need Him so badly. He wants us to be clean, just like that shower I took after my basement workout, dead things floating around in the water I was in, that shower never felt so good. And so His grace will feel even better as the graceless world gets to feel His grace for the very first time. They are reaching, and we need to be giving. "Lord help us. help us to give all we can, and receive all You have. It will always be enough, Your grace always is." In grace, Tim