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Once again we have entered that most wonderful time of year - Thanksgiving closely followed by Christmas. These are family-together-times, building good memories while reliving those special moments from the past. We reminisce, we shed tears while missing those who have gone on before us, and we rejoice and laugh with those present. It’s a coalition of life’s purpose, bringing into focus the significant. Foremost, our relationship with God necessitates priority. Within that resides our origin (where did I come from?), purpose in life (why am I here?), and future destination (where am I going?). Outside of Him, life quickly becomes meaningless. Secondly are the relationships we have with our fellow man. These are what make us tick, keep us going, frustrate us, tempt us, and bless us. Simple as that may seem, many miss this truth, neglecting people in the attainment of ‘things’, discovering too late in life what passed them by. In all of my years in ministry I’ve never yet heard anyone on their death-bed say they wished they had spent more time at the office, made more money, or built a larger house. They always wished they had spent more time with family – making people investments rather than material ones. Marilyn and I were reminded of the significance of family & friends when, during Thanksgiving week, our children surprised us with a 40th anniversary party (Nov. 20th). It was back in 1971 that Marilyn dutifully followed me through the swamps and woods deer hunting on our honeymoon (yes, I really did that to her). I knew then that she was a ‘keeper’. Forty years later she is still following, but her ‘Old Man’ appreciates her much more now than that immature husband did back then. And while we often sacrificed funds and things for ministry sake, we never ignored relationships. Our close family is testimony to that. We are indeed blessed. I encourage each of you to make time for what is important during this holiday season. Thank God for the gift of life He has given to you. Thank Him for the salvation from your sins He has provided through His Son, Jesus Christ, and for your future home that Jesus is right now preparing for you. And thank Him for the people around you that make your life on earth what it is. Take the time to enjoy all of these this holiday season – and from now on. Merry Christmas. Lee & Marilyn
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In the past ninety days a whirlwind of world events has bombarded our senses. America experienced the largest winter storm in recorded US history, extending over 1,800 miles across our country at one time, after which every state in our nation had snow cover except Florida. There were a number of power outage related deaths, and many people spent days without food because store shelves were stripped bare almost immediately and they had no emergency food on hand. Trucks could not get through to replace products in some places for over a week. New Zealand fared worse, experiencing a 6.3 earthquake which destroyed a good portion of Christchurch. Then Japan, the most populated modern industrialized nation which builds her cities to withstand earthquakes was brought to her knees by a one-two punch of a 9.0 earthquake and following tsunami. Many thousands were killed outright and now radiation from her damaged nuclear reactors is threatening to kill even more. During this same time period South Africans had been warned to stay indoors to avoid exposure to radiation, the results of another phenomenon - solar flares. They were also warned to brace for possible electronic failures and interruptions in their national infrastructure when the electromagnetic pulses bombarded the earth. While these were considered ‘acts of God’, man was not sitting idly by during this time-period. The sheer number of political upheavals was astounding in nature. The mid-eastern countries of Tunisia, Egypt, Iran, Bahrain, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Syria, and Libya were all experiencing political unrest and riots, several of which resulted in regime changes amid bloodshed. The Europeans did not escape as riots erupted in Greece, Spain, Italy, England, and Portugal - where the whole government quit in disgust. Across the pond we were not immune. Demonstrations verging on riots occurred in Madison, Wisconsin and Ohio. Meanwhile, we have all noticed that our dollars are becoming more valuable (they must be because my gas station attendant is demanding more of them to fill my car). Our local grocery store noticed this trend and is collecting more of them for food items too. America runs on corn and gasoline. Since the two are now one with nearly 40% of our 2011 corn crop designated toward the production of ethanol, prices of both will continue to rise. Farmers will resultantly find it more difficult to raise feeder cattle, and no matter how you slice the bread (pun intended), food is going to be much higher. Possible food shortages in our near future have been forecast by some. And finally, just when you thought nothing more could surprise you, our president - without even informing our congress, single handedly begins a new war in Libya. Oops. Excuse me; it’s called a ‘kinetic military action’ this week. But that’s ok because we’re supporting Al Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood against a bad guy in Libya. Hmm? I thought we were fighting against Al Qaeda? Oh ya, that was last week. Is your head spinning? Can anyone tell me what is happening in our world? You can find all of these things mentioned in Luke 21 and Matthew 24.
CONNECTING THE DOTS Most of these political events are an historical continuation of what began centuries ago. For the sake of space I’ll only hit the ‘high notes’. I hope you’ll do your own homework to fill in the blanks. All stem from Satan’s rebellion against God. Ever since the Garden of Eden, Satan has been attempting to destroy God’s creation, and especially man whom God created in His own image. And ever since God named the Israelites as His own chosen people, Satan has been focusing his attacks upon them. The Bible records individuals manifesting this unnatural anti-Semite hate in Pharaoh (Egypt), Shalmaneser (Assyria), Nebuchadnezzar (Babylon), Haman (Medo/Persia), Antiochus Epiphanes (Syria), Titus (Rome) and our own history books record this same hate springing out of Germany in the 1930’s where Adolph Hitler killed over eight million Jews. Hitler’s death did not stop this fixation. Saddam Hussein’s Baath Party was a spin-off of the Nazi Party and carried the same goal. Saddam did not live to carry them out. However, this poison continues. During WWII Hitler’s army had six divisions. Two of those were Muslim divisions that destroyed untold numbers of churches and synagogues along with their followers during the war. The Muslim Brotherhood sprung from these divisions. They are the driving force behind the falling regimes in the Middle East today and are fast establishing a Muslim Caliphate (a reestablishment of the Ottoman Empire) whose goal is to destroy Israel. The Muslim Brotherhood is who America & NATO are currently providing air support for in Libya. Here we go again, only this time the whole world is involved. The Twelvers (those Muslims looking for the Twelth Imam’s arrival) based in Iran (Old Persia) believe that when the world is in chaos and enough blood is being spilled the Twelth Imam, or Mahdi, will return. The Bible has another name for him. The Antichrist. We’re that close. Luke 21 & Matthew 24 tell us the order of things to come just prior to Christ’s return. They are not futuristic. They are upon us. ARE YOU READY?
Your SOUL DEFENSE The Bible is not some fairytale, nor is it a fabrication of men’s minds. This is all very real. Prophecy fulfilled is verification of these truths. There is but one way to be ready and that is to place your faith firmly in Jesus Christ for your salvation. When Jesus came the first time he said "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:15). Christ’s return is at the door. His same words apply today. If you are reading and understanding this for the first time, know that He’s at the door of your heart, knocking. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him…" (Rev. 3:20). Have you let Him in? He will not force His way in. He’s a gentle God, a loving God. He gives you a choice. Your response, however, determines your eternal state of being. To receive God’s gift of salvation confess to Him that you are a sinner in need of salvation. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…" (Romans 3:23). "The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23). Repent (turn from) that sin. There is no recitation of religious phrases necessary. Just talk to God. He already knows your heart. Tell him you realize that you can do nothing about your sin yourself – you know that salvation cannot be earned. ("For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." - Ephesians 2:8). Tell Him that you recognize that Jesus as the only way ("I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man cometh unto the Father, but by me."- John 14:6). Tell God that you receive His Son, Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord this day and that you commit your life to Him. Then simply thank Him – in your own words. Your destiny is now sealed. You belong to God! You can face the days ahead and eternity without fear knowing "…that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39).
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TIGHTENING THE SHIP (STAYING AFLOAT) At the request of several pastors I recently addressed the Biblical method of handling finances before their congregations. I was astounded by the post-sermon comments. Several people stated that was the first time that they had ever been taught about finances from the Bible – other than when it regarded tithing. Several, with tears in their eyes, said they only wished they had been taught these principles earlier, while others were extremely thankful and said they now knew what they could do with what they still had control over. The most heartbreaking story came from a couple who told me they had lost virtually all of their savings in the Madoff scandal. This retired couple is now relegated to living on little more than social security. Whether it’s on the radio, television, or in the newspapers, financial stress has dominated the news for the past several months. While some disasters are in real time (if you’re already laid off), most are still in the future, which means that most of us still have some time to prepare for what lies ahead. The challenges coming as the result of our government stimulating us to death are going to be tremendous. So, what can we do financially to prepare our households for what lies ahead? First of all, it might be wise to find out how we got into this mess in the first place. I’ll ignore corporate and governmental greed and mismanagement for this article and concentrate on individual households, because that’s where we live and that’s where we affect preparations that will matter to our households. An illustration might help: A young couple gets married in 2004. They roll away in their old jalopy on their affordable two-day honeymoon and are quite happy. Being together, free of their parent’s jurisdiction, and on their own is quite an adventure. Their apartment is small but comfortable. Things couldn’t be better. But they soon come to miss those things they had at their parents homes: the large screen TV, the barbecue grill, the riding lawn mower, Mom’s washer and dryer (Laundromats are a drag!), and fishing in Dad’s boat. They look at their parent’s house and reliable car and say, "We need those things too." So they begin working toward those goals. They can do it. But in 2006 Grandma and Grandpa pay the newlyweds a visit in their motorhome. They hear of the places they are traveling, see the motorcycle in the trailer behind the motorhome, and say to one another, "Let’s not wait. Let’s get those things now." Their friendly banker agrees and in 2007 they purchase their first house. Then in the spring of 2008 (the fish are biting) they begin making payments on the boat, and later purchase a pickup truck to better pull the boat. The camper for the pickup comes later that year. Oh yes, …the plasma TV? It’s been on the wall for several months now – an easy loan from the store. Instant gratification realized! And all without the patience or years of work that was required of Mom & Dad or Grandma & Grandpa. It all was working fairly well too, until the fall of 2008. They are now in deep financial trouble. They have become slaves to the things they thought they owned, with upside down loans they cannot bail out of, and may soon be paupers back at the starting gate, but without the old paid-for jalopy - and with two children in tow. Sadly this scenario is being played out, for real, in way too many American’s lives. It occurred because we don’t know God’s methods for handling money, or the history of usury. "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." (Hosea 4:6) God & Money The Bible mentions money more than heaven and hell combined. It must, therefore, either be an important issue – or a stumbling block. Even in our current Christian community we can find two extreme camps of belief regarding money. The first are Christians who entertain the idea that there is something spiritual about being poor. They shy away from having expensive or new items, oftentimes feeling awkwardly guilty and unspiritual about ownership of such things. This ideology stems from the first Christian vows of poverty, which emerged in the Dark Ages springing out of Gnosticism, which is the pagan philosophy that the spiritual world cannot be tainted with physical pursuits (i.e. science, law, government, or money). The exalted pinnacle of this belief led to the life of the monk. The second is the reaction to this belief espoused in our modern Prosperity Gospel, which came to the fore when Christians discovered there was nothing necessarily wrong with having something nice as long as it didn’t become your idol. However, many bypassed this balance to the point where the acquisition of physical ‘things’ became the measure of one’s faith and level of spirituality. This view destroyed many people’s faith when their ‘spiritual ship’ failed to come in. They lost sight of the fact that Jesus died for our sins, not for our life enhancement. Effective Christian living maintains a balance between these extremes. Money and material possessions are tools to be used in living out our lives before a fallen world in such a manner as to reflect Christ, knowing very well that all we acquire on earth will be left behind. (But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matt. 6:33) There is nothing evil about money. Too little and we become non-functional in our world. The Bible clearly states "For the love of money is the root of all evil…" (I Timothy 6:10 - underline mine). Loving anything before God makes it an idol, which is sin. Debt & God’s Law Usury began in Babylon around five thousand years ago when some men, who we’d call bankers today, created credit out of thin air and lent money to people for usury (interest). It quickly enslaved many with a few becoming very rich during the process. When God gave man the Torah, He included guidelines for the use of money. Man was warned clearly "…the borrower is servant to the lender." (Prov. 22:7). He did not state that borrowing money was a sin, but clearly warned of the possible consequences of too much debt. Any loans between Israelites were not to be longer than seven years in duration (Deut. 15:1). But, knowing man’s bent toward disobedience, God provided the Year of Jubilee where once every fifty years all debt was to be forgiven. This was to keep generational debt from enslaving the people. America & Debt America remained a debt free nation for nearly one hundred and fifty years without a national income tax. We simply didn’t spend more than we took in. But then we borrowed to finance our first war effort, and that began our national slide into indebtedness. America was still the world’s largest creditor nation until less than twenty years ago. Today we are the world’s largest debtor nation, addicted to debt to keep functioning. That’s why our new president encouraged America’s citizens to take on additional loans to jump-start our economy. Incurring additional debt, we were told, was our patriotic duty. That’s a far cry from the principles of our founding fathers. Most citizens knew better than to try to spend their way out of debt and, fortunately, began to balance their personal budgets. For some, it was too late. America, being founded upon Christian principles, based many of her financial laws upon God’s Levitical laws, which included our laws regarding bankruptcy. This law was devised to give a person a fresh chance if he hopelessly botched his finances beyond reasonable hope of reconciliation. It wasn’t designed to be an easy out for bad decisions; we wouldn’t learn to change our ways if that was the case. But with the review of just judges, a person could obtain a fresh beginning. Many Americans are resorting to this extreme end to erase a slate of bad habits. I pray that the hard lessons learned result in truly new financial practices. What Can You Do? Don’t panic. "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear…" (II Tim. 1:7). Being fearful will cloud your judgement. It weakens your position to make rational decisions. Remember: terrorism is based upon fear. Headlines trade in worst-case scenarios and result in compromised freedoms to avoid a perceived threat. Be proactive, not reactive. How? Get out of debt ASAP. Sell what you don’t need to get what you will need now. Our government’s printing of trillions of dollars (creating money out of thin air) will result in runaway inflation. Sell that mortgaged snowmobile that you don’t need, while there is still a buyer willing to purchase, and payoff the car you need to keep. If you’re a farmer or carpenter, purchase the pickup truck you need for your work now. Truck prices are currently low due to the recent high fuel prices, but will go up with inflation soon. Transportation: I believe Americans are about to discover the utilitarian aspects of motorcycling. Up until now it has been a sport, and more recently has taken a bent toward a rich man’s hobby, with some larger brands becoming status symbols. That will change. While many will bail out of them, we know that they are efficient commuters. There is a reason motorcycles are so common in Asia and Europe. They save gas, wear and tear on the car or truck, and …it puts a smile on your face when you ride it. That can be important during hard times. Sunday drives can still be affordable on two wheels. And don’t forget about your first love of two-wheeling: your bicycle. It’s the cheapest mode of self-propulsion man has ever invented. Whatever your personal transportation, get it into good working order while you are able. Food: How long since you’ve gardened? Ladies, revive those canning skills. But you’d better have seed on hand (most is hybrid today and cannot produce it’s own seed) and canning jars and lids. Eating-in will become a popular necessity. THINK! What will you need, or wish you had kept in the future. You will need to recreate with your family, so don’t sell all of your recreational items. Some of the best memories that your parents or grandparents told coming out of the Great Depression were the family times spent together. So if you live among lakes, keep that boat, perhaps downsizing to a more efficient model if you need to. Those fourteen-footers with 9.9 hp motors will run all summer on a tank of gas. If push comes to shove (paddle?) you do know what those oar locks are for? J Remember that the fish don’t care what you’re fishing from. Neither do your children or grandchildren. Attitude: "Learn to be content in every situation." (Phil. 4:12) Many people’s joy depends upon material possessions. It’s especially an American thing. ‘Shop ‘til you drop’ will no longer be an option. Learn to be content with what you have. It’s a state of the heart. Let your joy come from God and praise Him for what you DO have. Don’t concentrate on what you don’t have. ‘Keeping up with the Jones’ will not be an option. Good riddance! God’s Work: A magnificent spiritual harvest is right at our doorstep. When Six Seasons began twenty-one years ago, it was designed with this time in mind. That’s why we included boats, canoes, horses, and bicycles in our mission statement. When apocalyptic times neared we knew that our people would be prepared to get the message of Jesus Christ out even if they had to ride bicycles. This news is nothing new to those who have been trained by and have ministered with us over the years. Don’t lose that vision now. Continue to support God’s work, as you are able. "Sacrifice unto your Lord and pay your vows unto the Most High. Then you call upon Me in your time of trouble, for I will come and rescue you, because it will give Me honor." (Psalms 50:14-15) God has not forgotten you; don’t forget His work. Let’s finish the race God has put before us well. Rest When you have your house in order to the best of your ability, rest. Remember Jesus own words to us: "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." (John 14:27) He warned us that the time before His return would be like this, so keep looking up. You have nothing to fear. The best is yet to come!
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