Category: Uncategorized

Pretty heavy storms about to hit us here in GA. Many are already without power. If I do not post tonight, that is why 🙂

Pray for the many who have lost homes, and those who are without power and are in shelters. Buses are finishing their runs, and we pray the kids all get home safely.

Hope you are all safe too! Take care.

I don’t know if you’re like I am, but when the movie is over I always want to know more. If it is based on a true story then I look up everything about the person to see how they are doing and to learn more of their journey.

After watching a movie based on the spiritual conversion of Angus Buchan, called Faith Like Potatoes, I searched out more. To that end, I looked up information on Mr Buchan subsequent to the events portrayed in the movie. I watched interviews with him. I watched an hour-long documentary in which Mr Buchan spoke of his spiritual journey. I watched clips on Youtube of his preaching at revivals. I watched interviews, such as a recent one on CBN/700 Club with Pat Robertson.

You can read my review of Faith Like Potatoes. The essay focuses on the movie and alludes to some doctrinal issues I’d had with the faith as it was portrayed. By the end of the movie I’d become concerned that the faith Jesus came to deliver was portrayed more as a ‘miracle-based, look what God can do for you’ kind of faith rather than the ‘I’m a sinner and look what Jesus did on the cross for me’ kind of faith.

Buchan’s joy in the Lord is contagious and his faith does seem genuine. He has done many good things, such as start an AIDS orphanage and provide education for local Zulu. Mr Buchan has worked tirelessly and fervently for many decades for the Lord. There are many fine things he has done. I don’t question his motivations or his faith.

However I do question his methods and his emphasis.

My subsequent research has shown that the suspicion I’d had was true and is proved to be based on fact. My suspicion was that Mr Buchan relies on miracles to get the attention of unbelievers and then parlays that attention and interest into an altar call. Thousands flock to the stage at his altar calls, but I worry that the seeds he has sown eventually dry up in the hearts of the people who respond because they were superficial to begin with. I worry because his emphasis is more on Charismatic manifestations of miraculous events and less on the Word, though the Word is present at his revivals.

Let me give an example.

As Mr Buchan explains on The 700 Club, an event in Mozambique occurred at one of his revivals. Most of his revivals are “healing revivals”, you know. Buchan was preaching to 5000 Muslims. He said, “I was preaching my heart out. Nothing was happening, and the Holy Spirit says to me, ‘Stop preaching. They’re not listening to you.’ And I looked down, and right in the front row, there was a man sitting there and he had two crutches. He had a stiff leg. I felt the Holy Spirit say, ‘Go down and pray for that man. And that miracle will turn the people.’ Put my Bible down, told them on the microphone, ‘I’m going to stop preaching. I’m going to go down and pray for this man, and God’s going to heal him.'”…

Source

“I went down there and we had instant attention. From 5,000 people that were milling around and moving in and out, there was absolute silence. You could have heard a pin. I anointed him in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And I said, ‘Do you want Jesus to heal you?’ And he said, ‘Yes, please.’ We prayed for him. I bent down, 5,000 people watching us, and I took hold of his leg. I tried to bend his knee, and nothing happened. It was solid. [This was because the man had a steel pin in his leg due to a forestry injury].  I felt the Holy Spirit say to me, ‘Bend his leg.’ And I bent his leg like that, and something gave way inside. His leg came free, and he was moving his leg. He chucked his crutches and was running up and down and jumping and shouting for joy.”

Here is Mr Buchan’s conclusion to that miracle story: “I want to tell you after that I didn’t have to preach another word. I made the altar call and 5,000 people ran forward to give their life to Christ.”

Which Christ did they give their life to? The healing, miracles performing Christ? Or the Christ that delivers us from our own personal sins, which had kept us from reconciling with Him? Of course the man wanted Jesus to heal his leg, but the question a preacher should ask is ‘do you want Jesus to heal your depraved, sinning heart via his work on the cross and submit to His resurrected Lordship over you all your life?”

Mr Buchan has said several times in the interviews I’ve seen, a heartbreaking quote which he triumphantly proclaimed at the conclusion of the Mozambique story:

“At Shalom we’ve got a saying: one genuine miracle equals a thousand sermons.”

No it doesn’t. Every single person Jesus healed is dead now. But millions are still alive by hearing His word and having faith in who He is. We are convicted of our sin by the power of hearing the Word. (Romans 10:17). Not by seeing:

“So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” (John 4:46-48).

Clarke’s Commentary says of that miracles verse-

“Except ye see signs and wonders, etc. – Our Lord does not tell this man that he had no faith, but that he had not enough. If he had had none, he would not have come from Capernaum to Cana, to beg him to heal his son. If he had had enough, he would have been contented with recommending his son to our Lord, without entreating him to go to Capernaum to heal him; which intimates that he did not believe our Lord could do it at a distance. But the words are not addressed to the nobleman alone, but to all the Galilean Jews in general; for our Lord uses the plural number, which he never does when addressing an individual. These people differed widely from the people of Sychar: they had neither a love of the truth, nor simplicity of heart; and would not believe any thing from heaven, unless forced on their minds by the most striking miracles.”

“They were favored with the ministry of John Baptist; but, as that was not accompanied with miracles, it was not generally credited. They require the miracles of Christ, in order that they may credit the advent of the Messiah. There are many like these Galileans still in the world: they deny that God can have any influence among men; and as to the operations of the Holy Spirit, they, in the genuine Galilean spirit, boldly assert that they will not credit any man who professes to be made a partaker of them, unless he work a miracle in proof of his pretensions! These persons should know that the grace of working miracles was very different from that by which a man is saved; and that the former might exist, even in the most astonishing measure, where the latter did not.”

In his interview with Pat Robertson, Buchan talked of the time in a Zulu hut when Buchan apparently raised a girl from unconsciousness, or the dead, no one is quite sure, Buchan said, “I prayed over her, Pat. I said “It’s your reputation here, Jesus.”

Jesus’s reputation does not rest on whether or not He performs to the satisfaction of onlookers.

In the movie, when the tractor was Buchan driving lurched and his nephew fell off and was crushed under the wheel, the entire family was thrown into a deep grief. Buchan’s grief was so deep that his pastor asked Buchan to hand over his gun until the grief lessened, thinking Buchan may commit suicide. However, Buchan and his brother’s grief was only lessened after a dream that Buchan’s brother Ferguson had three months after the death. Buchan described it in an interview, and it was depicted in the movie.

Buchan’s brother Ferguson ‘saw’ his four-year-old son running across an emerald field. The tyke looked  happy. Fergie picked up his son and asked his son if he was really happy there or if he wanted to come back. The boy said he was happy and that he was just waiting for him, his dad. Ferguson called his brother to tell of this dream-vision, and they both then felt a measure of relief from the grief they shared.

Faith Like Potatoes, p. 63

However I have questions about this event as described by Angus Buchan. It is symptomatic of the charismatic reliance on external manifestations of miracles rather than a knowledge and certainty of internal faith, in my opinion. For example, did Fergie ascend into heaven to see his son? The bible says “No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.” (John 3:13).

Did the boy descend? In no way do the spirits of the dead commune with the living. After death people are either in heaven or in hell (2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:23). And besides, the dead do not have their glorified body yet so the boy was spirit. In that case, how could Fergie have picked him up and hugged him?

Only the evil spirits and the holy ministering spirits are out and about. So who did Ferguson ‘see’, exactly? And where?

Another question more related to the point of this discernment lesson is that the brothers only got relief from their grief after receiving a sign, which was the dream. Did they need a dream to be comforted? Why was his faith in the knowledge that the boy was with Jesus not enough? It was for David and his example is a model for us to take comfort in. (2 Samuel 12:23). But comfort came to the brothers only after a sign and a wonder.

Faith is already knowing he is safe with Jesus, whether a dream comes or not.

I know that the grief of a parent who has lost his child is among he deepest griefs on earth. I can’t speak to having experienced it, and I don’t want to belittle it. But what parent wouldn’t want to have a sign bestowed to them, a dream in which they could pick up their child one last time? Other parents must wonder, why isn’t my faith strong enough to have been the recipient of a dream like that? What is the matter with me that God didn’t see fit to send a sign that my son or daughter is all right? It causes jealousy and division rather than a comfort. The greatest comfort we all receive equally is the word itself. For example, scriptures show David’s resolute knowledge that he would be with his son again … Jesus compassion in healing the epileptic boy… examples of surety and grace and compassion from the word should be enough.

Overall, reliance on manifestations and miracles is not good. I’m not saying they don’t happen. Relying on them to the exclusion of sermonizing is not good, as Mr Buchan does. Remember, he says, “At Shalom we’ve got a saying: one genuine miracle equals a thousand sermons.”

The problem is the word “genuine.” Who confirms the genuineness of the miracle? Who vetoes it? And on what basis? Is there an appeal regarding the validation or vetoing of its genuineness? That is why preaching from the word is always better. It is a more sure word. (2 Peter 1:19). There is no question IT is genuine!

Professor Alan Lester of Grace Unlimited in South Africa attended several of Buchan’s revivals. He came away concerned about the overemphasis on miracles and the under-emphasis on preaching. He wrote a 50 page Open Letter to Angus Buchan, and in it, he asked,

Long after the ‘wow factor’ of miracles pass, the word remains.

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12).

There is always the problem of clinging to Jesus when the miracles are vivid. The problem is that people leave when the miracles dim in memory, or when they are contrasted with a hard lesson from the Word. Years after the revival has folded its tent and the man with the thrown-away crutches has left town, will they still cling to Jesus? When the hard work of the Word convicts their heart, will they hear?  See John 6:60- “On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”

After the disciples heard the hard saying,

“After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.” (John 6:66).

And still others have the problem of seeing miracle after miracle but they do not repent.

“Then He began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent.” (Matthew 11:20)

Professor Johan Malan wrote about the lack of lasting fruit from revivals like Buchan’s, “A number of case studies on converts during gospel rallies have been conducted in the past. At places where there are no evangelical churches or Bible study groups with high standards where converts can get further instruction, more than 90% of them did not stand by their original commitment. Angus Buchan will seriously have to face this fact. In modern preaching in general, more emphasis is placed upon moralising and human relations than on an improved man-God-relationship.”

A shallow conversion rate is the same issue with Billy Graham Crusades. “Observers over the years have noted that Billy Graham, who is considered to be America’s premier evangelist, gets a lot of people coming forward in his meetings, but few lasting conversions. Herman Otten, editor of Christian News, stated that “The editor’s home congregation participated in the 1957 New York Billy Graham crusade. . .  The editor’s home congregation received about 28 [referral cards].  All were visited but none were interested in joining the church. Surveys have shown that Graham’s mass crusades have resulted in few ever joining a church.”

Graham himself said, “less than five percent of all those who made a confession or profession of faith at his crusades went on to become active members of a church fellowship.” (source)

When you combine the treachery of easy beliefism and its low conversion rates with dependence on miracles, it is an even worse situation.

“Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you.” He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” (Matthew 12:38-39).

I am concerned because Angus Buchan is HUGE. The photos above are recent and real. He is very big in Africa. His revivals and Mighty Men Conferences draw a quarter to a third of a million people at a time, and the crusades last for days. His charismatic approach to sharing the Gospel and his emphasis on miracles, combined with a noted waning of preaching actual scripture, is a very big concern in a continent that has largely escaped the worst of Western prosperity and charismatic emphasis. It is also a concern because of the need of the people to hear the full Gospel. I don’t think they receive the full counsel of God at a Buchan crusade.

Prof. Malan wrote in 2010,
“It is obvious that the South African revival preacher, Angus Buchan, does have a relationship with Jesus Christ as his Saviour and experiences Him as a living reality in his life. He also exhorts thousands of people to repent, and helps families to reconcile with each other, which is praiseworthy.  On the other hand, worried voices are being heard that he reveals great ignorance on various aspects of biblical doctrines – to such an extent that he has embarked on the way of kingdom theology, the ecumenical movement, and even the promotion of dubious signs and wonders. On certain occasions he has made positive comments on false prophets such as Benny Hinn and Kathryn Kuhlman. His perceived ignorance on these matters is disturbing and even bewildering.”

A former friend of Mr Buchan’s, Shaun Willock said, “But then our paths diverged. It was inevitable, for as he embraced the Charismatic movement and became increasingly involved in it, the Lord was opening my eyes to the unbiblical errors of Pentecostalism/Charismatism, culminating ultimately in my departure from it and utter repudiation of it. And in this can be seen the discriminating grace of God.  Separation from all that the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement stood for was what I desired, whereas Angus wanted more of it.”

And from the photos above, Angus got more of it. Mr Angus Buchan seems to be a compassionate man who loves the Lord, but he is a Charismatic faith healer who depends on signs rather than the Gospel. He and his teachings are to be avoided. Any miracles he claims to have performed should be looked on with heavy skepticism.

Your own tried and true, bible preaching, caring, hard working pastor might not be as flashy as Angus Buchan, and 350,000 people might not clamor to attend your church, but it is the slow and steady that wins the race. Persevere in a quietly transforming faith, dependent on the word and prayer and a close walk in the ways of Jesus on the narrow road, and you will not hear the dreaded words, “Depart from me, you workers of iniquity.” (Matthew 7:23) but instead, you will hear, ‘Welcome to the paradise of God’. (Revelation 2:7)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FMI: My Faith Like Potatoes review

Faith Like Potatoes review by Shaun Willock in South Africa

Pastor Conrad Mbewe explains why the Charismatic Movement is thriving in Africa

About 60 power poles have spontaneously combusted in three Texas counties, causing residents across the three counties to lose power. Officials say it is due to heavy fog. “I can’t even say career – not in my lifetime have I heard of this,” said DPS Trooper D. L. Wilson. One witness said it was “Like having our own Olympic torch.”

Fire and ice mix as Russian volcano erupts for first time in 36 years
“Plosky Tolbachik volcano erupted in Russia’s Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula on Nov. 29. The volcano, located on the peninsula’s eastern coast, is erupting for the first time in 36 years, according to The Associated Press.”

Earlier in November I’d asked “Is the New Madrid fault zone waking up?” It seems the answer is…yes. This article asks, Monster Sinkholes Indication Major Earth Changes on The New Madrid Fault? They report, “According to Bloomberg, there has been “a sixfold increase in the number of earthquakes that have shaken the central part of the U.S. from 2000 to 2011″.

The article also talks about monster sinkholes, such as the one in Ohio
Ohio Sinkhole Devours Four Football Fields Of Land, Stretch Of State Highway 516 Near Dover

Or the sinkhole in Bayou Corne, Louisiana, which keeps on getting bigger and more gassy.

The strange booms are now being reported in 6 states in the last day

Arizona: Residents in communities in and around Verde Valley and as far as Flagstaff called 911 or their police and fire departments to report the strange booming sounds. “It sounded like thunder, but underground,” Swesey said. “Like muffled thunder. And all the dogs in the neighborhood, all of them that were outside all started barking at once.”

Texas/Oklahoma: Loud Booms Heard Across Texoma Has Confirmed Cause: sonic booms from military jets are the reported cause, but residents say they know the sound of sonic booms and this wasn’t it.

Rhode Island: While authorities still do not know the source, residents are sticking to their story saying they heard a large explosion coming from Narragansett Bay Monday night.  Reports of the phantom boom kept crews busy in both Barrington and Warwick after residents reported hearing the strange disruption around 11:30 p.m.

Alabama: Mysterious loud noise baffles residents, police

Georgia: Several Loud Booms Reported In Columbia County… Columbia County EMA director Pam Tucker tells WJBF News Channel 6, that quarry blasting and earthquakes have been ruled out as causes of loud booms and rumblings in Columbia County. Tucker tells us no blasting or quakes were going on at the times the booms and rumblings were reported.  A seismologist Tucker talked to checked all of his equipment and said that he sees no indication of earthquakes around any of the times he was provided.

The demand for exorcists is more than the Catholic Church can handle. So they set up a hotline. “Exorcist Hotline Created By Catholic Church In Milan, More Priests Available To Drive ‘Demons’ Out’

Thanks to The Sacred Sandwich. Those guys are awesome!

We are waking up to an amazing day in America. As a nation, we have chosen a platform that chucks God, endorses and promotes baby killing, redefines marriage as God has ordained it, and embraces a man who is the embodiment of all the above.

It is also amazing that the nation re-elected Obama in this weak economy, something American’s don’t normally do. Usually they choose the other guy when the economy tanks.

In Maine, the heated battle to approve of homosexual marriage at the ballot box has finally won. It has ben a long and bitter battle, with the Legislature first attempting to pass it, but the people mounted a referendum challenge, and were successful. Then the Judicial system attempted to install it, and the people again mounted a ballot referendum and were successful in holding the line for traditional marriage once again. That back and forth ping pong ball has gone on in Maine for many years, with finally, the ballot box winning out this time in favor of the perverse version of marriage. The LA Times reports-

Homosexual marriage legalization passes in two states
“Maryland and Maine appeared poised to become the first states in the nation to back same-sex marriage at the ballot box Tuesday night, and other gay-marriage measures were on the ballot in Minnesota and Washington. The issue had been before voters 32 times and had been rejected every time. But activists say public opinion has shifted since 2008, when California passed a constitutional amendment reserving marriage for heterosexual couples. A 2010 poll showed that, for the first time, more Americans supported gay marriage than opposed it, and in May, President Obama endorsed same-sex marriage. … Just three years ago, the state defeated a same-sex marriage bill at the ballot box. But a lengthy campaign to change voters’ minds has persuaded some Mainers…”

This next part will be kind of long but I want to offer a biblical grounding for a deep understanding of how dire the spiritual situation is. Please, please read…

This is from a bible analysis of homosexuality. It is by Brian Schwertly of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Waupaca County. It is well worth reading the entire piece. Here are some excerpts:

“This is an age of increasing acceptance and approval of homosexuality. Homosexuality is portrayed by many in government, in public education and in our colleges and universities as just one of many normal, legitimate lifestyle choices. Those who oppose the homosexual lifestyle on moral and religious grounds are usually portrayed by the intellectual elite, the media and the entertainment industry as ignorant bigots who are full of hatred, “homophobic,” and so on.

It is true that some people hate homosexuals. Some people even engage in “gay bashing.” But it must be remembered that people who engage in such activities are sinning against God; they are not at all living in accordance with the law of Christ. The true Christian loves the homosexual and shows it by treating him in a lawful manner, according to the law of God (1 Jn. 5:3). Slander, violence, hatred and scorn should never be the attitude of a Christian toward the homosexual; Christians should protect homosexuals from personal attack. Yet, while the Christian should love the homosexual by treating him lawfully, he must also love him by being biblically honest with him. A person’s attitude toward homosexuality must not be shaped by our changing, pagan culture but by God’s inspired, infallible revelation, the Bible. The Bible offers hope to the homosexual because it speaks the truth and proclaims forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ.

The Creation Ordinance of Marriage

In order to have a proper understanding of human sexuality one must go back to the beginning of mankind. In the beginning God created one man (Adam) and one woman (Eve). God did not create two men (e.g., Adam and Steve) or two women (e.g., Eve and Yvette). God created Adam first from the dust of ground; He then created Eve from Adam’s rib. Eve was created to be Adam’s wife. The Bible says they were naked, yet they were not ashamed. God’s creation of one man and one woman to be husband and wife is the pattern or paradigm for God-sanctioned, normal, moral, blessed sexual relations. “The marriage union is God-ordained, and its sacred precincts must not be polluted by the intrusion of a third party, of either sex” (F. F. Bruce).

Jesus Christ quoted Genesis 2:24 as clear proof that polygamy (having more than one wife) and divorce (except in the case of adultery) are condemned by God (Mt. 19:5). The Apostle Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said that there is only one moral, legitimate outlet for man’s God-given sex drive—marriage (1 Cor. 7:2). Monogamous, heterosexual marriage is the only way to have sex without sin and guilt. “Marriage is honorable among all, and the [marriage] bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Heb. 13:4 [all Scriptures NKJV]). Anything contrary to the creation ordinance of marriage between one man and one woman is unacceptable before God and sinful. The Bible condemns all sexual activity outside of monogamous, heterosexual marriage: homosexuality, premarital sex, polygamy, adultery, bestiality and so on. “Let no one deceive you with empty words,” says Paul, “for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience” (Eph. 5:6). “

The Law of God

God’s moral law clearly condemns homosexuality of any kind: “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination…. If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them” (Lev. 18:22, 20:13). Apologists for homosexuality try to circumvent the clear, unambiguous statements of God’s law with blatant Scripture-twisting and excuse-making arguments.

The New Testament agrees with and confirms the Old Testament’s condemnation of homosexuality. Could any passage of Scripture be more clear in its condemnation of homosexuality than Paul’s statement found in the first chapter of Romans: “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;…who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them” (Rom. 1:24-28, 32)

All that said, how does a nation in New Testament times, without benefit of a prophet proclaiming imminent judgment, know when of if God will judge it? By His word. Hebrews 1:1-2 tells us

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”

His Word says what is expected of us, for marriage, for government, for moral behavior, for worship and for the priority of God in our lives. In effect, the written Word delivered via the Holy Spirit’s inspiration and by Jesus is the prophetic voice of old as the prophets used to proclaimed judgment.

The following essay answers the question “When does God Judge a Nation?“

“Every day the headlines get worse and the future bleaker. My immediate thought was: Is God judging America? Ascribing God’s judgment to a person, event, or country can be a precarious endeavor. We live in a fallen world and therefore bad things sometimes happen just because of sinful human nature. However, nothing happens unless God allows it or He causes it to occur. In biblical times a prophet made it clear that God’s judgment was coming. He gave the Canaanites 400 years to repent (they didn’t). He gave the city of Nineveh 40 days to repent (they did). He told Abraham that if He could find just ten righteous men in Sodom and Gomorrah He wouldn’t destroy it (He couldn’t). He used the Babylonian Empire to carry out His judgment against a rebellious Israel who wasn’t obeying His land Sabbath laws (Leviticus 25:1-8; Jeremiah 25:8-9,11,29:10; II Chronicles 36:20-21). This judgment resulted in the destruction of the Jews’ first temple and led to their seventy-year captivity by the Babylonians. Of course the biggest judgment (aside from judging His Son Jesus Christ for our sins) God wrought was when He destroyed the earth with a flood. Are there biblical principles we can use to discern as to when events may be a judgment of God?”

The essay goes on to illustrate in biblical detail why and when God judges nations. Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed for homosexuality and wickedness, laziness and selfishness (Ezekiel 16:49-50; Leviticus 18:22-25).

Nineveh was destroyed for wickedness, though it is not detailed which wickedness. (Jonah 1:1-2)

Canaanites were judged but this principle shows that God allows a period of time for repentance, for warnings,and finally for their wickedness to come full measure. (Genesis 15:13-16). In their case it was 400 years. In Nineveh’s case it was 40 days.

Israel was judged and went into captivity for ignoring God’s laws about giving the land rest. (Jeremiah 25:7-11)

The world was judged when evil was so great upon the earth and man was thinking only evil continually.(Genesis 6:5-7)

“God’s judgment will come when the wickedness of a nation’s behavior (or the world’s behavior in the Flood’s case) and the evilness of its reasoning crosses the line of God’s tolerance.”

The essay concludes with one more principle of when God judges:

Flaunting Sin

I want to mention one last biblical principle concerning the judgment of God. This has to do with flaunted or public sin. There are different attitudes people can have when they sin. Some are ashamed of their sins and try to hide them. Others flaunt their sins before man and God because they have no shame in committing them. All sin is destructive but God looks at the heart (I Samuel 16:7).”

Ananias and Sapphira lied directly to the Holy Spirit, flaunting their sin of greediness. A rebellious attitude of flagrant sin will not be tolerated in individuals nor in nations.

Please understand that where America is now is in a place of severe precipice, her toes even over the edge of the abyss. Making an ordinance of homosexual marriage, rejecting the even moderately moral and ethical man Romney is, making a platform of child sacrifice, never mind the financial sins of laziness, welfare, greediness, and power abuse, our sins have piled up so high we cannot see the top of the pile even with a telescope. God will judge America, as He will judge all nations. The only questions is how close is it.

It is my personal opinion that our judgment is near, that the election was one last chance to refuse immorality and perversity. To reject the God-rejecters and to embrace an agenda that is a bit more Godly than the one American finally embraced. I personally believe Hurricane Sandy was a warning in the face of this nation’s imminent – and very likely her last – decision.

What will this judgment include? One only needs to look at the bible to see the many ways He judges. Will we be attacked like Israel was and carried off in captivity to a stronger military power?

Will we undergo a severe, city-flattening earthquake? (Amos 1:1, Zechariah 14:5).

Will He send drought and famine? Will he send war? Will He do all of the above?

We do not know. But one thing we do know, as sure as His promises of judgment for rebellion against Him are sure, He also will keep His promise as the Great Shepherd and love and care for each of His sheep.

“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” (Isaiah 40:11)

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)

‘For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them” (Ezekiel 34:11)

If you awoke today depressed and dejected because the news, well, we have a right to be. I am dejected too. But what I am sad for are the vast majority of the people who do not know what they are doing, who are lost, blind sheep stumbling around without a shepherd. They are in the cold and do not know it!

We are hurtling headlong toward the cliff, rushing toward the cesspool so many want to dive into.

I am sad for my nation and expecting judgment any time soon. But I know my home is in heaven, and until the Good Shepherd calls me there I will pray for the lost people of this nation. Ceaselessly. Have hope in Him and His ways. He is holy and pure.

I am Elizabeth Prata, and I approve this message. (Except the part about Romney being President)

US says there’s no time for Obama-Netanyahu meeting
“White House says scheduling, election campaign are reasons for not holding a meeting; announcement follows Netanyahu declaration that those who don’t place “red lines” on Iran, have no right to give Israel a “red light.”“

“For the first time since taking office, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is slated to visit the United States without meeting US President Barack Obama. The lack of a meeting later this month comes in the midst of roiling tensions between Jerusalem and Washington over setting red lines for Iran’s nuclear program. Some have seen the absence of a face-to-face conversation as a further sign of strain in the relationship.”

John McTernan wrote today, “Obama is manifesting his hatred for Israel, forcing Israel to fight Iran alone. All we can do is watch this day by day as the countdown to war is on.”

Zechariah wrote that in the time of the end, Israel would have no friend, and the world would be staggering with hatred against her in trying to remove Jerusalem from her place. (Zechariah 12:2-3). By the end of the end, all the world’s armies will be gathered around Jerusalem and waiting for Jesus to return so they can fight Him. (Rev 16:13).

Israel will have no friends… It was only four short years ago that the US and Israel were tight and it was impossible to believe we would ever go away from Israel. After Obama, we see how fast a 50 year relationship can erode, especially when there is demonic hatred at the root of it.

Reuters wrote that Obama’s refusal to meet with Netanyahu is “an unusual snub.” “In a highly unusual rebuff to a close ally, the White House said on Tuesday that President Barack Obama would not meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a U.S. visit later this month, as tensions escalated over how to deal with Iran’s nuclear program.”

Netanyahu – and Ahmadinejad- are coming to the opening of the UN for the 67th General Session this month. The Palestinian Authority’s Abbas is also coming. He is speaking on September 27th in another pitch for the PA to be given a state. The General Session opens on September 18.

I just spent three hours writing this part and was 3/4 done…and it all disappeared. Pardon me while I go cry.

This is very true for me

Updated to add a photo:

Eastern Colorado received some heavy weather yesterday. Lots of flooding and then a prolonged period of hail battered parts of Colorado Springs and environs. The hail was so prolonged, and the size so large, that cars were buried up to their doors in some paces. There was so much it looked like snow! Then the tornadoes hit, and the thunder, and the wind.

This storm reminded me of another freaky hailstorm that happened in April in Texas, and also one in China that killed several people.

Here is the news of the Colorado storm:

Flooding, hail rough up eastern Colorado and south metro area
“A storm system that moved through Colorado yesterday brought hail, heavy winds, and even tornadoes to the Denver area. By far, the most visible damage was caused by inches of hail. It was thick cars could not drive through the streets in some neighborhoods.”

Here’s another photo, from Jim Cantore via twitter: “@JimCantore photo from astonishing colorado springs of hail and rain flooding #sad pic.twitter.com/4CmBLNid”

A reader of this blog commented that though hail is common for CO Springs, hail of that size (ping pong ball) is not common at that elevation.

This morning, snowplows were clearing hail off the Denver streets. Here is a CBS photo gallery of the tornadoes, hail, flooding, lightning and thunderstorms that rolled through last night.

They are saying that the storms were “unusual“, “wicked“, and “crazy.”

“And the LORD said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said, “Behold, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel…” (Amos 7:8a).

A plumb line is what surveyors use to ensure the straightness along a vertical plane or a horizontal plane is achieved. It is the baseline standard upon which the work proceeds. The Lord’s plumbline is His statues, and though His mercy is great as we waver, it will not last forever. There is wrath, too, for persisting in wavering from the plumbline. He judges, too, and one of the judgments is hail.

In the rest of the Amos verses, the LORD says he will not pass by His people any more. The end was near, for them at that time. But what of the wicked people all over the world, the ones who rebel against him and refuse His offer of saving grace so they may persist in their depravity now in this time? What of them? What of the church body, filled with doctrinal infection, hypocrites, paganism, and waywardness? Will He tolerate us straying from the plumbline forever? No. Sometimes He sends hail.

“I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line; hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie, and water will overflow your hiding place.” (Isaiah 28:17)

In other news, speaking of unusual, perplexing, even, there was an earthquake at Mayo Ireland.

Mayo earthquake surprises geologists
“A leading seismologist has said yesterday’s earthquake off the west coast was “unexpected” and poses “very interesting questions for geologists”. The earthquake, which registered a magnitude of four on the Richter scale, was recorded as 60km west of Belmullet, Co Mayo, at a depth of 3km, at 8.58am. It was the largest local seismic event ever recorded, according to Tom Blake of the Irish National Seismic Network (INSN) and the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies. It was also the second-largest local earthquake on record in either Britain or Ireland, he said – the first being of 5.4 magnitude on July 19th, 1984… However, Mr Blake said that while the earthquake was classified as “moderate”, it was “significant” in that it challenged existing information about seismic activity off the west coast.”

Remember a few weeks ago there was an earthquake at northern Italy? There was millions in damage. But scientifically, that earthquake also perplexed the scientists, because it happened in a place where earthquakes ‘should not’ happen.

This Discovery News article simply states; Why Italy’s Earthquake was weird
–The magnitude 6.0 quake was a thrust quake, yet it occurred at a depth of just 3 miles.
–The quake hit about 470 miles north of the plate boundary.
“A strong and unusually shallow earthquake struck northern Italy over the weekend, fracturing pavement, sending torrents of brick and rubble raining down from buildings, and killing seven people. The powerful shaking was a first for the region in centuries — and fairly surprising to seismologists.”

In essence, the article explains that the Italy quake was a thrust quake- which happens when two plates smash together…but it was nearly 500 miles from the place where two plates smash together! And when two plates smash together, it always happens at greater depths, but this one was shallow, nearly atop the earth’s surface! Can’t you see the scientists (UK: boffins) stroking their beards and pacing the lab? The earth is just not behaving as we expect it to … but that refrain is becoming an old piece of news these days, isn’t it? Scientists are perplexed…things happen that they don’t expect or can explain. …

The Lord said that as a sign of His near return, “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.”

Is there any doubt that these are part of the signs of His soon wrathful intervention into human life? The lost do not want to hear the truth, that our sinful actions anger a patient but Holy God.

“Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28). [emphasis mine]