Carol of the Drum

Come they told me,

A new born King to see,

Our finest gifts we bring,

To lay before the King,

To honor Him when we come.

Little Baby,

I am a poor boy too,

I have no gift to bring,

That is fit to give a King

Shall I play for you on my drum?

Mary nodded,

The ox and the lamb kept time,

I played my drum for him,

I played my best for him,

Then he smiled at me, me and my drum.

These lyrics put you at the scene of the birth of Jesus. It is easy to imagine you are the drummer. Hesitant, unsure, excited, wondering if it is appropriate to play an instrument instead of presenting a gift, in which you have no gift, except yourself. The drummer offers himself to Jesus, all that he is and all that he has. The song’s lyrics brings tears to my eyes: The thought of having nothing to bring of value fit for a King except offering up yourself and the talent of playing an instrument touches my heart and soul. All he receives back is a smile and that is all that is needed.

I think of what I have to bring before a King.

The Magi:

On coming to the house, saw the child with his mother Mary and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

God’s gift

The Birth of Jesus, the birth of a Savior.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen which were just as they had been told.

Just as the drummer offered himself up to the baby Jesus, Jesus has offered himself to you. Accept Jesus into your heart:

Come just as you are.

Hear the spirit call.

Come and see, come receive, come and live forever.

Life everlasting, and strength for today, taste the living water and never thirst again.

Merry Christmas!!!

BerryBlueBerry

Why doesn't God just tell us when he will come?

I was praying and asking God, “Lord why don’t you just tell us when you will be coming back. You could at least tell a few of us.” As I sat in silence waiting to get an answer this morning the following section of verses came to mind. Matthew 24:42-44:

⁴² “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. ⁴³ But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁴ So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

I went back and read the section from Matthew 24:36-51. As I was reading I was astonished at what God was telling me.

Like many of you I want to know when, but I also know the bible says that no man knows the day or hour. What would I do if I knew? Also what would it hurt if I knew? Most likely I would attempt to tell people and I would make myself out to be fool or kook…

But God doesn’t want us to know… Why? Well, I think it is because of verses 45-47 of Matthew 24:

⁴⁵ “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? ⁴⁶ It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. ⁴⁷ Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

God wants us to continue in doing what we are doing. He wants us to do the things he has already planned and told us to do from his word (Ephesians 2:10). Be ready, keep watch, you know hard times are coming so prepare while you still can, don’t be caught by surprise. There is no need for you to be in the dark or to be caught by surprise. Keep being a light to the world, share your faith, tell people about Jesus, and be an example to those around you. We need to be wise and faithful. Be responsible for your family and loved ones, read God’s word… Draw closer to Jesus and the enemy will flee from you. (James 4:7-8)

God doesn’t tell us when, because he wants us to be faithful and wise servants, doing the things he has already told us to do through his word. We are the salt of the earth, and the light of the world. Let your light shine and don’t lose your saltiness.

Love in Christ

BerryBlueBerry

It's easy to follow the beaten path

As I was preparing for the Obedient Preparation Precedes Blessings, I came to a point where I felt like I needed to do a little more praying, reading, and research. Upon doing the research I found an article by Peter Bregman dated April 21, 2010 that I want to re-post a portion of, and then elaborate and add to it.

Peter Bregman

Wait a minute, I thought, as I looked up from the trail we had been hiking for several hours. Where are we?

I knew I was lost. Unfortunately, I wasn't alone. I was leading a thirty-day wilderness expedition for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). Which, in this case, meant there were eight 16- to 24-year-old students following me.

For most of an expedition, NOLS groups travel off trail. We use topographic maps that reflect the physical features of an area — mountains, streams, valleys, ridges — and we navigate through the wilderness by comparing what we see around us with what's on the map.

Each morning we agree on our goal — where we plan to camp at the end of the day — and then choose a rough path through the wilderness. We know the general direction we're moving and maintain our course by paying attention to the environment — keep that mountain to the left, that small river to the right, and that craggy peak in front.

Every once in a while there happens to be a trail that travels in the same direction we're traveling so we follow it. It makes for easy walking.

But a dangerous thing happens when we follow a trail: we stop paying attention to the environment. Since the trail is so easy to follow, we allow our minds to wander and neglect to observe where we are.

Then we forge ahead, moving with speed and purpose, right to the point where we look up and realize, like I did that day that the environment around us is no longer recognizable. Our focus blinded us.

This is not just a hiking thing.

In business and in life we set all kinds of goals — build a company, meet sales objectives, be a supportive manager — and then we define a strategy for achieving that goal. The goal is the destination; the strategy is our trail to get there.

Only sometimes we get so absorbed in the trail — in how we're going to achieve the goal, in our method or process — that we lose sight of the destination, of where we were going in the first place. And we walk right by the opportunities that would have propelled us forward toward our planned destination.

Which is what happened to Sammy, a religious man, who was caught in his house during a flood. He climbed up to his roof and prayed, asking God to save him.

Sammy saw a wood plank in the water and let it float by. "God will rescue me," he said to himself. After some time, a man came by in a boat and offered him a lift but Sammy declined. "God will rescue me," he told the man. The water continued to rise; it was up to his neck when a helicopter flew overhead. Sammy waved it off saying "God will rescue me." Finally, Sammy drowned.

Next thing he knew, Sammy was in heaven, where he was greeted by God. "Why didn't you rescue me?" Sammy asked. "I tried!" God answered, "I sent a wood plank, I sent a boat, I sent a helicopter..."

OK, so it's not a true story, but the point is still useful. Sammy was so committed to his strategy of God saving him that he missed the rescue.

End of re-post.

What are we as Christians missing? Are we too missing the boat or the ark? Are we on the easy path? Are we thinking that God will rapture us or will save us and therefore we will not have to do anything in preparation? When it happens it happens right… Who cares God is in control.

I think we are following the beaten path, and it’s the wrong path. The pre-conceived notions we had about the 7 year tribulation period are wrong. But men of old taught that we would be raptured and gone from the Earth and we would not be here… We wouldn’t see the 7 years… Cool… that’s easy. Now back to not paying attention to the environment and since the trail is so easy to follow we can allow our minds to wander and neglect to observe where we are and where we are heading. Let’s forge ahead in our materialism. Move ahead, “I must attain the American Dream”. Happiness and Bliss… I don’t want to know about the bad things that are going on all over the world. Why is everything so negative?

Our focus is on stuff, and we are not paying attention to the circumstances, the opportunities, wise counsel or God’s word.

Here are a couple of truths we should consider:

(1) It is Satan who wants us to be confused, directionless, and ineffective.

(2) It is God who has a preordained plan for us, who has given us specific steps, and who wants to see our lives matter.

So how can we know? What does God want us to do? First let’s look at how God speaks to us:

1. God speaks through circumstances

Its funny, Christians routinely blast atheists and atheism, but we often act as if there is no God or that our God is not big enough. We complain about the uncontrollable events in our lives as if we’re just here by chance, left to sort live life out on our own. We don’t really include God except when something bad happens or is about to happen.

But life isn’t dog-eat-dog. God is in charge of this world. God is in charge of our little world. And the events that He allows—getting fired from a job, meeting a future mate, the family we were born into, the town in which we live, the skill sets, talents, and gifts we possess—are all part of God’s divine blueprint for our success. 1 Corinthians 1:7 Therefore, you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.

Also, stop and look around you. Back to the path example above. Look at your surroundings!!! What do you see? How is the Economy doing? How is your Government doing? What are people with money doing? Why is the Government printing money and creating inflation? Why is our debt so high? Oh I see the government is printing money to pay for the high debt. What is happening in the Middle East? Why are they fighting? How about Europe? Wow they sure are coming together… I wonder why? There have been a few earth quakes, tornados, and tsunamis lately, but they didn’t take out too many people only farm land… Gee I wonder what kind of an effect this will have on me? And the final road map sign to keep your eye on is Israel… What is happening in Israel? Why are the Palestinians wanting state hood? Why doesn’t Israel just let them have the land at pre 1967 borders? You get my point? There are a ton of things going on in your surroundings…

None of this happens by chance. God is not up in Heaven pounding his fist against his head saying, “Whoops, I really messed up this time.” No, God didn’t mess up. God didn’t’ make a mistake. God isn’t ever caught by surprise. Read God’s word.

You can do one of two things. You can continue to live as the world lives. You can stick to the motto, “Life is random, you get out of it what you make of it, I can’t help the way I am.” Stick your head in the sand and say spiritual things like, “God will provide”. Or you can embrace your life—your life right now—as God’s will. Romans 12 says, to not be conformed to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of you mind.

Things happen to you that are out of your control, and it is God’s will for your life.

2. God speaks through opportunities

Remember Sammy in the example above? God presented to him opportunities and he refused them. I have friends who constantly agonized over every decision or every opportunity and wonder, “Is this God’s will?” “What should I do”?

God provides us with opportunity after opportunity. Say an opportunity comes available, but we’re unsure whether it is good enough and or even the right time. We go back and forth and say really good spiritual things like, “It’s not God’s will, or I don’t feel lead, or I see the signs but is this really want God wants me to do? Do you talk to anybody about it? Do you pray about it? Are you reading your bible on a daily basis? Do you ever consider that this could be an opportunity to explore?

And on and on we go. A dozen opportunities can be presented, but we never pursue any of them. We hem, haw, and quote a lot of scripture verses, but we never make a move.

I fear that at the end of our life we’ll be like Sammy and God will say, “I brought along this opportunity and that opportunity and you refused to take any one of them.”

God works through open doors and opportunities. It’s that simple. These are not just “lucky” occurrences. If you want to do God’s will, do as one wise man used to say, “Go. Do something and God will direct you.”

Right now there are opportunities for you to respond to how God is speaking through circumstances and opportunities… “LOOK AT YOUR SURROUNDINGS”.

3. God Speaks Through Wise Counselors

Most Christians live a lone-ranger Christianity and refuse to listen to wise counselors.

The Bible talks over and over about the value of wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to make good decisions, spiritual decisions, and God-honoring decisions.

Every major decision I have ever made in my life I have done with the approval and consent of someone I find to be wiser than I. Why? Because over and over in God’s word he says to seek out wise counsel.

Proverbs 18:15
the heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.

Ecclesiastes 9:13-18

Wisdom Better Than Folly

¹³ I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me: ¹⁴ there was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siege works against it. ¹⁵ Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man. ¹⁶ So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.

¹⁷ The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded
than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
¹⁸ Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
but one sinner destroys much good.

There have been many moments when I have had what I thought was a really good idea. But people I trust, who have wisdom raised questions. They said, “Hmm, I’m not sure this is a good idea and here is why...”

You too have wise counselors in your life—if you don’t, find some in your church. Seek their wisdom. Seek their accountability. Seek their unbiased opinion. But also you should check their wise counsel against what God’s word says.

A wise person will take such advice as God speaking to them. That is God’s will.

4. God's Will is revealed in God's Word. (The Map to Eternal Life)

In Psalm 119:105 – God’s word is a lamp unto our feet and light unto our path.

How basic: but how true. The fact of the matter is this: 99 percent of what God wants to you to do in your life is spelled out in His Word. Also God is not going to mysteriously lead you to do something that contradicts His Word.

Ask yourself these questions. How much of God’s revealed Word are you following now?

Are you faithfully seeking Him on a daily basis through Bible study and prayer?
Are you sharing your faith?
Are you doing your best to live apart from sin?
Are you faithful to your spouse?
Are you seeking satisfaction in Christ instead of the world?

These are just a few of many areas where the Bible touches our lives, where God’s Word is revealed to us in simple, concrete, direct language. And you and I can’t escape it.

Quite often, Christians try to blend their own sinful lifestyles with the teachings of scripture and then they wonder why they can’t ever seem to discover “God’s will for their lives.”

In conclusion:

Let me ask you this: If you knew there was going to be some sort of natural disaster heading your way or that was going to occur in your area; that would knock out power, shut down grocery stores, banks and all commerce would you prepare or would you be like Sammy?

It is dangerous to stop paying attention to the environment. In fact I would venture to say that now the environment around you is no longer recognizable and your current focus on materialism, and following the dream has blinded you.

So how do you get back on track? Look at the Eternal Map and take a hard look at your surroundings. Then, “Go do something and God will direct you”.

God wants us to be instruments that can be used by him, however if we are merely sitting around doing nothing to prepare either spiritually or physically then what use are we? Most are not sharing their faith about Christ right now… Don’t you think if you prepare not only physically but spiritually that when a hard time comes God can use you? I’m not saying that God will not perform miracles during that time. But what if you are apart of that miracle that God wants to perform? Will you stand and raise your hand and say here I am Lord? I can help!!! God has a plan and you are apart of that plan… Be obedient to God’s plan and his word.

Last point: I think it is wise to prepare. My reasons are:

1. You will be in a better mind set than most. You can be spiritually prepared.

2. You will not have to rush around and scramble to get necessary things putting yourself and your family in danger.

3. You can be at home with your family praying, reading God’s word and comforting those you love.

4. After the disaster you are more likely to be available to help others, obviously unless the disaster hit you directly, then it really doesn’t matter…

5. (As an example) - Joseph prepared Egypt and Israel for the disaster of famine…

6. The Bible tells us that troubles will be coming, so we have no excuse to not prepare… We should not be like Sammy… That is putting God to the test in my opinion.

7. God will use what you have prepared. If that means you can use the supply, then great, if that means someone else that stumbles across you place can use them, then so be it… Either way God will direct.

There is not really a strong answer to why you should not prepare. I’m not saying prepare for end times through being selfish… I’m saying be prepared in the event there is a disaster, even if no disaster has never hit your area. But a disaster can also include an economic disaster, and I believe that is on its way.

Stop pretending to be ignorant, you are without excuse. Instead be wise…

BerryBlueBerry

Obedient Preparation Precedes Blessings:

I wanted to take this from the word, so here is a collection of what I found to be Obedient Preparation which then precedes a blessing.

Straight from the Word of God:

No water for many until ditches were dug

2 Kings 3:16-17

¹⁶ and he said, “This is what the LORD says: I will fill this valley with pools of water. ¹⁷ For this is what the LORD says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink.

No Oil until vessels were gathered

2 Kings 4:3-4

³ Elisha said: “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. ⁴ Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.”

No Healing until the leper had dipped seven times

2 Kings 5:10

¹⁰ Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.”

No Messiah until the way had been prepared

Isaiah 40:3

³ A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
the way for the LORD:
make straight in the desert
a highway for our God.

No Harvest until the ground had been broken up

Hosea 10:12

¹² Sow righteousness for yourselves,
reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground;
for it is time to seek the LORD,
until he comes
and showers his righteousness on you.

No Reconciliation without repentance

Joel 2:12-13

¹² “Even now,” declares the LORD,
“return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

¹³ Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the LORD your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity.

No Vision without obedience

John 9:7

⁷ “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

No Resurrection until the stone is removed

John 11:39

³⁹ “Take away the stone,” he said.

“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”

No Entrance into heaven without cleansing

Revelation 7:13-14

¹³ Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”

¹⁴ I answered, “Sir, you know.”

And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Conclusion: Not what you thought… Me neither… I know this is confusing… In fact I was hoping for something a little more concrete, which lead me to do further research which will be in the next posting. Don’t you hate to be continues? I do… So I’ll try and be speedy.

So what is all this saying or what does it mean? I will further put this together again in the next posting. But for now:

It is God who has a preordained plan for us, who has given us specific steps, and who wants to see our lives matter. In each of the above examples God spoke through Circumstances, Opportunities, Wise Counsel and His Words. God’s directions or will is spelled out in His Word. We need to stop, take a look around ourselves, pray, and be in His Word. Consider the circumstances, and the opportunities that you have been given and or that you have been observing.

Ephesians 2:10

¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Please Stay Alert:

Matthew 24:42-44

⁴² “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. ⁴³ But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁴ So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Luke 12:35-36

³⁵ “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, ³⁶ like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.

To be continued… I’ll try and get it out by this Friday if not sooner.

BerryBlueBerry

Its time to put your house in order...

September 23, 2011

2Ki 20:1 in those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.”

Our economy is failing, and unless we repent and change our ways I believe that our economy will not recover. Stop and look around you… Men are losing their jobs, their homes, their self worth, and more and more individuals are turning to our government for aid, support, and answers. Materialism has taken root, and like a weed it has consumed us all!!! We are too caught up in what we have and what we want and how are we going to get this or that, that we don’t have time for our family, our kids, our husbands or wives, our friends, or what is most important: God. Materialism has consumed most of our lives. We have too much stuff… That stuff consumes our time, and our money. It takes away our relationships with others and God. Men’s hearts are failing… They are being weighted down by fear, anxiety, and distress from materialism. A man can not cope with all the responsibilities that he has taken on through materialism. We have too much going on and there are too many things happening around us. We have in essence become consumed by our own stuff. Are we coping? Most men just go to their man made “man caves” flip on the big screen plasma and get lost with a beverage of their choice. Their kids are out doing their own things, and their wives are on the computer blogging on face-book. (Obviously there are men and women who are doing other things besides what I mentioned above, but the point is that there is no togetherness and no time for God.)

So how does one put his or her house in order?

I’m not going to claim to be an expert in this, and one thing I will say for sure is, “That it is easier said then done”.

I believe we need to first start by Spiritual Preparation:

Those steps as per the bible are:

1. Abandonment of idols: 1Sa 7:3

³ So Samuel said to all the Israelites, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” ⁴ So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the LORD only. (We need to rid ourselves of materialism).

2. Cleansing of God’s temple: 2Ch 29:15

¹⁵ When they had assembled their fellow Levites and consecrated themselves, they went in to purify the temple of the LORD, as the king had ordered, following the word of the LORD. (Repent, turn back to the Lord you can cleanse yourself by washing with water through the word.)

3. Return to the Lord: Lk 1:17

¹⁷ And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (John prepared the way for Christ, we have that example… We need to turn our hearts to God so that we can love unconditionally and are able to be wise and understand the things that God is revealing to us through his word, circumstances, and things happening in our world today.) Romans 12:2 - Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

4. Personal Purification: 2Ti 2:20-21

²⁰ In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. ²¹ Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. (Let us become instruments of God for his use. We can not do this if we are consumed by materialism.)

Psalm 127

¹ Unless the LORD builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
² In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves.

³ Children are a heritage from the LORD,
offspring a reward from him.
⁴ Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one’s youth.
⁵ Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their opponents in court.

Like I said easier said then done… However it is a must. We all need to make the spiritual preparations, and prepare our house. Put you house in order!!!! Give your house to God. I have to say that I think that Joshua put it best with this verse from Joshua 24… 15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

Also if you know hard times are coming… Then what do you think you should do? I’ll try and look at Obedient Preparation that precedes Blessings next time.

One more Note: Hebrews 10:24-25

New International Version (NIV)

²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Stay tuned for now...

BerryBlueBerry

Palestinians willing to delay UN Security Council vote by 'several months'

Curt Here...

With what appears to be a backroom deal cut in the halls of the UN, it appears as if the UN Security Council vote on a Palestinian state is going to be delayed for a few months. It is clear from my perspective that the world leaders are having a very hard time dealing with this burdensome stone that is Jerusalem. Having said that, this appears to be only a delay, and not a change in direction as Palestinian President Abbas is still planning on formally submitting an application for statehood to the UN Security Council later this week. The agreement is that there will simply be a delay in the vote.

The quartet (comprising the US, EU, UN and Russia) would then be tasked with trying to convince Israel and the Palestinians to return to the negotiation table in hope that they will somehow come to some sort of peace agreement through negotiation rather than UN mandate. This process in my humble opinion seems destined for failure as there seems to be no reason for the Palestinians to return to the negotiation table. Why should they when they can simply wait the allotted time and then force a vote later at the UN Security Council?

Prophetically speaking it is really hard to tell how this all going to come together, but this potential delay has little to do with the overall problem and solution. God's timing is everything of course, but as of now it appears as if we might have to wait a little while longer for major prophetic events to start. This of course could all change later today, tomorrow or next week, the breaking news on this is that fluid as the story seems to change hourly.

So, stay tuned.

Curt

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The Palestinian leadership has signaled its willingness to delay a Security Council vote on their bid for statehood by "several months", raising hopes that a major confrontation with Israel and the United States could still be averted.

Palestinian officials said they were unlikely to raise objections to a compromise offer being advanced by the Middle East Quartet, comprising the US, EU, UN and Russia, that would postpone an incendiary debate on the initiative at the UN for a "substantial" period.

Under a face-saving deal being discussed on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York, Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian leader, would still be able formally to submit his application for statehood, thereby laying down a historical marker and ensuring that the bid cannot be quietly forgotten.

In return, Mr Abbas would not seek to expedite a debate at the Security Council, where the United States has threatened to wield its veto, giving mediators the chance to try to revive peace talks between the Palestinians and Israel.

Signs of a breakthrough came just 48 hours before Mr Abbas was due to address the General Assembly to set out the case for Palestinian statehood, a speech that is still expected to be delivered unchanged.

Although hopes for a compromise could still collapse, signs of Palestinian flexibility after days of defiance will be seen by encouraging by the United States and its European allies.

"The important thing for us is to submit our application as planned," a senior Palestinian official said. "After that, we are prepared to be reasonable. We understand that things can take time. If the process is going to take some months, we are happy to let things take their course."

For more go here...

Abbas Says He Will Seek Palestinian State at the Security Council

Curt Here...

Today in a speech, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced that he would seek membership for a Palestinian state at the United Nations Security Council next week. This has occurred after months of diplomatic work from the US and EU trying to persuade Abbas to return to direct negotiations with Israel towards a two state solution instead of a unilateral approach.

If you have been following this closely over the the last few years then today's news should not shock you. You see in July of 2009, Javier Solana then the High Representative for the EU, stated in a speech of his own (see my blog entry dated July 12, 2009) that "After a fixed deadline, a U.N. Security Council resolution should proclaim the adoption of the two-state solution." He went on to say "It would accept the Palestinian state as a full member of the U.N., and set a calendar for implementation. It would mandate the resolution of other remaining territorial disputes and legitimize the end of claims."

This idea was received very well by many within the international community and especially by the Palestinians. Not long after this, the "fixed deadline" in the Palestinians mind was the UN Security Council in September of 2011. Since this speech by Javier Solana the peace process has essentially gone no where.

Keep in mind that this state as it is being discussed now, would be created along the 1967 borders, which would include areas such as the Temple Mount and East Jerusalem. So, if a Palestinian State is created in the next few weeks, we as Christians must be aware that this could lead to the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy and the return of Christ.

Watch the news closely over the next few weeks and pray.

Stay Tuned

Curt


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JERUSALEM — The Palestinian president announced Friday that he would seek membership for a Palestinian state at the United Nations Security Council next week, a move strongly opposed by Israel and the United States that adds significant tension to one of the most intractable conflicts in the Middle East.

The move by the president, Mahmoud Abbas, constitutes a new Palestinian strategy 20 years after the start of peace negotiations with Israel, which have failed to produce an agreement. It confirmed an approach that frustrated Palestinian officials have been moving toward for months.

American, Israeli and European diplomats have struggled to dissuade Mr. Abbas and his aides from taking such a step, and his decision to proceed anyway represents what could become a foreign policy debacle for the Obama administration.

“We need to have full membership at the UN ,” Mr. Abbas said in his announcement during a speech at his headquarters in Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank , broadcast live on Al Jazeera and other outlets. “We need a state, a seat at the United Nations.”

He added: “We are going to the Security Council,” as Palestinian dignitaries gave him a rousing applause and standing ovation. Mr. Abbas called it “our decision, which we have conveyed to everyone.”

The United States has said it will use its veto at the Security Council to stop any Palestinian statehood bid, adhering to the American-Israeli view that the only way to achieve peace is through direct talks between the Palestinian Authority and Israel. Each side maintains that the other presents the obstacles to negotiations.

The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel issued a brief statement after the speech, saying “Peace will not be achieved by a unilateral approach to the United Nations.”

Mr. Abbas said the application would demand recognition of a state along the borders of Israel prior to the 1967 war, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Israel has said those borders are indefensible and would make further negotiations with the Palestinians even more difficult, because no Palestinian leader will be able to accept less than the state that is recognized by the United Nations.

For more go here...

What is your "story"?

That is one of my best friends oft used greetings.

I've been reading the novel John's Story The Last Eye Witness, written by LaHaye and Jenkins. While I don't agree with all of these two authors perspectives on end times prophecy I've been blessed with their creative perspective on John's motives to write the gospel of John.

I've also been very moved by their descriptions and elaborations of some very familiar passages. The end result for me is a deeper love and understanding of who Christ is, how he graciously interacted with humans during his fleshly ministry, and some insights into our challenges as Christians today.

I'm planning on continuing to blog on all of the above as I continue to read and process the book. My hope is that we all can stay sharp in our walk with our Lord.

Stay tuned as work my way through some of my thoughts and perspectives. I'm hoping to mix in current events and some encouragement as well.

Stay tuned.

Mike

Blog Update

Curt Here...

Recently, Mike and I were talking about how neither of us had posted here on the 70Th week blog in quite awhile. We wondered why to each other and the familiar reasons arose, such as work, kids & family. These reasons were all accurate but the truth of the matter is it was much deeper than that. The truth is that we are living in a very crazy and confusing time. This has left us lost for the right words to describe what is happening. This is especially true when it comes to the fulfillment or future fulfillment of Biblical Prophecy.

Having said that, we have come to the realization that just because we obviously don't have it all figured out, this does not mean that we can remain silent or absent any longer. In my very humble opinion, we are beginning to enter some very dark days. So, from now on this blog, with the Lords help we will do the best that we can to try and shed some light on the happenings of the world and how these events could relate to Biblical Prophecy and how we as believers should respond to them.

With that in mind, I have some interesting and I think some exciting news to share about the future direction of this blog. It was within a few days of this discussion with Mike that I got an email from my Pastor. He visits my blog occasionally and he knows that I watch and study the end times. In his email he explained that he had just had lunch with a guy from our church that visits this blog. As a matter of fact he said that this fellow actually sits very near to where I sit every Sunday and that the two of us should talk. I of course was excited to hear this and the two of us immediately started corresponding.

It turns out that I knew this guy from reading his many comment posts over at Unsealed Prophecy (You can view that site here). He goes by the user name of Berryblueberry. It was good to know that someone who is following the same possible fulfillment of prophecy that this blog is following, is also sitting next to me every Sunday. Coincidence? Probably not. After a very good discussion, prayer and the realization that Berryblueberry has much to offer in this topic, I have asked him to guest blog here at the 70Th week when he feels led.

So from now on you will see a mixture of posting from myself, Berryblueberry and Mike. We hope to get back up and running soon and we look forward to what God has in store here at the the 70Th week.

Stay Tuned.

Curt

UN Assessment: PA is Ready to Govern a State of its Own

Curt Here...

If you read the 3 articles I have posted below you will see there is starting to become a clear globally induced path towards a Palestinian State. The UN and much of the rest of the world has already picked a side in this long standing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, and if the reports are true, a new state called Palestine will soon be born.

This is how I see it going down. Please keep in mind that this is just a possibility, I of course could be wrong.

As of today the UN has issued a report that the Palestinians are ready to govern themselves. The report stated that they have sufficient government functions in place to exist on their own. The only thing holding them back is Israel. Since this has now been established, the next step would be to continue with the political process towards establishing a Palestinian State by UN mandate. This has been reported to be on the September 2011 agenda at the UN and already has overwhelming support.

Once a state has been established, using Libya as a model and the "responsibility to protect" doctrine (see detailed article below), Israel which has already been labeled as "occupiers" will soon be labeled as a country that is oppressing "freedom fighters." Of course the world will simply not stand for this. They will use the same process as with Libya and establish a no fly zone through the UN Security Council over this new state of Palestine.

If Israel does not comply with this no fly zone (I don't think they will) then the world would be justified, better yet it would be the worlds responsibility to enforce such a security council measure. When I say enforce, lets be clear we are talking militarily. Again, very similar to the Libyan situation, with the UN, US, EU and NATO all being heavily involved.

This I believe is a very possible way in which we find ourselves in a situation where Jerusalem is surrounded by armies as the scriptures foretell.

It is amazing to me that we have a chance to look at the current news and actually lay out a realistic path towards the end of days. Like I said earlier, I don't claim to have this all figured out and I could be wrong, but the scenario I have laid out, is quite possible.

Please stay tuned to this website along with the many other websites that are reporting on this very important and possible prophetic news. He is coming soon.

Curt

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UN assessment: PA is ready to govern a state of its own

Report by UN special coordinator for Mideast says gov't functions sufficient for Palestinian state, but "occupation" slows progress.

The Palestinian Authority is ready to govern a state of its own, according to a report published Tuesday by the office of UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Robert Serry, AFP reported.

The report, which will be submitted to Palestinian donor nations at a meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, said that in six areas where the UN is most engaged there are sufficient governmental functions to establish a state.

The report, however stressed that it would be difficult for the Palestinians to make further progress while peace talks remained stalled and Israeli "occupation" continued.

Link



Arab League to ask UN to impose no-fly zone over Gaza

Gaza ceasefire brokered by UN official Robert Serry who acts as intermediary between Hamas and J'lem, Ma'an reports.

The Arab League on Sunday announced during a special meeting in Cairo that it plans to press the UN to impose a no-fly zone over Gaza amid an escalation in violence in the area, AFP reported.

Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said he plans to present the proposal to the UN Security Council, the report said.

Link



Is this Obama's next target after Libya?

TEL AVIV – Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa served on the committee that invented the military doctrine used by President Obama as the main justification for U.S. and international airstrikes against Libya, WND has learned.

The discovery is particularly pertinent because on Sunday Moussa announced during a special meeting in Cairo that the Arab League plans to press the U.N. to impose a no-fly zone over the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip similar to the one imposed now on Libya.

Moussa said he plans to present the proposal to the U.N. Security Council.

The call comes as Hamas has fired over 140 rockets into Jewish civilian population zones, prompting Israel to carry out anti-terror operations in Gaza aimed at diminishing Hamas’ rocketing capabilities.

As WND was first to report, billionaire philanthropist George Soros is a primary funder and key proponent of the Global Centre for Responsibility to Protect, the world's leading organization pushing the military doctrine. Several of the doctrine's main founders sit on multiple boards with Soros.

The doctrine and its founders, as WND reported, have been deeply tied to Obama aide Samantha Power, who reportedly heavily influenced Obama in consultations leading to the decision to bomb Libya. Power is the National Security Council special adviser to Obama on human rights.

Now it has emerged that Moussa served on the advisory board of the 2001 commission that originally founded Responsibility to Protect.

That commission is called the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty. It invented the term "Responsibility to Protect," while defining its guidelines.

Link

Temple Institute Reveals Detailed Blueprints for the Third Temple

Curt here...

Today's news is exciting as the Temple Institute for the first time has reveled detailed blueprints for portions of the third temple (see article below). I would highly recommend you check out the 3D video tour (also posted below). With all that is going on in the world, this is just another sign that we are in the season of our Lords return.

This Spring and Summer show additional signs of promise towards our Lords return as the push for a Palestinian State from the rest of the world continues. Israel is running out of options and I believe by this fall a Palestinian State will be declared by UN mandate. This will force Israel to give up their land including portions of Jerusalem and Judea. If and when that occurs, watch very closely as this could be the beginning of the end of days.

Stay Tuned.

Curt

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NOW PRESENTING
The Greatest Progress Toward the Rebuilding of the Holy Temple in Modern History: Blueprints for The Holy Temple


Blueprints and Computer Animation of the Sanhedrin Chamber of Hewn Stone


In his recent USA speaking engagement tour, (January 2011), Rabbi Chaim Richman of the Temple Institute revealed to the public for the very first time detailed construction plans for the Chamber of Hewn Stone: the seat of the Great Sanhedrin which is a central component of the Holy Temple complex on the Temple Mount. These complete and highly intricate plans constitute the first stage of an historical undertaking of the Temple Institute: the drafting of blueprints for the entire Holy Temple complex. These plans, drawn up by a top Israeli architectural firm hired by the Temple Institute, take into account the specific requirements of the Sanhedrin assembly hall, known historically as the Chamber of Hewn Stone. At the same time these plans incorporate modern technological infrastructure necessary to a twenty-first century facility: this includes internet ports, wireless communications systems, computer data storage, elevators, air conditioning and underground parking. All these modern amenities, and many more, have been integrated into the Sanhedrin structure without compromising the integrity of the great assembly's physical or spiritual character.

No land can be prepared, no foundation can be laid, no wall can be erected without a detailed architectual plan first being drawn up, approved by engineers and presented to the appointed site manager. The plans you are viewing on this page fulfill every requirement necessary for the immediate commencement of work on this aspect of the Holy Temple complex.

The Sanhedrin Chamber of Hewn Stone is but a single chamber in the northern wall of the Holy Temple. It was chosen as the initial focus of the blueprint project, not because of its architectural significance, per se, but because of its overwhelming spiritual significance to the world. The seventy elders of the Sanhedrin have been vested with the authority of the seventy elders whom G-d commanded Moshe to appoint in the desert:

"Then HaShem said to Moses, 'Assemble for Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the people's elders and officers, and you shall take them to the Tent of Meeting, and they shall stand there with You. I will come down and speak with you there, and I will increase the spirit that is upon you and bestow it upon them. Then they will bear the burden of the people with you so that you need not bear it alone.'" (Numbers 11:16-17)

These elders are not only judges, but also teachers who task is to ensure that "for out of Zion shall the Torah come forth, and the word of HaShem from Jerusalem." (Isaiah 2:3) This being said, it should also be noted that the Chamber of Hewn Stone sits in close proximity to the Ark of the Covenant, from which the sages draw Divine inspiration.

We invite all souls who long for the Holy Temple and seek a role in the historical undertaking that we have begun, to join us in our efforts.

Temple Institute