Avalon Chronicles #189: "Where do We Go From Here?"

Reference: The Evidence Bible (NKJV): Bridge-Logos Alachua, Florida, 32615. 2011. Commentary by Ray Comfort. Scripture quoted below is from this Bible. 

     If one does not believe in something, one will believe in anything. I BELIEVE THE BIBLE IS THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD! In the Old Testament it is the story of the evolution of the Hebrews from Abraham, called by God to move to what eventually was called the Promised Land. There was mostly nothing but warfare and sin and turbulence until God sent his Son Jesus as a real person to be born, immaculately conceived, to walk in ministry for only three of the most important three years of recorded history, related in the New Testament, to be a living and breathing human to walk the earth to teach how one must live to achieve a fulfilling, good and balanced life. Since Adam and Eve, Satan, the serpent revealed in the Garden of Eden, has had power over the earth. But, God remained with power and comntrol over the spiritual world. Since the beginning of recorded history there has been constant evil reflected in humanity. The counter for earthly goodness and blessings has been humanity believing one by one that Jesus is Who He said He was, that He was crucified at Golgotha in Jerusalem, which established that humanity's sins were paid for by that sacrifice for all of us. With repentance we can be redeemed from our sins due to His death on the cross. When Jesus returned to the Father, he left the Holy Spirit to be our guide for life. 

     The challenge has been that one by one we accept the truth of the Gospel message that we can have eternal life by believing in Jesus, denouncing our personal sin nature, confessing our sins and receiving forgiveness. It sounds easy, but, in fact, it is challenging each day to be "good" and withstand the fleshly temptations thrown across our path to be controlled by the flesh rather than the spirit. Many, perhaps even most people, go about their days lying, cheating and stealing! Eternity with God will not be achieved by them. What are some of the "things" that are repugnant to God and if, not repented of, will preclude one's eternal address being on a street in Heaven. 

     Galatians 5:19-26 "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." 

     We make these choices, flesh or Spirit each day. We must read the Revelation of Jesus Christ, last book in the New Testament, to become informed about the horror unfolding, when God pulls the plug and says, I suppose, "It is over, all have had their chance to enjoy a life directed by fleshly satisfaction or one directed by spiritual satisfaction."

     One may question, "How can I move from flesh-directed to Spirit-directed.?" The above rendition of ill behavior or thoughts may be addressed by us with changes in attitudes and behavior; inner healing; or deliverance from the evil/demonic spirits that obtain control over us due to unconfessed and unforgiven sin. These three arenas of confronting issues that must be addressed are covered in a myriad of books, especially in recent decades. With attention to our personal state, we can become informed to effect positive and enduring change for our own benefit much less the benefit of those around us. 

Avalon Chronicles #188: "The ISMs: JUDAISM, Bolshevism, Communism, Nazism, Fascism and Terrorism" PART TWO

 Reference: Clark, Allen B. Soldiers Blood and Bloodied Money Wars and the Ruling Elites. 2019. Amazon Books. pg. 241-245.

     One of my favorite historical characters of all time is Winston Churchill. On Feb. 8, 1920 the Illustrated Sunday Herald carried an article titled "Zionism versus Bolshevism: A Struggle for the Soul of the Jewish People," in which he describes his beliefs:

     "The conflict between good and evil which proceeds unceasingly in the breast of man nowhere reaches such an intensity as in the Jewish race. The dual nature of mankind is nowhere more strongly or more terribly exemplified. We owe to the Jews in the Christian revelation a system of ethics which, even if it were entirely separated from the supernatural, would be incomparably the most precious possession of mankind, worth in fact the the fruits of all other wisdom and learning put together. On that system and by that faith there is built out of the wreck of the Roman Empire the whole of our existing civilization."

     Churchill reflected that he perceives the Jewish of the world as belonging within three political groupings. The first two are contributory to a 'high degree" of humanity, but the third, he says is "absolutely destructive." The first grouping relates to a definition of "national" Jews, those regarding themselves as loyal citizens of a certain country foremost, in which they practice faithfully their own religion. The second group contains the "political Zionists," those desiring their own homeland in Palestine. With the Balfour Declaration the full support of British policy was supportive of this endeavor. The third group are the "International Jews." From this third grouping Churchill demonstrates their involvement in the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, which he describes as being primarily led by this third class of mostly atheistic Jews. He relates that this is a malevolent movement seeking an equality of mankind that is practically unachievable, was responsible for every insurrectionary movement of the nineteenth century, and, as of his writing in 1920 had total control of the massive land mass of Russia. 

     Significant Jewish influence has been in the financial arena. Author Walter Hurt wrote "Robbed the world over with ruthless hand, and deprived to all possible extent of the privilege of acquiring wealth, to- day he holds the treasure keys of every land. And whoever masters the world's finances is potential master of that world itself. Werner Sombart makes the case that the incredible influence in finance of the Jews originated in their being the treasurers and money lenders on behalf of European royalty. In the 17th and 18th centuries many Jews, due to extensive exclusion became 'crypto-Jews,' the forced "converts to Christianity."

Avalon Chronicles #187: "The ISMs: JUDAISM, Bolshevism, Communism, Nazism, Fascism and Terrorism" PART ONE

Reference: Clark, Allen B. Soldiers Blood and Bloodied Money Wars and the Ruling Elites. 2019. Amazon Books. (All written below is in chapter 14 of the book)

     The major difference as I see it, between Christianity and the following definition of Judaism in the Life Application Study Bible (KJV) is that Christians believe the Messiah Jesus came 2000 years ago and the Jews believe the Messiah has not yet appeared! When He does appear for them, it will be the second time for Christians, commencing the Millenial Kingdom. In the Bible referenced above Judaism is described:

     "Judaism is not about being second-rate or easy. Divinely designed, it was the best religion, expressing true worship and devotion to God. The commandments, the rituals, and the prophets described God's promises and revealed the way to forgiveness and salvation. Then Christ came, fulfilling the Law and the Prophets, conquering sin, and freely providing eternal life." (pg 2154)

     It is important to begin a study of Jews by beginning with the Judaism of Abraham. The foundation of the Judeo-Christian ethic is found in the Torah. (The Chumash Torah). Scherman: xxiv. 

     "In his most exalted state of mind, a person can realize that the true essence of all his earthly endeavors is his service of God, and that plows and fences can dull the spirituality and blind them to the purpose of his mission. For example, we are all too familiar with sad tales of idealists who long to improve the world-only to fall in love with power and forget why they sought it. Some people gain authority and use it to make the world better and and accumulate money that they contribute to important causes. Others become strong and rich only to swell their egos and gratify their desires. Or let us imagine that we could make a wish and improve people's lives. How would we do it? Some would give them homes and bulging bank accounts; others would give them knowledge and morality."

     Both Gentiles and Jews may be people of character, or people in pursuit of greed, avarice and materialism. Extensive references to Jews appear in many sections of my book because Jews are prevalent in many arenas of society. Although a minority in population worldwide, collectively they are possessed of incredible talent and success, especially in business and financial circles, The extensive articles and references to Jews throughout history, their exiles, the Holcaust, and the ill will directed towards them are explained in many ways, many of which are not always understandable. However, the more I studied these opinion pieces, I realized many opinions I read have been due to jealousy. 

Please feel free to make comments about this writing.

Avalon Chronicles #186: "A Time to Live and a Time to Die"

      Uppermost in my spirit and memory always remains the shadow of the Vietnam War, which changed the trajectory of my life. My own severe wounds caused significant bodily and emotional wounds, but I lived and healed from double leg amputations and severe PTSD only by the grace and mercy of God. However, 20 classmates of my West Point class of 1963, which had 504 graduates, returned in caskets. 

     Several days ago I rejoiced in hearing that both granddaughters of dear and long-term friends were safe at a Texas Kerr County summer camp. Then despair gripped me this morning! Tears fell onto my cheeks as Linda related the sadness of a family related to one of her closest friends. Her friend's sister-in-law was vacationing on the Guadelupe River with her husband, daughter, son-in-law and two granddaughters. The family was caught in the flooding. The sister-in-law has not been recovered. The son-in-law was recovered as well as the two sisters, who were recovered HOLDING EACH OTHER'S HANDS!

     Even with just my limited reading the past few days I have been struck with reports of the catastrophes worldwide: earthquakes in Japan, flooding in China, dust storms in Las Vegas, hurricane in South Carolina, widespread flooding from torrential downpours in the Texas Hill Country. Deaths and injuries abound. The world can be a very dangerous place. Casualties were reported in most of these situations. It was a time to live and a time to die. 

     As a Believer in the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior, because He died for me on the cross close to 2000 years ago, I do not fear physical death itself. I believe I will live in eternity as promised by the faith message I trust to be true. I believe in the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When wounded in Vietnam at a Special Forces camp on June 17, 1967, I was spared death by the grace and mercy of God. It was my time still to live and not die. At age 25 my spiritual belief and commitment probably was insufficient to have gone to Heaven then. Through months of rehabilitation I suffered horrendous pain  alleviated by morphine shots. The years of emotional pain with pills alleviated some of the emotional wounds and discontent. However, only a walk of Christian faith brought me peace and contentment. If a reader of this writing does not know for sure whether upon death one is assured of Heaven as final residence, then a choice is necessary. Time to take inventory.

     Recruits in basic traing are awakened very loudly by their drill sergeants banging on various devices. The recruits are immediately awakened. Many in the world need to be awakened, not out of fear, but, out of the peace that comes with a solid and sincere recognition that a life with an all-loving God as life's leader (balanced with the recognition of His judgment) prepares us each day to live a life of joy and peace. We are then ready for what time brings us!