DREAMS FROM MY FATHER

August 23, 2012

I would like to thank Barbara Anable for sending me an email with this YouTube video.  In her email, Barbara writes:

“Joel Gilbert has guts made of steel to make this speech to the National Press Club in Washington.
You will cheer, you will shudder, and you will pray for his safety.”

I did and will do all the above.

As a former journalist, I share Mr. Gilbert’s frustration with the press.  My frustration starts at the local level and goes all the way to the big guys.

Jesus said, “The truth will set you free.”  May we only have the truth?

CR

4 Comments | Commentary, globalization, News | Permalink
Posted by Chris

My “Choice” in 2012

July 23, 2012

With less than four months left before the election, I guess it’s time to state my opinion.  Anyone who reads this blog knows how I have to vote.  Do I think it is an important election?  All elections are important. Every Christian is responsible to know who to vote for not only in the highest office, but in the lowest as well.  What is happening to America is not only caused by incidents in the highest office in the land.  I lay the largest blame on our demise at the feet of the “Christian” church in America.   Most of us call ourselves “Christians,” don’t we?

I must digress a tad.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer visited America twice (Note your spell check and his name is spelled incorrectly in Word).  He was a leading German Christian several decades ago living in a time much like today.  The last time Mr. Bonhoeffer visited Americas was in 1939 for 26 days.  If you have never heard of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, I highly recommend the latest biography written by Eric Metaxas.  Mr. Bonhoeffer understood what was happening years before the tragedy of WWII.  America is headed down a road not untraveled.

Here is what Mr. Bonhoeffer wrote after hearing a famous, nationally known, American radio preacher before he left America on his final visit:

“The Americans speak so much about freedom in their sermons.  Freedom as a possession is a doubtful thing for a church; freedom must be won under the compulsion of a necessity.  Freedom for the church comes from the necessity of the Word of God.  Otherwise it becomes arbitrariness and ends in a great many new ties.  Whether the church in America is really ‘free,’ I doubt.  They are lonely Sundays over here.  Only the Word makes a true community.” (1)

On his first trip to America, Mr. Bonhoeffer arrived on Sept. 12. 1930.  He had come to study at Union Theological Seminary in New York City.

“Bonhoeffer had no idea what he was walking into at Union, but the bloody battle royale between the liberals and fundamentalists was in full swing in 1930.”  (2)

My point is that the spiritual ruin causing all of our other national problems was underway long before 1930.

“(Harry Emerson) Fosdick had been the pastor at New York’s First Presbyterian Church when in 1922 he preached an infamous sermon titled ‘Shall the Fundamentalists Win?’  In it he had laid out a kind of Apostate’s Creed in which he expressed his serious doubts about…the virgin birth, the resurrection, the divinity of Christ, the atonement, miracles, and the Bible as the Word of God.”  (3)

By 1930, John D. Rockefeller had built Riverside Church very near Union Theological Seminary.   Mr. Rockefeller handpicked the pastor, of course.  It was Mr. Fosdick who was “the most famous liberal preacher in America.”  (4)

America was already in trouble in 1922.

Our situation is much worse today.  Look at the presidential candidates we have to choose from.  One we know very little about (the one in office) and the other one is a Mormon. Mormons have a developing Jesus. In fact, they believe that “As man is God once was. As God is, man may become.” (5)  Does that statement sound familiar?

“And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall surely not die:  For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”  (6)

This is one of many reasons that Mormonism is considered a cult.

Romney was a Mormon Bishop. (7)  To get such a position, an oath of obedience to the latest Mormon Prophet running the Mormon Church is necessary.

At least we can say that we know Mr. Romney’s past.

When Mr. Obama’s “official” birth certificate was posted on the White House website, a brilliant 16 year old who, I’ve heard, has made alot of money because of an app he created, tore it to shreds as a fake.  One can see the video of him doing so here. (8)  If you think the young man lacks credibility, you can watch this. (9)  This video is less than 3 minutes (earphones may be needed) and features Mara Zebest, an Adobe expert.  I have heard extensive interviews with Mara and they are quite impressive.

Thus, here are our two choices:

  1.  A man who has no problem lying to us, and
  2.  A man who has had a high position in a cult

As a Christian, what should I do?

Psalm 32:12 states:

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord…”

So, as the t-shirt says: “My faith and my politics can not be separated.”

Before I go any farther, I would like to share an email with you that I received this week.  It is from a man who has been published in our local newspaper several times.  I think he makes some good points.  I have edited only a few things.  You are reading it as it was intended to be understood.

Dear Editor,

 With the great anticipated National election soon approaching, I would like to remind all readers some of the “accomplishments” this President has done during his term thus far.

 #1.

 He was able to convince some of the American public that his designed health care system was beneficial and that government control was needed. You are aware that there will be an increased health insurance fee for medical effectiveness research. Major insurers were already doing their own research, but according to the Obama administration, it lacked the credibility of government sponsored studies. So what if government  becomes judge and jury.

 #2.

 He expanded programs that increased the national debt to an unbelievable level and continues to do so. It now has increased almost 33% since he came into office. That is more than 27 times faster than during the rest of the nation’s history. One way of looking at this is; if you are driving at 65 MPH and a car passes you going 27 times faster, that car would be going 7,555 MPH!! It doesn’t matter that future generations will be saddled with the debt.

 #3.

 He showed allegiance when he bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia, but never wore an American flag pin and folded his hands at waist level when the National Anthem was played.

 #4.

 He appointed White House cabinet posts to Cass Sunstein, Anita Dunn, Valarie Jarrett, Carol Browner and Van Jones. Even though Mao Tse Tung was a favorite of one, many admitted being avowed Socialists. And then there was:

 #5.

 Obama and his administration tried to shut down all oil drilling and exploration in the Gulf. Fortunately he was not as successful as he would have liked, but he did manage to curtail drilling and exploration by his permitorium cutting production to a loss of 375,000 barrels per day. I wonder if he realizes that Offshore drilling is vital to U.S. energy security and supports more than 242,000 jobs. By the way, food stamp recipients have increased over 35% and all unemployment has increased 24%, among minorities it has increased 25%. To make matters even worse, America approved an investment in Petrobas, helping Brazil to become one of the largest oil exporters in the world. We lend them money so that we can buy the oil they produce with the money we lend them. Wow, what a deal!! Mr. Obama spoke of the desire of the U.S. to secure even more oil from Brazil in the future after his talks with President Dilma Rouseff in Brasilia earlier in 2011. Are we right to wonder why Mr. Obama is happy that Brazil is doing what he won’t allow at home? Oh, and the pipeline that would increase jobs and oil refinery here in the U.S; the Keystone XL pipeline? Mr. Obama was against it until… Yep, you guessed it, election time in 2012! That pipeline would have delivered an estimated 500,000 to 700,000 barrels of oil per day! By allowing the industry to produce at capacity it could generate $44 billion in U.S.GDP, reduce by $15 million the amount we send to foreign governments and create 190,000 new jobs. It would help ensure a supply of energy that cannot be manipulated by hostile governments. What a President. What a catastrophe! And to think that he was able to do these things and more, even though he had absolutely no experience at anything except community organizing.  Speaking of community organizing, Obama has a long history of wanting to change social structure and behavior thru community organizing in Chicago. He has credited it by citing public housing being renovated, parks refurbished and city crime and drug problems curtailed. Ask anyone living in Chicago if any of this exists. Mr. Obama talks a lot but it is only blather. I hope this letter reminded you of another reason or two for not giving Obama your vote in November. We can no longer afford him.

 Sincerely,

 Joseph Burba

 I would like to thank Mr. Burba for his contribution.

As a Christian, there is the problem of Mr. Obama’s stand on abortion and homosexuality.  If the scales weren’t slanted greatly in favor of Mr. Romney before these issues, they become so.

It is going to be hard to vote in November.  However, it is my duty as a Christian to vote for the person who is the closest thing to a real Christian.  If our leader is separated from the God of the Bible, how can our nation be blessed?  Our leader is a reflection of the people.

The only man I felt comfortable voting for in the primary was Rick Santorum.  Yes, I threw my vote away.  I went to vote because of a local man I wanted to help make it past the primary.  He did, thankfully.

I will be voting for Mitt Romney in November.  It is not a vote I want to make but I have no choice.  I hope you vote.  I hope you check out the lesser candidates and choose those who best line up with Godly views.

God’s blessings…

Chris Reimers

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless.  Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”

-Dietrich Bonhoeffer

—————————————————————

Notes:

(1)   “Bonhoeffer” by Eric Metaxas – pgs. 342-343.

(2)   Ibid. pg. 101

(3)   Ibid. pg. 102

(4)   Ibid. pg. 101

(5)   http://www.exmormon.org/mormon/mormon140.htm By the way, the Elder Marion G. Romney who is quoted as saying, “As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become” is Mitt’s second cousin.

(6)   Genesis 3:4-5

(7)   http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2012-03-28/mitt-romney-mormon-bishop/53836844/1

(8)   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s9StxsFllY

(9)   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv19avtHVcc

2 Comments | Bible Prophecy, BIG GOVERNMENT, Commentary, globalization, Helps, IMPORTANT UPCOMING MEETINGS, LIFE, News | Permalink
Posted by Chris

THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON AND THUTMOSE III

June 23, 2012

This post started when I lost my Bible.  I still haven’t found it and everyone has looked for it.

What does the loss of a Bible have to do with the Battle of Armageddon?  Keep reading and you’ll know.

I put my Bible (and planner) down somewhere at work and it disappeared.  I wasn’t too disappointed because we have Bibles all over the place where I work.   You see, we hand them out to anyone who wants one (We give them the complete NLT…not my favorite but good enough).

I had lost an NASB of pretty good quality.

You know how you put something down somewhere, it “disappears,” and you give up looking for it because you figure it will eventually show up.  That’s where I was for a couple of days and a weekend.

(Ignore the picture above.  It has nothing in common with this post except the word “disappear.”)

What does the vanishing Bible have to do with the Battle of Armageddon or an Egyptian king?  Keep reading and you might make a discovery.

People donate Bibles to the place I work.  They come in all shapes, sizes, condition, and translation.  I opened a file cabinet less than a week after I lost my Bible and there it was,  the donated Bible that had intrigued me when it came in.  I had forgotten about it, but now I was glad to see it.  It has become my new work Bible.  I will note the name of the Bible in the footnotes. It is one thick hombre.

My “find”

It is a King James Bible and there is an interesting work in it.  How accurate the work is I don’t know.  But it dates most major Biblical events; things like the creation and the Exodus.  I’ve never heard of it before I saw this one.

I have always been curious about the identity of the Pharaoh that Moses saw as an adult.  The 1965 version of Halley’s handbook gives different possibilities about those who may have oppressed the Hebrews and about the pharaohs who may have denied Moses’ request to “let my people go.”

Halley notes Pharaohs who may have met in the duel over the Hebrews.  They are Amenhotep II (his mummy is at Thebes), and Merneptah (his mummy is in Cairo).  In fact, Halley lists these two as the “two leading opinions.”(1) Dating systems put these pharaohs around 200 years apart with about 10 pharaohs between them.

I found 53 possible exodus candidates in only two other sources (if one includes the Hyksos pharaohs…a group of outsiders that invaded Egypt). I didn’t have to look far to find my 53 (also my age).  Imagine if I had really studied this thing.

Mr. Halley writes “If the exodus was under Merneptah, then Rameses II was the great oppressor of Israel, whose daughter brought up Moses.  (2)

“Thus Moses was brought up either under Thothmes III (Mr. Halley has spelled Thutmose III two different ways) or under Rameses II, both of whom were among Egypt’s most famous kings.” (3)

To repeat, Mr. Halley writes that “Moses led Israel out of Egypt either under Amenhotep II, or under Merneptah. (4)

So, the Hollywood version that is shown on network stations every Easter is wrong according to most scholars.  The Pharaoh in the movie (Yul Brenner) is Ramses II, not a good possibility.

Halley writes that the one “thought to have been the Oppressor of Israel” is Thotmes III (also known as Thutmose III), Queen Hatshepsut’s half brother (Other sources call Hatshepsut Thutmose III’s stepmother and aunt).(5)  In any case, she was “regent” the first 20 years of his reign: and “though he despised her, she completely dominated him.”(6)

“After her death, he ruled alone 30 years. He was the greatest conqueror in Egyptian history.” (7)

Halley states “His mummy is at Cairo.” (8)

This would mean that Thutmose the III was pharaoh when Moses was a baby.

Now you are probably wondering what this has to do with my post title.  Hang in there and follow this rabbit trail with me….please?

Very interesting is the fact, again mentioned by Mr. Halley, that “Whichever it was, the MUMMIES OF ALL FOUR have been found.  So we may now see the actual face of the Pharaoh of Moses’ day, and with whom Moses himself had intimate dealings.” (9)

I’ve always been interested in the subject and this Bible that I had run across might lend some insight because of its dating of events.

You can probably guess what I did.

I went to Exodus 2 to see when Moses was born according to my new find. (10)

The date given for Moses birth was March 6, 1542 BC. (11)

Mr. Frank R. Klassen of Laguna Hills California must have spent years studying the Bible and putting dates to events.  We won’t know if he was right until we get to heaven.  I’m sure they have the records up there.

Anyway, I looked to see who the pharaoh was in 1542 B.C., according to Mr. Klassen.

If you are still looking for the connection with Armageddon, I’ll get there.

One problem is that different scholars give different dates for the reigns of the pharaohs.

In many dating opinions, 1542 BC would make Ahmose the pharaoh who knew Moses as an infant. Or it was one of the last pharaohs of the 17th dynasty which was the last dynasty of the Middle Kingdom.  If this is true, it depends on how many pharaohs Egypt went through while Moses was in the desert.

Confused?  Ok, let’s get to the BIG QUESTION.

I went to Exodus 5 for the BIG QUESTION.  When did Moses take the people out of Egypt?   If I could find out the “when,” I could find out the “who.”

According to Mr. Klassen, it was on April 15th, 1462 BC, which in almost all Egyptian dating systems puts Thutmose III, “the greatest conqueror in Egyptian history” as Halley has stated, as the one who faced the adult Moses. (12)

That would mean that while Moses was in the desert all of those years, at least two pharaohs came and went, Thutmose II and the famous Hatshepsut.

So, Moses “met” two pharaohs.  The pharaoh he saw as an adult wasn’t the pharaoh whose home he was taken into.  This is almost certain no matter what dating system one uses.

Now comes the interesting part.  Drum roll please.  If you’ve waded through this far, you deserve some interesting stuff.

If Thutmose III was the man who had his heart hardened – who wouldn’t let the Hebrews go – then there is an interesting fact you should know.

There have been three major “Battles of Armageddon” in history.  The second is recorded in 2 Kings 23: 29-30.  It is generally regarded as having taken place in 609 B.C.

The third occurred in 1918.  You can read about it here. (13)

It is something about the first “Battle of Armageddon” that is the interesting fact.  It was fought and won by Thutmose III, Egypt’s “greatest conqueror.”  You can read about the battle here. (14)

Interestingly, this first “Battle of Armageddon” is described as the first battle ever recorded in detail. Google “first recorded battle in history” and see what you find. (15)

I think that Thutmose III’s scribe exaggerated the victory a bit.

Embellished or not, Thutmose III is highly respected.  Type in “The Napoleon of Egypt” into a Google word search and you will find something like this:

“Thutmose III The Napoleon of Ancient Egypt 1479 – 1425 BC. Some believe Rameses II was the greatest Egyptian ruler but this not true; he spent Egypt’s wealth on massive building projects where as Thutmose III actually created Egypt’s wealth. Thutmose III possessed the archetypal qualities of a great ruler.” (16)

He created the largest empire that Egypt had ever seen. (17)

Here is where I take a leap.  I think, unlike most scholars, that Thutmose III was the pharaoh that hardened his heart and would not let the Hebrews go.

Why do I think this?  Well, it fits Mr. Klassen’s Calendarized Study Bible perfectly.

Mr. Klassen puts 80 years between the birth of Moses and his taking of the Hebrews out of Egypt.  Eighty is a match with the Bible.

This is not my only reason.

If you were God, who would you have Moses face?  I’m not God and I don’t know but I’ll take a guess.  I think God would choose the greatest conquering pharaoh of all time. (I’ll get comments on this statement and I welcome them.)

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Thutmose III fought and won the first recorded battle in history.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Thutmose III was the winning leader of the first battle of Armageddon.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that two men who spent their entire lives working on dating systems came up with dates that would put Thutmose III in the important role of the pharaoh of the exodus.

Mr. Klassen isn’t the only one whose dates fit Thutmose III.

Have you heard of J.R. Church?  He worked his entire life on a dating system.  He is one of my favorite Bible teachers who specialized in Bible prophecy.  He died last year.

The last book that he wrote, Daniel Reveals The Bloodline of the Anti-Christ, J.R. has a timeline in it (in the back).  It is very elaborate but doesn’t mention the Egyptian pharaohs.  You can get more info on J.R.’s book here.

He put the date for the exodus at 1492/1491 on Nisan 15.  This date puts Thutmose III closer to the adult Moses than the other three major possibilities.

Did I mention that Thutmose III was the first pharaoh called Pharaoh? (18)  It means “Great House.”

To see a good picture of Thutmose III, you can go here. (19)

After a study like this, I have many questions, but a main one.

Why haven’t those who’ve studied these things, the real scholars, come to the same conclusion?  Maybe I’m missing something and would be glad to hear it from any of you.

There are many speculations.  There are a few You Tube videos that identify “Firoun” as the pharaoh during “Moses time.”

I looked at the list of all pharaohs known from the 1st to the 31st dynasty and saw no name that was close to Firoun.  Maybe I missed it, but I looked twice and didn’t see it. The closest thing I could find relating to Egyptian pharaohs is the word firon. (20)

In my short study, I didn’t find anyone else who had narrowed it to Thutmose III.  I’m sure there are others out there who have had the same thought.  If you find one, please let me know.

I didn’t go that in depth, but I did find a source that narrows the possibility down to 2, Thutmose III being one of them. (21)

There you have it; a theory from a curious person.

If you are ever in Cairo, stop and see the mummy of Thutmose III and I think you will be facing the man who spoke with a grown Moses.

If you want to save yourself the time and air fare check here. (22)  You see, Thutmose III’s mummy was damaged by grave robbers.  It was “so ruined that later mummy makers used wooden splints tied to what was left of the body to reinforce it.” (23)

Lastly, there is another Battle of Armageddon coming.  It’s referenced in Rev. 16:16.

But, that’s a subject for another time.

Now, if I can only find my lost Bible…

Chris Reimers (24)

P.S.  I could have saved myself some time by Googling “Thutmose III and the exodus.”  But then I wouldn’t have learned anything.  I did the google search as a final check as soon as I finished this draft.  I found one extensive study that agreed with me. (25)  Scanning it I didn’t see the link with Megiddo, however.  And I didn’t see J. R. Church or Mr. Klassen mentioned.  Their dating systems helped me form my conclusions.

I’m glad I did my own work, though it is not as extensive as the only one I could find with the same conclusion at which I arrived.  Steve Rudd feels that the evidence is overwhelming that Thutmose III was the pharaoh of the exodus.  Although someone has been here before, I’ve enjoyed a great journey and maybe added a jot or tittle.  Click here to see Mr. Rudd’s work and see a better picture of Thutmose III.

CR

NOTES:

(1)  Halley’s Handbook, 1965 Ed. pg. 113

(2)  Ibidem

(3)  Ibid

(4)  Ib

(5)  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thutmose_III

(6)  Halley’s Handbook 1965 Ed. pg. 112

(7)  Ibidem

(8)  Ibid

(9)  Ibid pg. 113

(10)               The Klassen Calendarized Study Bible, 1982 ed.

(11)               Ibidem pg. 74

(12)               Ibid pg. 90

(13)               http://www.ancientworlds.net/aw/Article/1120670

(14)               http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/egyptmilitary/qt/070607Megiddo.htm

(15)               http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Megiddo_(15th_century_BC)

(16)               Google search for “Napoleon of Egypt” on April 4, 2024

(17)               http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thutmose_III

(18)               http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharaoh

(19)               http://www.flickr.com/photos/ascarr/7034595625

(20)               http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Firon

(21)               http://www.biblehistory.net/newsletter/moses_pharaoh.htm

(22)               http://ancientegyptia.tripod.com/id11.html

(23)               http://www.mummytombs.com/egypt/pharaohmummies.htm

(24)               Proverbs 3:5-6

(25)               http://www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-exodus-date-1440bc.htm

============================================

After-note:

It is July 27th, 2013.  I am looking at a more recent edition of Halley’s Handbook, published in 2000. In this version, Merneptah  (1236) is not a possibility for being the Pharaoh that Moses saw.  Here is a quote from the 2000 edition:

“On his stela he (Merneptah) mentions having defeated Israel – ‘Israel is laid waste, his seed is not’ – indicating that Israel was already in the land of Canaan.”

Thus, the two editions do not agree.

They do agree that Amenhotep II is a possible candidate for the pharaoh whom Moses saw.

Rameses II is mentioned in the first 1965 edition as being a possibility of being the pharaoh Moses was raised under.  The 2000 edition states “Some scholars consider him to be the pharaoh of the Exodus.”

In the 2000 edition, Thutmose III is “thought to be one of the oppressors of Israel.”

Despite what wiki states about Rameses II being the greatest pharaoh in history, both versions of Halley’s Handbook states that Thutmose III was the greatest.

Here are two sources that agree:

Was this ancient Egypt’s greatest military leader? (National Geographic)

(I saw this first in Mar. 2020. As far as I can tell, it was posted in 2016. My original post was put up in 2012. There are a few other articles and videos which have been posted after my post.)

“Thutmose III reigned from 1479 BCE to 1425 BCE according to the Low Chronology of Ancient Egypt.”  This wiki date fits not only both Halley’s Handbooks that I have, but also the Bible that I feature in this post (April 15, 1462 B..C.).

Most Biblical sources put the date near this for good reason.  The 2000 edition pictured here makes a case for 1446 B.C.  It has good reason.  It states:

“Since Solomon began to rule in 970 B.C. (Mr. Klassen puts the date at 983 B.C.)  the fourth year of his reign would be 966 B.C.  The text says that the Exodus from Egypt took place 480 years before this; that gives 1446 B.C.as the approximated dated of the Exodus.”

This is how Mr. Klassen gets his date of 1462.  Either way, the dates correspond with the wiki dates on Thutmose III.

Is wiki the ultimate source?  Of course it isn’t.  The Bible is our guide and God chooses not to identify, specifically, the pharaohs during the birth of Moses and during the time of the Exodus.  Therefore, we must speculate.  That is what I have done here.

If you are interested, you can come to your own conclusions.  The above post shares mine.

God’s blessings…

CR

9 Comments | Bible Prophecy, Commentary, News, The Middle East | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Chris

MANY HITS ABOUT HUNGRY PEOPLE

June 8, 2012

A little feedback from those who check this blog.

Even though I have backed off on blogging, I get the typical hits by people doing searches on particular items.

It is interesting to me that a post I put up about 2010 hunger numbers, continues to get many hits.  There are many who are going hungry in our world today, many of them in America.

I just saw a news report last night that talked about American kids going hungry.  If many American kids are going hungry, imagine what it must be like worldwide.

I will do a post on the subject soon.  If any of you have information on recent hunger percentages, please leave them here.

God’s blessings…

CR

2 Comments | Commentary, globalization, News | Permalink
Posted by Chris

How Can God Bless A Nation That Has Turned Its Back on Him?

April 16, 2012

I remember Tony Robbins as a guy who used to have answers for people.  To his credit, he doesn’t pretend to have answers to our nation’s problems and he does a good job in this video of putting them in perspective.

The answer to the title of this post is: “He won’t.”  If the Hebrews were taken into captivity, what makes us think we can escape it?”

Jesus is our only hope.   Will we turn back to Him?  Most of the time I think the answer is no.  I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to go home.  To live is Christ, to die is gain.  We continue to run the race until we are called home.  I think the race will be ending soon.

God’s blessings,

Chris

4 Comments | Bible Prophecy, BIG GOVERNMENT, Commentary, LIFE, News | Permalink
Posted by Chris

U.S. MEDICARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY TRUSTEES SHARE ECONOMIC FORECAST ON FRIDAY THE 13TH

May 14, 2011

I would like to make it clear that I am not a superstitious person.  No fear of walking under a ladder on Friday the 13th here.  In fact, I didn’t realize that it was Friday the 13th yesterday until late in the afternoon.

Before the earthquake in Japan, I had watched little mainstream news for quite some time.  Since that event, there is so much upheaval in the world that the continuing release of radioactivity in Japan is rarely mentioned.  I have little confidence in the mainstream media, but I have been watching lately.  Mainstream priorities are very poor but one gets a view of how the world sees things.

The bad news continues.

For the Christian, there is the great equalizer:

Jesus is our hope. (1 Tim. 1:1)

I was heading to bed last night and decided to turn the T.V. on and check out C-Span for a second.  What I saw was a short, annual report by the Medicare and Social Security Trustees.

It doesn’t surprise me that Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner’s report was not included on any of the mainstream news sources that I had seen earlier in the evening. 

If I read C-Span correctly, the report was issued late last evening.  If one has to issue a report and wants the fewest ears to hear it, a Friday evening is the best time.  Weekend news is always very poorly done, so my guess is that this story will begin to get real notice next week if at all.

It is a beautiful morning in Arkansas.  At the same time, the Mississippi River is out of control and so many are still picking up the pieces of the tornadoes that swept through the South.

I have been thinking quite a bit about the first verse of Revelation 21 lately.

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away…”

I believe in the prophecies in the Bible.  I think the last two chapters are very clear if one takes Revelation as literally as I do.  Actually, the last four chapters are pretty clear.  I’ll admit that I’ve read many ideas about the “Babylon” of chapter 18 and don’t know what it is.  After Mr. Geithner’s report last night, I don’t think the United States is as great a candidate as so many internet sites state.

Regardless of how one views prophecy, most Christians believe that Jesus is coming back.  There are many scenarios about how this will happen.  I think there will be a 7 year tribulation.  I also believe in a “rapture.”

Jesus said, “Then there shall be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.” (Matt. 24:40)

I don’t pretend to know when this rapture will happen. 

My point:  It is hard for me, as a Christian, to hear a 35 minute report by the Medicare and Social Security Trustees like the one last night and not relate it to the nearness of our coming Lord.  (Of course, the fact that Israel is back in the land is a much more important sign than last night’s report.)

The monstrous debt that we have accrued has tied us to a world economy that puts us in financial situation that we used to fear militarily.  At one time we were worried about the “domino effect” that might be caused by Russian Imperialism.  Think of the repercussions if any or a few of the major nation economies collapse.  Some would say it’s not a matter of “if” but “when.”

Our experts in finance have about as much ability to forecast the future as our meteorologists.

All one has to do is listen to the short report given last night to see that. 

My question: How can God bless a nation, or a World for that matter, that has turned its back on Him?

Jesus is our hope.  He is our only hope.

If you haven’t placed your hope and trust in Jesus, I would hope that you would do it today.  He is coming soon.

Chris Reimers

Here’s the press release from C-Span:

Medicare and Social Security Trustees report says Social Security and Medicare will run out of money sooner than anticipated.  The annual report, which provides an update on the solvency and cost of the two entitlement programs, blames the sluggish economy for the changes.

The Hospital Insurance fund, which pays for hospital stays of Medicare recipients, will run out in 2024, five years earlier than last year’s report estimate. The Social Security Trust Fund will be exhausted in 2036. When the trust fund runs dry, Social Security benefits do not stop but decrease by 22%
 
The entitlement programs, which cover one-third of the U.S. population, account for a growing piece of the budget. As Washington and the public express concern with the size of the deficit, this report by the Board of Trustees will influence how they fit into the budget debate.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said Medicare reforms “will be needed.”

In his health care speech Thursday, potential presidential candidate Mitt Romney (R-MA) said making Medicare solvent should be a top priority but did not offer any specifics of how he would do it.

In 2009, nearly 57 million people received Social Security benefits and 46 million people received Medicare benefits.

Last year’s report found that long-term Social Security solvency was largely unchanged, but the 75-year outlook for Medicare improved “substantially” because of the passage of the health care law. Before the passage of health care, Medicare benefits were expected to decrease as early as 2016.

The Board of Trustees consists of six people, the Treasury Secretary, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Labor and the Social Security Commissioner. The final two members are public employees appointed by the President. 

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A SAD DAY IN ARKANSAS

April 7, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Contact: Jerry Cox, 501-375-7000

Today, the Arkansas Supreme Court ignored the voice of 57% of the voters—nearly 580,000 people—and ruled in favor of a lower court’s opinion striking down Act One, the Arkansas Adoption and Foster Care Act. This good law prevented unmarried, cohabiting couples from serving as adoptive or foster parents.

 “This is a classic example of judicial tyranny,” said Family Council Action Committee President Jerry Cox. “We have said all along that Act One was about child welfare, and fifty-seven percent of the voters in 2008 agreed. They declared that the State of Arkansas has an obligation to adoptive and foster children to ensure that they are placed in the best possible homes. The Arkansas Supreme Court has chosen to run roughshod over the people’s will and refused to uphold a good law that protected the children in the state’s care.”

Cox said, “I’d like to personally thank the 75 county coordinators and 2,700 volunteers who helped gather signatures to get Act One on the ballot. They worked hard to gather over 100,000 signatures between January and August of 2008. It is because of their dedication that this good law made it on the ballot and passed in 73 counties. I will be forever grateful to everyone who put time and effort into this worthy initiative.

“Today’s ruling was anti-child,” said Cox. “The ACLU couldn’t defeat this good law in a fair election, so they used the court system against the people of Arkansas. This is the worst decision ever handed down by the Arkansas Supreme Court.

Family Council Action Committee is a conservative 501(c)(4) organization based in Little Rock, Arkansas.

—————————————————

It is a very sad day in Arkansas.  Ungodly laws continue to sweep across our nation, and this one is personal.  I guess, if you are a Christian, they are all personal.  Only bad can result from reckless abandon of the principles found in God’s Word.

I spent hours helping Jerry Cox get enough signatures to get this law before the people of Arkansas.  It was important to me because children are important to me.  Unfortuantely, many churches turned down my invitation to help get this initiative on the ballot.  Fortunately, enough people signed petitions to get this on the ballot in 2008.

And now the unfortunate events described above have occured.  If you want to see the news release issued above at the Arkansas Family Council’s website click here.

I would like to thank Jerry and, along with him, thank the many folks who tried.

Chris Reimers

Related story in the Christian Post here.

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GLENN BECK EMBRACES NEW AGE THEOLOGY

January 12, 2011

It appears that those who have been critical of Mr. Beck are right.

This article, by Brannon Howse, sheds light on the true Glenn Beck.  I have been following both sides of this story for some time.

I know that many Christians have been happy with Mr. Beck.

There are also those who have had concerns.

Those with concerns have been correct.

Mr. Beck has made his opinions clearer in a new book.

Mr. Howse gives a critical review of the book in THIS ARTICLE.

I’ve heard Mr. Beck and I’ve heard Mr. Howse.  I trust Mr. Howse more than I trust Mr. Beck.

If I find that the quotes that Mr. Howse has used in this article are incorrect, I will remove this post and apologize to Mr. Beck.

I think this post is here to stay.

Why would Mormons not be turning to mysticism when so many Protestants are?

I have been doing research on strange, mystical practices in Protestant churches and have been quite surprised at what I’ve found.

The research is ongoing, but I eventually plan to summarize my findings here.

Admittedly, I haven’t read the book to which Mr. Howse is referring.

If any readers of this post have read the book, I would love your thoughts on the matter.

Here are two quotes from Mr. Beck’s new book.  I think they speak volumes.

“You have a polestar inside you. It is connected with all the energy in the universe. When you begin to follow that star you align yourself with immeasurable, inexplicable forces that will actually help you manifest your best intentions.” (Page 79)

“Pray to whatever higher power you believe in…Praying that God or Nature or the Cosmos or your own internal, immeasurable reservoir of spirit allows you the courage and faith to find and then face the truth…” (Page 132)

God’s Word is clear.  Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life…”  It is about God.  There is no “polestar” inside of us.  The nature and attributes of God aren’t arbitrary.

Anyone who believes, like Mr. Beck, that we can “Pray to whatever…and then face the truth” does not believe that the Bible is the Word of God.

Chris Reimers

Note:  I looked up John 14:6, the verse quoted above, in “The Message” “Bible.”  This is what it says:

6-7Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You’ve even seen him!”

After reading numerous comments about Christians who have concerns with “The Message,” I am in agreement that it is not the Bible you want to be reading.  The subtle (as above) and not so subtle changes are obvious and include occult terminology.

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Posted by Chris

“SNOWMAGEDDON” – DAY TWO

January 10, 2011

Can you spot the bird?

Two “sort of” personal posts in a row? Yep.  It’s an unusual thing here at the Wings of the Wind.

There are much more important matters to be edited.

But what could they be?

News has arrived that there will be a second unplanned day at home with the family because of an Act of God.  Too few daddies spend too little time with their families these days and I’m the first to say that my record in this area is not a spotless one.

So, pardon me if the snowball fight is so intense that this blog goes unattended for awhile.

-CR

Bird Tracks

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Posted by Chris

WE INTERRUPT THIS PROGRAM…

January 10, 2011

The plans of nearly everyone in a four state area have been interrupted.

For almost a week they told us it was coming.  We listened to them with reservation because the experts have been consistently wrong lately.

This time the meteorologists were right.  One guy went a bit far, predicting what he called “Snowmageddon.”  We got 4-7 inches and it was snow, not the snow/ice mix we get a few times a year.

If Arkansas gets four inches of snow, the place shuts down.

Most of those in the North would consider us snow-challenged.

My better half has been teaching her little students about winter and today they will have a home-based field trip.  Snowmen will be everywhere.

The teen son is whistling. He doesn’t ever whistle on a Monday morning when school is facing him.  The words “No school” bring a joy that only a child (and many teachers) can understand.

The teen daughter will reschedule her biannual appointment with her transplant doctor.  How many doctors are looking out their windows this morning and sound just like my son?

And then there’s yours truly.   No complaints here.  The clients will have to wait (with bated breath I’m sure).

I’m sitting here, as I type, eating a plate of hash browns and eggs.  The potatoes have just the right gob of ketchup on them, the scrambled eggs made with cheddar and salsa.  There’s so much here I’m going to eat half and save the rest for dinner.

I have just been handed a side dish of sliced pears.

“I got them on sale,” she says.

How I ended up with a wife who has so many talents I’ll never know.  The homemade breakfast thumps the usual Monday morning fare.

Blueberries love the snow

I usually throw a handful of oatmeal in a bowl and pour some boiling water on it. A few chocolate chips and a sprinkle of cinnamon and I’m happy.  A spoonful of peanut butter is added to the menu if I feel I haven’t had enough protein lately.

It’s quick and easy, fits the program, and is supposed to lower the bad cholesterol.

Days like this one are rare.

We have been forced to change our plans.

It is a wonderful thing.

Snow always reminds me of God’s grace.  I might not have this opinion had I grown up in Minnesota.  Nevertheless, there’s something about layers of water in a pure white fluffy form that creates a covering.  God’s creation is the ultimate object lesson.

1How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered!

God used David to pen these words and used Paul to repeat them (Romans 4:7).

As soon as man messed up, God had a plan to cover his sins (Gen. 3:15).

So…who qualifies to have their sins “covered?”

John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world…”

It couldn’t be clearer.  Everyone qualifies.  The snow is covering the houses of believers and unbelievers alike.  Jesus died for everyone, even those who will never believe.

“that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

18“Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the LORD,
“Though your sins are as scarlet,
They will be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They will be like wool.”

Our schedules have been interrupted.

It is an opportunity.

The great prophet knew, hundreds of years before the Messiah came, that forgiveness was possible.  The first chapter of Isaiah says it well:  “Come…”

The crimson stain can be removed.  It can be as white as snow.

8“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.

9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John)

What a beautiful day it is.

Chris Reimers

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