Monthly Archives: October 2025

Primer on the Evolution of Economics

When I was a kid, my old dad told me with all sincerity that he believed the “beast” mentioned in the Bible was what we know as communism. Rather than a heartfelt conviction, down through the years I’ve come to realize his belief was the result of our government’s propaganda. The propaganda battle against communism was still being waged after I grew up, the “powers that be” having learned newer and more deceptive ways to present their arguments thus were able to still deceive people even though we were learning how to see through the former, more obvious lies. Now I’m not promoting communism by any stretch, I’m just an old geezer who has spent a lifetime learning just how thoroughly we have been conditioned to regard the various economic systems of the world.

A long time ago when our ancestors were learning how to hunt and gather, somewhere in the process it became obvious that a system of bartering was needed. In the process of bartering, say you were a primitive farmer and you wanted to trade a basket of wild sea oats to your neighbor who was a skilled hunter, for a deer hide with which you wanted to make shoes for your kids. You had the grain ready, but Nimrod didn’t have a deer on hand, so y’all decided that since everyone liked seashells, your hunter buddy agreed to give you a certain number of his shells to hold until he could bring you a deerskin for which you’d return his shells; voila! Primitive currency was born!

As things progressed, people realized this worked for almost everyone and soon it became apparent that the more seashells a person had in his possession, the greater his influence and thus stature in the tribe. Now there were people around, even way back then who considered themselves to be above all this menial hunting and gathering, so they set about scheming ways to obtain a supply of seashells without putting out the effort of the other tribespeople, the tanners, the tool makers, and hunters had to exert to earn their own currency.

It quickly became obvious that keeping a stash of seashells required some effort, what with people, mostly those schemers mentioned above, stealing your shells while you were out hunting or gathering. Lo and behold, the do nothings “volunteered” to hold everyone’s currency for them. They would keep meticulous records of who owed who, and dutifully maintain these and thus alleviate Nimrod and the tanners of the “great burden” of keeping their currency secure, of course, there would be a cost for all their hard work, which incidentally would preclude them from doing their part of the real work that kept the village functioning. They also learned to complain incessantly of the hard work they had taken on so as to make their tasks seem overly burdensome, but due to their dedication to the success of the tribe, they would undergo such tribulation required to fulfill their tasks, but for only a small percentage of the transactions. Rudimentary banking was born.

In order to obfuscate and make their operations appear to be much more complicated than they actually needed to be, they continuously made new rules governing how the actual depositors would conduct business with them, and it got so that in order to qualify for their job, a person had to be taught in special schools exactly how to perform these unimaginably difficult and complicated tasks.. They also kept raising the required percentage of the deposits they would require. They found that they could loan other people’s currency and by of course, charging a wee bit of interest – which would go to themselves – Nimrod found that he could “borrow” some of the basket weaver’s shells, but the basket weaver didn’t get the interest on the loan – you guessed it – the “banker” reaped the profit from the loan of another man’s money. The interest rates exponentially got higher until the bankers, they guys who refused to do an honest day’s work to begin with, became the very wealthiest of the whole village. They never had to work again, but nevertheless complained incessantly about how hard their job was and always have been heard boasting bout how they “earned” their wealth.

Before this new banking arrangement came along, the various tradesmen and hunters used a bartering system that actually worked, Bill the blacksmith could turn out good horseshoes, but he wasn’t much of a fisherman. He traded his horseshoes to the farmer, who in turn traded baskets of turnips for fresh caught catfish back to Bill, and so forth. This was what we call today by the curse word “socialism”. This was also the economic system established by the early Christian church, whereby all of the brotherhood sold their goods and/or properties, and laid the money at the disciples’ feet to be distributed to the group as needed. They served each other’s needs in brotherly love. No bankers needed. Period.

Nowadays the bankers have evolved to essentially own everything and most all of the money – not because they earned anything, but because they learned how to get their grubs on other people’s money. Today they own governments, ever purchasing legislators who ever pass laws to enrich them ever more. Nimrod got lost in the shuffle. People still needed to eat, but the bankers bought up all of Old MacDonald’s property and their corporate farms produce GMO-laced poison that has glyphosate poison in the produce, but that’s another story.

When the economy fails, like in 2008, because the bankers kept stealing more and more and creating debt, the fault was laid on those poor people who were so greedy they actually wanted to live in houses! The crisis was economically horrendous, and completely the fault of the bankers, but guess who had to pay the tab? You got it, Nimrod and the basket weaver who weren’t “too big to fail”.

This is capitalism, folks. The people who benefit from it the most are the same ones who directed our propaganda system to make my old dad believe that any other system – in his case, communism – was utterly evil. It seems to have worked, but don’t forget what Jesus said about rich men. It certainly wasn’t that they’d become “too big to fail” – in the end, they will have been the greatest failure in all of creation. [Luke 6:24]:“But woe to you who are rich, For you have received your consolation.” Do not envy them, for their downfall and destruction will be unimaginable! No – pray for them.

May the blessings of the Almighty Father find and keep us.

MK

Song of Autumn in the Ozarks

Readers of Folkpotpourri know well enough how the autumn affects this writer, so kick back and enjoy (hopefully) some seasonal thoughts from the late October Ozarks.

As new dawn ripens grey through rain-soaked autumnal branches sway silently within great oaken copses, brown acorns fly across ocher carpets of fallen leaves, carried by determined squirrels to hiding places in secretive locations known only to them. The irascible crow speaks in his ebony tongue of approaching winds with icy fingers in the offing. Grey, solemn fog blankets the hollow, weaving shrouds of stories told in northern climes among the innocence of greenery yet upon watchful oak trees. Branches and boughs who have yet to be warned of the seasonal evolution, thus still cloaked in summer apparel are taken aback at the tall hickories who have indeed heard the rumor of autumn and now speak in extravagant golden verses of their own. Indeed, the oaks are still green, but whispers can now be heard among their great boughs of an imminent change in the air – of brown and copper gilded leaves among their kind.

The loudest dirges of the forest of late are black gum trees who once more don their extravagant scarlet dress and sing crimson dirges of colder times to come. Poison ivy vines clinging tightly to the yet verdant white oak trees and harmonize with the ornate gum in their own composition of color of autumn song. The dry streambed of the placid south hollow begins now to come dampened with ever searching raindrops, soon to be murmuring her much practiced and timely addition to the cacophony of this year’s ringing symphony of fall.

A blackberry stalk with withered leaves stands sadly along the trail, despondent at the approach of another autumn and showing copper and red colors of his plight upon the carpet of fallen grasses. His task now will be to keep his composure and endure until warmer days of bees and flowers when he can make his own blossoms. Ragged remnants of spider webs whose creators have now retired into dark shelters of fallen decay, undulate and glisten with clinging moisture from the incessant grim fog.

The blue jay can be heard now offering his gratitude for abundant juniper berries as he flits from branch to branch; tiny chickadees crowd among dancing ocher grasses and shrubs seeking minute morsels of seed. Thistles stand in overgrown fields holding court and waving darkened leaves while singing in the wet breeze – a song heard mostly by the goldfinches and indigo buntings, who crowd among them and harken to their oratory for which they find reward of sustenance. The Creator once more provides for all.

On this foggy, silent morning of grey, which creeps among the cattails and willow boughs, and betides the arrival of a new season of cold and damp, hummingbirds have left for more amenable climes. The red bird has chosen, as always, to remain among the trees and shrubs and continue their songs. They know this world needs their music through the cold season ahead. All of God’s creatures have made their choices of how they will endure – many will not, but when spring returns, there will be new ones to take their places.

Happy Autumn y’all and keep yourselves warm.

God bless all.

MK

The Infinitesimal Value of a Politician’s “Truth”

We occupy a world in which there’s rampant dishonesty everywhere you look for sure, but we have unfortunately come to expect this sad situation. When a public figure opens his/her mouth, whatever is said has become to be of far less import than why it is said. Every word is scrutinized for motive(s) as to why it was uttered, for most often the words themselves are automatically discounted as false, or if the statement accidentally happens to be accurate, it is only so because it just happens to fit some ulterior narrative. The truth is never told for the truth’s sake, the truth is just not important anymore. Or is it?

Politicians have even learned to put on a show of feigned offense when the listener dares to question the veracity of something they say, as though the default position should always be for you to believe whatever they spew, even though every word some of them say is a lie. Even if some honest person or persons have repeatedly debunked their narratives, they still act as though they are cut to the quick if someone challenges them. For instance, without calling names, there’s one politician in particular who gives speeches in which almost every word he says is a lie, and he just rattles on like he actually believes what he is saying. Who knows? Maybe he does. The Bible says certain types of people are given over to a reprobate mind and I’ve always thought folks who are able to convince themselves of their own lies are just such people.

Jesus said that Satan is the father of lies. [John 8:44]:“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” Jesus didn’t waste words, so if He said that, it bears much consideration. The fact of the matter is, when some politician or other public figure tells a lie in public, when he goes on record as saying something that is flagrantly untrue, he has just surrendered his credibility. When a liar gets caught in a lie, no one is obligated to believe anything that person says, anymore, full stop. These people don’t realize that henceforth their word is no good, and no matter the importance of their future statements, even if they are true, no one is required to believe them, so the result of, or compliance with, whatever they try to sell, their words fall on deaf ears. Then when they realize something they say is dismissed as untrue, they have the gall to act incredulous and usually get enraged that someone would not believe them. They obviously forget that part about losing their credibility.

I’m an old man now, and I remember a time when we could generally believe our leaders when they said something. At least we thought we could, but by and large, it was considered a major offense for a public figure to get caught in a lie. It was pretty much political suicide to do so – Richard Nixon got the boot for being dishonest, but that was ages ago. Now days we can’t believe anything from DC, especially from DC! I think it got really cranked up from within our illustrious “intelligence” services. If you stop and think about it, the CIA has gotten to the point where the ONLY thing they can do with any degree of efficaciousness is lie and make up lies. That’s what they do – they cook up lies and the politicians echo them. They perform outrageous things and sell them to the “leaders”. They are the world’s biggest drug cartel – Google a CIA pilot named Hasenfus and read about what he was doing when he got shot down.

Take a look at Operation North Woods and see what they tried to get JFK to approve. They wanted to set off bombs in American cities so they could blame Cuba to start a war with Castro. Kennedy, being a decent fellow, turned them down and may have started the ball rolling that would eventually get him assassinated, but the whole thing was an attempt to orchestrate a big false flag, and killing American civilians was no obstacle when you are working for Satan.

The rampant dishonesty may have started in earnest with the spooks, but like some hideous contagious disease, it has spread through our political apparatus and of course, has settled into our media. Telling lies and selling them as news stories has become the order of the day in mainstream media, and it’s probably been most effective there, because a (dwindling) number of average folks get their information from places like CNN and FOX. This dynamic is changing though, as us (more easily mislead) old folks die off. It’s precisely old folks who grew up believing what was on the news, and many of them still do. Young people have other ears like social media and with that the opportunity to weigh a different reality against mainstream news and decide for themselves what they believe. I hope to be around when network news organizations finally give up, because all they are able to do is deceive people nowadays, and that just doesn’t work so well anymore.

Truth is a precious commodity, and it’s really hard to find anymore. There are a very few politicians who can be trusted these days, and we need more of them. Guys like Thomas Massie and even Marjorie Taylor Greene are like diamonds in great coal heaps. I don’t necessarily agree with their politics, but they call it like they see it. There are organizations out there who are going after these few honest politicians due to their admissions of Zionist influence in Congress, and if their districts allow the ADL and AIPAC lobby to rout them out of congress, it’ll be a sad day for America. A politician who tells the truth is a rare and precious asset in today’s Washington DC.

Now take a look at what Jesus Christ said, [John 14:6]:”Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” For the purpose of this post, pay close attention to the “truth” part. He didn’t say “a truth”, He said the truth. If the whole world was one big lie, Jesus would be the only truth on which you could rely. [John 1:17]:”For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.“

There are honest people in this world, but sometimes we have a great bit of difficulty identifying the truth tellers from the con artists. Liars can sound convincing, but if you want to stay on the track of the truth, remember Jesus Christ is the only One you can rely on to tell the truth 100% of the time. In this world of corruption and stark dishonesty, it’s nice to have Someone whom you can trust; someone absolutely honest who will be a Friend for life! Learn about Jesus and get to know Him while there’s still time. We’re getting to the end of things, and we need to be prepared to meet Him. He said He would come back, and since He is the source of all truth, we should believe Him on that too. Lies are cheap. People who tell lies are cheap. The Truth is priceless.

May the blessings of the Almighty Father find and keep us.

MK

A Nigh Impossible Farewell

It is with sincerest respect and praise that I call upon Lord on this dreary grey October morning. I do not ask nor expect Him to lift my spirit for as I gaze to the majestic golden hickory of autumn, it comes to me that the somber mood within which I am beset creates a condition for fellowship that might not otherwise be attained.

Silent raindrops strew the tiniest of dark impressions on the brown jacket I’m wearing and also mingle with my tears, surely diluting the silent rivulets on my cheeks, but not for even a moment lessening the heaviness on my soul. As I approach a copse of great oaks so bold as to remain verdant as they stood midsummer, my mind is in bleakest mourning for a soul mate, no, two soul mates I was compelled to surrender back to the Almighty three weeks ago. Much of my heart went with them, yet somewhere in the depths of this solemnity, I understand. I understood for the whole of their time with me, but as is wont for the human psyche, that understanding was kept buried, as now they lie under the rain-soaked fallow hickory sentinels interred beneath, never again to romp through the wood, now somber and silent as if to join in my melancholy.

My old faithful girl, Dusty was ever at my side for the better part of fourteen years. Her closeness was constant so that it now feels as though some great and silent emptiness tears at my mind. An October chill wraps itself around my being as I scroll through memories of her – kissing me always on the mouth. If you wanted a kiss from Dusty, you had to prepare yourself for her style. She was the closest friend – no, family member – I’ve ever had and the loss is near unbearable. When God allows us to love, when we are blessed with His love and have it in our hearts, there is a price to be paid. I find myself for almost a month now remitting that cost. I wouldn’t give up His gift of love though – she didn’t.

Chewy was Dusty’s litter mate, we picked them both when my daughter was mourning the loss of an earlier pet – her name was Mika, and she was only a young pup. Had a disease we didn’t know about until it was too late. I took my daughter to a breeder and she chose Chewy. Dusty was the last one of that litter, and I didn’t want to leave her alone, so I picked her and she turned out to be a huge blessing for me, but I got attached to her brother Chewy almost as much as her. They were together for their entire lives of close to fourteen years, almost to the minute. They were both sick and getting worse by the day and it was a call I knew I had to make – the hardest of my life.

The chilly rain continues to wend its way down the dark boughs of watchful black gum trees as a faint breeze drifts through these wooded hills of autumn as I mournfully reflect. I understand that time alone will heal my loss, but not enough time has passed for the grief to abate much, and in some morbid imagining of guilt for having them euthanized, I continue to punish myself – unfortunately it’s how I’m wired so I’ll have to keep telling myself I did the right thing, but it’s almost impossible to convince myself, such is my misery.

Sorry for the downer of this post, but maybe posting it’ll help my healing. If any of y’all have lost a beloved pet, you’ll know, at least at some level, of what I’m trying to get through. The dreary grey autumn wood reflects my state of mind perfectly, and God understands what I have to deal with, so it’s as if in this moment He has set His creation around here to accommodate my grief – maybe to grieve more deeply and get it over with.

I have to believe those pups are in the hands of Jesus now along with all the other pets I’ve lost through the years. If you’ve had this unfortunate experience, yours are there too. There’s just too much love there to be gone. The Bible doesn’t say a lot about the spirits of animals, but to have experienced how much those old pups loved me – indeed, they taught me a lot about love – I choose to believe they simply had to have spirits and are now in His spirit world.

I’ll probably just amble through the damp, silent woods this afternoon and remember the good times we had together. As the wet-weather creeks slowly fill with rain and spent leaves, at some point I’ll come back inside to a hot cup of coffee and resume enjoying the company of my other pups – two adorable gifts Dusty left me six years ago to remember her by (and I’ve also come to love them dearly). Again, I apologize if this puts you on a downer, but if this doleful eulogy touched you, I hope at least it was in a good way.

God bless all.

MK

Dare We Consider and Proclaim Our Love?

We live in a world that has evolved to consider a man’s machismo to be some kind of defining characteristic of his greatness, his ability to lead others. In some sense, I suppose if a people are in a perpetual state of conflict, it might be more desirable to have a warrior as a leader, but if a populace chooses to live in a world where peace reigns, where diplomacy counts for something, then it might be more advantageous to seek leaders who exhibit compassion – even towards adversaries. Besides, there’s nothing that says a man can’t be a warrior and still have love and compassion in his heart.

Most men in our modern societies live in a paradox in which our leaders have come to be seen as great macho he-man types like W Bush in photo ops in a flight suit on a carrier, or out clearing brush with a big stump on his shoulder that probably took several Secret Service guys to lift for the nano second it took to get a photo. Maybe they had early versions of photo edit to fake it, but in any event, W Bush was not a he-man! The paradox is that the fellows who attempt to portray such strength are typically the most feeble and weak among us, but somehow, they are able to portray bravery and/or strength to the extent that many folks actually believe this is who they are. If talking counted, both Bush and Trump would be Arnold Schwarzeneggers, but alas, talking doesn’t count and they are mere mortals. Now without getting too far into the woods, just remember guys like this and their need to appear to be bold warriors when in fact they are just average – or below average – men with image insecurity.

It is precisely a man’s inner fear of being seen as weak and/or vulnerable that inhibits any appearance of compassion from “leaders” who have an innate need to show strength. This is where most of them reveal their true weakness, for if you think about it, our Almighty God Himself isn’t above being seen as compassionate. Indeed, He allows Himself to be described as Love itself. [1 John 4:8]: “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” He who does not love does not know God – what a damnable situation, yet these guys who are afraid of showing love – refrain from such guys precisely because they obviously (and erroneously) regard being compassionate as a sign of weakness.

The Lord Jesus Christ, indisputably the greatest Leader to have ever existed, spoke endlessly of love – love that is needed; no, required, of His followers. Today’s politicians meticulously avoid any mention of love – neither for God nor their fellow humans – I suppose in order to avoid being seen as weak or vulnerable. Yet the prophet Micah said [Micah 6:8]:“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” Mercy? Humility? Is mercy what makes the president order missiles to be fired on unidentified boats in the Caribbean? Is humility endlessly boasting of his historical greatness?

Some time ago, this same president and his spooks set up a situation in which they (and other nations/intelligence apparatuses) were able to convince a prominent general in another nation to embark on what he was convinced was to be an important peace mission and when he was travelling to pursue this, he was murdered with an American missile fired on his car. This country was not at war, nor even considering conflict (at least publicly) with that nation at the time. It was cold-blooded murder! There are many people in this country who swear by this man who does such things and still call themselves Christians. Now can you see why at the judgement Jesus will tell those “Christians” to depart from Him because He never knew them? For crying out loud they throw their undying support behind a murderer with no hint of mercy in his heart!

Love is a critical attribute for all of us who serve Christ, though many of us studiously avoid practicing it. Most don’t even want to talk about love. But when our very Creator wishes to be called loving and compassionate, how does being seen to love their fellow human beings detract from one’s purported manhood? Or maybe the dispassionate persecution and slaughter of innocent people are the new macho? In truth, this image is conceived and carried out as a tool of Satan. It is a symptom of hatred, pure and simple. How is sending a bunch of masked, armed goons out to body slam Americans (or anyone else, really) and arrest them with no due process making Donald Trump out to be some kind of valorous hero? I guess if you have enough hate in your heart it might work for you, but I personally believe God created this country for all of His people – no human being or group of human beings own it. It all belongs to God, and we are merely stewards of this part of His creation, and we desperately need to get that through our heads.

The only way anyone is going to get into heaven is for them to learn how to love – their fellow human beings, their fellow Christians, but most importantly, God. In fact, the greatest commandment Jesus gave us was [Mark 12:30]: “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment”. And in another place Jesus says [Matthew 22:37-40]: “Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Love is indeed a powerful attribute; seek it; if you are lacking, pray for the Spirit to bless you with God’s love. That’s where love comes from. From God Who is love. [2 Thessalonians 3:5]:” Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

Heaven is going to be a spectacular place, and no doubt enormous, but there ain’t room for anyone there with hatred in their heart. There’s a lot of things that will exclude folks from entering into the Lord’s paradise, but I’m pretty sure hatred ranks among the top, so if anyone is thinking it’s ok to hate on someone because he/she is Latino, African, or Asian, etc., even if they don’t have the proper paperwork, just remember when our ancestors showed up here. They didn’t speak the language, they didn’t have citizenship, but they made themselves at home here, didn’t they? In short, you have no agency to claim to be Christian if you believe God is going to overlook racism and hatred, even for those “illegally” here. [Malachi 3:5]:”And I will come near you for judgment;
I will be a swift witness
Against sorcerers,
Against adulterers,
Against perjurers,
Against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans,
And against those who turn away an alien—
Because they do not fear Me,”
Says the Lord of hosts.

Unlike hatred, love doesn’t make you old before your time. Love doesn’t interfere with your peace. Love provides fertile soil to grow lasting friendships. Love also covers a multitude of sins – nothing else in all of creation can do that.

If you harbor hate, repent of it now and learn about love – don’t wait until it’s too late – in any event, you will surely learn it. The bravest and most heroic of men are made complete when they practice love and compassion. That’s what “men of good heart” means.

May the blessings of the Almighty Father find and keep us.

MK

Seeking the Infallible Truth in the Darkness

It’s been a few days since I’ve been able to think halfway straight after losing my dogs about three weeks ago, and I still can’t think about it much without getting into a bout of depression, but that’s not what I want to write about today. There are a lot of seemingly unrelated – and mostly bad – things happening right now and they do not portend well for humanity.

One of the most apparent situations that has been progressing, and actually over the past several months, is the dissolution of effectiveness of most of the governments of the world, but especially that of the US. We have things going on in this country that couldn’t have been imagined, even a few months, even weeks, ago.

Here in the US we have men in masks, not even wearing badges, who are accosting folks on the streets. They are throwing American citizens onto the ground and onto concrete sidewalks and putting their knees on them and “arresting” them with no due process of law whatsoever. And they are doing it with the blessing of the president and his thoroughly corrupted Department of Justice. Anyone ok with this doesn’t know anything of the constitution and has no business claiming to be an American!

As a Christian, I suppose it’s more appropriate to address the morality of the things going on than the patriotism, though. The Bible tells us repeatedly that some bad things will be going on and they will be perpetrated by some really awful people, most of whom don’t even believe in the Son of God. I fact, when it gets down to it, these servants of evil will eventually be coming after us Christians, but that’s where we need to reassure our brethren that instead of fearing these tribulations, we should be rejoicing that our time to be with Him is approaching.

Keep thinking of the darkness into which we are descending as just a bridge we have to cross over or a door we have to pass through before we become blessed with the eternal light and joy of the presence of Jesus Christ! Beyond that awful bridge, we have infinite hope, but those who are complicit in bringing about the darkness have none. How I wish some of those folks could read this feeble post and take to heart the promise of Jesus Christ. If they could get a glimpse, like we believers do now and again, of what lies beyond this world of trouble, they’d surely trade this temporary existence for a place in Paradise, but alas, they choose not to look, not to hear.

World leaders for the most part, have chosen to serve the enemy of mankind. Here in the good old USA, we have leadership who attend the demonic Bohemian Grove rituals, men who boast of membership in things like the Skull and Bones club, and other organizations which defy the supremacy of our Almighty God. Many among them – too many – relish the authority of life and death over people and enjoy playing war. They trade a mere moment in time to revel in worldly “success”, instead of the promise of eternal joy that Jesus offers. They are to be pitied, for in the long run, they will meet with an unimaginably horrible existence – and that for all of eternity!

Then there are those who try and use their Bibles for an oar blade with which they might paddle their way out of damnation instead of reading them and trying to live like the Lord wants us to live. Too many churches nowadays preach “gospels” that are contrary to what the Bible intends. Thousands of people crowd the pews of megachurches and listen to pastors who insist that Americans support murderous regimes, including our own, though the Bible makes it abundantly clear that such people will not be found in Christ’s Kingdom.

There were millions of people out on the streets last weekend to protest the president, and the situation we find ourselves in where insane leadership in all branches of the US government who, as of today are absolutely refusing to “lead” the country. Except for the fellow who thinks he owns it, but then he’s not leading as much as trying to bend the country to his will. They are all so wrapped up in Satanic behavior and creating chaos with which to blame the other side, that they no longer function in governance, unless it might be to pass some legislation or resolution that favors the murderous Israeli regime. Almost all of them agree that we must, shutdown or no, continue to act to support whatever Netanyahu (or Zelensky) tell them to do.

Things are indeed coming apart, folks, but do not be discouraged; rather just stand back and watch them bring it down, knowing that some of us will be able to pass through the dark wall we approach. Through the narrow door, that’s it – keep searching with all your heart and soul for the narrow door. That’s the one where our blessed Shepherd awaits. Listen intently for HIs voice. We also have to try our very best to bring as many with us as we can, even the ones with whom we disagree – maybe especially the ones with whom we disagree. Pray for them; maybe the Lord will save them.

Remember that the “churches” aren’t always the answer. Don’t buy into the false doctrines of the millionaire pastors of the big churches. In fact, if the pastor is a wealthy man, I’d be highly skeptical of his congregation or his doctrines. Avoid such – seek fellowship with people who abide in Christ – you’ll know who they are, for the same Spirit in you will recognize Himself in others. You’ll also know them by their fruits – if you know what to look for. And contrary to what a lot of them preach, financial “success” ain’t one of them.

Stay strong in your faith; pray without ceasing. Pray for me – I’m only human and know it well. Pray for direction and determination, courage, confidence and conviction, strength and stamina. It’s still yet going to be a long haul to the finish line, but we will make it if we trust Him.

May the blessings of the Almighty Father find and keep us.

MK

A Privilege Rarely Understood

I don’t know about anyone else, but I get a little bit annoyed when people show up unexpectedly. I’m probably a little unfair to be so, but it’s just how I’m wired. Maybe I have something going on that I’d rather get finished than to stop and visit, but I always try my best to make folks feel welcome and in fact, I’m one of those people who goes out of their way to avoid being impolite and have gotten pretty good at keeping my annoyance to myself so as to make visitors feel welcome at any time, but still it’s always nice to get a heads up before folks come calling.

Today I was meditating on talking to God and thinking about how He is always on stand-by for us when we decide to come to Him. He knows why we come to Him in each and every instance, and we most likely have some problem or another we want Him to resolve or at least help us to resolve. Have you ever had one of those friends or neighbors that never call or come by unless they need something? In my years I’ve had those kinds of acquaintances. In fact, truth be told, most people are like that to some degree – you see them more often when they have some kind of problem and it’s rare for anyone to stop by unless this is so.

What if we were to just stop whatever we’re doing and say hello to our Father? I’d bet He doesn’t get a lot of those prayers, people just touching base and wishing Him well. Of course, He doesn’t need our well-wishes, but the thought would be nice and from the heart, as opposed to those prayers of thanks we send up out of habit before meals or bedtime prayers we practice by rote every night. I’m not advocating we stop those kinds of prayers, but are they really from our hearts, or are most of our prayers like that just fulfilling an obligation? And for sure, the prayers we pray when we’re in need or in trouble of some kind are sincere enough, but does He see us as those neighbors who only call on us in times of need?

When you stop and think about it, coming before God in prayer is a great honor none of us deserve, but a lot of us just step up to His throne as if He owes it to us to listen – as though we have some kind of right to be there in His mighty presence. What a huge privilege it is for us to be granted audience with the Creator of the universe whenever we want to approach Him! Try gaining audience with some high-ranking politician, much less a president or prime minister. How about speaking with a monarch of some kind? At the very least, you’d be in for some serious red tape, background checks, and much time in waiting for such a meeting. But with God, our Lord and Savior? Anytime, He is there waiting for us to come near! In fact, we are told in the scriptures that if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. He is more than willing to visit with us, and that is a phenomenal truth that I fear we don’t appreciate as we should.

When we stop and consider the immensity and complexity of the creation, at least that part of it we know of, it’s staggering – in fact, we cannot begin to fathom the intricacies of overseeing and directing the happenings of all the details of the whole universe, but He attends to everything and does it with perfection! He knows how many hairs are on your head! He is aware of every bird that falls from the sky, yet He is ever available for us when we step before His throne. What a privilege to be able to speak with such a magnanimous entity whenever we choose to do so!

With all of this wonder in mind, it’s imperative that when we do stand before His throne in the presence of the hosts of Heaven that we acknowledge His magnificence, that we appropriately humble ourselves [Matthew 18:3]: “and (Jesus) said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Yes with childlike wonder and complete subservience in recognition of His power and glory. When we humble ourselves before Him, we become blessed with His unimaginable favor, [Matthew 18:4]: “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.“

We should also at least try at some level to appreciate the undying love He has for us. It’s not that we should necessarily try and understand it, because we can’t. But if it were not for that love, we doubtlessly would not be privileged to approach Him as He has blessed us to be able in our condition. The very best we can conceivably be before Him, the most righteous persona we might be able to muster – are something like dirty rags, unadulterated filth, but He hears us anyway. In fact, He loves it when we choose to be before Him, especially on those rare occasions when we come simply for His fellowship and aren’t asking for something.

It’s of utmost importance to bear in mind and always remember that we cannot enter into God’s presence without the consent and company of Jesus Christ. Without Jesus, God will not hear our prayers and Jesus made that plain when He said [John 14:6]: “Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to the Father but through Me.” Any prayer sent to God without Jesus’ inclusion is a total waste of breath, and an exercise in futility. God went through a very difficult ordeal watching His Son being sacrificed for our malign behavior and it’s not hard to believe He harbors much animosity for human beings who ignore such a terrible ordeal by rejecting His Son. So don’t!

Unlike some of us people, God isn’t the least bit annoyed when we unexpectedly come before Him, especially when our visit is driven by love and a pure heart and not necessarily because we have some kind of problem. He always makes time for us, so don’t be shy about visiting with Him just because you want to say hello. It’s okay to tell Him you love Him because He sincerely loves you and He told us so many times in the Bible. None of us can begin to fathom how profound that love is. Keep in touch with our Lord.

May the blessings of the Almighty Father find and keep us.

MK

Negotiating Some of the Endless Forks in the Road

The outside air got down into the forties last night and there’s heavy dew on everything out there. I guess that’s a good thing since it’s been a while since we’ve had any rain to speak of and heavy dew is better than no moisture at all. I replanted cucumbers back in August because there was some kind of blight on my spring-planted ones and they didn’t do very good. That’s the first time that ever happened to my garden, but this late crop seems to be getting the same disease. God only knows what all is going on in this old world of ours these days. No September rains to crow about. So far, no October rains.

The world has been teetering on the edge of all-out war for several months now and although it would be devastating, I don’t think a big war would surprise anyone. Before I swore off and departed from the Lord of the Rings cult, I remember as the armies of Sauron were being arrayed against Gondor, the character Gandalf saying something to the effect of the board being set and the pieces are moving, and it sure seems like that’s what’s going on.

Russia looks to be providing both Venezuela and Iran with some new and improved fighter jets and Iran has been talking about some new and better missiles for their expected confrontation with Israel. China is still making many strategic moves in what looks to be preparation for conflict with the west. The dollar is losing ground everywhere as gold becomes increasingly valuable. The wealthy folks have been digging bunkers and supplying them for what might be a long stay underground. Blessed are the peacemakers…

There’s constant talk of a big part of war preparations being the “continuity of government”, but to be honest, I haven’t seen much government activity that might need to be continued – even in a calamity. From what we’ve experienced that passes for US government lately, I’d vote that continuity of government would be among the last things we would want or need in a seriously bad situation. Unless of course, provisions are being made that might allow our Commander in Chief to keep methods of informing the public of what a great and historical figure he is. What a comfort to know that in the face of possible global annihilation we have wise and stalwart figures to conduct war operations! Oh well, whether or not a world war might be survivable, or whether or not one might even want to survive after one is for smarter folks than me to figure out.

Before anyone gets their panties in a wad over me being critical of our leaders, I’m aware that the Bible says that God puts them in their positions of power. Through the epistles we are taught to follow them and obey their edicts, but we are also given a Spirit of discernment that allows us to see when leaders stray from God’s ordinances and through the exercise of that discernment, we are able to make the call of when to not follow them anymore, for instance, it’s not possible to obey the commandments of Jesus to love our neighbors while supporting genocide and starvation of children. No matter how the “Christian Zionists” try to twist the scriptures.

Jesus warned us there is a narrow gate that leads into His kingdom. He delivered most of His opprobrium to the Jewish leaders of His time. When they rejected Him and His teachings they incurred a curse upon themselves. As Jesus was about to be crucified, Pontius Pilate, the Roman leader of the area tried to dissuade the Jewish synagogue leaders and the mob they had gathered from crucifying Jesus by telling them he didn’t want Jesus’s blood on his hands, but they said [Matthew 27:25]: “And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.” Let that sink in for a minute. This might just be the statement that brought on the curse that the Jews have had upon them ever since! They have a very checkered history of being hated and persecuted all down through the years by every nation where they went, and it does indeed seem like they have been a cursed people since Jesus’ time. The behavior of the cruel and barbaric people in today’s Israel is now on open display for folks who think they’re just ordinary people and maybe it’s unfair that the world has hated them.

The astute reader already knows this theory doesn’t take into account that according to Jesus statements [Revelation 2:9]: “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.“, the people who call themselves Jews in these last days aren’t really Jews, so how could a curse intended for the Jews be upon them? I have written on this in other posts and it seems that a lot of people have been able to connect the dots that these people are from Eastern European descent and aren’t Jews at all. That would seem to make that curse above not even apply to them, but if these imposters are taking the identity of the Jews, then it would seem that they are taking the curse(s) that go along with that (stolen) identity. That would mean His (Jesus’) blood is on them now.

Satan, due to his seething hatred of Jesus, has devised a plan that has obviously led to those very people getting the wealth of the world concentrated into their hands so as to take control of the world through such malfeasance as bribery and/or threats. Everyone can plainly see them playing American politicians like puppets. European leaders too. It seems as though the only ones who can’t see through the charade are the politicians themselves. Zionists have so thoroughly taken control of all US government and its institutions that it would be a seemingly impossible task to take the country back from them, and it could never be done without bloodshed, so that leaves Christians with little to do but pray for our situation. We should however, never for a moment assume these folks are our allies. Regardless of what some of the false pastors in America tell their flocks, the Zionists, who work directly for Satan, are the enemies of Christianity. If you, the reader, find yourself among those who believe they should “support Israel” and its genocidal depravity, you need to break out your Bible and read it. If you claim to believe in Jesus, then take a good look at what He says about the “blasphemy” of the fake Jews!

Jesus made His message very simple; it’s people that try to complicate it. If you would leave this life victorious and prepared for the afterlife, you should repent of all the wrongdoing you have been involved in and ask Him for forgiveness. He has promised to do just that – He will forgive you. Don’t start out by trying to convince yourself that you haven’t sinned, because you have; we all have. [Romans 3:23]: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” We all have blood of some kind on our hands, we suffer from a malady known as being human. Jesus Christ, the founder and Shepherd of the Christian religion, loves us all deeply. None of us are smart enough to understand why He loves us – we certainly haven’t done anything to deserve it, but it’s not about us or what we have or haven’t done. It’s about Him and who He is. It’s also about His unfathomable love. He is less interested in what we do or don’t do – He is interested in who we are. What kind of person are you capable of becoming in His service?

If you are a Jewish person, remember Jesus in His human form was a Jew of the lineage of King David, who might have been the greatest human leader in history. Jesus was of your own ancestry. If you are Moslem, your Koran speaks of Jesus as a great prophet and even predicts His return to bring justice to the earth, but He was so much more than a prophet! It’s not a great leap to connect the dots from where Islam considers Jesus to be to where He actually is. Investigate the Christian religion and see what it says. He is your savior too – He died for you. The faith of the Islamic people is very obvious to the world with your calls to prayer and service to Allah, who we Christians speak of as our God also. Other members of world religions have come to realize that Jesus Christ is the only true way to God and the afterlife He promises.

We are closing in on the last days of this age. Things are getting desperate and the end is nigh upon us. There will be some horrible events in our near future, and it’s incumbent on each of us to prepare ourselves for the other side of that great dark cloud that’s approaching. Jesus said [John 14:6]: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Prophets never lied, so if you accept Jesus as a prophet, then you have to ask yourself why He would say that if it wasn’t true? Make sense? He didn’t say, “I am a way,” He said THE way! The only way.

Our final and consummate victory lies beyond that darkness and fear, in fact, when you get yourself right with Jesus and hand Him the keys – stop trying to drive yourself, you’re not capable – you’ll find the fear going away more and more. That’s how it should be, because fear is the greatest weapon of the enemy. Fear and hatred, which is something we must strive to get out of our hearts! There’s no room for hatred in the hearts of good people. We learn hatred from the enemy and those who are led by the enemy and it’s something we can easily discard. Most folks with hate in their hearts have it there because they want it there – that’s where the sin comes in – we hate because we want to hate, otherwise we could love one another as Jesus commanded us to.

An issue of concern to a lot of folks these days has to do with the mark of the beast that we will face at some point. No one really knows what it is nor how it will be taken, but we are told it will have to do with some antiChrist and part of it will involve worshiping him. No Christian will take it. In my humble opinion, one of the greatest verses in the whole Bible is the song the folks who will be victorious over the mark of the beast will sing – all Christians should memorize it, because one day soon, we’ll be singing it – we need to know the words, [Revelation 15:3,4]:

“Great and marvelous are Your works,
Lord God Almighty!
Just and true are Your ways,
O King of the saints!

Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy.
For all nations shall come and worship before You,
For Your judgments have been manifested.”

Might just be the greatest victory song that ever will have been sung!

I hope this post has reached the hearts of the reader. I’ve tried to touch on some things that seem to be of concern to lots of folks around this old world, and maybe it’ll help clear up some of the confusion people are facing. If you haven’t yet called on Him, give Jesus your life, He can be trusted to the end! Jesus is THE Way! Always remember that and it will help you stay focused in this deteriorating world. Much love.

May the blessings of the Almighty Father find and keep us.

MK

A Mental Foray into a New World

There are two worlds going, and probably always have been. There’s the physical world and a lesser-known Spiritual world. When I say lesser known, I of course am referring to the spiritual world as it is hardly regarded by the unbeliever.

There’s a lot of moisture outside this October morning. It comes from the dew as we are running a rain deficit, but nevertheless it would be difficult to get a fire started out there, so there’s a blessing of sorts, although later in the day things will dry out again. The big old oak trees are standing with fading greenery, looking at each other wondering when October is actually going to get started. Even with this late summer, there’s a quiet morning chill out in the damp air, but the solitude is refreshing, invigorating. The blue jays have already started to infiltrate this part of the Ozarks as juniper berries (actually tiny cones) once more begin to ripen. My daughter’s big old sunflowers have opened kiosks around her house for goldfinches to dine for another season.

I planted cucumbers a second time in August because the first ones got some kind of blight and did not produce much. These new ones are starting to put on lots of blossoms and some baby pickles are starting to show. The physical world in which we live steadily goes forward in spite of man’s efforts to destroy it, and that is how it should be – not that last part about how we foul our nest, but that the world itself has a great propensity for adaptation and survival. Autumn is, nevertheless, starting to run overdue, and if you are a long-time reader of folkpotpourri, you’ll know autumn is my favorite season.

Skies of clearest azure wake up to late sunrises and songbirds go about their routines, some bail out to southern places, but by and large most of them begin to hang out around the overgrown weeded pastures checking for seeds and berries. This is the physical world at its finest, and I feel sorry for city folk – those stuck in great sprawling metropolises who hardly get the opportunity to realize what God’s creation is all about. That’s where the Spiritual world comes to mind.

Probably one of the things we know the least about is infinity. The human brain has a limited capacity for knowledge and understanding. If you were on the beach with a bucket in your hand you could scoop up a bucket of water, but there’s an ocean full of water still out there and your tiny bucket only has the capacity to hold that one bucketful, like your brain after it’s full of all the knowledge it can hold. But there’s so much more out there to know!

If one were to allow their mind to wander, considering the things we know, or at least think we know, about the creation in which we exist, there are supposed to be something like 90 billion light years worth of universe – physical universe – out there packed with trillions of stars. That’s just the part we can observe, who knows how much more there is? Scientists speculate that many – if not most – stars herd planetary systems that might be similar to the solar system. I wonder how many of those worlds harbor spectacular scenery, giant mountains, waterfalls, expansive forests, and such. I like to think that after our time here, we might be free to wander about, find worlds that would be weird, wild, and impressive. Something else to consider is the fact that as Spiritual beings, we most likely won’t be restricted to places with oxygen and mild temperatures, so we’d likely do just fine in places like Jupiter or Venus. What kinds of animals and birds might be lurking out there? Would the Creator allow His faithful to explore such wonders in the great by and by? Do these kinds of things exist in the Spiritual world, and if so, where are the boundaries between physical and Spiritual? Are there infinite universes where we could spend eternity in fascination of physical and/or Spiritual places and would the boundaries between them become a blur that would make it impossible to discern if they are Spiritual universes or physical? Would things like that even matter in the afterlife?

You see, the apostle Paul said [1 Corinthians 2:9]: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” Now that verse opens up a whole slew of possibilities for what Heaven might be like. It says in effect that we cannot imagine what we’ll inherit in God’s Spiritual kingdom. Think about that for a minute – nothing has entered into the mind of any human being at any time that could describe the immensity, the joy of Heaven, and we have a chance to be there! If I were an unbeliever and had the option of that kind of reward in exchange for becoming a child of God, I’d take that chance. In fact, that’s exactly what I have done! But we also have the added bonus of sharing that paradise with our precious Lord Jesus who loves us infinitely. After all, you have to consider that we are all going to pass on from this world anyway, so why not?

For the here and now, my kids and I have this neck of the Ozarks – a blessing in itself to behold. We don’t have, nor do we desire a lot of money and the headaches that come with it. I do not envy folks with wealth – I’ve had the opportunity to become fairly well-off, but I walked away from it and never looked back because God gave me the good sense and the discernment to see and understand what riches do to people. They grow cold and forego any meaningful relationships with the Father or their fellow men. Typically, they and their own families and friends become mired in the lusts of the world to the extent that they could never understand the joy of watching an indigo bunting on the pasture fence on an early summer morning or catching a glimpse of turkeys marching among the chestnut oaks looking for those prized little acorns. God didn’t bless folks who put money ahead of Him (and everything else), even though what they see as their existence is not a blessing at all, but a superficial facade of a meaningful life. But most tragically for them, they have no hope for the afterlife – the present life they have is all they want and sadly, it and the memory of it is all they’ll ever have.

The Spiritual world we believers look forward to has unimaginable promise, from Jesus Christ, our beloved Savior who went through an incredibly painful, horrific and humiliating experience so we could be rid of – and forgiven for – our unwise choices back when we misbehaved so egregiously. From the way the Bible describes the events surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion I truly believe God the Father had His mighty hand on the big red button and was probably close to ending everything then and there, but only because of the love His Son had in His heart for you and me, His willingness to continue through His mighty sacrifice, God allowed the thing to proceed. Now something to consider: We are told that a day is as a thousand years with Jesus and a thousand years is as a day, so by the Heavenly calendar, it might be to God like His Son just died a few days ago and maybe He hasn’t gotten over the grief of it all yet. His anger at those who reject the wonderful offer Jesus makes by His sacrifice is likely still burning with a fire that will destroy and consume the very humans who turned Him down, instead they do evil things like even worshipping the antiChrist and accepting the mark of the beast. [Revelation 14:9-11]: “Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.  And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” His mighty hand is still on that button, folks, and when He cuts loose with His vengeance on those who: a) by sinning caused His Son to have to die on that cross, b) rejected His precious offer to be redeemed from those sins, thus making that sacrifice of no benefit to themselves. I do not want to partake in that beverage, folks!

There’s definitely another existence to be had after this one, a Spiritual Paradise to which we will ascend that will be so glorious and magnificent as to make us forget that other place where the mighty and the rich (and all those who followed after them) have ended up. There will be no hope for them anymore, so do not be counted among them. Enjoy as best you can what we have left of this world God created for us. Evil men are destroying it inexorably and rapidly for whatever wealth they can extract from it, and we won’t have it much longer, but fear not – Jesus will return and lead us into another, vastly more elaborate and precious place where He has built mansions for each of us. Do not despair nor fear the servants of Satan who are for a while in charge of things – their time is almost over. Pity them and pray for them – God can still work in their lives and some may yet come to salvation.

Meanwhile, in this world we need to make the best we can of things, pray incessantly and enjoy the fleeting time here under the gilded hickory boughs. Enjoy the blue jays. Pray for our brothers in cities who don’t have such joys. Pray for the persecuted in places like Gaza and Nigeria. Pray for our entry soon into God’s eternal Spiritual world.

May the blessings f the Almighty Father find and keep us.

MK

Need to Pack Up to Head to Our Real Home

Thank God I am finally beginning to emerge from what has been one of the darkest, most painful experiences of my whole time here on earth. Without going into a lot of detail, I’ll just say I had to have two of my best friends euthanized. One of them was my old Dusty girl of whom I have mentioned on posts from the past and if you are a long-time follower, you’ll likely recall some things I’ve said about her. She was my loyal friend for fourteen years and losing her was almost more than I’ve been able to bear. I plan to do a tribute post to her when the sorrow ebbs to the point I can. The other was Chewy, Dusty’s brother of the same litter as her. They came into this world on the same day and left it within minutes of each other fourteen years later. There’s a lot of sadness in my heart for him too – he was technically my daughter’s dog, but somehow love doesn’t stay within ownership bounds. He was a very good boy. Both of them were old and very sick – he had severe breathing problems and she had begun to exhibit signs of extreme pain. I had to do it. Yall pray for me.

Though I have to take more time to grieve them, I feel that the Lord has given me a task to send out a post in light of recent events in the world – suffice it to say that the end of our age is upon us as is becoming more and more obvious. Those who waste their time waiting for things to “return to normal” are about to miss a very important boat – things will never be the way they were earlier in our lives. Those days are gone forever. Things won’t even go back to the way they were a month ago! The age of innocence has passed, and a world of rampant evil controlled by the prince of power of the air has been thrust upon us. Take heed, as the end approaches it is becoming increasingly impossible to ignore.

[Matthew 24:45,46]: “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food [i]in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.” Those of us who believe are called to help with the harvest, no matter our station in life; whether we be a great evangelist with the faith of Reverend Spurgeon, or a person with a wonderful voice who sings hymns to inspire the brethren, or a lowly message poster on the internet, we all have a job to do. The time is short, and the Son of Man is already on the cloud with the sharp sickle thrusting it in to gather His harvest and we must be found doing His work when He gets back.

I’ll not give the enemy the satisfaction of speaking overly much about his intimidation of our world at large. It’s safe to assume that everyone who is interested already see his actions; wars, rumors of wars, persecution of the saints, famines, and earthquakes in diverse places. The true servants of Jesus Christ must prepare to endure some tough times ahead. Contrary to the end times prophecies a lot of “preachers” are telling people, it’s not going to be easy to endure what we are about to face. Tribulation is a threatening word that speaks of a horrible set of circumstances that we must gird ourselves to suffer through to our final victory.

There are different schools of interpretation about the chronology of events of the end times. Some believe the rapture will take place before the real seven-year tribulation takes place, but Jesus said something that makes me think this interpretation is off. He said [Matthew 24:22]: “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” The way this reads, if those days to which He is referring are indeed the difficult times of the great tribulation, then the elect will still be around to suffer, so there’s that. Another thing I think about is that if Christians through the ages have suffered persecution, starvation, and torture, what makes folks think that for some reason us believers in the latter days should expect to be able to avoid such things as the end draws nigh?

Folks, things in this life don’t look good for us – any of us. Satan has put servants of his own choosing into the highest positions of power worldwide and they are all advocating for death and destruction. That recent speech by the Secretary of Insanity to the generals and admirals was but a glimpse of the merciless behavior they are preparing to mete out to people, but at some point – probably after the mark of the beast has been assigned to the unsaved – the focus will be on Christian believers, we should count on it.

Why am I saying all this? Because when those days get here in their fullness and we become enshrouded in this already increasing darkness, we who love the Lord must shine with the brilliance of His glory. We must show ourselves to be the beacons of hope to our brethren and to any who might choose to join us as followers. Indeed, we must absolutely rejoice in the face of the threats of the enemy, for when these things come about, our time to join our Lord will be fast approaching.

I don’t know about anyone else, but with the condition of this world over which Satan has dominance getting into the mess it’s in, how could folks of right mind even want to survive in it? Being watched with cameras everywhere, even our home conversations being eavesdropped on, being forced to take dubious vaccinations, eventually being told we must worship some evil dictator, etc. What kind of life are we facing? We are being forced to finance war, genocide, starvation of innocents, and in most government decisions, we have no choice now but to go along. Not to mention the threat of nuclear war and its attendant poisoning of the world hanging over us. We are rapidly approaching that point where our decision to follow Jesus Christ will earn us a death sentence, but if we are true believers, we will welcome our departure from this world which has come to be overtly ruled by Satan.

I guess the bottom line of this gloomy post is that our time here is getting very short. The message is, or should be, only dark for those who have refused the Lord or those who have yet to decide. Make your move of faith now before it’s too late. Jesus offers us eternal life of unimaginable joy and peace, totally opposite to what the enemy has in store for his followers. [1 Corinthians 2:9]: “Eye has not seen, nor ear hear, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

This world was never intended by its Creator to be our permanent home so we need to stop considering how to survive in it. Preparation for survival in this world is a waste of time that could be spent in helping with the harvest. This whole world will be destroyed along with all of our works – the future for believers is ONLY with Jesus Christ, so everyone needs to get to know Him ASAP, the days are short.

Please send comments for the encouragement of all of us. We need each other now more than ever.

May the blessings of the Almighty Father find and keep us through these troubled days.

MK