Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Dear Mr. Netanyahu

I pray you have a blessed Passover Season.

I've learned a lot in watching you, as you continue to show great diplomacy to open rudeness. I would like to share a few things with you and you probably already know this, so perhaps it's only to confirm that where you are standing, is obviously between a rock and a hard place. As you attempt to show respect for the G-d of Israel, and kindness to "your neighbor as yourself," your style and effort is heads and shoulders above those with whom you must deal. Sir, first let it be said, your neighbors are not so friendly and even though they squabble amongst themselves, when it comes down to it, the one thing they can agree upon is that you are the "Johnny come lately, and the outsider," and must continue to accommodate them. Attempting to negotiate with them while they are refusing to reconcile between their groups will only result in their unification against you, when the dust all settles. It's kind of like being caught between a squabbling couple and attempting to be a voice of reason. When they make up, the one who offered logic, is the bad guy.

Giving honorary titles and awards of nobility to visiting dignitaries, especially American ones, may seem to be proper, but our current administration expects the best everywhere he goes. To be honest, that is sort of an American tradition. I have to admit, I also enjoyed staying in the King David Hotel when I was in Jerusalem, yet I digress . . .

These titles and awards are basically viewed as trophies for the recipient, and hope of an ally on the part of Israel. The entire world knows Israel is surrounded by less than friends, and also knows most of the powerful countries in the world are funding your enemies while shaking your hand. As an American, I can tell you, we are not the most trustworthy lot. This medal for a man who had never set foot in Israel until now, did seem a bit superficial and just expected, but it also demonstrated the discernment of Israel to know what is expected and act accordingly.

I'm not sure that the kindness to a foreigner who openly disrespects you to the young people will return a good reward for you. To have a foreigner come and persuade the youth to different values is like having your own home overrun with visitors who simply don't care about what is important to you. I'd like to believe the young people will not be pursuaded, but it seems most young people have a streak of rebellion that is just looking for a chance to rally. I'm not saying it's just this generation, because I believe every generation has within it, the desire and determination to change things, but as our societies have deteriorated, the direction to be different continues to erode and the standard is dropped.

As an American, I've been very embarrassed by the way the American President has treated you, at every meeting. Politics and diplomacy really aren't entities separate from who we are as humans. Just as I compared you being caught between Hamas and the leader of the West Bank to trying to counsel a couple, politics is just personal on a greater level. Your personal integrity shines in your diplomacy, unfortunately the American President's personal integrity is also displayed to represent the entire country. That embarrasses me.

We just endured a campaign of more empty promises based upon the blame of the previous administration. The fact that you are not blaming Sharon and Olmert, places you in a clearly different class, than the man to which you are called to be hospitable. He first promised us hope and change, and in four years when he couldn't deliver that, promised us "Forward." Forward becomes an all together different word and meaning when the "o" and "r" are exchanged. Forward is a direction. Froward is a reflection of character, which I find to be much more contextual, in his case. I don't think you are so foolish as the Americans who bought into it, but your young people are used to leaders with some integrity, so when they like what someone says, they just assume they have the integrity of the leaders they are used to.

Now, on a personal note, I believe you would negotiate in much more power if you were operating by the government The G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob established Israel to be, rather than the mandate of the UN or even the promises of the US. If G-d has not brought you there, no amount of negotiation and treaties will give you security and if G-d has brought you there, doing it His way assures stability. I can tell you from personal experience, outside of G-d's plan, there will be no end to the demand of concessions.

I know you are wise enough to keep your friends close and your enemies closer, but the G-d of Israel has even better security in mind.

From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast . . . This book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for Y-H-W-H thy G-d is with thee whithersoever thou goest.


Sunday, March 17, 2013

Such an Interesting "Coincidence"

With so much in the news that has captured the world's attention, I thought I'd make mention of a lesser known fact that I believe will also be of global significance, at some point. Bank of America, you know, the second largest bank in America and one of the "Too Big to Fail" banks has "sold" some of it's smaller branches. Not only was Bank of America bailed out in late 2008, it bought Countrywide Financial in February of 2009, all in less than four months. In June of 2012 Bank of America informed the Federal Reserve it could sell off some branches for liquidity. Follow me as I give a little prophetic background before tying it all up!

I tend to not really disagree, but rather, I have a different perspective than many folks who are watching current events from a prophetic perspective. Of course, there has been conjecture for years, as to who would be the single human to control the New World Order, a.k.a. Anti-Christ. Most students of eschatology are looking at religious leaders, like the recent events at the Vatican, as well as political figures and world dignitaries. I have a much more practical perspective of just who could garner the worship of most people. Basically in a global society yearning for instant gratification, an entity that makes you feel good about yourself, offers free wi-fi, and makes fast food, smart technology, and digital entertainment available by EBT is going to be quite popular, even perhaps; beloved . . .

I'm not saying everyone with extreme power and money doesn't have some place in the end time events, at the very least, they are place holders, but I just don't believe the adversary is creative. I think he's going to be using the same methods he used in the Garden of Eden and with Y'hshuwah in the wilderness. So, we are basically looking at the "promise" for food, to know good and evil, and have full access when you want it. There's no indication there will be any favorites in this final regime, just one group of unfavored folks. Yet I digress . . .

Politicians are not really powerful, they are only puppets controlled by people more rich and powerful than themselves. Religious leaders, for the most part, are controlled by the money as well. I do not know who the evil leaders will be, and the names I am using as an example are not indicative of prophetic claim, or even my opinion, regarding the leaders of the New World Order. They are just examples. For instance, there is one post after another in social media as to how purely evil President Obama is. I don't agree with most of his politics, but I don't know that I could say he is the embodiment of evil. What I do know is, he has a lot of backers to keep happy, so he's clearly not independent. Now, consider on the other hand, someone like Bill Gates, who basically had the technical power to stand his ground even against the United States government in regard to the accusation of a monopoly. Bill Gates built an empire, and a charity, and he has a lot more individual power than any politician could ever dream of. Oprah Winfrey is another example of a "self-made" mogul and she had enough power to get President Obama his job. I think we all know, when Oprah chose to promote race over gender in her "first ever" Presidential endorsement, between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, she had the power to determine whether America would have it's first black president or it's first woman president.

Since most take overs begin with a rather popular notion, I'm guessing this will be no different, and the power house will rise out of rather "humble" obscure beginnings, which did cause me to give our current President some consideration in the beginning, but they all get a little consideration in the beginning . . .

Now, I've said all that to say this. While we were watching Vatican city for the smoke to clear, and everyone watched for a new moon and ripe barley, not to mention trying to figure out how causing a new crisis to ignore the old crisis makes sequestration a good idea, we have some slight of hand going on just a little closer to the control of us every day folk. The Pope's resignation took place and Catholics continued being Catholic without an official in the Vatican. Other than complaining about how much money is being spent or borrowed, life in these United States goes on whether Congress is in session or the Obamas are another vacation. Meanwhile, however; back at the ranch . . .

Bank of America has sold 24 bank branches to Old National Bank, many of which are in Michigan, so I'm guessing their mortgage loan value is a contributing factor in that decision, but I discovered some other information that seems to indicate a new up and comer in the banking industry. Bank of America is selling 29 bank branches to Arvest Bank in four states . . . Arvest is a fairly new kid on the block. The CEO of Arvest bank is none other than Jim Walton, son of the late Sam Walton. Arvest bank is the bank that Wal-Mart wan't allowed to have as part of it's corporation . . . Does Wal-Mart fit the description I gave above, as a provider of everything everyone wants? I think what scares me the most about the possibility is the separation people have already established within themselves regarding such an entity.

New super-centers are international and growing. A new super-mart always gets some sort of tax break to come to the town, eliminates the Mom & Pop independents, then offers minimum wage to become one of the largest employers in the area, takes back some of the employees pay as stock investment in the company, calling them associates, and all that is fair in the game of capitalism and the love of money. What really concerns me are the number of people who already say they "hate the super-mart and only go when they have to." What are we willing to do, even though we say we are against it and hate it? We really need to be deciding just where we draw the line in these last days. We cannot draw it between our desires and our soul.

And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark . . . the Revelation

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Taking Care of Business

I'm in an unusual place in life and I think I'm about ready to enjoy another aspect of simplicity, which I'll cover on one of my other blogs, but it involves the Postal Service, or I should say the lack of service and the apparent inability or unwillingness to do anything about it. It seems when they receive a complaint at the counter, they already have it in writing, that they can do what they want. I mean there are nit-picky rules even pertaining to the closing of the mailbox. Did you know, that if the mail person makes an attempt to close the door, but it comes open, it is in writing, there is no obligation to try to close the mail box again. I find this particularly annoying, yet humorous in a postal sort of way. My neighbors are kind enough to close the mailbox door when they go by and so far, every one of them has reported it closing first time, every time it's open, which is right after mail delivery. One time was particularly humorous in that there was actually a note in the mail box from the mail carrier explaining that she didn't have time to re-close the door . . . Perhaps she was too busy writing the note . . .
So, as the USPS puts themselves out of business, I can't really say I have much pity for them. Perhaps if they had been taking care of business instead of micro-managing what they don't have to do, they wouldn't be failing financially. Considering the customer service I had been receiving, I'd just as soon get prompts on the phone. At least with prompts, I get a feeling of getting somewhere . . .
Interestingly, there is a person at the Post Office who actually answered the phone and when they found out there were pictures of crumpled wet mail and an open mailbox with mail in it, she wanted to see the pictures. She was very courteous, very nice and seemingly very helpful, but . . . there is obviously policy out of her control.
She gave her email and I assured her, I would send the pictures to her, before posting this blog. I tried.

Are you ready for what I found in my Inbox this morning?

I've changed a couple of the details of the addresses but you get the picture . . .

This is the mail system at host samtca.zzz.srvs.usps.gov.

I'm sorry to have to inform you that your message could not
be delivered to one or more recipients. It's attached below.

For further assistance, please send mail to

If you do so, please include this problem report. You can
delete your own text from the attached returned message.

The mail system

: message size 16499108 exceeds size limit 10485760


So, it would seem, the USPS isn't so easy to reach even by e-mail and snail mail, well . . . There is a big difference between program capability and a willingness to work toward a solution. KUDOS to the lady who answers the phone and has to listen to the complaints of others who will not work toward problem resolution.

I sent back another response and told this individual I'd simply send her the blog link so they can see the pictures. She graciously responded favorably and informed me she will open the link upon receipt. So with that, I feel I can go ahead and post this blog.


Back to the original point. I realize with a life of simplicity, yet technology in reach, I can find out the amount of my bill for electricity and I pay it in person anyway, and as for my online business, that goes through PayPal, so basically the USPS has caused and proven their own obsoletion.
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might . . . Holy Scripture

Wednesday, March 06, 2013

Which Came First

Which came first, elitist politicians, or the policy to favor elitism? America has always had it's hierarchy and aristocracy; although we dare not actually speak that. We simply make the "them and us references," with phrases like the other side of "the tracks" or the other side of "the aisle," or she married well or so-and-so married beneath them. We have it in all aspects of our society. Highly educated individuals are certainly held in social esteem over the drop-outs. The old saying, "money talks," continues be repeated, because money continues to talk . . .
And that's my point today. We assoicate elitism with dollars.

I probably shouldn't be posting this, but it's so easy to blame Washington for unfairness and waste, and although Washington DC certainly appears to lead the way in waste, I think the reality is we are a nation of elitists just wanting to feel opulent! The young adult generation has done it with instant gratification and a lifestyle of indebted "all out" spending, the Baby Boomers have done it with social security disability, the silent generation has done it with pensions and buy out social security and the greatest generation is doing it with inheritances, social security and nursing home power. We can't blame Washington DC, completely. The elected officials are just trying to keep enough of every generation happy to maintain their own job security.

I find waste reprehensible and I think the love of money in this country will truly receive the judgment the Bible warned about. I hear the young adult generation talk about how much all the older generations are wasting, but I've seen the younger one burn through cash at a rate that spins my head. I've also found myself helping the younger generation, only to have them return to the exact situation in which they solicited the rescue, and the "helpful" parents are the villains. I'm good with that standing. Being unpopular will only keep me from being included in the next bail out with no results . . .

My generation, the Baby Boomers, are without a doubt a sorry lot. We were the first generation to be raised on antibiotics, vaccinations, and television. Clearly a case of garbage in, garbage out. Granted, we are aging out of the work force, now, but I don't know very many boomers that didn't opt out early on some disability claim, anyway. I'm not saying all, but I do know several boomers that claim "retirement" in their 40's while also claiming 40 year careers. Modern math, I guess . . . I see why the rest of the country is sick of us. I changed careers every 3 years in my twenties and early thirties, until I finally came into the career G-d had planned for me. Of course, with MS, it was recommended that I follow the path of my generation and gouge the system for disability, but I took the road less traveled and I'm so glad I did. I've been in ministry and an author, for nearly 20 years and now at 55, I've been homesteading for nearly a decade. I don't even see retirement in my future and certainly don't feel disabled.

The silent generation is an enigma to me. They have their money and their stuff and now they are all over 70 and still nobody else does it right! Perfect! My mom has told me several times what she plans to leave whom and all I can say is, I hope the will gets read before I'm stuck cleaning the basement, garage, and attic. If I have my way, which I won't, it's not allowed, ever; to be fair . . . my sister and my daughter can have it all for themselves and their kids. Hopefully my grandkids would come out okay on that deal and that would be fine all the way around.

This greatest generation, what's left of them, is really a fascinating group. They have the inheritances of what is virtually the last of the family farms. They went to town as young women and made sure their kids went to town, so the land was ready for sale at the first opportunity. Now they have their social security, their inheritances, their medicare to make appointments to call their social life, and none of their kids can do it right either, because let's face the facts. Every generation raised the next one, and none of us want to be stuck in the mercy and care of what we produced! Now back to the greatest generation.

I'm privy to two of them in long term care, and they both have enough money to live in their chosen care facility, past the age of 100. Got the picture? So, one of them has decided she needs a special diet, suited to her "healthy, organic" choices. Her daughters want to make sure her choices will be freshly prepared every day! Really? Take your mom home and fix it then. Clearly you have the time, as none of you have jobs to go to either! The other situation was interesting in that this woman has chosen her own comforts and one of those is a kitchenette in her accommodations. Well she fell asleep warming her little rice heat bag, you know the alternative pain reliever . . . Fire alarm, evacuation preparation, smoke damage, you get the picture. The solution after all that. With a wink from the administrator, and a slight of hands on the report, she gets a new microwave and everyone else at the facility loses their little rice bags . . . Now all these people who probably don't have as much ready cash, have lost their freedom and choice, but she gets her microwave and the facility will probably get more medicare funding for pain meds, now that rice bags have been confiscated for the greater good and safety.

We can keep blaming Washington DC for all the waste and debt, but in reality, who is going to give up what they feel entitled to? I mean, aren't we all entitled to be accommodated by what someone else should have to provide?

Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish . . . a Prophet of Holy Scripture

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