A Sunday Sermon

 Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

The importance of gathering together as believers cannot be overstated. It's not merely a suggestion but a vital necessity for spiritual growth and resilience. When we assemble, we create a powerful synergy that strengthens our faith and fortifies our resolve.

Bearing one another's burdens is not just a noble ideal; it's a fundamental responsibility towards our fellow believers. By supporting each other, we create a robust network of faith that can withstand the trials and tribulations of life. This mutual support system is essential, especially as we face increasingly challenging times.

The strength we derive from other believers is unparalleled. We grow stronger in our faith through our interactions, shared experiences, and collective wisdom. We must actively seek out these opportunities for connection, refusing to isolate ourselves or become complacent in our spiritual journey.

As the day approaches, it becomes even more critical to intensify our efforts in community building. We must encourage one another with greater frequency and fervor, pushing each other toward righteousness and unwavering faith. The challenges ahead demand nothing less than our total commitment to supporting and uplifting one another in our spiritual walk.

The LORD has spoken in His Word the reason for the falling away.

1 Timothy 4:1 - Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.

Like Satan in the Garden, seducing spirits act with subtleness or craftiness; more specifically, they insert grains of truth along with deceptive doctrines that, over time and repetition, draw one's thinking away from God's standards.

Seducing spirits and doctrines of demons don't announce themselves as coming from Satan but instead are packaged as being "smart," "modern," or "advanced." The purpose, however, is always the same.

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).

Satan is not after our faith for miracles, prosperity, or God's blessing – he is after our faith in Christ as Savior, to pull people away from the Savior who came to save our souls and to destroy God's creation.

2 Thessalonians 2:3

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first,

2 Corinthians 11:3 - But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be deteriorated from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Hebrews 3:12-19 - Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.   

Revelation 2:4-5 - Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 

2 Peter 2:20-22 - For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.   

Matthew 24:10-13 - And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.   

Revelation 3:11 - Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

James 1:12 - Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised them that love him.

1 Timothy 4:16 - Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

The exodus of Christians from the Church is a pressing issue that demands our immediate attention. Many are abandoning their faith communities due to a severe lack of commitment. These individuals are not loyal to their fellow Christians, choosing personal comfort over communal support. They're easily offended and unable to handle constructive criticism or differing opinions within the congregation. Instead of focusing on spiritual growth, they've become caught up in the cares of life, prioritizing worldly pursuits over their relationship with God. For these people, the Church is no longer a priority. They've relegated it to an afterthought, attending only when convenient. This lackadaisical attitude towards faith and community is detrimental to both individual spiritual health and the strength of the Church as a whole. It's time for Christians to reassess their priorities, recommit to their faith, and recognize the irreplaceable value of active participation in a church community.

A report issued by Dr. George Barna, Director of Research Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University Release Date: August 6, 2024, states: The cultural awareness sparked by the COVID pandemic and the 2024 presidential campaign has led millions of Americans to realize just how depraved American society has become. Corrupt politicians, dishonest journalists and media outlets, broken social institutions, immoral religious leaders, unconstitutional government programs and policies, and more have generated non-stop headlines highlighting the decadence of American society and the demise of the United States. The depth of the depravity is shocking. But the deterioration of this once-great nation begs the fundamental question: How did we get here? What happened to so quickly introduce new philosophies of life and ways of living that radically depart from America's historical Christian moorings and consensus? The indisputable cultural decline is a direct result of the spiritual collapse of Christianity in the nation. We are living in a day of deceit and confusion.

God is not the author of confusion, period. His word is clear, consistent, and unchanging. The Bible explicitly states that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He doesn't flip-flop on His messages or change His mind on a whim. If you're experiencing constant shifts in what God is telling you, it's a clear sign that you must develop and apply your spiritual discernment, a crucial skill in navigating the complexities of faith.

Too often, believers mistakenly attribute Satan's deceptive messages to God's voice. We are commanded to test the spirits and diligently search the scriptures. Stop jumping from one "God told me" moment to another, especially when these supposed divine instructions contradict each other or the Bible itself.

The problem is a "know it all" attitude among those who think they know God's voice.

It's crucial to anchor your faith in the solid foundation of God's written word rather than relying solely on fleeting emotions or impressions. God's faithful guidance aligns perfectly with His character and scriptures, which remain steadfast and unchanging. If you're constantly changing course based on what you think God is saying, you're likely not hearing from God at all. This spiritual arrogance has invaded the Church.

Spiritual arrogance is a dangerous pitfall many people face on their spiritual journey. It manifests as a know-it-all attitude, where individuals believe they've reached the pinnacle of spiritual understanding. This misguided confidence leads to an unwillingness to learn from others, effectively stunting their growth. They have head knowledge without heart experience.

Those afflicted with spiritual arrogance often disregard those who possess genuine knowledge and experience. They dismiss valuable insights, believing their limited understanding to be superior. This arrogance stems from a lack of true spiritual discernment, as they need to recognize the vast depths of wisdom beyond their narrow perspective.

It's crucial to understand that genuine wisdom comes with humility. Those who are genuinely enlightened acknowledge that there is always more to learn. Spiritual arrogance, on the other hand, is a clear indicator of someone who has no true wisdom. It's a barrier to personal growth and a hindrance to meaningful spiritual connections with others. Cultivating humility is essential for genuine spiritual growth.

To avoid this trap, one must remain open-minded, respectful of others' experiences, and committed to lifelong learning. Only then can one hope to achieve genuine spiritual growth and understanding.

Remember, our God is a God of order, not chaos. He doesn't tell you one thing today and something entirely different tomorrow. Seek His unchanging truth in His word, and stop falling for the confusion masquerading as divine guidance.

God has strategically positioned you where you are for a divine purpose. It's time to stop questioning your circumstances and start recognizing the ministry He has entrusted to you right where you stand. You are not a victim of chance but a chosen instrument in God's grand design.

Understand this: God has placed you where you are now for a reason. Your current situation, whether challenging or comfortable, is not a mistake. It's a calling. Open your eyes to see the ministry God has given you in the place you are today. Your sphere of influence, your struggles, and your strengths are all part of His plan.

It's time to stop being the unstable man James warns about, tossed by the wind and double-minded. Cease your aimless wandering like a star without orbit. Instead, plant your feet firmly in the soil of your current circumstance and bloom where you're planted.

Take up your cross and follow where God leads you. This isn't a suggestion; it's a command. Embrace your position with conviction, knowing God has equipped you for this moment. Your obedience in staying put may be the very thing that sparks a revival in your community, workplace, or family.

Stop looking for greener pastures and start cultivating the field God has given you. Your purpose is not elsewhere; it's right here, right now. Seize it with both hands and fulfill the calling God has placed on your life in this very place.

What Is All The Hype About 2030?

 A few years back, I taught a class on the Book of Daniel, and during the class, we discussed the end of the age. At that time, 2030 was being given as the year to complete the United Nations Agenda 2030. It is also the year that transhumanists predicted significant changes to the human body. Some transhumanists believe they can avoid death and become gods. 

Here is the projection for 2030.

In 2015, the WEF published an essay that expressed what life would probably be like in 2030. The result were many people living in smart cities, living in shared, communal buildings that no one owned; and every single item one could think of was rented, shared, and delivered by drone. This since deleted essay partly reads:

Welcome to the year 2030. Welcome to my city – or should I say, “our city”. I don’t own anything. I don’t own a car. I don’t own a house. I don’t own any appliances or any clothes.

By 2030, several body augmentation capabilities will enable humans to be more intelligent, stronger, and more capable than we are today. Wearables will be one form of body augmentation that will surpass today's fitness trackers. In the future, we can expect the arrival of contact lenses that can take pictures or video, universal language translator earbuds that allow us to communicate anywhere in the world, and exosuits that increase physical strength.  We will also see increased use of implants ranging from brain microchips and neural lace to mind-controlled prostheses and subdermal RFID chips that allow users to unlock doors or computer passwords with the wave of a hand. However, the most potent body augmentation will come from biological augmentation as a result of increased insight into our genomes, advances in IVF technology that may allow us to select the most intelligent embryos, and powerful CRISPR gene-editing technology, which may one day give us the ability to eliminate all heritable diseases. 

These body augmentation capabilities will lead to more resilient, optimized, and continually monitored humans. They will also impact job opportunities for those with and without augmented abilities and sports competition with hierarchies based on body augmentation.  All this is expected to happen by 2030. Why 2030?

John the Revelator saw through the ages events that would happen in the end times, one concerning the devil.

 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. Rev,12:12

It would seem that the enemy of our soul knows something significant will occur in 2030. What could be so crucial than Satan is pushing to accomplish these agendas by 2030?

In the Book of Daniel, we are told that the mystery of the end times will be revealed later. Has the mystery been unsealed? I believe it has, and we are seeing the fulfillment of things that have been revealed in the past few years.

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

For many years, I believed that the increase in knowledge was secular knowledge. However, in the past few years, it has been revealed to be end-time knowledge. What we have been taught about end-time prophecy is not valid.

In the past few weeks, I have concluded that what I believe about the Second Coming of Christ is essential to my salvation. Here is why I say this.

3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world? 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

Not understanding the prophecies concerning the end time can destroy one faith.

Where is the promise of his coming? Since the fathers fell asleep, all things continued as they were from the beginning of the creation.

For the past 2,000 years, there have been numerous predictions about the specific day of the end of the world and the return of Jesus by pastors, prophets, and Christian scholars. However, these predictions have all turned out to be incorrect. This is mainly because many of these teachings are based on interpretations and beliefs from the 1500s, which are now considered flawed and outdated. A significant event that changed the understanding of prophecy occurred in 1948 when Judah became a nation. This marked the first time since the Assyrian Empire defeated Israel as a nation that Israel had been established. Following their defeat, the people of Israel had been scattered. A similar fate occurred to Judah when the Babylonians defeated them and destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple. The final destruction of Judah took place in 70 A.D. when Titus destroyed Jerusalem and the Second Temple. Any interpretation of prophecy should be based on these historical events related to Jerusalem. The phrase "times of the Gentiles" is specific to the Gospel of Luke. According to Jesus, "And they [the Jewish people] will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled" (Luke 21:24). Many people misinterpret Luke 21:24 and the events related to the times of the Gentiles.

Some claim that when Israel became a state on May 14, 1948, and then captured the Old City of Jerusalem during the Six-Day War in June 1967, the times of the Gentiles ended. But this is an erroneous interpretation of the verse. For years, I believed that the Six Day War ended the times of the Gentiles. But this is not true. Jordan controls Jerusalem and the Temple Mount.

The era began during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The Babylonians invaded Judah, destroyed Jerusalem, and exiled the Jewish people for 70 years (Jer. 25:11). Under King Cyrus of Persia, the Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem to rebuild their Temple (cf. 2 Chr. 36:23).

There have been times since the Babylonian Captivity when Israel controlled Jerusalem, but Israel's sovereignty did not last. For example, after Seleucid King Antiochus Epiphanes, who ruled ancient Israel from 175 BC to 163 BC, defiled the Temple, the Jewish people rallied under the Maccabees to revolt. They recaptured Jerusalem and cleansed and rededicated the Temple but only controlled the city for over 100 years.

Then the Romans took control. Again the Jewish people rebelled (A.D. 66–70); again, in the Bar Kokhba revolt of AD 132, they were defeated. Even since becoming a state in 1948, eastern Jerusalem and the Temple Mount have been primarily controlled by Muslims, not Jews.

So when will the gentile time end and the nation of Israel be restored?

Hosea 6:2 says, "After two days he will revive us (Israel and Judah); on the third day he will restore us." (in brackets added) In Bible prophecy, a day is often a millennium or 1000 years.  In other words, after being put aside for 2000 years, Israel and Judah, both southern and northern kingdoms, will be restored to the land, and Jerusalem will be in the hands of Israel once again.  The question is, when was Israel put aside?  If we can figure out when this 2000 or 2-day period began, we can ascertain when the 3rd day will commence, and hence Israel and Judah will be revived.  It began precisely at the time that Jesus announced that He would be going away, six months before he was crucified on Passover A.D. 30.  Jesus made a direct reference to Hosea's prophecy where he said that he would be going away and that they (the disciples) would not be able to come where he was going.2 You see the point is that Israel would be hidden from God's view for two whole days or 2000 years. Then on the third day they would be restored.  When does this third day begin?  Exactly 2000 years after this day at the end of 2029.  This is the period between the 69th and 70th week spoken of by Daniel. 

Let's go back to Matthew 24'. By this time, the disciples had understood the meaning of Jesus' first coming – to suffer and to die as a sacrifice for the sins of the world in fulfillment of such scriptures as Isaiah 53.  Their question meant, 'Are you now going to fulfill the rest of the Messianic program and bring an end to the times of the Gentiles and restore the kingdom by reigning as the promised descendant of King David and bringing back the glory / Shekinah to Jerusalem?'  Jesus responded, 'It is not for you to know the times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.' In other words, this event will happen but not at a time you can know or even when you need to know.  Jesus goes on to say that the immediate requirement of the disciples was to be filled with the Holy Spirit, as would happen ten days later on the Day of Pentecost (Shavuot), and to take the Gospel message to the ends of the earth (i.e., to the Gentile nations).  During this time, the Kingdom of God will be entered into by those who are born again of the Holy Spirit through repentance and faith in Jesus the Messiah.

Following this, Jesus ascended into heaven in the cloud (Shekinah) from the Mount of Olives with a promise from the angels that 'This same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.'  Acts 1.11.

In the book of Leviticus, God warned Israel, just after receiving the 10 Commandments and the new construction of the Tabernacle, that if they failed to keep these commands and did not listen to God, then He would punish them, and their enemies would defeat them. This happened some 900-1000 years later when Babylon took Judah and Benjamin away into captivity in the 6th century BC for 70 years, which ended in Daniel's time.  They did not listen.  But this is not where the warning ends.  In verse 18, God warns Israel again that if they still refuse to listen to Him after all this, He will punish them seven times over.  Well, 7 times 70 years = 490 years.  But the fascinating point is that God repeats this "7 times over" warning three more times.

For the past 2,000 years, pastors, prophets, and Christian scholars have made numerous predictions about the specific day of the end of the world and the return of Jesus. However, these predictions have all turned out to be incorrect. This is mainly because many of these teachings were based on interpretations and beliefs from the 1500s, which are now considered to be flawed and outdated.

A significant event that changed the understanding of prophecy occurred in 1948 when Israel became a nation. This marked the first time since the Assyrian Empire defeated Israel as a nation that Israel had been established. Following their defeat, the Jewish people had been scattered. A similar fate occurred to Judah when the Babylonians defeated them and destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple. The final destruction of Judah took place in 70 A.D. when Titus destroyed Jerusalem and the Second Temple. Any interpretation of prophecy should be based on these historical events related to Jerusalem.

The phrase "times of the Gentiles" is specific to the Gospel of Luke. According to Jesus, "And they [the Jewish people] will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled" (Luke 21:24).

Many people misinterpret Luke 21:24 and the events related to the times of the Gentiles.s for four times in verses 18, 21, 24, and 28.  Unrepentant Israel would be punished 490 + 490 + 490 + 490 = 1960 years for not listening and carrying out God's commands.

After Jesus was crucified, the temple in Jerusalem and, therefore Judaism in the form of the sacrificial religious system, lasted another 40 years, ultimately being defeated by the Roman army via General Titus in A.D. 70 .  So now, from this time on the Jewish system would be punished and put aside to fulfill the 1960 year "banishment."  They would be removed from God's view, as mentioned in Hosea 6.  So where does the 1960 years added onto A.D. 70  leave us?  Well, AD 70 + 1960 years = 2030.

And there we have it… Proof that 2030 is highly significant from two different methods of calculation using the Bible.  But it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see how the world is going.  Morals are steadily declining.  There are political upheavals and various other signs on the earth that something is not quite right.  One of the first physical signs will be in the heavens.  The "judgment of the thirds" will result in a giant asteroid called "Wormwood" breaking up and hitting the earth. There will also be other signs in the sun, moon, and stars.  In the last days, there will be political, religious, and financial upheaval in the world, all with a healthy dose of deception. 

Everything points towards 2030 and beyond, the critical point of convergence at which the world is ending as we know it in the church age.  

The call that the Bridegroom is coming has gone out. Are you ready? Are your lamps trimmed and burning? Do you have the oil needed to meet the LORD? Are you awake and watching and prepared for the hour that the LORD returns? We may not know the day or hour, but we can identify the events that will take place. Are you ready?

Facing Death

 As a minister of fifty-six years, I have sat with those living in their final moments. I have conducted memorial services for those who have passed away. I have felt the cold hand of death as it has taken friends and family from this life.

Death is something that we all must face. Facing death personally can often feel like an emotional rollercoaster, with grief, love, fear, anger, hope, peace, and despair all finding a place at one time or another. A range of emotions is normal, but if you constantly feel numb, help is available.

The harsh reality we must confront is that Adam's fall condemned us all to sin and death. There's no escaping this grim truth - we are born sinners destined to face mortality. But don't despair! There's a way out of this dire situation. We must actively seek forgiveness and embrace the gift of salvation. Acknowledging our sinful nature is not enough; we must take decisive action to secure our eternal future. By accepting this gift, we can find unshakeable peace and security in knowing that death has been utterly defeated. The choice is clear: continue living under the shadow of death or seize the opportunity for eternal life. Don't wait - your very soul depends on this crucial decision. Act now to overcome the penalty of sin and claim your victory over death!

The gift of salvation is not a mere suggestion; it's a life-altering necessity for every human being. The burden of sin's guilt weighs heavily on our souls, crushing us under condemnation. But make no mistake, this conviction is not meant to destroy us—it's a divine wake-up call. Confession is not optional; it's the first step towards freedom. We must confront our wrongdoings head-on, holding nothing back. This raw honesty paves the way for true repentance, a complete turnaround from our sinful ways. It's not enough to feel sorry; we must actively choose to change. Forgiveness follows genuine repentance, wiping our slate clean. This isn't a free pass to continue in sin but a second chance to live righteously. Through this process, we experience justification—being declared righteous in God's eyes, not because of our merit, but through Christ's sacrifice. Salvation is the ultimate goal, the complete rescue from sin's power and consequences. It's not earned; it's given freely. But don't be fooled—while salvation is a gift, it demands a response. We must grasp it, allowing it to transform every aspect of our lives. The choice is yours: continue in sin's bondage or embrace the liberating power of salvation. There is no middle ground. This gift of salvation will give you the courage and peace of mind to face death. 

Awake The Spiritual Warrior

 In these complex times, we face suffering in many forms, both on a personal and societal level. Greed and violence are causing widespread repercussions, leading many to feel angry, tired, anxious, and grief-stricken. However, now is not the time to give up. As spiritual warriors, we must stand firm in the face of adversity. Our world needs us more than ever, and we cannot afford to succumb to discouragement or despair. We must transform our anger into action, anxiety into awareness, and grief into fuel for change. The path of a spiritual warrior is not easy, but it is necessary. We must be the ones to shine a light in the darkness, speak truth to power, and embody the change we wish to see in the world. Let's rise, stand tall, and fight for what we believe in. The future depends on our unwavering commitment to spiritual growth and societal transformation. We cannot become so heavenly minded that we are of no earthly value. We are called to action. 

Wake up, spiritual warriors! You've been sleeping for far too long. It's time to rise from your slumber and carry out the orders of your divine mission. The battle rages on, and you're needed on the front lines.

Put on the armor of God without delay. This isn't a suggestion; it's a command. You must protect yourself against the unseen forces that seek to derail your purpose. Stand firm in your faith and be alert at all times. The enemy never rests, so neither should you.

Remember, being defensive isn't enough. You must be on the offense. Take the fight to the adversary, armed with truth and righteousness. Your complacency has allowed darkness to gain ground, but no more. It's time to reclaim what's been lost and push forward with unwavering determination.

The call to action is clear: wake up, suit up, and show up. The spiritual realm needs warriors who are ready to fight, not spectators content with sitting on the sidelines. Your destiny awaits – seize it with both hands and fulfill your purpose as a true spiritual warrior.

Health Update

 I have been a diabetic for over thirty years and struggled with keeping my A1c in a healthy range. This struggle has resulted in not being able to have a knee replacement. Early this year, I spoke with my endocrinologist about possible knee replacement, and he felt that I was ready. I met with the surgeon, and he agreed if I could get all my doctors to sign off on the surgery.

I met with my kidney specialist, who ordered a blood test and a renal ultrasound of my kidneys and bladder. The blood work showed a high red cell, white cell, and platelet count. This was on May 22, 2024, at 9:09 a.m. My platelet count was 1135 103/mm3. The normal range is 150-450 103/mm3. She referred me to Hematology Oncology at Witham. I was able to see them on July 16, 2024. I met with the doctor, and he told me that my platelet count was high and that he needed to determine the cause. He explained platelets are parts of the blood that help form blood clots. Thrombocytosis is a disorder in which your body produces too many platelets.

It is called reactive or secondary thrombocytosis when the cause is an underlying condition, such as an infection.

Less commonly, when the high platelet count has no apparent underlying condition as a cause, the disorder is called primary thrombocythemia or essential thrombocythemia. This is a blood and bone marrow disease. He told me to take an aspirin daily and an iron supplement, and he would see me in two weeks.

The doctor had a family emergency and canceled the appointment. I told the office lady that I was scheduled for knee surgery and needed the doctor to sign off on the surgery. She scheduled another doctor for August 6, 2024. This doctor told me that my blood test came back  with high platelets at 1111 103/mm3, and he would need to do a bone marrow biopsy. The report came back that I had Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), also called chronic myelogenous leukemia. It is a cancer of the bone marrow and blood cells. Blood cells that should become white blood cells (WBCs) do not fully grow. These cells do not fight infection like a normal WBC should. They crowd the bone marrow, preventing normal blood cells from growing and fighting disease. I had no signs or symptoms. Many people learn that they have CML after blood is drawn for tests during a regular medical exam. This may have been the reason I lost my little toe to infection. I had over six weeks of antibiotic infusions to treat infection in my foot.

There are three phases:

• The chronic phase is a period of relative stability, where signs and symptoms are minimal. The CML cells are confined to the blood and bone marrow, without spreading to other body parts. This phase is often the most responsive to treatment, and it's where I find myself currently, instilling a sense of hope and optimism.
• The accelerated phase means you have more signs and symptoms. You also have more CML cells in your blood and bone marrow, which usually have not spread to other body parts.
• The blast phase means there are many more CML cells in your blood and bone marrow. These cells have usually spread to other parts of the body, such as the spleen and liver, and they may be growing faster.
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On August 23, 2024, I underwent a crucial iron infusion, underscoring the urgency and importance of managing my health condition. I go back in four weeks to see if the treatment is working. This is all I can tell you at this point. I thank everyone who has voiced their concern and prayers. There are many more people with health issues greater than mine. i am glad this is treatable,

Time To Vote

 As we approach the final weeks of another voting cycle in America, it's crucial to address the pressing concerns that many citizens have about the electoral process. Let's be clear: your vote counts and anyone suggesting otherwise is undermining the very foundation of our democracy. The question of potential civil unrest is serious, but we must not let fear dictate our actions. Instead, we should focus on exercising our rights and responsibilities as citizens.

The weaponization of government departments is a serious allegation that necessitates a comprehensive investigation and accountability. We cannot afford to ignore potential abuses of power, irrespective of the ruling party. Similarly, the influence of money in elections is an enduring problem that jeopardizes the sanctity of our democratic system. It's high time for voters to demand transparency and comprehensive campaign finance reform vociferously.

To those who worry about the "last days of freedom," remember that freedom is not a given; we must actively protect and fight for it. We can safeguard our liberties by staying informed, engaging in civic discourse, and participating in the electoral process. Don't let cynicism or apathy win; your voice and your vote are potent tools in shaping the future of our nation.

Here are five awe-inspiring reasons why Christians should actively safeguard religious freedom:

1. Upholding Biblical Teachings: The Bible teaches Christians to love their neighbors as themselves. By advocating for religious freedom, Christians can live out these teachings and promote a society where individuals can worship according to their conscience.

2. Preserving Gospel Accessibility: Religious freedom ensures that Christians can openly share their faith with others without fear of persecution or discrimination. By protecting this freedom, Christians can continue spreading the transformative message of the Gospel far and wide.

3. Safeguarding Church Autonomy: Religious freedom allows churches and Christian organizations to operate independently without undue interference from external forces. This autonomy enables them to carry out their mission, serve their communities, and contribute positively to society.

4. Promoting Human Dignity: Respecting religious freedom acknowledges every individual's inherent worth and dignity as created in God's image. Christians demonstrate compassion, equality, and justice by defending this right for themselves and all people.

Christians have always been at the forefront of promoting and upholding the value of human dignity. Our beliefs and teachings provide a firm foundation for treating everyone with respect and compassion. Here are five  reasons why Christians passionately advocate for human dignity:

1. Divine Image: Christians firmly believe that every person is created in God's image. This profound belief recognizes the inherent worth and value of every human being.

2. Love your Neighbor: The core principle of Christianity revolves around loving one's neighbor as oneself. By embracing this principle, Christians understand that promoting human dignity means actively caring for others and seeking justice and mercy.

3. Sanctity of Life: Christians recognize the sanctity of life from conception to natural death. We vehemently oppose any form of violence or discrimination that threatens the well-being and dignity of individuals.

4. Compassion and Empathy: Following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, Christians are called to show compassion and empathy towards those who are marginalized or suffering. 

5. Equality before God: In Christianity, all followers of Jesus Christ are considered equal before God regardless of their social status, race, worldly achievements or if they are male or female.

Where Are The Men?

 It's time to face the harsh reality: men have abandoned their crucial role as spiritual leaders in our society. This alarming trend has far-reaching consequences that we can no longer ignore. Men have carelessly turned over the responsibility of training boys to women, leaving a gaping void in masculine guidance and mentorship. The result? A generation of young men lacking strong, spiritual male role models.

Gone are the days when Christian men were viewed as spiritual warriors, standing firm in their faith and leading by example. Instead, we're witnessing a mass retreat from spiritual leadership, with men shirking their God-given responsibilities. This abdication of duty has left families, churches, and communities bereft of the strong, principled leadership they desperately need.

It's high time for men to reclaim their position as spiritual leaders. We must challenge the status quo, step up, and fulfill our roles with conviction and purpose. The future of our faith, our families, and our society depends on men embracing their calling as spiritual warriors and role models. The question remains: will you rise to the challenge, or continue to let others fill the void you've left behind?