Does Real Freedom Exist Today?

This Independence Day I took a brief survey in Sag Harbor, New York, asking random people about freedom. Does real freedom exist? If so, what is it like? Sergei was happy to answer my questions and even posed in the stocks for me while some people preferred to remain anonymous. There were three examples of freedom to consider in the survey:

Independence is freedom

Hedonism is freedom

Knowing God is freedom

Sergei Cruz said "Freedom is a state of mind. You can be in jail and your mind can still be free. It's your choice of how you want to perceive things. Look at the positive things in life." He chose knowing God as the best example of freedom.

Elizabeth Knab, who was working in the windmill gift shop, said, "If real freedom exists, this is it!" I wanted to clarify, "You mean the U.S., right?" "Yes... and Canada Isn't too bad either." She said all the choices represented freedom because for her freedom is the right to choose.

EUterus and the Rebirth of a Global Dictatorship

EUterus

What's new in the EU? Fulfilled prophecy, it seems. The European Union has become a functional dictatorship by default, as of July 1, 2011. The 1954 modified Brussels Treaty lists 10 nations of the Western European Union with permanent and full voting rights. But, according to a declaration dated March 31, 2010, this authority has been relinquished.[1] Europa, the official website of the European Union, describes a political structure that has been "constantly evolving over more than 50 years."[2] The new meeting center for the EU, dubbed the EUterus by some and the gilded cage by others, was designed by the architect to be a celebration of paganism and, as we'll see, this chapter in history appears to be fulfilling biblical prophecy.

Christians are to be Watchmen in the End Times

The role of the watchman is described in scripture in both the Old- and New Testaments. In a key parable, Jesus shows how a Christian may be commissioned by Christ as a dedicated watchmen, while at the same time Christ emphasizes that every believer is to have the attitude of a watchman. In terms of today's politically correct jargon, one could use the term watch-person, if that is more desirable.

The context of Jesus' parable in Mark 13 shows there are signs of perilous times related to the close of this age.  As we see many of these signs all around us today, we understand the rapture of the Church may be close at hand, though we are shown in scripture not to be “date setters” trying to predict the exact day. The biblical concept of the watchman has been hijacked by the Jehovah’s Witnesses' Watchtower Magazine, which presents non-biblical ideas, such as the rejection of the Trinity and the rejection of the divinity of Christ. Contemporary evangelical pastors, such as Jack Hibbs of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, are increasingly recognizing the importance of being informed of current events and see the need for taking a stand in society. Hibbs is a regular speaker at the Watchmen on the Wall conferences in Washington, D.C. where critical issues are raised, while at the same time there is a reassurance of our encouragement and hope in Christ and in His coming.

Wisdom in the Age of Deception and Corruption

There are three sources of deception that stand out today with regard to current events: false prophets, false politicians and false news programs. When the apostles asked Jesus about the signs of the end of the world, his first subject was deception. This subject launched a chapter's worth of detailed prophecies intended to contrast the events of the last days with other periods of history: “Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you.” (Matthew 24.4)

Crimea's Black Sea Chemical Weapon Time Bomb

Approximately 1,200 barrels of chemical weapons were dumped in various locations off Crimea’s Black Sea coast by the Soviet Union as the invading Nazi army approached, according to an article published 09 February 2011 at VIKNO.EU. In a video-taped presentation, specialist Gennady Rubtsov estimated the metal barrels have an undersea life of 70 years. They were dumped in the sea in 1941. And so according to the math, time’s up. One of the five chemical weapons listed, sarin, a nerve weapon, can kill a person in about two minutes. Regarding the radius of potential impact, Rubtsov estimates there’s a 40 kilometer impact zone for one barrel.

Now Trending: The Bible and Bohemian Grove

Both the Bible and the retreat center Bohemian Grove are trending on the Internet today. The Bible is #4 as popular news and Bohemian Grove is #4 as a popular search. These subjects epitomize the contrast between spiritual light and darkness and it’s interesting to compare the contexts.

Google Trends records the use of a phrase or word in any kind of usage. When you look at all of the Twitter notes popping up at the Google Trends page, you can see people making notes about Bible studies and other subjects, but one subject that stood out was this title: “Could lead codices prove ‘the major discovery of Christian history’?"[1] It relates to an archaeological find which supports the authenticity of Bible, among all the other evidence:

How Identity, Logic and Physics Prove God's Existence

In terms of the meaning of life, the question of identity is a critical one. What is the basis of identity? Is it mainly extrinsic or intrinsic? Are we to understand reality and identity based on appearance alone?  How are logic, truth and identity related? The following is a brief outline of how identity, logic and physics help to prove God's existence. The word "proof" has a fairly relative meaning depending on how you decide what makes for convincing evidence. I would not consider this my favorite logical argument, but a deductive argument entitled "The Organizing Principle of the Universe: Hierarchy and the Central Truth" is logically stronger. This article an inductive argument that leads to the most likely conclusion that God exists. So far, there have not been serious challenges to the premises, though this has not been due to a lack of invitations. The following is an outline:

How Identity, Logic and Physics Prove God’s Existence:

I. Formal logic presupposes certain truths theoretically exist as a basis for sound reasoning.
II. The foundation of cohesive logic appears to have been undermined by quantum physics.
III. NDE Cases support a cohesive, logical understanding within a theistic framework.
IV. Materialism has failed to provide support for answers to foundational questions while Theism has provided such support.
V, Conclusion: proof is affirmed by logic and material evidence and the preponderance of evidence supports a theistic interpretation of the universe.

A Dynamic Men's Prayer Meeting

In our city of Simferopol in Ukraine I’ve felt God is leading us to begin a men’s prayer meeting each Saturday morning open to all men. In our day we see evil being promoted openly and aggressively and we also see corruption in government at unprecedented levels. In my previous article I showed the documented evidence of how elite globalists meet for occult rituals at Bohemian Grove.[1]  If you’ve looked into this subject, you realize that many of these elitists are determined to bring about world government and reduce the world’s population drastically.[2]

As Christians, how are we to take on political deception, radical eugenics policies and the aggressive evil of our day? While there is a place for political activism and blogging, prayer is our main source of strength and means of effectiveness because "we wrestle not against flesh and blood" and ultimately "the battle is the Lord's."[3]

When I consider the men’s prayer meetings I’ve been a part of in the past I can see how they were each dynamic in their own way. Some emphasized food and fellowship more than prayer, but the overall result was always a sense of encouragement and spiritual strength. One of Solomon’s proverbs highlights this: “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” [4]

Christian Hugs and Handcuffs for George W. Bush

Hugs were exchanged at the Billy Graham Library during the signing of Bush's new book, Decision Points" released November 9, 2010. As noted, "Billy Graham rarely appears in public these days, but a visit from former President George W. Bush is enough to bring him out. Franklin Graham says his 92-year-old father is as sharp as he's been in the past few years."[1]

About a month after the book signing, in early February 2011, Bush avoided Switzerland because international human rights groups were waiting to arrest him for war crimes he committed, according to Reuters News: "Criminal complaints against Bush alleging torture have been lodged in Geneva, court officials say." Reed Brody of Human Rights Watch told Reuters "He's avoiding the handcuffs."[2] With personal confessions of what are considered international war crimes, George W. Bush is eligible for arrest around the world.

Gallup Polls Highlight Happiness, Health and Logic in Spirituality

Gallup Polls in the U.S. published in October and December of 2010 present statistical data showing people who are considered “highly religious” are happier, mentally more stable, and less prone to serious depression. People were considered highly religious if they attended religious meetings one or more times a week and practiced their spirituality in some way, shape or form at least once a day:

Very Religious Americans Report Less Depression, Worry – Gallup Poll, December 01 2010.

Religious Americans Enjoy Higher Wellbeing – Gallup Poll, October 28, 2010

Also in the news, the American Atheists posted a critique of Christianity on a huge billboard on the outskirts of New York City reading “You know it's a myth.” Well, actually, if you do some research you will see that the person of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, was not an arbitrary creation. There are hundreds of very specific prophecies available in the scriptures that were written hundreds and thousands of years before Christ was born. If you are an atheist and have never looked into these, I challenge you to do so.

TSA Flying Your Way: Sexually Fondled or Photoed for Free Porno?

I very rarely touch upon the theme of sex on my blog. But now that international flying has been reduced to a choice between being sexually fondled or being radiated and photoed for free porno, it seems necessary. If you prefer not to read about this subject, I understand.

I first want to point out this isn't just a USA issue. An Indian movie star, Shahrukh Khan, had a scatter scan at London's Heathrow and the airport workers not only copied his naked body scans but circulated autographed copies of the images after gaining his signature:

Geraldo Turns: Has 9/11 Truth Reached the Tipping Point?

On November 13, 2010, TV talk show host Geraldo shifted from publicly mocking 9/11 Truth to supporting its questions on prime time television. It seems it's never too late to switch sides on an historically important issue and especially when an issue is growing in a groundswell of grassroots exposure. Geraldo also aired a clip of Larry Silverstein's controversial quotation from shortly after the tragedy: 

Voters Beware: Tasered in the Name of Democracy

I recently saw a video clip which sums up the shocking direction  of democratic politics these days. A Florida University college student, Andrew Myer, had gone to a political campaign meeting on campus to hear a democratic representative speak and perhaps ask some questions of his own. When he begins to ask his questions, police forcibly manhandle him and when he resists they begin to taser him. The video highlights the decline of civil rights, which has continued unhindered since before the clip was filmed.

How to Practice God's Presence

Recently I started writing for Demand Media/eHow and thought this article may be interesting for readers here as well:



Practicing God's presence has to do with developing an awareness, by faith, that God is with us each moment of the day. A revered 17th Century French monk, Brother Lawrence, coined the phrase in his writings. He laid hold of powerful truths in the New Testament and his posthumous book, "The Practice of the Presence of God," is widely read to this day. The following seven steps include Lawrence's main principles and additional scriptural doctrines.

 Continue reading article at this link.

Sukkot: a Harvest of True Joy!

Many around the world will celebrate harvest festivals this fall season. While pagans may offer thanks to mythical Earth deities, the God of the scriptures has been authenticated by the hundreds of prophecies in scripture, including rich prophecies embedded in the seven traditional Israeli feasts.

If you had to choose one word to describe the Jewish fall harvest festival, known as Sukkot and the Feast of Tabernacles, the word would be “joy!” Leviticus 23.41 says “Celebrate this as a festival to the LORD for seven days each year.” In other words, no kvetching allowed! Like the fresh fruit that is being gathered, we may experience fresh joy in understanding our spiritual roots and drawing closer to the Lord of the Harvest. The Psalmist wrote "Light is sown like seed for the righteous And gladness for the upright in heart." (Psalms 97.11) The main question is "Do I want to reap the joy God has to offer?" In these difficult days, you may know a deep kind of joy which is not dependent upon your circumstances, no matter how difficult your circumstances may be! Though the feast of Sukkot begins on a certain date, September 22 at sundown this year, the meaning of the feast is timeless.

On 9/11, Gallup Polls Show People Waking Up

On the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, a series of polls show an encouraging trend that more people are beginning to wake up. A Gallup poll published 13 August 2010 shows 75% of the US public believes the mainstream media news is untrustworthy. This percentage is even more dramatic than a Gallup poll revealing the increasing disapproval ratings of President Obama. While a Zogby poll in 2006 found most people were not aware of the basic facts regarding WTC Building 7, which crumbled in 6.5 seconds but was never hit by an airplane, a Gallup poll in 2008 showed a sharp increase in Internet news use since 2006 and, so, voila! By 2010, Gallup's media poll implies people are gradually wising up, having tasted some truth!

Do Christians Need a Head Adjustment?

Jesus once told his disciples “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”[1] 

What things was he referring to? Well, first, he prophesied the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. And then he predicted various wars between nations and kingdoms. And he also prophesied great earthquakes, famines and pestilences, and fearful sights and great signs from heaven.[2]

Test Your English Level for Free: Why Bother?

In about five minutes you can determine your English level based on the Common European Framework (CEF). The free test, at ExamEnglish.com, rates you according to one of six levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2. Considering the fact I presently write articles and teach English as a freelancer, I was relieved to know my level is C2 (IELTS 7.5+), above the average native speaker and the recommended level for English teachers. You may be thinking “In terms of my life, is English language proficiency really important?” For one thing, if you are a blogger it may be interesting to know your English level and if you need to polish up in your writing skills. For example, do you know when to use the word "that" versus "which" in a clause? This may not seem very important to you, but it all depends on what level of English proficiency you are aiming for.