MODERATE & OTHER QUAKES!

Good morning, blog readers, from mostly cloudy/partly sunny and 53 degrees Wisconsin where, on my morning walk, I saw: a deer and a robin! Thank You, Jesus!

This morning when I went to the USGS website, I noticed there had been, over the last 24 hours, 11 “moderate” (5.0-5.9) earthquakes in Alaska (5), the South Sandwich Islands (3), Papua New Guinea, Peru and Vanuatu! In addition, there was also a “light” (4.1) earthquake which struck Orange County, California Wednesday afternoon. According to the USGS, “shaking was reported in a large swath of Southern California ranging as far as Chula Vista to the south, Indio to the east, Ridgecrest to the north and Simi Valley to the west.” Stay tuned and remember, Jesus said there would be “earthquakes in various places” before He returns to the earth. Then, He gave us another clue when He said, the earthquakes and the other “signs” of His return which He listed in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 would increase like “birth pains” (Matthew 24:8). In other words, as we get closer to His return, the “signs of His return” will increase in frequency and intensity.

I like to think (and I could be wrong) that we are currently living in the “first trimester” of the birth pains. Stay tuned! And, if you are a believer in Jesus, keep watching, waiting, working, witnessing for, walking with and worshiping Jesus until He comes. And, if you are not a believer in Jesus, please become one today by agreeing with God you are a sinner who needs a Savior Who is Jesus (Romans 3:23, 24) and believe He died on a cross for your sins, was buried and raised from the dead (I Corinthians 15:1-4) to forgive all your sins and give you eternal life (John 3:16). And, if you do, I’ll see you in heaven, if not sooner! Love in Christ, Doug (5/2/24)

TAYLOR SWIFT!

Good morning, blog readers, from sunny, windy and cool (61 degrees) Wisconsin where, on my morning walk, I saw: 8 robins, 6 deer, half a moon and “Barkie the Dog!” Thank You, Jesus!

This recent (4/26/24) headline, from “The Christian Post,” got my attention: “Taylor Swift’s new album draws criticism from Christian leaders who say it mocks God, Christians.”

In the article, Nicole VanDyke reported: “Taylor Swift’s new album, The Tortured Poets Department , has garnered criticism from faith leaders who have taken to social media this week to express their distaste with the lyrical content that they believe mocks God and Christians. Released last Friday, critics have voiced concern over lyrics that seem to suggest that Christians are both hateful and judgmental.”

As a pastor for some 40+ years, I have seen a lot of people come and go, with and without faith. And, I can see where some outside of faith in Christ would look upon Christians as “hateful and judgmental.” Let me remind you that not everyone who says he or she is a “Christian” is a true follower of Christ. In fact, Jesus said, in Matthew 7:13, 14, “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction (hell), and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life (heaven), and few are those who find it.”

Jesus also said, in Matthew 5:43, 44: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” And so, as Christians, we are called by Jesus Himself to love and pray for Taylor Swift that she would recognize her sin and need of a Savior (Romans 3:23, 24) and believe Jesus died on a cross for her sins, was buried and raised from the dead (I Corinthians 15:1-4) to forgive all her sins and give her eternal life (John 3:16). Blessings with love in Christ, Doug (5/1/24)

MAD & SAD!

Good morning, blog readers, from cloudy and cool (48 degrees) Wisconsin where, on my morning walk, I saw and heard: 8 robins! Thank You, Jesus!

This 4/29/24 headline from Reuters really got my attention this morning and made me mad and sad: “GOP senator slams ‘exploding’ cost to US of building Gaza aid pier.”

In the article, the Reuters staff reported: “The US military’s cost estimate to build a pier off Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid has risen to $320 million, a US defense official and a source familiar with the matter tell Reuters. The figure, which has not been previously reported, illustrates the massive scale of a construction effort that the Pentagon has said involves about 1,000 US service members, mostly from the Army and Navy. Still the cost has roughly doubled from initial estimates earlier this year, according to a person familiar with the matter.

“The cost has not just risen. It has exploded,” Senator Roger Wicker, the top Republican on the Democratic-led Senate Armed Services Committee, tells Reuters when asked about the costs. This dangerous effort with marginal benefit will now cost the American taxpayers at least $320 million to operate the pier for only 90 days.

Wicker and some other lawmakers (and me) have questioned whether the pier is a worthwhile endeavor, particularly given the risk that US military personnel could become targets of Hamas terrorists.” Note: In my opinion, this is just one more sign of a “weak administration” which will, once again, be putting our troops in harm’s way, which I also believe (and I could be wrong) will, one day, result in the USA no longer being a superpower.

I also believe (and I could be wrong) that, based on the prophecy of Ezekiel 38-39, Russia, Iran and a host of other nations will, at sometime in the future, when Israel is living in peace (not now), will attack Israel to “take a spoil from the Israelis, only to be destroyed by the Lord God Himself which will open the door for the “kings from the east” (China, North Korea and others) to march to Megiddo for another war, only to be destroyed by the Lord Jesus Himself when He returns to the earth to set up His kingdom for, I believe (not all Christians do)1,000 years (Revelation 20:1-7).

P.S. I hope I haven’t given you too much to chew on. If so, and you have questions, please let me know. Please also know I am thankful for you and your faithful support. And, if you are reading this as an unbeliever, please consider becoming a believer in Jesus by simply agreeing with God you are a sinner who needs a Savior Who is Jesus (Romans 3:23, 24) and believe He died on a cross for your sins, was buried and raised from the dead (I Corinthians 15:1-4) to forgive all your sins and give you eternal life (John 3:16). Then, watch, wait, work, witness for, walk with and worship Jesus until He comes. Blessings with love in Christ, Doug (4/30/24)

TRUTH or LIES?

Good morning, blog readers, from cloudy and mild (56 degrees) Wisconsin where, on my morning walk, I saw and heard: 10 robins singing God’s praises! Thank You, Jesus!

Now, if you’re like me and have never been in the medical field, you have probably never heard of “Prion Brain Diseases.” I know I didn’t until I read this article from Dr. Joseph Mercola: “Doctors Predict Epidemic of Prion Brain Diseases.”

In the article, Dr. Mercola wrote: “Mounting research suggests a serious side effect of the COVID-19 mRNA jabs could be dementia, and the prions that cause it may be contagious. Frameshifting, as we know in the COVID shots, can lead to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (CJD).

Sid Belzberg’s prions.rip website, which collected data on neurological side effects post-jab, found a notably high incidence of CJD cases, suggesting an alarming trend. A series of articles highlight biases in clinical trials and observational studies, suggesting COVID-19 vaccines’ safety and effectiveness have been massively overstated. The Global COVID Vaccine Safety Project Study – funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – reveals significant side effects, including myocarditis, pericarditis, and blood clots, underscoring the need for reevaluation of COVID vaccine risks and benefits.

According to mounting data, one of the more serious side effects of the COVID-19 mRNA jabs appears to be dementia, and worse yet, this previously untransmissible disease may now be ‘contagious,’ transmissible by way of prions.” Note: I thought I heard the so-called “experts” say that the vaccines were “safe and effective.”

Note: Did you know that, in the Bible (John 8:44), Jesus said of the religious leaders (the so-called experts of the day): “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.” On the other hand, Jesus said, in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father (goes to heaven), but though Me.”

The choice is yours: Truth or lies, heaven or hell, Jesus or Satan and, get this, for eternity. Please know that God loves you and wants you to spend your eternity with Him (John 3:16). But, in order to do so, you need to agree with God you are a sinner who needs a Savior Who is Jesus (Romans 3:23, 24) and believe He died on a cross for your sins, was buried and raised from the dead (I Corinthians 15:1-4) to forgive all your sins and give you eternal life (John 3:16). Next: watch, wait, work, witness for, walk with and worship Jesus until He comes. Blessings, Doug (4/29/24)

33 STORMS!

Good morning, blog readers, from cloudy and mild (57 degrees) Wisconsin where, on my morning walk, I saw: 7 robins and heard “Barkie the dog” remind me I was not welcome in his neighborhood! Thank You, Jesus, for keeping me safe!

This headline, from The Washington Post, got my attention this morning: “Forecast group predicts busiest hurricane season on record with 33 storms!”

Dan Stillman reported: “A research team led by University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann is predicting the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season will produce the most named storms on record, fueled by exceptionally warm ocean waters and an expected shift from El Nino to La Nina. The new forecast, issued Wednesday, calls for a range of 27 to 39 storms, with a best guess of 33. The most on record was 30 named storms in 2020.

The forecast is consistent with those recently released by Colorado State University and AccuWeather but is even more aggressive. “The unprecedented warmth in the tropical Atlantic right now – which we expect to persist through the hurricane season – is the dominant driving factor behind our prediction,” Mann said in an email. “While we don’t make a specific prediction for landfalling storms … an unusually active season in terms of basin-wide activity is likely to translate to an unusually active season in terms of landfalling storms.”

Stillman continued: “Ocean temperatures leaped into record-warm territory more than a year ago – linked to a combination of human-caused climate change and El Nino, and have remained there ever since, staying at a record high for 417 straight days.”

Now, keep in mind, all weather is ultimately controlled by God Himself, as we see in passages like Genesis 2:5, 6:17, 7:10-12 and Luke 21:25-26 which I have often quoted Jesus as saying, “and there will be signs in the sun, the moon and the stars and upon the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves.”

As I have said before, only God knows for sure what the weather will be like today, tomorrow or in the future. Yesterday, there were dozens of tornados across America’s heartland. So, stay tuned and expect the Lord to bring His judgment upon this world, country, even Israel and the Jewish people, most of whom have rejected Jesus as their Messiah and Savior. What about you? Have you agreed with God you are a sinner who needs a Savior Who is Jesus (Romans 3:23, 24) and believed He died on a cross for your sins, was buried and raised from the dead (I Corinthians 15:1-4) to forgive all your sins and give you eternal life (John 3:16)? If so, you are on your way to heaven for eternity. If not, you are on your way to hell for eternity. Praying I’ll see you in heaven. Love, Doug (4/28/24) P.S. And, remember to watch, wait, work, witness for, walk with and worship Jesus until He comes.

EARTHQUAKES & TORNADOS!

Good morning, blog readers, from cloudy and warm (56 degrees) Wisconsin where, on my morning walk, I saw: 5 robins, a deer and a dog. Thank You, Jesus!

These headlines got my attention this morning:

#1. “Earthquake of magnitude 6.5 strikes Japan’s Bonin Islands (USGS). Earthquake of 6.0 in the Mid-Indian Ridge region. Both of these quakes would be classified as “strong” (6.0-6.9) quakes.

#2. Tornadoes tear across America’s heartland, leaving catastrophic destruction in multiple states. (Fox News. Com).

Fox News reported: “Dozens of tornados swept across America’s heartland, impacting millions of residents and leaving a trail of of destruction. Twenty million Americans, from Texas to Iowa, are on alert for twisters, large hail and up to 70 mph winds. There were at least 59 reported tornadoes across Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa as of 7 p.m. ET, according to the National Weather Service.”

Keep in mind: Jesus said, in Matthew 24:7, 8 that, before His return, there will be “earthquakes in various places” which, like “birth pains,” will increase in frequency and intensity,” as we get closer to His return. So, stay tuned and watch for more intense storms (Luke 21:25, 26) and earthquakes as we get closer to the Lord’s return. P.S. As, I look out my window right now, it seems to be getting darker. Stay tuned, as the weather forecasters are saying we could be in for some strong storms.

Yes, dearly beloved in Christ, these are exciting and scary times in which we live. But, as believers in Jesus, we are not to be afraid because the Lord promised, in Matthew 24:20, to “be with us even to the end of the age.” Thank You, Lord! And, if you are not a believer in Jesus, please know you are on your way to an eternal hell. However, you can change that right now by agreeing with God you are a sinner who needs a Savior Who is Jesus (Romans 3:23, 24) and believe He died on a cross for your sins, was buried and raised from the dead (I Corinthians 15:1-4) to forgive all your sins and give you eternal life (John 3:16). And, if you do, I’ll see you in heaven! Love, Doug (4/27/24)

INCUBATING TERRORISM!

Good morning, blog readers, from cloudy and cool (36 degrees) Wisconsin where, on my morning walk, I saw: 3 robins and a deer! Thank You, Jesus!

Today’s headline from Alan M. Dershowitz who was writing for the Gatestone Institute, made me both sad and angry: “US Campuses: Incubating Terrorism.”

In the article, Dershowitz wrote: “Some of the signs say ‘pro-Palestine,’ ‘ceasefire now’ and ‘end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.'” But these benign statements hide a far more malignant agenda, the end of Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people, the end of America as the world’s leading power and the end of democracy and the free market economy. Even if there were a unilateral ceasefire, accompanied by massive humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza, many of these protests would continue, because Gaza is merely an excuse for a much wider agenda: to destroy Israel and America.

One never sees a sign calling for a two-state solution or for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. These are not the goals. What is demanded is the end of any Jewish presence in the Middle East. ‘Death to America,’ similarly means the end of America’s influence and Western values. Many of the signs call for ‘revolution.’ These are not directed against Israel, but rather against America, American Jews and all other Western democracies. As in the 1960s, many of these students are being groomed to be the terrorists of the future – in the manner of Kathy Boudin and Bernadine Dohrn – and in the United States, a fifth column, the aim of which is taking down America.”

Let me (Doug) begin by saying I agree with everything Mr. Dershowitz said. However, as a born-again believer in Jesus, I look at things in the world, including America and Israel, from a biblical perspective. And yes, God has blessed these nations, as they have followed Him and His Word. But now, it seems as though we are living in the days of Amos 8:11 where the prophet wrote: “Behold, days are coming (and they are now here), declares the Lord God, when I will send a famine on the land, not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, but rather for hearing the words of the Lord.”

So, wake up America, Israel and the world, the Messiah/King has come and is coming again to set up His kingdom on earth when, like the heavenly host, in Luke 1:13, 14, we will praise God, saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men (and women) with whom He (God) is pleased.” Question: “Is God pleased with you?” Answer: He is, only if you have agreed with Him you are a sinner who needs a Savior Who is Jesus (Romans 3:23, 24) and believed He died on a cross for your sins, was buried and raised from the dead (I Corinthians 15:1-4) to forgive all your sins and give you eternal life (John 3:16). Then, watch, wait, work, witness for, walk with and worship Jesus until He comes. Blessings with love, Doug (4/26/24)

GOG of MAGOG?

Good morning, blog readers, from mostly sunny, partly cloudy and cold (28 degrees) Wisconsin where, on my morning walk, I saw: 2 deer, 2 planes and a dog! Thank You, Jesus!

This CNBC headline from 4/22/24 really got my attention this morning: “Russia warns the world is on the brink of a ‘direct military clash’ between nuclear powers.”

In the article, Holly Ellyatt reported: “Russia warned Monday that the risk of a ‘direct military clash’ between Russia and nuclear powers in the West is rising. ‘Westerners are dangerously balancing on the brink of a direct military clash between nuclear powers, which is fraught with catastrophic consequences,’ Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in a video message to the participants of the Moscow Nonproliferation Conference. The comments come after Russia reacted to the U.S. House of Representatives passing a $61 billion foreign aid package Kyiv at the weekend.”

This made me think of Bill Salus’ book: “Nuclear Showdown in Iran” and the prophecies of Ezekiel 38-39. In the book, Salus wrote: “The general consensus among many Bible prophecy teachers is that the invaders listed in Ezekiel 38:1-5 include: Russia and some of the countries in the Southern Steppes, Turkey (Meshech, Tubal, Togarmah and Gomer, Iran (Persia), Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco (Put), Ethiopia, Sudan,, Somalia, (Cush), Germany or Turkey.”

As we read Ezekiel 38, we learn that Russia, Iran and their allies invade Israel at a future time when Israel is living in peace (certainly not now) to “capture spoil to seize plunder, to carry away silver, and gold, to take away cattle and goods and to capture great spoil” from the Israelis. And, just when it looks like Israel is doomed, the Lord God Himself comes to her rescue and destroys this massive army which you can read about in Ezekiel 38:18-39:29. And, get this, if we haven’t been “raptured,” we may get to see this happen in our lifetime. And, if so, watch for Russia to leave one battle (Ukraine?) and go down to Israel to resupply for, perhaps, another war, only to be destroyed by the Lord. Glory to God!

Yes, dearly beloved in Christ, these are exciting and scary times. But, remember the Lord’s words to Joshua when he took over for Moses: “Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you (Joshua 1:5).”

Good news: Christ is coming! And, should He allow us to go through tough times, let us remember Hebrews 4:16: “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Thank You, Lord! And, if you are not a believer in Jesus, please agree with God you are a sinner who needs a Savior Who is Jesus (Romans 3:23, 24) and believe He died on a cross for your sins, was buried and raised from the dead (I Corinthians 15:1-4) to forgive all your sins and give you eternal life (John 3:16). Then, watch, wait, work, witness for, walk with and worship Jesus until He comes. Blessings, Doug (4/25/24)

MORE SIGNS in the SUN!

Good morning, blog readers, from sunny and mild (51 degrees) Wisconsin where, on my morning walk, I saw: 4 robins, 3 deer, 3 dogs and a spectacular full moon! Thank You, Jesus!

This headline from Live Science really got my attention this morning: “4 solar flares simultaneously erupt from the sun in rare ‘super’ explosion – and Earth could be hit by the fallout.”

Harry Baker wrote: ‘In the early hours of Tuesday (April 23), quadruple solar flares near-simultaneously exploded from across the sun’s surface, and there’s a good chance that one of these outbursts launched a solar storm toward Earth.”

Baker continued: “An exceptionally rare, ‘quadruple’ solar flare just exploded from four different points across the sun’s surface at almost the exact time. The components of this interconnected, explosive tetrad may have also launched a solar storm toward Earth – which could potentially slam into our planet in the coming days. … In almost all reported cases of such events, sympathetic flares include just two linked flares, which can range in intensity from small outbursts to X-class flares, the most powerful class of solar flares the sun can produce. However, in this case, there were twice as many flares as usual, which makes this a “super-sympathetic” flare, according to Spaceweather.com.”

Now, you might ask, “What’s the big deal about this?” Well, according to Luke 21:25, 26. Jesus told His disciples that one of the “signs” leading up to His return would be “signs in the sun and moon and stars and upon earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” So, let’s wait and see if any of this happens as Jesus said it would. If it does (and I believe it will), then we know we are closer to His return, as we read in the next verse (27): “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Hallelujah! Glory to God!

So, stay tuned! And, if you are not a believer in Jesus, you can become one right now by simply agreeing with God you are a sinner who needs a Savior Who is Jesus (Romans 3:23, 24) and believe He died on a cross for your sins, was buried and raised from the dead (I Corinthians 15:1-4) to forgive all your sins and give you eternal life (John 3:16). And, if you are a believer in Jesus, then watch, wait, work, witness for, walk with and worship Jesus until He comes. Love, Doug (4/24/24)

TAIWAN QUAKES!

Good morning, blog readers, from cloudy and mild (51 degrees) Wisconsin where, on my morning walk, I saw: a bunny, a neighbor, a robin, a shooting star and heard the horn of a freight train! Thank You, Jesus, for all the different sights and sounds!

In case you hadn’t heard, there was this morning-headline from Reuters: “Taiwan rattled by more than 200 quakes, but no major damage.”

The Reuters staff reported: “Largely rural and sparsely populated Hualien was hit by a “major” (7.2) earthquake on April 3 that killed at least 17 people, and there have been more than 1,000 aftershocks since, including two “strong” (6.0 and 6.1) quakes. Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration said the spate of earthquakes starting Monday afternoon were aftershocks from the large April 3 quake.”

Jesus said to His disciples, in Matthew 24:7, “For nation will rise against nation (check), and kingdom against kingdom (check), and in various places there will be famines (check) and earthquakes (check). Then, He added in verse 8, “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs (pains).” In other words, as we get closer to the Lord’s return, the “signs” of HIs return will increase in frequency and intensity.” So, if you are a believer in Jesus, then watch, wait, work, witness for, walk with and worship Jesus until He comes. And, if you are not a believer in Jesus, simply agree with God you are a sinner who needs a Savior Who is Jesus (Romans 3:23, 24) and believe He died on a cross for your sins, was buried and raised from the dead (I Corinthians 15:1-4) to forgive all your sins and give you eternal life (John 3:16). Blessings with love, Doug (4/23/24)