Whatever you call it, I have a bad case . . .

[Sid]

Call it spiritual dryness, acedia, dark night of the soul, running on empty, waiting for the next shoe to drop, living in a funk. . . WHATEVER.

I believe that the only hope we have is the promise of a pre-trib rapture.

. . . this world is truly circling the drain.

[CoreIssue]

Call it spiritual dryness, acedia, dark night of the soul, running on empty, waiting for the next shoe to drop, living in a funk. . . WHATEVER.

I believe that the only hope we have is the promise of a pre-trib rapture.

. . . this world is truly circling the drain.
I think of it more as frustration.

Hard to get traction and seeing it all sliding away around me.

[Jessie]

boy do I agree.

I had to get out of a lot of stuff. dont really watch the news much although I do get some, had to pull back out of a lot of the stuff going on. its just too much.

[John Beckett]

`

NOTE: the following statement is meant only as a loving opinion, and is not
intended whatsoever to be construed as cold, calculated, and/or apathetic.


Sid, instead of longing so dearly for the Rapture, you may wish to just
continue on, living as you are now, loving Jesus and rejoicing in His Word,
with this in mind: there are still people left whom our Lord is Calling. And
even though you and i may be spiritually ready to be Taken, there are many
who are not.

Brother, please remember two things. First, we have been Told that He will
Return for us once the Gospel has spread throughout the world. Thus far, it
has not. But boy, are we makin' ground!!

Second, our lives are short enough, so we'll be gone soon enough, with or
without the Rapture. Let us pray and ask what we can do for Him whilst here
in the physical world, rather than keep longing to be Taken Home to safety.

Just a suggestion, my Brethren. :) Not meant to sound haughty and self-centered.

I love you all, dearly!


`

[Sid]

John:

We are living in exciting times, I don't see things going on all that much longer.

Everywhere one looks, we see the problems getting bigger and the courage and leadership to deal with them fading away.

The current events of the entire world are revolving around Jerusalem, just as promised.

The stage is being set for the worldwide government, religion and economy just as promised.

The nations of the world are more polarized and belligerent than ever, just as promised.

We are fixing to see a war that will kill 1/3 of mankind [2B people] begin any day now, just as promised.

. . . it's hard to be anything but overwhelmed by watching a world circling the drain.

Keep looking up. . . .

[John Beckett]

`

wow. You know your Prophecy. :)

It's awesome to fellowship with others who know what's going on,
and what to look for in the skies.

And yes, I see more of what you're saying all the time. Heck, I have
been noticing more and more scary weather-related stories more and
more, as of late.


`

[John Beckett]

`

Case in point .....


CHICAGO - Ferocious thunderstorms, heat and humidity added to the
Midwest's flooding misery Friday as thousands of people returned to damaged homes,
many without electricity to run fans or pumps!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070824/ap_on_re_us/flooding

[kay-gee]

You still gotta have HOPE! If not, you will consign yourself to a life of despair. These events of which you speak may been centuries away yet. All that really matters right now is how you are living YOUR life. You can choose to live it joyfully. By this you demonstrate to others that you are pressing on against all odds, so must have some higher power at play in your life. The other choice is to live "down in the dumps" and reinforce the sense of hopelessness that is common to the unsaved world. That makes you just like them. I too see all the problems of the world, but try not to get too distracted from the goal. I compare it to driving your car. You can't get so involved in whats around you, that you take your eyes off the road, and cause a crash yourself. That is my view. I hope I don't sound apathetic or callous!
all the best...

[CoreIssue]

You still gotta have HOPE! If not, you will consign yourself to a life of despair.
Nor do you turn a blind eye to reality.
These events of which you speak may been centuries away yet.
No. You choosing not to read the Bible literally is your problem.

The generation that sees the restoration of Israel WILL see the Second Coming.

1948. Do the math, read the Bible and then compare it to reality.
All that really matters right now is how you are living YOUR life. You can choose to live it joyfully. By this you demonstrate to others that you are pressing on against all odds, so must have some higher power at play in your life.
Of course one has to live their life. And can be joyful in Christ.

But reality is reality. Not all have that comfort zone you do.
The other choice is to live "down in the dumps" and reinforce the sense of hopelessness that is common to the unsaved world. That makes you just like them.
No it doesn't.

We have hope in Christ and knowledge of a blessed eternity.

But we still have our worldly reality. Dealing with sick children, paying the rent, health issues and more. For many those are real struggles, every day.
I too see all the problems of the world, but try not to get too distracted from the goal. I compare it to driving your car. You can't get so involved in whats around you, that you take your eyes off the road, and cause a crash yourself. That is my view. I hope I don't sound apathetic or callous!
all the best...
And you are speaking from a comfort zone few have.

So much easier for you to be optimistic.

Yes, you have your concerns. But do they really equal the pressures of some of the issues some of have posted? Or the saints living in countries where they could die, today, at the hands of Islamics?

Balance, KG. Joy in Christ while recognizing the world realities. Not putting blinders on.

[a.baker]

I agree with what you said Sid and Core. And Kaygee we can most definitely talk about the world at its position right now and where its going without becoming gloomy. Our hope is that God won't let things get much worse because whats going on out there is very scary and frustrating everyday. We ask is it time yet? But the bible clearly says only God knows the exact time and we can only wait and hope. No rest not until God chooses to do so. Its important to talk about it and acknowledge it. Dwell on it no. But to be aware of the currents issues in government all the way to Hollywood to your next door neighbor to society as a whole are important. Its a way for us as brothers and sisters in Christ to come together to help each other be strong in this with encouragement, seeing eyes, and Gods Word. So many are against us as Christians, that its nice to come together in fellowship and get a little taste of home. Its not good for someone to tell you to suck it up and move on and just be happy. We are very happy with True Life from the Holy Spirit. Our hearts are saddened because we see what God sees. But at the same time we are at peace as the rest of the world out there looks for happiness in man made unclean things. Just because we are Gods children does not mean we can't be sad when we see the examples of what our society gives to the children. Or the examples that are given of what is important or what marriage means to our society and the list goes on and on. It can get overwhelming. So we must talk about it so we can stand firm for God and not let it get us down if that makes sense. :tiphat:

[kay-gee]

Just wondering, What comfort zone do I have that others don't?

Question: Is this Christian journey we are on a spiritual one or a temporal one?

all the best...

[a.baker]

Kaygee I would consider it more of a non comfort zone. I understand you don't want to talk about it, but talk about it at all? It seems to me like your very uncomfortable in talking about it to a point that when someone mentions the words circling the drain you tense up and ask if we can just move on and not think about it and than continue to say we should just be happy. To me you comes across as this being an uncomfortable subject for you. It's o.k. for us as Christians to talk about the bad stuff too. It helps us to keep our eyes open to what the unclean and nonbelievers are doing. It also helps us to encourage each other when things seem heavy. True Christians are far and few in between and we need to stay in this fight together. Its too heavy to bare alone. Maybe you just also feel the heavy weight and it makes you uncomfortable. But talking about it might not change the world, but it doesn't let our frustrations with it get built up either. For example I might cry because I can't find work. I talk to a friend and their encouragement helps me to smile again especially when they can relate to my situation which also gives me hope. They might not give me a job but it makes me feel a lot better. I would always have faith that God is working on a job for me in His time but that doesn't mean I can't still cry. If I hold back my frustrations than it will bottle up and that is a scary thing to let happen. I don't know if that helps at all.

[Sid]

This runs a little over two minutes:

What a Wonderful World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr_K4oeuzXY)




Refreshing . . . .

[a.baker]

That was really neat! Never realized one could make so many different hand shadows and I loved the man singing right on, in the beginning. And the bunny when it started singing and the way its body movement was it was just so real.

[Sid]

What the most frustrating part of being a student of Bible prophesy and seeing the pieces of the prophetic puzzle fitting together a little closer with each passing day. . .


. . . is that the great majority of those who claim to be Christians don't have a clue, don't want to know and think you are some sort of conspiracy theorist for embracing endtimes prophesy.


I didn't read any of the Left Behind books, but have seen the movie . . . while kinda sorta following the endtimes scenario, I just can't believe the negative response the movie and books have gotten, especially from RCs.

. . . it was as if the credibility and authority of their whole system was under assault.

What RCs just can't understand is that the RCC [most all churches also] will be left functionally, if not virtually, intact after the RAPTURE.

. . . . the Evangelical, Protestant and freestyle churches will quickly morph into the Laodicean church: completely dead, Christ-less, apostate.

. . . the RCC will quickly morph into the 'Ho of Babylon with the pope starting as the false prophet.



These three books [Plus a good study Bible] are most helpful for anyone who wants to get a handle on endtimes prophesy, religious deceptions and the Laodicean Decline that churches are ateup with:


Seduction of Christianity: Spiritual Discernment in the Last Days (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0890814414/qid=1114472874/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-6014462-1776105?v=glance&s=books)

The Late Great Planet Earth (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/031027771X/qid=1114813211/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-2684059-2264003)

Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow: The New Age Movement and Our Coming Age of Barbarism (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/091031103X/qid=1114813441/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/002-2684059-2264003?v=glance&s=books)



These three books [and the updated editions they caused] are crucial for the prophetic discernment that is so lacking among Christians today.

[CoreIssue]

They don't want to see, and as you say, it will make their acceptance of the AC so easy because, after all, the Pre-Trib Rapture is a lie.

[Jessie]

it would seem most love this world more than the Lord.

our time is coming that our total hope is looking forward to going home (at least I think thats where its headed) as it seems going forward in this world is getting harder and harder. just to survive for many of us and taking care of our own.

things are going backwards at a tremoundous rate.

[a.baker]

I was listening to a Christian radio station today and this is what they said. Something about a Freewill act (I think thats what they said Freewill) it used to be in effect but taken away in 1987. Basically its something that they want to bring back and lets the government step in and have control over what you can and cannot talk about on the radio. So it takes away freedom of speech on the radio (might be t.v. too I was unclear about that part). So if a topic is controversial, the network will get in trouble for it. So because religious talks are controversial there will be no more of it for example and Christian radio stations will disappear or be taken over with something non Christian. They were also talking about how a city hall in Indian took away the ten commandments they had on display and in it's place they put a buddah and they had or having huge events welcoming such a thing. And Planned Parent Hood is trying to make something (in Main maybe everywhere) so that in the public schools, children as young as 11 can get birth control without parents knowing or consent! I am speechless on that one except that we need to act!

[Chrystalwuzhere]

. . . is that the great majority of those who claim to be Christians don't have a clue, don't want to know and think you are some sort of conspiracy theorist for embracing endtimes prophesy.



:nod:

You and I are feeling the same thing. I want to shake them and say....WAKE UP!!!

You see, the Church is too entertained. They want to be entertained. And then they go out looking for ways to be ENTERTAINED!!! What can you give me mentality.

Following things....feelings.... and not the Creator.

Because of their lust to have their flesh tingled, they mix new age, cultic, and ungodly principles with biblical precepts.

I mean, it's like a buffet! Come and get anything you want. They sure have something to suit everyone.

All the while people are running around to appease the flesh, and get instant gratification, they aren't seeing what truly is going on around them.

Just a ramble.... just my thoughts.

Welcome to the great apostasy!

[CoreIssue]

Yep. Something so wrong when it means more to folk to be accepted by the world than to be true to God.

[Sid]

With all of the world events aligning with God’s prophecies, I am truly beginning to experience …the peace that passes all understanding.

I’ve read the end of the Book, so I know who wins.

[InTheWind]

Yep I agree, in reality we are privalaged too be alive when the rapture happens. :yowza:

[CoreIssue]

:nod:

[a.baker]

Yup I feel peace too.

[Sid]

This topic might seem to be a little [. . . or maybe a whole lot] strange and since it might be severely misinterpreted, this thread seems like a little introduction, but here goes:

For background, please read this link and the embedded links:


Author Bio: Coy Coker (http://www.theconservativevoice.com/profile/5190/Coy-Coker.html)



I am not much into idle speculation, but this is a question that needs to be asked: Are the Clintons just plain evil?

. . . everything I have been able to gather, they are both bad news of the highest caliber.

[CoreIssue]

Even without reading I believe they are evil. Very.

[kay-gee]

Are you sure you are not exaggerating just a bit?

all the best...

[a.baker]

Can anyone explain to me briefly in general?

[CoreIssue]

Are you sure you are not exaggerating just a bit?

all the best...
No.

Death surrounds these two. And all very convenient to their 'success.' A long history of it.

Plus sold out our security and more.

They are evil.

[kay-gee]

Funny that during 8 years of Clinton you had much peace and prosperity.

all the best...

[CoreIssue]

Funny that during 8 years of Clinton you had much peace and prosperity.

all the best...
Of course we had the appearance of peace when the Clinton's were lowering our security levels, taking apart our intelligence agencies, downgrading our militar, allowing and actually giving away secrets, as in the nuclear field, turning a blind eye to activities in enemy countries and such.

Why would our enemies protest that?

And the economy was at a big cost. It always seems prosperous when someone is selling off and not replacing assets.

You don't hear it much that the last year of his administration the country was sliding backwards economically and in other ways. The hidden new fees and surcharges plus the rest were catching up and the cost began to hit home.

Stop maintaining your home and you will have more money and time in the short run, until it begins to crumble around you.