The chart you have to see

The following chart is the work of Paul Grevas. Many of us have heard of the blood moon tetrad of 2014-2015. Each of the full lunar eclipses fall on a Biblical feast day. Paul Grevas studied all of the previous biblical tetrads (tetrads are simply four full lunar eclipses in a row. Biblical tetrads fall on Passover and Tabernacles) and found that this one is completely unique. The eclipses from 2010 to 2019 are all symmetrical around a midpoint. That's never happened before. I didn't do the math for every one, but the ones I did check are symmetrical within minutes, literally. If you want to check them for yourself, you need to use the time of greatest eclipse, not just the date.

This is just one of several charts on his site. I encourage you to visit and read what he has to say: http://bloodmoonscoming.com/

So, what does it mean? At the very least, these are "signs in the sun and the moon." God wants us to pay attention. The Bible says there will be these signs as the end approaches:

Luke 21: 25-26 There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.  People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.

If you study the chart, you'll see that the time from the first blood moon to the midpoint and from the last blood moon to the midpoint is 266 days. That is the average length of a human pregnancy. If you know your Bible prophecy, that should ring a bunch of bells. God uses that kind of terminology in referring to end times. 

Please note that this chart does not predict anything. It is simply recording the eclipses and showing that they are exactly symmetrical. What does it mean? We won't know until it happens. It certainly is God saying, "Pay attention. Be ready." He tells us to watch and be ready for Jesus' coming. Is this chart telling us that Jesus is coming? Maybe. Is it going to be in the time period of the chart? Maybe. Maybe not. 

In my opinion, it means that Jesus' coming is "at the door."  But, read your Bible and pay attention to what's going on in the world, and you'll come to the same conclusion. For me, the chart just confirms it. 

Is that a reason to be afraid??? Only if you're not ready. Many years ago, I went to a Lutheran church for the first time and heard a sermon on the "end of the world." It made a huge impact on me - not so much for what was said about it, but just the whole idea. The "end of the world" really was coming - it wasn't just a science fiction thing. I couldn't get the idea out of my mind. I knew I wasn't ready. I considered myself a Christian at the time, but I barely knew what that meant. I started taking it very seriously, and not long after, read the Bible from cover to cover for the first time. I finally understood what it meant to be a Christian. It wasn't what you do, it's what you believe. Like Paul says in 1 Corinthians, it means believing that Jesus completely paid for my sins:

1 Corinthians 15:2-4 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,  that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.

If you are trusting in Jesus as your savior, you have no reason to be afraid when these things start to happen. On the contrary, the Bible says. 

Luke 21:28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.



  

Trust the Lord with all your heart.

New year - new resolution to write more. Life intrudes - but life shapes us and what we would write.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Those who know me will laugh - or at least smile - that I'm returning to this verse again. They know it's my favorite and shared again and again. A long time ago, one of my Bible study ladies was needing to make a decision. I told her the best thing I knew was this verse. She asked, and rightly so, "But what does it mean? How does that work?"

That was years and years ago, and I honestly didn't know how to really answer. I'm still learning, but I understand better than I used to. For one thing, I've discovered this same theme other places, like here:

Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him and he will do this:

He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
    your vindication like the noonday sun.

Be still before the Lord
    and wait patiently for him.

Psalm 37:3-7a

The key parts, to me, are "in all your ways submit to Him," and "Commit your way to the Lord."  That's what I've been learning about. 

The last 18 months have been the worst of my life. I've struggled with periods of extreme depression because of things that happened. At the same time, though, I've learning to depend on God because I've had to. Without that, I would have been lost. 

"In all your ways submit to Him," isn't something you just determine to do. It's not that you stop and pray about every single thing - asking God to make the choice for you. Well, I guess that can be a step along the way, perhaps.  It's more the realization that God IS directing everything, when you want and allow Him to. 

I honestly don't think I can explain it in a way that anyone will say, "Oh, I get it!" but I'll try.

The way it's written, "In all your ways, submit to Him," sounds like an active thing you do on your part.  For me, I certainly tried for it to be a conscious thing. And, maybe that was a first step. (Don't get the idea that I'm fully there - I'm totally still learning). 

Let me interject here:  There is prayer that's easy to say, but when you pray and really mean it, I think it might be one of the scariest things you can ask for. Completely necessary but totally scary, and that's to say, "Lord, please make me the person you want me to be. Grow me into someone after your own heart."

When I look back on the events of the last few years - especially the last 18 months - I'm so glad I didn't know they were coming. God prepared me (a story for another day), but didn't give me more than I could bear.  That whole refining process? Painful. Getting your dross stripped away? Ack. Knowing that God's not done doing that? Ugg. 

When you get to the point where you are totally depending on Jesus, (usually because the alternative is unthinkable) you start to understand what that "in all your ways submit to Him" really means. You start to realize that it's not something you decide to do; it's something that God brought you to. That concept - that God is in charge of absolutely everything - is not something you can learn in any way except that He, Himself shows you. 

Now, this doesn't mean you don't have responsibility for your actions. Believe me, you can still totally screw up. I had a dream a couple years ago that kind of explains it. In the dream, I was on a rollercoaster that Jesus (a lion in the dream) had strapped me into. I was locked in - on a set path. At the same time, I was on a journey where I could have gone any way I wanted to. It was both at the same time. In real life, I probably step off God's path for me constantly, and He does what He needs to do to drag me back on. I may consciously decide that I'm going to stay on that path, but I will fail. And fail. And fail. But, I want to be on that path, and with God's help, I am. Oh, someone who could see that spiritual journey probably sees it as the path of a drunken sailor - staggering off one side and then the other, and sometimes collapsing all together. But, I have "committed my way to the Lord" and am trusting Him to get and keep me on that path until the journey's end. He is in charge, and He does all things well.

 

 

Apology

I am very sorry for the lack of posts on this blog. Life got a bit away from me and needed my attention. I hope to be posting again soon. Thanks!

Symbolic, slightly terrifying but wonderful dream

This morning, just before waking up on Thursday, May 17, I had the most wonderful, scary, beautiful, terrifying dream.

I dreamed that my youngest daughter was a little way away from me, and suddenly, right next to her was an enormous lion. She saw him and was very startled. I started to run towards her, thinking the worst. As I ran, the lion roared – the loudest, fiercest roar that had ever been heard, and it should have terrified me, but the closer I got, the less scared I was. Finally, I was there, and the lion roared again, but instead of being scared, I was absolutely thrilled, because it was Aslan!!

He punched a hole in the brick wall near us with his huge paw, and then he roared again, “COME!” My daughter leaped through the hole, but I was just standing there. I said, “Can I come, too?” afraid that he'd say no, but he just looked at me with tender amusement and somehow I knew that I could go, too.

On the other side of the wall was a train, but on the train, you sat single file, with a harness over you like on a roller coaster. Aslan put the harness on me. I could have taken it off myself, but I had no desire to undo what he had done. So, we take off, and it's like a roller coaster – the scariest roller coaster I had ever been on. It was terrifying, but thrilling, because I knew I was perfectly safe. It was Aslan's roller coaster, and he was right there, too, even though we couldn't see him.

My husband was in the seat in front of me, and at one point, the ride to the high point and the plunge down was so scary that I screamed, “I hate this! I want it to stop!” even though deep inside me, I knew nothing could happen to me with my harness on. Then, I went upside down – but held in by my harness – and suddenly, just like that, while I was still upside down, the ride ended, and we were in the train station. Except the train station wasn't little – it was everywhere. I looked down at the tracks, and they just ended there. It was a one-way ride.

So, people were getting off the train, a little dazed, as the ride had ended so suddenly – at what seemed like the very peak of the ride – the scariest part – it was just over. There wasn't any jolt from the sudden stop or anything. Just at one point we are careening along, going up so far and so high that we are upside down, and the next instant, we're stopped at the train station. I stayed in my harness for awhile, because it was safe there, but finally, I realized it was safe everywhere.

I was really tired after that ride, so I lay down to rest on this lovely bed that was suddenly there, and Aslan was stretched out next to me. I can still feel his warm, solid lion body and soft fur. As I lay there, I thought about the ride, and I realized that all during the ride, I had somehow been holding this little, gray kitten. The kitten was all matted and its poor fur was in horrible shape. I remembered that (somehow this had all happened during the ride, apparently) Aslan had come and taken the kitten and by stroking it with his huge claws (every one was the size of my finger), he had just cut away the mats of fur. It seemed like it was impossible for the kitten to not be hurt, but it wasn't. In fact, it just lay there on its back and let Aslan do that, until the mats were gone. Afterward, the kitten was so happy to be free of the mats.

I got up from my rest, and I couldn't see Aslan, but I knew he was there. In fact, I knew that he would always be right there, now, and I was just so thrilled and excited about that. I wouldn't ever be apart from him. Still, I was confused about what had happened, and where we had been, and as I wondered that, I remembered the ride again, and it was though I was standing next to the ride, watching it, but remembering it (I know – confusing, but it was like time was different in the train station), and I asked, as though we were still on the journey/ride (so that I would know during the journey, even though from my perspective, the journey was done), “What's going on? What are we doing here?”

Because the ride had also been a journey that Aslan was taking us on. It was simultaneously a ride with set tracks and set parts that were scary (all while locked into a harness to keep us safe), and also a journey that Aslan was guiding us on, where I was walking with him and could have gone off in my own direction if I had really wanted to (which, of course, you can't do on a roller coaster ride). I didn't want to, because only Aslan knew the way, and I wanted to stay with him. I know – only in a dream – but it was both at the same time.

So, anyway, while at the train station, but somehow asking for the “self” that was still on the journey, I'm yelling, “What are we doing here?” There is this very large figure behind and to the left of me, that I can just see out of the corner of my eye. He's way taller than a man, and he's dressed in white, and he answers in this voice that somehow could be heard all over the world, “We are here to celebrate Christ's victory in ten days!”

And, I woke up. Instantly, the verse in my head was “You shall have tribulation ten days.”

So, that was the dream. The symbolism was very clear to me about most of it. The only part that wasn't clear was the “ten days.” It seems logical to assume that since everything else was in symbols, the ten days might be, too, but I don't know. Exactly ten days from the dream is Pentecost. Does that mean anything? I don't know. Certainly Pentecost was a victory for Christ in historical reality, because that was the day the Holy Spirit came.

So, here's what I got out of it, even if it was just a dream:

Aslan represents Jesus, of course. The road ahead – the journey ahead – the “ride” ahead, is going to be scary, even terrifying, but Jesus has locked us in. If we are in Jesus, we are in his safety harness, and nothing can prevent us from getting to our destination at the end of the ride. While on the ride, Jesus is going to purify us – to “comb out our mats” and free us from what has been weighing us down. The journey has a zillion directions you could go, but only one right way, and that is to stick with Jesus and let Him lead. We will get to our destination, which is heaven, and we will always be with Jesus, and that will be more wonderful than you can possibly imagine.

So, those things I know for sure – because they are biblical and simply a reminder of what God has already told us in His word.

So, beyond that is just speculation, but here is what I think it means, if it means anything beyond a really cool dream. Something just changed. God has started us on the end journey. He is calling us out of whatever we have been doing and saying “follow me.” In the dream, if I hadn't gone through the hole and gotten on the train, I would have missed out. So, I think the dream is saying, “Now's the time, folks. Follow Me NOW or be left out. I have no idea what happened with anyone who didn't go through the wall in the dream. Once through, I had no more thought for what I left behind.

Anyway, even locked in to a set ride with set tracks and set “thrills,” it was terrifying. I wanted off and for it to be over. There was no getting off, though. It was kind of “count the cost” before you got on. But why wouldn't you get on? Only by getting on would I be with Aslan, and that's what I wanted. I didn't care where the journey took me. I just wanted to stay with Aslan. Being with him was so wonderful. I think, perhaps, before we are home in heaven, the ride is going to be very, very scary, but we need to remember that we are locked in, and perfectly safe. Maybe it's going to seem like Tribulation, capitol "T."

I don't know what the ten days means. Interpret as you will. But, as believers, we ARE here to celebrate Christ's victory – no matter what happens or how scary it seems to be. We are on Jesus' path, like a train on rails – a roller coaster with a predetermined course. Yet, I think something is different. A journey is starting that you don't want to miss out on. Time to be seeking Aslan's country.

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Interesting Links

I"m sorry that I haven't kept this up. I'm struggling with some health issues. I  hope, with God's help, to conquer them and get back to writing my own things. In the meantime, I've run across interesting things. I'm not endorsing them - just find them interesting. You may also.

Chaotic Weather in April - YouTube Video

God's Time Patterns - This one is rather speculative. Is he right? Maybe, but Jesus reminds us that no one knows the day or hour. What I do find fascinating, though - and agree with completely - is that EVERYTHING God says in the Bible is there for a reason. Every name, every place, every date, every everything. I also believe that God does use patterns. In fact, He declares that to be true here:

Hosea 12:10  I have also spoken by the prophets, and have multiplied visions; I have given symbols through the witness of the prophets. (NKJV)

I actually think the King James is more clear:

Hosea 12:10 I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.  (KJV)

What does that mean, that God has used "similitudes?" It means that He uses pictures. Some are obvious - and even explained, such as the Passover Lamb being a picture of Jesus - the coming perfect sacrifice. What did John the Baptist say about him? "Behold, the lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world." He was calling Him the Passover lamb.

I believe there are far, far more pictures in the Bible than we will ever realize, and when you start to see that, you will know - beyond a shadow of a doubt - that mere men did not, could not, have written the Scriptures without the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. That's why it makes me so angry when so called "scholars" with their great learning cast doubt on the Bible and say things like "Moses did not write the Pentateuch." or "Paul did not write Ephesisans." even though the Bible itself says they did.

Sir Isaac Newton, known as one of the world's greatest scientists, wrote more about the Bible (specifically Bible prophecy) than he ever did about science. Why? Because he saw those pictures, and like me, was fascinated by them.

The Old Testament was not just a recording of history, or prophecy for them, but were for us, too: 

Romans 15:4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 


May Earthquakes - For entertainment purposes only

Does the idea of "Judgment Day" coming soon weaken your faith?

I was visiting an online forum today, and one of the posters made this statement: 'The focus on "imminent end times" actually weakens ones Christian walk.'

Now, not being able to read his mind, there are a variety of things he could have meant. He could have meant that dwelling on the "tribulation" aspect of the end of the age frightens people and weakens their faith. He could have meant a variation of the old, "So heavenly minded that you're no earthly good." (not true, and a very good subject for an upcoming blog) He could have meant that speaking out on end times means you're not speaking the gospel, which could be true if someone is dwelling on end times in an "end of the world disaster movie" sort of way. He could have meant something that I'm not even thinking of. That's the nature of online written discussions and interpreting a stranger's thoughts.

But, what about that first idea? If a church, a pastor, me, whoever, speaks on "imminent end times," DOES that weaken your faith? I have a vested interest here, as that IS pretty much the focus of this blog. I would not want to be guilty of this:

Mark 9:42 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.

Jesus doesn't appear to think it weakens our faith or deters from our Christian walk. In Matthew 24:42-44, He says,

 42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

What is He saying? He is warning that "that day" could come any time and to be ready. So, apparently, Jesus believes that watching and waiting will actually strengthen your Christian walk. In Luke, He even goes so far as to say,

Luke 21:28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

"When these things begin to take place," - in other words, imminent end times - "stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

End times - something to look forward to? Yes! Not a weakening of faith, but a strengthening!!!

And, look what Peter has to say:

2 Peter 3:3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. In Peter's day, people were looking for "imminent end times" - yearning for them - and others were scoffing at them. Peter is warning the scoffers that that day WILL come.

8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. Peter speaks to the believers, those who want "that day" to come (sound familiar?), to be patient.


10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.[a]


11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives What is Peter pointing out? That "Judgment Day" is coming, and therefore, be living as you should. In other words, talking about imminent end times, focusing on Judgment Day, actually HELPS our Christian walk. 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.[b] Here is the answer for those who want to focus on end times in an "end of the world disaster movie" kind of way. We look forward to the day of God - we WANT Jesus to come and we "speed its coming." How do we do that? We share the Gospel. As Peter says earlier, God is patient, "not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." Why are we still here? Because God wants more people to believe. And, thank goodness He has been patient. I was one He was patient with! That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

What is Peter's point in this passage? That God is patient, but that day IS coming. The warning of its coming calls us to live as we should and to share God's message of forgiveness through Jesus with any and all who will listen. It is a help to our Christian walk. And, far from threatening our faith, it should strengthen it. The time of destruction is also our time of redemption. This world is not forever; heaven waits!! No matter how bad things are here, eternal life in glory is coming!

Nearly every single one of the New Testament writers speak of end times. In some cases, it's in warning, to encourage repentance. In others, it's a comfort and a call to be patient: this world is not forever. Jesus WILL come. In fact, read through the letters to the churches in the Book of Revelation. Those are Jesus' words to correct problems in the churches. In how many of them does He use the idea of coming judgment in their correction?

Time is short, people! We are no longer talking hundreds of years. We may even be looking at months or weeks. Perhaps even today. Jesus is coming! Let your walk be strong and faithful, and others will be drawn to you because they want what you have.

As always, I'd love to hear from you. If you don't want to respond here, send me an email.




A few more thoughts, prompted by a friend's comment. Here's what she wrote with such sweet honesty:

"My question is this, how does one,like myself, do it all? Be the titus 2 woman, proverbs 31 woman, open to hospitality, witness to others, love everyone, and keep watch? It seems that you are saying watching is the most important, but I think what you mean is that all are important, right? For example, the man who is keeping watch and is prepared for the thief, also is mowing the lawn, and painting the walls, and inviting his neighbors over for bible study. I also know that I can do all things through Christ, I just cannot figure out why I am weary, when I am not supposed to be weary if I have faith in my Savior. "Come to me all who are weary..." Can you touch on these things?"

You may have felt the same way. There is a recent blog that touches on some of her exact thoughts, here. And, maybe this one, too: The next thing.

But, just in case I have mistakenly given you the same impression that I gave her, let me share my answer to her.

We are called to watch, yes, but, as my friend pointed out, watching among other things. (although, if you fail to watch, that's not a good thing).

Some are called to watch as a specific job. Remember this verse:

Mark 13:34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. 

Were ALL the servants crowded around the door watching? No - or nothing would get done. The one at the door watched and yelled when he saw his master coming. And then it was repeated throughout the house.

Perhaps I am at the door yelling - and you, at your assigned task, hear me and repeat it to those near you. And then everyone makes their last minute preparations. I am at the door and have spotted the dust in the distance. Is it our Master? I think so, and so am calling out, "I think He's coming!!!" And, you, perhaps in the upstairs window, look out too, and also see the dust rising. Is it Him? Maybe. In any case, it is a warning that His return could happen soon and to be working hard at your assigned task, to do it as well as possible.

And, for those of you feeling weary, remember that word "assigned." You're not called to do everything - just those things He has given you. It is the fruit of the Spirit, not something you do in your own strength. There is a reminder, here, of how to live in the Spirit.

NOTE: In answering her, I have realized something about myself. Watching must really be one of my assigned tasks. I could no more not do it than not breathe. It is the whole reason I started this blog. I have seen the rising dust in the distance. Is it our Master? I really do think so - and so I call out, "Jesus is coming! Be ready!"