What I Tried to Forget

This is a re-post to help remind me of what happened in June 2012 as I return in November 2015.

Teresa (one of our mission trip members) asked to write about my experience in South Africa just like the others before me have written.  I am one of ten people who went on the church mission trip to Cape Town South Africa.  I have been putting this off and trying to put it out of my mind since we all returned in mid July of last year.

I only started a new paragraph because I was tired of looking at my blinking cursor for so long after the last sentence above.  It is not that I can't remember anything to write, it is because I don't want to remember.  If I could describe to you what I saw, felt and witnessed, and you would really be able to see, feel and hear how I experienced the trip - you would not want to know.  Being born and raised in the Chicago-land area and working twenty one years in Law Enforcement in South Florida, I saw my share of poverty, sickness, alcohol and drug abuse, HOWEVER nothing like what I experienced there.  We went to an orphanage where 18 of the 21 children are HIV positive, most of them purposely abandoned by their parents.  That is not what I am going to focus on in this letter.  As a matter of fact, it was only until Corina (my youngest daughter who is our missionary to Cape Town) spoke last month at church while she was home for the Christmas Season, that I realized the most important thing about the trip.

When Corina stood in front of the congregation she thanked them for not ONLY being the sole church family she had ever known, and not ONLY for supporting her financially and providing a college education at a Baptist Seminary, but Corina thanked them, "for the opportunity to work side-by-side in ministry with my father."  When she spoke those words Corina was looking right at me.  I began to cry as I am now realizing I have done something most christian parents will never do!

A month earlier I wrote to the Pastor that I was thankful for him and his staff for giving me the honor of teaching and speaking at the church.  I wrote that it was the most fulfilling service I have ever done.  I was WRONG.  The most important and fulfilling service I have ever had the Grace Filled Privilege of being allowed to partake in was working side-by-side with Corina in God's work!  God not only allowed me to do a small piece of His work, but performed a work in me by doing it.  I took several months of trying to forget what happened only to be shown what really happened.  Now I pray I never forget...

Blessings
ernie

Who's Hands Do You Hold Onto?

The following story is about two Loyal Servants, a Great Warrior, a Great Leader and a Greater God:

Exodus 17:8-16 NLT
While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them.  Moses commanded Joshua, "Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us.  Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand."  So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill.  As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage.  But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage.  Moses' arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up.  So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on.  Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands.  So his hands held steady until sunset.  As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.  After the victory, the LORD instructed Moses, "Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder, and read it aloud to Joshua: I will erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven." Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-nissi (which means "the LORD is my banner").  He said, "They have raised their fist against the LORD's throne, so now the LORD will be at war with Amalek generation after generation."


I want to focus on the two Loyal Servants, Aaron and Hur.  These two men are found by their leader-mentors side even during war time.  They climb to a high hill with Moses so they can see the whole battle unfold.  Although the battle is griping, they are focused on what matters most - Moses!  It is Moses who has heard and spoken to the Lord.  It is Moses who yields the Staff of The Lord.  It is Moses who is the conduit of God's Power and it is Moses who must obey the Lord by holding his hands high.

When Moses' hands are raised towards heaven, Joshua and his army prevail, however Moses hands and arms get tired and when they fall to his side, Joshua and his army lose their  advantage.  (While we are hear, isn't it interesting that the battle is not Joshua's or his armies and Joshua was a mighty warrior?  Your battle is not yours either!)  Aaron and Hur are not only watching, they are paying attention!  They didn't hold their hands up nor did they hold each others (that would have been weird).  They each grabbed one of Moses' hands and arms and held them towards heaven.  They didn't yell at Moses for not working out more so he could be stronger, nor did they yell at him to try harder, they did what needed to be done that their leader could no longer do.

I wonder, rather than waiting for the person ahead of you to stumble, fall or fail, why not come along side them and hold them up even when the battle isn't going their way - you just may help save some lives, jobs, marriages, friends and one may even be yours.

What battle is God wanting to take off your hands?


1 Samuel 17:47 NASB
and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD'S and He will give you into our hands."

Just a thought...

Institute of International Finance calls for Global Currency

This is rearing it's ugly head again this coming October (2015)?  I wrote this four years ago.

Prior to the International Monetary Fund and World Bank meeting last weekend in Washington DC, the Institute of International Finance made "another" call for a one-world global currency.  This organization represents 420 of the world's largest banks and finance houses.  Pushing this agenda is: you guessed it the United Nations.

A quick editir's note (thats me); I have some friends, mostly enemies which criticize what I say, do and write about and sometimes all three!  With people like that, why would I pay for some one or group to criticize me when I can get more than I want for free?  The answer is I wouldn't, then why do we continue to put up with the United Nations which by the way are united against us!  I digress.

An IIF policy letter, dated Oct. 4 stated that global currency coordination was needed, in the group's view, to prevent a looming currency war.  "Likewise, a July United Nations report called for the replacement of the dollar as the standard for holding foreign-exchange reserves in international trade with a new one-world currency issued by the International Monetary Fund." (Reported by WND.com)  


Check out Dr David Jeremiah's book The Coming Economic Armageddon to see what is really happening and why.

The Feather Pillow

The following was inspired by my friend, host for Xtreme Christian Outdoors and Associate Pastor Jeff Deaver.

One day a jewish man went to speak to his Rabbi.  Teacher he said, I have been heart broken over the loss of a good friend.  Why my son, the Rabbi responded.  It is because of my tongue.  I have finally realized that I am a gossip and my words have hurt many people, even my family.  The loss of my friend is just one of many relationships I have damaged.  The Rabbi bowed his head for a moment, then looked the jewish man in the eye and asked what he desired?  The jewish man said he sought forgiveness and to undo the damage he has caused.  The Rabbi asked the Jewish man if he had a feather pillow in which he said; yes teacher.  Bring the feather pillow to the Temple tomorrow.

The next day the Jewish man, confused how the feather pillow would pay for his penance, brought it to the Rabbi at the Temple.  The Rabbi took the feather pillow from the Jewish man and cut it open with a sharp knife, causing the delicate feathers to rise out of the pillow and be carried by the open air to the window and wished away by the breeze.  The Rabbi fluffed the pillow two more times causing even more feathers to seek flight, then he turned to the jewish man and said; bring me all the feathers that have escaped from this pillow.  The Jewish man looked at the feathers floating out the window and said; that's impossible!  The Rabbi said; the feathers are like your words, they can never be retrieved to undo the damage they caused...


Ephesians 4:29-32: 
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.



Just once, I would like some one to say;  Ernie, this is me (because this is "me").  No, not all the time - but enough and very recent.

Forgive me Lord and kill the crop my words have seeded...

My definition of gossip;  Hearing from the jaw bone of an ass (me) rather than the horses mouth!

The Demon Switch

Two days ago a muslim man (Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez) killed four Marines at a Navel Reserve base in Chattanooga, TN..  I could easily start asking questions; Why are our troops not armed?,  Why hasn't this been called a terrorist attack?  Why is this president allowing the illegal influx of immigrants, specifically muslim into this country?  Most importantly, WHY ARE YOU NOT ARMED?

The enemy is here and is being given safe passage by our own government.  We make a nuclear deal with Iran which calls us "the great satan" and Israel "the little satan" (no cap's on purpose).  Before I go into what I really want to write about, hear this; muslim's have always said they would destroy this Nation from WITHIN and they are, and in the highest office no less.

Now for what I want to focus on.  After several instances of the "peaceful religion" attacking us infidels, I have read (from victims) that prior to the attacks, these people were as "normal" (whatever that is) as you and I (and I'm beginning to worry about you).  There was one article in particular which interview several victims who live in heavily populated muslim areas. What I found interesting to see and hear from the "folks next door" is that these terrorist prior to these incidents were friendly, private people, most with families, and work in the communities.

This article I am referring to went onto say that it was sudden when they were attacked and that the same people described earlier became zombie like (my term) during the attacks and when it was over, the same people helped the victims they created.  I find that behavior quite bazaar.

We can blame guns, religion, drugs, but we never get to the root - evil.  It's origin is satan, the fallen one.  Satan’s fall from heaven is described in Isaiah 14:12-14 and Ezekiel 28:12-18.  These passages are referring to the kings of Babylon and Tyre, they reference the spiritual power behind the kings, which is satan.

The article made me think that the behavior exhibited by the terrorist was demonic in nature, in that one moment they acted normal (like we all are expected to) and the next was as if a switch was turned on and the demonic behavior was released or engaged.  As a retired Law-Man, I have experienced demonic possession before.  Actually I believe most Officers have encountered it but don't understand the power behind the behavior, attributing it to drugs or alcohol or mental illness.  Not all of the for mentioned attributes are demonic of course, however it does take discernment to see through them.

This is just my humble opinion, but if this Demon Switch is as I call it, a real phenomenon, it can explain why organization's like the FBI did not have Abdulazeez "on their radar."  For that matter, how many other's that we have no outward clue about are waiting for the Demon Switch to go off?

Just one of my wild thoughts...
ernie

America Doesn't NEED A Christian President!

WHAT!?  Ernie have you lost it?  Don't you see the Falling of America right before our eyes?

I wonder how many will just look at this title and make an improper judgement?  Oh well, let me explain.

As I am writing this, today the Supreme Court (which they are obviously not) made "homosexual marriage" the law of the land AND our White House in a disgusting display of rebellion, lit-up in rainbow colors.

First, I wouldn't mind having a Christian President, actually I just want a person of Character, Honest, Moral that loves "THIS" COUNTRY and all it's people.  Someone willing to stand for what is right and fight what is wrong tooth and nail.  Hey Ernest, what is right???  A person with the traits I mentioned above will KNOW what is right.  We have been listening to so many fools in government and media, most can not discern right from wrong.  Obviously I just eliminated a bunch of people and especially anyone that doesn't know right from wrong and the ones not willing to stand for what is right.

America doesn't need a Christian president to be blessed, it needs the Christians that are in America to follow God's simple plan for restoration.  The following verse is specifically told to Israel, however this verse is clearly universal to all of God's People. Did you read what I just said; God's People, not government, hollywood, the media, the unsaved - God's People!

2Chronicles 7:14  if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

This verse is specifically about God's covenant with Israel and the Jews.  America is not a covenant nation.  God has made no promise that guarantees our national status. If Israel had to fulfill the conditions for divine blessing even though God had covenanted with them, then America certainly has no special claim of a blessing from God.  As long as unbelief and disobedience to the Word of God rainbow color the soul of our nation, we cannot expect the blessing of God.  Israel didn't get it in her unbelief.

The verse above tells us if we do 4 things, God will do 3.  [If you know me, I am into numbers and "3" represents the Trinity and the number "4" represents separation such as light from darkness.  Further if you add the two numbers you get "7" which is the number of completeness - just saying]

More importantly is that the "healing" of our land is not conditional of a nation wide revival (that would be nice), a christian majority of citizens (that would be nice too), or a Christian president (and yes, that would be nice also), BUT God's People (whom ever and how many ever) would just do what He says...  I believe in an instant, with undeniable power from Heaven our Nation would begin to change.  Really Ernie, in an instant?   LET'S FIND OUT

ernie

Obama's Faith : Believer, Unbeliever or Make-Believer?

Back on September 29th 2010 on the Drudge Report President Obama stated in an article that "I am a Christian by choice".  However on several ocassions  in both 2008 and 2009 he states "We don't consider ourselves a Christian Nation".  This president said he folows the "precepts" taught by Jesus Christ and that this is what guides him?

The presidents statement of faith came because many Americans believe he is muslim.  Why would we believe that, because he himself said he was raised muslim by his father and attended islamic schooling or that his convictions are so far to the subversive left (abortion, homosexuality) or that he has been called "messiah" (he doesn't deserve capitalization) and has said nothing to refute it, which is blasphemy to God!?


Islam is directly opposed to Christianity and while I'm here let me get this off my chest to Christian "beleivers";  If you voted for this president in the 2008 election knowing his stand on abortion and homosexuality you are either greatly deceiving yourself with your faith (make-believer) or you couldn't possibly be in God's Will.

This president says he knows God?  Satan knows God!  I know God, just as I know George Washington - as a matter of historical fact, however, I also know God like I know my wife and close friend - intimately, on a deep personal level.  To know Jesus historically (as a fact) is only religion.  To know Christ personally is a Relationship!

Whom do you "know"???

The People in Our Lives

Getting older has its advantages, like; forgetting that you have told the same story several times - to you, it is still new!  Like all good things, they stand repeating; i.e. stop running with scissors in your hand, don't stick your finger in the electrical outlet, chew your food (unless your really hungry) etc etc.  I am not sure, but I don't think I have written about this before.  So here it goes.

Most of you who know me know I like numbers, math, statistics.  I have always liked taking complicated things and making them as simple as me.  With that, there are four types of people in our lives, those who are:

1)  Adders;  These people we are attracted to, make great friends and help us become "better" at who we are with what we have.  Seek these people out.  If you are married, this should be your spouse.

Gen 2:18 NLT  Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him."

2)  Subtracters;  Now I am not talking about people whom occasionally exhibit these behaviors, we all do. I am talking about people who consistently act this way.  These people are a drain, a slow leak that "draws us away" from that which is really important.  In itself is not a big deal, but after time becomes very annoying.  We have a tendency to put a lot of effort into these people, usually much
more than we should.  Effort equates to time and this is quite frankly time lost.  I can hear you already; "Ernie, these people need someone to listen to them. help them, encourage them - should we just abandon them?"  My response to your outburst is - I didn't say to not listen, help or encourage, nor abandon.  I just want you to recognize who is who in your life.  I will say that the real help these people need (if they are consistently this way) will not come from you.

Act 20:30 AMP  Even from among your own selves men will come to the front who, by saying perverse (distorted and corrupt) things, will endeavor to draw away the disciples after them [to their own party].

3)  Multipliers;  These people are rare.  Most of us will never have one of these people in our lives, however everyone of us need this person in our lives?  This is a person who doesn't just make or help you to become "better", this someone who should be able to transform you into something different.  Not a better you, but a new you!

Rom 12:2 NLT  Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.


4) Dividers;  These people are a cancer, left unchecked and unchallenged these people will destroy and business, any team, any church and any family.  Personally, I believe they do it on purpose.  Why? because they are either very very dysfunctional or manipulated by satan himself or both.  You laugh?

1Pe 5:8 NLT  Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.


Now that we know what there are, do you know who they are?  Which one are you?

Blessings

ernie

Why "Bailouts" Won't Work Obama Hood

When my oldest daughter Breana was 7 years of age attending Trinity Christian Academy, I asked her if she knew the Ten Commandments?  She told me she did, so I asked her to tell me them in any order. Breana put her finger to her mouth and tilted her head slightly and said; "1, 7, 4, 5, 9, 3, 10, 2, 8 and 6!  She was so excited and so was I!?  Really, we are going to look at the 8th Commandment and how it relates to government bailouts.

The Ten Commandments, called God's Law or The Law of Moses, is the foundation of Common Law which is the foundation of our Constitution, not to mention that it is "The Standard for Judgement".

The 8th Commandment is "Thou shall not Steal".  When a government takes its taxes and against the peoples will, gives the money to a failing business - there are three words that come to my mind:
1. Theft
2. Socialism

3. Communism - Robin Hood

The beloved character of Robin Hood was a cleverly disguised communist who "took from the rich and gave to the poor".  An exciting tail of "good v evil""?  WHAT!  No, a clever story to further desensitize westerners to a marxist state of living.  Look where we are today - socialized medicine, big government - small economy.  Gosh Wilber, who would have thunk it!

It is not the governments place to run auto companies, fund business that should fail.  The failings of these business' is called "Economic Correction".  It will occur from time to time when we out-market ourselves because of too high of cost, too high of wages and poor management.

The job of taking money and giving it to the needy has always been the Churches responsibilities.  We are commanded to feed the poor and care for the widows and orphans.  We gave that responsibility away to the government and now we are all paying for it - no pun intended.

You can't steal money and then give it to a "good" cause and think that is ok.  The ends does not justify the means!