The Game Theory

Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun. - Ecclesiastes 8:15 KJV

When I first read the above verse, it did not make sense to me, for surely there are better things for a man to do than eat, drink, and be merry?! But as I studied the word ‘mirth’, which is originally the Hebrew word simchah, I understood that this scripture was referring to having gladness and joy of heart because of the realization of what our God and Lord has done for us. (See especially Ezra 3:8-13)

Yahweh has given us times and seasons for everything under the sun--and there is a time for mirth!

Anyway, I have this theory…just a theory, mind you…I believe that whatever game you excel at, it is an indication of a dominant spiritual gifting you have within you (I Corinthians 12:1).

Okay, yes, I am trying to give some balance to my blog by posting something fun instead of being so serious! The serious side of this (for you know I must have one) is that we as followers of Christ are much more than the outward appearance the world sees; for although we are physical beings, we are primarily spiritual beings.

My family and I especially enjoy playing board games when we’re together. I remember the first time I played Pictionary--a board game that is won by guessing what an assigned illustrator is drawing. It was becoming very popular and some friends of ours invited us to a game night where they were going to play it.

We played in teams, and my team kept winning all evening! It was my first time playing the game and I found that I was good at guessing what the sketch was. This seemed to impress my one teammate, Kevin.

“Watch this!” Kevin announced to the other team. “I’ll draw this next figure and I want Lyn to be the only one who guesses what it is.”

It was all in fun, so I went along with it. Kevin pulled out the next card to see what he was to draw cupping it so that only he could see. I moved to look over his shoulder and he quickly sketched a bunch of ‘X’es crosshatching them over and over, then stopped and looked up at me.

“Haystack?” I immediately answered.

Kevin slammed his hand down on the table. “Yes! That’s right! See what I mean? It's amazing!”

Many Pictionary games and years later I realized how this connected with how the Spirit of the Lord speaks to me many times through pictures that come to my mind. It is one of the primary ways He shows me what I need to pray for, especially when interceding for individuals. (But, honestly, I am not always right discerning what the pictures mean--whether in Pictionary or in the Spirit.)

Let’s talk about Monopoly. I think I have yet to beat my husband Tom in a game of Monopoly. He wins time and again no matter who he plays it with. His gifting is in business and stewardship (although he does not own a monopoly himself).

Okay, so what do ya think? What games are you good at? Does my theory hold or should I simply put an end to it thus proving true Ecclesiastes 7:8?

Better [is] the end of a thing than the beginning thereof…- Ecclesiastes 7:8a KJV

Are we having fun yet?:-)

An Earthquake Where? (or The Heat is On Part 2)

Wow! Two blog posts in one week! Well, I couldn't leave you hanging after writing about the warning David Wilkerson and others have sounded out...

The United States is going to experience, in the not-too-distant future, the most tragic earthquake in its history…I am not at all convinced that this earthquake will take place in California. In fact, I believe it is going to take place where it is least expected. (The Vision and Beyond by David Wilkerson, page 28)

This past May our President met with Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. President Obama's plan for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was (and continues to be) to have Israel's borders return to what they were before the 1967 Arab-Israeli war—albeit with adjustments to account for Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

So what does that have to do with a catastrophic earthquake prophesied to occur in the United States?

The people of Israel have a covenant with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob--the same God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Yahshua Ha Moschiach.

Galatians 3:1-14 teaches that those who accept Christ Jesus under the New Covenant receive the blessings of Abraham. These blessings are enumerated in Deuteronomy 28. But notice the blessing in verse 7: The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. - Deuteronomy 28:7 KJV
There are serious consequences to those who would force Israel's hand to surrender its land (see Deuteronomy 30:5-7). If Netanyahu were to adhere to Obama's key points, it would threaten the very survival of Israel as a Jewish state.

In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land. - Joel 3:1-2 NIV 

It has been prophesied that the U.S. will suffer its land being divided by an earthquake if it is instrumental in the land of Israel being divided. This earthquake is to occur in the middle of America at the New Madrid fault line. While searching for the predictions related to this, I came across a site that has grouped these along with other catastrophic prophecies. The site is: usaprophet.com

Even science predicts the plausibility of such a calamity: earthquake.usgs.gov

The incredible book Eye to Eye: Facing the Consequences of Dividing Israel by White House Correspondent, William R. Koenig, proves many disasters befalling America come in direct and immediate response to George H. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush's devotion to robbing Israel of their God-given land.

Quoting from Amazon.com, "All of these major catastrophes transpired on the very same day or within 24-hours of U.S. presidents Bush, Clinton and Bush applying pressure on Israel to trade her land for promises of "peace and security," sponsoring major "land for peace" meetings, making major public statements pertaining to Israel’s covenant land and /or calling for a Palestinian state...(see amazon.com)

With all this overwhelming news, what are we to do? The scriptures show that we should never worry only PRAY.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you. - Psalm 122:6 NKJV  

Do you believe God is warning America? I'd be glad to hear from you.

If you find the topic of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict confusing, here is a 6-minute youtube video where Israel's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Danny Ayalon, explains the historical facts relating to the conflict. The video explains where the terms "West Bank", "occupied territories" and "1967 Borders" originated and how they have been incorrectly used:




Israel Palestinian Conflict: The Truth About the West Bank

The Heat is On!

The heat is on and you know I’m not referring to your thermostat! Do you realize that the crazy weather patterns we’re experiencing were foretold years ago?

Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. - Amos 3:7 KJV

Almighty Yahweh does reveal things to His people. In the Old Testament times it was primarily through those named as prophets. Since Christ has come and sent the Holy Spirit, now those who make Jesus Christ their Lord have the Spirit of God born within them and are able to hear from their Heavenly Father themselves (see I Corinthians chapter 12). And God continues to also speak through individuals to people. Not that everyone who prophesies is a prophet, but we all are able to prophesy as the Holy Spirit pours into us:

For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. - 1 Corinthians 14:31 KJV

From time to time the Lord has inspired me to speak a message to His people. Most of the time it was words of encouragement, exhortation, and comfort. However, beginning in the nineties, the Spirit of the Lord had me bring forth a warning over and over again. The first time I spoke it was one Sunday before the congregation in the little country church we were part of. It is difficult to explain the urgency I felt as I delivered the message…

“There is a time of great trouble coming upon the earth and unless you are intimate with the Lord, you will not make it.”

I trembled as the urging of The Holy Spirit had me speak this three times in a row to the people.

I didn’t know it then, but the following week we were led by the Spirit to leave our beloved little country church and eventually move to another area.

This will sound strange to many of you, but the same thing happened in the next three churches we were members of. One time, I was inspired to pick up an instrument made of a gourd wrapped in small seashells. As I shook it, it made a loud swishing sound and I said, “Shake! Shake! Shake! Everything that can be shaken will be shaken! Enter into your prayer closets—seek My face.”

I believe this is why I repeatedly blog about entering into a place of quiet before the Lord of Glory. He wants to speak to us. He wants to fellowship with us. He wants us to live expecting to hear His voice. We NEED to hear His voice—one day it may be a matter of life and death.

More and more earthquakes have been occurring around the world. This too has been prophesied. Today I feel urged to write about a great earthquake prophesied to hit the U.S. This has been foretold not just by one person, but by many. A man of God named David Wilkerson wrote of it back in 1973 under the title, The Vision, and in 2003 republished it under the name, The Vision and Beyond. Here is an excerpt:

The United States is going to experience, in the not-too-distant future, the most tragic earthquake in its history…I am not at all convinced that this earthquake will take place in California. In fact, I believe it is going to take place where it is least expected. (The Vision and Beyond by David Wilkerson, page 28)

Why am I writing this? Most of the people who read my humble blog already know many of the things I have written here. Who knows. Maybe a blogger will stumble upon this article—someone who doesn’t know he can commune with the Lord of Glory—and BANG! receive a lightening bolt in their mind and spirit. I pray it is so.

Next time I blog, I would like to share with you why this earthquake is almost certainly destined to happen.

Trusting in Him~

A Time to Serve

Lately I have been bounding out of bed and heading for the backyard instead of heading to the guest room where I pray. This is so I can enjoy my work in the gardens and avoid the oppressive heat and humidity of the day. This is the first year I have had a flower garden in addition to a small vegetable garden, and I just love it.

But I love My King even more than my flowers. As I was cleaning up after making a big breakfast for my husband and I this morning, my thoughts went to my Beloved Lord. “I am happiest when I serve You, Lord. I miss serving You.” (My mind was on how I had been so active in ministering in the church and now I am not.)

Suddenly, His love poured over me and He spoke. “When you serve your husband, when you serve your family, you are serving Me.” My yearning heart was filled. Simultaneously, the scripture came to me…

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me. - Matthew 25:40 KJV

The Book of Ecclesiastes speaks of there being a time for everything under heaven. I believe it is time to serve. Yes, we are always to be servants of the Most High, but we are coming into an actual season where the world will see the followers of Yahshua, our Jesus, as true servants of love.

And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, [the same] shall be last of all, and servant of all. - Mark 9:35 KJV

Let Us Love to Serve and Serve With Love!

To Beeeeeeee

It turns out that it was a wise decision for me to take a blogger break, for May was a very happenin’ month! It started out great with me hosting the women in my family at our home Mother’s Day Weekend. At the end of our weekend gathering, my sister Kim asked me to go to her home in Georgia. I spent the next two weeks trying to catch my breath as I followed her around and ‘helped’. Like me, she is fifty-something but has the schedule and energy of a woman decades younger!

Anyway, weeks earlier Kim had had a vision of me being at her house for her annual garden tea party that she hosted for the women of her church and their guests. At the time, I did not see how it would be possible for me to be there (we have only one vehicle), but Yahweh made a way.

Kim shared with me that the theme of the party was centered around bees. She showed me interesting facts she had collected about bees and compared them to characteristics we as followers of Christ should emulate. As we conversed, The Spirit of the Lord showed us how it was important first TO BE in order TO BEE. By this He meant we must first practice being in the presence of the Almighty before becoming busy as a bee.

A couple of days later while brushing my teeth, The Holy Spirit brought something to my remembrance (has that ever happened to you?). He reminded me of a study I had done years ago on Deborah, a judge of Israel as recorded in the Old Testament, whose name means ‘bee’. When I shared this with Kim, she realized that I was to share about Deborah at the tea party and I was honored to do so.

And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. - Judges 4:4-5 KJV

A biblical judge differs from a modern-day judge in that they served as military leaders of their tribe and as Godly counselors knowing Yahweh’s laws and commandments. I like that the Word of God gives a picture of where Deborah lived…under the palm tree of Deborah. Her tent was probably pitched there, but I see her sitting under its shade and perhaps praying—simply BE-ing in God’s presence. Out of this place of being in His presence, she was prepared when a dispute arose and a tribesman sought out her wisdom for ‘the children of Israel came up to her for judgment’.

Deborah is described as the ‘wife of Lapidoth’. This phrase can be translated more literally as ‘woman of torches/lightenings’ or ‘woman of fiery spirit'.

Like a bee that can see ultraviolet rays (which humans cannot), I believe Deborah saw with spiritual eyes leading Israel with confidence and a fiery spirit!

Deborah was a mother to Israel and like a protective mother she flew at the enemies of her people and her sting was fatal! She must have been highly esteemed as a military leader; for in the clash with the Canaanites, her general, Barak, would not go into battle without her (Judges 4:8)!

When I shared all this with the women who gathered in my sister's home, I exhorted them to seek the Lord’s face daily—even if only for several minutes before beginning their day—and to do so throughout the day bringing their thoughts captive to Christ. We should remember Deborah and simply--

Practice bee-ing...