What is your resolution 10 seconds before Midnight...

J. Michael Shannon (professor, minister, & author) retold a story that I had recent read: “The story is still told about the year 1816. Some call it "The Year without summer." During that year, New England saw a blizzard on June 6th. The deep-south suffered high temperatures in the mid-forties in July. Why did this happen? It was all because of a huge volcanic eruption in Indonesia. Clouds of volcanic dust spread throughout the world. These clouds deflected the rays of the sun.” I checked this story out. According to the Colebrook Historical Society (founded in 1953) at Mt. Tamborain now what is called Indonesia. “Climatologists rank the eruption as the greatest producer of atmospheric dust between 1600 and the present. The dust circled the earth in the stratosphere for several years, reducing sunlight, which in turn lowered temperatures…A farmer, Daniel Sears, kept a running account of what he considered to be noteworthy weather events for a 17- year period from 1803 through 1820. He doesn’t mention 1816.” It seems the major part of this event happened from 1803 to 1809. According to other accounts there was a problem that was recorded in July 4, 1816 with a severe cold weather. Can you image being with no real light, cloud cover, and severe winter weather when it was unexpected? The severe weather happened over much of the country. Think of this Mobile, Alabama or Houston, Texas dropping from 80-100 degrees down to 40 degrees in July? Now if that happened today, with as many Christian who read the signs in the Bible passages of “Revelation” would think it is the end or very near. It is a possibility that it could happen, but in all honesty, a true Christian will know in their heart (without a doubt) it is time. We won’t have to read it in the Bible or compare it to what happened in “Revelation”; we will know it. Always remember that History never repeats itself. It will have similarities; but, it is not identical. When you look up at 10 seconds until mid-night, what will see falling? “In the 25th year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the 10th of the month, in the 14th year after the fall of the city—on that very day the hand of the Lord was upon me and took me there.” (Ezekiel 40:1) When the Lord shines on us with his eyes, we see that spiritual life deep in our souls because that is birth of our everlasting life. When you look up at 10 seconds until mid-night, be that earthly angel full of the living Holy Spirit (100% faithfully committed) and not the empty soul who has fallen; the empty souls cover the sun like volcanic ash and allow not the grace of God shine. God bless you all and keep you safe. I wanted to edit and add this because I just found out: If anyone has any information about this please contact the Lamar County Sheriff's office in Mississippi. This information came off of the WHLT.COM news source and is just an insert. The mother of this young man I know personally. Keep Josh Stricklin in prayer. Two days before Christmas, Josh Stricklin, 27, was riding his bike home from work between 7 and 7:30 p.m. "A bicyclist was Westbound on 4th Street about Fox Run Drive, Lamar Co. Sheriff Danny Rigel said. "He was in the center turn lane, and a vehicle was passing in the turn lane and struck him." His brother, Jeremiah, explained he did that because there isn't a bike lane or sidewalks, and cars aren't supposed to drive down the turn lane. "The bike had reflectors and had all the safety precautions it was supposed to, but if you're passing where you're not supposed to be, chances are you're going to miss something," Stricklin said. "And he did. He hit a human being, and then left him there."

December 31, 2013

I was thinking about looks, health and the overall self perception. They go hand in hand. My daughter and I were watching “Dirty Dancing” earlier this morning. We were discussing Patrick Swayze. Then discussion was on Farah Fawcett. We talked about how life can change at any minute for anyone.

A person can be on top of the hill one minute and then lose everything including their life the next. Our health, our genetics, the way we live, our possessions, or our social status have nothing to do with whether we live or die. There is something deeper to that equation that we do not think about because of the fear of the unknown. Regardless where you are, what you are doing, who you are with, health or any other earthly matter—life can end in a split second without notice or really any reason.

“Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, Peace and safety, destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-6)

To be alert and awake, we have to be in tune with our souls, our very essence and our spirituality in accordance with God. Ask yourself, “Are you affairs in order?” or “Are You Spiritual affairs in order?” Do not fear the unknown because God is there and you will know him. Keep in prayer the husband of Anna Perez-Crugliano who has been in the VA hospital ICU for 6 weeks now with a severe bacterial infection showing little signs of improvement. Pray for each other. God bless you all and keep you safe.