"Trump, Cruz, Rubio: WWJD?"

Evangelicals are a mixed bag, politically speaking," says Nathan Finn, church historian and Dean of the School of Theology at Union University.

You can say that again--evangelicals, politically speaking, seem to be all over the map when it comes to choosing a candidate that best reflects our Christian values.

"We come in a variety of ethnicities and worship in a multitude of languages," Finn explains.

"The vast majority of us are pro-life and affirm the biblical view of marriage, but these are not the only issues that affect how one votes."

Of course not. There's Israel--and with several possible Supreme Court appointments looming, the stakes could not be higher. Integrity and character matter.

Meanwhile, Franklin Graham, son of internationally known evangelist Billy Graham, has decided to leave the GOP. "I don't have faith in either party," he said. "The only hope for our country is God."

"I believe we are perilously close to the moral tipping point for the survival of the United States of America," Graham warned.

Speaking to NBC News, Graham said that he is not affiliated with any party because the whole American political system is godless and contrary to the Founding Fathers' vision.

"This may be the most important election in our nation's history. America is headed in the wrong direction and only God can turn it around."

Rather than promote a party or candidate, Graham has launched a bus tour taking a message of repentance and prayer to all 50 state capitals, urging Christians to honor God in their homes, public lives and at the ballot box.

Roughly 50 million Christians failed to vote in the last election. Imagine if every Christian voted biblical values in every election--how different would this country be today?

As followers of Christ, we don't have the luxury of being a "mixed bag". We must all prayerfully ask God (politically speaking) "WWJD?"

The Last Days Church

"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Ruler of God's creation. I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Revelation 3:14-16.

A wise man once said: "In very vivid terms, the Lord rejects the halfhearted efforts of self-satisfied Christians." --Len Wood, Th.M

News:

• Tribune: Supreme Court's female justices take aim at Texas abortion restrictions; clash with conservative colleagues over most important abortion case in decades.
• Reuters: North Korea orders nukes on stand-by after U.N. Security Council impose harsh, new sanctions.
• Fox News Channel: Republicans at each other's throats over possible Trump nomination; providing Dems with a "house divided" 

 

"One Minute After You Die"

In his classic best seller, Erwin W. Lutzer cuts right to the chase and asks:

"Where will you be...one minute after you die?"

Will you be delighted beyond your wildest dreams or forever separated from all that is good?

"Many people spend more time planning for a vacation than preparing for eternity," say Lutzer. "So while relatives and friends plan your funeral, you will be more alive than you have ever been."

The Big Question? Where, exactly will you be? That depends on choices you make now. There are only two alternatives. "Either way, your future will be irrevocably fixed and eternally unchangeable," Lutzer explains. "One minute after you die, you will either be elated or terrified--and it will be too late to re-route your travel plans."

Wow...with stakes that high you'd think God would have given us detailed instructions on how to choose correctly. You'd think He would have sent a few messengers to make sure we understood exactly what we need to do to ensure we don't miss the boat on this one.

Guess what, gang--He did. It's that Bible some of us "messengers" are constantly trying to shove down your throat.

Atheist comedian Penn Jellette (of Penn & Teller, magician duo fame) once said,

"I don't respect people who don't proselytize. If you believe that there's a heaven and a hell, and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life, and you think that it's not really worth telling them this because it would be socially awkward...how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?"

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is woven with predictions. In fact, more than 1/4 of the Bible is prophecy. Most of them (roughly 80%) have already been fulfilled with 100% accuracy.

These prophecies are very specific, provable events. God chose prophecy as the vehicle to authenticate the Bible. How better to prove One's existence and power over world events than to tell history in advance? Fulfilled prophecy conveys the unique signature of God, and is a powerful proof to an unbelieving world.

A supernatural book requires a supernatural key to unlock its mysteries. Pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit and that God will flood you with light so that you can understand the wonderful future He has promised to those He called. "I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance He has given to His people" (Ephesians 1:18).

Do you want to know where you will be one minute after you die? click here

A wise man once said: "We must accept God as He is revealed in the Bible, whether He suits our preferences or not." -- Erwin W. Lutzer, author of One Minute After You Die

"I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of His power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 1:19,20).

News:

• Forbes: Russia Amasses Troops Near Turkish Border
• Associated Press (source claims): Russia warned Turkey they'll use tactical nuclear weapons if they advance towards Damascus
• The Daily Beast: Experts warn ISIS could launch explosive drone attack over American sporting events, "only a matter of time," director said. 

"Death of Civility"

The sudden death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is shocking. Not because he died (after all he was no spring chicken) but because of the reaction to his death.

The politicizing of his absence is to be expected, considering the fact it will undoubtedly reshape the 2016 presidential election. We're not referring to that.

And no, we're not surprised at the firestorm of conspiracy theorists in the wake of Scalia's death (the tin-foil hat crowd see a grassy knoll behind every bush).

So what's so shocking? The comments.

You know, the section reserved for opinions after an online article. It's rarely a happy place, but the death of Scalia brought the hard-core, foul-mouthed haters out in droves.

Justice Scalia ("Nino" to his family and friends) was known for his brilliant mind, devout faith, sharp humor, and many decades of service. He was a fierce watchdog of constitutional rights and the leading voice of uncompromising conservatism.

His unwavering stance against abortion, same-sex marriage and gun bans earned him the respect of conservatives, but the contempt (and hate-filled comments) of those who disagreed with him.

Presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson addressed the 'Comments Section' incivility (to put it mildly) in Saturday's debate: "You go to the Internet Comments section--you cannot go five comments down before people are calling each other all manner of names. Where did that spirit come from in America? It did not come from our Judeo-Christian roots, I can tell you that...there is such a thing as right and wrong."

Jesus warned that "the love of many will grow cold" as the end of the age drew near (Matthew 24:13).

The 'comment section' is no place for the faint of heart, and if what people say under the cloak of anonymity accurately reflects their inner-thought life, some are growing cold indeed. A decent man died Saturday leaving behind a grieving family. But because he was a conservative, the comments left (for his family to read) were particularly vicious, filthy, and downright vile.

Scalia was a staunch advocate of free speech, witty and savagely funny. And while he'd be shocked by the comments after his death, he'd undoubtedly defend to his death our right to comment.

A wise man once said: "God assumed from the beginning that the wise of the world would view Christians as fools...and He has not been disappointed...if I have brought any message today, it is this: Have the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity. Be fools for Christ. And have the courage to suffer the contempt of the sophisticated world." -- Antonin Scalia, U.S. Supreme Court Justice

"A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart."  Luke 6:45

News:

• The Washington Post: Number of hate groups rose 14% in 2015; year characterized by 'enormous rage'
• The Daily Mail: Decorated vet attacked in hate crime; teens ask if 'black lives matter' before robbing and brutally beating him
• CNS News: White House: Pres. Obama will not be attending Scalia funeral due to security footprint 

"Lucifer"

According to FOX Network, Satan isn't really evil--just misunderstood.

In their new devil-inspired TV show, FOX attempts the ultimate make-over: Casting Lucifer as the good guy.

The series premise has Lucifer Morningstar, "bored and unhappy as the lord of hell" resigning, heading West and reinventing himself as an L.A. night club owner, part-time crime fighter and morphing into a man that is (according to FOX), "charming, charismatic and devilishly handsome, indulging in wine, women and song."

When urged to return to hell by an angel sent by God, Morningstar mockingly asks, "Do you think I'm the devil because I'm inherently evil or just because dear old Dad decided I was?"

The message? God is bad, Satan is cool. This show glorifies evil and blasphemes God. (And no, you don't need to watch it  to make sure. The graphic descriptions found on the website should be offensive enough for any Christian.)

The Bible warns that "in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God...They will consider nothing sacred...and have no interest in what is good" (2Timothy 3:1-3).

OneMillionMoms.com, a group of concerned mothers "fed up with the filth" the entertainment media are throwing at our children, has launched a petition urging FOX Network to cancel "Lucifer".

"The program", they say," mis-characterizes Satan, departs from true biblical teachings about him, and inaccurately portray the beliefs of the Christian faith. By choosing to air this show, FOX is disrespecting Christianity and mocking the Bible."

We contend they're doing far more than that. And before you roll your eyes and tell us to lighten up--"it's only a TV show"...try Googling How the media shapes public opinion. You will find 2,790,000 results, many of them scholarly research papers from Princeton, Harvard and other top universities.

The consensus? The influence of mass media on public perception is widely acknowledged. The public, however, has no clue of the incredible degree to which this occurs.

The most recent example is the acceptance of same-sex marriage, an unthinkable concept even 10 years ago.

According to the Bible, Satan is "the prince of the power of the air". Think 'airwaves' as in TV, radio, internet and movies, and then ask yourself what his agenda might be.

A wise man once said: "If I were the devil, I would whisper, 'The Bible is a myth'. I would convince them that man created God instead of the other way around." -- Paul Harvey, radio commentator

"Live no longer as the ungodly do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their closed minds are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against Him. They don't care anymore about right and wrong, and they have given themselves over to immoral ways."  Ephesians 4:17-19

News:

• DEBKAfile: 50,000 Syrian refugees head for Jordan, Israel; refugee exodus from North, now repeating in South with scant media attention.
• U.S. News: Twitter Characterizes Criticism Of Islam As "Hate Speech"
• Daily Caller: New Emails Show Press Literally Taking Orders From Hillary; Emails Expose Transactional Relationship. 

"Zika Explosion"

The Zika virus is barely a blip on U.S. radar screens, but in the rest of the world it's going viral--literally.

Last week the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Zika an international health emergency, with Brazil as ground zero.

And then news hit that the virus can be sexually transmitted.

Now it's all Zika, all the time. Especially in South America. Here in the U.S., election coverage trumps everything else (pun intended).

Widespread alarm, confusion and even panic for pregnant women in Brazil is igniting like wildfire.

Who's fanning the flames? WHO. The World Health Organization.

Statements out of the Organization get translated into screaming headlines:

• The Zika Vrus Is Now Spreading Explosively
• 4 Million Possible Infections
• Florida Governor Declares Zika Emergency
• Pregnant Zika Victims Offered Abortions
• South America Holds Crisis Meetings As  Zika "Nightmare" Spreads
• Could Zika Doom Rio Summer Olympics?

The Zika virus, usually transmitted by mosquitoes, causes only mild flu-like symptoms and a rash (or sometimes no symptoms at all) in 80% of cases. It's the other 20% that has people panicking.

The global health emergency was declared by WHO citing a "strongly suspected" relationship between Zika and microcephaly, a birth defect marked by abnormally small head/brain size in newborns.

Brazil has 4,074 newborns with microcephaly and researchers believe there's a link to the Zika infection.

There's no treatment or vaccine for Zika and WHO said the virus is now in at least 32 countries including the U.S.

The Bible teaches a wide variety of cosmic and natural events will occur before the end times: wars, great earthquakes, famines and epidemics (among other things). (Luke 21:11; Matthew 24:7; Revelation 6:8)

And with modern travel, we should expect infectious disease to spread.

But fear? Not for the Christian. The Scriptures tell us over and over again to "fear not" and put our trust in the Lord. The only thing we should fear is offending Him.

And yes, Zika does appear to be a serious problem, but WHO's job is it to ramp up public awareness while tamping down public panic?

The World Health Organization.

That's WHO.

A wise man once said: "Even if humans feel lots of fear, remember God will take care of you. This is a collective message because fear is contagious..."  -- Pope Theodorus II

"Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine" -- Isaiah 43:1.

News:

• The Washington Post: Zika a ticking 'time bomb' for Latin America; up to 650,000 Zika infections are expected.
• Reuters: Major U.S. airlines offer to reassign crew from Zika-hit routes; CDC urges pregnant women to avoid Zika-hit locations.
• CBS Los Angeles: Health officials looking into 20 potential Zika virus cases in L.A. county

"Doomsday Clock Strikes Again!"

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists dragged out their metaphorical clock again this week--you know, the big ol' clock that measures how close we are to blowing ourselves to smithereens?

Yeah. That clock...the clock that reflects how vulnerable the world is to catastrophe from nuclear weapons, terrorists, new technologies, etc., with midnight symbolizing 'apocalypse'.

"Unless we change the way we think, humanity remains in serious danger," said Lawrence Krauss, top-dog among Atomic Scientist types.

California Gov. Jerry Brown joined former U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz and former U.S. Secretary of Defense William Perry for a discussion at Stanford University after the unveiling of the clock.

Perry feared the threat of nuclear war with Russia "was greater today than during the Cold War." Shultz warned about relations between the U.S. and China and our need to "engage" Russia before things really deteriorate into something unstoppable.

And Jerry Brown (aka "Moonbeam")?

Climate change.

That's right, people. Jerry Brown, the genius behind California's bullet train, is staying awake nights worrying about the weather.

The decision to move the hands of the Doomsday Clock forward is made by the Bulletin's Science and Security Board, a group of physicists and scientists from around the globe, which includes more than a dozen Nobel laureates.

This year the infamous clock remained in place--at 3 minutes to midnight--practically a miracle when you consider the "grave threat" of climate change, and all.

A wise man once said: "We are asked to believe that humans are drastically changing the earth's climate  by burning fossil fuels. The problem with their theory is very simple: It is not true. Our climate is constantly changing for perfectly natural reasons that have nothing to do with carbon dioxide." -- Statement by a coalition of scientists which includes multiple experts formerly from the EPA, Environment Canada, and the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (UNIPCC).

"While the earth remains, seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall not cease." -- Genesis 8:22

News:

• Fox News Channel: NSA admits anyone connected to the internet can be spied upon.
• The Washington Post: Space Warfare With Russia And China? Pentagon Urged To Prepare For It; New Report Highlights U.S. Vulnerabilities.
• Jerusalem Post: Israel's Electrical Grid Attacked In Massive Cyber Attack; Virus ID'ed & Neutralized

"Apocalyptic Islam"

In an interview with The Jerusalem Post, bestselling author Joel C. Rosenberg warned of the greatest challenge facing our world today: Apocalyptic Islam.

"For the first time in human history, the leaders of two nation states are being driven by eschatology. The rulers of the Islamic Republic of Iran are consumed by ancient Islamic prophecies that predict the end of the world as we know it. So are the rulers of Islamic State (ISIS). The former are Shi'ite. The latter are Sunni."

"Yet both believe their messiah--known as the 'Mahdi' (or 'Twelfth Imam') will appear on Earth at any moment. Both believe he will usher in the End of Days," says Rosenberg. "Both are determined to hasten his coming."

For ISIS, this means building the caliphate in the Levant, which is a nice way of saying they want to take over Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Israel, while slaughtering anyone who gets in their way.

For Iran, the priority is not building the caliphate, but rather building the infrastructure to create an arsenal of nuclear weapons.

When Iran is ready "to commit genocide on an epic scale," warns Rosenberg, they intend to "annihilate America and Israel."

"Apocalyptic thinking is rampant in the Muslim world," Rosenberg cautions.

Roughly half of the 1.6 billion Muslims believe they will live to see the return of the Mahdi and the End of Days, all the while trying to speed things along.

Oh, and in another satanic twist, millions of Muslims believe Jesus is also coming back to earth. Only they don't believe that He is the Messiah or the Son of God as Christians do. Instead, "they believe Jesus is the Mahdi's deputy who will force all infidels to convert to Islam or be slaughtered," says Rosenberg.

A wise man once said: "We have not defeated the idea. We do not even understand the idea." -- Major General Michael K. Nagata, U.S. Special Ops Commander in the Middle East

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love."  -1John 4: 7-8

News:

• Associated Press: ISIS Destroys Oldest Christian Monastery In Iraq; 100's Of Priceless Antiquities Systematically Destroyed Across Region
• CNBC: Soros Warns Europe On "Verge Of Collapse" Due To Refugee Crisis
• Reuters: Islamic State (ISIS) Attack Sets Storage Tanks Ablaze At Libyan Oil Terminal