Reinforcing the Wall, Stand and Be Not Weary

By Ray Gano

Folks I have been disheartened lately.

In no other time in history have we seen God’s hand at work. Daily we see more and more pieces being placed in the bible prophecy puzzle than ever before. This is a time of GREAT excitement because daily we see scripture unfold.

But people are becoming numb to this fact and that is what disheartens me.

All people see about them is doom and gloom where in reality we should be rejoicing because we know that our Lord is coming soon for His spotless bride.

Paul reminds us to not be weary…

Galatians 6:9(KJV) And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

But all around me I see people dropping like flies and that disheartens me.

Why?

Because the many people I talk to give me the same excuse, well it is multiple excuses but it boils down to one primary thing and that is they choose to not play anymore and stick their heads in the sand.

I hear excuses such as…

• I’m to busy
• I don’t care anymore
• There is nothing I can do about it
• I’m just gonna wait for the Rapture
• There’s to much to Read / Study / Learn / Report / Convey / Share
• Things are too confusing
• Are you sure the rapture is coming?
• Yada yada yada…

Do you see what I mean?

Friends, every single one of us have a responsibility to the Lord. If you are reading this right now, THEN A HIGH FIVE KUDOS TO YOU!

You have not fainted and you are still on the wall!

Do you realize that we have rewards waiting for us right around the corner?

2Ti 4:8 (KJV) Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

I am troubled that people are taking themselves out of the game when it is NOW that we need watchmen more than ever on the wall sounding the alarm of our Lord Jesus Christ.

People making those selfish head in the sand excuses, forget what God says…

Heb 13:6 (KJV) So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Several of my heroes were involved in the civil war; they were very strong God fearing men who had honor and valor.

These men were, General Robert E. Lee, one of the most respected Generals to ever serve this nation and the Union. And Lt. General Thomas Jackson AKA Stonewall Jackson, a General that is held in the highest respect to many of those who have served throughout the years.

One evening Stonewall Jackson was asked the following by a Captain John D. Imboden

"General" Captain John D. Imboden remarked,

"How is it that you can keep so cool and appear so utterly insensible to danger in such a storm of shell and bullets as rained about you when your hand was hit?"

General Stonewall Jackson instantly became grave and reverential in his manner, and answered, in a low tone of great earnestness:

"Captain, my religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me."

He added, after a pause, looking Captain John D. Imboden full in the face:

"That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave" (1)

That is my wish as well, that all would be equally brave.

Friends and fellow watchmen on the wall, now is not the time to be faint and weary of heart. We are standing in the crossroads of life and standing upon that wall at our moment of greatness. For all of us are watchmen, predestined to honor and valor in the service of our Lord in these last days. In this calling we can take our comfort. Knowing that, daily we must remember that we are the body of Christ’s last defense.

I love Joshua, he is a hero of mine. He was a mighty man of God who had great valor and courage before the Lord.

Joshua stated the following…

Joshua 1:9 (KJV) Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Another one of my heroes is David, a man after God’s own heart. He gave these words to his son Solomon…

1Ch 28:20 (KJV) And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

Psalms 27 is a great psalm of David. The general object of the psalm is to excite in others confidence in God; and when you read it, one gains the strength and fortitude to stand upright upon the wall because it is God in whom we trust and wait upon.

But here is a little background to this Psalm.

It is understood that the situation which gave cause for David to pen this Psalm is that he learned that Saul died a cowardly death leaning upon his spear and then asking an Amalekite soldier to finish the job (2 Sam1:6-9).

David needed to instill hope once again in his fellow soldiers of Judah. We learn that in the Septuagint version, Psalms 27 has the title, “A Psalm of David before his anointing.” Because of this, it is believed that David stated Psalms 27 to his men there at his anointing in Hebron. They needed to have a boost in confidence and to know that the job they were called to is one of greatness and honor. They needed to know and remember that it is the Lord who is in control and that He is their Salvation. It was on that day that David was first inaugurated as the new king of Israel as found in 2 Sam 2:4.

Read now the words of the Lord given to David, the new king of Israel, to his faithful soldiers and words that we as watchmen on the wall can take solace in as well.

Psalms 27:1-14 (KJV) “A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. 4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. 5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. 7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. 9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. 10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. 11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. 12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. 13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

It is Psalms 27:14 which is the binder that gives us strength to carry on another day upon the wall.

Here it is again, and hear David’s voice speaking it to his troops.

Psalms 27:14 (KJV) Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Folks, it is my personal belief that those who are abandoning the wall are weak in God’s Word. It is God’s Word that we find our strength. Leaving the wall to learn God’s word is another poor excuse and one lacking in commitment to ones calling. I know that these are hard words to say, but it is what I feel is true.

Folks, if we abandon our fellow watchmen and abandon our duty upon the wall, do you realize the sorrow that one will gain in their life? This is called walking away from what the Lord has called you to do and a form of disobedience.

These are hard words to say, but you know when rubber meets the road, I am correct in what I am saying.

Friends, if you are reading this, you are a watchman on the wall.

If you are a PZ Insider, you are a watchman on the wall.

If you are not a watchman on the wall, why else do you have this insatiable need for news? Have you looked at a news article and it seem to jump off the page in 3-D Technicolor? You read it and you hear the words in surround sound dolby stereo.. Right?

That is happening to you because you are called to be a watchman on the wall and it is your duty to sound the alarm.

The time is now to get tough and stand. We must know the word of God and have it buried in our heart. Because it is God’s Word that carries us through in battle.

With that said, we need to equip for this battle. How we do that is we must learn God’s Word and have it in our hearts.

Days are coming where the ownership of the bible may be a crime. In fact, go to any Christian bookstore and try to find a good King James Bible. It is hard because they are becoming scarce. They are being replaced by all these watered down modern versions. Shoot, try to find a Thompson Chain Reference in a King James Version and odds are that you have to special order it.

Here is the plan that I am adapting from “The Gideon’s Scripture Memory Verse Course.”

Let’s start with the what is being called the KEY VERSES

#1 - Romans 1:16 - The Gospel

#2 - Colossians 4:6 - The Answers

#3 - 2 Cor 5:17 - The Christian Life

#4 - John 15:5 - The Fruit

#5 - 2 Corinthians 1:20 - The Promises

#6 Eph 6:13 - Be Prepared

We first need to learn and memorize the foundations and then each foundation key verse has 10 sub verses that focus on the primary area.

Folks, Tracye and I do not want to be the only ones here left of the wall. We need you here beside us and together we can make a difference for the Lord.

The following page I have laid out these verses so that you can print this out on card stock and then cut out the cards. I encourage you to carry these with you all the time so that you can set them to heart. In doing this, you will always have God’s Word with you and when there seems to be dispare upon the wall, you have these to fall back on.

The time is now to stand and be counted and not shirk ones duty to the Lord and abandon your post.

I am honored to be a watchman on the wall and await the day to here my Lord tell me..

Enter, my good and faithful servant into the Joy of The Lord…

Maranatha!

Do We Really Love Christ?

By Ray Gano

Joshua 24:14 -15 (KJV) Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Why did Joshua make this statement?

He feared for Israel.

He started to see Israel become lazy and they were choosing the apostate ways of the Canaanites, the false ways, the ways of the world.

Israel was become complacent.

Fast forward to today and what do we see? The same thing, people making excuses so that they can indulge in their pet sins. They wallow in the ways of the Canaanites, the ways of the world, the ways God has told us to stay clear of.

Like Joshua, we too must choose this day, whom we are going to serve.

But that is just the beginning.

Once we have chosen, we must take action on it.

Christ said in John 14:15 (KJV) If ye love me, keep my commandments.

But have we?

I don't think so. I believe we are moving in the opposite direction instead of living how Scripture tells us.

We are driven by self interest

Scripture says… Matthew 5:44

Matthew 5:44 (KJV) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

We are consumed about Material Things

But scripture says… Matthew 6:31-33

Matthew 6:31 (KJV) Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? Or, What shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

Matthew 6:32 (KJV) (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

Matthew 6:33 (KJV) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

We worry about what tomorrow brings-

Scripture says… Philippians 4:6

Philippians 4:6 (KJV) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

We are a nation of self-indulgence and debauchery -

Scripture says… 1 Corinthians 10:7-8

1 Corinthians 10:7 (KJV) Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

1 Corinthians 10:8 (KJV) Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

Wanting what the "Jones" have and keeping up with the Jones is all important -

Scripture says.. Exodus 20:17

Exodus 20:17 (KJV) Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's.

Legalistic?

Judgmental?

Jesus Christ The Word says… If ye love me, keep my commandments.

But are we doing that?

But more than that, do we really care what the bible says anymore anyways?

Do we really love Christ?

If we do, why don't we heed His word?

One of the most common questions I get is the following… Is America in Bible Prophecy?

Are we?

Look around and what do you see?

2 Timothy 3:2 (KJV) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

2 Timothy 3:3 (KJV) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

2 Timothy 3:4 (KJV) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

2 Timothy 3:5 (KJV) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

2 Timothy 3:6 (KJV) For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

2 Timothy 3:7 (KJV) Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Sounds like today

Sounds like America

It may even sound like some of us sitting here right now.

Ouch!

Have you really committed your life to Jesus Christ or are you just paying lip service?

I keep hearing the same petty excuses from many Christian folks.

Oh we go to church on Sunday mornings…

Keep the Ten Commandments…

I am a good person; I even give to the poor…

But I ask, does He live within your heart?

1John 2:4 (KJV) He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Isaiah 8:20 (KJV) to the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

1 Corinthians 10:21 (KJV) Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

Man is spiraling out of control through the lust of the flesh and his rebellion to God.

If you are reading this I ask, are you truly born again or are you paying a bunch of lip service?

Are self interest, material things and keeping up with the Jones more important?

Who do you really serve?

We opened this with Joshua asking Israel to make the choice.

He said "Choose you this day whom you will serve."

Is America in Bible Prophecy?

Figuratively yes she is, you will find her in Isaiah 5:8-23, Romans 1:18 - 32 and as I have shown, 2 Tim 3:1-7.

But we find her in yet another scripture.

Revelation 3:15-16 (KJV) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.

But here is another question; do you see yourself in this?

Have you chosen this day whom you will serve and if so are you doing it with all your heart, soul and mind?

Christ says… If you love me, keep my commandments.

Do you love Him?

Really or is it just lip service?

Who Do You Serve?

Jesus stated the following…

John 14:6 (KJV) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

If you do not have Christ in your life, you will spend eternity in hell. This is a fact. It does not matter if you believe this or not, it is the truth spoken by Jesus himself. If your name is not written in the Lambs Book of Life you will go to hell for what you have not done and that is accepting Christ as your personal savior. To be placed in the Lamb Book of Life, you need to turn your life completely over to Him. Having "head" knowledge or "just believing in Christ" is not the same as having "heart" knowledge with Christ living in your heart. We know that even the devils believe in Him, where are they spending eternity?

James 2:19 (KJV) Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

We work hard at Prophezine to show that Bible Prophecy is coming to pass. Because of this fact, the Bible is true. Since the Bible is the true and inerrant word of God, there is a heaven and there is a hell.

If you claim the title of "Christian" then take account of yourself this day. Many claim the title, but we read in God's Word that the title does not get you into heaven.

Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Who you serve will determine where you will spend eternity. If you are not serving Christ and a true child of God, then you are serving Satan and a child of the enemy.

If you are not 110% sure, then take account of yourself, your very life depends upon it.

1John 1:9 (KJV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

________________________________________

About the Author:

Ray & Tracye Gano are the Executive Directors of Prophezine. Prophezine deals with Bible Prophecy and World Events from a Pre-trib, pre-millennial, dispensationalist stand point. They currently serve close to 70,000+ (and growing) people world wide with a weekly newsletters, daily news updates, community based website and Internet radio shows. Ray recently released his latest project “Escape The End Time Money Snare – The CD a multimedia CD co-authored with Wilfred Hahn focusing on how to escape the trappings of mammon and learning how to live simply in God’s abundance.

Please visit Prophezine by going to http://www.prophezine.com

visit their new daughter ministry Wisdom Farms at http://www.wisdomfarms.com

Q&A - How Do We Know The Path We Are On?

By Ray Gano

Hello Ray!

I have a really important question for you about your article "Are You Really Living for the Lord". How do we know the path we are on? If so many people claim to be good Christians, how do we know that we are "Living for God?" I totally understand the Sunday morning Christian reference; however where do we draw the line of what is acceptable and what is not?

I completely understand that we are not to love money or material things. My second question is, if you are fortunate to make decent money is it wrong to have nice professional clothes for work? Is it wrong to try to be the best you can be as long as you are not "cocky" about it or look down on others?

I just sometimes wonder if taking vacations is a sin or buying my daughter a new sweater she likes. I believe it is worthy of discussion. The world has so many people (pastors, ministers, priests, etc.) telling us so many different things. ~~ PZ Reader Paula

You ask some very good questions, the fact that it is important to you tells me that you are on the right path.

In today's world salvation is taught, but sanctification is not. Because of that, people stop at the cross and then use grace as a license to sin.

What is forgotten is that it does not end with the cross, that is where everything begins.

What we need to realize is that a very high price was paid so that we may be seen "spotless" before our Father God. That sacrifice was Christ being scourged, mocked, tortured and then crucified. Read my latest article The Museum of Idolatry. I end it showing what the world is now mocking, our Lord and Savior.

Here is what scripture says...

Romans 12:1-2 (KJV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

What did Christ do for us? He suffered at the hands of the world to pay for our sins.

What then is our reasonable service? To give our lives over to Him and the service of our Lord. Now, we are already Christians, we have the cross, but now we start walking the life of sanctification.

What distinguishes a true Christian from a C.I.N.O.? (Christian in name only) In most cases the answer is one word - guilt. Those who are truly Christians are convicted when they sin and feel guilt whenever they do sin ( and we all sin).

Those who aren't true Christians don't feel guilt, either because they have quenched the Holy Spirit or because they were never saved in the first place.

If fact, one of the sure ways to find out if you are really saved is how you react to sin.

If you just shrug it off and say "everyone sins". Then you have problems.

If you hate every sin you have committed and feel guilt every time, you are saved.

Scripture says...

1 Peter 1:16 (KJV) Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Are you living a holy and acceptable life unto the Lord? Do you obey God's Word or do you do as you wish and slap the name Christian on things of the world so that it soothes your conscience.?

Christ said...

John14:15 (KJV) If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Do you love Him? Not only do you love Him for all to see, but do you love Him inside as well? Do you obey Him even when no one is looking? If we love the Lord, we keep His commandments. Yes we still mess up from time to time because no matter what we are still born of that sin nature and we will never escape from that here on earth while we still inhabit these "dirty rags" of a body.

Scripture says..

Isaiah 8:20 (KJV) "to the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."

1 Corinthians 10:21 (KJV) Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

1 John 2:4-5 (KJV) He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

We live in a world where we as man call the shots. No longer do we submit to Father. So many who claim the title Christian have one foot in the church and one foot out. What these people do not realize is that they are lying to themselves, because they do not obey God's Word. They are deceiving themselves and being deceived. They are on the Broadway vs the Narrow way.

Christ tells us himself Matthew 7...

Matthew 7:20-23 (KJV) Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Often what people do to sooth their conscience is to say that Christ is talking to those who are in cults, false religions, ect. Problem with that is that there is no religion or cult out there besides true Christianity that call Jesus Lord...Lord. They call Him "a lord," one of many lords, ect. But never THE LORD.

So Christ is talking to "Christians" here in Matthew 7. When you read the context fully, it is self evident. These verses are the most fearful verses any Christian can read, because He is talking to us.

Matthew 7:13-14 (KJV) Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

We see here that on the Broadway, many there be which go in there at.

We also see regarding the narrow gate that "few there be that find it."

Can we lose our salvation? No we cannot. But what we need to ask ourselves, have we been deceived for so long thinking that we are Christians, where in reality, we are not? That is a terrifying question.

Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me

Do you love the Lord, but more importantly, who do you serve? Do you serve yourself, your whims, wants, desires or have you given it all up and fully submitted to the Lord.

Here is what scripture say...

Mark 10:17-23 (KJV) And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God.

19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

I want to take a little time here and explain what is going on. We in the west do not fully understand at times Jewish tradition and culture.

Here we see a man who came running to Christ, upon standing before Christ HE KNEELED. Next this man called him GOOD MASTER.

Here are two very important clues that often because we are ignorant of Jewish culture we read right over it thinking nothing of it. The man kneeled and called Christ GOOD MASTER.

In fact Christ comes back and asks the man " Why callest thou me good?"

What we do not realize is that even today in Jewish culture you never call anyone "good." Why? Because there is only one who is good and that is God.

So what do we know that is taking place here?

We know that this man realized who he was addressing.. He KNEW He was addressing God in the Flesh, The Messiah. The man knelt before him as God and called Him good, knowing He was God.

Knowing who Jesus was, the man asks Jesus how to get to heaven. He names everything he has done, but Christ tells him that he needs to sell everything, give it to the poor, take up his cross and follow Him.

Now we have got to remember that this man knows he is talking to The Messiah, and what did he do?

He went away angry because he was not willing to give up all to serve the Lord. Here in this story the man's "all" was his possessions. But for other people it could be some other thing, lifestyle, whatever.

The key is that we submit fully to Him forsaking everything then we pick up our cross and follow him.

Remember the following...

1 Corinthians 10:21 (KJV) Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

If you are not serving God, you are serving the flesh. There is no grey area, no middle of the road. God is binary, either you are serving Him, or you are not serving Him. We know this by reading Revelation.

Revelation 3:16 (KJV) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.

Of Buy Sweaters and Pastors Saying Different Things

>>> I just sometimes wonder if taking vacations is a sin or buying my daughter a new sweater she likes. The world has so many people (pastors, ministers, priests, etc.) telling us so many different things.

Buying things for your children is a blessing to them. God blesses us and we are His children, why can't we bless ours? The problem going overboard to the point where we are spoiling our kids which is more of a disservice than a benefit. Does God give us everything we want? No, He promises us to provide for our needs, everything else is a blessing.

You speak of vacations, that is a blessing from the Lord, at least that is how I look at it. I know that I cannot afford going on vacation, so if we are able to go anywhere at all, the blessing has to come from the Lord to make it possible.

As for the world's pastors, teachers and such. What we need to always remember is to go back to the final authority, that is God's Word.

Speaking of the Bereans, Paul states the following...

Act 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

This is a principle that we in the church have forgotten. We have become lazy and depend on others to tell us what we need to know vs searching out the scriptures for ourselves.

How Do We Know The Path We Are On?

>>>> How do we know the path we are on? If so many people claim to be good Christians, how do we know that we are "Living for God?" I totally understand the Sunday morning Christian reference; however where do we draw the line of what is acceptable and what is not?

Again, it is how we handle our sins which shows us what path we are on.

Those who are truly Christians are convicted when they sin and feel guilt, where the Sunday morning Christians (C.I.N.O) don't feel their guilt. This is because they have either quenched the Holy Spirit or they have no guilt because they were never saved in the first place.

As for knowing what is acceptable and what is not, we learn this by reading God's Word daily.

Scripture says...

Deuteronomy 6:5-9 (KJV) And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

Clearly God is telling us to meditate always on His Word. Not only that, but to teach His Word to our children always as well. Think about this for a moment, when you sit, when you walk, when you lie down, when you get up. That pretty much encompasses all day. When you do this, His Word becomes part of you and with that comes discernment.

Here is a good example. Do you know how treasury department agent knows how to spot a counterfeit dollar? They study the original. They know how a dollar feels, looks like, smells like and even tastes like. They know the dollar bill so well that when a fake is given to them, they "just know" it is a fake. How do they know? They know it is a fake because they know the true dollar so well.

That is what we as Christians need to get to. We need to know God's Word so well that when error, bad things, wrong things no matter to what degree or size it is, if it is wrong we will "just know" because we know the truth. We know the truth because we know God's Word; that is because we spend so much time with His Word.

With all that stated, I have to ask …

Who Do You Serve?

Jesus stated the following…

John 14:6 (KJV) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

If you do not have Christ in your life, you will spend eternity in hell. This is a fact. It does not matter if you believe this or not, it is the truth spoken by Jesus himself. If your name is not written in the Lambs Book of Life you will go to hell for what you have not done and that is accepting Christ as your personal savior.

To be placed in the Lamb Book of Life, you need to turn your life completely over to Him. Having “head” knowledge or “just believing in Christ” is not the same as having “heart” knowledge with Christ living in your heart. We know that even the devils believe in Him, where are they spending eternity?

James 2:19 (KJV) Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

We work hard at Prophezine to show that Bible Prophecy is coming to pass. Because of this fact, the Bible is true. Since the Bible is the true and inerrant word of God, there is a heaven and there is a hell.

If you claim the title of “Christian” then take account of yourself this day. Many claim the title, but we read in God’s Word that the title does not get you into heaven.

Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?

Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Who you serve will determine where you will spend eternity. If you are not serving Christ and a true child of God, then you are serving Satan and a child of the enemy.

If you are not 110% sure, then take account of yourself, your very life depends upon it.

1 John 1:9 (KJV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me, we are here to serve.

Some Dead Guy Came Back To Life!

By Ray Gano

I was having a conversation with a brother in the Lord and we were talking about the last days.

We started talking about the Antichrist and he mentions something about him getting shot in the head, then Satan would resurrect him and the world would follow him thinking he was the messiah.

Now I have heard this before, even seen it in some of the popular "tribulation" films and even heard bible prophecy experts teach this as fact.

"Well Ray, in Revelation it tells us that the antichrist will suffer a deadly wound to the head and the whole world will see him raise from the dead."

Really?

There is only one giver of life and that is God. And in fact Christ also holds the keys to death and hell as well.

Am I to understand that during the tribulation Satan will be given the power to breathe life into a dead body?

Folks, when did we allow critical thinking to go out the window?

Does scripture really say that Satan has the power of life over death and will raise the antichrist from the dead?

Beasts, Beasts and more Beasts

Many people point to the 7 headed beast in Revelation 13 and call him the AC. If it is the AC, the entire beast should have died, not just one head "dying." I mean if we are calling out for some guy to die via a mortal head wound, then the whole beast should die right?

What has happened through the years is that a wild idea of some guy suffering a mortal head wound rose and now today it is being taught as doctrine.

People are not reading what is in scripture. In fact what many are doing is regurgitating what they have been taught in popular books and movies instead of really being good Bereans and see if that is what is taking place in scripture.

In fact, I have run across people that when they look at the scripture in Rev 13, they filter God's Word via these errors they have acquired, thus making some dead guy coming to life as some form of "truth."

Where do people get this?

The error comes in misunderstanding the differences between all the "beasts" mentioned in scripture. People have really bent the rules of interpretation basically overlaying what they have been told / their ideas, over what scripture says.

But where do they get this idea of some guy coming back to life by the power of Satan?

Nine times out of ten, people point to Revelation 13:1-3.

Lets really see what scripture says...

Revelation 13:1-3 (KJV) And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

What we need to understand first and foremost is that John was writing in an allegory form. He was "painting a picture" with his words. He was also pulling from God's Word, that being Daniel.

Another point that we must always remember is that scripture always interprets scripture.

So we see this "beast" coming out of the sea. The popular interpretation has always been that this represents the man Antichrist.

But that is not the case. Again scripture interprets scripture.

First we see that this beast has these different body parts. A lion, a bear and a leopard. Those of you who are seasoned students of bible prophecy should recognize these beasts that John is naming. These are the same previous beasts mentioned in Daniel 7. We see he has the body of a leopard, the feet of a bear, and the mouth of a lion.

What do we know about these beasts?

Well we know from Daniel and from history the following…

The Lion = Babylonian
The Bear = Medo-Persia
The Leopard = Greece / Macedonia

What John is showing us is that this beast coming out of the sea is not a man, but it does represents the empire of the antichrist.

We know this because scripture interprets scripture. The beast is made up of past empires spoken of by Daniel, those being Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece / Macedonia. We also know that John is speaking of an empire because the beast has seven heads and ten horns. These are also symbols of empires / kingdoms as well.

We know that the ten horns represent ten rulers that will rise up and join the beast empire. Daniel also tells us this.

Daniel also tells us about the number of horns and about each empire because the angel made it very clear in Daniel 7, and just as Daniel was a roadmap for the ancients to recognize Antiochus Epiphanes, the first AC spoken of in Dan 11. Revelation is a roadmap for us to recognize the future Antichrist, which is also referenced in the second AC spoken of Dan 11.

Now what about the seven heads?

The seven heads represent authority or government. We know that the seven heads spoken here by John are the seven beast empires that persecuted the nation of Israel,. How do we know this? again Daniel tells us of this.

So the next question is if the wounded head is not the AC, then who or what are the seven heads?

The Egyptian Empire

The Assyrian Empire

The Babylonian Empire

The Medo-Persian Empire

The Macedonian Greek Empire

The Roman Empire

And finally... The Ottoman Empire

WHAT? The Ottoman Empire? Yes, it is the wounded head, which we see rising again today. This is also the empire everyone seems to forget about which died only recently due to WW I and WWII.

NO, NO It Has To Be Rome

How do we know it is not Rome? John has told us it isn't Rome.

Please read the following scriptures that John wrote.

Revelation 17:8 (KJV) The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

Revelation 17:11 (KJV) And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

Right here in black and white John is clearly saying that the Revived Empire of the last days is NOT Rome.

Not only does John say it once, but he stresses the point three times.

Let's look at these scriptures more closely....

1. The beast that thou sawest was, (It existed prior to the time of John's writing Revelation) and is not; (DID NOT EXIST during the time of John writing Revelation) and shall ascend (shall return in the future) out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition:

2. when they behold the beast that was, (It existed prior to the time of John's writing Revelation) and is not, (DID NOT EXIST during the time of John writing Revelation) and yet is. (shall return in the future)

3. And the beast that was, (It existed prior to the time of John's writing Revelation) and is not, (DID NOT EXIST during the time of John writing Revelation) even he is the eighth (shall return in the future

So in Johns own words we see that he is clearly stating that the revived empire is NOT Rome. Yet the traditions of men say it is Rome.

I have to ask, who is correct, the teachings of man or God's Word?

Let's look at history.

The Egyptian Empire begat the Assyrian Empire, which begat the Babylonian Empire, which begat the Medo-Persian Empire, which begat the Macedonian Greek Empire, which begat the Roman Empire.

But these are just six, what about the seventh?

Where was the final seat of Rome? It wasn’t Rome Italy. The final seat of Rome was Constantinople. Today we know it as Istanbul Turkey, which also happens to be the primary seat of the Ottoman Empire.

So out of Rome it begat the Ottoman Empire.

So we can see that the beast in Rev 13:1-3 is not the AC as is taught. In fact it is the beast empire that the "Dragon" Satan gives power too. In this we see prior empires who were Israel's enemies join together as one confederate empire to do one thing, that is to destroy Israel.

What we need to give credence to is that we are in fact witnessing the once Ottoman empire which was once wounded by a "fatal wound" coming back to life today.

NOW… please note that John is not pointing to the EU, the US, in fact he is not pointing to anywhere in the west at all.

Again scripture names who's who and history confirms what scripture states. Daniel also confirms what Revelation shows.

The wounded empire is in fact the Ottoman Empire.

In fact it is Islam which is the weak glue that binds it. This is why Daniel mentions the iron and clay. They are bound together, but it is a weak confederation ready to break at any moment. Just as the clay and iron mixed do not hold soundly, neither will this confederacy of Islamic nations.

The rising empire is held together by one thing, their mutual hatred for Israel, Jews and Christians and their "Struggle" (Jihad) to bring about a global Muslim empire.

So it isn't Rome, but it is Rome that begat the Ottoman, just like Greece begat Rome, Persia begat Greece and Babylon begat Persia.

Daniel's Statue and The Seven Headed Beast

Does scripture interpret scripture? In fact this is what Daniel's statue also shows us.

Daniel's statue is another form of the Beast empire.

We have been taught to just look at heads, chests, arms and legs. But what we fail to recognize is the statue as a whole.

Remember it is the rock which is Christ spoken of in Daniel that destroys the WHOLE statue. Note not just the arms, legs or chest. When we look at the whole statue, we realize it is the beast empire and we see the prior empires that make up the statue just like they make up the beast in Rev 13.

So to bring it full circle, the beast coming out of the sea is not the AC who will come to life again after some head wound and who comes from Europe like many have been taught, it is the beast empire made of Israel's enemies as told to us in Daniel and Revelation, which are the very same nations spoken of in Psalms and Isaiah.

What many of us Christians often forget is that the Bible is a book about the Middle East with Jerusalem at its center. It is not about the EU, USA, or even some Illuminati freemason plot. It is about the oldest blood feud in history. That of Abraham and Lot, Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau. These are the end time players.

J.Vernon McGee, one of my favorite pastors and bible prophecy teachers of all times said…

"To understand the end, we need to go to the beginning, it all started with Genesis."

God is a God of logic. He is not one of square pegs going into round holes.

Believe it or not, this idea of a man being shot and brought back to life by Satan is only 150 years or so in the 1800. It was spawned out of a popular commentary that also helped spawn another grievous error which is known as the "Gap Theory."

Just in case you do not know what the "gap theory" is, here is a quick definition…

Many people have tried to place a gap of indeterminate time between the first two verses of Genesis chapter 1, verses 1 and 2. There are many different versions as to what supposedly happened in this “gap” of time. Most versions of the “gap” theory place millions of years of geologic time (including billions of fossil animals) in between these two first verses of Genesis. This is the “ruin-reconstruction” version of the gap theory.

However, this undermines the gospel as it allows for death, bloodshed, disease, and suffering before Adam's sin. Because most “ruin-reconstruction” theorists have accepted the millions of years dating for the fossil record, they have thus allowed the fallible theories of scientists to determine the meaning of Scripture.

Some put the fall of Satan in this supposed period. But any rebellion of Satan during this gap of time contradicts God's description of His completed creation on day six as all being “very good” (Genesis 1:31).

Source - ChristianAnswers.net - http://www.christiananswers.net/q-aig/aig-c003.html

In other words, "Christian Evolution." This in and of itself is an oxymoron and is still believed by some Christians today.

Now, this idea of some dead guy coming to life really took hold in the 1950's /1960s when the announcement of the European common market was announced and it was with "prophetic announcement" that gave this and other ideas "legs."

I hate to say this, but this is what is commonly known as "newspaper exegesis" or leaning upon one's own understanding. We are using our own private interpretation to say what God's Word says, instead of going to God's Word itself.

Couple the dead guy with the common teaching from Martin Luther who claimed the Roman Catholic church as the beast. It merged together, stuck, and has held even today. Many today still give Luther the credit for being the father of this interpretation.

Now, because Rome is part of Europe, people automatically jump to the EU (Rome) and then jump to the west and stop there instead of following through with what scripture really says.

Remember John telling us it was not Rome? Whatever became of that? It got washed out by the parrots who are parroting each other giving their own interpretation and we being lazy, eating it up as so called doctrine instead of us checking it out for ourselves in scripture.

Luther is the originator of much that is being taught today about Rome, the Catholic church, the pope, that is a fact. While many are aware that Luther (father of the Protestant Reformation) came to view the Rome's Catholic Papacy as the spiritual seat of the Antichrist, few are aware that Luther believed that actually the Turks / Muslims were the Kingdom of Antichrist:

“The Pope is the spirit of Antichrist, and the Turk (Muslim) is the flesh of Antichrist.” source - Martin Luther, Tischreden, Weimer Ed., 1, No. 330

In Luther's 1520 Open Letter to the Christian Nobility, Luther declares: "There is no doubt that the true Roman Empire, which the writings of the prophets foretold in Numbers 24[:24] and in Daniel [11:30f], has long since been overthrown...That was brought to pass...especially when the ‘Turkish’ [Mohammadan] Empire arose almost a thousand years ago." source - Works, Holman, Philadelphia, 1915, II, PP.149 & 154

So again we are pointed to Turkey and the Middle East, not the EU, US nor the west.

Today we see Turkey playing a major role in the whole Middle East peace process and we see Turkey also calling for a return of the Ottoman empire. This is an idea that much of the Middle East is taking under consideration and acceptance is starting to drift towards reviving the wounded head, the Ottoman Empire.

I hope that you take some time to ponder on these things and check them out for yourself. We have become lazy in these last days and have allowed others to tell us what scripture means instead of being a good Berean and seeing if it is true for ourselves.

What we need to do is basically "unlearn" what man has taught us and start looking at things through the eyes of God's Word.

Once we realize that God's Word is about the Middle East with Jerusalem as its center, end time prophecy begins to come into focus more clearly. No more round pegs into square holes and scripture fits completely within full context of scripture confirming itself.

It is my desire to critically look at other ideas that we hold to. Some of these ideas based in error have now become doctrine. People are teaching it and yet have no idea really why these ideas have come to fruition. The reality is that they are just ideas of man and not backed up by solid scripture.

Phillipians 4:8 (KJV) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

BOOK REVIEW Walid Shoebat's God’s War on Terror

By Ray Gano

I read Walid Shoebat’s latest book, “God’s War on Terror.”

Folks, this it truly a paradigm shift.

Walid has presented overwhelming proof that the Antichrist is not from the EU, and that he could come from the Middle East.

He has given overwhelming proof that the Catholic Church is not the one world religion, but the worship of Baal through Islam.

He has given overwhelming proof that we here in the west have been wrong in our “western views” and in fact the bible is a Jerusalem-centric book written about the Middle East, not the EU, America, Catholic Church, ect.

Folks, I will probably loose readers over this, but the scripture that has been presented, I can not argue with. It is clearly there and clearly written.

I am a servant of the Lord, therefore I must submit to His Word and not the teachings of men.

I have dug into original Greek and Hebrew, in fact I ordered a whole CD with many of the ancient documents to truly uncover if this is the truth or not. I have been a good Berean searching the scriptures as well as the solid historical proof.

My conclusion, what Walid has presented is viable truth worth examining.

Folks, we must contend for the truth in scripture, not the “oral traditions.” When someone puts forth evidence and backs it up soundly with solid scripture, not just pulling verses out of context, but viable scripture; the evidence needs to be examined with a sincere heart.

If you are a student of bible prophecy, I challenge you to read the proof Walid has presented. If you are like me, you will no longer be able to stand on a European mindset.

Folks, I am afraid that we have been parroting the parrots and I stand before you just as guilty. We have forgotten what the term “Sola Scriptura” really means. It means by Scripture alone.

Like our Jewish scholarly brothers who stand upon the commentaries of Rambam, Maimonides and other great Jewish rabbi commentators, we have been repeating our own western mindset and our unique oral traditions and not Scripture alone.

We are guilty of sticking the round peg in to the square hole and then saying “it fits” when in fact it does not.

Folks, all these years we have been chasing after some “decoy” called the EU and some false European Antichrist. Satan pulled the wool over our eyes really good on this one. While all of us have been looking to the west, Islam is here now, staring us in the face from the east.

The enemy has lulled us into a false sense of peace and security; he has deceived the very elect to the point that it is common place to hear that Allah and God are one in the same.

Because we have looked to the west, this blaspheme has gone unchallenged.

The enemy got by the watchman and I am ashamed.

Like I said, I will probably have to go get some job at Walmart or something because I will loose readers. But I have seen the truth in scripture; I can not in good conscious claim ignorance of the truth.

For the past 5-6 months Tracye and I have talked, studied, and researched this at length. It is conclusive and there fore we must contend for the truth as commanded in Jude 3, there is no other way.

So again, I challenge you as a student of Bible Prophecy to read Walid’s work; but more than that get your Bible’s out and read the Scriptural evidence. Don’t just take Walid’s word. Scripture is the solid foundation and it is clearly there in Scripture.

Also, if some of you think I am doing this just for the buck, then you are wrong. We are putting everything on the line.

Let me ask you a quick question…

How hard is it to stand up against the EU, Catholic Church and denounce them as the beast, Antichrist, one world government, ect?

What are the ramifications of this?

Nothing.

Is the EU running around persecuting people?

What about the Catholic Church, are they lopping off any heads all in the name of God?

There is no fear standing up against these straw man opponents.

Scripture says..

Luke 10:3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.

Folks, what does common sense tell you?

Who are the wolves today?

Islam.

Do we have something to fear? Yes, we can pay with our very lives.

Our enemy is not from the west; he is coming from the east.

Isa 5:26 (KJV) And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly:

Isa 5:27 (KJV) None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken:

Isa 5:28 (KJV) Whose arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent, their horses' hooves shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind:

Isa 5:29 (KJV) Their roaring shall be like a lion, they shall roar like young lions: yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and shall carry it away safe, and none shall deliver it.

Isa 5:30 (KJV) And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if one look unto the land, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof.

They come bearing the sword shouting “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his Messenger”

Do you understand?

Our Messiah is their Antichrist and their Antichrist is our Messiah.

I asked “Who are the wolves today?”

It is Islam and they await Satan’s anointed the Mahdi, they will return the world to the worship of Baal. He is named clearly in scripture as the Assyrian, The King of Babylon, The Prince of Tyre, The King Pharoh of Egypt. He hails from the Middle East and he is the Antichrist.

Are you a true Berean? If so, take my challenge and prove me wrong.

You won’t be able to because it is God’s Word.

Get Walid’s book “ God’s War on Terror today…

Call 877-832-7200 ask for Keith and tell them Prophezine sent you.

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About the Author:

Ray & Tracye Gano are the Executive Directors of Prophezine. Prophezine deals with Bible Prophecy and World Events from a Pre-trib, pre-millennial, dispensationalist stand point. They currently serve close to 70,000 (and growing) people world wide with a weekly newsletters, daily news updates, community based website and internet radio shows. Ray recently released his latest project “Escape The End Time Money Snare – The CD a multimedia CD co-authored with Wilfred Hahn focusing on how to escape the trappings of mammon and learning how to live simply in God’s abundance.

Please visit Prophezine by going to http://www.prophezine.com

When is Spring Coming?

By Ray Gano

It is Monday, and it is still cold. Do you believe it, we are suppose to get snow here in Texas again!

Folks, God blessed Texas with His own hand..

Brought down angels from the promise land..

Gave them a place where they could dance..

If you wanna see heaven, then here's your chance..

We've been sent to spread the message….

God blessed Texas.

OK … OK … so it is a country and western song.

But still, we live south of the Mason Dixon line, there ain't supposes to be snow in these here parts.

"Snow is for them thar Yankees north of the Mason Dixon." (yep, that's how we speak down here in Texas)

I have to say though, it really makes you appreciate the spring when it comes.

I am already making plans on starting on our garden here and I have some new things that I want to try out.

Experiment #1 - Planting strait into bags of soil. Yep, I was reading an article on "no tilling gardens" and in the article they laid bags of soil down in a row, cut them open and planted right in the bags of soil. I thought that this was a great idea and if this is something that works for me, then it can work for anyone. One of the main reasons I want to give this a try is for all the folks who live in the city, specifically apartments. If one can lay a bag of soil on a patio and grow things, well one can have a garden. It may not be huge, but one can do it.

So, $7.00 for a bag of soil and some seeds and you are good to go.

Experiment #2 - Old carpet weed barrier. I read about this idea in one of the many forums I belong to. Take old carpet and lay it on the ground with the burlap facing down. Cut holes in the carpet and that is where you plant. The rest of the carpet acts as a weed barrier as well as retaining moisture in the ground.

We have a horrible problem with crab grass invading everything. I have raised beds for this reason, but I want to take advantage of the area we are not using. I have tried other weed barriers and they just can't keep the crab grass at bay.

So I am looking forward to giving this a try in those areas where the crab grass is prevalent.

So why am I mentioning my garden? Here is some interesting info from Eric deCarbonnel 's report "2010 Food Crisis For Dummies." This is one of the best, well researched articles out there. I have shared this with folks in the past and his findings are now showing up in the Main Stream Media. People are starting to take notice.

2010 Food Crisis for Dummies

by Eric deCarbonnel If you read any economic, financial, or political analysis for 2010 that doesn’t mention the food shortage looming next year, throw it in the trash, as it is worthless. There is overwhelming, undeniable evidence that the world will run out of food next year. When this happens, the resulting triple digit food inflation will lead panicking central banks around the world to dump their foreign reserves to appreciate their currencies and lower the cost of food imports, causing the collapse of the dollar, the treasury market, derivative markets, and the global financial system. The US will experience economic disintegration.

The 2010 Food Crisis Means Financial Armageddon

Over the last two years, the world has faced a series of unprecedented financial crises: the collapse of the housing market, the freezing of the credit markets, the failure of Wall Street brokerage firms (Bear Stearns/Lehman Brothers), the failure of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, the failure of AIG, Iceland’s economic collapse, the bankruptcy of the major auto manufacturers (General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler), etc… In the face of all these challenges, the demise of the dollar, derivative markets, and the modern international system of credit has been repeatedly forecasted and feared. However, all these doomsday scenarios have so far been proved false, and, despite tremendous chaos and losses, the global financial system has held together.

The 2010 Food Crisis is different. It is THE CRISIS. The one that makes all doomsday scenarios come true. The government bailouts and central bank interventions, which have held the financial world together during the last two years, will be powerless to prevent the 2010 Food Crisis from bringing the global financial system to its knees.

Financial crisis will kick into high gear

So far the crisis has been driven by the slow and steady increase in defaults on mortgages and other loans. This is about to change. What will drive the financial crisis in 2010 will be panic about food supplies and the dollar’s plunging value. Things will start moving fast.

Dynamics Behind 2010 Food Crisis

Early in 2009, the supply and demand in agricultural markets went badly out of balance. The world experienced a catastrophic fall in food production as a result of the financial crisis (low commodity prices and lack of credit) and adverse weather on a global scale. Meanwhile, China and other Asian exporters, in an effort to preserve their economic growth, were unleashing domestic consumption long constrained by inflation fears, and demand for raw materials, especially food staples, exploded as Chinese consumers worked their way towards American-style overconsumption, prodded on by a flood of cheap credit and easy loans from the government.

Normally food prices should have already shot higher months ago, leading to lower food consumption and bringing the global food supply/demand situation back into balance. This never happened because the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), instead of adjusting production estimates down to reflect decreased production, adjusted estimates upwards to match increasing demand from china. In this way, the USDA has brought supply and demand back into balance (on paper) and temporarily delayed a rise in food prices by ensuring a catastrophe in 2010.

Overconsumption is leading to disaster

It is absolutely key to understand that the production of agricultural goods is a fixed, once a year cycle (or twice a year in the case of double crops). The wheat, corn, soybeans and other food staples are harvested in the fall/spring and then that is it for production. It doesn’t matter how high prices go or how desperate people get, no new supply can be brought online until the next harvest at the earliest. The supply must last until the next harvest, which is why it is critical that food is correctly priced to avoid overconsumption, otherwise food shortages occur.

The USDA—by manufacturing the data needed to keep supply and demand in balance—has ensured that agricultural commodities are incorrectly priced, which has lead to overconsumption and has guaranteed disaster next year when supplies run out.

An astounding lack of awareness

The world is blissful unaware that the greatest economic/financial/political crisis ever is a few months away. While it is understandable that general public has no knowledge of what is headed their way, that same ignorance on the part of professional analysts, economists, and other highly paid financial "experts” is mind boggling, as it takes only the tiniest bit of research to realize something is going critically wrong in agricultural market.


USDA estimates for 2009/10 make no sense

All someone needs to do to know the world is headed is for food crisis is to stop reading USDA’s crop reports predicting a record soybean and corn harvests and listen to what else the USDA saying.

Specifically, the USDA has declared half the counties in the Midwest to be primary disaster areas, including 274 counties in the last 30 days alone. These designations are based on the criteria of a minimum of 30 percent loss in the value of at least one crop in the county. The chart below shows counties declared primary disaster areas by the secretary of Agriculture and the president of the United States.

The same USDA that is predicting record harvests is also declaring disaster areas across half the Midwest because of catastrophic crop losses! To eliminate any doubt that this might be an innocent mistake, the USDA is even predicting record soybean harvests in the same states (Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Alabama) where it has declared virtually all counties to have experienced 30 percent production losses. It isn’t rocket scientist to realize something is horribly wrong.

USDA motivated by fear of higher food prices

The USDA is terrorized by the implications of higher food prices for the US economy, most likely because it knows the immediate consequence of sharply higher food will be the collapse of the US Treasury market and the dollar, as desperate governments and central banks dump their foreign reserves to appreciate their currencies and lower the cost of food imports. Fictitious USDA estimates should be seen as proof of the dire threat posed by higher food prices, as the USDA would not have turned its production estimates into a grotesque mockery of reality if it didn't believe the alternative to be apocalyptic.

While the USDA may be the worst offender, the United States isn’t the only government trying to downplay the food situation out of fear. As one Indian reporter writes, governments are lying about the looming food crisis.

… some experts and governments, in full cognizance of the facts, want us not to create panic and paint a picture of parched crops and a looming food crisis. This, they say, would push up food prices unnaturally, lead to hoarding and ultimately result in a situation where many more millions across the world would go hungry. And whether it is the developing world or the developed, it is those at the bottom of the pyramid who are the most affected in such scenarios.

This leads to a confusing divide between reality and government pronouncements, or even between the perspectives of government departments

Confusing divide between reality and government estimates

For months now, the media has been reporting two distinctly, contradicting realities. One of these realities is filled with record crops and plentiful supply, and the other is filled agricultural devastation and ruin. It has been a mad, frustrating experience to read about agricultural disasters and horrendous crop losses in virtually every state combined with predictions of a US record harvest, sometimes in the same article.

You can read the rest of this lengthy article at…

http://www.marketskeptics.com/2009/12/2010-food-crisis-for-dummies.html

My advice is that you start thinking about putting in a garden this spring. I will keep you posted on how our garden does.

Like it or not, things are going to get weird out there, as if now isnt weird enough.

Just to let you know, we are ramping Wisdom Farms website back up again and we are changing the business model. Tracye got buried with the site. So we are moving to a "registered user" model. Tracye is adding articles and updating the site. She is not going to produce a newsletter, but all articles are for folks who choose to register at Wisdom Farms and will gain access to the site. She is still getting things in order, but you can check out the site at www.wisdomfarms.com. Make sure you register and you will gain access to the information.