An iconic moment in the BBC version of “Pride and Prejudice” was Elizabeth’s embarrassment at being found at Pemberley by Mr. Darcy. She was travelling with her aunt and uncle and reluctantly stopped to see the mansion with them, was assuaged at hearing the owner was away, but in the course of the tour he appeared unexpected.
They were both flustered and could only find tropes to say. Commonalities. They soon found their senses and the story soared on.
If only good health could always be a commonality.
I am, again, breathing in smoke from forests that burn north of us. Although Minnesota is practically Tropical Rainforest this summer, other places to the northwest burn.
We keep hoping that the endless rains will clear the air, but I smell that tell-tale smoke even as the gray clouds of rain hover over Corgi Hollows.
Mildew has been a battle, and as you know, moisture is no friend to this old house. Waterproofing people return next week to (hopefully) finish the job with another section to be tiled.
I can tell my health has suffered. I am still a healthy person, I think, but my lungs feel it, and I cough way more than I usually do.
Yesterday I felt pretty bad, so I got little accomplished.
There are days like that.
Still, it is harvest time here, and I am enjoying the tomatoes in the garden as they ripen on the vine. I love my marigolds and nasturtiums. The aloe vera that I’ve had for years looks amazing. It bloomed again, exciting the hummingbirds. I have two giant volunteer sunflowers that make me smile. I am so happy for them. I filled the bird feeders for the first time in months and the wildlife is grateful.
I baked a buttercup squash yesterday, along with three loaves of pineapple banana bread. I froze the bread. I can’t help it. I don’t even need it! I will try to bring it to Bible Study on Sunday. If I remember! I just can’t help myself. I must put up food this time of year. It’s wired into me.
One day at a time, one step at a time. Each year I try to purge and clean, but the last years of grief were pretty quiet on that front. Minimal was accomplished.
In our materially “blessed” country the stuff can pile up pretty quickly. I should be making several trips to the thrift store this week. The purge is on.
I’m giving up many, many books, too. Water has damaged a lot of them, so they are simply garbage, but I’ve decided to let many home-schooling materials go. The cost of education.
The times change so fast. We are all wired now, so finding a book online is simple.
Of course I have my book friends that I still don’t part with. Kids will have to purge them after I’m gone.
How really fragile we are! I still have three parents, and I am so blessed to have them in my old age! I am living with that blessing day by day. I know things can change, quickly, and I am learning to bless the Lord daily, for this day, for this moment. Ten year plans seem sketchy these days.
Spiritually and physically I don’t see us around in ten years.
As the “evangelical” church drifts from a solid stance on eschatological issues I want to quietly affirm my own doctrinal stance on the last days.
Scripture gives us several examples of being “caught up” to heaven. Enoch and Elijah for starters, Jesus. Paul writes about an NDE he had where he was caught up (he can’t say if it was in the flesh).
In this manner, says the Scriptures, we (the followers of Christ) will also be caught up.
I don’t need anyone to explain that simple sentence to me. I just believe it.
When we are caught up (latin equivalent, English usage: rapture, Hebrew: harpazo) is still a big question to discuss and speculate, but Jesus told us to watch.
He even gives a crown to us for watching. Another crown to cast at His worthy feet!
Scripture plainly states that we won’t be unaware of this time! Jesus gives us all sorts of clues about the end of days, the coming of the Day of the Lord. There is leeway in interpreting “the day of the Lord,” but it has to do with the end.
The end.
It can all be summed up: “The End.”
The end is coming. Are you ready?
The end of the church age is in sight. The house of Pisces (the sign of the fish) has transitioned into the house of Aquarius (the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.) Christ will reign for 1,000 years while the devil is locked up.
Things have to happen before that kingdom on earth begins: Israel must be dealt with, the church has to celebrate a bridal feast with the Savior. The church has to go to do this. The feast happens in heaven. The church also returns with Jesus to reign with Him.
All these things must come to pass.
There are some scary things described in the book of Revelation, written by John, Jesus’ beloved disciple. John was the last disciple to survive of the twelve. He spent time on an island in the Mediterranean Sea at the end of his life. God gave him a picture of what would come in the next millennia. Two thousand years.
God is wrapping things up.
Isaac Newton predicted Christ’s return around 2050.
Predictions have been made for millennia.
A good, solid prediction can be based on the Hebrew Idiom that refers to the Feast of Trumpets: “Not knowing the day or the hour.” Only the priest could declare/know that moment of the feast’s commencement.
Only the priest can declare that moment of harpazo.
Jesus always kept the feasts.
I’m banking on being caught up here, actually soon. I’ve been watching and waiting for 60 years.
My grandpa was a dispensational preacher, so it’s in my blood to be dispensational, theologically. I am mostly dispensational. I still believe that the Holy Spirit can be a powerful Person and intersect with this dispensation in many ways. He is God.
And, boy, does it make sense.
I don’t need fancy theologian talk. Scriptures speak to me, personally. God is a personal God. He is MY SAVIOR.
I am supposed to watch. I am supposed to look for signs that the Bible tells me to look for.
Simple obedience, that is what I want to spend my days here doing, being, living.
May I encourage you to earn that crown for watching? Are you ready? Is your name in the Book? Are you right with God? Do you believe? Did you put your trust in Jesus?
The most gripping and blatant sign is the existence of the nation of Israel after 2,000 years. This is amazing. Jesus is so good! He wants us to be comforted, to have hope.
He gives it to us.
We have hope in His glorious returning.
Do these words resonate?
Follow Jesus.
I have decided to follow Jesus.
…
For those who have chosen to succumb to Augustine’s frustration with the Jewish people I would warn you. Augustine has his place in history, but perhaps most for influencing the falling away from God’s people. Israel is, indeed, different from the Church of Christ, yet the church should never have divorced herself from the ancient people of God. This was an epic mistake.
The feasts ordained by God are symbolic for the church as much as for the Jews. Augustine messed up. And so began 2,000 years of ……
Get back to Scripture. See the patterns and the whole story. Jesus is Jewish! Those who follow Jesus follow Messiah! We are grafted in. God has not forgotten Israel, and the upcoming seven years (the last “week” predicted by Daniel) will commence to bring them into the Kingdom of God.
Watch.
MARANATHA!