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There is a song called “Dystopia” on the Japanese band’s OneOkRock’s album “Detox.” The imagery on the screen in the concert is all Illuminati stuff. In this particular band’s repertoire the “Puppet Masters” seem to be recognized and called out, not advocated, as in so many of the popular bands today.

It’s like they “get it.” It’s like they are warning their fans. More likely their fans are the ones who do get it, and they speak to that audience.

Except it is still not truth. So close, but not.

You and I know the truth. This world IS headed for dystopia. It is coming under the auspices of a figure know as the Antichrist.

There have been many, many anti-Christs over the centuries since Jesus came as a baby in the manger. There is one that is coming, described in the book of Revelation. Fascinating reading.

I am beginning to think this Antichrist is intrinsically connected to our current newest tech development, Artificial Intelligence.

You and I both use AI (looks like Al, with an “el” but is actually capital “eye”–I) if we are using a smart phone or computer at all.

The warnings about AI have been steadily coming, but we still see it as a harmless (mostly) tool.

Here’s where I’ve been a bit freaked out by it: distortions of reality. Being fooled by generated material.

Case No. One: dolphin and wildcat in the ocean. I love to watch heart-warming stories about animal rescues. I am an animal lover. It wasn’t long ago when I started to question these stories as being computer generated and the photo-shop was incredible! It was easy to be taken in by the story, the amazing graphics, the great story. But then reality hits.

No way! This couldn’t even be possible.

Case No. Two; text messages that accuse you of doing something bad like forgetting to pay a fee or fine. Boy, are these real sounding! To avoid scams we need to take EVERYTHING with a grain of salt. Verification becomes a necessity.

On a Chinese show someone in China got a phone notification that indicated something positive. Her friend “verified” it. Par for the course—everything must be verified in every country.

But that is getting harder too. Verifying things is cumbersome and time consuming. Isn’t it easier just to ignore?

As AI gets more comprehensive we are more at its mercy. It can change things slightly and incrementally, luring us humans into complete dystopia gradually and surely.

Do you have a paper copy of God’s Word? AI could incrementally change the Word of God. In this world of information overload we need to constantly be questioning the veracity of any information.

As a computer engineer, Ed has struggled with the philosophical implications of this computer age. Think about the feet of the giant figure that Daniel the Prophet saw in his dream—dust. A kingdom ruled by silicon. Perhaps?

Hold on to your old copy of Scripture. We must navigate this world of tech AI, but we can never lose sight of the truth. Scripture is reliable (I like the English KJV translation very, very much as it used Textus Receptus exclusively) and we can discern truth and trust the Lord that He has preserved His Word for us until now.

I trust Him in this.

But I am wary of AI and what it could do to change Scripture. I am wary of the dystopia coming.

As a Rapture believer I trust that Jesus will snatch us out of here before Antichrist really takes control, but I must warn those who still hold to a truth apart from Christ Jesus. That is my job as a “watchman.”

Be alert! Satan will deceive like he did as a serpent with Eve in the garden in Genesis. He is still deceiving.

We trust the Lord our God, and we can remain hopeful that He will continue to protect us! We still must guard our hearts AND MINDS and be Bereans who check every thing according to Scripture!

So have a hard copy of God’s Word. Always watch for alterations. AI can be incredibly convincing. How easy to be swept down its path of deception. Satan can manipulate tech, but God can, of course, too.

Nothing is impossible with God.

We must know truth.

I think of the millions in Japan and around the world, sensing, like the band I mentioned, a coming deception, but unaware of the truth in Jesus Christ that can preserve and protect us from that deception.

We are fighters. We must wear armor. We know our foe. Thanks be to God!

We are not unaware.

It is sweet to be trusting of people, expecting the good, giving the benefit of the doubt. How many times have you shared something false on social media? WE have all done it, I assert. We tend to share things from sources we’ve learned to trust, especially “Christian” sources. Some of us trust “mainstream” sources of information.

But be wise as serpents, innocent as doves. So says the Word.

Don’t get taken in. Navigate this world with discretion.

I pray Jesus comes SOON. The deception is only getting stronger. I pray for us to know the truth and be able to discern the lies. I just don’t trust myself much anymore!

But Jesus knows. He is the Preserver. He will keep me, as He promised.

What about your friends?

The door of the ark is shutting, even as God did the shutting in the time of Noah. They need to know this truth of Jesus, more than ever!

Come Lord Jesus!

MARANATHA!

I would like to strongly recommend my friend’s work and research. Carl Teichrib wrote a book called “Game of Gods” which is MUST READING. Also, listen to his interviews, which are multiple. What he talks about is probably over the heads of 90% of us, but he is a watchman, fully monitoring the trends that drive our societies. What I wrote today is pablum compared to the steaks Carl gives us.

I still struggle with convincing some of my dear ones of even the most basic information regarding coming events. Perhaps you struggle with this too. There are times I want to bash a book on the head—-WAKE UP!!!!!!

Only the Holy Spirit can remove the scales from the eyes. Yes, we must continue to warn, but it is God who opens the eyes and ears. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. Rest in that truth.

I so appreciate Carl and his wife LeAnne. They are true friends. I am honored to know them. Whenever they visit Corgi Hollows I am treated to stories of his recent escapades! Always amazing—always helpful in navigating our walk in this age. Please, please, for your good, check out his material. He is a researcher par excellence.

Last week I had 22 lengthy interactions with people. I counted. I was exhausted on Sunday, and a bit down. My energy was sapped, but my spirit was full.

This was a week I’d intended to “get stuff done.”

Time is in the Lord’s hands, though, and I followed His lead. It’s easier to say “no” these days, as I get older and realize how short time can be!

But I said yes, and I had a fascinating week. It was full of surprises.

Some of the people I got to be with were family, but mostly they were old friends, new friends, good-byes…

I did karaoke with six students. I was the only American. First time singing karaoke and it was fun with them. We went to a Korean restaurant down by the University. There is a karaoke place upstairs. I didn’t know any of the songs they knew, but they had a few John Denver songs that I recalled. One of my favorite songs in high school was “Sailing” by Christopher Cross. They had that one too. 🙂

I got to sing it for my new friends. Being sixty-ish with a bunch of younger students has its privileges. They were so warm and sweet. I hope we can do it again!

As I chat with friends my age I realize how much we all have in common with the general cultural and societal changes. We evolve into entropy. We all have problems.

And the answer is Jesus. Always.

He is love and power.

He gives us the hope to face our issues. He is the fullness that fills our emptiness.

I was listening to Jackson Wang, of GOT7, talk about his lovely family and all the love he gets—yet still has this space for SOMETHING else.

IT’S JESUS, JACKSON!

We must spread the good news. How will they know without a preacher?

The sun is shining on this early August afternoon and it’s beautiful on the lush green of Minnesota. What a beautiful world.

I thank the Lord for all the sweetness, and I will trust Him for accomplishing the tasks that remain before school starts.

By the way, the hotel is for sale and I am pretty sure I will not stay when the new ownership takes over. Another end. I am too old to learn new tricks.

I am experimenting with playing Scripture all day long in the background. I have DVD’s with the New Testament, and a little device called the “Wonder Bible” which simply reads the Word with the press of a button. It’s a great experiment. I’m not always cued in on what is being read, but it is interesting to catch something throughout the day.

I feel that the spoken Word is powerful, cleansing.

This is an experiment. I will see how it goes. I’m living alone right now, so I feel I can do this. It might irritate someone, but for me it is interesting. I will try to report next week.

I would think Corwyn, Yuki, and Topi would benefit too. Why not?

Scripture is powerful!

This is an edit, an add-on: On Sunday I was surprised by a very REAL dream of Brian! I have not dreamed of him since he passed away. I don’t know why. I guess I was just too mentally drained for dreams. I didn’t remember anything. On Sunday I dreamed of him. He was SO REAL. He didn’t say anything, but I said “Don’t go!!” The dream ended and I was left alone. Still, I saw him briefly. If only we could change the past. Maybe. What we think we want or need isn’t always what God planned. I know Brian is in the presence of the Lord and I doubt he would want to be back here. That seems to be the story most tell.

I am promised that I will see him again.

Let’s be surprised!

MARANATHA!

I found Predicate this morning, lifeless. She had lived her reclusive 17 years and passed peacefully. I thought she was still alive when I found her.

But she wasn’t.

On Saturday I could tell that she was fading fast. She seemed unusually loving for her, wanting to be held and stroked. Unlike her. I think she was saying good-bye.

Today in “Days of Praise,” the devotional that comes from ICR, it was about the Noahic Covenant. That is the one that God made with animals.

God cares about the animals. The Bible makes that pretty clear. They are a glorious part of His creation.

Predicate’s days were also numbered.

I grieve today.

She gave us many years of sweetness, sass, and love. She held court as the reigning cat in our home.

Can you believe that we only have Topaz now? I can’t.

Ed has a cat named Alex, and if Ed moves back next summer he will bring Alex along.

Corgi Hollows will have two cats again, then.

I am still looking for a pure white cat like Gandalf. I miss him, so much. He was such a good hunter!

Cats are working animals here at Corgi Hollows. I justify having two, at least.

They keep the chipmunk and mouse population manageable.

I signed another contract with the waterproofing people. This time I pray that the chaos and damp will be ended.

Just in time for the Rapture!

Are you watching all the shaking and quaking of the earth? The political upheaval? The signs are getting urgent.

We watch. We wait.

Rosh Hoshanna is Sept 22 to 24 this year. What a great time to anticipate Christ’s return!

“No one knows the day or hour” is a Hebrew idiom that refers to the Feast of Trumpets. Rosh Hoshanna.

We all may watch with anticipation on these high watch days.

The hay is cut and baled. We finally had a few days of sunshine which allowed this to happen. It’s beautiful. Dogs and I can run in the fields again. The hay was incredibly long! We have limited access to running the fields in winter and when the hay is uncut. It’s a joy to let the dogs run freely.

So many things have been gotten in order this summer at Corgi Hollows. I feel like one of those old Scandinavian housewives that constantly kept their homes spotless in case Jesus came and snatched them home.

Forbid anyone finding a speck of dust in their home after they’re gone!!!

I was raised with that in mind.

Laughable, now, in this crazy technical age, but they had a point.

The Bible itself admonishes us to get our house in order!

Believe me, I’m trying!!

Right now I just keep praying for the Lord to open the eyes of the ones I’m praying for.

I was reading in Hebrews this week. Yes, I’m almost done with reading the whole Bible in 2025. I was reading about the faith of the “hall of fame” in chapter 11. So many of those mentioned were clearly people WITH ISSUES.

Like us.

They had faith. They believed. And God counted them righteous.

What a beautiful promise for us failures.

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.

This is a precious promise and God is the merciful judge.

Will you and I spend eternity together? I sure hope so. I trust that you have placed your faith and trust in Christ. I have.

I cannot imagine the wonder of it all. We have so much to look forward to.

So much hope.

See you up there!

MARANATHA!

My person I am praying for in Korea, Rocky, has a song with this title. I’m borrowing the title today. Pray for Rocky with me. He is an “influencer.”

I am praying for “influencers” in Asia, in particular, since that is where my ministry heart lies currently. I still pray for my friends and contacts in Germany and Turkey as well, along with many prayers for my own people here in America.

Prayer is on my mind. It’s powerful. I am thrilled to see God working in the lives of those I am praying for.

Last night there was another tsunami warning that included the island of Chisik, where Cheri is working this summer. It was the second tsunami warning for her this summer!

I must say that although I am trusting the Lord for my children daily I still catch my breath and my heart beats a bit faster when I think of dangers that accost them. I know God is in control. He’s in control of their lives and deaths.

Haven’t I learned this lesson?

But loss is hard. Life is hard.

The tsunami was a “nothing burger” for Cherie, again, and I must say that I’m grateful to God.

Prayers for those that were affected by the huge earthquake near Russia.

Today my Bible reading took me through the last chapters of 1 Thessalonians and all of 2 Thessalonians.

I was underlining most of chapter five, 1 Thess..

Can you read it today? It isn’t long, and it is a chapter of COMFORT.

Paul assures us that we can watch for Christ’s snatching moment: the Lord is going to catch us away, seize us, snatch us, rapture us, harpazo (greek), and Paul says it’s going to happen like a thief coming in the night.

BUT Paul reminds us that those of us who are watching WILL NOT be surprised and it WILL NOT be like a thief in the night for us believers. Read it again.

We are watching and we can anticipate Christ’s coming for us.

Doesn’t it look like it is soon?

We are not appointed to God’s wrath. That is “Jacob’s Trouble.” We are the bride of Christ, the church, all who believe He is Lord and Messiah.

God isn’t through with His bride, the Jewish people. He will reveal Himself to them through a troubled time, with 144,000 evangelists. (See Revelation, it hasn’t happened yet, folks) Two witnesses will come to preach. Life will be unbearable for those left here. The world will groan!

Too many “christians” think the Bible is all about them. It isn’t. It’s primarily about God’s chosen people. The Jewish people. God made an everlasting covenant with Abraham. Read about it in Genesis.

When God restored the nation of Israel all of us Bible believers took note! Things were starting to happen!

We are watching!

I love 1 and 2 Thessalonians!! Such words of comfort and peace to us who love Jesus.

Watch with me!

MARANATHA!!!

Have you read Hannah Hurnard’s iconic books, “Hinds Feet on High Places,” and “Mountains of Spices” ever?

There is a character called Umbrage in those stories. I find her characterization of the figures in these books fascinating. “Much-Afraid” is the main character and she is from the family of “Fearings.” Umbrage is a relative of Much-Afraid’s, and she interests me.

Umbrage is defined simply as “offense or annoyance.” (Google)

I see it a bit deeper, fleshed out by Hurnard’s character.

This “woman” was locked in an attitude of offense. That’s umbrage. A bitter event happened of which cannot be let go. She represents all of us in a human response to something bitter in life. It’s a natural response.

A few years ago the world was mostly in the clutches of Covid-19. We all took sides, read heaps of information, stood firm or followed. Both sides took umbrage against each other, since the bitterness of the threat pushed us into different warring camps.

Friendships were lost, families were fractured. People died without proper grief and observance. It happened to me, and I can bet (pretty sure) it happened to others. You.

You were forced to take a side if you didn’t take a stand, even if merely by default. No one was excused. You either wore a mask or you didn’t.

No matter what the TRUTH of the whole puppet-master scheme turned out to be, WE humans were skewered into moulds whether we wanted to be or not.

I am not here to discuss that, but what came of it even years afterward. The umbrage.

I examine my own heart and I am guilty of harboring umbrage in my own soul. I confess and ask God’s forgiveness!

I know this is deep down because I took umbrage at someone yesterday for dredging up the past differences of heart and soul, angrily scolding me for holding an opposing view.

I have no right to take umbrage. That is sin in my heart.

I can still hold my own (educated) view, but I cannot succumb to a bitterness that may be linked to that stance.

Take it to the LORD. He understands. How many times could HE have taken umbrage at the Pharisees and Sadducees?

We have no right to take umbrage. We are told to love our enemy. Umbrage will disquiet the heart and mind, snatch peace from your day, and bring rot to your bones. Its relationship to bitterness is tight.

The Chief Shepherd changed Umbrage’s name when she turned to Him. He renamed her Forgiveness.

She was married to Resentment and her daughter was Retaliation. I won’t spoil the story any more because YOU HAVE TO READ IT.

Are you bearing umbrage instead of forgiveness for past “wrongs?” However you perceive these wrongs in your life, can you give them to the Shepherd who cares for your soul more than for your body?

I’m reminding myself, pleading with God to help me forgive, even as this sad history revisits us from time to time.

Satan is a liar, and the father of lies. He loves to dredge up past grievances and spoil our happiness. He would love to destroy our joy. Can you let the past go? Can you forgive? Can you overcome his tactics of umbrage and bitterness?

I hope we can, together.

MARANATHA!

The haze of Canadian fires is settled on our home. It makes for headaches and some breathing discomfort, at least for me. It is not a bad odor, more like a campfire. The smoke is probably not the best for health.

The Lord provided my air conditioning in just the right time.

I worry about my mom, though, as she is “green” (like me) and turns on the air reluctantly. As I keep an eye on her I am once again reminded of the importance of family and the responsibility to look out for one another.

Having one person (at least) is necessary for human health. Having a team is even better. We support each other in every way. The hermits in Yukon Territory die happily alone, but most of us need each other.

This summer has been such an experiment for me.

Living by myself has shown me a couple of things. First and foremost is the realization that family life is so fleeting. Our kids grow and leave the nest before you know it. Suddenly you miss the hectic pace of kid’s activity.

For me, the things I’ve taken for granted are coming into focus. I have written about selfish living as a single person. I think I’ve realized how much I’ve relied on my team. I’ve been a bit too expectant of their support. It’s a good lesson to learn. Having five kids and an extremely capable man for a husband for so many years —I was so helped by all of them.

It’s been a slow lesson to re-learn life skills on my own. No support.

Good lesson learned this summer. I have great appreciation for the team.

Never take that precious family life for granted.

It’s fleeting.

I choose to see answers to prayer as miracles. When I ask God for something I must be patient to see the results of that request. God always answers, but sometimes the answer is, of course, “no.”

When I see God moving and helping me (as I’ve prayed for) in my life I am thrilled, and I see spiritual intervention as miraculous. Every time.

As I have written before, my challenges usually involve major house repairs. I love my old house, built by my uncle decades ago. He has long passed on to glory. I love living in the beautiful countryside, where I grew up.

I was thrilled to buy this house, a foreclosure, ten years ago, with my husband.

I see God’s hand in it completely, as the tragedies and traumas of the past five years unfolded, and I am so happy to be close to my mom as we have seen this time through.

Not to beat this theme to death—but it is my concern for the past three years(!!!) —-I must daily trust the Lord for the repairs that must take place.

I dedicated this house to the Lord with my husband back in 2015. This is HIS house. Each repair and maintenance issue is HIS issue.

And I’ve watched Him help me.

A widow with little ability to know what to do about home repair has survived and seen God work things out.

There have been setbacks. Many. But God is still good and answering my prayers. He has His own purposes in those setbacks!

There are days when I think that the Lord is returning to catch us up soon, why fix anything?

But that is not good stewardship. We must do the right thing and responsible thing UNTIL He appears!

So today I am grateful for a new furnace, new gutters (that have significantly helped the water in the basement issue!—though water still seeps in with the heavy rain we’ve had). The old A/C has been replaced. It hadn’t worked for three years. The new one is humming along in this July heat and smoke from the Canadian forest fires.

I am so grateful to God for this blessing.

The furnace is a must in Minnesota. My old one was iffy and not up to code. I’m so grateful about the new one for upcoming winter months.

Cheri is supposed to return in a couple of weeks.

Being tied down this summer (pets and other responsibilities) has had its benefits. I’ve focused on getting projects done, planning, and PRAYER.

And God is working miracles.

My family fractures are healing. God is taking care of me. One day at a time.

God is GOOD, all the time.

MARANATHA!!!

Our Northern Lights Chorale Director (he’s now retired) invited me to join a “summer choir” which meets for this week, with a concert on Saturday.

I invite you all to attend at Faith Lutheran Church, Hanson Boulevard, Coon Rapids, on Saturday. The 19th. The concert is at 3:00.

I am sure you would enjoy it.

It isn’t a long program, but the songs are beautiful and the proceeds go to memory care and other aging ministries.

For me it was the first time singing in a top-notch choir since Brian left.

Minnesota is the land of 10,000 choirs.

They vary in pitch and skill.

I have been blessed to sing under Bruce Phelps and Jere Lanz. I also was at an event directed by Rene Claussen once.

When you sing Minnesota/F Melius Christiansen/Scandinavian voices — sort of stuff your standards are simply above the norm. The harmony and inflection is tight, the songs are ethereal and heavenly. Angelic. Think Concordia Choir, St. Olaf Choir, etc…

We are simply blessed to have such quality of music in our beautiful state.

Last night my heart was touched. The sound of harmonizing with gorgeous voices all around you is simply amazing.

Bruce was happy with what he heard. Our hearts leaped within us.

If you have the time on Saturday, come. This choir is mostly former or even present members of the Northern Lights Chorale. It was like a family reunion for me.

I spent 10 years with that choir, most Thursday evenings during the school year. It was Brian’s and my “date night.”

I couldn’t even sing for a year after he died. I listened to certain music over and over as part of my grief journey.

I couldn’t listen to choir music or even classical music for a time. It was too painful. God used the time to broaden my tastes and ears.

It is all good.

But it is nice to be back.

Singing.

I’m back.

They that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Read John, chapter four.

Jesus is the answer to all our problems.

Oh that HE would come again SOON!

There is a little clip on Instagram of an elderly lady talking about heaven. I’m inspired by her words.

She said that heaven is a place where God will always be revealing something new —endlessly—that is so wonderful—that we will constantly be worshiping and praising Him! His wonderful Presence and all that HE is will constantly amaze and thrill us.

Compare that to airless, dark suffering in hell. Pain, loneliness, endless torment by horrid creatures.

The choice is obvious to me.

Choose Jesus!

Choose this day whom you will serve.

God’s rules, not ours.

This is a spiritual transaction, being born again. WE are dead spiritually until we are born again!

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.

God’s rules.

Make that decision today! Don’t wait! He is coming again soon!

MARANATHA!

I am praying that you choose Jesus.

It’s a beautiful day here in Minnesota, but (it seems) per usual, I am battling sadness in the sunshine, recovering after a bout of bad storms.

I am struggling with the balance of regret, grief, loss, sorrow and trust.

Legitimate sorrow and even despair is countered by trust.

Our glorious hope counter-balances ALL despair.

Yet each day brings its trials and troubles, the persecutions and losses. How does one walk the fence between these realities?

I had water in my basement yesterday after the tornadoes went through.

Three separate contracts with the water-proofing people and I had water in my basement.

Yet there was a bad storm. Almost four inches of rain fell here.

Do you see my dilemma? Catastrophic events trump even the best guarantees.

Yet I will call them for an opinion.

I will call the AC/furnace people to get that 30 year old system replaced.

I will call the garage door people to replace the broken door openers.

Hey, I called the septic system guy! I am sure he will get back to me…

I just get a bit down as I face these house things on my own. Is anyone out there understanding this?

I have a huge problem brewing in my pasture. Logs from the trees that needed to be cut lie all over, preventing any mowing from happening.

No mowing means small trees taking root. It’s a constant battle against nature taking over.

These problems are sometimes insurmountable to me. I can make calls for “professional help” but it never ends.

Limited resources, limited time, limited strength.

I am working as much as I can this summer. I am picking up shifts at the hotel as others take vacations.

Yes, I am complaining today. I find decisions like I am facing very hard to make on my own. I have been taken advantage of.

The Lord knows, and EVERYONE is accountable to HIM.

I try to remember that vengeance is the Lord’s. It’s not mine.

So enters my trust. I will trust in God.

I will trust Him to help me. I will trust Him to guide me. I will trust Him to take care of me.

I will walk forward, even in my discouragement.

Do you know why I look for Jesus’ return for us? Life is really hard.

Pray for those who were hit by the tornadoes. My home, thank the Lord, sustained minimal damage. God is always good, even in the storms of life.

MARANATHA