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There is a song by Jang Keun Suk by that title, and it is playing in my head this Valentine’s Day. He croons it, and I like his voice, which, for me, captures the essence of a sweet message.

This will be a long post, as I’ve felt wordy all week, yet I had no time to write. My days were filled with intense activity, or sickness, as I was experiencing a pretty bad cold.

God arranged my days so I could both work and recover, the fever was over last Sunday, but the normal protocol of a virus ensued. I was so thankful.

I had really delightful days at school, filled with energy and sweet interactions. Students were fairly well behaved, only a few incidences.

I’ve always said subbing can be the hell of jobs, or the heaven. Good days are amazing. Bad days are memorable and completely horrible. It’s the bi-polar disorder of the job-world: there is no in-between.

Anyway, this week was really mostly amazing.

Ed was in Arizona getting therapied and medicated by my chief therapist whom I call my medicine. I missed him.

My high school friend fixed The 2014 Fusion body. It runs great again. I am thrilled and thankful. Let’s get another 70 thousand miles out of it !!!!!!!!!

Cheri and I will not trust the parking brake when the car is in neutral ever again. It will be parked in first gear. Period. A completely level surface will be necessary for an engine warm-up.

It’s been six Valentine’s Days since my Valentine passed away.

It was Valentine’s Day, 1989, while he was living in Georgia at Ranger’s School (then) that I received a dozen stunning deep red roses with baby’s breath. Delivered. To Corgi Hollows North. The first time I’d ever had a romantic bouquet of flowers delivered to me.

It was so romantic.

Less than a month later, after countless phone calls and long hand-written letters, we decided to walk the path toward marriage. He proposed in May, and we were married that November.

As I was shopping at Costco last night, surveying the beautiful bouquets of Valentine flowers, the rose bunches held by the shoppers, I wanted to cry. The memories of all those Valentine’s Day bouquets (they continued every single year, and he religiously gifted me flowers throughout the year!) came back.

I felt sorry for myself.

I miss my Valentine.

Perhaps this holiday is the hardest one for us widows to get through. I try to play it up, making new memories that just commemorate the pinks and reds and chocolate. I DID buy myself a bouquet of red roses and baby’s breath last week (while it was cheap) at Trader Joe’s. Their flowers are simply the best for splurging on.

I keep a bouquet of pink carnations on the kitchen counter perpetually, from Trader Joe’s. Here, in our neck of the woods, they are $4.99 a bunch. Coffee from Caribou or carnations? I always pick the flowers. Carnations really are my favorite, and they last SO long. Cheery little creations. Ed also keeps me supplied with a bouquet from time to time. He remembers how faithful his dad was to me.

The high school kids were getting treats from their admirers yesterday, too. It was fun to see the shy smiles.

There is something so fun and old fashioned about Valentine’s Day. It is sweet.

I know that Brian would write me a Valentine today, too. I can imagine it. Whenever we went through a difficult time (and believe me, we did go through multiple hard things as a couple) our marriage seemed stronger. Some of the problems were unsolved, but there was always commitment, faithfulness, and a desire to make it right.

When that desire is gone the hope is gone. Only God can restore a relationship that has taken that kind of hit.

Actually God is the only One who can restore any broken spirit, marriage problem, or difficulty. To put an expectation on your spouse is unkind and fruitless.

Only God.

We are entirely reliant on God to fix us. To think otherwise is prideful and a waste of time. Our marriages are commitments that only God can keep tied.

I saw a little blurb about couples who pray together and how their marriages are divorce-proof. Brian and I prayed together, but not as consistently as we should have. Still, our faith was a bond that kept us together until DEATH.

When you say “until death do I part” you are committing yourself. I have thought about that phrase in our vows we spoke many, many times. I thankfully kept that vow, with God’s help, for 30 years.

And I miss the one who also vowed to me. Each year I find more and more healing, more permission to laugh and enjoy life.

Part of me is missing, and Valentine’s Day just emphasizes that.

I don’t ever expect to meet anyone who can take that role again. Men (single) like him do not exist, at least in my circles. Manly, gifted, intelligent, faithful, strong, and committed.

I was blessed.

Now I rely entirely on God for my needs. Brian was such an amazing provider. He had the gift of being a servant, as many people could attest. He always helped people with this massive talent and ability. He fixed cars and plumbing for others regularly. He rarely sat still. I have a picture of him on the couch with Corwyn on him. I took the picture because it was so unusual to see him lounging. Corwyn took advantage of the moment.

So this Valentine’s Day I choose to be a bit sad. Perhaps it isn’t long until I see him again. The Rapture must be just on the horizon, right?

We watchmen are amazed at the lateness of the hour.

The world (particularly here in Minnesota) is truly nuts.

I have a philosophical friend who recently wrote a book about talking to leftist Christians. I have been thinking about her arguments.

Gnosticism seems to be the root of this pro-illegal immigrant craze. I believe the “church” has put itself in a position above God, claiming to speak for God, be God, in this whole matter. Leftist liberalism aligns itself with this Gnostic belief that WE ARE GOD. We are ONE WITH GOD, we are one, Oneism, Gnosis is US, God is in every thing—the illegal, the sinner, the chair or table we sit at.

Anything but the One True God, Elohim, Yah, the Creator.

The One who gave us Scripture and law, and order.

History is complex to understand, especially with dueling philosophies that have flexed their power over different eras. Socialism really has come out on top in the past centuries, and we are seeing its ugly hand print on today’s headlines.

I chose to back off from the news when Socialists gained power in the white house. My spirit was more important than watching the demise of the country. I couldn’t pallet the garbage —pride, sin, degeneration, dystopia—-all force fed to us from Washington D.C.

As I see Donald Trump doing the very things that I approve of (Taking Epstein down, bringing political criminals to justice, righting the illegal alien problem here in my state, finding trafficked children and freeing them) I rejoice in his actions. I approve. I love that he has played down the United Nations, the World Economic Forum, the Federal Reserve (a private organization that rules our economy), and the World Health Organization. I love that he has fingered NGO’s that have wrought havoc with trillions of dollars, aiding and abetting terrorist organizations. I love that he supports Israel and immigration. Legal immigration. I love that He talks about God, even though he truthfully admits his own spiritual deficit. It’s really amazing.

I don’t have to approve of the man himself, but I do pray for him by name, as I do the Socialist Dictators of the world, oops, I mean Socialist Presidents of the USA. I pray for them, as I am commanded to do. Clinton, Obama, Biden. I pray for their salvation.

I pray for President Donald Trump to continue to be PRO LIFE, pro America, pro order. I am thankful for what he has done. Roe vs. Wade was overturned. His judge appointees.

This IS the watershed issue, my friends. Always and forever. Sacrifice to Baal/Molech is alive and well, horrifyingly, in the world today.

It is what he is DOING, not who he is, that gets my support.

I got a letter from a friend in Europe who thinks Trump is literally the devil. The hatred for Donald Trump over there and here (among former friends —-and relatives) is practically delusional. I am choosing to not respond, as all the books and articles, arguments and reasoning I’ve tried to counter with simply had no effect.

I will not waste my time anymore. I just sit back and watch the big picture. Only God can open eyes to the reality that undergirds our lives. God is in control. Spiritual truth can only be revealed by an act of His Spirit and a humble heart willing to see God’s ways.

God’s ways are not our ways.

And God can heal and change anyone. I need not get worked up!

I fix my eyes on Jesus, the Author of my faith. I need please no one here on earth. I live for Christ alone.

I am not God. I choose to believe the God of the Bible, as He reveals Himself to me in Scripture.

There I stand, and I pray that you come alongside!

What’s this week’s command of Christ??

Honor God’s Law

¹⁷ “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. ¹⁸ For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one ^[a]jot or one ^[b]tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

Matthew 5:17-18

Obey Jesus. This is His word.

Study His commands to show your love for Him. He who loves Him keeps His commands.

Until He appears, gloriously!—–

MARANATHA!

I really like the OneOkRock song “Matter,” as it says “Do I matter to you? You matter to me.”

Matters matter.

Matters divide.

The current situation that revolves around Corgi Hollows in MINNESOTA is extremely polarizing.

Corgi, for one, is glad the Luciferian veil is being torn down. Haven’t I been writing about this stuff for years? I thought it mattered, and I still think it matters.

We need to see the prince and power of the air for who he really is. He deceives.

I grieve over “friends” and family who have slid down the other side of the worldview watershed. The left side.

Liberal fascism is real and it’s not going away.

Those of us who adhere to Biblical truths are labeled fascist every day. The word has lost its meaning to us, but I can still try to resurrect the old school definition for the sake of argument.

I see “fascist” policies in the silencing of truth.

It is funny that so few people cannot see themselves as others do, despite mirrors and feedback.

The world is becoming a battleground of evil versus good.

The last days seem to be upon us.

SO, if they are, PRAISE GOD! We are going home to be with JESUS CHRIST!

If we are navigating another time of persecution, prepare to lose your heads for Jesus.

We must never, never forsake Him.

Come, Lord Jesus!

MARANATHA!

Warning: Do not be left behind for the seven year time of Jacob’s Trouble, the Tribulation, Beast Kingdom. Make your salvation clear. Be born again. Repent.

The Rapture is the next event on the prophetic Biblical timeline. You must be ready.

Get oil in your lamps, like Jesus suggested. You need the Holy Spirit.

We are going home.

This month has been full of disorder. Our brains just can barely stand it!

Let the fact that I am still half sane stand as a testament to the power of God.

This morning, before five am, I took the recycling can out to the road in the crisp below zero (F) temperature.

It isn’t easy to take out the trash in this weather.

But one must maintain order.

I got a good night’s sleep last night, even with many things on my mind. I tend to worry. It’s in my genetic make-up to worry. I come from an illustrious line of worriers.

At least I know where my psychological battles lie: I quote anti-worrying scriptures ALL THE TIME.

And I peacefully sleep because of God. Having a healthy sleep cycle is orderly.

I talked with my 401K guy the other day and he told me I can retire when I am 75. Laugh with me.

I am going to have to stay young for another decade. Subbing children isn’t for the decrepit.

More than ever I will have to be conscious of my lifestyle and keeping it in order: profligate spending is simply taboo.

One of my 2026 words is discipline, and I am figuring out how to emphasize this daily. Mostly it involves getting to the YMCA and swimming, but there are those weeks when it simply is a battle to carve out that time. It would be perfect order if I could swim every weekday.

I am thrilled to tell you that after getting the old Fusion to the body shop I can fix it for a reasonable amount. It will have different colored parts, but that is just fine. Cheri and I both are okay with driving a patchwork.

Are you watching what is going on in Minnesota? These crazy cold temperatures used to be a suppressor of bad behavior. Apparently no longer. Order has left the building.

Law-breaking folk have wrought havoc in our little Midwestern enclave. Minneapolis and St. Paul are no-go zones. I described what happened to us in December on our before-Christmas shopping trip. I guess it has gotten a zillion times worse. I see the clips on social media. People are literally dying for their notions.

The left has gas-lit their base to distract from the horrendous fraud that has been exposed.

Minnesota has allowed leftist policy-makers to dip into state and federal funds TOO LONG. We need order.

Illegal aliens have been winked at TOO LONG.

Criminals have been ignored and allowed freedom to commit more crime TOO LONG.

We really need order.

I have friends and family (or I did) that see a completely different worldview. They are diametrically opposite of what I see. I wonder how two such opposing sides can ever reconcile or even meet halfway. They have zero regard for law and order.

I see such a need for order.

I guess I can only foster order in my own little life, day by day, as God allows me to live. He has ordered my days. They are numbered.

As I surrender my life to Him daily I can rely on Him to bring order to my own life, regardless of the mayhem and disorder that plagues my home state.

There are not enough jail cells to lock up the disorderly. It is a plague that has infected liberals, disorderly conduct, disregard for law enforcement, violent assembly, emotional response.

Yes, it is sad. Rights and privileges are mostly unknown. Our children do not understand the laws of the land. Those of us who tried to educate are far out-numbered.

Tantrums seem to be the most effective means for leftists to get their way. No one spanked them as children?

God is a God of order.

Let us all pray together for ORDER to be restored.

MARANATHA!

It has been a wild week in my home state. Minnesota is very cold, extreme cold, and things malfunction in this type of weather.

Yesterday we started the car to warm it up a bit. It is a manual transmission, 2014 Ford Fusion. The parking brake is electronically activated with a button next to the shift. Even though it was pressed, the freezing cold made it malfunction.

Yuki and I heard a loud noise. At first I thought it was something backfiring.

No, the Fusion had rolled down the hill into a tree.

We were in the house. There was nothing we could have done, or do. The car is still working, but the back end is ruined. This little car was our workhorse.

It’s still sitting against the tree this morning, as I haven’t figured out how to get it back in road condition. This may take some time.

What a Sunday morning!

That was the downside of the morning.

The wonderful news is that another granddaughter was born yesterday. I find it lovely that she was born on the Sanctity of Life Sunday. Such a beautiful connection.

She is beautiful. She couldn’t be more perfect. I saw photos.

Today I am teaching in a 7th grade classroom. These kids have been hard on me since they were quite small. It is always a challenge to be with them, but as this grandma gets older they soften too.

They tend to wear out their teachers more often so I’m with them all the more.

And lawlessness continues in the streets of Minneapolis. This discourages us.

How do we deal?

1. Pray
2. Stay away from the mess
3. Speak truth over the spiritual darkness
4. Hope, hope that people will begin to see the need to obey the laws of the country.

I find it incredulous that so many people in Minnesota act out against the civil codes. We used to be known as “nice.” Now it seems we are known as “crazy.”

Since I am powerless to change anyone’s mind I resort to No. 1: Pray. That’s all I can do. Many believers are just like me, sad and frustrated, “powerless,” but still able to pray.

Prayer is powerful.

We have a unique and privileged place in the universe. We are in personal a relationship with the Creator, Himself. He speaks to us!

And we obey Him, love him back.

I confess that my prayer life suffered over the past dark month. I need to get back on track. I need to review my study on the commands of Christ. I am missing out, and I am lax in doing the one thing that could possibly have some effect in this crazy place.

Pray. Pray people into the kingdom.

Pray for spiritual eyes to be opened. It does happen because God’s power is unlimited.

He is so patient, though, and no one must make this decision. He graciously waits for his creation to respond. He is not willing that any perish.

Don’t you love Scripture? It is so full of hope and encouragement.

I am not as patient as God. I want Jesus to come back.

MARANATHA!

This morning my Facebook algorithm showed me a young man telling a dream he had had. It was about him giving permission to an entity to take over his mind and life. In the dream (I think you can access it on Corgi Hollows fb page) he describes the violation of his mind by pressing an “accept” button technologically. He allowed another entity into his body and mind.

Our minds and our bodies have boundaries that we can either knowingly or unknowingly open.

In my thoughts, my mind and my body are MINE. (Or, as a Christ follower: Christ’s)

I gave my mind and my body to Him.

But still, I must police my boundaries as a good steward.

I must police my body, my bedroom, my closets, my house, my land and its boundaries. I am the steward of what belongs to me.

I pay taxes and belong to the United States, a country. I live in Minnesota. I live in a Minnesota city. These are all boundaries. I trust the local police and the US government to police these boundaries.

When we drop our boundaries we have lawlessness.

The New World Order cabal is gunning for a world without borders. It goes for immigration relaxation first. Then it will go for political collectivism (no personal boundaries). Lastly it will go for your mind and body. People will be commodities of the state.

It may seem like science fiction to download your brain, but it’s been talked about.

I have always maintained that we belong to “The System” just by using any technology whatsoever. Our bank accounts are in data bases, our credit, our documentation, our medical records. We are wired.

We are not our own.

Still, I believe boundaries are important. Can we have a semblance of boundaries?

I really want to visit Japan this year. I have my plane tickets already. I believe there is nothing to keep me from visiting another country. I qualify for travel as an upstanding citizen of the USA.

Last time I was in Japan there was a long line to get through the border/customs area at the airport. Cheri was detained because she had not correctly filled out the paperwork. We were separated for a few minutes, unable to communicate with each other because our phones weren’t working. Ed and I had a moment of fear as we waited for her to come through the door of “immigration.”

Other countries have border laws. We should too.

I am thankful for the Immigration Customs Enforcement. I think they are doing us a massive favor.

Pray for our ICE officers! They are helping us to maintain boundaries.

“One way, God said, to get to heaven! Jesus is the ONLY WAY”

Not Paganism

Not Islam

Not Hinduism

Not Buddhism

Not Daoism

Not Witchcraft

Not Mormonism

Not Idolatry

Not Cults

Not New Age Beliefs

Not Spiritual Entities

Not Judaism

But, yes, the Judeo-Christian religion points to Jesus, and He is the way, the truth, and the life.

One way. Only one.

Jesus.

Do you know Him?

Have you been born again? (John 3)

“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Repent. Be Born Again. Follow Jesus.

This is life.

Isn’t it interesting to be told half a story?

No one can ever know the full story of a person’s life.

It is said that even identical twins raised in the same family do not have the same childhood, nor upbringing.

Only an individual can tell the whole story of one’s life.

I find the half stories very deceptive.

Who is the Father of Lies? Satan himself. This is his kingdom, his operation. Deceit and falsehood are his hallmarks.

So, when you hear a story, always remember that there is the other side.

I have been struck down by half truths, lies, betrayal, deception. I’ve been hit hard.

But there is One who knows the truth, and He is my source of protection. His justice will be ultimate. He will unfold the real story.

He allows me to be injured by my own failings in knowing and accepting harmful things, lies, sins against me (and Him).

But He will protect me eternally. My days are numbered by Him. I cannot lengthen nor shorten them. I am responsible to obey Him, and His promises to me will come true.

He is faithful. He is true.

Only Jesus.

Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly!

We are groaning under the deceptions around us.

MARANATHA

End of January–Dark days turning lighter–Seasonal Affect Disorder Syndrome at its height–Sunshine spotty–extreme cold–

Brokenness—family fissures–politics—paganism—lawlessness—death and torture

Biblical Illiteracy—moral failures—sin—evil—wickedness

Grief—loss—memories—sickness—disease

People who do not know the Jesus I know—

Who is Jesus?

To me, He is God and He gives me joy. He gives me peace. He gives me hope. Where do I find Him?

In the Bible.

Which Bible do I trust? Mostly the KJV. Translations do matter. I can read any translation and find Jesus, but I realize this issue has import.

The Biblical Jesus is so wonderful. He is just, He is love, He is our savior and our hope.

These days are so dark, here in Minnesota, Paganistan. The scores of covens who call Minnesota home have cast their spells on this region. We live in dark times, spiritually. The Luciferian elites of the world are still at work, driving chaos forward, pitting sides against each other, fostering war and mayhem.

The Beast System is waiting for a world that screams for relief.

But I choose Jesus.

I choose Him every day, and HE gives me joy.

Yesterday, during my swim, I had a moment of joy. It came unexpectedly and unasked for. I simply felt joy. Exercise can do that for anyone, so it may have been purely physiological, however, it was, for me, unexpected and needed in this incredibly sad time.

We cannot sustain in perpetual darkness.

True joy can only ever come from the Truth. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. In Him is true joy.

Which Jesus do you know?

I claim the One from Scripture. He is my Lord and Savior.

That changes everything, and I know those who also belong to Him.

One’s relationship with Christ is personal. I cannot judge anyone. God knows every thought.

But I can recognize my fellow believers, we speak the same language, understand the same ideas. We have the same foundation, all across the world.

We know each other.

What a joy to be in such a glorious family!

There is an awesome verse in the Bible. It is the scariest verse. Matthew 7:23. Depart from me, I never knew you.

I believe that Christ’s sacrifice was wholly sufficient in saving my soul. Not of works, lest any one should boast. There is this verse that catches me in my daily life—Does Jesus (the real Jesus!) really know me?

I go to Scripture and check, daily bringing my life and spirit before Him. I am born again, I know Him. I desire to do what is right and His will.

When I am discouraged I know the solution. I know what to do!

I affirm my place in Christ: I am saved by His sacrifice. Christ died and was resurrected. Not me, but Christ.

I sing His praises: there is power in the tongue.

I pray: I do not understand prayer, but I know it is incredibly powerful and it can be constant. “I make my life a prayer to you…” (Keith Green)

I listen for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in Scripture. Being in the Word of God gives me what I need to know about my daily needs and guidance. This only happens with consistent reading.

I look for God’s leading in my daily mundane activities. It’s incredibly sweet to see God speak in the mundane. He reveals His presence.

And this brings joy. Daily joy. Unspeakable joy. Somehow the chemicals in my body are triggered by this relationship I have with the One who created them.

Joy in sorrow.

You need Jesus.

MARANATHA!

I don’t know if you are watching the unfolding story in my home state, Minnesota, but if you pay attention to any news forum you may have heard about a monetary number, 19 billion dollars, that seems to be an issue.

Actually, that is a projected number.

There IS fraud in our great state. That is provable. There is documentation that money has been sent to fund terrorism. That is provable. There are illegal immigrants in our state, even some with criminal (very bad criminal) records. That is provable.

Sadly there are many that turn a blind eye to all of this corruption. Sadly there are complicit politicians in power, getting kick backs in the form of campaign funds —-or it is said, direct payments. These are people of a D party. They are demonic. They are rats. They are evil and they will see justice, because any authority is ultimately accountable to God. Sooner or later.

You and I are accountable to God. We are to obey God, not man. We are to follow His principles, His commands.

Of course there is corruption everywhere, but when it hits you, your home, that is when you must take responsibility.

If I must lose my head over a political disagreement someday, so it must be.

I took in a woman this week who was homeless. I had to ask her to report to the authorities when I found that she was not clear legally. That is my responsibility. The authorities (at this point) are there to help her, and I trust she did the right thing. I don’t know. I gave her a warm bed, childcare for a day, and a bit of cash to get the things she needed. I sent her to social services.

I am willing to obey the just laws that are valid and stand in our country. I may be unaware of some obscure code that I am not in compliance with, but I try to obey the laws of the USA and Minnesota in all my knowledge.

To openly and rigorously protest our laws is certainly a right, but it comes with consequences.

You can or will end up in jail, (likely) for breaking a law.

One day the beast system will take off heads of the non-compliant. That is when it gets messy. Scary.

As a pre-trib Rapture believer I think we will not be here for that prophecy. The Bible warns those who will be here, though. One will not be able to buy or sell without the mark of the beast, and many will be led to their deaths for not complying.

That is true protest. The death penalty is rather decisive.

Iranians are seeing a day of death today, right now. They are dying by the scores, the thousands. I am hopeful that these souls are saved, as so many of the protesters are actually Christian. For sure, there are many killed who didn’t know Jesus.

I saw people I know (and love) standing up for terrorists and law breakers, loudly protesting against just laws. They are completely silent when people they don’t agree with are slaughtered.

What a testimony. They are driven by something other than a Biblical worldview, a holy and righteous spirit. They are driven by pagan ideas: Communism, Marxism, Collectivism, Socialism. These come from the belly of the Fabian Socialists and they have completely brainwashed our educational institutions and those who teach this upcoming generation of adults.

A couple of weeks ago I had this weird thought that my generation is now the “authority” because of our advanced age.

I always assumed people older than I were smarter, more experienced, generally worth listening to. I respected age.

I don’t think that is the case with the upcoming generation, and they rightly have thrown us out. What failures we are at preserving our lives and our country!

I am now the aged, and I will speak for good things. Even if all of the young folks I know are of a different persuasion I will still speak.

I still believe in the United States of America. For now. I still believe in conservative values. I still believe that most laws are just. I still believe in borders and legal permission to enter any country. I still believe in Jesus Christ and His love, His commands, His presence in my life. I still believe in science, in marriage, in the preservation of innocent life. I believe in family, that God had a good plan, even if Cain killed Abel right off the bat.

The human heart is wicked. Scripture affirms this.

Today is a day to remember the unborn—-those murdered by abortion. It is January 22.

Certainly other things are overshadowing this day of remembrance: Iran, fraud, illegal immigration, criminals on the loose, kidnapping, fake day-cares, funding cut-offs, the icy cold temperatures (today it is supposed to get down to -23!!!), storms all over the country, Davos, World Economic Forum, Puppet Masters, ….

But I will stand with Francis Shaeffer and point at the issue of abortion being a watershed issue.

If you are pro-life you are right.

If you are not pro-life you are in big trouble. You are compromised. Your worldview is full of holes. You are siding with Baal in the idolatry of child sacrifice.

Watershed issues do exist.

When you chose the pro-abortion side you slippery slide down the path of the demonic.

You are demonic.

May God convict your heart and rescue you from this spiritual darkness.

I am praying for you. May my prayers be as powerful as mustard-seed sized faith. May a mountain be moved in your soul.

Jesus loves you. He told us to love our enemies, so I lovingly pray for you. Even as I see you support outright crime, I will lovingly pray for you. I will visit you in prison, I will take you in and give you what you need to survive. I will love you.

But I will not condone your disobedience to God.

Repent. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Lord Father, please forgive my anger. I need to repent. I know Your plans will play out in Your time. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

MARANATHA!

As Bilbo Baggins says, it’s a big day for Corgi: It’s like a golden day today. I was born in 63, and you can do the math. I’m spending the day with my cousin, and we are enjoying some sunshine.

Minnesota, on the other hand, burns with ice and fire. I’m watching from a distance. I’m not completely an armchair critic, but I sort of feel like it because I am out of town.

I have shared some things on social media that define my own thoughts regarding the craziness in Minnesota these early days of 2026.

Stuff in Venezuela, stuff in Iran, stuff in all the blue states: things seem pretty chaotic overall.

The national digital ID in Britain, Cuba, vaccine and abortion issues, artificial intelligence—-it seems a bit like an avalanche of concern for someone of my faith persuasion.

But I will ramp this post down to Corgi’s concerns.

Corgi Hollows lost its Corgi last Tuesday. Less than a week ago.

Corwyn was showing signs of breathing problems again, one month after she had been in the emergency pet hospital overnight with oxygen. I took her to our own vet last Monday morning and the doctor said she seemed to have heart problems.

After a trial run on some medications she was not improving. Her suffering was more than I could stand.

We chose to end her life on Tuesday morning.

I cannot tell you that I even acknowledge that she is no longer with us right now. I am still in denial.

I had had my trip to the sunshine planned and plane tickets bought months ago, so I decided to go for my winter vitamin D and process my loss as I soaked up the sun.

Corgi Hollows is in good hands during my absence.

When I return I will face my grief head-on.

Those of us who love animals understand the pain of losing them. As one who grew up with farm animals, horses, cows, dogs, cats, I felt the pain deeply and often. Animals just do not live long enough.

I always circle back to the promises and covenants that God made with animals, His significant treatment of animals throughout Scripture, especially in Genesis when He set up creation. I think of and comfort myself with Revelation 21:5: He will make ALL THINGS NEW.

I fully expect to see my animals again.

And God says He is preserving my tears. He understands me even if people don’t. He knows my thoughts from afar off. He comforts me. He loves my furry friends more than I do.

I refuse to be callous and “adult” in accepting the lower orders of life. I feel loved and accepted by them far more than by most people! They are integral to me.

So I grieve, unashamed. I have cried my eyes red.

Yuki is also grieving. Topi wanders around with deep meows. Alex, our new resident cat, wasn’t a fan of Corwyn, so he shows no signs of loss. Cheri is strong. Ed kindly accompanied me to the vet with Corwyn and was profound comfort for me.

Corgi Hollows lost three pets in the past 11 months.

Why?!

Who could have predicted this?

This is life, this is change, this is the reality of sickness and death. I must accept it.

For now we will hunker down and heal. Corgi Hollows will probably have another Corgi some day, but I need to wait and rest.

My body continues its healing process from cancer and surgery. I have lost a few pounds since the holidays. Swimming is therapeutic, and my physical therapist is optimistic about my health come-back.

The weather here in sunshine country could not be more perfect. It’s too cold to swim, but I can soak up the sunshine next to the pool. The water is such a nice thing to sit by, palm trees wave above my head. My cousin and I laugh and laugh.

Yesterday we went to church and it was a most interesting service. I feel like reporting what happened here because I was so impressed.

The church is quite large, and it has been around for 63 years (as I have!) The senior pastor and elder board decided five years ago to prepare for a pastoral transition, with a timeline that included major goals.

The church chose to cultivate a candidate from within the GenZ pastoral staff. They consulted professional help with head hunting, formed a “search committee” within the elders and pastoral staff, and began to groom the person most fitting for the role of senior pastor.

Some thoughts shared in the morning service made an impression on me. If you choose someone from within the congregation/church there will be little change in the overall direction of the body. If you bring in an outsider you will experience change.

If a church needs to change, bring in an outsider. If the church is healthy and wants to remain healthy, pick an insider.

In order to remain healthy the church needs to choose a candidate that is around 40 years old. Wow. Apparently the data shows that a vibrant body that continues to grow must have a pastor that is within 10 years of age (plus or minus) of the majority of the congregants.

So, the pastor, who is 63, saw the writing on the wall and started the exodus process on his own. I find that commendable. He will still be on staff in this big church in another role.

A younger guy who has been trained and held accountable for the past 15 years by church staff is taking the reins and he was introduced as the next senior pastor. There will be a vote of affirmation from the congregation in the next months, but the staff has already chosen him unanimously. They know him well. He’s 43.

I find this whole situation very interesting. Positive.

I am not a fan of mega-churches (won’t elaborate here) and I am cynical about big names in theology and American Christian culture. I am a severe critic of mainline Christianity (Christianity in name only!) and I tend to ignore “Christian trends.”

Of course I am a home-schooling Christian veteran, former missionary, church planter, Christian musician—teacher, Bible prophecy maven, conspiracy theorist, theology critic….

I nod to all these things. But all these things have made me a cynic. I’ve seen too many fall, I’ve seen the cultural trends in my “Christian country.” I have seen failure.

I’ve been burned, too, by my Christian brethren (and sisters.)

I speak/write from an insider’s standpoint.

And I am a cynic.

So, I have chosen to look at Jesus and obey Him. I am accountable to Him, and Him alone.

The body they may kill, God’s truth abideth still. —Martin Luther

I will stand on God’s truth.

Truth, Discipline, and Kindness.

At the vet the doctors said to me, as I am weeping, “It’s the kindest thing to do…”

I immediately knew that God was in the moment, and I could let Corwyn go. God had the vet use one of my 2026 words and I just knew He was there in my sorrow.

Sometimes it is just the smallest thing, the little seed.

Pray for Minnesota. Pray for us all. Pray for the world.

Here is my “snatch list” prayer for this post:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I pray that you would snatch R. He is at the top of my list, an influencer that holds great admiration in his field. I pray for him every day and I see fruit in his life! This is so exciting to see. I believe you are truly working in His life.

I don’t know if he belongs to you yet, Lord, but I will pray that he makes this transaction to belong to you and that he will influence many, many of his followers to turn to you as a result. I thank you for loving him and revealing yourself to Him.

Save him soon, Lord! Snatch him from the fire.

In Jesus name,

AMEN!

Maranatha!!!