Kiss Army to join IDF?

Funny, but when I think of Israel's long list of contributions to our world (here's a list 0f 57), I never remember Gene Simmons - born Chaim Witz - and his rock band Kiss. Even if you didn't go through your own Kiss phase, you've got to admit that it's fascinating to hear he-of-the-long-tongue sending a personal soundbite of support to one of Israel's recent wounded soldiers.
Shout it Out Loud, Gene! Now maybe you'd consider adding your fire-breathing talents to Israel's military - you know - what with their delapidated equipment and all. Or maybe use your influence to get the Kiss Army to join the IDF? If I recall correctly, didn't US Air Force personnel once play Van Halen tunes in flight to pump them up? I also remember something about the Western military playing loud heavy metal as psychological warfare against their opponents. Maybe Ehud Olmert needs to give Destroyer a few listens?
O.K., I know, I'm getting carried away here. Gene and company did cover the song "God Gave Rock and Roll To You," but beyond that, I have no inkling of Gene's spiritual persuasion.
Despite his sense of humour (using Gene to support an Israeli soldier, using an ex-Palestinian terrorist to spread the gospel), etc., God will take care of His people Israel just fine on His own. Count on it.

Why I'm Thankful to Jews

Here's a good summary on why we, as Christians, ought to be thankful to the Jews:
http://www.levitt.com/news/#post-256

Snakes On A Disciple

O.K. I admit it, I'm simply cashing in on the cultural fascination with this movie and it's title to draw unsusssspecting net surfers to the gosssspel. So ssssue me.
You want snake stories? The Bible has plenty:
From online encyclopedia Wikipedia:

In Christianity the snake makes its infamous appearance in the first book (Genesis) of the Bible when a snake appears before the first couple Adam and Eve and tempts them with the forbidden fruit. It is also seen in Exodus when Moses, as a sign of God's power, turns his stick into a snake to devour the pharaoh's snake. Later Moses made Nehushtan, a bronze snake on a pole that when looked at cured the people of bites from the snakes that plagued them in the desert. Jesus instucted his disciples to be be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

My favorite snake story from the Bible is the account of Paul in Acts 28. He and his crew have been shipwrecked amongst a tribe of savages. While making a fire, a snake crawls out from the heat and bites Paul. The islanders think the snake is divine retribution for Paul's badness, but Paul simply shakes off the serpent, unharmed. This site offers some commentary on the scene, and you can read the actual story right from the Bible here.
Of course, there is also controversy on whether one is to prove their faith through the handling of snakes. I agree with this writer, who states that God would certainly be capable of protecting a believer from a snake's venom, but that we are not to go around testing God like this. The upshot of the matter is that God will protect His followers eternally, even if they come to harm in this life.
Actually, snakes will become harmless even before eternity. During the 1000-year millenium, Isaiah 11:8 tells us that:

"The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper's nest."

Celebrate the Savior That Saves Us From the Serpent and Subdues All Snakes!

Cavernous Hell

Came across this frightening website, which expands on the reflections I had while spelunking.
Your First 6 Days In Hell

Cave Contemplation

Cave Contemplation
Originally uploaded by tombern.

1 hour in a cave was a nice experience. Steady 55 degrees was a break from the outside mid-summer heat. At the deepest part of the cave, our guide turned out the lights for a minute, informing us that it would take our brains about 7 minutes to realize your eyes would never adjust to the darkness.
If hell is really in the deepest part of the Earth, I can't imagine the dark, hot monotony would lend itself to revelry.
I overheard an atheist who imagined he'd play jazz saxaphone when he got to hell. It's got to be hard to play a reed instrument when your lips are on fire.

Summary by Joel

Whew, I don't think I've ever blogged so much in such a short-time span. Maybe because I feel compelled to get some stuff on here before our 2 week vacation to our home and native land starts.
Anyhow, Joel Rosenberg's latest entry is a quick summary of why many prophecy watchers are very...watchful right now. Great short read.

We're All Imperfect Recruits

My pastor spoke today (7/30) about not making the mistake of thinking you must be perfectly holy before you can be pressed in to service by God. Not that we shouldn't strive for obedience to Jesus, but that knowing we won't become fully righteous this side of heaven shouldn't allow us to sit on the sidelines of "Kingdom" work.
Since my work is primarily with those who have gotten a DWI charge, I couldn't help thinking of Mel Gibson, who just released a humble public statement following his own recent drinking and driving charge.
No mistake, Mel's action wasn't good, and his apparent anti-semitic remarks during the arrest truly sadden me.
However, this is still the same man who brought us the Passion of the Christ movie. Despite Mel's self-admitted long-time struggle with alcoholism, God used him in a big way.
God's grace is bigger than any sin any of us could commit. Thank God He still loves Mel. Thank God He still loves ALL of us, even when we mess up.
If you're reading this Mel, know that there's a DWI pro who's seen many a case worse than yours. Read that Bible of yours brother. The jews are our brothers, and God will perfect the ones who believe in His son as much as He will perfect you and I. If they bother you, spend time praying that as many of them as possible come to know Jesus.
Meantime, here's a great piece by excellent Bible teacher John MacArthur reminding us to:
"Be Not Drunk With Wine..." I'll be reading it a few times myself in the hopes of applying the wisdom in it to my own ongoing battle with tobacco.

Hezbollah's Civilian Pawns

What will Hezbollah do next, strap their women and children TO their rockets? What kind of army keeps their civilians with their rocket launchers?

If You Want Blood, You Got It

Say what you want about blood, but when it's spilled, it sure gets everyone's attention. My 5 year old daughter ended up with a nasty bloody nose during a play (?) - fight with her neighbour friend. Near as we grownups could make out, they were swiping at each other through a tent, which had been set up in the back-yard for a sleep-over for the punching boy's older brother.
As my daughter screamed, blood pouring out of her nose, everyone was drawn to her plight, of course freaking her out even more. Here I am, holding damp tissues to her nose, wondering what happened (the story didn't come out until she was calm).
As I gave her a bath, we realized that her shirt was quite bloodied. We both noticed that the blood stain seemed to land primarily on the Lion character (Aslan) of her "Narnia" t-shirt. If you've seen/read the Narnia film/book, you no-doubt know that Aslan represents Christ. Of course, this lead to a great discussion of Christ's sacrifice as we cleaned up. Yes, the discussion did involve Christ's shedding his blood for us. Some may say that this would be too traumatic a topic for a 5 year old. However, she was not horrified, but strangely calmed. When the impact of what Christ did for us on the cross hit her, she simply exclaimed: "Thank-you God!" She already knew what Christ had done, but I believe the experience of having her own blood shed (and feeling the pain of it) really drove home the precious blood of Christ for her.
The night had a happy ending, as we were able to go back to the birthday party, where my daughter and the boy played some more, albeit gentler games. We even had cake and ice-cream, and all was understood and/or forgiven.
No one likes blood, but it sure draws a crowd. I guess it's impossible to ignore. It sure is hard to watch it flow from your own child. Thank God there are times when the shedding of blood concludes with everyone at the party (who is hungry for it) eating cake and ice-cream.

Psalm 83

Did you read about the ancient book of Psalms dug up in Ireland? It was opened to Psalm 83 - a prayer to ask God to keep Israel protected from her neighbouring enemies. Seriously.
http://web.israelinsider.com/Views/8954.htm

Not familiar with Psalm 83? You can view an excellent presentation of it right now by clicking here.

Also-laughed

I experienced a true first tonight. Despite their numerous gaffes, I've never actually laughed out loud at the comments of any politician. Even when they've made outrageous, silly, boombastic brags, I've never heard one that resulted in a spontaneous belly laugh. John Kerry, however, achieved this tonight.
According to Kerry, had he been elected, this whole middle-east thing would not have happened. Read the quote here. The setting? Some Detroit pub (?) called "Honest John's bar and grill."
Thanks Mr. Kerry. Guess I'll have to live with the remorse of contributing to this war by voting for your opponent. Would you also have used your diplomatic wiles to prevent Adam and Eve from tasting that forbidden fruit? I guess on both accounts, we'll never know. Sigh...

Iran's Diversion Tactics?

I've been waiting for Hal Lindsey to comment on the Middle-East situation. He hasn't let me down. Not only has he brought some light to the Damascus prophecy, but also expounded on current intelligence that brings Ezekiel 38 (Gog and Magog) to the table. Could the timing of Hezbollah's attack in Israel be one big diversion tactic?
This whole situation in Israel right now is fascinating to prophecy watchers. If it's not heading toward the end, these days sure do foreshadow the end of our church age.
UNCOVERED: RUSSIAN-SYRIAN-IRANIAN AXIS

Syria Threatens Involvement

I may be too hung up on the whole Damascus thing, but it keeps inching closer. "Syrian information minister says country to enter Israel-Hizbullah conflict if IDF forces invade Lebanon, approach Syria border."
Haven't IDF already done this? Maybe he means Beirut proper, or Northern Lebanon?
Syria: We'll join conflict if Israeli troops approach

Meanwhile, I'm praying for as few casualties as possible (on both sides). Lord, would you make yourself known to those who may perish, before they do so.

Are We On The Road To Damascus?

Updated on Monday July 17th:
Syria watches and waits


Got news? If so, you might want to re-read Isaiah 17 right quick. Here's an article that will get you up to speed on the potentially prophetic implications of what the headlines are plastered with:

Isaiah 17, An Oracle Concerning Damascus

My question for non-believers is this: If Damascus were to be utterly destroyed in this middle-east crisis, would it make you reconsider the truthfulness of the Gospel?

Ecclesiastes 12:14

12:14
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.

Ecclesiastes 12:13

12:13
Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.

Ecclesiastes 12:12

12:12
Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.
Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.

Ecclesiastes 12:11

12:11
The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one Shepherd.

Ecclesiastes 12:10

12:10
The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.

Ecclesiastes 12:9

12:9
Not only was the Teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.