A Special Valentine's Day

By Pastor Stephen Piersall
God's Preservation Ministry, sfprs.org/
https://www.facebook.com/GodsPreservationMinistry

Read the following Bible verse and see if you can find the obvious and hidden message. Answer at the end if you need help:

For God so loVed the world,
That He gAve
His onLy
BegottEn
SoN
That whosoever
Believeth In Him
Should Not perish,
But have Everlasting life." John 3:16

What’s the fastest box of Valentine’s candy ever snatched out of your hands?

When I was in grade school (5th or 6th grade, not sure), I remember my Mother buying a special heart shaped (bright red) box of candy for my teacher. Gee thanks Mom, you know my guy pals are on that bus too! Since it was big and bright there was no way to hide it under my coat, I would just have to take the comments one at a time. After being heckled at the bus stop, I climb aboard, and right away this girl “Darlene” grabs me forcibly by the arm to sit next to her. No sooner then I plop down she plants a big kiss on my cheek, grabs the candy and starts opening it. Yikes, what is worse, bringing candy to my teacher or getting kissed on the cheek by a girl? She ripped open the package and started eating the candy and then her friends wanted some too, so she passed the box back and that was the last I had seen of it. Of course, EVERYONE it seemed like were chanting “Stephen has a girlfriend!” Ugh! Can this get any worse?

I managed to make it through the day, and put up with all the nonsense and just couldn’t wait to get off the school bus and run to my room and hide. BTW, Darlene was sitting with some other guy snuggling up together on the ride home. Her loss! LOL As I get off the bus and start walking up the driveway, but who greets me at the door? Yeppers! My mother, asking if my teacher liked the candy I had brought her. Um, Er, Ah, “why Yes” she did, and I was hoping that was the end of that discussion. After Supper, (I don’t do dinner) my parents tell me to get my coat on, and we were going into  town for some shopping. Ugh! Following my parents around, looking at clothes, and other girl junk, who do you think we bump into?  Yes, it was her! No, not Darlene. It was much worse, it was my teacher. My mother asked her if she liked the special candy that lil’ Stephen had brought her. After all, it was all full of caramels that she loved. Candy? Huh? What? I’ve now been ratted out, and I knew the ride home was not going to be a joyful one.

It does not have to be Valentine’s day for someone special to show their love for you. God loves you everyday, and that is worth more than any box of chocolate caramels. The Bible has a wealth of Bible verses about love. You'll find passages that speak of romantic love (eros), brotherly love (friendship), divine love (agape). Make this Valentine’s day an extra-special day, whether you're married, dating, or single. These are a few ideas to kick start your thoughts of how you can share “Love” back to God:

Spend time reading the Bible. The book of Psalms are full of love.

Pray to God and simply thank him. Don’t ask for anything, spend the day thanking him for all goodness and blessings you have received.

Worship the Lord by singing songs about God and do it aloud. Who cares other’s can hear you? Perhaps you may inspire someone to get on their knees and speak with God for the first time.

Be an encouragement for others. Go visit a Nursing home, hospital, or call your church ahead of time and see if they know of anyone that could use a special blessing.

Is it really better to give than receive? Try giving to be other's all day long and see how you feel at the end of the day before you say your bedtime prayers.

The day-after Valentine’s day is Saturday February 15, 2014. You can do those same things everyday of the year, and we do not need any holiday to do so. Open your Bible and read the book of Psalms, or even the four Gospels. You WILL find more love in those scriptures than you probably ever thought.

ANSWER: Valentine

Reverend Mark Hunnemann's Ramblings...

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

Well, Ghost Hunters is ten years old! I can get cynical about paranormal TV shows as well, but I intend on continuing watching them. But analyzing current trends in the paranormal is my calling, but it may not be yours (we all have different specific callings from God)...though to some extent we all need to stay culturally aware.

Whether we like it or not, many folks are newly acquiring (or sustaining) fascination with the spirit realm due to these TV shows. Hence, some folks need to keep in the loop. I watched "Ghost Hunters" and the "Dead Files" last Friday, and I'm glad I did--and the new "Ghost Hunters" tonight. Even if we have discussed this before, it doesn't hurt to return to basics every now and then. This blog will be a bit different--a string of observations re various topics. "Lord, I was born a rambling man..." (Allman Bros).

Tonight I noted for the umpteenth time that the primary desire of "Ghost Hunters" seems to be to "put the clients  minds at rest".Have you noticed that, putting the clients minds at ease, is what Jay/Grant/Steve discuss in the van after every reveal?  Blatantly downplaying serious events, like receiving a long triple-scratch down his forearm, all the data was orchestrated at the reveal to diminish any potential danger and focus on relieving the client of any emotional distress. God forbid that parents should be anxiety-ridden due to demonic attacks on the children. Anybody with eyes to see, should be able to see that objectivity is not high on their list of priorities. The net result is that the glowing clients are in worse shape after their investigation than before. At least before, they had natural fear arising from a clearly hostile environment. But honed from years of experience, Hawes and crew can make the most "hostile haunt" appear to be an innocuous and exciting live-in arrangement with"living history." Afterwards they are often made to feel grateful for the demonic presence. What percentage of investigative crews have been bitten by this sentimentalism bug?

That certainly is not the case with the "Dead Files". To their credit, Steve and Amy do not sugar coat things at the reveal. More often than not, they present their clients with brutal realities.However, one thing I have learned is that usually the most spiritually sensitive are prone to being the most thoroughly deceived. They have become too confident in their autonomous (not subject to God or His Word) usage of their extraordinary abilities. In Amy's case, she has  her spirit guides leading her through this veritable zoo of demonic entities presenting themselves in forms which reinforce her terribly mistaken view of the spirit realm.Once in a while she will actually finger a demon, and call for a proper exorcism. More often than not, their candor does not make up for her occultic solutions to occultic problems.

Real demonic "signs and wonders" are often seen/heard on these shows...and the electrifying connection they have with spiritually starved seekers cannot be over-exaggerated.

"Wanted.. a man who can smile and laugh alot and make my eyes go wide open . Need a happy person in my life"  

(This is an actual quote off of a profile on Match.com.) I mentioned recently that I had taken the plunge awhile back and tried online dating. Reading the profiles reveal much of what makes each person tick. Over....and over....and over again, the common motif for what these folks were looking for was laughter and fun. Of course they were looking for other traits like honesty (even if it is common knowledge that most people lie about their age, and insert dated pics) communication, outdoorsy, and so on. But this is what really struck me-- 95 % checked the box that their faith was "Christian". However, in the 2 part-main section where you summarize WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU ARE LIKE, AND WHAT YOU ARE PRIMARILY LOOKING FOR IN A POTENTIAL SPOUSE, 95% of these professing Christians never mention a thing about their own faith, nor that of their potential match. When given the opportunity to explicitly communicate the essence of who they were, and the core values/traits desirable to them in a match, their "faith" was null and void....conspicuous by its absence.There is a pronounced lack of spiritual reality expressed in these profiles.There is no such thing as a "shallow person" because of being made in God's image, but we can sure adopt shallow values, which cannot satisfy.

One thing we get confused about is the difference between faith being personal and it being private.Our faith is intensely personal--a personal relationship with the Living God through Jesus Christ...an intimate walk with Him, like Enoch. But God never intended for us to keep our faith private, as if it were some private compartment of our life...some secretive, quiet area we are silent about. No, both in actions and words, we are to be witnesses for Him. To some extent, I think that lies behind the reason why so many professing Christians don't "put it out there"....to them, it is a matter between them and God.But from my experience, the more we make our faith private, the less personal it becomes..That is, the more we keep it to ourselves, the more "it" shrivels.

These are people (watching the TV shows and on dating sites) made in God's image and not mere statistics--so, it makes me weep to sense their spiritual bankruptcy.Why do I mention all this? They have deluded themselves that they are happier than they really are....and spiritual emptiness makes them ripe for demonic deception. These are the kind of folks who are watching the paranormal shows or are being exposed to a myriad of other occultic influences. So, again, think of how powerfully electric the connection when they SEE supernatural reality on TV.And how easily deceived due to lack of discernment.

I wonder what percentage of homes with paranormal activity (demonic) choose to simply live with it...due to the magic it brings to their otherwise mundane and spiritually empty lives? Materialism sucks the life out of life.

Another observation is the importance of understanding what a person means when they say, "They are spiritual, but not religious." (the second most popular category checked by folks on Match.com) It can have two opposite definitions, and both are commonly used. First, it means that a person is actually quite serious about their faith in Christ, but they want to make sure it is not equated with legalism (not "religious").They are acutely aware of the personal aspect of faith.That is a definition we can all applaud.Then, there is the second meaning--"I have no use for any form of organized religion, especially not Christianity." For them, the "spiritual" could mean anything or nothing...often some eastern concoction....but definitely jettison the hidden God of Christianity, with its Neanderthal ethics.

Spiritual but not religious says your companion...you may gently ask them to DEFINE!!

"Seeing Ghosts through God's Eyes" (also in a Kindle edition)...please consider purchasing my book which uses science, logic, and the bible to analyze the true source of power behind paranormal activity.

Paranormal Groups & Facebook

By Chris Baricko

This blog is about my personal opinion regarding groups who feel the need to post on Facebook every time they are going on an investigation.

I have been investigating the paranormal for over 25 years and not once have a ever felt the need to post when I was going on an investigation. There is one group I see post every single time they go on an investigation. That's not the worst of it. They take group photos of themselves in a clients' home making dumb and childish faces. REALLY?  How much  more childish and unprofessional can you get? Then they posted they were still doing reviews from March.

Again really? Most groups get back to the client in a week. They called you for help not to wait for months. I posted about this on Facebook and got mixed reactions. Some agreed with me some did not. One person felt the need to write an essay about why it was okay. They even felt the need to try and attack me by bringing in another group's name who I know and have spoken with. This person I also invited on many investigations but they always had an excuse on why they could not make it. So They are one of what I call wannabe investigators.

What people do not think about is the legal trouble. Unless you have something in writing from the client saying you can release anything, you're opening yourself up to a can of worms.

I had another person ask me why do I care what others do? Well, after all the years it is disgusting how many groups out there are a joke. They do not know what type of harm they can cause a family. Then another said I only post bashing others. No I post advice basically saying grow up.

Then she said it's not sportsmanship. I never knew paranormal was a sport? These are the people who need to pack it up and stay away from clients.

Reputation is everything. So to the groups who feel you need to post every time you go on an investigation and then take dumb photos at clients' houses, when the hammer falls I will be the one laughing.

Issue 146 – Proof that the World is Going to Hell!

By Kirby Robinson

A deal with the devil leads to the torture and murder of a 15-year-old suburban Houston girl. Full story:

http://www.stltoday.com/news/national/official-deal-with-devil-prompted-girl-s-killing/article_f8cee0a4-f18b-5827-a5c6-5e6e588bd8a7.html

In the Philippines, children need to learn not to eat their mothers. Full story:

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2014/02/03/1286154/raps-filed-vs.-siblings-who-killed-ate-own-mother

Christians have known that the Mormons teach false doctrines. Now the courts in Great Britain are catching up. "Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been ordered to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London next month to defend the church’s doctrines including beliefs about Adam and Eve and Native Americans." Read more here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10619538/Head-of-Mormon-church-Thomas-Monson-summoned-by-British-magistrates-court-over-Adam-and-Eve-teaching.html

They may not be killing witches in Salem, Massachusetts anymore…but they are in Queens, New York. Check out this story:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/30/nyregion/suspect-arrested-after-2-women-were-found-beaten-to-death-in-queens.html?_r=0

The Conjuring is a real nightmare and not just a paranormal one. Here's what the owner of the house, Norma Sutcliffe, has to say about people harassing her along with her opinion of the movie.

http://www.woonsocketcall.com/node/9102

  

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Why The Dalai Lama Matters: His Act of Truth As the Solution for China, Tibet and the World

By Robert Thurman

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is an extraordinary example of a life dedicated to peace, communication, and unity. What he represents, and what he has accomplished, heals and transcends the current tensions between Tibet and China.

Why the Dalai Lama Matters explores just why he has earned the world’s love and respect, and how restoring Tibet’s autonomy within China is not only possible, but highly reasonable, and absolutely necessary for all humans to have a peaceful future.

In the few decades since the illegal Chinese invasion of Tibet, Tibetans have seen their ecosystem destroyed, their religion, language, and culture repressed, and systematic oppression and violence against anyone who dares acknowledge Tibetan sovereignty. Yet, above it all, the Dalai Lama has been a consistent voice for peace, sharing a ‘Middle-Way’ approach that has gathered accolades from the Nobel Peace Prize to the Congressional Gold Medal. Modeling this peaceful resistance shows the world that nobody is free unless everybody is free—and that a solution exists that can benefit all parties, not just one. And more than just his nation has taken notice. His inter-religious dialogues, honest, humble demeanor, and sense of compassionate justice sets him apart in a world at war with itself.

Robert Thurman, renowned Tibetan scholar, president of Tibet House, and longtime personal friend of the Dalai Lama, presents a bold, reciprocal five-point plan for establishing Tibet’s genuine autonomy within China, letting China renew its image with the world by allowing the Dalai Lama to guarantee freedom for his people. When China changes policy and lets Tibetans be who they are, Tibet can, in turn, join with China in peaceful coexistence.

Why the Dalai Lama Matters is not merely a book about Tibet or the Dalai Lama. It is a revealing, provocative solution for a world in conflict, dealing with the very fundamentals of human rights and freedoms. By showing the work that the Dalai Lama has done on behalf of his people, Thurman illuminates a worldwide call-to-action, showing that power gained by might means nothing in the face of a determined act of truth.

Amazon hardcover book link: Why The Dalai Lama Matters: His Act of Truth As the Solution for China, Tibet and the World

Kindle link: Why the Dalai Lama Matters: His Act of Truth As the Solution for China, Tibet and the World

Visit the website: http://dalailamamatters.com/

The Four Horseman Of The Apocalypse

Hello my para beauties! I trust you had a great day and are in good health. This is a subject I've been asked to explain to the best of my knowledge. The book of Revelations can be very intimidating. But we know who wins in the end.

The first Horseman is the rider of a white horse, carries a bow, and wears a crown. He is described as a conqueror. For this reason, he is sometimes interpreted as the Antichrist or as a false world leader. This Horseman is also sometimes called Pestilence.

The second Horseman is astride a red horse and carries a sword. He is associated with war and slaughter, and the Bible attributes to him the power to take away peace and to make men kill each other.

The third Horseman rides a black horse and carries scales. This Horseman, popularly called Famine, is thought to represent not only scarcity of food, but also the strict rationing or unfair allocation of goods and the exploitation of the poor.

The last of the Four Horsemen, Death, rides a "pale horse" of a sickly hue and is followed by Hades, or Hell.

The nature of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is hotly debated by theologians and Christians, but they are almost universally fascinating, regardless or perhaps because of their mystery. They were popular subjects for art during the medieval period and the Renaissance, and references to them continue to crop up in popular culture in our own day and age. Whether or not Pestilence, War, Famine, and Death are the correct interpretations of the Biblical Four Horsemen -- which will likely remain in debate for the foreseeable future -- it is safe to assume that that is what they represent in a cultural or literary context.

In many opinions The book of Revelation in the Bible is real and does not need one to read the hidden truths. When it says Jesus Christ is coming back again it means Jesus Christ is coming back again. When it says the Horsemen it means exactly that.

Since Christ is the One opening these seals and revealing what will happen in this world prior to His return, is there anywhere else in the Bible that He discloses these events? In fact, He did so shortly before His death in a section known as the Olivet Prophecy (given on the Mount of Olives), recorded in the Gospels of Matthew (chapter 24), Mark (chapter 13) and Luke (chapter 21) Seeing what Christ said in this prophecy helps us identify what each of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse represents.

In Matthew 24:3 Christ’s disciples asked, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” In the comparison chart below, notice how Christ’s answer lines up exactly with what He gave years later in the book of Revelation through the apostle John.

Notice the enormous effect of these first four seals (horsemen) in Revelation 6:8: “And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.” This indicates that the first four seals will ultimately result in a death toll of one-fourth the earth’s population. This summary statement also adds something else that will contribute to the death toll—beasts of the earth, which kill as carriers of pestilence and as ravenous predators.

The first four seals are clearly already open in our day now, and the four horsemen of the Apocalypse have been riding through the years, taking their toll on populations. But many other prophecies in the Bible show that their destruction will multiply greatly as the next seal—the fifth seal or Great Tribulation—is about to open. Christ reveals that this world is about to undergo great devastation due to the rebellion of humanity against our Creator.

May God Help us All.

Written By Jennifer L. Auld

The Jews and Jerusalem...The End?

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

"Lest you be wise in your own sight, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved..." (Romans 11:25-26)

This is the second in a series on whether the End is near. Last week I gave my own "State of the Union" observations in Is This The End? It was the most difficult blog I ever wrote, and I ended up getting pretty sick...maybe the anxiety, I don't know. Anyway, I want to shift gears and discuss eschatology proper (study of end times). Specifically, as per the text above, I want to ask whether the predictions regarding the Jews and the End times have been fulfilled.

We have to be careful for what I call the "Red Sky Syndrome", which Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for. At night and in the morning they could look at the sky and give a fairly accurate prediction for that days weather. However, when it came to something infinitely more significant,  they missed all the prophetic signs which pointed to Him as their Jewish Messiah. Similarly, Jesus and the apostles gave us specific signs we should look for as indicators of His Second Coming. In agreement with the consensus of church history, I personally do not distinguish between the Rapture and the Second Coming. Why are we caught up in the air then?  As when ancients went out of the  the city gates of Rome to escort their victors home (back into the city) in celebration, I believe that God wants ALL of His children who will reign with Him to meet Him enroute to His final triumph. If you disagree (and most of you probably do), then that is cool. The Second Coming of Jesus is the visible return when all enemies will be vanquished!

Are we in the Last Days--yes and maybe. Since the First Coming of Jesus we have been in the Last Days, but if we mean the time right before the Second Coming, then I THINK we may be. Jesus and the apostles tell us to not miss the signs of His imminent return. Vigilance and diligence, is what we are called to. If we look at the list of sins that will be prevalent, then we can't help but note that they have been pervasive in every generation. So, my thinking is that there will be--due in part to advanced technology--an INTENSIFICATION of these sins, as we discussed last time.

It is noteworthy that the bloodiest century from a military perspective was the twentieth century And unprecedented natural disasters have occurred..I mentioned last week that abortion on demand is the most wicked and depraved activity ever practiced in the history of humanity.That most Christians have a dismissive attitude toward this monstrous evil is another factor that I think is significant. A blinding or moral paralysis seems to have descended upon us...a spirit of deception.

The sign I want to focus on is the prediction of a revival amongst the Jews prior to Jesus' return. In the text above in Romans 11:,25-26.This text has been hotly contested regarding it's interpretation, but I think the meaning is patently clear. Paul does distinguish between Gentiles and ethnic Israel/Jews. The glory of the "mystery" that Paul is revealing is that "All Israel will be saved" prior to Jesus return.The term "all Israel" does not mean each and every Jew alive will be converted. For example, after the Super Bowl it was said, "All Seattle was in the streets celebrating." That clearly does not mean each and every person living in Seattle.....just a whole lot of them. That is the sense of what the text in Rom.11 means--a mighty revival will occur within the Jewish community. Where though? Just in Israel or worldwide?.It would seem the latter makes more sense.

Is that happening? And what of the Jews retaining control of Jerusalem for the first time since 70 AD? There is no doubt that God is saving Jews today in a marvelous way. However, I personally do not see the kind of conversion indicated in Rom 11. Again, this does not refer to EVERY living Jew being saved, but a mighty work. I did some research on this topic, and I must confess that I don't see it....not.yet. And I may be wrong! There is no doubt that more Jews are coming to Christ these days, but the reality is that the vast majority of ethnic Jews are still unbelievers. Or am I wrong?

Some point to the at least partial control of Jerusalem in 1967 as significant. Surely it is since that is the first time that has occurred since 70  AD.. However, upon reflection, I do not know how this bears testimony to any end times predictions. Surely, it has no bearing on their conversion we spoke of. I know that many, since the influence of dispensationalism, have envisioned a literal  Temple with animal sacrifices.And the taking of Jerusalem would be step in that direction. But I find odious the notion that converted Jews would even want to sacrifice animals in light of Christ's work on the cross. It seems contrary to all the book of Hebrews discusses at length.This is taking us far afield into debates regarding the Millennium and so on. Suffice it to say that I personally envision a more comprehensive work of revival and salvation within the Jewish community before this sign is fulfilled. But honestly, I dunno....

Let us end this section as Paul did, as he contemplated the future conversion of the Jews...."For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor? Or who has given a gift to Him that he might be repaid?" For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen." (Romans 11:34-36)