tschuckman@aol.com
Hi Friends,
I had 2--appointments this morning at the VA and pleasantly surprised to learn that I lost another 9 pounds of weight, as I say my Lady PCP [Primary Care Provider], and we seem to be getting along much better now. Her name is Julie C at the IM- VAMC, and before that I saw the great Mr. Steve Gartland, RN., and consider him a personal friend and fellow Christian. One never has too many friends in this life.
But as I explained to folks again today, this VAMC just doesn't have the money to "buy" the top quality surgeons and other medical staff need to perform any SURGERY for our precious Veterans!! OK, I realize that not everyone wants to live in the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Northern Michigan [once owned by our neighbor, Wisconsin, just two hours drive North of Green Bay, WI. But if the pay ain't OK --- no fish is going to bite on an 'empty hook.' People want to be paid for their experience and skill sets! And then the VA has a different way of doing things that can mess up a person's mind with all of their Gov't red tape, etc. So, we Veterans were so blessed to have a good President expand our venues and civilian places to get our health cared for and seen. Hey, we have been jerked around and screwed over for many years.... truth be told. No one lives forever, but we just want a quality life, if possible. When we were 'young and marching to war' little did we know or anticipate all this 'dirt in the water...'
As for me, I pretty much understand that the Father will take me Home if I just sit here on my hands and live just for ME, and forget to do the "Lord's Work" of sharing the Gospel and the Good News of what much surely come soon, IMHO. The Bible tells me so.
But before I go, let me add something to my last blog post concerning the USA and our 2nd Amendment... We can never completely escape danger while on Earth, but we can use our God-given Common Sense. Please understand this reasoning: If all "Assault Rifles" were banned in the USA, the only the criminals would have them! You see, money can buy just about ANYTHING including the best firearms in the world. To someone poor and hungry, a rifle or pistol WILL be sold to buy food, gas, and pay the rent, etc. Since when do criminals ever follow the Law ?? Has prison edified and changed any convicts, ever? We have many statistics to quickly figure these things out, and in some cities and States, the law is not even binding on Illegal Aliens and criminals! Do you think those kind of 'people' even care or worry? Their mind works differently than a real, Bible trained Christian, and he already KNOWS THE LAW. Even now days a skilled man or woman with a knife can still do so much damage in a short amount of time ! Just look at other countries and the News.
So, if criminals can still buy the most modern, high ammo clips and mags firearms, but most honorable, law abiding people not, where does that leaven most of us?? We will be very vulnerable indeed! The same reason why cowards love to pick low security, less protected CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, etc., to 'harvest' the most innocent lives. When will people ever learn COMMON SENSE? I would conclude: NEVER ! Read 'em and weep.
Warm Regards,
Tom Schuckman
September 10th, 2019
Democracies Breaking Down
By Hal Lindsey
Democracy depends on people getting along in a reasonable manner. Where tried, it has mostly worked - at least until recently. What's different now? Attitudes.
In our generation, people have come to love primarily themselves and their money. They are increasingly boastful and proud. They scoff at God. Obedience to parents has come to be seen as weird. Ours is a generation that lacks gratitude for the amazing blessings given by God. That includes the blessings bequeathed to us by the imperfect people who went before us.
We live in a time when nothing is seen as sacred. In fact, the most influential among us brag about their irreverence. We are becoming a society that does not love - does not even know what love is - and does not forgive. Slander has replaced journalism. To our generation, self-control signals weakness. Our time is full of cruelty. People hate what is good. Betrayal is a way of life. Recklessness is praised. Our educational system does not teach basic knowledge and learning skills. Instead, it teaches children to overcome knowledge deficits with conceitedness and arrogance. It is a time of love for pleasure rather than love for God.
But this does not represent the end of religion. In fact, these are very religious times. People often brag about their "spirituality." But they reject God.
In case you didn't recognize it, you have just read a loose translation of 2 Timothy 3:2-5 - verses that explicitly detail the "perilous times" of "the last days." Look at those verses in the New Living Translation. As you read, think about how predictable it is that democratic forms of government will break down in the last days.
"People will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly." (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT)
Across the world, democracies are in trouble and these verses tell us why. In the last few years, but especially the last few months and weeks, democratic governments have become increasingly dysfunctional. It started a long time ago, and final destruction could be a long way out. But cracks in the foundation are becoming chasms. And it's hard to stand strong against a storm when you stand on a broken foundation.
The United Kingdom and Israel illustrate the problem. Great Britain is the oldest democracy on earth. But with the unprecedented battles over Brexit, it has become a democracy at war with itself.
Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. The people there agree on more issues than at any time in decades. But they're struggling. After the April election, Prime Minister Netanyahu was unable to form a majority coalition. They'll try again with another election on September 17. Psalm 122:6 admonishes us to "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem." This is a good time for such prayer.
I won't take time to talk about the state of democracy in the United States, Mexico, the European Union, or the nations of Central and South America. And the truth is, it's not just democracies. Governments of all kinds are struggling.
As the Bible prophesied, the last days are becoming more and more perilous. When people focus increasingly on self, human institutions and their protections tend to break down. For a follower of Jesus, that means double down. Put your trust in Him. That's only scary until you remember His immeasurable power, His perfect track record for keeping His word, and His amazing love for you.
PROGRAMMING NOTE: I hope you can join me every Sunday evening at 11PM EST on Daystar, or online anytime at www.hallindsey.com or www.hischannel.com for my line by line examination of Revelation. If you missed any episodes in this study, you can catch up by visiting www.hallindsey.com/videos/.
mail: HLMM, P.O. Box 470470, Tulsa, OK 74147
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