MIRACULOUS TURN OF EVENTS

 A number of years ago when my oldest son, Kristopher, was in Afghanistan, our family was struggling with the last days of deployment.  It's during those times where danger is heightened.  It's like the enemy knows when one group is coming and one is going.  They try like the dickens to leave a big impression.  That generally means loss of lives.  

It was during this time that a friend of my wife named Martha sent an email to her. She told Joanne during her prayer time, this phrase kept coming to her..., "Miraculous Turn of Events".   She kept repeating herself.  Well over 15 times.  She said, "I'm not sure what it means, but it's something big".  Around that same time, we initiated a Prayer Vigil at the State Capitol in Des Moines, Iowa.  The reason?  An uptick in enemy fire had killed a number of U.S. soldiers and we were feeling desperate.  So we prayed and prayed and prayed.  

Some two weeks later we found out that roughly the same time we were undertaking the Prayer Vigil one of the more amazing battles in U.S. Military history took place.  It was called the Battle of Do Ab.  Here's the Wikipedia version of the event: 

"The Battle of Do Ab took place in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan on May 25th, 2011.  In the battle, a scout platoon from the 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, United States Army, 20 Afghan soldiers and two U.S. Air Force Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) operators and one Law Enforcement Professional (LEP) were ambushed by an estimated 400-500 Taliban near the village of Do Ab,  With assistance from close air support, the coalition forces repulsed the ambush, killing 270 Taliban.  The coalition forces suffered no casualties".  Let me repeat that again.   NO CASUALTIES.  This despite taking immediate fire 360 degrees around the two helicopters when they tried to disembark.    Definitely a MIRACULOUS TURN OF EVENT.  

So why do I bring this up?  Look around and see if we have a number of things going on in our lives that are festering towards a blow up.  If anything politics and religion are about to collide.  

This recent election has done much to bring emotions to the fullest.  Regardless of who wins, which I think is still in doubt, there will be chaos.  No one can guess to what degree.  That is except God.  

So, will Biden pull one out or will Trump turn the table?  If Biden is named President then this country will head to depths never imagined.  It will be a give away party.  Socialism will take over the Country.  Yet, should Trump turn things around in showing voter fraud, what will it buy us?  A couple of more years?  Will burning and looting and killing be common place?  Most likely...

This brings me to the other aspect of the subject.  God.  There is a thing called prophesy that most Christians are totally unaware of.  And that's the Churches fault. They don't teach it and most don't even talk about it.  Why, I'm not sure.  After all, God didn't provide us with prophesy to scare us, he did it to prepare us.  

The Battle is real....and it's right outside your door

 Last week, this took place and most people had no idea it even happened.  From the Associated Press: (November 19)-Israel said it struck dozens of Iranian targets in Syria on Wednesday in a "wide-scale" operation in response to rocket fire on the Israel-controlled Golan Heights the day before.  A Britian-based war monitoring group said the strikes killed at least 23 people, including 15 non-Syrians, some of the Iranians".  Additionally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said "I have made clear that whoever hurts us, we will hurt them".

And the significance of this is what, you say.  

"An oracle concerning Damascus.  Behold, Damascus will cease to be a city and will become a heap of ruins.  The cities of Aroer are deserted; they will be flocks, which will lie down, and none will make them afraid.  The fortress will disappear from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus; and the remnant of Syria will be like the glory of the children of Israel, declares the Lord of hosts-Isaiah 17:1-3

Things are lining up all over the place.  Prophesy tells us so.  As a good friend of mine put it the other day, "God has never lied to us.  All of his prophesies have come true".  Shouldn't that be enough to put on your armor and be ready for battle? 

People.  I've said this before.  Time is running out.  There will be a turn of events coming in the not to distant future.  Will you be ready?  I hope so.  Because it's going to be Miraculous!!!

YGG,

John     

ONE NATION UNDER GOD....NOT

This country....this land we call the United States of America was founded over 200 years ago. With all of our history you'd think it was nearly 400.  Through it all, our forefathers laid a great foundation for us.  They spent hour after hour after hour streamlining the Constitution as a road for success. Other important things took place along the way.  Take for example this:  An early pledge of allegiance to the flag of the Republic was offered up in 1887 by Captain George T. Bach, a veteran of the Civil War.  It read, "We give our heads and hearts to God and our country, one country, one language and one flag". 

Several years later, 1892 to be exact, Francis Bellamy put forward another form of the pledge that became a big portion of what we now know today.  His version was formally adopted by Congress in 1942.  The official name of the Pledge of Allegiance was adopted in 1945.  Lastly, on Flag Day of 1954, the words "under God" were added".  That brought us to these words:

"I pledge the allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all".  

These words used to be recited in classrooms around the country before the beginning of each school day. They were words that meant something.  Kids loved to sing the song, so to speak.  The pledge might have been recited more than, "Now I lay me down to sleep"......    

So what happened in a little over 10 years, after the pledge became official?   

"The reasons for this deterioration is simple.  In the beginning our founding fathers framed our Constitution around God, His moral government and laws. God was the supreme authority for government, the authority for oaths", according to the Courier of Montgomery County, Texas.  "This is a binding put in place to bind us together as one nation under God.  In the early 1960's, the Supreme Court and because of the lack of opposition made it unconstitutional to teach, suggest or recognize that there is a God.  In one uncontested opinion, our nation was brought to its knees, no longer bound as one nation, no longer liberty and justice for all (liberty and justice for the highest bidder), no longer united but heavily fragmented.  No longer a government of the people, by the people and for the people, but a government of the people, by politicians and their greed and struggle for power and for control.  One of our founding fathers gave a profound prediction, 'Those who will not be by God will be ruled by tyrants".  

Would it be helpful if I said, "well, we got what we deserved".  Of course not, but didn't we, though? We turned the other way and we let evil worm it's way into every facet of this country's makeup.  Greed, lust, power and deceit are all around.  And today, if we turn to the Church, are they teaching us what we should be doing?  Most aren't. They're not teaching prophesy. As a churchgoer, you'd be hard pressed to know that Satan is attacking us NOW MORE THAN EVER.  If you're attending a church that is fully committed to where we are biblically in these times, consider yourself fortunate.       

God is WAITING.  He so wants to bring every last person to his kindgom.  Remember Noah and the Ark?  If you'll recall there wasn't a whole lot of room.  So....      

"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those who heart is loyal to Him.  In this you have done foolishly, therefore from now on you shall have wars- 2 Chronicles 16:9

One Nation Under God.  Not anymore.  It hurts to say that.  But the truth is...the whole truth and nothing but the Truth, so help me God.

YGG,

John  

WHO CAN YOU TRUST?

UPDATE:  The post below was published on the 29th of October.  Today, Friday, November 6th we sit as a country awaiting news of the next President of the United States.  The flawed process and the myriad of bad press is adding fuel to the FIRE.  

I'm going to rant today.  And it's long overdue. Way way overdue.   I have several choice words for the press in this country, the profession that looks nothing like the ranks I joined back in 1973. I was a member of the first graduating class in Mass Communications at Mankato State College in Mankato, Minnesota.  It was a proud moment for me and the College.  An emerging era had been born.  

As I look back at what led me to choose this major....I think of Watergate.  It was the chief reason the journalism profession exploded with graduates.   For those of you who don't know, here is the Wikipedia version of Watergate.

"The Watergate scandal was a political scandal in the United States involving the administration of the U.S. President Richard Nixon from 1972 to 1974 that led to Nixon's resignation.  The scandal stemmed from the Nixon administration's continuous attempts to cover up its involvement in the June 17,1972 break-in of the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Washington D.C. Watergate Office Building. 

Not too long after that, things began to change.  It's that change that has led us to today's media....one that I'm embarrassed of.  Read from an article in the Wall Street Journal from former head of CBS and Fox News, Van Gordon Sauter.  He didn't see it coming despite the train already leaving the station. 

"About 35 years ago I was sitting at lunch next to Jeane Kirkpatrick, a one-time Democrat, who became a foreign-policy adviser to President Reagan and later U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.  She was lamenting what she called the "liberal leaning" media.  As President of CBS News, I assured her it was only a "liberal tilt" and could be corrected. 

"You don't understand," she scolded.  "It's too late". 

Kirkpatrick was prophetic.  The highly influential daily newspapers in New York, Washington, Los Angeles and Boston are now decidedly liberal.  On the home screen, the three broad network divisions still have their liberal tilt.  Two of the three leading cable news sources are unrelentingly liberal in their fear and loathing of President Trump.  

News organizations that claim to be neutral have long been creeping leftward, an their loathing of Mr. Trump has accelerated the pace.  The news media is catching up with the liberalism of the professoriate, the entertainment industry, upscale magazines and the literary world.  Recent arrivals are the late-night TV hosts who have broken the boundaries of what was was considered acceptable political humor for networks.  (Note:  Not to mention the Tech Giants, Twitter, Facebook and Google).  

To many of the journalists, objectivity, balance and fairness-once the gold standard of reporting-are not mandatory in a divided political era and in a country they believe to to be severely flawed.  That assumption folds neatly into their assessment of the President.  

So let's back track a little.  There is a thing called a Journalists Creed.  It was written in 1914 by Walter Williams, the founding dean of the Missouri School of Journalism.  The creed has been published in more than 100 languages and a bronze plaque of the Creed hangs at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. 

Here is one of the main points of the creed.  "I believe in the profession of journalism...I believe that a journalist write only what he holds only what he holds to be true.  I believe that suppression of the news, for any consideration other than the welfare of society is indefensible".  

Perhaps just as important is this tenet.  "I believe that the journalism which succeeds best-and best deserves success-fears God and honors Man: is stoutly independent, unmoved by pride of opinion or greed of power, constructive, tolerant but never careless, self-controlled, patient, always respectful of it readers but always unafraid, is quickly indignant at injustice, is  unswayed by the appeal of privilege of the clamor of the mob; seeks to give every man a chance and, as far as law and honest wage and recognition of human brotherhood can make it so, an equal chance: is profoundly patriotic while sincerely promoting international good will and cementing world comradeship; is a journalism of humanity, of and for today's world. 

The Creed has fallen under the same notion as the Ten Commandments.  They no longer serve as a means and way to live your life.  They're merely a SUGGESTION. 

Perhaps you don't see some things on the horizon.  These three words, State Run Media, out to make you shudder. We aren't far from that now.  And if the Democrats succeed in capturing the Presidency and the Congress...it will Happen.  Mark my WORDS.  Here is a short definition of that type of media:  The authoritarian media strategy is not designed to block everything, but is designed at obstructing news about politics or other sensitive issues from consistently reaching key audiences.       

Embarrassed, disgusted and fed up.  Yes, you bet I am.  The media were to be gatekeepers of ours.  They were to help keep us informed and educate us and even provide us some entertainment along the way.  No more.  

We've let this happen to us.  We've stood there and watched this shift of power take place.  We haven't been good stewards of our country and our liberties.   35 Years after Ms. Kirkpatrick echoed those words, "It's too late".  We now have an Apocalypse at our doorstep.  

Now, I ask the question, "Who can you trust?"   

YGG,

John 

  

LOOK AROUND YOU

There are days when I sit in front my laptop and I'm totally blank as to what I should write about.  But never for too long.  God is always there to offer a thought or drop a seed, so to speak.  

My last writing had to do with "Keep Looking Up".  It's a theme that I've completely bought into.  I remind people all the time now that they need to that.  And you should too....because if you haven't gotten on the train to freedom you'll be sadly mistaken.  But perhaps I could offer a suggestion to help you along the way.  Maybe looking around you first, is what you need to do before looking up.  Which brings me to a song written by the Little River Band many a moon ago, "Lady".  The lyrics go like this: 

Look around you

Look up here

Take time to make time

Make time to be there

Look around

Be a part

Feel for the winter

But don't have a cold heart

Makes you wonder where musicians get their inspiration for a song.  They must search places where they can find words that inspire, hope, motivate or offer a direction to live by.  And wouldn't the Bible be an obvious place to start.  So with that idea in mind, look around you.  What do you see?  People coming and going appearing oblivious to what's going to happen in the not to distant future.  It makes a person want to yell out...."hey, what are you all thinking?  Don't you get it?  Don't you see it? 

It's not to difficult to see the apathy that is running rampant today.  The looks on peoples faces wear it like a badge....and yes, not a mask.  The ones behind the masks are in deeper trouble.  But that's a story for another time.  Are people that stubborn or clueless they are looking the other way?  Maybe so.  But you don't have to be like that.  If what I'm saying hits you between the eyes and you want to be a part of something so super special.... then use that realization to LOOK UP.  It's just that easy. And then get right with God and keep looking up for as long as it takes.  If you could only imagine what it will look like when he comes back for us.     

9The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing.  They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.  For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness-2 Thessaloanisans 2:9  

YGG,

John           

ARE YOU LOOKIN UP?

 "Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man".-Luke 21:36

I find I'm using a phrase I borrowed from my wife a whole lot more these days.  "Keep lookin up".  I had a little reservation in saying it at first.  It didn't seem natural to me.  But now, the more I use it, the more I feel convicted in laying it out there.  I did a little research on the subject and found out this about the quote.  Remember the comic strip, "Peanuts?"  Yeah, that Peanuts.  The creator of the animal, so to speak, was Charles Schultz.  He often times spoke in feeling stuck in a rut.  His answer was to try and look up and in doing so, you will find there are many more possibilities there!   

Now, it would be easy to say that having a positive attitude about things helps.  But it means so much more.  You need to look up for a reason.  God is there and he will provide what we need in no uncertain terms.   

Which leads me to this 2020 election cycle.  Weeks ago I found myself digging more into prophesy and less into what the results of the election might mean.  Here is what I now feel convicted of.  While I'm still hopeful Donald Trump wins,  I'm no longer of the belief that if he doesn't win...all is lost.  If Trump wins, I believe God will have given us a reprieve of sorts to get things right with him.  And if Trump loses, it will be the beginning of the end.  Just as simple as that.  So, really, it's a win-win thing.    

How could I say such a thing you might ask?  And I would respond by saying, look at the truth, the whole truth. That would be in the Bible.  Look at the Book of Revelations.  Errr, read it I mean.  Study it and let it soak in.  If you do, I am fairly certain my thoughts won't seem so far off base.  

Look up.  Take a long, long look.  If you think we are long for this world then you are sadly mistaken.  He's coming back.  I don't know when.   But soon.....  

12 "Look, I am coming soon!  My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.  13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and many go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.  16 I Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches.  I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star. 17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let the one who wishes take the free gift of the the water of life.  18  I warn everyone who hears the words of prophesy of this scroll: If anyone adds to the  plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from the scroll of prophesy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.  20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon".   Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus.  21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen". -Revelation 22 12-21  

One more time.....Keep Lookin UP.  

YGG,

John

WHAT WOULD YOU DO KNOWING YOU WERE DYING?

Last week was full of surprises.  Not good ones either.  First, I received a call from my nephew that they'd taken my brother to the hospital by ambulance as he had taken a turn for the worse in his battle with coronavirus.  Days later, a best friend of my wife's called to say she had been diagnosed with cancer.  Not good.  

One week later there is good and bad to report. My brother bounced back from his issues. Most likely he was dehydrated from taking prednisone.  Doctors put him on antibiotics and gave him a couple days of oxygen.  That seemed to stem the tide.  He's doing fine now.  About ready to poke his head out in public...somewhat.  Joanne's friend had some tests ran early this week and it looks like stage 4 cancer.  The calls between the two of them have been many.  As you might expect, when one hears cancer, fear sets in.  Stage 4 doesn't help.  Certainly you have to think that time is nearing.  Heck, as sick as my brother was, that thought was running through many in our family. 

So given situations like these....what would you do?  After the initial shock, how would you live out the rest of your life?  Just to remind you....not everyone gets to plan.  Some times you are gone in an instant.  Let's say though, you do have an opportunity to live things out.  Would you take a trip to some place you always wanted to go?  Buy some expensive toy, something you never thought you'd be able to own in a million years.  Or would you set out to see where family and friends are in their walk with God.   Just to make sure they know where they're going.  After all, you want them with you don't you?

Or would you look to be a seed planter?  Would you see yourself in a great situation to be able to tell people about God and how important he is to their own salvation. Our would you crawl up on the couch on let time run its course.  There are a plethora of things you could do.  These are just a few that came to my mind.      

You need to keep looking up....

Now, let's put a different spin on things.  If you look around you, it's obvious that prophecy is playing itself out.  Minute by minute.  We are closer now than ever before of Jesus returning to this earth.   So, are we on borrowed time, so to speak.  Aaaaah, yes.  And it that's the case, shouldn't we look at it the same as one would if they knew their life was coming to an end?  Again, I say yes.  

Perhaps this will put into perspective: 

"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of wht is coming on the world.  For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near".-Luke 21:25-28  

YGG,

John

 

SOUNDING THE ALARM

"The British are coming, the British are coming".  I can hear those words as distinctly now as the first time I heard them in World History as a teenager.  That was a long time ago.  Actually both were a long time ago.

We've been told for quite some time now, that it was Paul Revere's historic ride through the streets of Concord hollering a warning that sounded the alarm.  In fact, he didn't even make it to Concord.  Revere, an activist in the Patriot movement and two other men, Samuel Prescott and William Dawes rode that night.  They had every intention of going the full route to Concord, but all three were arrested after leaving Lexington and were detained by a British patrol.  

HERE'S WHAT YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW:  Revere's ride never happened the way we thought it did.  Prescott was the first to escape capture.  He ultimately made it all the way to Concord to warn residents to protect ammunition and weapons stored in a hidden depot outside of town.  Dawes later escaped and by all accounts got lost in the woods.  Revere was eventually released but without his horse in tow.  He walked back to Lexington to find the city in battle on the Lexington Green.  He had been in custody when the first shots were fired.  The British are coming, the British are coming",  never came from the lips of Revere.  He did however warn residents of the invasion before hitching a horse for the ride to Concord that never concluded.      

Or how about this one?  The day was December 7, 1941.  Two U.S. servicemen were manning a radar station on Oahu and despite reporting their sighting of a huge blip on their screen were ignored.  PEARL HABOR.  A name that will live forever all because the alarm wasn't taken serious. Years later the real truth of who had tried to sound the call came to the surface. They are not household names but they well should be.  Here they are: Joseph Lockard and Kermit Tyler.   

So, where is this all going you say?  Lockard and Tyler might have wisdom of the question.  LOOK UP!!  If you're not following our world's happenings then perhaps the best alarm possible can't wake you up.  We are getting closer than ever now.  Jesus is returning soon.  I simply can't say it any way other than that. If you won't believe me try these words from the Book of Knowledge.   

"Behold, a day is coming for the LORD, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in your midst.  For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped.  Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city.  Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle.  On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward.  And you shall flee to the valley of my mountains, for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azal.  And you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah.  Then the Lord my God will come, and the hold ones with him"...-Zechariah 14:1-21 

The Alarm has been sounded.  How will you react?  It's up to you......

YGG,

John

  

IF I WERE THE DEVIL

The year was 1965.  55 years ago.  What you are about to read is from one of the greatest radio broadcasters of all-time, Paul Harvey.  He could have written it yesterday.  That is, if he was still alive.  He died in 2009 at the age of 90.  

I met Paul Harvey some 35 years ago.  At the time I was a producer for Jim Zabel on his evening sports radio show on WHO in Des Moines, Iowa.  Jim and I traveled to Chicago to take in the Big Ten Football Media Days.  Part of our plan was to originate live broadcasts while in the Windy City.  The best place to do that was the Paul Harvey Studios.  We made a request to Mr. Harvey to use his "home".  He replied, "I would be honored".  I think actually the tables should have been turned around.  We should have been on the floor with our humility.   When the day and time  arrived for us to check into Harvey's offices, we were met by a little old lady that walked us into a humungous office...that of the KING.  He so eloquently rose from his seat and sauntered over to the door.  Command presence was oozing in the room.  He was so humble, so friendly and so bigger than life.  We were without a doubt next to a Legend.  His radio broadcasts are epic.  Below, you will get a taste of his sense of the future.  Scary as it might be.....

"If I were the prince of darkness , I would want to engulf the whole world in darkness.  I'd have a third of its real estate and four-fifths of its population, but I would not be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree--thee.  So, I would set about however necessary to take over the United States".   

"I'd subvert the churches first, and I would begin with a campaign of whispers.  With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: 'Do as you please'.

"To the young, I would whisper that the Bible is a myth. I would convince the children that man created God instead of the other way around.  I'd confide that what's bad is good and what's good is square. And the old, I would teach to pray after me, 'Our Father, which are in Washington...'  

"Then I'd get organized, I'd educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting so that anything else would appear dull and uninteresting.  I'd peddle narcotics to whom I could.  I'd sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction.  I'd tranquilize the rest with pills".  

"If I were the devil, I'd soon have families at war with themselves, churches at war with themselves and nations at war with themselves until each, in its turn, was consumed.  And with promises of higher ratings, I'd have mesmerizing media fanning the flames".  

"If I were the devil, I would encourage schools to refine young intellect but neglect to discipline emotions.  I'd tell teachers to let those students run wild.  And before you knew it, you'd have drug-sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door.  With a decade, I'd have prisons overflowing and judges promoting pornography.  Soon, I would evict God from the courthouse and the schoolhouse and then from the houses of Congress.  In his own churches, I would substitute psychology for religion and deify science.  I'd lure priests and pastors into misusing boys and girls and church money".    

"If I were the devil, I'd take from those who have and give to those who wanted until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious.  What'll you bet I couldn't get whole states to promote gambling as the way to get rich"?    

"I'd convince the young that marriage is old-fashioned, that swinging is more fun and that what you see on television is the way to be.  And thus, I could undress you in public and lure you into bed with diases for which there are no cures".    

"In other words, if I were the devil, I'd just keep right on doing what he's doing". 

Paul Harvey-Good Day

If you'd like to hear him with his distinctive voice narrate the piece above....here is the audio version.  

YGG, 

John

IF YOU COULD ONLY IMAGINE WHAT'S COMING

The 2001 hit single, "I Could Only Imagine" by Mercy Me is one of my all time favorites.  The words in the song are so powerful, so full of description.  I'm particularly fond of the third verse as it's so right on...

"Surrounded by Your glory

What will my heart feel

Will I dance for you Jesus

Or in awe of You be still

Will I stand in your presence

Or to my knees will I fall

Will I sing hallelujah

Will I be able to speak at all

I can only imagine

I can only imagine" 

But, let's not put the cart before the horse.   There's still a whole lot of imagining to take place.  If you're reading this you're still on this earth.  Breathing, waiting, planning and hopefully praying.  So let's imagine this.  You're at your job facing challenges to your workday.  It's been hectic.  There's been a myriad of phone calls, emails and texts.  The noise in the office is buzzing at a high level.  But suddenly there comes silence.  A pregnant pause kind of silence.  Which means this: "A pause that builds up suspension in the listener/viewer for a greater dramatic effect of what follows after the pause."  

Now picture this.  You can see a field.  One with rolling hills full of every color of the rainbow.  Majestic to say the least.  You make out a figure in the distance.  It's unlike any one you've seen before.  You know it's definitely not a human form.  On his right side, the figure is holding onto something bright and shiny.  Blinding really.  Most likely brass in nature.  There is a feeling of intensity in the air.  Like something special will soon happen.  

You squint a little harder and see that the figure is looking off in the distance at what appears to be a raised hand.  You look back at the figure and see it lift with both hands the object from his right side.  Lifted right in front of its mouth.  You can make out the dryness of the lips and hear a motor-boating sound to prepare for the moment of a lifetime.  This moment has been talked about for a long, long time.  Longer than anyone can imagine.  Perhaps that's why you also sense nervousness too.  How can you practice for something like this?  It's a one-time chance to nail it for all to hear.  The bright radiant object is now pulled into the moist, pursed lips of the figure.  Off in the distance you make out the raised hand dropping quickly downward.  The sound begins. Not a blaring, but a note that resonates like nothing ever heard before.  It's the sound of the trumpet signaling the beginning.  Yes, the beginning.        

            

1 Thessalonians 4 13-18 brings it all into focus.  13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.  14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.  15 According to the Lord's word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.  16  For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  17  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And so we will be with the Lord forever.  18  Therefore encourage one another with these words. 

 Look around you.  Take a real gooooood look.  Who looks ready?  Can you see anyone in that imagination state?  Most likely not many. The common thought among believers is that Jesus is coming back.  Just not any time soon.  Not me.   I'll grant you I have no secret information on when the time will be.  But if you look at the Bible and you see how things are lining up....time is close at hand.   So close that not only can I see it...I can almost taste it.  Of this I can imagine.

YGG,

John 

P.S.  Not sure if you thought about this, but I know I have.  One of the first questions I want to ask when reaching heaven is, who sounded the trumpet?  Which ever angel it was, they deserve some serious accolades!!!

     

J.D. FARAG SHARES PROPHESY DESPITE MOST CHURCHES REMAINING QUIET

I've sung the praises of Pastor J.D. Farag of Calvary Chapel Kaneohe in Hawaii for some time now.  And for good reason.  He doesn't pull punches.  He is straight forward with his wisdom and talks about the state of our country and our world and what that means in end times.  Each week he delivers a message on prophesy.  He's done so for over 14 years.  14 YEARS.

Are you ready for what's to come? 

I feel compelled to share his most recent YOU TUBE delivery.  It's not for the faint of heart.  His message offers little in the way of life as we know now.  But that's in this world, not what God has promised us. Farag states so eloquently "the United States is dying.  In fact, the World is dying".  If that's not enough to get your attention, I'm not sure what is.   But it offers these questions to our churches....those who are remaining silent on prophesy.  "Why do you keep the sheep from knowing what's ahead?  Can't you see the storm on the horizon?" 

So where is the first prophesy in the Bible.  Try Genesis 3:15.

"15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."  To help this make sense,  the woman is Eve, her seed Adam and the serpent is Satan.

I have attached a link of the Pastor's message from Sunday, the 7th.  Take an hour of your time and let his words sink into your heart and mind.  Times are drawing near.  The trumpets are near to sound.



J.D. Farag Prophesy


"Remember, then, what you received and heard.  Keep it and repent.  If you will not wake up,  I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you"-Revelation 3:3

YGG,

John

HOPE YOUR HOPER IS STILL WORKING

I know I've been working the "Hope" thing a lot lately.  But there's a really good reason.  If you haven't noticed, the wheels are coming off of most everything we used to hold near and dear.  Things like justice, fairness, safety, the American Flag and the Anthem are becoming a thing of the past.

So what do we have left?  HOPE.  That's what.  Four little letters that can move anything and everything.  Because without it, why exist.

I came across this image from Nikki Banas, a writer, encourager and creator.  She hit on some pretty good points.  Ideas that we need to start implementing if we haven't already.  HOPE is what's going to carry us through all the carnage that is happening in our World.  Rest assured, it's not going to go away.

Nikki hit on some pretty good thoughts to live by 

What are some of the biggest Hopes we have in our lives?  The following comes from the Billy Graham Library.  Below is a short thought.  I have provided a link to the entire article below it.

"Sometimes it's difficult to see hope in a situation.  But, the Bible says that true hope is unseen.  And if we can be hopeful for one thing, such as our salvation, which is also unseen, then we can be hopeful for others things too.  It's just that simple!  For in this hope we were saved.  But hope that is seen is no hope at all.  Who hopes for what they already have?" -Romans 8:24

https://billygrahamlibrary.org/blog-5-things-the-bible-says-about-hope/


YGG,

John 

HOPE YOU REMEMBER THOSE WHO SACRIFIED

Today is a day for remembrance.  A day when memories should be front and center.   In truth, every day should be a Memorial Day.  A time to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy provided by those that serve.

We've had two of our children serve, Kristopher and Jonathan.  Without question we are proud of the commitment both made at such a young point in their life.  Kristopher served in Afghanistan in 2010-2011.  Jonathan served state side.  In many ways, we are thankful that he did.  Our family knows all too well what sacrifice means.  It's not just the soldier.  It's family and friends as well. So this is a day to remember their part in the process.

Serving those that Served.........

I've known a few soldiers who have deployed and were killed in action. None intimately.  One I knew was when I was in high school and the others were part of the 400 Iowa and Nebraska troops that deployed to Afghanistan with our oldest.  What does this day mean to those people that knew someone first-hand?  My hope is a lot.  My bigger hope is we look deep down and make Memorial Day something other than time off and family outings.  Make it a holiday.  You know what a holiday is, right?  By definition, " A holiday is a day set aside by custom or by law on which normal activities, especially business or work, including school, are suspended or reduced.  Generally, holidays are intended to allow individuals to celebrate or commemorate an event of  tradition of cultural or religious significance".   Hopefully a deep meaning becomes custom to you.

Today, I think of a solider who served.  Who saw some horrific things and brought that battle back to the states.  His name is Ryan Whitt.  Specialist Jeffrey Ryan Whitt.  I think of his family today.  I'm sure this day is like one of many days they ache for him.....birthdays, holidays, wedding day, and the day of his death.  Remember Specialist Whitt today.  He was a fine young man that left this earth far too early.  That's what I will remember.  I hope you have someone you can remember in the same way.       


Jocko Willink, a retired Nay SEAL offers some unique thoughts on this Memorial Day.  Hope you realize a deeper appreciation in viewing his interview:

https://video.foxnews.com/v/6159024891001?playlist_id=6097749916001#sp=show-clips


YGG,

John

HOPE YOU'RE NOT BEING DECEIVED

Gosh.  Where do I start?  There's so much to unbox regarding the times we're in.  How about I start with perhaps the most important part?  Don't be DECEIVED.  Keep your eyes and ears open because there are a myriad of critics offering advise as to how we need to live or lives. 

The biggest question in their suggestions should be, "where does your wisdom come from?"  If it's from an educated position, theory, model or a gut feeling we'd best run the other way.  Where should our answers come from?  There is only one place.  It's called the Bible.  It's here where we've been told what's in store....and it's called Prophecy.  Inspired declaration of what's to come.

Here is one thing that's for certain.  Things will never be like they were before this coronavirus hysteria.  Don't expect a new normal.  There will be no such thing as normal.  This is not a time to hide in the sheets and hope things will go away.  They won't.  YOU and I need to wake up...and rely more than ever on JESUS CHRIST.  If we don't we'll be deceived.  Evil is working feverishly.  It's that old axiom.  Strike now while the iron is hot.  That's where Satan is operating from today.   So, how do we combat that?  Ask, ask and ask again for Ears to Hear and Eyes to See.  We're going to need both senses as acute as they've ever been.

Pastor  Ernest Amstalden, from Victory Christian Fellowship Church in Jewell, Iowa offers some great insights on the art of deception. "The first thing that goes is truth", he offered.  And the Pastor suggests that when people are "under attack, like this virus thing, people become scared and do things they wouldn't normally do.  Just where Satan wants us.  He wants deception....one of his biggest disguises. We need to see clearly.  Almstalden's following words provided just that.

"We live in an electronic concentration camp.  Call it what you will.  The meaning is the same; in our quest for less personal responsibility, a sense of greater security and no burdensome obligations to each other or to future generations, we have created a society in which we have no true freedom."

Will you be Deceived? 

Almstaden suggests we can look to 2 Corinthians 6-10 for a wing dinger of wisdom.

"6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as your were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness.  He is the head over every power and authority."

In the coming days, weeks and months you'll see businesses shuttering their windows and doors.  People will see their jobs being phased out and unemployment will be long-term and not a small stoppage in monies.  Our political will be more combative, if that's possible. Churches will fall to wayside.  A vaccine will be offered for the coronavirus despite being only 40-60% effective but in
essence will provide the microchipping IT heads and some medical groups have clamored for.  And let's not forget a one world government will be talked about as the saving face to our world.  Far-fetched?  Take a look back what the world was like several months ago.  We are closer now than we've ever been before in seeing the return of Jesus Christ.  If you don't believe me, check Prophecy.

Which leads me to a comment from JD Farag, Pastor of Calvary Chapel Kaneoh in Hawaii when asked by a member of his congregation who was fearful of end times and what will take place on earth.  "I'm afraid", he said.  Farag was straight forward in his response.  "Don't be.  Because you and I won't be here".

And that's not Deception.  Rest in that.

YGG,

John 

HOPE YOU'RE LOOKIN UP!

I made the decision yesterday that I'm going to return to posting "My Father's Voice" to Facebook.  It's been a long time since I've taken our stories and placed them on the social media giant.  The biggest reason I left FB was that I felt that most posts had become way to political and confrontational.  It had become clutter....and confusion.  Frankly, I didn't want any part of it.  So I jettisoned.

Recently, I came to the conclusion, that despite any backlash that my posts would receive if I returned, it's far better than doing nothing at all.  Because the way I see it, we are in desperate times where desperate action is needed.

Here's where my challenge came from.  A Des Moines, Iowa author, Galyn Wiemers, who is founder of Generation Word, a Bible teaching ministry, penned a book in 2007, entitled "Hope for America's Last  Generation".   One of many paragraphs got my attention.  But this is the one that really made an impact.  "God rewards believers for their faithful service. The believer who has been saved for many years and lived a faithful life will have more opportunities for rewards than one who got saved at the last minute or one who never truly walked in obedience to God.  It is possible to spend your life thinking you are serving the Lord but earn no reward in the end (1 Corinthians 3:15; 9:27).  Rewards are only given for actions that involve:

1.  Pure or sincere motivation-(doing the right thing for the wrong reason won't earn a reward)
2.  Serving God in truth-(having a sincere motive but doing the wrong thing won't get a reward)

So I asked myself, and you might do the same thing....am I doing all I can to tell people about what prophecy is telling us about the times were in?  My immediate and sad answer...was NO.  I've always thought of myself as one who tries to walk faithfully, but never one that talks much about God and my relationship with my creator.  I've never felt comfortable talking about it.  My wife on the other hand looks for any opportunity there is to spread the word. 

It made me think..."My Father's Voice" impacted many during the time our son was deployed to Afghanistan.  People from over 150 countries came to our site to see what God's voice was instructing.  It helped people....it challenged people.....and it changed people.  So I asked myself.  Couldn't this be a way to increase my motivation and means of serving God?  That's where I'm at.  And going forth, that's where I'm going to be.  A distributor of Truth, offering No Confusion.  There will be a whole lot of Hope in my messages.  My book, "Hope is a Weapon", was the centerpiece behind this line of thinking.  In these times, there is only one Hope.  And it's not in anything but Jesus.

I will say though.  You'd better be looking up.  Times are close at hand.  A LifeWay Research article offers some insight with this quote, "Almost 9 in 10 pastors see at least some current events matching those Jesus said would occur shortly before he returns to Earth".  Now, if that's the case then, why aren't they talking about it from the pulpit?  Why are they not telling their flock?   Shouldn't they be educating their audience as to what's at stake? 

There's a very good reason to be looking up

 
These words might say why:

"But concerning that day and hour no ones knows, not even the angels of Heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.  For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.  For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the Ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man". -Matthew 24:36 

Now you know why I say, "I Hope You're Looking Up".

YGG,

John


           

THE HOPE OF PROPHESY FULFILLED

My last blog post dealt with the Rapture.  The word itself has people up in arms.  And well they should be.  Raised as high as they can!!  Now, let's take things a little deeper, should we?  What does prophesy say?

A recent article in the Washington Post posed this picture:

"Chuck Pierce's son was concerned, like a lot of other people looking out on a world of ransacked grocery stores and canceled sports seasons and eerie lines of people standing six feet apart from one another.  So he asked his dad:  'Is this the end of the world?'

That's a question you can ask when you have a dad who calls himself an apostolic prophet and leads a prophetic ministry.  'No', said the elder Pierce, who is based in Corinth, Texas. 'The Lord's shown me through 2026, so I know this isn't the end of time."

That would lead me to the biggest question there is.  Why?  And then a few more. Why do you think or know that, Mr. Pierce?  Why 2026?  Frankly, I'm not in that camp.  I believe we are much closer than that.  MUCH.  For several years now, my wife and I have been faithful listeners of J.D. Farag.  Farag is pastor of Calvary Chapel Kaneohe in Hawaii.  For over 14 years now, he has been giving weekly prophesy updates.  His most recent You Tube message from Sunday, I believe, nails it.  Take 30 minutes and watch and let it sink in.  Farag mentions, he'd rather overstate and be wrong, than understate and be right.  In not sounding the alarm, it could mean thousands of people, maybe hundreds of  thousands wouldn't be awake.  But most importantly, BE READY.

              

But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man"-Luke 21:36

I'm going to rest in that.  Why not join me?  Are you READY?

YGG,

John

HOPE OF THE RAPTURE

Let's get right down to it!  No pulling of the punches.  No fake news.  The question I'm going to ask you is, "do you believe in the rapture?"  Many, far too many pastors are preaching from the pulpit suggesting there's not even a mention of the word in the Bible.  Really?  Let's mislead the sheep, shall we?

It's even a sadder situation when a pastor stands in front of his congregation and taunts them with "show me in the book where the word rapture is used.  No where."  So let's the record straight.   And it will be the Truth and nothing but the Truth.   

From the Bible.org: "The Greek word the term "rapture" is derived from appears in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, translated "caught up."  The Latin translation of this verse used the word "rapturo".  The Greek word it translates is "harpazo", which means to snatch or take away.  Elsewhere it is used to describe how the Spirit caught up Philip near Gaza and brought him to Caesarea (Acts 8:39) and to describe Paul's experience of being caught up into the third heaven (2 Cor. 12 2-4).  Thus there can be no doubt that the word is used in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 to indicate the actual removal of people from earth to heaven."

DO NOT.  I REPEAT.  DO NOT LET ANYONE TRY TO CONVINCE YOU THERE IS NO SUCH WORD AS RAPTURE IN THE BIBLE.

I listened to Jan Markell from Olive Tree Ministries this past weekend along with her guest, Brett Miller, Jr.  Her radio show "Understanding the Times", is very well scripted and produced and it was Miller who delivered spot on information regarding the Rapture.  Rather than trying to explain I will let you listen if you have the time.  If you don't.  Take the time anyway.  You won't be sorry!!! 

  
I hope you feel encouraged by what you hear, here.  If you felt conflicted of whether or not there is a rapture, fear no more.  In fact, reach your hands in the air and keep looking up.  There's a good chance it's closer than any of us know.

YGG,

John
 

WHERE IS HOPE AT TODAY-PART 7

Hawkeye's new home 

This past weekend I was contacted by Mary Bennett, Special Collections Coordinator of the State Historical Society of Iowa.  She presented an entirely different scenario to the "Hope is a Weapon" book box.  This time SHE was making a request.  "I was very interested in the book you wrote and feel it's important to add to Iowa's documentary record.   We are proud of our service men and women so preserving their stories is extremely important", she relayed.   WOW, that's pretty special, I thought. So I ambled up to the cardboard Hope home and asked if I had a volunteer to become a part of the legacy of our state.  Little Hawkeye chirped right up.  "Count me in", he said.  "I think it would be awesome to make Iowa City my home."   So there you have it.  Our last 5X7 willing paperback is onto new digs.   The few remaining subjects are spoken for from our book allotment.  For sure this "Where is Hope at Today" thing been fun. It's kind of a exciting time and a sad time all in one.  Now, it's time to move on with some other marketing ideas.  Who knows what lies ahead?  I'm not sure I can imagine that.  But I can only HOPE to.

YGG,

John

WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT....

A RECENT REVIEW FROM AMAZON OFFERS THIS INFORMATION:  A rarely shared story about the struggles faced by the families of deployed service members.  The author does a great job of framing the complex range of emotions that families endure during deployments.  Love, pride, fear, loss, sadness, anger and disappointment.  Most importantly, Hope.


MANY AN AUTHOR HAVE PEOPLE WHO ENDORSE THEIR WORDS THAT ARE FAMOUS.  WHERE THAT WOULD LOOK NICE THE COMMON FOLK ARE OFTEN THE BEST ONES TO OFFER THEIR MIND.  THE FOLLOWING CAME FROM A MILITARY MOTHER THAT SPEAKS HER FEELINGS ON READING, "HOPE IS A WEAPON" .  Please tell John that I’m “in the book".  That is, I’m almost to the middle, but I’m absorbing it as I go.  I really can only read a couple chapters at a time before it hits me hard and I’m crying.  🤷‍♀️  (And then I switch back to an easy read novel to get my mind off the memories) it’s really good.  You certainly nailed it from the parents' side of that experience.  And I’ve started asking our son about some  of his experiences.  He’s opened up a little more, and I’m so grateful to you both for all the time and effort this book must have taken.

I appreciate so much the comments above.  Not everyone wants to talk about issues of deployment.  It's a hard process for sure.  We all know some who has deployed, is deployed or will deploy in the future.  What is expressed in "Hope is a Weapon", is not atypical.  In fact, it's the norm.

YGG,

John , 

WE CAN ALL BE BETTER SEED PLANTERS

I was listening on line to JD Farag. Pastor of Calvary Chapel Kaneohe,  Sunday night on the  prophecy update he does each week.  He was passionately mentioning the "signs" that are around us. 

"And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars.  See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.  For nation will rise against nation,  and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.-Matthew 24 6-7" 

What Farag mentioned next hit home with me.  In fact, it took me back to 10/31/2010.  It has to do with the importance of leading people to Jesus in these times.  Not that you have to take someone the whole way home.  Maybe it was simply that you planted the seed.  Below are my thoughts 9 and 1/2 years ago.

I have a new job, one that excites the stuffing out of me.  It doesn't come with an office, doesn't have any big title and the money is lousy.  But that's alright.  You see, I'm the new Seed Planter in town.

 I've been so many other things over the years.  Doing this to get that.  But always in ways that could benefit me,  my family or our future. And that's come with mixed results.  I've done some neat things (taken each of my children to a sporting event and gotten them on the sidelines)......met some interesting people (Paul Harvey, Gerald Ford, Shawn Johnson, Mike Ditka and Ed Thomas).....and traveled to some nice places (Jamaica and Soviet Union).  In every instance, it was about me.  Soaking up the moment, somewhat prideful me.  But I've changed.  I've changed because it's time to.

Let me tell you a story about a little boy named Jake. That's what he's remembered by, Jake.  No last name is needed.  Jake, contracted encephalitis and died several years ago, tragically .  He started feeling punky one day, lethargic, then began running a fever.  No one knew what was happening. Doctors were stumped.  His parents became frantic.  He got sicker and sicker...until he passed away in his mother's arms.  In a span of 72 hours, Jake went from a healthy, bouncing, fun-loving boy....to the end of life.

His mother, wrote a letter several days after he passed and thanked everyone for their support.  The letter was written so eloquently.  It described so much in a short amount of space, but it hit home.  It told of their families knowledge that Jake was their "gift" and that even though they selfishly wanted him longer, they knew God had a plan.  I'm sure Jake's mother had help in writing that letter. How could she not?  And I don't mean the help came from anyone here on earth.  I couldn't imagine losing a child, let alone putting my thoughts down on paper so soon after burying him.

I tell you about Jake because his name lives on.  Each Holy Spirit Retreat at Lutheran Church of Hope's Alpha class, this story is told.  You couldn't hear a feather drop during Jake's Story.  That's the effect little Jake has.  Yes, his name lives on, and on, and on.  He is impacting lives because of his death.

A little dab will do it.......

Back to the present. 

I can't think of a more perfect story regarding a seed planter.  If you and I simply step up and be bold.  If we show God's love, that's all we need to do. The rest will take care of itself.  Maybe you'd continue to be in that person's life...or maybe not.  All...we....need...to...do...is....plant....the....seed.

YGG,

John       

WHERE IS HOPE AT TODAY-PART 6

I'm amazed at the books that call the "Hope is a Weapon" box home.  They step up and confidently express their willingness to serve at a location where they can provide HOPE.  Today was no exception when Jim yelled from the depths of the cardboard walls. "Reporting for duty, sir", he said.  "I would like to suggest we go to the VFW".  On the way to the Des Moines office, Jim explained to me the VFW was founded by James C. Putnam in 1899 in Columbus, Ohio.  It is now headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri.  The purpose according to their definition is "to speed rehabilitation of the nation's disabled and needy veterans, assist veterans' widows and orphans and the dependents of needy or disabled veterans, and promote Americanism by means of education in patriotism and by constructive service to local communities".  What an awesome purpose.  When we arrived at the VFW we met Jerry Black, State Adjutant, who very willingly accepted little Jim into their offices to stay behind and do his work.  Another gift and another story.  What might come next?  I can only imagine....  

Another home and another chance to serve

WHERE IS HOPE AT TODAY-PART 5

I was telling my wife, Joanne, that I was thinking of going to the Polk County Veterans Affairs the other day and gifting them a copy of "Hope is a Weapon".  Almost as soon as I got the words out of my mouth, little Woolie screamed from the book box...."me, me, me".  "And why would that be?", I asked.  "Well they do a great job of helping veterans in the Polk County area and last fall they had their 3rd Annual Coat Drive.  That's where I want to be, seeing veterans get a helping hand or coat", he rattled off.  So off we went.  A short time later, we connected with Pat Sweeney, the Director and Nick Lemmo, the Assistant Director and the rest is history.  Woolie has a new home and we have some new friends.  So, now where?  Stay tuned.  As I've said before, "I can only imagine".

Pat, John and Nick and the Little One….

WHERE IS HOPE AT TODAY-PART 4

WHERE IS HOPE AT TODAY- PART 4


"John?"  came the question from the Hope is a Weapon book box.  "John?  I am reporting for duty to be the next Hope volunteer.  I've got a great idea, I think", said the little Herbie.  The diminutive one ratlled of a number of reasons why he felt the Des Moines VA was the place he needed to settle in at. He cited that the organization came about when President Hoover signed an executive order establisihing the VA on July 21, 1930....and that today there are over 18.2 million veterans in the United States and some 9 million of those use VA services.  "Ok, dude", I said.  "You sold me.  Let's go".  A short time later we were meeting with Shirley Woolluums, Volunteer Service-Program Support Assistant in Des Moines and presenting her a copy of the book.  All in all, it was a perfect location.  So, where will Hope be next?  I can only imagine....      

Shirley Woollums accepting a gift of "Hope is a Weapon".

WHERE IS HOPE AT TODAY-PART 3

WHERE IS HOPE AT TODAY? PART 3

The music was blaring out of the sound bar next to the TV,  the Mercy Me song, "I Can Only Imagine".  The second verse had just begun as I tried to follow suit with the words.  "Surrounded by You glory,
What will my heart feel, Will I dance for you Jesus, Or in awe of You be still"... when a loud voice comes from the "Hope is a Weapon", book box.  "Can I  be the next volunteer?"   I sneak a look as Bud Jr. asks another way, "please, can I?"  "Sure", I fire back.  What you got in mind".  "I have a namesake, a Retired Maj. Gen. Warren G. “Bud” Lawson  who was the Iowa National Guard's 26th adjutant general.  He was a visionary during his 44-year career.  I  would consider it an honor to represent for us",  Jr. alluded.   "How about we go to the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum?", he said.   While Lawson did not have a direct involvement with the museum, his  hand prints and connections are all over it.  The choice was easy.   Within the hour, Bud Jr. and I were on our way to Camp Dodge.   Upon arriving , we connected with Sherrie Colbert, Museum Director and Michael Yogt, Curator and presented  a 5X7 bundle of pride to the Museum.  Sherrie mentioned a Book Festival that could be upcoming in the Spring and if we would/could come back.  "Uhhhh, for sure", I said.  "Would love tooooo.  Stay tuned.  Bud Jr. enjoy the new surroundings.  Now, it's time to start imagining ...Where will Hope be next?

Adding  a nugget to the Iowa Gold Star Museum 

WHERE IS HOPE AT TODAY-PART 2

Okay, first off I must offer an apology from last week.  I completely forgot to tell you the name of our brave little book that was willing to leave home on a quest for sharing "Hope is a Weapon".  It's Adam.  Sorry Adam for not mentioning you.  Truly I am.  Adam told he has this thing about being first.  He's always been first.  I get it.  So, as I'm getting ready to take my little buddy to new digs, he says, "hmmmm.  A couple of others want to come with me".  "Are you sure?", I reply.  "Do I need to repeat myself?", he responds.  "Mary and John are all in".  I shake my head being challenged by a 5X7 paperback book but hey...the four of us head out to the obvious place of choice,  Maybe so obvious, it's too obvious.  The Johnston Public Library.  In about a ten minute span, I meet director Ben Melton, gift him my three little starlets and take some photo ops of where they might reside.  Adam got his picture taken at the feature table, Mary and John slithered into a spot on the bookshelf.  It was a pretty special day despite the snowstorm outside.  Without saying I'm going miss these brave three.  I do know this, there's a whole lot of commotion in the book box today as to the whereabouts of the next "Where is Hope at Today".  I can only imagine.  Stay tuned...