Overwhelmed By The Fog... A Confession

FOG! “A mass of wet air difficult to see through.” The definition seems woefully inadequate to describe the overpowering fear of driving “blind” in the midst of a dark cloud. Familiar objects seem to disappear, distance becomes impossible to measure and time stands still as you creep through that which impairs visibility and altars the reality of all that is true in the light.

While no official fog warning has been issued, there has been a heavy fog cast over the Light of Truth in my mind this week. Listening to the evening news and hearing the heartache and struggles of some who have been personally impacted by the economy etc. created a thick mass of ….well, let’s just be honest… fear.

The reality of the present and the looming sense of the future made it difficult to see clearly in the midst of this fog. Familiar truths seemed more difficult to recall. Truths like:

The mountains might shake. The hills might be removed. But my faithful love for you will never be shaken (Isa. 54:10)

There is none like God, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in His majesty. The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms (Deut.33:26-27).

The Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one (2 Thess. 3:3).

Those truths didn’t change, but in the fog, I experienced an altered perception of them as a sense of heaviness settled in my heart. My mind, soul and body grew weary as thoughts like, “What if...” and “How will we ever…” reeled through my mind. Sleep seemed oh, so appealing; food amazingly comforting and reality… God’s reality… His Truth became increasingly impaired in my mind’s eye!

But God. Those are two of my favorite words in Scripture; often used amidst seemingly impossible situations (Gen. 8:1; Gen. 21:17; Gen. 45:7 and many others!). I was overwhelmed in “a mass of reality difficult to see through”. But God, being rich in mercy, broke through the fog by reminding me:

He is the Bright Morning Star (Rev. 22:16).

He is the One who turns darkness into light and makes rough places smooth (Is. 42:16).

He is light and in Him is no darkness at all darkness at all (1 John 1:5).

And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (2 Peter 1:19).

The Morning Star rose in my heart again today! No, life’s challenges haven’t changed… but I’ve been reminded, once again, of the One who holds all things in His hand… the One with whom there is no darkness… no fog ( Ps. 139:12)!

Oh, how my heart rejoices tonight that He is a lamp unto my feet a light unto my path!

Obama Gives First Interview on Arab TV

President Obama reached out to the Muslim world Monday in an exclusive interview on Arab television network Al Arabiya.

"In all my travels throughout the Muslim world, what I've come to understand is that regardless of your faith – and America is a country of Muslims, Jews, Christians, non-believers – regardless of your faith, people all have certain common hopes and common dreams," Obama said in the wide ranging interview. Read the full transcript.

Interesting isn't it? What are your thoughts?

World Economic Forum

Watch the Forum live as 2500 heads of state, ministers, ambassadors, chairmen and chief executives from 96 countries convent to discuss the global financial meltdown in Davos, Switzerland. Russia's Primer Minister Vladimir Putin will deliver the opening address.

Black Gold In Israel

Tonight, Carrie told us about the unprecedented discovery of natural gas off the coast of Israel. She drew the parallel to Ezekiel 38 and 39. This passage is a prophecy of an attack against Israel in the last days. Ezekiel 38:10-13 tell us why they will attack:

10 " 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil scheme. 11 You will say, "I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people—all of them living without walls and without gates and bars. 12 I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land." 13 Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all her villages will say to you, "Have you come to plunder? Have you gathered your hordes to loot, to carry off silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods and to seize much plunder?" '

So Israel will have treasures and wealth that her enemies will lust after (in addition to their hatred for Israel.) Could this treasure be "black gold" and the wealth it gives Israel?

The Jerusalem Post states,

"If the Tamar site opposite the Haifa coast succeeds in producing the significant quantities of natural gas predicted, we are talking about a revolution which will have an impact on the Israeli economy for the coming generations," said Dan Halman, CEO of Halman-Aldubi Group. "The vast reservoir is poised to bring down electricity prices, reduce the country's dependence on gas from foreign countries, in particular from Egypt, and thereby turn Israel from a gas importer into a gas exporter."

This discovery could possibly be $15.5 billion income to Israel and could supply their oil needs for 15 years. Imagine the political and financial impact this will have in the Middle East.

Joel Rosenberg has some interesting insights on the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38 and 39 here.

Joel reminds us that it is too early to draw definite conclusions about the long-term significance of these current events. We need to keep watching and waiting and hoping for the soon return of King Jesus!

World Rallies Against Israel

BBC News Clip - World Rallies Against Israel

Oh, the raging of many nations— they rage like the raging sea! Oh, the uproar of the peoples—they roar like the roaring of great waters (Is. 17:12). Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His Anointed (Ps. 2:1-2).

Why are the nations in such an uproar against Israel? Have you wondered what in the world is going on in the Middle East?

Why is Israel being condemned for defending itself against Hamas (an extreme fundamentalist Islamic organization funded, in part, by Iran) who has fired some 5,700 rockets and 4,000 mortar shells into Israel since 2005; in 2008 alone more than 2,000 rockets and 1,600 shells were launched at Israel.

What are your thoughts? Is this just another volatile clash in the Middle East? What are your concerns as you listen to the evening news? Are you surprised by all that is taking place? We’d love to hear what you are thinking…

A Prayer For Israel

As you reflect on the current situation in the Middle East, take a few minutes to watch this short flash movie called A Prayer For Israel (Psalm 83) offered by ACW Inspirations. How are you praying for God's people in the Middle East?

A Newspaper and Your Bible

Billy Graham often said, Christians should carry their Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other. Our study of Daniel provides a great opportunity to do just that!

Jimmy DeYoung ( http://www.prophecytoday.com/) provides an interesting biblical tie-in to Russia’s recent agreement to sell air defense missiles to several countries.

A Moscow based newspaper reported that Russia has started fulfilling orders for air defense missile systems to seven countries including Syria, Libya, Iran and Venezuela, missiles that will be delivered within the next three years.

The ancient Jewish prophets Daniel and Ezekiel both speak about the nations listed in this report, Russia, Libya, Iran and Syria. Daniel 11 says that Syria will be the first of the aligned nations to come against Israel, Daniel 11:40-43. Ezekiel 38:2-6 mentions Russia, Libya and Persia, modern day Iran, as nations that will arm themselves to attack Israel.

Interesting isn’t it? What are your thoughts? What recent news events have grabbed your attention?

Holding Fast... Standing Firm

Our resolve is to hold fast to God’s Word as we seek answers to these vital questions… questions that relate directly to our daily lives as women. We refuse to surrender to complacency, fear, or a “ Babylonian mentality” ( I am and there is none besides me).

Our desire is to provide a place for discussing thoughts, insights, and news related to our current study of the book of Daniel. Carrie, Laura and Renae will post regularly. We encourage you to post comments about the insights and news you have gleaned during your own personal study time.

Our ultimate goal is that the truth of God's Word and the discussion on this blog will strengthen and encourage you to stand firm in the days ahead; to understand the times in which we are living and to live in eager anticipation of Christ’s soon return.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Carrie, Laura and Renae

What In The World Is Going On?

Have you noticed? Life’s not exactly standing still these days! In fact national and world events are unfolding at unprecedented speed. Economies are crumbling; natural disasters seem rampant; famine is on the increase; the Middle East teeters on the brink of war while rogue dictators and terrorists bent on destruction threaten both national and global security.

Have you wondered what is happening to this world you call home? Is life spinning hopelessly out of control? Or is it all unfolding according to plan? And if there is a plan… what is it? What thoughts/concerns fill your heart as you watch the evening news? How are you responding to all that is taking place around you?