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Letters to My Son: Build Relationships and Build Bridges

Dear Son,

Your grandfather would say, “Remember who you are,” and I would add to that, “Remember where you came from.”

You have been living in the States for several years now and have settled in quite well, and I am beginning to be afraid you may forget where you came from. Although you have returned to your ‘home country,’ remember where you are really from – a Christ loving community in a Muslim nation in Africa. Some of your favorite people are Muslim and you grew up with expat and refugee friends from all around the world. Recall your High School community service hours were spent serving Egyptian widows and playing football with Syrian refugees. Your closest friends were either from Far East Asia or the Middle East. Do not forget this when you see the immigrant or poor in the United States.

The next time someone tells you that that all “Illegal immigration is a backdoor to terrorists”, remember Miss Mary and Miss Chrissy, the Sudanese women who were a part of your life at school or after it. Remember all my translators and some of my personal friends. Almost every single one of them were illegal immigrants and refugees when you were growing up. Remember their warmth, their joy, their kindness, their love, their unyielding courage, and their undying hope.

You were too young to know the horror they had to endure to sneak across the borders to save themselves and their families from Nuba or Darfur. They did not choose to be an illegal immigrant or refugee. Some were forced out of their home through violence and bloodshed done by greed by their own kind or by wicked men and policies inflicted by our country. They did not choose this life. It was forced upon them.

You are now old enough to research. Find out how many times we, the United States, or other Western Powers, were behind the coups, the Jihadi terror groups, revolutions, or the corporate buy-outs that inflicted economic hardship that caused people to leave their home country. The facts can be difficult for some to swallow or accept. If you take the facts with a tablespoon of humility, it will go down easier.

The next time someone tells you “All Muslims are terrorists. They hate Americans!” Remember Nabil, and how he would always say your name and proclaim you would be “the next American President” and how he would vote for you; and never forget every man in our neighborhood who looked after us during the Egyptian Revolutions. Those men who stood with sticks and metal bars on the streets to protect our home and to protect me your mother. Do not forget when I teared up as I saw the Muslim men and women who linked arms and stood around churches to protect it from the fanatical actions of the Muslim Brotherhood. Remember that almost every armed military guard that protected our church during every weekend service, every Christmas, and every Easter is Muslim. Most of those armed Muslim men would greet us with “Merry Christmas” or the general Arabic holiday greeting and smile to us. Never forget that and remember it is a lie that “Muslims hate Americans.” They hate what our government does to their countries, but they do not hate us Americans.

Remember every Mo, Mohamed, and Islam who made you laugh, ruffed up your hair, and helped you up a mountain, an excursion, onto a boat after swimming with the dolphins and fish, or when you needed anything anywhere. Never forget we have always been treated with respect, care, and kindness by every Muslim we have ever met – except in Jordan. Except Jordan. Woe to Jordan, where we will always remember their inappropriate behavior, pride, and greed.

You see, Son, most people in America have fears and anger toward others because they do not have friends or loved ones from “the other side.” They use the news and social media videos as the means to inform themselves rather than sitting down and having a meal and a conversation with them.  It is difficult to sway or lie to people via the Media when they are directly informed by friendships and trust.

Be of good courage and love others as Christ has loved us, Son. He loved us even when we were enemies to Him. Your Christian faith is not in danger of loving others who are different than you. Our Christian faith is in danger only if we make compromises with our principles and core beliefs.

Son, make close friends of all kinds who have good character, but also build bridges with those who are very different from you.  It is with those bridges of understanding that peaceful communities can be built. It is written, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12:8) Peace with man does not divinely rain down from the heavens, that kind of peace only comes from God to individuals. No, the peace made with men is one of slow holy work. It takes time, discernment, prayer, humility, kindness, mercy, and perseverance.

I pray you will have discernment between building bridges and keeping close to you those who harbor contagious spiritual illnesses like that spoken about in the book of Galatians. Beware of the “Christian” Zionist as much as the wayward liberal whose sexual or addictive appetite knows no bounds. They both host a viral Black Death that kills the soul and those around them. Once a person receives such an illness, they war against the antidote. Yes, build careful bridges with gates and tolls for those people, and guard your very soul carefully from them.

Finally, my son, bring what you remember of what it means to have a loving community to your neighborhood and work in America. Smile at them. Wish them good morning and give them greetings on their holy days, even if they are of a different religion than you like we do here in the Middle East. Be generous and liberal with kindness, mercy, truth, and love to all. As God is with us, let us be with those around us, no matter who they are.

I love you, Son. Keep yourself pure and always seek the Lord Jesus.

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Letters to My Son: Divine Anointing vs. Those Who Walk with God

Dear Son,

You are a young man now and live in a season when you choose who to follow and who to become. Due to recent events and my annual chronological Bible reading plan, I have observed an alarming truth which I must share with you. I pray you will hear me well and store into your heart what I am about to share.

In I Samuel 10-15, a young man who was still finding his way in this world, is chosen and anointed by God to be a king; but then he is rejected due to his disobedience and idolatrous heart. King Saul loved man more than he loved and feared God. After God says He will tear the kingdom away from Saul and anoint another in his stead, He also sends an evil spirit to torment him. Despite all these facts, something almost confusing happens. In King Saul’s rebellion and disobedience, he comes into God’s presence among those who have God’s Spirit, and he is able to legit prophesy by God in the encounter (I Samuel 19). Think about this, Saul could still prophesy by God’s spirit although he was rejected by Him and God was against him. Ponder how potentially confusing this must have been for any follower of God back in the day. Firstly, did they even notice God’s hand had turned against King Saul? Secondly, when he prophesied or did anything remotely good, did they think Saul was back in God’s good grace even though he wasn’t? This profound predicament is happening today and causing many to stumble and fall.

Son, just because one is, or was, anointed by God, does not mean they are walking with God and should be followed. They must be a person who is consistently following the Lord Jesus and walking with Him.

This profound reality reminds me of what our Lord Jesus has said to us,

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV)

Son, today there are far too many Church and world leaders who claim to be anointed by God but are not walking with Him. Maybe they were always charlatans and weeds planted by the Enemy, or perhaps they started off anointed by Him for a skill or a service to humanity, but due to their flesh, self deception, pride, haughtiness, lust, or rebellion, they have fallen away from what could be. Unfortunately, whether to confusion, a lack of discernment, or a lack of obedience within the Church, many Christians do not leave these said leaders. They know in their spirit something is off, and maybe they have even seen the glory depart from them and their house, but they do not have enough courage to leave and find the one God has raised in their stead. My Son, do not be like those people.  Do not partake in their sin. If a leader is not walking with God, do not wait around for the invading army to come or lighting to strike. Leave them and find a true Shepherd of the Lord who has crucified their flesh and is consistently walking with Him. Find a House that has God’s pleasing spirit within it.

If you have an opportunity, gently rebuke those leaders in hopes they can still find salvation, but if they are self-willed and full of pride, do not attempt to save them. For the great Leviathan is King over the sons of pride (Job 41). Our Lord Jesus has warned us about men like this, “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” (Matthew 7:6)

If the stakes are high and you know you must fight the pigs and dogs for the sake of protecting others, then remember to count the cost of the war you will ensue. Every battle has a cost whether in time, resources, emotional and mental fatigue, or human causalities. Also, remember that most battles we fight are not with man but with the heavenly forces and powers of the kingdom of darkness. (Ephesians 6:10-18) Every battle should be fought with prayer and some with both prayer and fasting. Many times this is more than enough to win against the evil. Do not engage in a battle with your own mind or will, but first seek God and inquire of Him for wisdom; God is most generous in distributing wisdom to all who ask. (James 1)

Remember Son, you will know them by their fruit. (Matthew 7:15-20) Fruit comes via words, actions, and bodily gestures. Remember to listen to the Holy Spirit within you and discern who people are.

I pray you will continually surround yourself with men and women who follow after the Lord with their whole heart. We need to uphold one another and keep each other on the path of righteousness in love and gentleness. It is within the holy community we are refined and pressed into fine oil and wine the Lord loves and wants as an offering. (Romans 12, Hebrews 10:25) Remember, we are the holy temple of the living God, and what we say and do is put on the altar of our heart to either produce a pleasing aroma or a stench to our Beloved.

I love you, Son. Keep yourself pure from idols and always seek the Lord Jesus.

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Unveiling Dispensationalism: The Heretical Ideology Impacting U.S.-Israel Relations and Global Conflict

As the world continues to spin and wobble towards WWIII and the destruction of the American Dream, it is important to reflect on how we got here. It is interesting to note that it was not Catholicism, a resurgence in the Islamic Empire, Russia, Iran, or even China that ultimately brought us down, but a seemingly small insignificant doctrinal belief that was, if not formed, at least systemized, in Britain in the 1800s and then took root and bloomed in America. Secular political scientists, historians, priests, Reformist Christians, and even a few Congressmen 1 saw it coming. The likes of John J. Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt, Norman Finklestein, former Congressman Dr. Ron Paul, Dr. Daniel G. Hummel, Rev. Stephen Sizer herald warnings, and many of us, including myself, did not foresee the full implications of what they were trying to say.

Mearsheimer, Walt, Finklestein, Paul, and others have focused on how the Jewish lobby or Zionism is a dangerous ideology that impacts how the U.S. government spends American tax dollars and shapes foreign policy. They have stated that we have been pulled into multiple conflicts for the sake of the state of Israel, and billions of our tax dollars have been squandered for them. More recently X and other social platforms have been rife with shock, anger, and speculations of why the U.S. government would infringe on the 1st Amendment rights with the passing of the “antisemitism bill” H.R. 6090. Normally, such a general bill that protects all people from hate crimes would be looked on favorably, but unfortunately, many have observed that the go-to reaction of the present Israeli government or some Jews is to cry “antisemitism” whenever condemnation or criticism is given against any of their immoral or illegal actions. It is still unclear if American or Israeli Jews will demand parts of the Bible to be seen as antisemitic and therefore included in this new law. It is also unclear what the consequences will be if it is seen to be infringed upon. The extent to which the U.S. government has given money, ammunition, and POTUS backing to Israel makes some Americans question whether or not the state of Israel is running the U.S. government or they are another State of the U.S. itself. A few Americans even voice that it is treason because they are betraying the American people by giving our much-needed funds to another nation that does not belong to us.

Why is this happening? No other government does this, so why is America doing this? It all comes down to an ideology called Dispensationalism. If one goes back to classical Dispensationalism, they will find all sorts of problematic beliefs that go contrary to what Jesus and the apostles taught. However, I focus on only one major heretical belief that is held by all Dispensationalists that is currently steering the United States towards an utter catastrophe: the belief that there are two different roles for the Church and the nation state of Israel to play.

Dr. Hummel says Dispensationalism is on the decline in Christian academia, and understandably since it is not founded on sound Christian Biblical orthodoxy or holds up historically; however, it is very much thriving and strong in American politics, Evangelical churches in North America, and Pentecostal churches worldwide1. Many American Evangelical Christians are influenced or follow Progressive Dispensationalism.

They believe that God has a plan for a nation state of Israel to not just exist but reign on earth separate from the church and Jesus Christ.2 This belief encompasses also that the promises made in the biblical Old Testament only refers to the ethnic or nation state of Israel and they do not see it fulfilled in the Church through Jesus Christ in the New Covenant. Not only is this an ancient pharisaical ideology that clashed with the teachings of the Lord Jesus and everyone in the early Jewish church, it means the unequivocal and unconditional present support to see a rebuilding of a Jewish temple with on-going sacrifices, because again, they believe Israel is to “reign” with a kingdom over the nations. They do not see nor understand the apostolic teachings in the books of Galatians, Romans, or Hebrews explaining how Jesus Christ of Nazareth fulfilled the Law and has instituted forever a new priesthood through himself. This very fundamental belief they hold to is complete heresy to Christian orthodoxy in everyway. It goes against what the early Jewish church believed and what the church council decided in Acts 15 or every decision made since then by the early church which was originally very much Jewish until Paul’s massive missionary journeys. How Darby could separate “Jews” from the “Church” when the entire early church was Jewish is pure cognitive dissonance.

It would be interesting to know how many Dispensationalists can explain how a Jewish person can have salvation apart from the ultimate and only sacrifice of the God’s one and only Son and keep the Old Covenant.3 When pressed, some Dispensationalists will say they understand Jews cannot be saved away from the cross, and yet they treat Israel as if it is a holy nation. This is due to the false belief they are God’s “chosen people.” They get this from the book of Genesis, but they do not update their understanding with how God originally said it. John the Baptist clearly told Israel in Matthew 3:7-10 [NKJV],

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, 9 “and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as [our] father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 10 “And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ” [emphasis mine]

Israel’s acceptance has never been based on blood or a family lineage but on obedience to God and following a covenant.

The Apostle Paul, a Jew of Jews, who explained in multiple letters but very clearly to the church in Galatia in Galatians 3:16, 22-29 [NKJV], states,

“16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. … 22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor [to bring us] to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you [are] Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” [emphasis mine]

Scripture very clearly states that Abraham’s promise is to those who are in Christ, not an ethic group, but any people group through a covenant based on the blood of his son Jesus.

Both the prophet Daniel and Jesus, the Son of God, prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70 A.D. It is significant because it showed to both unbelieving and believing Jews alike that God does not accept temple worship anymore. Eusebius of Caesarea wrote about this extensively in his book “The Proof of the Gospel” in the 3rd century. How Dispensationalists ignore or omit John 4:21, 23-24 [NKJV] is a bit shocking.

“21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. … 23″But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 “God [is] Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” [emphasis mine]

Jesus prophesied that people will not continue to worship on the Temple Mount or in Jerusalem because the place itself does not matter when God’s people are walking temples filled with his spirit.3 God is omniscient. He is not a low territorial spirit bound to a tiny plot of land or principality over some nations. He is the God above all gods and all of creation belongs to him.

Despite plain Scripture on these matters, heretical Zionist Christians continue to feel obliged to support Israel no matter what they do. This false belief has led to the support to mass murder approaching 40,000 people in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023. This is not including the loss of innocent life over the decades in the Palestinian Territories each time the state of Israel wanted to expand their settlements and break international law. Do you realize that if the world does indeed indict Israel over war crimes and genocide that the United States will also be indicted because they armed and funded it?

If one was to ignore how Dispensationalist beliefs have supported a genocide in the Palestinian Territories, at least recognize that the oncoming war in the Middle East, if not WW3, will be triggered and effect most Western nations because of this false beliefs. Israel does not plan on stopping at building a functioning temple or taking over the Palestinian Territories, but taking over other countries beyond Palestine in what they call “Greater Israel”. If America was not afraid of terrorist acts before, they truly should be. By supporting Israel in war crimes, aggression against their neighbors, and other immorality, there will be retribution upon our nation. With our open borders, it is easy to decimate America’s infrastructure or a large percentage of the American population with various kinds of bio or nuclear weapons. But here is the kicker, non-Christians, Amillennialists, and Postmillennialists…realize Dispensationalists do not fear WW3 or what I just described because they ascribe to a firm belief they will be “raptured” before anything “bad happens to them.” Do you understand this? Because of their belief they will be taken out before any catastrophe, many of them are nonchalant and dismissive about what happens to “unbelievers” or those “left behind,” thus they have no problem in creating scenarios that are harmful and destructive.

In Darby’s original teachings, they believe Christ’s teachings of the Sermon on the Mount [Matthew 5-7] are not meant to be implemented until after Israel reigns over the nations and “Christ comes back.” Coming to this knowledge has helped me to understand a bit better why many American churches and the U.S. “Christian” politicians do not live the Golden Rule or other basic teachings of Christ when it comes to domestic or foreign policy. The recent Israeli-Gaza war is a prime example. American Christians seem to accept the idea of Israel killing tens of thousands of Palestinians with collective punishment because they see all Palestinians as their “elected government,” Hamas.

What if this belief and action was done to us?

What if other nations or various groups of people decided to take revenge for the sins or evil actions committed by the U.S. government upon them on all American citizens rather than our government? Imagine. Bombs falling, starvation, and generations of American families being wiped out that had nothing to do with decisions made by our government. Literally, that is what is happening in Gaza right now. Most people protesting for the Palestinians do not support Hamas. Truly. Not even most Egyptians or Arab countries support Hamas. Why? Because Hamas is Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist to their administrations along with holding Islamic views that nominal Muslims do not agree with; likewise, the Egyptian and Arab governments also do not see the every day Palestinian as Hamas either. What normal humane person of any religion are yelling and crying about is the fact they see massive amounts of every day civilians being brutally killed or tortured. They are so disturbed by it they cannot keep silent about it because they cannot even sleep. It’s a testament that the world still has a conscience and humanity. However, American and Western Christians are being shamed as the only ones who cannot see what is happening in Gaza right now. How is this a testimony of Jesus Christ? On the other hand, if one believes like a classic Darby Dispensationalist, the great Sermon on the Mount is not implemented yet. Then I guess one would continue to live under the Old Covenant beliefs of an “eye for an eye” and not the Golden Rule that Jesus commanded us to live by.

Do you see the fundamental heresy and problem in this? The entire Bible is divided into two sections for a reason and all Christians have been called to live under the New Covenant. Yet many American Christians are so blinded by heretical teaching that the current Jews, who are not in Christ and separated from God, are somehow especially chosen and get to be exempted to commit heinous violence and abominations. Why would God put an unsaved, wicked people and government to be a steward over the nations until Christ comes back? There is nothing that states this in the New Covenant. It is the job of the Church to redeem, restore, heal the nations, and reign with Christ over the nations right now. This is the job of the Church, not an unsaved group of people who is mostly made up of individuals who do not even follow Judaism.

This leads me to the next most concerning point and revelation. 1 John 4:1-3,15 [NKJV] says,

“1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the [spirit] of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.… 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. [emphasis mine]

This instructs us clearly of any spirit that does not recognize Jesus Christ as the Son of God is of an antichrist spirit. The very few Christ following Jews who currently live in Israel, as well as Palestinian Christians, verify openly that present Israelis view them as enemies. Israel has a law against sharing the gospel and converting people to Christianity just like many Arab nations. There is no difference between them. Christians in proper Israel and the Palestinian Territories have faced oppression to severe persecution for decades as documented by many since the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. All churches that have opened their doors to Dispensationalist beliefs have an open door to agreeing with an antichrist spirit. This should alarm every true believer in Jesus Christ.

On one of my several trips to Israel I met a Texan pastor who has been blacklisted from Israel for seven years because of his active evangelistic work in the country. A Brazilian missionary I met while in Egypt had also been blacklisted from Israel at the Rafah Border Crossing just for wanting to “serve and help” the Palestinians when being questioned of why she wanted to enter the Palestinian Territories. Still to this day she has never been let in. On one of my trips to the West Bank in the early 2000s, in infamous Hebron, at the traditional site of Abraham’s burial, radical Jewish zealots threw and broke furniture at the wall, yelled and screamed insults on the synagogue side when I lifted up the name of Jesus in song on the mosque side. To the present Muslim Palestinians’ credit, they were able to get us out safely with no harm done to us although we had created a “severe incident that would incite violence”. There are countless videos on X and social media platforms that record the distain, hatred, and perspective that Gentiles are an enemy to Jews and should be treated as such.

One might wonder how Israel seems so “open” to Christian tour groups to the “Holy Land” if they view Christianity as a threat. It is only for greed and the hope to perpetrate Zionist ideologies. There is a massive racket to be made from Christian tourism to Israel, estimated to be more than $7bn.

One of the pure ironies in much of the “prosperity teachings” held by some of the Charismatic and Pentecostal churches are the very Scriptures that Classical Dispensationalists say refers only to ethic Israel. Yet, this is somehow neglected to be taught by Dispensationalists to those Christians because if they did, they would lose an avenue of money by them. One of Dispensationalists core teachings is, you must “bless Israel to be blessed.” It should be noted that the motive itself is idolatrous and self-serving which would be a red flagged to any Christian with the Holy Spirit.

The far reaching affects of these beliefs are already upon many countries. Both secular people and wide awake Christians have already been sounding the trumpet to stop the unconditional support to Israel because they have seen the approaching apocalyptic war. And to be very clear, this is exactly what both secular and Christian Zionists and Dispensationalists want. They believe there must be a nation state of Israel with a Jewish temple producing sacrifices and both believe that “Israel” should reign over the nations a part from Jesus Christ. The “well meaning” Dispensationalists believe that Daniel and parts of Revelation have yet to be fulfilled and apparently seem to think God needs a hand to create this. Thereby supporting a nation state of Israel and reenacting those Scriptures, they will bring “Jesus back.” By the way, according to their beliefs it also means the death of most Israelis in order of a small remnant “to be saved.” Interestingly enough, the Israeli government and organizations who are in bed with them on this idea have never called this antisemitic.

One would think any sound Christian could not swallow this shocking and staggering ideology, but many Christians worldwide have bought into this due to the highly popularized dispensationalist eschatological teachings since the 1970s. I myself used to believe it until a life altering event in Egypt after 2011 that forced me to read Scripture for myself study Biblical history.

After the 2011 Egyptian Revolution on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt, I participated in a small conference where a man from The International House of Prayer in Kansas City came to teach us about “Kingdom Theology.” He proposed to both foreign and Egyptian Christians alike that we had to accept that “Greater Israel” had to become a physical reality and the Israeli government had to have control over it before Christ could come back and eventually be King over all the nations. I had Scriptures to defend against most of his heretical theology, but I had nothing to defend against his proclamation that Isaiah 19 had never been fulfilled. It was then I was forced to dig into history and be a good Berean to prove “whether or not these things were so.” I found out that there had already been two Jewish temples built in Egypt after Isaiah’s prophecy, with one claiming to do it to fulfill it, but the likely candidate that fulfills the prophetic description would be the one made on Elephantine Island in Aswan, Egypt. 4 I have heard many Christians quote Isaiah 19 as “unfulfilled” and this is mainly due to a lack of Biblical and historical teaching within modern Christendom.

The world is on the brink of WWIII only because of two nations: The United States and Israel. This is because at the core, those in power, are holding to the same heretical beliefs against Christianity: Israel must reign over the nations a part from Christ under the Mosaic Law. This belief needs to be stopped and called out by real Christians who can divide the Word of God rightly. We should put pressure on our pastors and priests to rid our churches of this heresy. The affects of this belief needs to be stopped by all Americans by calling and writing to our Congressmen to stop funding the killing of innocent people with our tax dollars and munitions. If need be, we should join protests to make our voices heard until this ceases. If we do not do this, countless people will die – not just Palestinians – but the world all over because of a global war. Additionally, it harms the true message of the gospel of Jesus Christ for real Christians.

  1. Hummel, Daniel. “The New Christian Zionism.” First Things, First Things, 1 June 2017, http://www.firstthings.com/article/2017/06/the-new-christian-zionism.

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  2. Vlach, Michael J. “Dispensational Theology.” The Gospel Coalition, 2024, http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/dispensational-theology/.
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  3. Ephesians ↩︎
  4. Admin. “TWO JEWISH TEMPLES IN EGYPT.” THE SEFORIM BLOG – New And Old, And Jewish Bibliography, seforimblog.com/2019/01/two-jewish-temples-in-egypt/. Accessed 7 May 2024.

    John Merlin Powis Smith. “The Jewish Temple at Elephantine.” The Biblical World, vol. 31, no. 6, 1908, pp. 448–59. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/3141839. Accessed 13 May 2024.

    Rosenberg, Stephen Gabriel. “Was There a Jewish Temple in Ancient Egypt?” The Jerusalem Post | JPost.Com, 1 July 2013, http://www.jpost.com/opinion/op-ed-contributors/was-there-a-jewish-temple-in-ancient-egypt-318363#google_vignette.

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Racism in the Western Christian Church

Photo by Haley Black on Pexels.com

How did we get here? Was it because of fear? Ignorance? Unthought out bias? Or conscious racism?

The word racism in the West, especially in the United States, is misused constantly. Racism is “the belief that different races possess distinct characteristics, abilities, or qualities, especially so as to distinguish them as inferior or superior to one another.” (emphasis)

It is deeply saddening to see open racism in the Western Christian church specifically in the events unfolding in the Middle East right now.

Although the Western Church has repented and cleaned themselves over the years in regards to their racism towards Africans and Asians, they have not when it comes to certain ethnic groups in the Middle East.1

It is deeply disturbing, sad, and disappointing that high profile Christian individuals in the United States, and some who purport themselves to be “pro-life,” have indiscriminately stood with Israel and not openly condemned the killing of innocent civilians and attacks on schools and hospitals. They have also decided to stand with Israel and not condemn them when they have openly slaughtered Palestinian families who are not Hamas trying to flee Gaza.

Christians should condemn Hamas and the Israeli government when innocent civilians are killed. All of humanity should condemn any organization and government that kills innocent life. It should not be based on race that one decides if is good that they live or die.

This is racism at its core and all Christians should evaluate their beliefs and whether or not they are holding to the Christian faith when doing so.

So how did some Western Christians become racist?

As with most racism, I believe it is based out of ignorance, bias, and emotion. Perhaps it has even stemmed out of brainwashing by certain lobbyists for political purposes.

Sadly, many Christians do not read enough and study their founding documents to see what God has told them to believe: the Bible. The Bible is comprised of many books and letters documenting God’s voice to specific and various groups, nations, and even people over thousands of years. As one Christian pastor once said, “The Bible was not written to you but for you.” This fundamental understanding is crucial when interpreting and applying what is written. Many are not familiar or understand how translation works or the utmost importance historical context plays when understanding what God was talking about at that time when it was written. How the original hearers understood God’s message is the interpretation we should have, not the Western glasses we read and see the written word through today. This is not negating possible Rhema words but over all sound understanding of what was written.

What does this have to do with some Western Christian churches and people being racist? Some well meaning Christians have no understanding of what the Old Covenant is and it’s terms, the abolishment of it, what the New Covenant is, the “mystery of the gospel” that the apostle Paul wrote about and it implications of it in regards to God’s promises and covenant, or why God directly told the ancient Israelites to wipe out certain tribes in ancient Palestine. Because of this, they have believed the Israeli propaganda that “Israel can do no wrong because they ‘are God’s people.'” “Those who bless Israel will be blessed and those who curse Israel will be cursed.”2

The famous Genesis 12:1-3 verses dictate that God will bless Abraham specifically and his descendants. The Apostle Paul in Galatians 3:16, 26-29 gives clear interpretation of this passage.

[Gal 3:16, 26-29 NKJV] 16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. … 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you [are] Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (emphasis mine)

The covenant promise made by God to Abraham was never based on ethnicity but faith. An offered kinship based on covenant not blood. This entire premise that people should support a certain ethnic group is based on political propaganda not Holy Scripture.

God has never has sided with injustice. God has never sided with lies and wrong doing from anyone. The entire Old Testament is testimony about Israel’s fallen nature and many of their continual disobedience and rebellion against Him. With this being said, this is not a reason nor an excuse to be anti-sematic. No where in Scripture does it justify to kill, harm, or discriminate against Jews. So before anyone begins to take their shoe off to throw it, hear this clearly.

What is even more interesting is Genesis 15 when God reaffirms his promise with a covenant, He promises to give the land from the “Nile to the Euphrates” and then God names people groups living in those boundaries. Those people groups from Turkey to Egypt would be given to Abraham. Some Biblical scholars believe this means those people would be brought into God’s family which there is Biblical evidence for. Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers on this passage and others point out that people from those tribes later became a part of Israel although they were not a part of the original twelve tribes. Joshua’s companion into Canaan, Caleb, is a Kenezite (Numbers 32:12) and one of the most sacred parts of Canaan, modern Hebron, was given to him and his descendants. The land where the Trinity came to visit Abraham (Genesis 18) and where Abraham and Sarah are buried was given to a family that was not a biological descendant of Abraham at all but a Gentile. The faithful and brave Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband whom David took for himself, was a Hittite whose people originated from Turkey the head of the Euphrates River. The famous Levite Phineas, Aaron’s grandson, is Egyptian and Nubian3. These are just to name a few.

The point is, there is no Biblical basis for “Israel” being one ethnicity in the Old Testament and when it refers to God blessing Abraham’s descendants, it is not based on certain blood but faith in Christ Jesus. It also must be remembered that Abraham was from Ur of the Chaldeans. He is originally Babylonian. If people want to make a people group “scared” then technically it would be Iraqis. Interestingly, perhaps this is why God chose to exile Israel to Babylon through Nebuchadnezzar, essentially saying, “I am sending you back to where your father Abraham came from because you have broken my covenant.”

In addition to all these historical and Biblical truths, there is a fundamental truth that the Western Christian church must remember when evaluating events anywhere in the world including Israel. Is it righteous? Is it holy? Taking land that is not paid for and agreed upon by both parties is wickedness and God condemns this throughout Scripture. Killing innocent people is wickedness. Slander and bearing false witness is wickedness and God hates it. God says do no evil against your neighbor and do not go back on one’s word (Psalm 15). God is against provoking others to anger and causing strive. The government of modern Israel has done all these things repeatedly to many nations, but especially to the Palestinians who have the right to live on their land in peace. Most of the Jews who live there now are from the Diaspora. They were not owning land in Palestine before the creation of the state. This is well documented. The land that Israel now has exceeds all treaties they have made which means they have broken their word which God stands against.

Therefore, there is no reason to “stand with Israel” when there is wrong doing. We can call for the extraction of Hamas and legal justice of their actions in regards to their military assault; but this never justifies the killing of hundreds of innocent families, destroying non-Hamas homes, hospitals, and schools. It certainly does not justify cutting off the power, water, and food supply to a whole nation in Gaza and demand they relocate, so the Israeli government can steal their land. These are crimes that God hates and is against. He and His Son the Lord Jesus do not agree with such actions whatsoever.

I call on all Christians to repent if they have agreed with the spirit of error on this. It is not too late. If one realizes they have agreed with such wrong doing, remember what Scripture says in 1 John 1:9 [NKJV] “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

May we agree with righteous acts and pray for peace in the Middle East. The Lord has walked those lands himself and I am sure it grieves his heart about what is happening and in “his name.”

  1. This perceptual regional term is Eurocentric. The term was created by the British according to their worldview at the time. ↩︎
  2. Capitol Ministries ↩︎
  3. Blacks in Biblical Antiquity ↩︎
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Raise your hand if you want to invade China.

Photo courtesy of AP for the NY Post

The Hong Kong protests have definitely captured the world’s attention, and there is probably nobody on the face of the earth – the government of China excluded- who does not support their desire for the complete death of the extradition bill. Yet almost a month ago this rather peaceful and massive protest took a turn when other groups decided to hijack it and ask for the impossible: Hong Kong to be free of China. To top this off, incredibly, a few started to wave the Red, White, and Blue.

When this happened a chorus of Americans were deeply touched and felt a sense of patriotism for these Hong Kongers as brothers and sisters in democracy. There were Tweets of how “the [American] flag protects them,” how the “U.S. should stand with them,” or that we have the political or foreign power to “hold China from performing another Tienanmen Square Massacre.”

As endearing and sweet as those thoughts are, it shows the massive ignorance of the Tweeters, or perhaps worse, a covert plan to prime the idea to the U.S. public to go in and “free them.”

What do both American and select Chinese Hong Kongers protesters think they are asking for? President Trump is already in a tariff war with China, and I’m sure he has tried to put pressure on China. So what more do you expect him to do? Send in troops against the Chinese army??? Start an all out right war with China to “free Hong Kong” and then make it a proxy of the United States??

It is bad enough that China believes that the U.S. has sent the CIA to fund the “free Hong Kong” movement; and it is not far fetch to believe it is indeed true. Waving the American flag and feeding President Trump’s ego by asking him “for help” delegitimizes the authenticity, origins, and demands of the actual Hong Kong protesters.

Mike Rowse in the South China Morning Post said it well:

“Such an objective is practically impossible [advocating for foreign intervention], and not in Hong Kong’s best interests. Those who advocate it are deceiving Hong Kong people, but they have successfully hijacked the legitimate movement to some extent….

Next up is another small group which seems to see salvation in securing support from foreign governments. Quite what they expect these governments to do is unclear. There is no prospect whatsoever of these governments taking proactive steps at the expense of their own people’s interests.

So what is the use of running off to Washington and Westminster for high-profile meetings with senior officials? And how do they think such actions are perceived in Beijing when the country is embroiled in a trade war that has now spilled over into a wider struggle? Is it really worthwhile to be seen consorting with the country’s competitors in order to secure a handful of supportive noises and some photo opportunities?”

Most Americans do not understand the pride and deep jealousy of the People’s Republic of China. I recall what my ex-military political ambitious boyfriend twenty years ago said: “Mark my words – one day we will have a war with China – it’s inevitable.” At that time I was beyond naive and thought he was paranoid crazy. Not long after we had broken up I went to mainland China and was there for about a year. My experiences there radically changed my mind forever. I still hope his foreboding warning is false, but what he did not get wrong is their ambition, power, and willingness to delay self gratification in order to accomplish any purpose they have.

It will come to no good for both Hong Kongers or Americans if we meddle in these protests. China has a very long memory and does not let go of such things easily. Americans should be circumspect about the final outcome of their sentimental Tweets and what they expect we can do. Are you willing to have a conflict with China that could result in an outright war? Are you willing to send your loved ones or someone else’s loved ones against a Superpower over a territory and an internal conflict that belongs to them and them alone? Or perhaps they will be clever and not necessarily go into an outright conflict but instead sponsor well thought out terrorist attacks throughout the country in retaliation until they obtain their desired result of devastation of our people on our soil. The U.S. has done it to others, and do not mistake it, China would love to have an excuse to reciprocate that play on us.

Think very carefully before you Tweet or rejoice at the image of a protester holding up Old Glory or how we should rush in “and save them”. Do not be fool hardy and think that the Sleeping Giant has no power to retaliate with calamitous consequences on both its own Hong Kong and us.

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Why all we hope for won’t work.

Within the last decade Ted Diamandis spoke about the wonderful possibilities of an abundant future because more brilliant people would be collaborating together online to build a marvelous world. It was probably one of the most inspiring and thought provoking Talks I had heard that year.

I hope he’s right.

On Twitter, Facebook, and even here on WordPress, I see a calamity of frustration, hate, and snarky opinions of people who are almost physically fighting for their beliefs on the Web. It’s a war of words. Many roots of these Tweets, Posts or Longreads seem to stem from a good heart: equality, love of humanity, repentance, responsibility of the environment, liberty, freedom, and justice for all. Yes of course, many more are probably in it for fame and fortune which is the Pharmakeia of our present evils and social ills. But no matter what their political ideology or cultural social stances are, it all will come to nothing unless they wake up and take action.

And no, I am not talking about violence.

The American people have blinded themselves to useless and dead political parties that are nothing but a hollow puppet shell. Screaming Tweets about how the Democrats are killing the country to foul mouthed uncensored and illogical people about Republicans being ignorant, stupid, and white supremacists (as if Republicans are only white). All of it is vanity.

Why?

It has been detailed with government documents that select people in the US government and its many agencies have been involved in using illegal activities to make money as well as to facilitate inadvertently or knowingly harmful activities against our communities. And it is this that the average Democrat or Republican citizen do not seem to understand or want to admit. It does not matter whether it is a Democrat or Republican in office; these subversive decisions will continue to take place with bipartisan leadership in Congress until we all come together and stand as American citizens against such policies like FASAB 56. These decisions have happened against us with both Democrat and Republican Presidents and Congress in office. It has been a bipartisan effort.

You want to #BuildtheWall because you think somehow it will stop or limit illegal immigration, drug, gun, or human trafficking? You are wrong. Any person who has good friends in any department of Law Enforcement or Homeland Security will tell you that there is a long history of illegal activity or “corruption” of those who work in Border Patrol. Now of course, Catherine Austin Fitts will tell you it is not corruption or incompetency: it is a system. Are you understanding this? A wall will not stop such things, it will just be a $20+ billion mechanism to control the flow of money and illegal activities they have established to procreate funds for unknown purposes around the world.

You think that having a Democrat POTUS or in Congress will be America’s saving grace by passing #guncontrol legislation to stop the crazies from getting their hands on a weapon and going on a shooting spree? You are wrong. They will still get their hands on weapons. Why? Because weapons are money, and money is needed in order to fund whatever it is they do not want us to know in the passing of FASAB 56.

This FASAB 56 ruling is unconstitutional and gives them the right to make decisions with U.S. taxpayers money and illegal revenue as they please. This means no oversight of what money, how much, and where and how it is being used. Even if I was not an American citizen I would be concerned about this. Annual of unreported billions or trillions of dollars can fund small armies around the world. Our shameful and intrusive foreign policy is a fact and causes many problems for our global U.S. citizens and businesses. From Super Powers to the small islands I would be shaking in my boots at the idea of the U.S. government having trillions to fund whatever covert operations as they please. For those who would like to scream and say, “See! We told you Trump is a fascist dictator!” This has been happening way before President Trump and President Obama and is well documented. I suppose some conspiracy theorist out there would say the wheel has been turning since President Kennedy was assassinated. This is beyond any U.S. President.

Think about it. How is it that Jeffrey Epstein – and all those in power with him – have gotten away with illegal sex crimes with minors or possibly even sex slaves up until now IN THE UNITED STATES? This is not Pakistan, Thailand, China, or some dictator African run country. How is it that we can find any form of slavery in our “land of the brave and and free” ? It’s a $20 billion dollar industry. That is why. It is a form of income. Interestingly enough, California is the highest U.S. State with this horrendous activity and human deprivation of dignity. One would think that the State of the Almighty Democrats would do something about it especially since a third of all human trafficking victims are minority children. Cry over that Alyssa Milano. Sad to say, every year the statistics have been getting worse not better. IF, and this is a big IF, it really deeply concerns some Hollywood stars and celebrities and Democrat and Republican Pundits, then they must fight the real problem and not made up political ghost stories and social vapors. Except for a few like Ashton Kutcher, I think we will only continue to hear their Tweet wailing with no positive action because perhaps some of them too make money from dark activities; even if that only means stirring up the unthinking emotional social pot of Americans.

The same goes with child pornography. It is one of the fastest rising heinous trades in our country. Explain to me how with our mass surveillance systems, large law enforcement, and supposed caring politicians this morbid atrocity could be flourishing? The only conclusion is it is allowed until we demand it is not.

American Patriots of all kinds – it does not matter what political party, creed, race, or religion you are from, Activists, NGO workers, and real American Patriot Public Servants must come together to destroy the System that is annihilating our country. Tucker Carlson was right about one thing, the root of our issues it is about economics – money – not race. It reaches far beyond immigration issues and whether or not we make cars or tech in America anymore. All of that does not matter if there is another System that facilitates criminal activity, makes backroom deals with global corporations, passes unconstitutional laws, and orchestrates or allows destructive activity upon our communities all for the sake of money.

$21 TRILLION missing U.S. government dollars.

And this was covered over a decade ago in respected newspapers and not just Congressional whistleblowers like Catherine Austin Fitts or Mike Lofgren. Think about what has been accumulating and done since then. Democrats talk about how important a healthcare system is that helps everyone. GREAT. Why not take some of the billions of the annual unreported money and put that into it? Why did they not do this – other than the legal and moral issues it poses?? Government officials talk about wanting to improve our educational system, job training, and the list goes on, and they pretend – and I do mean pretend – to fight about how they cannot pass a budget for the running of our country, and yet there are trillions of USD that is being passed around and used for something that has nothing to do with US citizens. Republicans, do not think somehow you are exempt from this either. The Republicans in Congress worked in a bipartisan effort to pass FASAB 56.

Is there any good news in all of this? Yes. There is strong talk that there are still many excellent Public Servants who want to abolish this System as much as the informed and thinking American Democrat, Republican, Independent, and Libertarian Patriots. But they are scared. I suppose rightly so after what we have seen with Gary Webb, Jeffrey Epstein and the like. The only way to clean our country of this is not to fight over political ideology, root causes of social ills or jobs, but to stand as one with them and fearlessly topple the System.

Let us start by working together to abolish the FASAB 56 ruling, and hold every person involved in what is left of the Jeffrey Epstein case accountable.

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For the future generations…

in hope that there will be others who will explore, do good, and never regret being honest and holding the plumb-line of integrity

“Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgement, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD.

— GOD Jeremiah 9:23-24

This is the first post on my new blog. Many friends have told me that I should write about my real life adventures, fictional stories, or otherwise. This is my attempt to do so. I hope to inspire, humor, and make people think critically about events. I understand that my pondering and perspective may not be the end all to all matters, so keep this in mind as you listen and flip through the pages. It is my hope to document and share them for those interested, and perhaps through that we can all grow together.

Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.

My Exposed Lovers

Daily writing prompt
What topics do you like to discuss?
View all responses

“You are too adamant” my mother would say. Well, what did she expect? I’m a Mediterranean hot blooded mut!

While my older sister had her head in the stars and was inventing imaginary fairy lands, I was devouring and batting for tangible authenticity. There’s nothing like a free dive into the ocean of historical stories and veritable mysteries. Just call me Jupiter Jones.

Mel Fisher and the Atocha.

The Incas.

The Anasazi and the mysteries of Chaco Canyon.

The Dead Sea Scrolls and why who could translate it was being so tightly controlled.

Demons, angels, wandering spirits, and ancient gods.

The Mayans using astronomy for a calendar and a spiritual guide.

Gary Webb and his apocalyptic piece about the CIA using drugs to fund their operations. (I don’t care what the official CIA statement is – we all know what really happened to poor Gary)

Those topics were little seeds that sprouted into something magnificent – a thirst for knowledge, wisdom, solving mysteries, and a healthy distrust of the government. If the topic is controversial, that’s my jam. Sometimes I like to play the devil’s advocate and other times I want to listen and dig deep into a person’s point of view to understand it more.

Today, my favorite topics are still unsolved ancient mysteries, all things spiritual, conspiracies, courageous stories of human life, and weaving globalized politics into an understandable colorful tapestry.

What are your favorite topics to discuss?

a man decides to go for a walk.

Steve returns home — April 1,1983, a man decides to go for a walk. Around the world. — Steve Newman, 28, a freelance journalist, left his house in the town of Bethel, Ohio for a 4-year journey that saw him getting attacked twice by armed bandits, pelted with stones by students in India who thought […]

a man decides to go for a walk.

How to Respond When at War

Photo by Ahmed akacha on Pexels.com

Several years ago I took a workshop on resilience. It was facilitated by a European certified crisis management specialist and to this day it is probably one of the best courses I’ve ever taken. The facilitator stated only 10% of people who go through traumatic experiences ever overcome and get post-traumatic growth. 10%. Those in the 10% all had six specific traits.

Although many of us may not be living through the wars that are unfolding in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, or parts of Africa, we have been receiving secondary-trauma. This used to be only for aid workers, but now they are finding it affects anyone who has a conscience and follows world events through news or social media. That means you and me. Unfortunately, due to growing risks, not clicking on that “rage bait news” is not an option for people if we want to stay informed.

So, how are we going to deal with this on-going stress, uncertainty, and anxiety?

#1 Practice gratefulness.

It does not mean ignoring or not acknowledging the bad things or crisis we are in, but being grateful for the good things we currently do have in our life.  

Make it a daily routine to sit down with tea or coffee and mindfully – and hopefully verbally acknowledge – all the blessings.  As the old hymn Count Your Blessings says, ” Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly, and you will be singing as the days go by.”

#2 Practice community – spend time with people

It is vital we do not isolate ourselves and we get together with people on a regular basis.  This was one area that was hit hard during the Pandemic. Many people did not make the effort to get together online and stay in touch with others or safely in person and they were negatively effected.  Make it a priority to get together in person to “do life.” Turn off the television and get off your phone. Have a BBQ with your family and close friends, make biweekly game night with like-minded couples and peeps, make street hockey, football, and soccer a thing again with the guys or the kids. Bring back that 80s life style we all miss.   

#3 Practice living a healthy lifestyle 

Food +exercise + sleep = a healthy lifestyle!  We all know it, but do we all do it?  This is necessary to go through a crisis.

Studies show physical activity can dramatically assist in post-traumatic growth. It builds positive mental resilience, promotes well being, and counteracts anxiety, depression, muscle tension, and PTSD.

#4 Practice worship – both by yourself and with others

Did you know that studies show that people who attend church once a week are 25% healthier than those who do not?  As many of you know, our perspective on our circumstances and challenges change when we worship. It cannot stand when we put it before the full view of God’s majesty, sovereignty, and supreme goodness. No matter what faith have you, practice it! If you have no faith, I suggest you find one since agnostics and atheists do not seem to gain that post-traumatic growth needed. And no, faith in yourself will not be enough. Check the research yourself.

#5 Practice Reflection

We must on a weekly basis reflect and process what is happening in our lives – especially if we are going through a crisis. This can be done through journaling, art, or music.  People have produced incredible stories, art pieces, and music from this activity. 

Debrief yourself. 

Another important type of reflection we can use when we are upset by the news or events we see is to debrief ourselves and our families. The simple steps of walking through a series of basic questions and identifying how we feel can do wonders. It’s called “Name it to tame it.” Below are simple questions and reality checks you can ask yourself or others.

  • What happened?
  • How do I feel?
  • What was the worst part?
  • But I know….

#6 Practice Routine

Having a routine is stability.  All parents, successful people, and educators know it.  If your schedule is fully packed, you will have no time to deal with a crisis mentally, emotionally, or physically when it hits. Leave 20% of your time free (this is in addition to a weekly day of rest). 

When a calamity does happen, go to the routine you have already in place. What can you continue as before?  Some things may be impossible to continue depending on the situation, but what you CAN do, you should.  This sense of routine gives structure and a “sense of control” when life feels it does not have it.

In Lebanon during the 1970s-1990s civil war in From Beirut to Jerusalem, Thomas Friedman documented how keeping routines was one of pillars to how the Lebanese stayed sane and mentally healthy during that horrible period. The Lebanese refused to give up their daily life routines. They did it despite the bombs and the shelling from the factions around them. I used this principle for my son and I during the Egyptian Revolutions.  I received criticism as a person and definitely as a parent from some within my community for doing so; but looking back now, I realize I had implemented a pillar of resilience in my life without knowing it.  

Which of these six practices do you currently have in your life?  Which ones maybe you need to implement or improve? All of us need a bulwark of resilience.  It does not matter if we currently live in the Middle East or if we are a North American or European stay-at-home mom, a stressed out businessman or CEO, social worker, overworked religious leader, or a content and happy retiree.  No matter who we are, we will all see seasons of tribulation and times of crisis, and right now, many of us need to take seriously implementing the resilience traits we are lacking. The traumatic news and events are not stopping and we need a way to put a shield of life against it.

Are digital currencies truly sustainable and what does it have to do with Ukraine?

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 25: In this photo illustration of the litecoin, ripple and ethereum cryptocurrency ‘altcoins’ sit arranged for a photograph on April 25, 2018 in London, England. Cryptocurrency markets began to recover this month following a massive crash during the first quarter of 2018, seeing more than $550 billion wiped from the total market capitalisation. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)

In the last couple of days, the world has hit an all-time inflation high. For years, people like former U.S. Congressman Ron Paul have advocated the dangers of the Federal Reserve and how we have handled our finances. What is not being discussed comprehensively is after every major military conflict, there is a shift in monetary and political power. To be sure, the United States is not going to come out of this alive. From poking and harassing the Bear in Russia to the open release of documents in the United Nations of the U.S. Biolabs in Ukraine, nations are angry and want revenge. Then there is the problem of a rising power that will truly overcome us: China. Ray Dalio has an excellent book exploring these concepts, Principles Dealing with the Changing World Order: Why Nations Succeed and Fail, and if you do not have time to read it, then check out his forty-five-minute condensed video of it.

This brings us to the war in Ukraine.

The dollar is going to fall and it will no longer be the reserved currency in the future after this proxy war with Russia is over. This will happen not necessarily because Russia will win, but because we made the fatal mistake of not having Russia as our ally against the real counter-power – China.

President Biden has called for a digital dollar earlier this month. Why is this alarming? For two reasons. #1 Digitial currencies are not sustainable and #2 digital currencies at the end of the day can be easily controlled by any dictatorship.

Media and businesses speak openly about fossil fuel dependency problems and possible shortages in the future, but one does not hear about the coming electronic and tech monopoly or collapse. Any aware consumer or Greenpeace advocate can tell you that much of our tech – if not all electronics – are created with planned obsolescence, and now and then we will hear about where all electronics go to die. Yet, are you aware that much of our tech is made with rare earth minerals and that 80-90% of it is controlled by China? Did you know there are already tensions growing in the international waters to deep-sea mine for it? It is completely unsustainable. And as far as countries having to buy or get access to the resources needed for their high-end electronics, they will need to pay the Chinese piper to get it.

China is currently the closest to obtaining a digital currency. Why would the interest be there? For them, it could be a glorification of Chinese progress. It can reasonably be accomplished with the resources they own. However, I am willing to bet my falling George Washington bill, it is really about controlling their citizens and any future country using their currency. They already have the highest form of mass surveillance coupled with an excellent social system to control the everyday man. Once they have an electronic currency, at a single touch they can manipulate, threaten, or pressure people with absolute authority over their monetary livelihood. No more saving money under the mattress for an escape to the land of the free. If physical money is outlawed, no one can choose to pay for goods, transport, and services but with their digital means. The implications of this are absolutely frightening. Frankly, I am wondering why North Korea has not already pitched the idea and tried it. Well, we already know the answer to that, they do not have the resources for such tech. If they did, they would.

My prediction may seem ridiculous and silly, but others in finance have not just speculated about such things but firmly believe it and are insisting on as many of us as possible to participate in #cashfridays.

There is still hope admid this forecast. We can advocate for responsible merchandise that is designed to last with both new laws and social pressure on companies. If we do not have the Congress, Supreme Court, or President to agree with their constituents about this, we need to vote them out and get the ones who will. We can create awareness and think strategically by not allowing our country to participate in creating or using digital currencies due to the insecurity, lack of freedom, and unsustainability of it. We need to think long-term and for the benefit of all mankind, not just the controlling few.

Regret and Restment

Comfort and ease over principles and others took the jab on principle and later regretted it. [Getty Images]

After a year and a half of lockdowns, coercion, threats, and mandates, countries have started to treat COVID like the flu. A year ago, this was purported by the media to be medical heresy in the United States and most European countries. Currently WHO disagrees with these decisions and it would be worthy to investigate why countries now find it in their best interest to do so. Many cases of the disease still exist and hospitals have staff shortages. It is certainly not because the disease has entirely lessened or simply disappeared. In fact, some would agrue this past winter was more vicious than the previous.

Mainstream media outlets report treating COVID-19 like the flu is acceptable due to the fact that many have been vaccinated, while for others this is considered a grave mistake since vaccination does not prevent contracting COVID but just limits the symptoms of the disease.

While vaccinations may not be as enforced or demanded as before, it is still existing – at least until the courts intervene. I have listened to those who have received vaccinations when it was mandatory and willingly they complied to their company, school, or country demands, and some have said they will not take a booster because of their first experience with their selected Western vaccine*. Some experienced extreme fatigue that lasted for months, others were hospitalized and refused to get the second dosage for fear what might happen to them if they did. Others have received permentant heart or organ damage, some the rare Bell’s palsy, and still others have experienced weird skin rashes and anomalies. All of these experiences contribute to real hestitancy and a point of view this is a pharmaceutical charade. Of course, there are many who ignore the fine print or what has happened to their friends and family, and fear or compliance will drive them to take it anyway.

People who were vehemently against taking the vaccine for various personal reasons of the unethical contents or they felt natural immunity was stronger, yet they succumbed to taking the jab for ease and comfort of travel or to cease the bullying from family and society. They stated they felt like traitors to their personal beliefs. I wonder how they feel about their decision now when it is no longer needed.

How many will accept this political turnaround from the United States, England, and Denmark governments without anger or bitterness? Will they question why this has not been done sooner before their small business went to ruins or before their body was permentantly damanged? Before their children had to suffer for months with anxiousness, fear, instability, academic issues, and much more due to political whims and fancies? Before they received pay deductions or lost their job for months?

These political deliberations have not been wholly based on scientific evidence or reasoning. I excuse the first six months when all countries around the world were grappling and searching for answers, but the remaining time since then has none especially after the recent actions of our governments. Other countries have truly been constantly evolving their policies in the Pandemic based on scientific findings of the disease and the vaccines themselves. Some countries have not mandated vaccinations or give a wide variety to choose from (not just the Western ones) due the multiple variations of people who physically cannot take it without bodily harm or ethical reasons. They give complete informed consent to those who want it, and others do not allow Moderna in their country due to death or other unsaid effects on their populations. Even more controversial to the West, but it was been working well for those populations, allowing their doctors and pharmacies to use treatments like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine as part of their prescriptive medical protocol.

I truly hope people will not just “keep calm and carry on,” but deeply think about all of this and not accept it as normal and an act of appeasement or care from their governments due to protests or restistance. I hope they ponder well and tangibly act at the next U.S. Congressional and British Parliamentary elections and vote men and women in who will make sound decisions for them based on their consent and supposed country ideals of freedom and autonomy. If we truly believe in republic liberty and justice, we need leaders who exemplify and execute it for us.

*I say Western because the following symptoms do not seem to exist in the Chinese Sinopharm or Sinovac vaccines given in other countries. It is unclear at this time of the contents or side effects from the Russian Sputnik vaccine.

Great hubris and foolishness always lead to one destination: destruction.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

In recent days the international news has blown up with the “Russian-Ukraine” “Crisis”, “Stand Off” or “Russian Invasion”. Two days ago it was reported 120,000 Russian troops are on the border of Ukraine. Yet, the U.S. states only to send 8,500 troops to Ukraine and no clear numbers from England. Three days ago this was given with a supposed 40,000 “NATO response troops“. As of this moment, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says they will not deploy troops to Ukraine.

Russia has NATO easily out-numbered. Parts of the West are aware of this, and when it comes to military might, they do not want to engage in traditional warfare knowing they have the upper hand. The United States of America and England do not seem to hold to this same opinion as they continue to provoke and pick a conflict with the Great Bear.

With Russian nuclear submarines hovering over the West’s internet cables and their Russian hacker army posed to attack in various ways, it is not seen how any sanctions or bloodbath will allow the West to succeed. Some might argue that the New Mexico cyberattacks were Russians giving the U.S. a taste of what is to come.

The East, Africa, South America, and arguably many in Europe have long awaited the demise of the United States and England for its arrogance and pride throughout history. And with the fallout of Biden’s pull out of Afghanistan this past year, no one can fully trust the U.S. to have its back.

With Europe standing to lose far too much if they engage in any kind of war, Germany, France, and possibly many others, will most likely bow out leaving a stand-off not being between NATO and Russia over Ukraine, but a proxy war between three countries: the United States and England against Russia.

If this is the case, no matter what furture events unfold, I do not see the West coming out of this well.

I strongly suggest backing up important online documents and beloved photos now, and you think about how products are distributed to your location and what will be affected by such actions of our governments. If you think you cannot live without the internet, I suggest you begin thinking of alternative activities to Netflix binges, Facebook and TikTok scrolling.

The Pandemic was difficult, but it will not compare to what is coming.