I'll be perfectly honest...

...I have no heart for this 4th of July. Each of the past few years have reduced my desire to celebrate.

It's hard to cheer when you are in mourning.
It's hard to celebrate when you look about and see such degeneration of the Founding Principles of this country.
It's hard to be joyful when the "president" and congress are disrespecting everything that made this country great.

I read Romans 1, and correlate the steps to Judgment listed there and the path that americans have chosen.

I read Deuteronomy 27:9-28:68 and tremble.

Today I will be in intercession and possibly fasting...It IS a fearful thing to fall into the Hands of the Living G*D...

May G*D have mercy on HIS people.

Rick Warren To Partner With ISNA?

I'll admit something up front: I've never much cared for Rick Warren. I can't explain why I had that reaction to him from start.

A lot of Christians hold him in high esteem and love his preaching and his writing. I can't say the same from my own perspective. Instead, I find his message hollow and filled with the social gospel.

Now comes this:

Rick Warren, author of the best-selling book The Purpose-Driven Life and one with some weight among Christians, appears to be promoting Christo-Islam, i.e., syncretism, another manifestation of delusional and self-delusional kumbaya.

From this source:

The Indiana-based Islamic Society of North America will be holding its annual convention -- the largest yearly gathering of Muslims on the continent -- in Washington, D.C. over the Fourth of July weekend.

And while convention leaders are holding out hope that President Barack Obama might make the convention his latest stop in his outreach to the Muslim world, the convention has landed another pretty big fish as a featured speaker.

Purpose-Driven pastor Rick Warren has agreed to appear at the convention and be part of its main session discussing the convention's theme -- "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." Joining Warren for the session is ISNA President Ingrid Mattson and noted Muslim scholar Hamza Yusuf.

Warren's scheduled visit to the convention follows ISNA leader Sayyid Syeed's appearance last December at Warren's Saddleback Civil Forum on Public Health. Warren was unavailable this week to comment about the appearance.

His involvement with ISNA follows the Muslim organization's attempt to build partnerships with people of other faiths, including the Union of Reform Judaism and the American Baptist Churches....

Please see Front Page Magazine's index of articles about the ISNA. What a web of Islamist connections!

Excerpt from this FPM article by Joe Kaufman:

Both the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) present themselves as mainstream Muslim organizations, yet in reality they are part of a radical Muslim movement which exists for the purpose of doing harm to America and Western interests abroad.

[...]

ISNA, said to be the largest Muslim organization in North America, has its roots in the extremist Muslim Brotherhood overseas, the same group responsible for the formation of Hamas and most other international terror entities.

[...]

Besides its connection to Hamas, ISNA is involved in the propagation of hate materials. ISNA and its sister organization, the North American Islamic Trust (NAIT), run an Islamic Book Service for the United States and Canada. The service consists of texts written by leaders of the Brotherhood and a version of the Quran, The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an, which has been banned by the Los Angeles school system for having numerous anti-Semitic commentaries....

What purpose is driving Rick Warren to partner with a group with terrorist ties? Is he ignorant of those ties? Is he planning to preach the Gospel to ISNA? Not likely.

Rick Warren has previously been criticized for buddying up with Islamists before. From this source, back in 2006:

In his Tuesday, November 28th column, the sixth in a blistering barrage, critical of Warren, Joe Farah had some less than cordial things to say about the Saddleback padre's Purpose Driven powwow with the leader of a terrorist nation:

"Let's be clear about what Rick Warren did and why he is being criticized.

It's not because he met with Syrian President Bashar Assad. In fact, I would encourage any Christian leader who can get in Assad's face to do so. He needs to be called to account for keeping Christians in Syria in a state of "dhimmi" status. He needs to be called to account for murdering Christian political leaders like Pierre Gemayel. He needs to be called to account for his continued repression of his own people as well as those of Lebanon. He needs to be called to account for his support for the terrorist organization Hezbollah. He needs to be called to account for allowing his country to play host to more terrorist organizations than any other country in the world.

So, I did not criticize him for meeting with Assad. I criticized him for playing footsie with the dictator, for giving him cover to continue his atrocities against believers and non-believers alike, for lying to the world about the state of the church in Syria and for not even mentioning Assad's bellicose threats to the very existence of the state of Israel."

But you see, what Warren was doing in Syria is what he's been doing all along here in America and around the world with the dialectic church - withholding inconvenient truths about sin and the call to repentance for the sake of Results and Relationships. Going soft on sinners is his specialty! That's how you "build bridges," exponentially grow churches and dialectically achieve "unity in diversity" - by putting absolutes aside and dialoguing differences away until everyone's conscience is seared and conviction vanishes in the ambiguity of religious relativism.

Somebody, tell Rick Warren, "When you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas."

As I was doing research for this posting, I stumbled across this interview of Rick Warren in the Atlantic. The title of the interview is "The Rick Warren Interview: No Compromise With Evil." In my view, Rick Warren isn't living up to the second part of that title with his upcoming speaking engagement at ISNA's upcoming convention.

Pray for Iran and the Christians there!

In this AP story, Iranian Christians in the US, are praying for; their country, their people, their fellow Christians and the salvation of souls.

A congregation in Colorado reports that the oppression and misery of the regime in Iran is causing many Iranians to leave mohammadism for Christianity! G*D is working and moving there in miracles, healings and visions.

May HE be praised for HIS love and care for the Iranian people...may we join our prayers together, with the Iranian Christians, that a mighty move of the Holy Spirit sweeps that sad country for HIS Glory and the Great Harvest before us...and may HE send many workers into the field!

HE does not want even the least grain lost!

Flounder Florentine

My daughter, TabU, has hit another one out of the ball park...only needs a little adjustment of the seasonings(every recipe needs personalization), but I included some ideas of what to do.

ENJOY!


Flounder Florentine

4 flounder fillets, 4-6 ozs. each
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 cups milk
8 ozs. spinach fettuccine
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup flour
1 1/2 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/3 cup grated swiss cheese
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
10 oz. pkg. chopped, frozen spinach

In a deep, 10" skillet, place folded flounder fillets, seasoned(I'd use season salt actually, and a little more than called for), add milk, cover and simmer for about 1 minute. Remove fish to a plate, pour milk into large measuring cup.

Cook fettuccine according to pkg. directions, drain and place in large casserole dish. Put frozen spinach on top, use a little salt and lemon juice.

In skillet melt butter and then add flour, whisking briskly, add milk and then stock, cook over medium heat until thickened, still whisking. Add cheeses and nutmeg.

Place fillets over spinach, pour sauce over all, top with more parmesan and swiss...bake in 350 for about 15 minutes, then under the broiler till cheese and sauce brown.

The casserole can be refrigerated after assembly, just cook an extra 15-20 minutes.

GUESSED?!?!?!?

GUESSED?!?!?!?

What are we, as a nation? A set of TinkerToys? Praise be to G*D, that HIS children are not citizens of ANY finite, human made, or mortally flawed nation!

Instead, we are ambassadors, and I think it's about time that we remembered that fact. Because, frankly, this is NOT my president, nor administration or congress! I did not feel that way under carter or clinton, though they disgusted me, but this accumulation of human detrius has nothing whatsoever to do with ANYTHING I believe or hold dear.

My family has been here almost 400 years, and I do not recognize the place!

Heidi Swander, of Olive Tree Ministries, has written an article that was a reminder of a Christian's TRUE loyalties. I needed it!

A Word on Citizenship
by Heidi Swander
It's been many years since I've been able to sing The Star Spangled Banner without choking up. Given the opportunity to do it today, I doubt I could actually enunciate the words for weeping. America is sinking fast. Chuck Missler, in his new DVD, Twilight's Last Gleaming, says, "America is in moral freefall. We are victims of spiritual warfare."

Only too true. How did this happen? For that answer, I refer you to Jan's recent radio program with Brannon Howse (you simply must hear this broadcast!!!), where they discuss cultural and political Marxism and how it snuck into our country many years ago. It explains a lot. Brannon also points to a period in Israel's history when the sins of the nation became so abhorrent to God that He told the prophet Jeremiah, "Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them, nor make intercession to Me; for I will not hear you" (Jer. 7:16).

Has America become this abhorrent to Almighty God? We cannot know the mind of God, but Romans 1:18-32 shows a series of judgments that God will bring to a society that forsakes Him. John MacArthur expertly clarifies this passage in his sermon, When God Abandons a Nation. A glance at your favorite news source these days will confirm that our country is well down this path of destruction.

We are not only in moral decline, but headed toward political, financial, and social ruin. Our founding fathers, though saddened by this turn of events, would have gravely nodded their heads at what is taking place in America today. Thomas Jefferson once wrote, "God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift from God? That they are not to be violated, but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that His justice cannot sleep forever."

Jack Kelley, founder of Grace Through Faithrecently wrote an excellent article about this very thing. The title of the article stings a bit, but the truth in the text is beyond question. In it Jack says: "According to no less an authority than our President (and he's right) America is not a Christian nation. The only connection between God and America today is that a bunch of us who believe in Him happen to live here. . . . America is a secular gentile nation that will soon be no more comfortable a home for the church than pre-war Germany was for the Jews."

When I think of my beloved America, I grieve. But God has recently made poignant to me this truth: I am not a citizen of this country. I am an ambassador to this country and a citizen of another. So are you if you are a child of God by faith in Jesus Christ! Paul told the Philippians, "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Phil. 3:20). Can you, today, get your mind around that concept? If you can, it will make a world of difference in how you view the news, how you respond to the dangers of our world, and how you look to the future.

We are actually commanded to set our mind on things above (Col. 3:1-3; but also Matt. 6:33), not on things on the earth. Now would be a very good time to recognize and obey this command! Thinking of myself as an ambassador does three things for me.

First of all, it gives perspective to the freefall that America is in. I am still saddened, because I've lived here a long time and America has been a wonderful place to reside. But America isn't really home, so I find that I'm often looking at all that is going on with a kind of emotional/spiritual detachment.

Secondly, it reminds me that I have a job to do and that I may not have much longer to get it done! Our "special and temporary diplomatic assignment" (from Webster's definition of "ambassador") is to introduce as many people to the Lord Jesus Christ as possible (II Cor. 5:20).

Lastly, as I see all that is happening around me, I anticipate being recalled to my Home Country! There are many reasons for an ambassador to be recalled, not the least of which is the anticipation of a declaration of war. One day -- perhaps very soon -- war will be declared on this earth (Rev. 6:4ff), but before that takes place, the Lord's ambassadors will be recalled to Heaven!

So what do we do with all the horrible events that are swirling around us which seem to spell the demise of our beloved America? We pray (Eph. 6:18), we witness to others of the love of God in sending his Son (Matt. 28:18-20), we encourage one another (Heb. 10:24-25), and we look forward to going Home to the City God has prepared for us (Heb. 11:16; Rev. 21:2, and 21:9 -- 22:3). We have no idea how great it's going to be to be Home (I Cor. 2:9)! Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

(Note from Jan: Thanks for allowing us into your home three times this week. We try to limit e-mails knowing all are busy; however, Heidi Swander, my assistant, had a relevant issue to share this week...the above article.)

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And if obama/pelosi/reid/leftistas and crew WANT to go to Hell, that is their choice, not mine!

A fool says in his heart, "There is no G*D." We are surrounded by fools...

So, let us remember our responsibilities and calling...the war is close to starting(on the hot phase)and we are going to be recalled! Let us diligently seek the commendation from our Lord, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of thy Master."
HALLELUJAH!

Oatmeal-Fruit Drop Cookies

From Reader's Digest's, "Secrets Of Better Cooking". A virtual encyclopedia of tips, tricks, hints and techniques for newbies and experienced cooks alike.

Sift together, in a large bowl;
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Add;
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup chopped candied cherries(we used mixed berries(cherries, blueberries and cranberries)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts,
stir together and make a well in the middle of the dry mixture and add;
1 cup melted butter or margarine
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk

Mix until thoroughly blended, drop by spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets...about 1/4 inch apart.
Bake in preheated 400 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.
Cool on wire racks, store in airtight container.
Makes about 72 cookies.

WEATHER BLOGGING FUNK!

We are getting into the summer rain pattern, and not only are my sinuses screaming, but my teeth hurt!

So, I am not in the mood to say anything...yet...if this continues I may get narsty!