We have nothing to fear; not even fear itself.

In this uncertain time there are many people who spread speculations and rumors about the end of the world, the anti-christ or various conspiracies involving the government and/or aliens. In my humble opinion there is no need to heed any of these. There is no need to be alarmed or fearful. There is no need to tremble over the next possible natural disaster. There is no need to be afraid of our government or any conspiracy involving a new world order. We know the truth. And we are secure in our faith in Him who is truth.

I have read so many stories about area 51, or Maitraya, and seen so many stupid disaster documentaries on the History and Discovery Channels. All of this ratings boosting and fear mongoring is simply intended to distract and divert attention from the truth. And that truth is simply that because we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ we have nothing to fear. Not the government or aliens or demons or satan or even death itself because we are confident in who is on our side and who holds the final victory! We know where we will be when the victory is won! And we can rest assured that He will not fail. Scripture is clear on that point. We only have to be vigilant and remember what the scriptures say about the end:

1. Don't believe anyone who claims that the Christ has returned or who claims that they are the Christ. When Jesus does return the Bible says that everyone on earth will know it instantly and all at once because his second coming will be in the full Glory of God.

2. Don't believe anyone who claims they know when Jesus will return or when the end of the world will be. The Bible is clear: no one will ever know until it actually happens!

3. As so many angels have told so many people in the Bible: Don't be afraid! Only spiritually prepare yourself daily for the end. You never know when you will die or when the end will come. It could be tomorrow or in a hundred years. But we should always make ourselves right with God and be close in our walk with Him daily so that when the end does come our lamps will be trimmed and burning for the groom!

I hope and pray that this message encourages you and gives you hope and peace in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

DH out

An Open Rant on Elitism

Far be it for me to ever try to adulate myself above anyone else. I am no better than the next guy. There are certainly better writers than me, people who are smarter than me, people who have better ideas than me, are better Christians and theologians, etc. But in this world there exists such prejudice and such condescension that it bears being brought down to our level.

Recently I saw a meme picture of a girl sitting on a bed with the caption "Saying you don't read makes you look stupid, not cool."

My first impulse, as a man with mild add/dyslexia who does not relish the thought of a 1000 page novel, was offense. I have often said I don't read for pleasure. I don't enjoy it because I read at speaking speeds, and have read far too many books for school. I am burned out and simply no longer find enjoyment in the chore of reading fiction for recreation. I read to educate myself and to keep up with current events because it is the best way to do so. But it isn't something that I enjoy. And that does not make me stupid or even appear stupid.

  Someone pointed out that it was probably intended for youth who believe it is more cool not to read than it ever would be to read. While this may have been the original intent, that is not how it comes across.

It comes across as yet another condescending remark from a reader elite that is constantly ruining movies for the rest of us.

No I don't think that all people who read recreationally are elitist or condescending. But certainly it seems that the outspoken hoard of them certainly are. How many times have we heard "the book was much better than the movie" ringing in our ears until they bleed with disappointment in all of Hollywood's film adaptations? In my opinion, all too many.

It is even worse when this condescension comes from a fellow believer. Because Christ taught us to be humble. And elitism and condescension are the antithesis of humility. The one person in human history with the bragging rights to condescend to the rest of us was and remains Christ himself. And yet when he corrects us he does so out of love and humility. When he tells us to go and sin no more it is after having not thrown the first stone.

In His infinitely wise and immortal words, I encourage you all to go and do likewise.

The Bible - Leviticus and Numbers

So as I have been continuing my reading, I have come to the book of Numbers. Through Leviticus and Numbers the Israelites are constantly grumbling and fearful of death resulting from their precarious position in the wilderness. And every time the LORD hears them, he is outraged. Well, if you had saved someone from slavery and brought them to a paradise land that you were going to give them on a silver platter and all they did was complain that they hadn't had meat to eat since they left Egypt and that the people in your new land were so big and scary, you would be angry too! But the thing that I find interesting is that Moses is able to calm God down! Imagine that. The creator of the universe, fuming mad because his people are whining and rebelling, simmered down by a single man and his pleas for forgiveness. Absolutely incredible.

I am also struck by the humanness of Moses. God asked him to speak to a rock to get water from it for the people. (sounds strange right? apparently from what I have read it is supposed to be telling of the future relationship between God and Man through Christ... I don't remember how that works though.) But he didn't! Instead he struck the rock like he did before. Water still came out of the rock, but God punished Moses. He would not let Moses into the promised land because of his disobedience. But why did Moses disobey? Conjecture would lead me to suggest that perhaps Moses was embarrassed to speak to a rock in front of the entire Hebrew nation. But I suppose that is a question left for the hereafter.

This journey has been a difficult one for me to keep up with. I will not be able to reach my goal of completing the Bible cover to cover in 30 days. But now I have a more realistic goal in mind: 90 days. It will allow me to take the time to actually read and understand more clearly. I won't post daily about my experience, but I will keep you abreast of what is going on at Casa de Heise.

DH out.