eaglewind's Xanga

MYSTERY! An ancient vision fulfilled in our time?

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:25:35 GMT

I have had some weird dreams, but this one by the prophet Zechariah (5:5-11) beats them all! “Look,” said the angel to Zechariah in his vision, “it is a basket for measuring grain,” commonly called an ephah in those days. Zechariah did what the angel said and he saw a plain basket used for purposes of measurement that held a little over a bushel. The container had a heavy lead cover and just then, as he watched, it was lifted up a little way. The prophet could hardly believe what he saw, for there, sitting in the ephah was a woman!

“This woman represents wickedness,” said the angel, and the heavy lid was dropped back in position.

A strange thing then took place. Two women with wings lifted the ephah with its lead cover and the woman sitting inside and flew off with it.

“Where are they taking this measuring basket that has an evil woman hidden in it?”

“They are taking it,” replied the angel, “to the land of Shinar.”

The ephah, like its western counterpart, the bushel, represents business activity and commerce. Today we are inclined to think in terms of how many miles to the gallon. Then, it was how many ephahs to the acre will this field produce? The entire economy was built around the ephah in Zechariah’s day.

Zechariah’s strange vision has been an enigma to Bible students for centuries. However, in the light of recent world economic events, it suddenly takes on new meaning.

The ephah no longer is at Wall street, the one time financial capital of the world, nor is it in London or Zurich or other familiar money and trade centers of the world. Through a series of events, both sinister and supernatural, the ephah has quietly taken wings.

And where did it go? To the land of Shinar, once known as Babylonia, and which now comprises the oil producing countries of Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the surrounding small states. If the reader is so inclined, take a look at the wealthiest cities of the world, such as Dubai and Riyadh which have sprung up in the “land of Shinar.” The engineering marvels alone are astounding. And for some strange reason, I feel I am personally helping to fund the most aggressive building projects in the world worth thousands of billions of dollars (Today I noticed the price of diesel fuel in my neighborhood is running $5.07 per gallon).

Some have suggested that Mystery, Babylon the Great, described in the Revelation, represents the world’s money system and that Revelation 17 and 18 foretell its end. Babylon The Great is fallen! The result will be a world-wide depression that will make all past financial panics look like a picnic. All commerce between nations will cease (Rev. 18:11). Runaway inflation will wipe out all savings accounts and those who were rich will in one hour become poor (Rev. 18:17)! Death, sorrow and famine will sweep the globe (Rev. 18:8).

But in the scriptures Babylon is not only portrayed as a city or a system to be destroyed. In Revelation 17 she is pictured as a woman, an evil woman! This person is called BABYLON, THE GREAT, not only because she represents something that began in ancient Babylonia, but because in the last days she will also be geographically located in the land of Shinar!

Zechariah, in his vision about 550 B.C., saw the financial center of the world move to Babylonia. And in the past few years we have seen the ephah, not just in vision but in reality, fly to the Arabian peninsula.

The enormous wealth flowing from the world’s greatest concentration of oil is bringing startling changes to the Persian Gulf countries. Almost overnight the Arab oil producing bloc has become the world’s banker! The staggering amounts of money building up in the treasuries of the Arabian bloc from their oil sales are mind blowing and are revolutionizing economic and power relationships throughout the world. Some predict that epidemic worldwide inflation will topple governments and produce political chaos, not only in America, but around the globe. And it all began when the ephah took its flight!

What is fascinating is that 25 centuries ago the prophet Zechariah saw what seems to be taking place in our day! As the end time drama unfolds, we will see amazing events begin happen. Mystery Babylon, brought to her own home base by a succession of events which include the energy crisis, will soon step out of the ephah that carried her there. Then she will rapidly move on to fulfill her destiny as described in Revelation 17 and 18.

The building momentum of recent history-making events has brought us closer to the end of this age than most are willing to admit. So I ask my readers a simple but personal question. If Jesus Christ were to return to earth today, would you be ready to meet Him?

Adapted from an article written by my father, L.A. Steller, September 1974 right after the 1973 oil crisis when the retail price of a gallon of gasoline rose from a national average of 38.5 cents in May 1973 to 55.1 cents in June 1974.

Meet my friend Ward...

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:11:54 GMT

Ward has preached the gospel for over 60 years. As an 88 year old, his body shows all the signs of a life of hard work and his mind sometimes fails as well. But his spirit is very much alert.

Recently his mind was not cooperating so well. He talked of hearing voices in the room and conversing with various people but not being connected as if he were looking in the room from the outside. He talked about seeing green lights and was wondering where they were coming from. He asked who the people in the room were, (He is mostly blind and has profound hearing loss) then asked the question, “is Ward here, also?”

But an amazing thing happened right in the middle of the chaos of a family gathering with loud conversations, laughter, and the cries of a baby! In fact, to me, it was a holy moment. I asked Ward if he felt connected to Jesus since at the moment he didn’t feel connected to people. I asked if he knew Jesus loved him. Immediately his spirit took over his mind and he went in to a powerful explanation of Jesus’ love- how God had forgiven him of all his sins and how the Holy Spirit had cleared his mind of thoughts that should not be there. I knew that Ward was back!

I asked Ward if he missed preaching. His answer was a resounding “yes!” I asked him if he had a favorite sermon. He thought for a moment, then began to relate a sermon he preached at a minister’s gathering and how the inspiration for that sermon had come to him. He had visited a Dam on the mighty Columbia river, but he couldn’t remember the name of the dam. The Holy Spirit reminded him that the huge volume of water had flowed in the Columbia river for many years, but his generation built a dam on the river which generated great amounts of electrical power as well as irrigation capabilities. Now there was new life in a barren area where nothing was happening except a river flowing through. People began to move to the area. Farms and business sprung up. There was change.

Ward’s voice once again began to speak with the authority and anointing of a preacher speaking to thousands. “I related the dam to the baptism of the Holy Spirit,” he said.

“The Holy Spirit flows through our lives, but when you are baptized in the Holy Spirit, it is like harnessing the power of God. And when that happens, a person experiences incredible growth. It is like the Holy Spirit brings new growth and new life to a Christian where not much is happening except there is a river flowing through.”

Ward paused for a moment, and I didn’t respond, for I suddenly felt the presence of God in a room filled with chaos as the Holy Spirit began to speak directly to my own life.

Then Ward, with a sadness and quietness in his voice, said, “unfortunately, much of today’s church needs to once again harness the power of God.” And suddenly the sacred moment ended as we were called to dinner. But for Ward, it didn’t end there. Amidst the conversations at the dinner table, he was still thinking about that sermon. He would turn to me, ignoring anything else being discussed around the table, and say, “bits and pieces of that sermon keep coming to me.” And he would share another point. And finally, the name of the dam even came!

In those moments when Ward’s spirit supersedes his failing memory and a confused mind, I am suddenly aware that we are losing a whole generation of preachers who experienced the power of God in such miraculous ways long before the “miracles” of technology and world-wide communication of today.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 23:12:15 GMT

I confess… I am an idolater! Having a background in music ministry, I have become one of over 35 million people who sit vicariously alongside Randy, Paula and Simon to “critique” each contestant, hold my breath when Brian announces, “tonight, someone has got to go home,” and cry when they do.

Two weeks ago I was stunned. The show opener by the whole group of contestants, complete with choreography, was one of my favorite worship songs, “Shout to the Lord!” At first I was a bit angry. “Here we go again,” I said to myself, “society has once again taken something that is sacred and turned it into entertainment!” Having sung that song many times to the Lord myself, it somehow just did not fit into this highly powerful form of entertainment that has taken our world by storm.

But then I got to thinking… (that in itself is a bit amazing!)

How many of the rhythm and melodies of the hymns we used to sing in church actually came from the pubs or folksongs of the day? I guess it is O.K. if that turns around from time to time.

If God is the original Creator of music, and I believe He is, then beautiful music should be appropriate in most any setting.

Perhaps the words of “Shout to the Lord” could be a powerful witness to over 35 million people of the greatness of God!

And how can one sing such a song without it having some kind of impact upon one’s spirit?! (You go, contestants!)

The Bible points out that all of creation has this ability to praise the Lord (Isaiah 55:12), so why not even those who don’t yet claim to have a personal experience with Jesus?

And old grouchy Eaglewind just didn’t get it at first- all around the world those who do not yet know Christ were singing with those who do!

Then I also thought… someday soon, “Every knee shall bow… And every tongue shall confess to God." (Rom 14:11 NKJV) and when that happens, it WILL be a bowing of the knee, not choreographed entertainment! So I finally told myself to “lighten up” and enjoy the moment! Thanks American Idol for having such a beautiful opener! I bet even Simon enjoyed it!

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:59:52 GMT

Meet my friends Elmer and Ruby Smith, pictured here with several of their great grandchildren. Ruby recently went home to be with Jesus. But Elmer? After turning 95 in January, breaking his ankle a year ago, loosing his wife two month ago, having his leg operated on again this past month to have the plate removed and then tripping on carpeted stairs at his grandson's house just before Easter and breaking his hip and receiving a concussion…he is doing surprisingly well!

Elmer and Ruby were married for 72 years- almost 3/4 of a century! That is quite a milestone, given the fact that 50% or more of marriages end in divorce these days.

This last week we did a week-long seminar for missionaries, "God's Marriage and Family Plan," covering nine issues facing every married couple. One of my sessions was "Steps to Developing a Philosophy of Life and Lifestyle as a Couple." Along with each step, questions were given for couples to ask each other, such as:

In what ways can we as a couple “encourage each other in the Lord,” and in what ways can we keep intimacy with each other as a priority?

How can I encourage you to grow in Christ?

What background issues, temptations, or unrealistic expectations might possibly surface in our relationship and how can we be better prepared to face them?

In what ways do I demonstrate immaturity, and how can I change that?

How can I best pray for you and what are the best times to pray with you?

How can I help you develop your spiritual gifting, and am I willing to allow you to do what you do best, even if it seems at times to “outshine” me in certain areas?

Who am I accountable to, other than my spouse?

What is the greatest thing I can do to help you finish well?

What are the principles upon which we will build a firm foundation for our family?

What do we believe our placement is in the Body of Christ, and how will we fulfill that calling? What boundaries do we need to place in our lives/marriage that will prevent early attrition of our ministry?

Perhaps Elmer and Ruby never actually wrote out a philosophy of life and lifestyle, but one can be assured that for a marriage to last 72 years, these things were certainly considered!

Elmer, in his 90's repairing his roof and chimney. Growing old is NOT for the weak!
(Oh! And did I mention he is blind?)

Monday, March 24, 2008

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:31:52 GMT

One day eight-year old Michael went to the pet store with his dad to buy a puppy. The store manager showed them to a pen where five little furry balls huddled together. After awhile, the boy noticed one of the litter all by itself in an adjacent pen. Michael asked, “Why is that puppy all alone?” The manager explained, “That puppy was born with a bad leg and will be crippled for life, so we’re going to have to put him to sleep.”

“You’re going to kill this little puppy?” Michael said sadly while patting it. “You have to realize that this puppy would never be able to run and play with a boy like you,” the manager said.

After a short conversation with his boy, Michael’s dad told the manager that they wanted to buy the puppy with the bad leg. “For the same amount of money, you could have one of the ‘healthy’ ones. Why do you want this one?”

To answer the manager’s question, Michael bent over and pulled up the pants on his right leg, exposed the brace underneath and said, “I want this one because I understand what he’s going through.”

Today Grace Kathryn who was born on March 17 and went to be with Jesus on the same day, was honored by friends and family with a brief graveside memorial. I can’t imagine what parents, Peter and Rachel, and grandparents, Jann and Glenn, and other family members feel, for I have never lost a child. In fact, with over 40 years of experience in pastoral ministry, I find I still do not have answers to some of life’s toughest questions. I can certainly pray… and I can show compassion… but understand what they are going through?

However, I know a Person who can!

“He is… A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” ( Isa 53:3 NKJV), and my prayer is that Peter and Rachel will feel His arms about them just as He is holding their little one in a wonderful place called Heaven.

THE RESURRECTON

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 00:29:29 GMT

As Christians around the world celebrate the greatest event that ever took place, there are those who work really hard at trying to discredit Christ… like the professor who recently tried to prove that Jesus didn’t walk on water- he says Jesus walked on ice! Another professor is teaching his students that the reason David killed Goliath was because Goliath had a rare disease and was blind. He says David was able to sneak up from the side and take Goliath by surprise.

Just this week I read a speech given by a humanist to Yale University students. The speaker said, "I do not believe we have anywhere near sufficient evidence or reason to believe this (the resurrection)." And so the drama continues year after year…

Yet living examples of the resurrection abound every year. One of the reasons I love Spring is because all of nature comes alive again after the long, grey, cold, deadly winter.

Another great testimony of the resurrection can be seen in Jesus’ Disciples. Before the resurrection, you couldn’t get the disciples up… but after the resurrection you couldn’t shut them up, because they finally understood. Before the resurrection they were afraid, but after the resurrection they had courage… Before the resurrection they had questioning minds… but after the resurrection they had confident minds. Before the resurrection they were seeking direction… but after the resurrection they were giving direction…

And the resurrection continues before my eyes on a daily basis!. Like my friend Stan who was raised a Buddist but yet found life to be empty and meaningless until He met Christ. …or another friend, Barry, once ferociously addicted to Porn but came to Jesus to set him free, and today he is free indeed! And my friend Robert who was so angry with his wife that one night he stood outside the building where she was and was ready to lob a bomb onto the structure to take her life. But somehow Christ broke through the anger just in time and when Robert came to Jesus he became a different man! Stories of resurrection are all around us and continue day after day because of Christ.

The reason this celebration is so important to us Christians is because it is the day when the world found a savior. Until the cross, Jesus simply went about doing good- but when He died on the cross as our Sacrificial Lamb and three days later walked out of the tomb, He became Savior!

Have a Blessed Easter!

THE CROSS

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 19:36:11 GMT

When I was a music pastor many years ago, my assignment one year during the Easter service was to sing a couple verses of the well-known hymn, The Old Rugged Cross… simple words, powerful message:

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,

the emblem of suffering and shame;

and I love that old cross where the dearest and best

for a world of lost sinners was slain.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,

till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

and exchange it some day for a crown.

I had sung that song all my life. Most everyone present knew the words to The Old Rugged Cross, for it had for many years been a classic hymn of the Christian Church.

So, like a bird’s first song in the morning, I started off with the chorus, touching each word and note with great emotion, with plans to head right into the first verse. However, when I got to the first verse, my mind was suddenly void of any semblance of the message written by the author. I had a choice to make: I could just whistle the verse… or I could look like I was so moved with emotions that I couldn’t choke out the words… or I could make up my own words. I chose the latter- to re-compose the first verse with an adlib that I am sure George Bernard, the author most likely went directly to the Lord in Heaven to complain- “look what that guy just did to my song!”

While I still remember that awful moment of having to “cover” for my human weakness, I am reminded of how much of the story of the cross is “re-written” today to fit our own needs and desires.

Nothing has stirred quite so much controversy as the Cross. There are two sides of the cross that are easy to see: on one side the media mocks it, liberal politicians fear it, city and library administrators are known to ban it, countless “progressive” teachers have censored it… Yet Christians keep on wearing it.

So do fashion-conscious teenagers across the country, and some stores can barely keep up with the demand. Girls from coast to coast sport decorative crosses stripped of any real Christian meaning

A cross purged of Christian meaning doesn’t offend anyone. Yet a cross standing on a hill or in a town square during this season portraying the true meaning of Easter sends a message that many often refuse to tolerate.

The world demands a conformity that validates its values, not God's values. Society wants approval, not truths. And, as Jesus once said, "men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." (John 3:19-20)

But those of us who love God…who are "crucified with Christ," …filled with His life and walking in His light -- cannot approve of that darkness because we are in the world, but not of the world. We can spread God's love, but we can't love what God forbids. So, much of society calls us extremists, for it doesn't understand.

The cross sometimes stirs persecution -- even in America. “Remember," said Jesus, "...If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.... because they do not know Him who sent Me." (John 15:20-21)

In hard times, the victory of the cross may look anything but triumphant. But we MUST remember that the way of the cross sometimes brings pain as well as joy. God's way up may first lead down; His call to victory might, at first, look like defeat. The Apostle Paul is an example…For taking his stand with Jesus, Paul faced hatred, persecution, beatings, stoning, imprisonment, starvation and, ultimately, martyrdom. But suffering for Christ didn’t quench his joy. He had counted the cost and received something infinitely greater than all the coveted thrills and treasures of the world -- fellowship with Jesus, the Lord of all, both now and forever.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Instead of changing the Old Rugged Cross into something of my own liking, this Friday, Good Friday, I intend to look on the Cross for what it is, - a symbol of God’s continued work in me, knowing that the cross is only a short time away from Resurrection!

FINISHING WELL

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 01:12:43 GMT

A number of years ago I took the family to the annual Pear Blossom Festival in Medford, Oregon. Part of the annual event was a half marathon run (13.1 miles), and we stationed ourselves at the end of the route to watch the runners cross the line. As the first ones crossed the line to the cheers of the crowd, I suddenly found myself with a lump in my throat. I thought, “I wish that was me!” And at that moment I decided that the next year it would be me. And it was! Months before the race my wife and I began to train. The first mile in training was pure agony, but as we continued the training, the run got easier day by day. Finally, on the day of the run, my wife and I were able to complete the whole run, actually making it across the finish line before the gate was taken down!

I have few regrets in life, but one of them is that I did not keep running! It was as if, “I have racked up another accomplishment in life and so now I must move on to another accomplishment,” so I simply quit running! Most likely, had I kept up the training years ago, I would not have suffered a heart attack this last year and by-pass surgery! Unfortunately, I cannot say with pride that I have “finished well” in the physical realm.

The truth is, we are all on a journey that travels two roads: The exterior journey and the interior journey. While the exterior journey of tasks and accomplishments (doing) is important, the interior journey (being) is what is preparing us for eternity. Much of my life has been spent in establishing my identity in what I do (this seems to be important to us all, for when we meet someone new, one of the first questions we ask is, “what do you do for a living?”). However, I have come to realize that “who I am” (being) is much more important than what I do, especially in light of another moral failure by a great leader this past week.

I just had another birthday the other day (so it seems). And now, I am celebrating another year of a wonderful life already! So, I must ask myself the question: “When my life comes to an end, who do I want to be?” Several years ago I made a decision to set the course for my interior journey, describing the kind of man I desire to be. As a re-affirmation of that course for my “race,” I am compelled to share that in a public arena:

I am living each day with courage to trust God for the fulfillment of His promises in my life…

I am learning to believe more in myself and in others realizing that each of us is a gifted child of God…

I am striving to influence the creativity of pastors and missionaries to use their gifts and talents effectively in the last-days world harvest…

I am working to achieve fatherhood in its highest form by being a fun-loving husband, father, and grandfather who influences his children and grandchildren to walk with God…

I am continuing the quest for life-long learning in order to obtain better knowledge of the world around me and of the people that fill that world…

I am taking life seriously, because it is the only life I have, but not to the point of drudgery. Laughter is an antidote to stress… generosity allows God’s blessings to flow through me… confidence reminds me that “I can do all things through Christ”… Honesty produces greater freedom, for “the truth sets me free”.

I daily remind myself that “being” is a much higher objective than “doing”, for “doing” flows out of “being”. My achievement must first be in building character.

THEREFORE,

…when a mountain becomes an obstacle I climb that mountain today, for tomorrow may be too late.

…I realize that my mountain may seem no more than a hill to others and I accept that.

…I do not make excuses or blame others.

…I work to keep my Spirit, Soul, and Body strong so that I can climb the mountain in my pathway.

…I remember to say thanks to God every day for the adventure of climbing the mountain.

“This is the only race worth running. I've run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that's left now is the shouting — God's applause! Depend on it, he's an honest judge. He'll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming.” (The Apostle Paul, 2 Tim 4:7-8 from THE MESSAGE)

THE INTIMACY FACTOR

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 23:56:04 GMT

JESUS SAID, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” ( John 4:23 NIV)

Christianity is unique among the world's religions. Christianity tells of the strongest and greatest saints taking off their shoes before God… …bowing down before Him… falling on their faces before Him. It tells of a God who came to Earth as a baby… who showed tender mercies to children and the weak… …who taught us to call him "Abba," (Daddy)… who loved and was loved. God inspires both love and awe, fear and friendship at the same time

To many postmodern and modern thinkers, this sense of awe toward a Holy God often comes with tremendous difficulty. For instance, we have domesticated angels into stuffed toys and Christmas ornaments… We have made cartoons of St. Peter at the gate of heaven… We have tamed the marvelous miracle of Easter with bunny rabbits… We have substituted the awe of shepherds and wise men with cute little elves and a jolly man dressed in red… the old rugged cross once stained with the blood of the Messiah now hangs around our necks as an ornament… And to top all of that, Almighty God gets nicknames like "The Big Guy in the Sky" and "The Man Upstairs."

And just when and where did the word “worship” become synonymous with music? Today a church will go on a hunt for a “worship pastor,” and a parade of candidates will line up to audition with their guitars and backup groups. Not many of them will show much knowledge of theology, and most of them know nothing about leading us toward anything like awe or wonderment. It seems that in many churches today worship simply means loudly filling every space of silence when silence and other avenues of communion can be very worshipful as well as the music we express.

Philip Yancy writes: “I welcome the sense of celebration and joy apparent in much recent music (me too!). Yet I wonder what we are missing when we seek to reduce the distance between creature and Creator, a distance expressed so eloquently by Job, Isaiah, and the psalmists. John records in Revelation that he fell at his feet as though dead when Jesus appeared in full glory.”

Yancy continues… “Jewish ethicist and writer Abraham Heschel made the observation, "Awe, unlike fear, does not make us shrink from the awe-inspiring object, but, on the contrary, draws us near to it." And Martin Luther was said to pray with the reverence of addressing God and the boldness of addressing a friend.”

Psalm 25 says "The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him."

The way I see it, authentic worship encompasses both Friendship and fear. It is the kind of balanced response needed when a holy God extends to us flawed human beings an invitation to intimacy.

In the Hebrew Old Testament, the primary word for worship means "to bow down in reverence and submission." And in the New Testament, the most common Greek word for worship means "to come forward to kiss." Both are needed in our approach to God. I am convinced that God is longing to have this kind of intimate relationship with each of us, and for the most part, we’re not getting it.

Jesus said, “I'm no longer calling you servants because servants don't understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father” (John 15:15 from THE MESSAGE).

God is my friend!

My desire is to be a better friend to Him!

Deep Change

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 23:42:40 GMT

This year I will have lived sixty two years. I am only 38 years away from a century of living!

In 62 years I have seen a lot of changes. I remember some of the first television sets with the little oval green screen with a mostly fuzzy picture and a guy by the name of Ed Sullivan whom I thought was pretty boring ( And ugly).

Just one year before I was born, the very first computer named ENIAC made it’s debut. It filled a large room, weighed in at 33 tons and was almost considered one of the seven wonders of the world in its day. Today I will carry my own personal computer home with me that weighs in at about six pounds and is hundreds of times faster and is capable of storing thousands of documents and digital pictures (the original ENIAC had no memory as such).

Obama, who wants to be the next president of the United States, says, “I’m asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington… I’m asking you to believe in yours.” Now,I certainly don’t want to appear arrogant, but I have probably experienced a whole lot more change than Mr. Obama. And frankly, it kind of scares the wits out of me to think that one man thinks he has the power to change anything in Washington.

The greatest change that ever took place in my life was when I received Christ into my life, and the exciting thing is that even at my age, He is still changing me… daily! I do believe in change…. deep change. But, the only way we will ever see change in America is through Christ. When He walked on earth, the whole countryside was changed because of Him, and He didn’t have the Republicans or the Democrats to help!

Speaking of change, Xanga has sure changed since I have taken a long sabbatical. When I get all the changes figured out, I may be back. That is, if I have any “friends” left!