Banner Blog #1

As the situation in Egypt continues to unfold, many things mentioned throughout the Bible are being revealed.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/01/30/2042368/egyptian-upheaval-a-complete-surprise.html

This article opened my eyes to a couple of things. With Tunisia's recent regime change, Egypt's persistent revolt, unsettling rumors of something similar in Jordan, and Russia's recent alliance with Iran, Israel has every reason to be nervous. In Egypt in particular, the people are trying to oust the president who has maintained a firm treaty with Israel. The Muslim world is quickly spreading right around the edges of Israel's borders, just like prophecy mentioned, and that doesn't leave much room for peace for Israel.

A quote in this article, however, mentions the other thing I found interesting.

' "There is no doubt that Israel was caught with its pants down," said a minister in Israel's defense cabinet. "We were completely surprised by what is happening in Egypt right now. Nobody predicted this.' "

So the Jews didn't predict what God spelled out in the Old Testament as well as the new.... seems like much hasn't changed since Christ walked the earth. Now, I don't have anything against Jews, but I do appreciate their participation in fulfilling prophecy to the Nth degree. :-)

2010 VS 2011: Scorecard

Welcome, 2011.

You may already know that the past 4 months have been unusually strange, complicated, hard, and wearisome. Two car accidents, 3 hospitalizations, 1 death, financial crisis, and much more has left my family's world hanging upside-down and inside-out, with many wrong preconceived notions of God and His sovereignty duly corrected.

Though 2010 held many twists, tumbles, and falls, it held a few triumphant moments that allowed me to dust off my drive, reclaim my motivation, and take another step forward. Sometimes, that led to another spill, like an infant taking its first steps, but at other times, it led to victory.

In 2010, I lost so much yet gained so much. I lost my desire to be "stylish" but gained an understanding for those who are not. I lost a sister, but gained a brother. I lost the battle against financial security, but won the war in trusting that God will provide. I lost my dream for female companionship, but gained love for and from the perfect man. I lost hope in my Savior, but gained a better understanding of His mercies and loyalty. I lost my lust for life and for living it, but gained a perspective of how much I already have and how much I have to be grateful for.

The list goes on, but you get the picture.

This is my hope for you, 2011: that you fill me with a potent and undeniable desire to know Christ like I once did. That you give me a voice in my writing that is desired by some career-bestowing company or organization--preferably with a paycheck. That you send me female friends that I can rely on, count on, trust, and relate to who are in "hang-out" range. That you bestow upon me a desire to get fit for good.

And most of all, that you bring me change. Not Obama-change, and not money-change, but a deep, sincere change within my heart, my way of thinking, my way of behaving, my way of interacting, and the world around me.

I'm ready for something new. Bring it, 2011.