J. Grant Swank, Jr.


Separation of church and state? No need to tell Idaho GOP gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell.


He holds that religion is a guaranteed expression in America. Further, he reports that one’s Christian faith is a necessity in today’s corrupt state of affairs.


Rammell believes America was found on the Bible’s God. He believes that God is available to rescue the Republic today. He believes that God disciples need to trust and obey for divine blessings to come upon the nation, per Dan Popkey of Idahostateman.com.


The Constitution is in trouble, Rammell proclaims. It can be put in place by God. Rammell spells out his faith in a news conference on YouTube.


“America would not exist if it wasn't for the divine hand of providence in not only intervening to win the Revolutionary War but in writing the inspired words of the Constitution.


“To think that we can save the Constitution without God's help when the government of the United States is corrupt is absurdity.”


Government corrupt? Yes, conclude countless Americans. Marxist Muslim Barack Hussein Obama with his czar laden shadow government points to a corrupt scheme at work in DC.


Obama’s lack of concern for Muslim terrorist activity, appointments of Muslims in big time governmental slots, catering to Muslim leaders worldwide, and now secreting through Congress a bill against Americans spells corruption.


“We are in America's second Revolutionary War to save our freedom, which we paid for with blood. We need God's help and I'm not ashamed to ask for it,” Rammell continues.


Many God believers throughout the United States are praying earnestly for a righteous turn-around on this continent.


Wherever I go, believers are talking about the need for fervent intercessions before the heavenly throne. They are also examining biblical prophecy more than ever.


In communicating with a Panamanian today, she said that she has hardly slept in the last year due to what is going on in America. She has moved to Panama where the government is civil, non-threatening.


I responded by asking her to continue to petition heaven for our country. She assured me she would.


That kind of back-and-forth converse is common today among those who know the Bible and also realize the government has imploded in favor of the enemy.


Read “Idaho GOP gubernatorial candidate Rammell expands on controversial prophecy in YouTube video” at http://www.idahostatesman.com/idahopolitics/story/1029316.html

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


High school students wear sweatshirts depicting Twin Towers. The number “11” is drawn as two towers.


Flying into the Twin Towers is an airplane, preparing to crash and destroy. The aircraft is a thunderbird, the school’s mascot.


Beneath the graphics is this Islamic praise slogan: “YOU CAN’T BRING US DOWN.”


Newsfeeds describe the youth as Dearborn Michigan “Arabic” students attending Edsel Ford High School.


Reporters editorialize by stating that “Islam and Muslim immigration should have never been allowed here.”


Read “Sweatshirt Sparks School Controversy” with video at http://loganswarning.com/?p=727

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


The Boy screwed up but points fingers at all others who screwed up.


And so America “dodged” another calamity by the skin of its inept Oval Office occupant and criminal-stained shadow government of amateurs spinning the country.


“This was a screw up that could have been disastrous,” Obama said finally—January 5—officially long after the Christmas Day “screw up.”


Obama is the bright and morning star who promised hope in change that would never point fingers; however, Muslims lie per the Koran’s virtue list and therefore Obama can do just that—again—to be orthodox Islamic.


It must have been the Hawaiian air that brought our Muslim leader to his senses on this Tuesday’s twosome “screwed up.”


“We dodged a bullet but just barely. It was averted by brave individuals not because the system worked and that is not acceptable. While there will be a tendency for finger pointing, I will not tolerate it” per Reuters’  Patricia Zengerle.


If Obama does not wise up instead of screw up we’ll all be plugged by a “bullet.” His alliances with Islam World Rule will see to that. His Muslim colleagues assisting on Pennsylvania Avenue work night and day to precision the “bullet.”


Then Obama calls these cohorts “brave individuals.” But wait a minute? Is he referring actually to patriots left in positions of authority by which we can truly be protected? Or is this another nod to his comrades in setting up the final fall of America? Only time will tell.


And with that confusion we get this to stall for time: “It was averted by brave individuals not because the system worked and that is not acceptable.”


“. . .not acceptable.”


But it was acceptable for Obama to see to it that we no longer hear anything significant regarding Fort Hood.


And it is acceptable for Obama tardiness regarding Afghanistan troop support.


And it is acceptable for Obama to call the Christmas Day Muslim murderer potential an “isolated extremist.”


It’s sickening. America has come to this low-level in its history. And this so close after 9 / 11 that we have One of Them Power-Slinging from the White House.


That is what is unacceptable. Rid the White House of its Islamic curse.


Read “Christmas incident was ‘screw up’” - Obama said” at http://www.reuters.com/article/hotStocksNews/idUSN0511866320100105

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


AP reports regarding Solomon Islands: ”Landslides and a tsunami destroyed the homes of about one-third of the population on a Solomon Island, but lives were likely spared as residents with memories of previous disasters fled quickly to higher ground, officials said Tuesday.”


So many dead. So many grieving. So many distraught.


Where is God? Where is the good God?


Good God created all things sound and pure. Then He placed our first parents in paradise — the Garden of Eden. There, however, was a stipulation. They dared not touch a particular tree. That obviously was to test the mortals-with-free-will obedience quotient.


All other creatures on Earth were programmed by instinct. Only Adam and Eve were gifted with free will — the awesome power of choice. In that, at least, was their image of deity upon their very own natures — the power to think, to make decisions.


Yet, sadly, our first parents disobeyed God to follow the Lie. The Lie told them God really didn’t mean what He said. It was all a ruse. Good God would overlook their eating of the forbidden fruit. After all, He is good God.


However, good God is not only mercy but also justice — eternally so. If He were not, none of us would want to know Him let alone worship and obey Him.


In His mercy and justice, God dealt with Adam and Eve’s disobedience. In His mercy, He did not slay them. He permitted them life and forgiving grace — but a temporary span on Earth, not the eternity He had originally planned. In His justice, He disciplined them by casting them out of Eden. Further, Eve would give birth in pain. Adam would dig out a living by the sweat of his brow.


Earth fell when our first parents disobeyed God. In that, mortal’s body and soul fell, hence there being sickness followed by death as well as meanness, madness and murder, anger, animosity and anxiety.


Further, when Earth fell due to Adam and Eve falling for the Lie, the globe itself came upon its own calamities. They were not originally intended by good God. They were the result of mortals’ disobedience, hence floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires and, yes, earthquakes.


Earth’s calamities should then remind us that mortals are indeed frail, fragile creatures in need of the Power above and beyond themselves. Mortals are temporary creatures of a spiritually fallen planet. Mortals are in need of a merciful, comforting God.


Therefore, when earthquakes take lives, spring forth wails of woe, and cover the planet with depression, they remind us of history’s beginnings. They remind us of the awful state the planet is in due to mortal going his and her own way apart from good God. They remind us to call out for mercy, for divine help, and for a hope that is beyond and above the earthquakes, winds and fire.


An earthquake is not God’s fault. It is mortals’ fault — from the start, that is. Adam and Eve’s lineage have had to deal with their disobedience ever since they went for the Lie. That should surely underline for all thinking mortals how truly crucial it is to obey an Almighty God, falling at His feet for mercy and grace, beseeching Him to redeem Earth’s tragedies into a meaning that only eternity can fully explain.


The hope? The hope in a spiritually fallen world is still the good God. There really is no other alternative other than despair and finally spiritual and / or physical suicide. Hope comes from reaching out in faith to good God, calling upon His everlasting arms, and finding Him there — no matter the tragedy, the loss, and the perplexity.


In that, good God has the last word for those in faith. In that, good God then is their Almighty One placing His period at their last sentence.


God Himself acted out before us how to deal with this spiritually fallen planet. He came to earth in Jesus. He taught and loved and healed. Then the jealous enemy spiked Him to the cross. Murder. Injustice. Madness. Meanness. Cruelty.


Yet from that zenith of calamities came His resurrection. And from those lips — now alive and loving — come the words: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me shall not die. Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. I stand at the door and knock. If anyone will open, I will come in to him and sup with him and he with Me."


Till the close of Earth’s history, tragedies will continue to spill themselves over the face of the planet — since Adam and Eve first fell for the Lie. But out of every tragedy, faith can lift the arm of hope toward good God. In doing so, victory is assured through the tears. Eternity will prove it to be true.
______

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


While Muslim Barack Hussein Obama leads America further and further from its Christian heritage for Islam World Rule, Zambia’s leadership calls the citizenry to a fresh commitment to Jesus Christ.


“Last Tuesday was Zambia's celebration of their 18th Anniversary as a Christian nation, and the country's Republican President Rupiah Banda encouraged his government and the people to seek God's blessings in all they do” per The Christian Post.


Dittoing Banda’s convictions, “Heritage Party leader, Godfrey Miyanda added, ‘We should establish why we are having difficulties with something which is good. Being a Christian nation does not mean we are perfect but that we need to work hard to live up to the declaration. In other words, we should be followers of Christ.’”


Banda spoke “passionately” when he referred to Christ as the hope for his country. Would to God that the United States returned to its allegiance to the Bible as God’s Word and Christ as Savior.


“In a speech read at the 18th anniversary celebration of the country’s Christian declaration, Banda said, ‘It is my passionate desire that my government can access the prosperity which comes from the living God.’


“’I am very positive that you, my fellow Zambians, share this belief with me that in this covenant lies the wisdom of God which, if you hold any kingly position like I do as the Republican President of this nation, then you can align with the covenant like King David did,’ he said.


“’If you are a spiritual leader, you can also align with the covenant like Moses did.


“’We must all be practically responsible citizens who are watchful enough and guarding the only one land that God has graciously given us to work on it and take care of.’”


Instead of double talking religion or masking himself as a Christian while being something else as Obama does, Banda sounded more like gospel preaching than a politician.


If the rest of the free world cast out the demonizing temptations for aligning up with the holiness of Scripture, the world would change for hope and change under God.


Read: http://www.christianpost.com/article/20091230/zambian-president-maintains-country-s-christian-identity/index.html

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


Elin Nordegren Woods fluffed Tiger off for Christmas as she also told her mother-in-law to mail gifts rather than visit.


In addition, Elin tells media that she’s bagging $300 mil and setting up comfortably somewhere with the children in order to start all over.


Appearing quite confident, Elin even got on California security camera tape Tiger kissing some frisky in a parking lot when he had told wifey he was in Vegas doing a charity stint.


Not cowering to either hubby’s or mom-in-law’s appeals to patch things up, as if Woods’ adultery litany was some sort of lifting candies at the corner store, Elin marches onward.


Finally, a woman cheated upon may actually do the strength-thing feminists claim. If Elin follows through with independence max, she may set a healthy pattern for others.


Staying by her man is not necessary “for the children.”


The children stay with Elin and Tiger? That equals children enduring screaming, fights, doors slamming and perhaps worse. It happens in lesser-known houses.


These children will grow older reading all about what the world is coming to know day by day. Nothing will be hidden from these youngsters.


In the meantime, they need to wake up in a house that is freed up from combat between parents.


Read “Elin is talking $300 mil” at http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/elin_is_talking_mil_OsH8qOsdQw7t6OhVO3TL6L

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


So goes tax money.


New York’s Department of Health has spent $32,000 for 70,000 leaflets depicting how to shoot up.


There are even comic-like drawings to help those not all that adept at reading words, per Brad Hamilton of the New York Post.


Things are really getting cozy with crime when that kind of money is forked out for that kind of pastime.


"It's basically step-by- step instruction on how to inject a poison," said John Gilbride, who heads the Drug Enforcement Administration's New York office.


"It's sick," said City Council member Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Queens)


"Foolish," said Columbia University drug researcher and treatment expert Dr. Herbert Kleber.


When the nation flies liberal off the charts, moral baselines become increasingly twisted so that now we have the next generation instructed in how to blow themselves away with a needle.


Leaflets’ elementary language gives the ‘cut on dotted line’ instruction: "Warm your body (jump up and down) to show your veins," and "Find the vein before you try to inject."


More New York adolescents are into heroin than ever before. So how do we cut the figures to a minimum? Health Department officials obviously conclude that making it easier to insert the needle will do it.


Crazy world makes crazy world crazier.


Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/heroin_for_dummies_oLIfe1Gxl7RMk9iJZiWlnL

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


“Climate change is bringing freezing temperatures to Peruvian poor villages where families have long existed on the margins of survival.


‘Now some must choose whether to save the animals that give them a living, or their children” per The Observer/guardian.co.uk’s Annie Kelly in Pichccahuasi.


God has a way of showing to humanity that He in fact is God, albeit the divine patience letting things quite out of hand on occasion, that is, in mankind’s definition of “patience.”


“There have been warnings from meteorologists in Peru that this month will see the Huancavelica region hit by the worst weather conditions in years with plunging temperatures, floods and high winds.


“The weather is already claiming lives; last month seven people died and scores were treated in hospital after torrential rain caused flash flooding in Ayacucho, the capital of the neighbouring region.”


God is in charge of the planet’s climate.


Mortals are playing God when they move into changing climate and moving continents and sludging taxpayers and kissing up to unbelieving loudmouths and passing legislation that will gouge Americans and so forth.


God IS God.


This particular planet, along with the entire universe, is God's. He is Maker and Owner. He is the one in charge of sun, moon, stars, seasonal changes and everything else related to creation. God has His hand upon it all. His claim is tagged to every part of it.


Mortals are so intent on playing deity that they play right into the hands of God's enemy, Satan. Satan always wanted to be God. He sought to take over the eternal throne. That cost him his place in hell. Now he is known in the Bible as the "King of the Pit."


If these mortals keep playing God, they will end up with the King of the Pit.


Genesis 8:22 is holy writ. This is revealed information from the God of creation. In
that verse alone God states that "as long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease."


". . .will never cease."


All detail related to that overview is under God's surveillance, not mortals'. Tell
that to Al Gore. Inform Bill Clinton of that basic reality.


It was a delight to see God's sense of humor sprayed out over the Copenhagen cop-out when snow blanketed empty-headed conferees. It was particularly encouraging to read that snow gusts stalled Nancy Pelosi's jaunt to the climate flop.


If mortals continue to play deity, they will answer with severe divine wrath. They will be blanketed with that which they never dreamt of. Horrific it will be.


Al Gore, once a born again believer, reared in such a biblically moored home, has gone the way of the transgressor. For years he and his wife have given up on the Bible as the Word of God.


Similarly with Bill Clinton, reared in the same biblical milieu. He too has put aside the divine revelation for his own egocentricity, writing his own religion.


These are representative of the climate-geared God-mockers who seek to manipulate creation to their own ends. Their own ends will be what is described repeatedly in Scripture as damnation.

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


THE WAY TO HEAVEN


The most important question known to man is: "How can I find the way to heaven?"


Therefore, the answer given to that question is most important.


The BibleThe Bible, that is the Word of God in contrast to the mere word of man, provides us with the concrete answer of hope and challenge:


(1) COME TO JESUS.


"For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost" (Matthew l8:ll).


"For the Son of man is not come to destroy man's lives, but to save them" (Luke 9:56).


"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture" (John 10:9).


"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).


"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved" (John 3:16-17).


"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 2:21).


"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).


". . .we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved " (Acts 15:11).


"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13).


(2) CONFESS YOUR SINS TO JESUS.


"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).


"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9).


"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy" (Proverbs 28:13).


(3) CAST YOUR SOUL UPON HIS MERCY.


"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he
saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5).


"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).


"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (Peter 1:3).


(4) COMFORT YOURSELF WITH THE REALITY OF SALVATION AND
HOPE OF HEAVEN.


"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Romans 8:1).


". . .to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).


"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, Father" (Romans 8:14-15).


"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God" (Romans 8:16).


"If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:3l-32).




The most important question known to man is: "How can I find the way to heaven?"


Therefore, the answer given to that question is most important.


The BibleThe Bible, that is the Word of God in contrast to the mere word of man, provides us with the concrete answer of hope and challenge:


(1) COME TO JESUS.


"For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost" (Matthew l8:ll).


"For the Son of man is not come to destroy man's lives, but to save them" (Luke 9:56).


"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture" (John 10:9).


"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).


"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved" (John 3:16-17).


"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 2:21).


"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).


". . .we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved " (Acts 15:11).


"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13).


(2) CONFESS YOUR SINS TO JESUS.


"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).


"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9).


"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy" (Proverbs 28:13).


(3) CAST YOUR SOUL UPON HIS MERCY.


"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he
saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5).


"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).


"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (Peter 1:3).


(4) COMFORT YOURSELF WITH THE REALITY OF SALVATION AND
HOPE OF HEAVEN.


"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Romans 8:1).


". . .to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).


"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, Father" (Romans 8:14-15).


"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God" (Romans 8:16).


"If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:3l-32).

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


The globe should have been blown up by now. That’s right.


There’s enough evil in the world and enough nuclear blow up on the planet that by now we should have been blown to smithereens.


However, we are still here. Explain why.


It is because the God of the Bible made this creation and maintains it. One day and hour He will leave the right hand of the Father’s throne in heaven to return to His turf.


Because this is His property, He sees to it that it is still here. That’s the Alpha and Omega of the question: Why is the globe still spinning?


God has deemed it so. God is God. God has decreed that though the human population is wicked and the nuclear pantries are full to overflowing, no mortal will have the say as to what occurs on His property. The deed belongs to Him.


If there is any proof that there is a God it is that the world is still here. That is empirical evidence.


Realists should conclude that with the nuclear presence off the charts, we should have disappeared a long, long time ago. With that, realists should likewise conclude that there must be a reasonable postulate as to how we are still breathing in this sphere.


But often those who claim to be realists take on the titles “agnostic” of “atheist,” boasting on not believing in a God of Creation. How ignorant. How far into denial. How out of touch.


The globe’s very existence points to some overarching Power who keeps it going on no matter what the threat. That Power, for the rational mind, is the God of Creation.


“O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for His mercy endures forever. To Him who alone does great wonders: for his mercy endures forever.


“To Him that by wisdom made the heavens: for His mercy endures forever.


“To Him who stretched out the Earth above the waters: for His mercy endures forever.


“To Him who made great lights: for His mercy endures forever.”  (Psalm 136:3-7)


The psalmist goes on and on in verse after verse exclaiming what believers already have experienced, that is, that God’s mercy extends into the everlasting.


Part of that divine mercy is that with which He has clothed the globe. It is outlandish mercy that keeps us breathing here. It is the love of God that maintains the lines of creation, keeps the seasons revealed and opens each day to another dawn.


“O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for His mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 136:26)


Read IRAN READIES FOR ISLAM MESSIAH at
http://www.michnews.com/J_Grant_Swank_Jr/IRAN_READIES_FOR_ISLAM_MESSIAH.shtml

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


Brit Hume stated that he does not believe that Tiger Woods’ Buddhist beliefs have the resources by which to find full recovery from his wayward lifestyle.


Hume recommended to Woods that he turn to Christianity for its gospel message of forgiveness and redemption.


It is paramount that the baseline of Christianity be broadcast more these confused days. If it were, there are those sincerely searching for divine grace and mercy. They want to know that their sins are wiped clear by God. In that, they desire salvation.


Hume’s public suggestion to Woods is a healthy turn in newsfeeds for it is based on biblical hope. Hume offered the fundamental New Testament “tidings of great joy,” sung in the Christmas carols.


Hume was speaking on FoxNews Sunday. He said that the Christian faith offers “forgiveness and redemption” for Woods’ “total recovery.”


Click video on Politico here: http://www.politico.com/click/stories/1001/hume_to_tiger_choose_christianity_.html

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


It is not always springtime in the heart, though at times we are led to believe this. And, of course, we would longingly hope that this could be a daily reality; nevertheless, an honest look at human existence tells us otherwise.  There are seasons of winter in the soul.


However, since "all things work together for good" in the lives of the completely consecrated, even those winter times are woven into the fabric of God's plan. For instance, I took a train ride from Boston to Atlanta and pondered the winter scenery of those 24 hours viewed from my window.  I related those frosty landscapes to what I had learned about the winters of my own soul.  Here is what I concluded.


Winters of the soul are REVEALING.  I saw backyards littered with tubs, crates, boxes piled high, trikes on end, abandoned cars, clotheslines, forsaken swimming pools, lonely lawn chairs, and barrels of one thing or another. What would be normally covered over by the greenery of spring and summer was now laid bare. From that train I saw practically all of it. And where the trains travel, that is a lot!


So it is with the soul in winter seasons. Those times reveal our littered backyards, broken-down fences, abandoned projects, wasted promises. During the springs and summers of the spirit, one can cover up fairly easily with the flowers. But when it comes to take stock in winter, it all shows.


Winters of the soul are also REVOLTING.  I was on my way to an annual convention.  I thought, "Why don't they plan their yearly get-together in Georgia in the spring so that a train ride would be more pleasant?"  The view was ugly. The trees stood unashamedly naked. The rivers coughed up their broken ice slabs. The banks of streams spilled forth the debris of a careless recreational public. The cities struck me as forgotten gardens left to their weeds, cold monuments and potholed alleys.


The winters of the soul can also be revolting, for what they turn up is not always what we think is there. In the springs and summers of the spirit it is easier to tolerate hypocrisy; not so when the branches are bare. Consequently, we must be honest enough with the truth to confront the ugliness and see that it is cleaned up in the power of the spirit.


More positively, winters of the soul can be REFLECTING.  From the train window, I was fascinated with the stillness of the world even in the cities. The parks were quiet. The Philadelphia zoo was deserted. The country lanes sported a lone dog or bundled traveler. A forced serenity impressed everything.  During those winter days of the soul there are long times for thinking things through, facing up to facts and relating with truth.  The giddy hours of "spiritual summers" give way to deepening contemplation.


Interestingly, winters of the soul are also RESISTANT.  One thing that especially gripped me when looking from the train was the stubborn hardness of the earth in winter. I would not have wanted to plow one of those fields in February!  Once again I marveled at the fact that those stubborn acres would soon be filled with blossoming hay, flowers, weeds, and trees. Could it be?  Would that crust actually surrender its abstinence?


The winters of the soul also are hard times, otherwise they would not be winters. They can be difficult going--days of testing, hours upon hours of trial.  The sickness seems to be progressing, the disease spreading. The finances are becoming more complex. The situation at work is worsening. The unsaved ones in the household are becoming increasingly indifferent. Face up to it:  you are in the wintertime of the heart.


Thankfully, winters of the soul are REVOLVING.  They are temporary.  We are grateful to God for the four seasons of the year. We need the change, the rhythm. Someone in Atlanta said with pride, "I wish you cold see this city in May!"  I agreed, and so in my imagination I projected what those avenues, parks, residential sections, and historical sites would look like in the spring.  One thing for certain: I could be assured that God would indeed perform His majestic revolving of the seasons from winter to spring.


So it is with the winters of the soul.  God will see to it that winter passes, even the final winter of death. Here is the last word of the Father--springtime!  We must continue to believe that the revolving is true. But in the meantime, there are valuable lessons to learn from the winter. Each season has its purpose. Those who are wise discover it. The rewards are worth the exploration.


__________________________________________________________________

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


When you do try to figure God out, you play God. Don’t.


All God asks of you is to trust and obey. Remember that old-time hymn? “Trust and obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.”


That’s it—start to finish.


The Bible tells us that God’s ways and thoughts are far above ours. Therefore, stay out of deciphering God’s ways and thoughts and let God be God.


Just trust and obey God in the moment.


There is much in the Bible about waiting upon God. That’s so difficult for some because we have brains and think. We have wills that are determined.


However, our brains and wills are broken. They are damaged due to The Fall. If there had been no Fall our brains and wills would be in total alignment with God. However, they are not because they are damaged.


Therefore, pull back your brains and will until you wait upon God’s thoughts and will. If you have to wait a long time, so be it. God has eternity.


By trusting and obeying, you have to give up
worldliness. Waiting upon God calls for a life of holiness. That means being drawn into God so that He consumes you.


But if that’s all you have to do in this life, you are very fortunate. Those who play their own games are caught up in such complexities they are beside themselves with worry and confusion.


However, peace comes to those who have submitted in the moment to God’s way and thought. If you draw a blank on that in the moment, wait. Don’t push.


“Run not before Him, whatever betide.” That’s another powerful line from an old-time hymn. It’s wisdom.


So don’t try to figure God out. Let God reveal Himself along life’s way. In that, you will find out who God is.


If Moses had tried to figure God out, Moses would never have walked to the Red Sea’s edge with a stick in his hand.


If Daniel had tried to figure God out, Daniel would have run away from the den of lions.


If Joseph had tried to figure God out, Joseph would have never married Mary.


We are called in his life to do one thing under God.
That is to quit playing God. In quit playing God, we trust Him in the moment, waiting upon Him.

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


“The Saudis talk about a success rate of 80 to 90 percent, but when you look at what those numbers mean in reality, it all falls down. There is no criteria for evaluation,” John Horgan, a Department of Homeland Security consultant, told the New York Post.


“One of its graduates re-emerged as a leader in the al Qaeda branch claiming responsibility for trying to blow up an airliner on Christmas.”


Saudi rehabilitation centers for Muslims out to blow up the world is akin to Satan’s rehabilitation center to convert demons into heaven’s host.


The free world officialdom that ever signed on to Saudi Islamic legalism for mental health conversion is against the free world.


Yet the insanity continues to fly.


But the more the “graduates” don their caps and gowns, the more officialdom is pressed to confess that officialdom needs mental rehabilitation.


“These guys are not being de-radicalized. They are being encouraged to disassociate from terrorism, but that doesn't mean their fundamental views changed,” said John Horgan, director of the International Center for the Study of Terrorism at Penn State.


Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/art_jDhj2e2aUxSz5tTyhngztI#ixzz0bTkmlQSN

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


First, read THE KENYAN CONNECTION at http://www.nysun.com/article/69273


Raila Odinga and Barack Obama are very close. They are cousins, but more so. They are communicating cousins who applaud one another.


Odinga is responsible for connecting with communists and Muslims in order to establish sharia throughout Kenya. He promises to do away with Christians in order to make Islam the nation’s rule. He promises to be a legalistic Koran devotee.


Obama visited in Kenya, spoke in support of Odinga’s political aspirations, the two standing side by side in photos.


Obama even sliced through his New Hampshire campaign to phone his cousin, giving support to the cousin’s Kenyan presidential efforts.


Obama must have known about Odinga’s deal with Kenyan Muslims when Obama applauded Odinga’s own political efforts. Obama’s connection with Kenya got worldwide media attention.


Per the BBC: “President Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner of the 27 December poll, but the results were rejected by the opposition and called into question by international observers.


“More than 600 people have died in unrest since, and another quarter of a million have been driven from their homes.


“In an interview with the BBC’s HARDtalk programme, Ms Karua said the government had suspected that Mr Raila Odinga’s ODM party was ‘planning mayhem if they lost.’”


Odinga’s coalition lost. Mayhem—bloody mayhem—ensued. This is the cousin to Obama.


The mayhem is defined as far more than Kenyans had expected. It is “ethnic cleansing,” per media.


Check it out: http://current.com/items/88804354_the-unrest-in-kenya.htm


Check it out: http://allafrica.com/stories/200801060011.html


Looking back, Odinga’s father headed the Communist movement during the Cold War. Raila was educated in Communist East Germany. He’s made agreements with the National Muslim leaders’ Forum—a legalistic Muslim organization.


In August 2007, Odinga vowed to make sharia the legal system if elected, wipe out Christianity, demanding Islam World Rule beginning in his country. Muslim dress laws would be enforced. There would be a ban on Christian anything. The Commissioner of Police would be dismissed because of his alliance with Jews.


Interestingly, Muslims compose only 10% of the country compared to 80% Christian. That does not stop Odinga. He will make it Muslim throughout—by violence. He claims Islam as “the one true religion.”


Odinga claims he lost the election because his enemies stole it from him.


Obama must be weeping for his cousin’s loss.


America should weep with Obama in the White House. But more, they should oust him.


Read Daniel Johnson’s THE KENYAN CONNECTION at http://www.nysun.com/article/69273