1669 - Birth of Susannah Annesley, "Mother of Methodism." Born the 25th child in her family, she married Samuel Wesley in 1689 and bore him 19 children, the last two being John (1703) and Charles (1707) Wesley.

1758 - English founder of Methodism John Wesley wrote in a letter: 'I cannot think of you, without thinking of God. Others often lead me to Him, as it were, going round about. You bring me straight into His presence.'

1918 - In Russia, following the Bolshevik Revolution, all church

property was confiscated and all religious instruction in the   schools was abolished.

1942 - At the notorious Wannsee Conference in Berlin, German Nazi officials decided on their "final solution," which called for a mass extermination of all the Jews in Europe.

Good Morning Church!

I am sending this out to you today in light of our side-bar discussion on Sunday about eschatological (end-time) events.  As we can see from just a few hundred years history, depending on where one was geographically located, there were highs and lows that would be perceived differently in light of the 'end of all things.'

In England, the birth of a couple of males would lead to an incredible revival among Christians there (and spread to America).   Yet just shy of 250 years later in Russia (on the same day), it would appear that the birth of an antichrist was taking place in the public education arena. 

And just 24 years later to the date, one of the most heinous plans we have witnessed had materialized to not only profession, but declaration and action in Germany.  And its ramifications spread far beyond its own borders.

We live in the 'last days.'  You have been in the last days since your birth.  It goes all the way back to return of our Lord to the right hand of the Father.  Should He continue to wait, perhaps He will give us glimmers of revival as He has in the past.  Then again, we may be allowed to endure unthinkable things.  Regardless, we must be prepared to say, "Blessed be His name," and be ready for His return.

Keep the Faith,

jas

So far, the bail-out package hasn't done much; unless you want to 'credit' it for further slide on Wall Street.  I find it ironic that the very ones who got us here are the very ones handling all this cash. 

Not very wise.

And what are they doing?  Charging it all to a great big ol' credit card that apparently has no limits (in their eyes).

Nevertheless, the corporate welfare line is rounding the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue now while many a hand is out looking for a sizeable profit in return for their extremely bad business management. 

What's the average American to think?  While we watch our IRAs and 401ks tank, we are fed the panic laden formula that if we don't do something we will all find ourselves in the poor-house. 

And sure enough, we may. 

But so it is in the strongest form of financial governing that exists - capitalism.  If you don't produce and manage well, you fail.  This makes the market competitive and keeps the product in high quality.

It is a frightening prospect though - to think of allowing something (or someone) to fail.  In doing so, we risk hurt and pain.  We can find our dreams dashed and futures altered.

Interestingly enough, God did exactly that when He created the man and woman and gave them the single most powerful thing one could ever possess - free will. 

It was a huge risk - and even greater than we realize (since God already knew what they would do).  To allow a man to choose was to allow him to fail.  And, fail he did.

Can the government bail us out?  Nonsense.  How can something be bailed out if the money given to it comes from those who must support it otherwise?  In other words, when the money is taken from the customer to give to the business (with no product return to the customer to boot!), then there is no money left for the customer to purchase the product that rolls later. 

But the amazing thing is, God has bailed us out.  Literally.  And if we had paid the penalty, there would be nothing left of us either.  But instead, He paid for it - He paid for all of it.  And we now enjoy the sweet freedom of His gift.

So lift you chin.  Walk upright.  Live forgiven.  We are free.

jas