I'm Scared

 

Everything is so scary. There is so much confusion and darkness and evil around me. It seems like so many people are not just deluded but down right insane. It's all too hard for me to endure now so how will I endure when everything gets even harder?🥺

I need to go to my prayer closet, thank God that He has spared me the worst of it, and curl up in His presence and stay there until He comes to Rapture the Church to heaven or at least until things get better here on earth. Amen.😔

So NOT GOING TO HAPPEN THAT WAY❗️😆

Jesus is coming back soon. I may not know exactly when but I can see the "signs of the times" and I am NOT going to give in to the surrounding darkness. The days may be evil and dark but Jesus is STILL the "Light of the World" and as His  "Ambassadors for Christ"  we need to speak about His Light and His Life wherever He puts us.  (Matthew 5:14-16)

Push back the darkness with me. "Let your light shine before men so they will see your good works and GLORIFY OUR FATHER in Heaven".  (Matthew 5:16)

Let's embrace LIFE. Tell our hearts to "Beat Again" because we have been Born Again.  (John 3)

You can do this if God's Holy Spirit is inside of you.

If it isn't? You had better ask Jesus for it because, Brothers and Sisters, you are SO going to need it.

The Truth with Love 

Always, Laura-Lee 

LINK "Tell Your Heart to Beat Again" music video

LINK "Pushing Back the Dark" music video

LINK Carter Conlon "Everything Can Change in a Heartbeat"

LINK Carter Conlon "Are We in the Last Days"?

Your little gift for scrolling to the bottom of the page. ☺️🎁

LINK "Pushing Back the Dark" (back of a van version)

People in DARKNESS have Seen a GREAT LIGHT !

 

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12) ESV

We live in dark and troubled times and I am hearing more often CHRISTIANS who say (with guilt) that they can't stand to watch even Christian videos (sermons and Bible Prophecy updates) and movies that have been made in the past couple of years because they all are SO focused on evil that they need to take a break from them.

I have noticed this trend too. It is extremely rare to find something with Christian content that gives more than a 2-minute "pep talk" at the end as in, 

"I know we are surrounded by all these greatly evil deeds that nobody can escape from but, hey, 🤷‍♀️ that just means Jesus is coming back soon so we should really be excited about that!" 

😬 Yikes! Is that the best we can do?

I just don't think that is going to cut it. 

The closer I get to Jesus the more time I spend singing and laughing. I don't think it is an accident that God created EVERY person with a sense of humor and an appreciation for music. 

(Even people who are tone deaf or can't tell a funny joke because they can never remember a punch line. 😏🙄🥴)

That being said, even though Jesus has called me to be a "Watchman" (somebody who watches world events in order to warn others) I refuse to give in to "this present darkness". I may need to keep you informed about certain things you need to know but you also NEED TO KNOW there is hope, there is light and there are better days coming beyond these ever increasing dark days.

This is my new commitment to you for 2023 which is combined with my previous commitment to always tell you the "Truth with Love".

Thank you for coming along with me. We CAN get through this if we set our minds and affection on "things above". ( Colossians 3).

The Truth, with Love 

Always, Laura-Lee 

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned." (Isaiah 9:2)

LINK "GLORY" by Selah. Youtube.

 "After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.  There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”  When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

 When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him.  “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water.  I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”

 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” 18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.

 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” 

(Matthew 17:1-21)

ANDREW THORBURN is NOT the Posterboy for the Persecuted Church

 

ANDREW THORBURN 

Even though I knew it would happen, I have quickly become tired of hearing about Australian businessman, Andrew Thorburn. , who lost his job IN ONE DAY in his new role as the head of the  AFL (Australian Football League) team in Essendon (a suburb of Melbourne). This is due to the fact he is a member of the City on a Hill church. Now he has become the poster boy for Religious Freedom and the persecution of Christians in western society. Firstly in Australia, but now the American conservative Church people have leaped on this in a HUGE way. Including many of the people, I associate with.

Let's use some discernment and basic common sense in the matter by examining Thorburn's own words.

Statement from Andrew Thorburn in which I have highlighted certain phrases.

"Yesterday was one of the proudest days of my life. To be offered the role of CEO of the 

Essendon Football Club - who I have followed since I was a boy - was a profound honour. At last night’s Crichton medal, I could hardly contain my passion and wonder at the opportunity. 

I love the club, love the people, and was incredibly excited about the work ahead. I had seen a picture of a club that was not as broken as feared, and that with leadership and focus could rebound strongly. 

However, today it became clear to me that my personal Christian faith is not tolerated or permitted in the public square, at least by some and perhaps by many. I was being required to compromise beyond a level that my conscience allowed. People should be able to hold different views on complex personal and moral matters and be able to live and work together, even with those differences, and always with respect. Behaviour is the key. This is all an important part of a tolerant and diverse society. 

Let me be clear - I love all people and have always promoted and lived an inclusive, diverse, 

respectful and supportive workplace - where people are welcome regardless of their

culture, religious beliefs, and sexual orientation. I believe my record over a long period of time testifies to this.

Despite my own leadership record, within hours of my appointment being announced, the 

media and leaders of our community had spoken. They made it clear that my Christian faith 

and my association with a Church is unacceptable in our culture if you wish to hold a leadership position in society.

This grieves me greatly - though not just for myself, but for our society overall. I believe we are poorer for the loss of our great freedoms of thought, conscience and belief that made for a truly diverse, just and respectful community.

My faith is central to who I am. Since coming to faith in Jesus 20 years ago, I have seen profound changes in my life, and I believe God has made me a better husband, father, and friend. It has also helped me become a better leader. That is because at the centre of my faith is the belief that you should create a community and care for people because they are created by and loved by God and have a deep intrinsic value. 

As it happens, I do sometimes disagree with things I hear in church - but I believe strongly in 

the right of people to say them, especially when taken in context. Reducing complex matters 

to a sentence is dangerous. Australia has a long tradition of diversity and religious freedom, 

and that must include preserving space for religious people to be able to express their religious beliefs. 

I am saddened by these events. I wish the Club success and thank Dave Barham in 

particular for the opportunity he gave me. I hope the external review leads to great change. I 

am truly sorry that I will not be able to work with the whole Essendon team, and Brad Scott 

and Josh Mahoney in particular. 

4 October 2022"

Whew. 😓

Now, as a behaviourist, I could spend HOURS unpacking this line by line but I will spare you my yakity-yak, (for the time being). 

The highlights are these:

"not tolerated or permitted in the public square, at least by some and perhaps by many".

Not tolerated by some. Who are these "some"  people in the public square? Well, Thorburn mentions them later in his statement. 

"media and leaders of our community" 

But not his new bosses?

"I was being required to compromise."

HOW were you being REQUIRED to compromise? You were only on the job one day?

Plus, Thorburn said he has been following this team since he was a boy AND he has been a prominent businessman for many years. Didn't he bother to find out what this new job would require of him BEFORE he took it?

Also, keep in mind he "resigned" and "stepped down" himself. He wasn't dismissed or fired.

Now there is this massive controversy surrounding him where the Christian Right is pitted against the Atheist Left (woke) people and a week ago most people had NO IDEA who Andrew Thorburn was (including myself)! 🤨

Can anybody say, 

"I want attention"? 

Can anybody say, 

" Here's a great P.R. opportunity."

Can anybody say, 

"I will make my name known everywhere even though I'm just living in a suburb in Australia."

Can anybody say, 

"I have big political aspirations."

What do I say?

Something is super hinky here. My warning bells are sounding in a BIG way! 

I simply want to warn you to DIG DEEPER and don't jump on a "bandwagon" (even if it is heading in the direction you want to go.)

Keep your eyes on Andrew Thorburn but keep your mouth shut for now.

Use discernment, get some more information on the topic and (as always) keep your nose in the Bible and your focus on CHRIST ALONE. It is only His  motives and character that are forever TRUE.

As I also seek to follow and obey Him by speaking...

The Truth, with Love,

Always, Laura-Lee 😔. 🙋🏻‍♀️✝🇨🇦❤

My suggestion is that you take another look at Israel Folau if you need a "poster boy"  who was actually dismissed because he posted a Bible verse on Twitter. He didn't QUIT or purposely seek lots of media attention. 

Plus, he is much sweeter, more genuine and nicer to look at. 😉

I Feel Like a Beaten Bride

 TOTAL HONESTY TIME for those of us who believe in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture.

My third sleepless night in a row due to sickness. Having massive problems trying to accomplish basic life tasks. Financial problems. Family problems. Isolated in my home. Haven't felt the touch of another human in two years. Haven't heard my name spoken out loud any more than 5 or 6 times in two years. Fighting anxiety and discouragement on an hourly basis.

Some of the most sick, evil, and perverse things I've encountered in 50 years swim around me daily and the vast majority people thinking all this horrible stuff is GOOD. 

Those of us Pre-Trib-ers who believe we are not meant to "suffer God's wrath" and will be "caught up" BEFORE the 7-year Tribulation LOVE to quote Ed Hindson who said, "Jesus does not beat up His Bride before the wedding!" But the past couple of days I've been thinking, "Maybe not, but it seems to me the Lord is just standing by and WATCHING His Bride being beaten up and NOT intervening."

Be honest. Have you been feeling the same way?

It makes me think of the "Left Behind" series of books and films. They depict the total chaos that happens after the Christians are removed from earth. But the way things are RIGHT NOW, while we are STILL HERE, is WAY worse than anything in the stories. I bet even Kirk Cameron is thinking how much worse things have gotten than anything shown in his movies.

I don't know why we're still here. I don't know why Jesus hasn't come for us yet. But I DO know I want Him to come like I never have before and maybe that is at the heart of the point.

Let's look at the last words the apostle Paul wrote before his death. 

"I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have LOVED HIS APPEARING." (2 Timothy 4:1-8)

In other English translations, it says, "LONGED for his appearing."

I know I do. When Jesus calls me he will NOT have to do it twice.

I remember when I was a kid playing outside with my friends and darkness would be falling fast and then I would hear Mom call loudly into our neighbourhood, "Time to come home Laura-Lee!" She'd flick on the porch light to help me find my way and I'd see the warm lights from our windows beaming out their welcome. I didn't have to be called twice then either.

I miss the old types of clocks that ticked. Even when everything was silent throughout the night they were a constant reminder that time was passing.

God is not "tarrying". He has a specific and set time to retrieve us and the seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks and months continue to pass by. Like Paul, our end is coming but for those who hold fast to Jesus until the end we will be given a new and glorious new beginning. Jesus has made this promise to us and I know, after 44 years of following Him, that He NEVER breaks a promise. 

 

  "9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.[b] That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him." (2 Peter 3:9-15)

I'm ready for my imminent departure. Are you?

The Truth, with Love,

Always, Laura-Lee

LINK "Wonderful, Merciful Savior" video by Selah

Raising the Standard: What Does Your Flag Mean?

 

At my "little Christian high school", Vancouver Christian Secondary School (which I have made famous from all the stories I've told about it through the years), the Canadian flag had to be raised on the flag pole every morning then taken down at the end of every school day.

In my final year at VCSS there were no guys who volunteered to do this so my friend Kim and I glanced at each other, exchanged knowing looks, and raised up our hands. There was nobody else so we did it EVERY DAY through the entire school year!

It was quite a commitment. It required we got there early every morning, get out a ladder, hook up the flag, hoist it up the pole, hook up the rope, then bring the ladder back.

THEN we had to do the reverse at the end of the day. Of course, Kim and I always sang "O, Canada" while standing at attention each time. Twice a day. Even on those many cold, rainy, Vancouver winter days. (BTW it rains 400 days out of every year in Vancouver.)

For me personally, because I had to take two buses to school and back, it meant getting up 30 minutes earlier and getting home from school 30 minutes later. But the good thing is that I spent a great deal thinking about Canada, our flag and what my country meant to me.

And on the days when I was wet and cold and in the rain, hauling a ladder around and felt like complaining because of the "massive sacrifice" I was making, the Lord RE-focused me on the men who actually went to war and DIED for the things I was enjoying. Oh, like say, FREEDOM!

Now you understand a bit better why I do NOT wish to merely surrender CANADA into the hands of a few, uber-rich, global elites none of whom were voted into power.

Have you ever taken a moment to literally raise and display YOUR country's flag? 

Have you even taken a few moments to look at it recently and think about what your country means to you? 

Will you just allow it to be handed over and out of existence for the sake of "getting a normal life back"? (Which, BTW, is never going to happen. Our lives are forever altered and those in charge have either no ability or intention of helping you.)

Think about it.

Truth, with Love,

Always, Laura-Lee 

"So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him." (Isaiah 59:19)

  

Flag at Vancouver Christian School these days.

It looks VERY different to the one-story, previously uninhabited, former elementary school that we had. 

Ah. The good ol' days. 😊

My Grad class of 1985 meeting for a reunion 35 YEARS later!

That's "Kimmie".

Y'all look pretty good for your age, I must say. 😲

Kickin' it "old school". 😎

https://vcssalumni.blogspot.com

WWMD? What Would Mom Do?

 

I attended a small, Christian High School from grade 8 to grade 12 and it was governed by a Board of Directors. Through the years this board was predominantly made up of the Baptist and Christian Reformed Ministers who were the parents of the kids I went to school with. 

I was on Student Council for two years, both in grade 10 and again in grade 12 and I remember The Board was the bane of my existence. We were forever trying to get simple things like a Square Dance or a trip to the Roller Skating rink the thumbs up, but The Board was like a massive wall of resistance because they considered these activities "too worldly" for their children to take part in.

I often think of The Board these days and of all the parents of my friends and classmates that I came to know throughout my five years at Vancouver Christian Secondary School.  I also remember the teachers I had who influenced me and made an impact on my growing up years, which I still feel even to this day. Almost all of them are dead now and we, their children and grandchildren, have taken the "top rung" in our world and society.

What would they say if they if they knew children were being given puberty blockers at the age of 10 which would forever change their bodies and render them sterile?

 Or if they knew teenagers were allowed to have their genitals cut off by a surgeon without their parents knowledge? 

Or if the school curriculum taught that there was no such thing as boys and girls and that gender was fluid and "assigned at birth"? 

Or if drag queens were telling stories to preschoolers or entertaining their aged parents in nursing homes?

Or if marxists agendas were being pushed on society non-stop?

Or the government had illegal access to all our medical files?

Or if JUST ONE Minister was sitting in jail because he had the audacity to keep the doors of his church open and keep preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to whomever wished to hear it?

Or if there was a satanist temple operating unhindered in every major city and large town? 

Or if abortions were free to women of any age right up until birth?

Would they be fearful of cancel culture or that some people would stop "Liking" them?

I grew up without a father present and my mother was in a wheelchair before she was even fifty years old however,

 if Mom had access to the internet and a WORLD wide audience through social media and could make her opinions known at the simple touch of a screen, she would NOT be posting about the weather or sharing photos of her latest meal.

I don't know what your parents would be doing, but I know my own sweet, compassionate, big-hearted, meek, little, Christian mother would be ...

PROTESTING ... THE ... SH*T  OUT THESE THINGS!!!

Have a pleasant Sabbath Day rest everybody.

Truth, with Love,

Always, Laura-Lee