The Apocalyptic Aim of ISIS

The core of the Islamic State doctrine is this belief: Adherents are waging war against unbelievers - infidels - in order to usher in an apocalyptic end time battle. The goal: Islam's ultimate triumph.

Many Muslims believe the Syrian town of Dabiq is the location predicted by the prophet Muhammad for this confrontation.

The Bible also speaks of a great conflict at the end of the age that will be waged at a place called Armageddon in Megiddo.

These two beliefs are different. The former believes the adherents are responsible for the confrontation. The latter believes it is in the hands of Jesus.

7 Brothers Enter World War II

Seventy-two years ago George Powell left the farm, the first of 7 brothers to enlist in the military. (A family of 13.) The number of enlistees from the same family grabbed the attention of local law makers.

Now a push is on to name a stretch of road in Greene County Illinois, "Powell Brothers Memorial Highway. "I want to go," George says concerning the renaming of the highway when it happens. "But I don't know if I'll be able to do it. I'm not as rough and ready as I used to be." George is 99 years old, so the race is on the highway to get the legislation passed.

All seven brothers eventually returned to the farm, all alive.

As of today approximately 1.2 million World War II vets of the 16 million are still alive.

Experience the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon

Close your eyes and imagine going down a trail. Green foliage on each side and trees so high the sun is partially blocked out. Now open your eyes because the trail now has a steep cliff on the right side. You continue to walk downward and carefully look below, the bottom of the gorge several hundred feet down. As you continue to walk lite fog rolls over the tops of the trees now in the distance.

A cave opens up in front of you. The dampness and coolness is a relief. You exit and the temperature increases, the sunlight shines upon you. The trail unfolds in front of you and reveals a water fall ahead. The trail heads straight for it and sneaks under rocks. Sprays of cool midst fall upon you, with this being just one of several water experiences falling down from above.

You make it to the bottom. The river flows steady over the rocks. The peace of the valley surrounds you. You drink in the sounds of nature.  

Speed Limit and Road Rage

The State of South Dakota is lifting two things: The interstate speed limit and the tax on gas. On April 1st we'll be able to go 80 mph on the two interstates that are in this state. I actually tried out the new speed limit and I like it.
I was coming home from the gym this morning and at a non-marked intersection a guy pulled out in front of me. (I was to the right of him and had the right-of-way.) I came close behind him. What did he do? He road his brakes all the way to the next two intersections to send me a message. He apparently didn't know the road rules.
Do you see road rage?

Archery Event Considers Security

Yankton is a safe place to live. Here in South East South Dakota we don't have to lock our doors. I once wanted to get rid of a old computer. I put it in my unlocked van and left it there for two months. Someone finally took it.

I was surprised when I read today's newspaper and read the above title. Agencies gathered together to discuss security for this world event. They are making plans so the athletes, staff and community have a safe event. I suppose even the Midwest is not exempt from terrorism as I'd like to think.

Bergdahl Charged with Desertion

Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was charged by the Army with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. He could get life in prison. Bergdahl after he left his unit was captured by the Taliban.
The U.S. made a prisoner swap for five Taliban militants held at Guantanamo Bay. After his release fellow soldiers who served with Bergdahl criticized him.
Legal experts said it is unlikely he will end up with a lengthy prison sentence because of what he went through.
What are your thoughts? Has he suffered enough or should he be imprisoned?

Turkey on the Roof

I was writing at my desk, on the second level of our house, when this huge bird flew up on our roof, then flew up to the neighbors roof. I quickly took out my camera, but the huge bird made it to the top before I could secure the picture. Upon closer examination I found the bird to be a large turkey. I didn't know that turkeys could fly that high. Needless to say I was surprised. My wife thought I photo shopped the picture onto the neighbor's roof. I don't think my ten year still believes me.

Where the Buffalo Roam

South Dakota, my home state, stays on top in the U.S. for bison production. A slogan known in the Midwest but not across the country is: "Bison, it's what's for dinner."
There are 33,637 bison in the U.S.A. Of that amount 20.7 percent is found in South Dakota.
The number two spot is our dakota neighbor to the north.
A farmer of bison, Mahoney says that cattle is much different from bison. The fences have to be much stronger. The animal is wild and has to be respected as such.

Micaela & David

We attended a wedding yesterday. At the front, the wedding party took their positions from a side door.
Each brides maid had a different color dress, each groomsman had the coordinating color of bow tie. -all in bright spring colors.
The Groom wrote a song. His music portrayed his vow to his wife.
The Groom's parent wrote a song. Their music portrayed a life long journey, one of prayers for their son and prayers for his future mate.
The exit was lively music. The wedding party danced their way out of the church.

Springtime

"Spring is here; I'm so excited I wet my plants."
My wife always gets flowers this time of the year. She hangs them on our porch. We have a small tree that we'll put outside. I've been taking care of it throughout the winter.
There are some Easter lilies that are poking through the ground. I can't wait to see them in blossom.
The robins are back and the geese are returning.
Yes, spring is here. This is my favorite time of the year. I always want it to go slow but you know how that is.

Boston Survivors

I'm reading Boston survivors: Where are they now, in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.
Rebekah Gregory
"It was the best decision I had ever made for myself," she said. "I cut off something that was holding me back. I think of it like a bad boyfriend." You probably figured it out but she's speaking of her amputated leg. I love her wit.
Andrianne Haslet-Davis
She is back on the stage with a prosthetic leg. She wowed the crowds at the 2014 TED Conference in Vancouver. It was her first performance since the bombing.

Girl on a Train

Okay, I'm going to read, Girl on the Train, by Paula Hawkins. It's been on the New York Best Sellers list for many weeks. I've read the reviews and it sounds like an exciting book.
Paula says that she enjoys the "odd sense of connection you get as a commuter' with the people and place you pass each day. And then idly wondering what it would be like if you saw something shocking or sinister.
She says, "It's the stories that lead you to the violence that are interesting."

Real?

Look at this and you may think I'm rich. I had a friend put this on my desk as a gift. (Actually he put a one dollar bill on the end. I put the 50.) I initially thought, "Wow I have a lot of money." That was until I looked under the bill and found a lot of blank papers. It simply is an illusion. 

I thought about that as I considered my life. Are people seeing something that isn't real when they look at me? Am I an actor on a stage called life?

As much as I'd like to say no I suspect to some degree that is true. After all there are things I don't want people to see. Such as my "bad mood." I become quiet if I'm not firing on all pistons. At those times I try to use the saying, "It's better to be quiet and thought a fool than to open your mouth and leave no doubts." Is that being fake? Could be viewed as that but who wants to see a fool and trust me I have awards in that category. I will work at being transparent in the things I want the world to see.

How about you? What do you keep hidden?

Damari

This is a picture of my grandson, Damari. What comes to your mind when you think of infants? If you're like me, it's purity. It's innocence and being brand new. 

I wonder what God sees when He looks at me. Now, mind you I'm "Born Again." I believe he sees a pure, innocent and a brand new person. 

I love the eyes of Damari. They are so full of life. I wonder what he views as he stares. The little guy loves to stare at his grandmother for long periods of time. He sees love.

When I look at my Heavenly Father, I see love. I hope He catches me staring at Him today.

Glory Within

I looked out my window this morning and saw the fullness of the moon. When the astronauts landed on this chunk of land we found out what NASA knew all along - it's a dry piece of real estate. Yet if the moon wasn't exactly positioned in the sky at the perfect place, tides would not occur on the earth. We would not be able to record seasons. And life on earth would not survive. The moon has a purpose. 

(The moon continually shines, but the position and clouds change the appearance of that light.) 

Every human being has hidden within themselves a glory; a purpose of shining forth a divine light. We have something the moon does not have: free will. The moon will serve its purpose for the Creator God. We have a choice.

Jesus is in me. He wants to shine forth His glory. I determine today to get more clouds out of the way and allow Him to position me in such a way that maximizes the light -the glory. "Help me God."

Hilary's Emails

I was completely on Hilary's side. I felt that if she wanted to use a personal email account for official government business that was okay. That was until more of the story came out.
After all those emails could have been taken out of context and used against Mrs. Clinton and probably will be. And she should have privacy in her correspondence.
What turned my yes vote to a no vote was the fact she criticized Republicans for having private emails in government service. We can always change our minds. I'll change my view if she apologizes for having double standards.

   

The Sun Continually Shines

In the midst of winter I forget that the sun is continually shining. It never dims. Clouds get in the way.
I was on a flight this past week. As the plane ascended we traveled through the clouds and took a flight path in the bright sunlight.
I've thought about this when it comes to Christ. I gave my heart to Jesus many years ago. I didn't get an infant Christ that grows as I grow spiritually. No, I have Christ shining in me as brightly the first day as today. Why don't I look like Jesus continually? Clouds

My Reflections

"Everything you do in life flows out of who you think you are." Ted Dekker
I spend time with myself each morning.

My declarations for today:
My view of God will increase today.
I will recount the Greatness of God.
I will not discount the small places.
I will not discount the dark places.

Then I spend time with  Yeshua. In those moments I become quiet and attempt to hear what He is saying to me. I believe what Jesus says. You may say it's best to spend time with God first. You may be right but I have to quiet my soul before going into His presence.