Warning: Religious content

Handwriting on the Wall

Do you remember my rant about the unthinkable, unbelievable, illogical presidential election of Bong Bong Marcos in the Philippines? Sadly, from my personal assessment, even without the widespread cheating, the Filipinos really did vote this uneducated happy-go-lucky dictator’s son into power.

On July 22, last Friday, the Sandiganbayan (the special Philippine court overseeing government graft and corruption) decreed that 200 billion pesos that were confiscated from the Marcos dictatorship back in the 80’s be returned to the Marcos family due to insufficient evidence. No surprise that with Bong Bong “owning” the government, corruption was expected to follow — the sins of the father emulated by the son. And, true-to-form, the spineless judges decided to end the decades-old lawsuit. Imelda, you can have your shoes back.

Six days later, on Tuesday, July 26, a powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake rocked a small village in Abra, Ilocus, Philippines. Lives were lost, buildings tumbled including historic Mission church structures dating back to the Spanish era. The tremor was felt as far as 250 miles away and damage was estimated at $687 million.

I don’t know if anyone else noticed a correlation between the earthquake and the dirty activities of the new Philippine regime … but I did. The epicenter of the quake is only 25 kilometers away from the dictator’s hometown/birthplace. Essentially, that’s right on the bullseye. It’s like God pointing His finger on the Marcos family and leaving his “number 7” business card.

Is this a stretch of my imagination? You tell me. Why waste a good lesson from a natural disaster, right? It reminds me of the story in Chapter 5 of the book of Daniel where King Belshazzar, a spoiled, godless, son of a powerful ruler is throwing a blasphemous party — insulting God by using sacred stolen goblets and utensils. In the midst of their merriment, a hand appears out of nowhere writing the words “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin” on the wall. Talk about party poopers!

Trembling with fear, King B, calls all his wise men to interpret the message. But these buffoons are clueless. Running out of options, he asks the prophet Daniel to decipher.

Our Danny Boy, proceeds to give King B the low down. “Don’t you remember what happened to your Dad? He conquered civilizations, built the Babylonian Gardens (yeah, one of the 7 Wonders of the ancient world) and he thought he was Mr. Big Shot. But God humbled him. Your Dad lost his mind for 7 long years. He acted like an animal. Ate grass like an animal. His hair and his nails grew long and mangled like a Babylonian rock star. Then, when it was all over, the king gained his composure and understood how infinitesimally insignificant he was compared to the God of the Universe. Good for him. Fast forward and YOU take over Daddy’s kingdom. Apparently, you didn’t learn diddley doodley squat, did you? And what’s with all these sacred gold and silver goblets I see scattered here? Were you doing what I think you were doing? Listen here, Junior. That’s it! Congratulations! You signed your own death sentence!”

25 “This is the inscription that was written: mene, mene, tekel, parsin 26 “Here is what these words mean:
Mene: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.
27 Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.
28 Peres: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians”
29 Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom. 30 That very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians, was slain, 31 and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two. —- Daniel Chapter 5: 25-31

Years ago a good Christian friend sent me an email about a similar incident. On Feb 23, 2011, Japan approved a “morning-after-pill” that would abort a baby after conception. Days later, on March 11, 2011 the disastrous Fukushima earthquake cracked open a nuclear reactor which destroyed lives and polluted the environment. To this day, Japan is still dealing with the calamity.

To me, the earthquake in Abra, is a clear warning to the godless Filipino officials. It is a warning to us as well. Look at the events around us. Do you see what I see? How did the unacceptable yesterday suddenly become acceptable today? Our value system changes with the wind but God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Daniel lived to fight another day. He was one of the good and humble guys. God protected him. Which side are you on?

Of course, this is just me. TGIF people!

Raoul

Joke of the Week

Thanks to John of Connecticut for this joke.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Rodney of Manitoba, B.C.

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Naomi of N Hollywood, CA

I found these.

The post When Dead appeared first on Traveling Archive.

There’s a Train Coming

Where does your security rest? On your career? On your insurance? On your retirement benefit? Your savings? I’ve been following the news lately and I’ve been concerned how quickly the godless global value system seems to be spreading. A Japanese animator went “postal” and burned an anime studio. There’s a Hollywood movie where the kids are exploited to be already sexually aware — they think it’s comedy. As usual, politicians spew ridiculous declarations and believe their own lies. Technology is advancing so rapidly that the laws that safeguard our security and privacy are non-existent. Somebody opened “Pandora’s box,” now every year we move closer to self destruction. It’s easy to drown in fear and worry.

Fortunately, I’ve found comfort studying the book of Daniel. He’s the guy who interpreted dreams and who was rescued from a den of hungry lions. Many who study the book dig into the details of his prophecies but I stepped back and looked at the big picture. And I saw a Daniel who was distraught by the visions of calamity but he calmed down when he understood God’s big agenda. Daniel never compromised his faith and he never deviated from his role as a steward of God. He not only survived several kingdom take-overs but also retained his top political position no matter who was in power. We can complain all we want, start wars and save the environment — but the bottom line is — God’s plan will carry through. There may be a delay due to prayers but the dreaded apocalypse is inevitable. It will be swift and it can happen within our lifetime. It can happen tomorrow. Where is our security then?

This reminds me of a provoking song written by Curtis Mayfield called “People get Ready.”  CLICK HERE for the complete lyrics.

People get ready, there’s a train coming.
You don’t need no baggage,  you just get on board.
All you need is faith to hear the diesels humming.
You don’t need no ticket, you just thank the Lord.

If you’ve never heard it, there are a lot of musicians who have played it. Here’s one I just discovered by Matt Anderson where I thought the lyrics were clear. CLICK HERE.

Listening to the lyrics you could easily come away with a defeatist attitude — “the world’s coming to an end so I might as well drink and be merry.” But that’s not the intent of the song. Neither is it the intent of Daniel’s prophecy. Instead, look at it as a warning. God’s train is inevitably coming. You have a choice. You can be stubborn and demand your way and refuse to get on board just because the train doesn’t conform to your agenda. Or you can humble yourself, admit there is something bigger than you, and get on that train.

Life may get worse and unpredictable but as long as you hope in the Lord’s provision and ride that train you will be secure. You don’t need no ticket … you just get on board.

TGIF people!

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Peter Paul of South Pasadena, CA for sending this joke.

Video of the Week

Tom Rush: The Remember Song
Sent by Don of Kelowna, B.C.

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Parting Shot

Thanks to Ed of Studio City, CA  who shared this.

The post Einstein’s Driver appeared first on Traveling Archive.

I need your help to solve a mystery. This email is being sent a little late because I’ve had too many things going on.

For the past couple of days I have been trying to find a leak in an underground pipe. I’ve compared prices of several plumbers and narrowed my choice down to the premiere leak detection experts who charge a pretty hefty sum of about $3,000. The plumbers came and pumped helium on the pipes and brought out their top-of-the-line listening and smelling devices so they could pinpoint within a foot where the leak was, I was quite impressed.

Then I remembered reading about a primitive method called “DOWSING.” Jokingly, I asked them if they ever tried it.

“Strangely enough, it works!” said the 2 plumbers; “In fact, we have one inside the truck.” So they pulled out 2 L-shaped copper rods and showed me how it was done. I couldn’t believe my eyes because the 2 rods crossed right on top of the spot their expensive contraptions said the water leak was. I kid you not! It really worked!

Below is a link to a quick video I took of the plumber demonstrating how the dowsing rods worked:
DOWSING DEMO

Do you have any explanation for this? I don’t. I really don’t.

“However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter days This was your dream and the visions in your mind while on your bed.”

— Daniel 2:28

TGIF people!

Wise Advice

Shared by Mike of New York

Don’t Avoid Vegetables. Save the Children
Sent by Richard of La Mirada, CA

I’m sure you parents can relate to this Kid drama that performs every time a child is told to eat his/her vegetables.

WATCH VIDEO

The First Filipinos in America
Sent by Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Not sure how accurate this guy is and where he based his research on but it seems correct. And in case you didn’t know, Filipinos (not Philipinos) come from the Philippines. Why? I’m guessing it’s because Filipinos spell words as they sound.

WATCH VIDEO

The Daniel Prayer
Sent by Don of Kelowna, B.C.

If you aren’t into spiritual stuff, please move on. This video isn’t for you.
I didn’t know Billy Graham had a daughter. And I was pleasantly surprised that she is a solid believer just like her Dad. Interesting talk about the spiritual world mentioned in the book of Daniel in the Old Testament.

WATCH VIDEO

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Parting Shot

Thanks to Rodney of Manitoba, B.C. who shared this photo

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