Keep your eyes open!...


 
  A Chronicle Depicting the Lateness of the Hour 

 News Today   Contemporary Christian Music Visionary Messages

September 30, 1998

Earthquake strikes Tibet

An earthquake measuring 5.5 hit Tibet today, but there were no reports of injuries or damage, the state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.

Earthquake rattles Yugoslav capital

An earthquake shook Belgrade and other parts of Yugoslavia early Wednesday, shutting off electricity temporarily, rattling buildings and sending frightened residents into the streets.

Callers to Belgrade radio stations asked whether NATO had attacked.

Earthquake hits Indonesian islands, killing one

A magnitude-6.3 earthquake shook the eastern end of the main island of Java, killing at least one person and demolishing dozens of homes, officials said today.

(Mat 24:7) Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

155.  If someone praises you hypocritically, be sure that in due course he will vilify you.

September 29, 1998

Liturgical Note: The Feasts of the Angels

The Church's harvest time stretches from Pentecost to Epiphany.  Those many months more or less coincide with the harvest season in lands around the Mediterranean Sea.  Grains are harvested in late spring.  Grapes and other fruits grow ripe through summer and early fall.  Olives are gathered in late fall.

In the biblical imagination, the ingathering of creation at the end of time is considered God's harvest.  Heaven is God's pantry.  This image is dear to Saint Paul, who described the resurrection of Jesus as the first fruits of the harvest.  Soon will come subsequent harvests in the gathering of the various ranks and orders of creation.  In the liturgical calendar we have a foretaste of this gradual ingathering, which in the liturgy reaches its fulfillment at Epiphany, when every blessed. thing in the universe - even a star - seems to shout the Good News.

Soon after autumn begins, on September 29 and October 2 we celebrate the angels, who, so the book of Revelation tells us, will be commissioned to reap God's holy harvest.  Facing autumn's deepening darkness, we invoke the angels of light.  They teach us how to live as members of Christ's body: Like Michael, we must battle against injustice.  Like Gabriel, we must announce the Good News.  Like Raphael, we must heal the sick, guard the young, and guide our fellow travelers on their missions in life.

Source: Seasonal Missalette by World Library Publications

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

154.  If you come across people gossiping idly, consider yourself responsible for their talk- if not on account of some recent fault of your own, then because of an old debt.

September 28, 1998

For Florida, this year has been a disaster

First there were the floods. Then came the tornadoes. After that, Florida struggled with wildfires.

Now that Hurricane Georges has clobbered the Keys, Florida residents must be wondering whether their state is being governed by Murphy's law.

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

153.  When you delight in hearing evil talk, be angry with yourself and not with the speaker.  For listening in a sinful way makes the messenger seem sinful.

September 27, 1998

Call to Evangelize

A woman, within our Divine Mercy prayer group, has confirmed that Jesus will be returning very, very, soon.....We have all been asked to EVANGELIZE and give praise to the Lord.....

Why do I believe her?....This Christian woman is of the Holy Spirit:

(1) from my own witness of her gentle love, passionate praise and devotion, service, humility, and faith in accordance with James 3:17-18 (ie...wisdom from heaven is full of compassion..etc.)

(2) through the faith of this woman and the mercy of Our Lord, people have been healed, both Christians and unbelievers (including a Muslim).

(3) through the prayers of this woman, people have rested in the Holy Spirit.

This woman has asked that we pray the Holy Spirit Novena, so that the end (time of the AC) is delayed and more people will come to know the Lord.

Also confirmed is the passage of Revelation 3:10-12....

to the Church (read spirit) of Philadephia (church of brotherly love, a passionate love of God, keepers of God's commandments)....."Because you have kept my commandment to endure trials, I will keep you safe in the time of trial which is going to come for the whole world, to test the people of the world. Soon I shall be with you: hold firmly to what you already have, and let nobody take your prize away from you!!"

May the peace and love of Our Lord be with you all.

Source: [email protected]

(Acts 2:17) "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

152.  Do not listen to talk about other people's sins.  For through such listening the form of these sins is imprinted on you.

September 26, 1998

Mob Attacks Monastery

Twelve men broke into the monastery in the Jhabua region of Madhya Pradesh (India), looted the convent, and convinced the nuns to come out of a locked chapel. They were taken to a field where they were raped.

Gunmen kill nun and seminarian, wound three in Angola ambush

Gunmen killed a nun and a seminarian and wounded three others in an ambush on a vehicle in western Angola, a church official said Friday.

(Rev 6:9) When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

151.  If you hate rebuke, it shows that the passion in which you are involved is due to your own free choice.  But if you welcome rebuke, the passion is due to prepossession.

September 25, 1998

Hurricane George Approaches South Florida

Just a brief word to let you all know that everything here in Miami is just fine. The hurricane is likely to dump massive quantities of rain but fortunately the winds should not be of great intensity.

I appreciate your concern but want to reassure you that everything will be fine. Though I am grateful for your prayers, I ask you to please also include the poor people in Puerto Rico, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Cuba as they are much less able to deal with the disruptions caused by the storm than we in the United States.

Am not sure that I will be able to remain online over the next 48 hours or so as power outages and cable service disruptions are not unusual in these situations. It may thus be impossible for me to update my "Tribulation Times" update page or answer email.

Keep your eyes on Jesus!

(John 16:33) "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

150.  Do not rebuke a forceful man for arrogance, but point out to him the danger of dishonour; if he has any sense he will accept this kind of rebuke.

September 24, 1998

Pilgrims flocking to Padre Pio's monastery

VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- The sanctuary at San Giovanni Rotondo, where Padre Pio died in 1968, has matched the Marian sanctuary at Lourdes as a pilgrimage site, with 7 million people visiting it this year.

There were 70,000 on hand this week for a triduum marking the 30th anniversary of Padre Pio's death (September 23, 1968) and the 80th anniversary of the day when he first showed the signed of the stigmata (September 20, 1918).

Padre Pio-- born Francesco Forgione, but known throughout the Catholic world by the name he took when he became a Capuchin monk-- was born in Pietrelcina, in southern Italy, in May 1887. He entered the Capuchin order in 1903, and was ordained to the priesthood in August 1910. He arrived at the monastery at San Giovanni Rotondo in November 1917, and remained there for the rest of his life.

The pilgrims currently flocking to San Giovanni Rotondo are not drawn by any tourist attractions, but by Padre Pio's extraordinary reputation for sanctity. Pope Paul VI spoke of the "worldwide clientele" of the Capuchin stigmatist, whose reputation as a confessor had drawn so much support from the faithful that he was able to found a 1,300-bed hospital near the monastery.

Padre Pio was also at the center of thousands of extraordinary events and stories, ranging from miraculous cures and discernment of souls to at least two reports of apparent bilocation. Pope John Paul II had direct experience with the monk's intercession; in 1962 he visited San Giovanni Rotondo, and asked Padre Pio to pray for his friend Wanda Poltawska, who was suffering from cancer. The cancer disappeared, and the then-Bishop Wojtyla wrote a letter of thanks to his "venerable Father."

Years later, the same Polish bishop would be one of the many bishops signing a demand to open the cause for beatification of Padre Pio. That cause reached a watershed point last December 18 when the Holy Father signed a decree recognizing the "heroic virtue" of the Capuchin monk. That decree clears the way for beatification, as soon as the Vatican recognizes an authentic miracle attributable to Padre Pio's intercession. Rumors in Rome suggest that the beatification could come in May 1999.

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

149.  Unquestioning acceptance of tradition is helpful for a gentle person, for then he will not try God's patience or often fall into sin.

September 23, 1998

Off-Broadway Blasphemy

(Jude 1:17 -18) But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires."

I'm sure you've heard that a horrible, blasphemous play is opening in New York this Saturday (Ezekiel 9:4 "Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it").

Christians are gathering there to pray in reparation. The International Pilgrim Virgin statue of Our Lady of Fatima will be there, and hopefully, thousands of prayer warriors. In the Rhode Island area, a bus is leaving from St. Charles Borromeo church at 8:00 AM.

Source: Anna Doyle <[email protected]>

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

148.  Deeper spiritual knowledge helps the hard-hearted man: for unless he has fear, he refuses to accept the labour of repentance.

September 22, 1998

Hurricane Georges Hits Puerto Rico

Hurricane Georges' 110-mph winds roared through Puerto Rico and the northeast Caribbean, flipping small airplanes, turning trees into missiles and leaving at least six dead.

2nd Typhoon in Threatens W. Japan

A powerful typhoon hit southwestern Japan today, grounding domestic flights and disrupting train service, just one day after another storm swept through the country.

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

147.  Without remembrance of God, there can be no true knowledge but only that which is false.

September 21, 1998

Arafat To Seek Statehood Before UN

Yasser Arafat will call for a declaration of Palestinian statehood at the upcoming U.N. General Assembly, regardless of whether there is progress in talks with Israel on a West Bank troop withdrawal by then, an aide said Sunday.

(Jer 6:13-14) "From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. 'Peace, peace,' they say, when there is no peace.

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

146.  'A patient man abounds in understanding' (Prov. 14:29); and so does he who listens to words of wisdom.

September 20, 1998

Extremely Dangerous Category Four Hurricane Heading Toward Leeward Islands

Hurricane Georges has been moving westward at 17 mph for the past few hours.  Motion toward the west or west-northwest is expected today.  MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 150 MPH...240 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS.

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

145.  He who tests all things and 'holds fast that which is good' (1 Thess. 5:21) will in consequence refrain from all evil.

September 19, 1998

Abortion Veto Override Falls Short

The US Senate on Friday failed to muster enough votes to override President Bill Clinton's veto of a ban on partial-birth abortions.

A quote from the past:

"I feel that the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion"--Mother Teresa of Calcutta

(Lev 20:4-5) If the people of the community close their eyes when that man gives one of his children to Molech and they fail to put him to death, I will set my face against that man and his family and will cut off from their people both him and all who follow him in prostituting themselves to Molech.

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

144.  The thoughts of a self-indulgent man vacillate, as though on scales; sometimes he laments and weeps for his sins, and sometimes he fights and contradicts his neighbour, justifying his own sensual pleasures.

September 18, 1998

Ohio Pastor Gunned Down in Church

The Rev. Andrew Lofton was explaining the Book of Revelation and urging his Bible students to prepare themselves for the afterlife. Moments later, he lay dying of gunshot wounds next to a pew on the church floor.

Police arrested a member of the congregation who also sang in the choir and had sat quietly during Wednesday night's Scripture lesson.

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

143.  He who seeks praise is involved in passion; he who laments afflictions is attached to sensual pleasure.

September 17, 1998

Vatican sees new page in history of martyrs

Pope John Paul II has sent a telegram of condolences to Bishop Ambrogio Ravasi of Marsabit, Kenya, in response to the killing of an Italian missionary, Father Luigi Andeni.

In response to the murder in Kenya, along with the story of another priest killed in Colombia, L'Osservatore Romano today carried the headline: "In Africa and Latin America, a new page in the contemporary martyrology."

Father Andeni was shot when he confronted a group of armed bandits at his parish in Archer's Post. Severely wounded, he was rushed to a hospital in nearby Wamba, but was pronounced dead on his arrival there.

His family in Italy issued a statement, saying of Father Andeni, "He was not afraid of anything. For him, Africa was everything."

(Rev 6:9) When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

142.  Do not say: 'I don't want it, but it happens.' For even though you may not want the thing itself, yet you welcome what causes it.

September 16, 1998

Jim Bramlett Editorial on the Clinton Crisis

Regarding my "Exhortation to Self" message the other day, I identify with and relate to all the varied feedback, reactions and opinions shared from many about Bill Clinton. My own emotions have run the full gamut. One minute I want to tar and feather him and run him out of town. The next minute I see him as just another poor sinner, like me, in need of grace. These two extremes are demonstrated by:

1. Today former Secretary of Education and drug czar William Bennett said that Clinton wants everyone to forgive and forget because they are sinners too, just like him. Bennett says, no! we are not all like him! While we all fail, we are not all habitual philanderers and liars. Bennett is right. We cannot allow flagrant and habitual evil by public office holders go unaccounted for and not held to the law just because we are all sinners by nature. Otherwise, no criminal would ever be prosecuted.

2. Yesterday on the Moody Bible Radio Network, popular author/pastor Max Lucado indicated he would not disagree with the above, but he later prayed an incredibly anointed prayer for Clinton, in which he said, "Lord, if all my sins were investigated and documented, they would fill more boxes than Bill Clinton did." Ouch. I am reminded of James 2:10, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."

So, what's the answer? I believe the answer is four-fold:

1. Hold him accountable legally, which may -- may -- mean he must give up his office, which I personally believe would be for the good of the nation because, before the world, he no longer has any moral authority or respect.

2. Forgive him in our hearts.

3. Pray for him, for true repentance (without simultaneously ordering his attack-dog lawyers to declare to the world that he is innocent), and salvation.

4. As stated earlier, let us keep an eternal, prophetic perspective on this and all fast-moving world events and not lose our peace. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is coming!

Source: Jim Bramlett <[email protected]>

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

141.  Once our thoughts are accompanied by images we have already given them our assent; for a provocation does not involve us in guilt so long as it is not accompanied by images.  Some people flee away from these thoughts like 'a brand plucked out of the fire' (Zech. 3:2); but others dally with them, and so get burnt.

September 15, 1998

Self-Styled Irish Bishop To Ordain Woman

An Irish mother of three will be ordained a priest on Monday by the so-called Bishop Pat Buckley who was improperly consecrated by a maverick bishop and was then excommunicated from the Catholic Church.

Colombian Priest Gunned Down During Mass

Two gunmen burst into a rural Colombian church on Friday and shot the priest as he celebrated Mass and seriously injured a woman who attempted to aid the priest.

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

140.  A provocation is an image-free stimulation in the heart.  Like a mountain-pass, the experienced take control of it ahead of the enemy.

September 14, 1998

IMF running out of money fast

The International Monetary Fund said its reserves were running low after big rescue deals in Asia and Russia, leaving it with as little as $5 billion to cope with mushrooming problems elsewhere.

For more on the impending worldwide economic crisis: Hoofbeats of the Black Horseman

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

138.  When we have freed ourselves from every voluntary sin of the mind, we should then fight against the passions which result from prepossession.

139.  Prepossession is the involuntary presence of former sins in the memory.  At the stage of active warfare we try to prevent it from developing into a passion; after victory it is repulsed while still but a provocation.

September 13, 1998

Newspapers warn that Japan's economy faces 'unprecedented emergency'

Japanese newspapers warned Saturday that the government needs to speed up financial system reforms and other economic measures because the nation's economy is in an "unprecedented emergency."

Crash of 1998  Is it Over? Or Just Beginning?

It is of great concern that despite Allan Greenspan's excellent grasp of history and respect for what took place during the Great Depression, we may not be able to avoid a repeat of history.

For more on the impending worldwide economic crisis: Hoofbeats of the Black Horseman

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

137.  When elated by praise, be sure disgrace will follow; for it is said: 'Whoever exults himself will be abased' (Luke 14:11).

September 12, 1998

S.Korean Arrested in Finger-Cutting

An unemployed man was arrested today on a charge of cutting off his 10-year-old son's finger to collect the insurance money, police said.

Kang Chong-ryol, 42, a former construction worker in the southern coast city of Masan, confessed that he tied down his son's hands and used scissors to cut off the pinkie of the boy's right hand, police said.

(2 Tim 3:1-4) But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

136.  Sin is a blazing fire.  The less fuel you give it, the faster it dies down; the more you feed it, the more it burns.

September 11, 1998

Flooding Rampant Worldwide

Bangladesh: Dike holds, but for how long?

India: Millions face hunger, disease

China: Disease spreads as floods persist

Sudan: Rising Nile leaves many homeless

Mexico: Flooding leaves dozens dead

Related stories and sites

Source: http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/asiapcf/9809/10/floods.01/

(Lev 18:28) And if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it vomited out the nations that were before you.

(Lev 20:22) Keep all my decrees and laws and follow them, so that the land where I am bringing you to live may not vomit you out.

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

135.  Suppose that there are twelve shameful passions.  Indulging in any one of them is equivalent to indulging in them all.

September 10, 1998

Exciting insight from Israel

Our pastor shared an e-mail she received. The sender was a Jewish friend in Jerusalem. They had decided to go to a different synagogue and when they stepped in they were totally blown away, (not by a terrorist bomb this time). The whole congregation was dancing and whirling in a circle dance and singing praises to Messiah, who is coming imminently. They were filled with the joy of the Lord and were proclaiming that Messiah was coming and they were welcoming Him. The e-mailer then said. "Pastor Debbie, you people better get ready, because the Jews all over Israel are coming to this same revelation this year and totally believe Messiah is on His way."

Source: Jim Bramlett <[email protected]>

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

134.  Those engaged in spiritual warfare practise self-control in everything, and do not desist until the Lord destroys all 'seed from Babylon' (Jer. 27:16. LXX).

September 9, 1998

Elephants Rampage

Yaounde, Cameroon- (AFP)- Rampaging elephants devastated hundreds of acres of plantations in the far north of Cameroon last week, raising fears of further food shortages in a region already hit by famine and drought, officials said.

Source: Miami Herald

(Rev 6:8) I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

133.  The truly repentant is derided by the foolish- which is a sign that God has accepted his repentance.

September 8, 1998

River Threatens Bangladeshi Capital

Government workers and local residents fought to strengthen the Bangladeshi capital's dam today, and officials said all of Dhaka was in danger of being swamped by the Sitalakhoia River.

Violent Storms Kill 3 in New York

Violent thunderstorms and possible tornadoes bent flagpoles and blew out windows Monday, causing at least four deaths -- including two people hit by debris at the New York State Fair.

Niger Floods Destroy Desert Village

Flash floods in this country on the edge of the Sahara Desert washed away a village and caused serious damage elsewhere, resulting in a number of deaths, state radio reported Monday.

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

132.  It is better to pray devoutly for your neighbour than to rebuke him every time he sins.

September 7, 1998

Physicist Plans To Clone Himself

A Chicago physicist who provoked controversy earlier this year by announcing plans to clone humans says the first person he will try to copy is himself.

Cloning would be the first step in discovering immortality, Seed said Saturday during his talk. He also said he has received hundreds of calls, including from parents of dying children who want to clone them.

People at the conference said cloning could be used to produce a child for an infertile couple, to replace a dead child or to product a child who could donate bone marrow or other vital tissue to a sick family member.

For more on cloning please see: http://www.catholicprophecy.info/abomin.html

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

131.  The paralytic let down through the roof (cf. Mark 2:4) signifies a sinner reproved in God's name by the faithful and receiving forgiveness because of their faith.

September 6, 1998

Taliban issues strong warning in face of Iranian military buildup

The Afghan Taliban movement warned Iran on Sunday that it would "shed blood" to repel any invasion by Iran.

Earlier the Taliban's New York representative told the British Broadcasting Corporation that an invasion could trigger a regional "fireball."

The Taliban tone echoed similarly strident language from Tehran and White House warnings that Shi'ite Iran has made a "substantial buildup" of troops along the border of mainly Sunni Afghanistan after conducting military exercises.

(Mat 24:7) Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

130.  To accept words of truth is to accept the divine Word; for He says: 'He that receives you receives me' (Matt. 10:40).

September 5, 1998

State Department urges overseas Americans to be cautious

The State Department said Friday that Osama bin Laden and other reputed terrorists are continuing their threats against the United States and do not distinguish between military and civilian targets.

In a "worldwide caution," the department said the potential for retaliatory action against Americans and American interests exists following the U.S. air strikes against Sudan and Afghanistan two weeks ago.

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

129.  Words of truth converted the 'progeny of vipers' and warned them 'to flee from the anger to come' (Matt. 3:7).

September 4, 1998

Ruble in free fall,parliament girds for battle

Russia's ruble tumbled in a free fall Thursday, while the country's bitterly divided political leaders headed toward a parliamentary showdown that could brake - or hasten - deeper collapse.

Report: Poor potato crop forecast for Russia

``This year is going to be very bad, very tight,'' Sergei Solenkov, head of the Agriculture Ministry's crop department, told The Moscow Times. ``And the people survive on potatoes.''

Russian customers likely to face more problems in getting their money

So far, most Russians have been able to get money out of their accounts, but that may become harder. The Central Bank, as of Thursday, ordered the largest private banks to temporarily stop paying out money on customers' accounts.

For more on the impending worldwide economic crisis: Hoofbeats of the Black Horseman

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

128.  If you wish to be saved, welcome words of truth, and never reject criticism uncritically.

September 3, 1998

Hurricane Earl Hits Fla. Panhandle

A weakening Hurricane Earl pushed ashore early today, lashing the Florida Panhandle with wind and torrential rain as scores of people huddled in powerless homes to wait out the storm.

Tropical Storm Isis Now Hurricane

Tropical Storm Isis grew into a hurricane Wednesday in the Gulf of California, drenching both the Baja California peninsula and the Mexican mainland. The storm forced residents from their homes, knocked out power and phone service and killed at least one person.

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

127.  Do not leave unobliterated any fault, however small, for it may lead you on to greater sins.

September 2, 1998

Hunker down or look up?

As "the sea" is "roaring" from Russia, the Middle east, Afghanistan, Sudan, Wall Street, Asia and elsewhere, some are saying it's time to "hunker down."

But instead of hunkering DOWN, I am looking UP. Why? Because, “When these things begin to happen, LOOK UP and LIFT UP your heads, because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:27, NKJV).

In Psalm 98, perhaps portending 1998, the words seem appropriate:

7. Let the sea roar, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell in it;

8. Let the rivers clap their hands;

9. Let the hills be joyful together before the Lord, For He is coming to judge the earth.

Verse 7 for the 7th month, perhaps when the "sea roar" began to crescendo?

Verse 8 for the 8th month, when the rivers flooded in China and elsewhere?

Verse 9 for the 9th month, when He is coming? (Hopefully!)

Apparently, nature (the rivers and hills, vs. 8, 9) is joyful at the prospects that "He is coming." I want to be joyful also, in anticipation, because in the presence of the Lord is "fullness of joy" (Psalm 16:11). Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, something we can now appropriate by choice and by faith, and which soon will be total, pervasive and eternal.

Halleluyah! That's worth shouting about!

"For now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed" (Romans 13:11). "The end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for 'love will cover a multitude of sins.'” (1 Peter 4:7-8).

Source: Jim Bramlett <[email protected]>

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

126.  He who seeks forgiveness of his sins loves humility, but if he condemns another he seals his own wickedness.

September 1, 1998

The Warning Approaches???

For the past two weeks or so we have been getting stronger suggestions from visionaries that the Warning may be soon approaching.

As a result I have extensively revised the "Warning" section of my homepage, including resources for both before and after the warning.

I have included the full text of Harriet Hammons' recent pre-warning preparation and in addition, have uploaded Michael Coppi's excellent post-warning explanation.

If you have any additional suggestions or criticisms please let me know. The address is: Eyedoctor's Site: The Warning.

The Philokalia excerpt: St. Mark the Ascetic "On the Spiritual Law: Two Hundred Texts"

125.  Just as water and fire cannot be combined, so self-justification and humility exclude one another.

Links  E-mail Dr. Zambrano Home

Jubilee 2000: Bringing the World to Jesus

The Tribulation Times Archives:
1997 1998
June-July January July        
August  February August 
September March
October     April
November     May
December June