Interestingly enough, when we experience anything in this life
We are individuals and we have our own perspectives on everything;
We are created in such a way that our identities are amazingly unique, like our finger prints.
What On Earth Is Happening?
Magnitude 5.8 - VIRGINIA
2011 August 23 17:51:04 UTC
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/se082311a.html
Where Were You During The Earth Quake?
I was in a local Jewelry Store, having my silver jewelry cleaned during the Earth Quake yesterday.
Did You Feel The Earth Quake?
I did feel the Earth Quake along with everyone in the Jewelry Store. I stopped what I was doing and looked around the store trying to figure out what was happening. I could feel the Earth beneath my feet trembling, the whole floor shook, the walls and counters in the store were visibly moving. The vibrations on the counters sent jewelry into motion. Then I realized that I had grabbed onto the counter to steady myself as I tried to discern what was happening around me. As I turned to look towards the doorway, a woman and her daughter were in the midst of walking into the store as it took place. (All this happened during about 30 - 45 seconds, but seemed much longer) The chandelier was swinging violently above their heads... it was like something I'd seen only on the news from others places around the world that had been video taped of other earth quakes. Was it really happening here, to me, in New Jersey, I thought to myself? Then within seconds, one of the salesman behind the counter shouted out, "It's an Earthquake!" And that quick it was over, and the discussions began.
How Did It Make You Feel?
What Did You Think About?
I sent a few text's also, and tried to call my husband, only to receive an error report from my cell phone company saying try again later. The lines were jammed with a staggering amount of cell phone calls and texts.
The saleswoman behind the counter was just preparing to cut off my Pandora bracelet to replace it with a new one because of the damage, and I was thankful that I had a warranty. I thought to myself and said aloud to her... I think there could be another one, or an after shock... I wonder where the epicenter was... I let her finish taking care of my bracelet, as I was thinking to myself that I was eager to get out of the store and find out what had happened and talk to my husband to see where he was and what he thought about it.
As she continued with my bracelet we talked among the people around us and each other about what we were all thinking. There was a Jewish man behind the counter, one of the sales associates who had thought as I had, that it seemed as though every time someone in our nation comes against Israel in any way, something seems to happen here. I have in the past, taken notice to this and have found it to be true, not surprisingly.
Speaking from the Bible, as it is written in Zachariah chapters 12 and 14 specifically it says in so many words: If any Nation comes against Israel/Jerusalem to try to split Her, GOD will, HIMSELF, fight against those nations. Hmmm.... I believe the Word of God to be the Truth, personally.
*Zachariah 14:1-5
Now, here are some other thoughts I have had as I have pondered these things in my heart through the evening.
I was awakened approximately 2:20am this morning with these things on my heart and decided to write them down, hence this blog. Prayerfully, I've thought about what to say here, and I hope you are still with me in this thought process.
We have to be thankful and count our blessings that no one was hurt significantly during this earthquake as other disasters, where thousands of people have lost their lives or like in other parts of the country or world where the events go on for months with people trying to get their lives back together and a state of emergency is put into effect. Where so many are in need of food, water, shelter, looking for loved ones... we are not used to this sort of thing here on the Mid-Atlantic Coast... the last horrible thing we remember is 911 and we are prayerfully hoping there is not another, believing that God is Sovereign and that there are enough people praying for GOD to save this Nation. Me being one of them, I trust that GOD is speaking to us if we will just listen.
I am reminded of a dream that I had over 15 years ago, now, it goes as follows:
In my dream I did not hear any words, I saw pictures and just knew what was being said to me in my mind.
http://www.statueofliberty.org/
http://www.statueofliberty.org/default_sol.htm
I saw the Statue of Liberty in the middle of the Waters of Liberty Island in New York Harbor. She stood Strong and tall holding her lamp high. Here is a picture of what it looked like in my dream, as best I could find online to describe what I had seen:
I knew immediately that it had been a spiritual dream, and started praying, asking God to reveal to me by His Holy Spirit what He wanted me to know about it... and instantly as I was praying, I received an interpretation of my dream. Here is the interpretation:
The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of just that, our liberties that we seem to be taking for granted in our Nation. The fact at that point in time, 15 years or more ago when I had the dream it seemed as though nothing major in sight was a threat to our nation, on the surface... underneath there was a rumbling going on.
I knew in my own heart and spirit that I was hearing from the Holy Spirit a warning to pray for our Nation even more than I already was that our liberties were going to be threatened... and that the foundations of our Nation was in danger of falling apart. The Foundations were the heads of Nation, our leaders and government trying to take over, all the while destroying the freedoms we so enjoy, including the foundational fathers of our Nation and on what our Country had been built... The core beliefs of Freedom of religion... the One True GOD. We were a blessed Nation because we put our trust in Him.
The changes that have taken place here in our Nation have compromised those values and would surely change things. Our liberties were in danger of being lost, of falling into the sea. The sea or waters representing the ways of the world. We needed to pray and fast... tell as many people as would listen, to pray and listen to God, turn back from their wicked ways and turn to Him while there was still time.*Mark 16:15-20
I believe that we are living on left over blessings in this Nation and we need to get back to our foundational beliefs that brought the blessings to our country, that seemed to call out to other nations to come here and rest... as Jesus said...Come to Me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest. *Matthew 11:28
And that was the end of the interpretation of that particular dream. Not too long after that, the terrorism around the world seemed to be something I and many others were made very aware of and then it hit our country on 911... God had truly warned me in my dream to pray for our nation before the attack... I can only imagine how much worse it could have been if there weren't people praying... We know for sure, that many people suffered loss and many were spared... all in the hands of our Sovereign LORD I do NOT presume to understand, just know that I was to pray, and I have been and still do! I believe that if we listen and give ear to Him, He will continue to speak to us in His Still Small Voice, as it is written in His word. *1 Kings 19:11-13
He will speak to us, if we will be attentive and listen, obey. *Genesis 26:5 He loves us so much and wants to be there for us, walk with us in this world and guide us through every trial and part of our lives, good or otherwise, *1 John 5:1; John 14:22-27 He is there for us. He is waiting at the door of our hearts knocking, waiting for us to answer and invite Him in.
Considering all these things I believe, it is so important, because no one is guaranteed tomorrow...
So, in light of my last statement, where do you stand? Where are you going? Do you know? Have you considered it?
Many people prepare for disasters and future predictions by storing up food, water, or buying gold, silver, market investments, buying generators, solar panels, paying off debts, insurance for death or health and the list can go on and on. But let me ask you a question...
Have you prepared for what comes after this life? Do you know what you will do when the birth pangs of the end of this age or your life has come? Have you thought about preparing or investing time in your eternity?
You should!
Did you know that you are special and unique and loved by GOD?
Did you know that HE LOVES You so much that HE SENT HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON TO DIE FOR YOU ON THE CROSS SO YOU COULD RECEIVE HIS FREE GIFT OF REDEMPTION/Salvation, so you could have ETERNAL LIFE?
HE DID!
You just have to receive His free gift to you and prepare by renewing your mind in His Word so you know what to expect just like you do here on this earth preparing for other things.
The Bible is the Truth, The Word of God, The Word became Flesh and dwelt among us, and His name is called Jesus the Christ of Nazareth, The Messiah, The One who we are waiting for to make all things right. He was born to die so we could live. He came as a babe and will return, yes He is returning, and He will return as KING of Kings and Lord of all Lords! He is coming to make everything right... but He is waiting until all men know that He was sent here to earth to bring love and unity, then He will return. The time is short.
We know the season, but not the day or the hour He will return...
But, I must say, as I stated above, that NO MAN IS GUARANTEED TOMORROW... so the time He returns for you could be minutes away or decades, only God the Father knows your time here. So, in light of that fact, we all have a decision to make, and that is, this...
We are made in His image and we are spirit as He is spirit... we are living in this body which is just a casing to cover our spirit man, our soul, which is our real identity. It is written in the Bible that, ... when Absent from the body, we are immediately present with the LORD, if we know Him as our LORD. That is a promise when you accept Him as your Lord and Savior.
I, for one, do know and trust that I will be with Jesus in heaven, because I have prepared by accepting His free gift of salvation as it is written. It's really very simple... Just believe, trust, rely on Him and His Word, what He said to us about Who He is, Jesus, the Son of GOD, the Father, who was sent to die for us, so we might live. He took our sins, so we would not have to pay for our own sins, and therefore, we get the gift of Eternal Life, we get to live Eternally, because death could not hold Him... He was innocent... So, He the rose from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of the Father, continually interceding for us on our behalf. Repent/ask for forgiveness of your sins, believe that He is the answer, by turning your whole life over to Him, let him get into the driver's seat and guide you into all truth. Give it all over to Him, and rest in Him... knowing that He is coming again, and will bring you to Himself where He is preparing a place for us right now to be with Him forever more. It's that simple. I must say here, that the enemy the devil believes also, but trembles... so believing without actions of your repentance won't do it... faith without works is dead... we must move on our faith with action showing our faith and belief.
So, after sharing with you and in the light of what happened yesterday with the earthquake here on the East Coast, in Virginia, I was reminded as I pondered about the whole situation, that we all have our own stories of how the experience moved us in our own little worlds. As I listened to the reports on the radio and TV of people from all around the area calling, writing, texting, or emailing in, the experiences varied tremendously. Yet, the actual event being one earth quake was just that one event.
In the same way, our thought processes are unique and rightly so, as we were created that way. We were created by the Almighty God to be special, with a free will able to choose our way in this Life. As the earth quake was one event, so IS our GOD, ONE GOD. He is the "I AM THAT I AM" as HE told Moses.
When we think of HIM, we also have our own perspectives on how we want or choose to believe in HIM, JEHOVAH, LORD of ALL CREATION. He gives us that Free Will so we can choose for ourselves how we want to live out this life HE has given to us. He Gives of Himself, freely, we are told in His Word that we can choose life or death. In Him is Life, in this World is death. The world does not have anything to offer us. He, our GOD, on the other hand has eternal life to offer and a life on this earth with hope, love and freedom in Him. With Jesus, there is a peace that passes all human understanding and a joy that is unspeakable. With Jesus we can walk through this life with His Holy Spirit, to comfort and to guide us into all truth. With the comfort of the Holy Spirit we do not have to fear things in this life, like earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, or any other disaster, natural or man made, because in HIM there is HOPE, and PEACE with UNDERSTANDING and DIRECTION for all our questions and all life's trials. In His WORD, are the answers to this life; there isn't any question not answered for us in HIM. All we have to do is ask and it will be given to us, either from HIS WORD or in prayer and requests, time in HIS presence, seeking HIM. He promises that HE will never leave us or forsake us; or slumber or sleep.
He does give us guidelines to help us get through this walk on our earthly journey, and those guidelines are in the Bible, His WORD to us, the WORD became Flesh and dwelt among us as it is written. Jesus is that WORD. He is the LIGHT OF THE WORLD. HE IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE.
I hope you enjoyed this little journey with me as I walked through my thoughts with you about not only this one natural disaster, but anything that might come into our lives as we walk here on this earth.
This is my take on things as I see them... why not think and ponder on what may be going through your mind, talk to Him, Jesus, (Prayer is just talking with Him and listening, being still and knowing He is God) and let Him show you the way from here on out if you haven't already done so.
If you have, I'm happy to have you as my sister/brother in Christ, and if you're just coming in, Welcome <3 Jesus Loves you and so do I!
God Bless you,
Have a blessed day, and remember...
Today is the day of salvation... do not put off until tomorrow what you can do today
As Always, Blessings In Christ to you and yours,
Sz <3
PS SEE SCRIPTURES AND STUDY BELOW <3
To name just a few, you can check out the bible study links and type in some keywords or phrases to check into and look up a bible study for yourself. <3 It's a great way to dig into the Word.. I have started you with a few <3 Any questions, I would be glad to help out... just leave me a message and I will get back to you.
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* Scripture references for thoughts stated above:
New Living Translation (NLT)
Zechariah 14
The Lord Will Rule the Earth
1 Watch, for the day of the Lord is coming when your possessions will be plundered right in front of you! 2 I will gather all the nations to fight against Jerusalem. The city will be taken, the houses looted, and the women raped. Half the population will be taken into captivity, and the rest will be left among the ruins of the city. 3 Then the Lord will go out to fight against those nations, as he has fought in times past. 4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. And the Mount of Olives will split apart, making a wide valley running from east to west. Half the mountain will move toward the north and half toward the south. 5 You will flee through this valley, for it will reach across to Azal.[a] Yes, you will flee as you did from the earthquake in the days of King Uzziah of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all his holy ones with him.[b]
New Living Translation (NLT)
15 And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. 16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. 17 These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages.[a] 18 They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.”
19 When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 20 And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.
Matthew 11:28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
11And He said, Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord. And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake;
12And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire [a sound of gentle stillness and] a still, small voice.
13When Elijah heard the voice, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, What are you doing here, Elijah?
Genesis 26:5
For Abraham listened to and obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commands, My statutes, and My laws.
19 When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 20 And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.
Matthew 11:28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
1 Kings 19:11-13
Amplified Bible (AMP)
12And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire [a sound of gentle stillness and] a still, small voice.
13When Elijah heard the voice, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, What are you doing here, Elijah?
Genesis 26:5
For Abraham listened to and obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commands, My statutes, and My laws.
1 John 5:1 EVERYONE WHO believes (adheres to, trusts, and relies on the fact) that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah) is a born-again child of God; and everyone who loves the Father also loves the one born of Him (His offspring).
John 14:23
Jesus answered, If a person [really] loves Me, he will keep My word [obey My teaching]; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him.
Isaiah 55:8-13
Amplified Bible (AMP)
9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.
10For as the rain and snow come down from the heavens, and return not there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater,(A)
11So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
12For you shall go out [from the spiritual exile caused by sin and evil into the homeland] with joy and be led forth [by your Leader, the Lord Himself, and His word] with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; and it shall be to the Lord for a name of renown, for an everlasting sign [of jubilant exaltation] and memorial [to His praise], which shall not be cut off.
Cross references:
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