Houston Crime

I keep hearing about “stuff happening”.  This is not crime that makes the news, but crime here and there.  I’m hearing about it more and more.   Even places where you don’t expect it.

My husband works in a tall building downtown.  He takes the elevator bank up to  the middle of the building and walks down the stairs each day.  Yesterday he found a lady’s wallet hidden in the corner of the staircase.  He took it back to his desk and started trying to find the owner.   It had credit cards and cash.  He could not find her work phone from the info, but did notice she used the same credit union that we have.

He called the credit union and gave them his info, asked that they call her and give his contact info.  Had they given us her info, we’d have been very upset.  They called her and she immediately called him.

She is in her 20s, two kids and works downtown.  She was mugged in her office building about 20 floors up from where hubby found the wallet.  The scumbag ran down the stairs and hid the wallet, not even bothering to get the cash… so police assumes he was coming back.   Lady was very shaken.   You’re more on guard for this in a parking garage or street, but not inside / top of an office building.

Good news is scumbag was caught.   Bad news is he’ll probably be back on the streets soon.  Too many of these walking around.

I was in Randall’s a few weeks ago.  A male about 55 years old standing too close to me in line -  in my personal space.  My four year old was in a dress and her undies showed a little because she was sitting in the buggy with legs hanging out (no more dresses when going to the store).  This guy was making me very uncomfortable.  I turned to look at him and he was staring at her bottom.  I started making a scene.  Very obvious pervert.  I said a few words and he responded  saying it was not my kid but my radiance.  Yea right.   A real gentleman would have realized momma bear saw him as threat and he’d have backed off.  But this guy just responded with insults.  Pests like that out for little kids need to be removed from the planet.  However, he’d done nothing illegal (right there) but be a jerk.

We just need to be even more careful.  And we can’t assume everyone is out to get us.  This weekend my mom was in the grocery store.  Her bill was $28.  She went to get money from her purse and found her wallet wasn’t there.  She only had $10 cash.  They guy behind her told the checker he’d cover the balance of $18.  He was not a rich looking fellow btw.  When my mom got back to the car, she found her wallet on the floor.  She found the guy in the parking lot and tried to repay the money.  She only had a $20.  He would only take the $20 if he had change to give her $2 back.   He joked that he would not accept a tip.   There are still many good folks out there…. just watch yourself.

End times events blog

There’s a blog I regularly read that I have not included on my blogroll.  There are many views of end times in the Christian community, and even many more in the non-Christian community.   It is hard to find info on this topic that I completely agree with, which is why I haven’t put many on my blogroll.  However, I am fascinated with end times.  Especially with the current events we are witnessing.  I love seeing God be God.  God is so amazing.

This site takes current events each day and ties them to end times scriptures.  I do not always agree with his analysis, but it is thought provoking.   Since there’s even more going on in the middle east and our world right now, I thought I’d share this resource with my disclaimer.   When you’re reading analysis, remember you are reading man’s opinion, not God’s ultimate Word.

http://frankdimora.typepad.com/the_last_chronicles/

Being Joyful in an Uncertain Time

I’m pretty open about my view of the future.  The world is changing at breakneck speed.   This video is another example of how the world we know it may not exist  in the not so distant future.  Many of the changes in our world are wonderful and we benefit from these enormously.  However, the potential for craziness and sudden destruction is also amplified.

When I’ve posted about Celente or other grim news, I get comments and emails from other moms who are seeing the same thing.  The problem is we hear so much about the problem and less about how to adjust to this changing world.

I watch current events and try to prepare to the extent I’m able.   I’m finding these two activities are adding to my life, not adding more fear.  Some would think a focus on these things would take away from day to day life, but for me it is not the case.

Rather, there has been joy.  The more I look at current events, the closer I see Jesus’ return.  We do not know the exact time, but we do know the season.  It appears to me that we are in that season.  What an exciting time to be alive.

I’m not saying I’m never down because I still do have days of fear.  But I’m also learning joy like I’ve never known.   I listen to guys like Glenn Beck and don’t know what tomorrow will bring.  That is more reason to enjoy today.

I’m finding joy in things I didn’t notice before.  When I go into the grocery stores and see the shelves stocked, I thank God.  Before Ike, I just took it for granted.  When I can sleep at night without fear, I’m thankful we live in a place where crime is not rampant.  I’m thankful I have a sewer system that works and clean water.  I’m really thankful for our doctors and medical care.  This may seem trite, but the growing uncertainty of tomorrow is causing me to rethink today.

I’m thankful we have income.  At least 80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day. We’ve had such wealth in this country that many of our poor are rich by world standards.   The thought of seeing massive poverty is a new idea for many of us.  I believe we will have less wealth in the future.  But maybe this will strengthen our values and change our priorities.  Mine are certainly being tweaked.

I’m trying to laugh and play more with my kiddos.  The other day I played with Shea on the trampoline instead of wiping the countertops one more time.   Or sit down with the girls and read a book together.

And most importantly, I’m also finding joy in being able to worship God and have a Bible.  I recently heard if you’re caught with a Bible in North Korea that three generations in your family is executed.   Christians all around the world are facing terrible persecution.   I’m so thankful I can freely share the Gospel with my children.

There is joy in today.  I am trying to get ready for tomorrow without missing the moment now.

One more thing… here are a couple podcasts that are on point with my thoughts today that you might find helpful.

Familylife broadcast: “In uncertain times, we need to focus on that which is certain – the Word of God. Dennis Rainey helps us find certainty in uncertain times and faith in time of fear, as he offers practical tips for preparing your home to withstand the current economic and cultural storm.”

Olive Tree  Ministries May 23 2nd hour broadcast: Jerry Robinson is Jan’s guest. He is a World Net Daily columnist and author of the new book, “Bankruptcy of our Nation: 12 Key Strategies for Protecting Your Finances in these Uncertain Times.” Robinson says we are entering the most grave period of financial instability in history. He explains the real reason for the bailouts, why the dollar is doomed and what that means, the forthcoming hyper-inflationary period and how that compares to the Weimar Republic in the 1920s, and much more. Jan and Jerry also go over the 12 key strategies for your protection.

There’s also an excellent women’s Bible study in Houston teaching on this subject.  You can call the church and get CDs at little or no cost. Lois McCall is teaching “God’s Wisdom for Today’s Woman.”  I went to the first class today and it was excellent.  She showed the video at the top of this blog.

Nearly 1 billion hungry people in the world

Do you know anyone personally who has to go hungry at least once a week because of poverty?  I do not.  I know a homeless man in Houston who lives in a park.  He has a cell phone and a dog.  Maybe he goes hungry, but I don’t have first hand knowledge of that.

So I can’t think of anyone I know personally who has been really hungry during the last year (except for fasting).  In fact, I can’t think of anyone in my lifetime that I knew was truly hungry.  It may have been there and I was unaware.  I have participated in humanitarian groups who try to help in these situations, but you don’t get to know these people on a personal basis.

So when I read this number:  1 billion… it blows my mind and breaks my heart.  I believe there are 6 billion people in this world…. so if this is correct – about 17% of the world population faces serious hunger.  As a mother, I think one of the worst things in the world would be to watch my children go hungry.  See here for the article.

Gerald Celente – economic crisis to get worse

Here’s the latest from Gerald Celente.  If you don’t know this guy, check him out and you’ll be amazed at how accurate he has been in the past.

Go here for the video

God’s Wrath on America

This is not a fun subject and very unpopular even in many Christian communities.  We love the health / wealth sermons, but hate the wrath sermons.  However, God has never allowed a group of people who behave as our country is behaving to continue.  He gives them over to their sin.  I believe we are in a time of God’s wrath.

So what do Christians do?  My friend just sent me this article by David Wilkerson which talks about the practical and the spiritual.  I think it is an excellent read, but not fun.  It does have an uplifting message, however, in the face of possible wrath.

“I will say to my soul: No need to run…no need to hide. This is God’s righteous work. I will behold our Lord on his throne, with his eye of tender, loving kindness watching over every step I take—trusting that he will deliver his people even through floods, fires, calamities, tests, trials of all kinds.”  This is excellent advice.

He also recommends:  “First, I give you a practical word I received for my own direction. If possible lay in store a thirty-day supply of non-perishable food, toiletries and other essentials. In major cities, grocery stores are emptied in an hour at the sign of an impending disaster.”  I saw how fast our stores were emptied during Ike.  People were not prepared.  If we have a major unexpected disaster, don’t count on the grocery store.

This is not meant to be doom / gloom, but to be realistic about what might be happening in our country.  I AM NOT a prophet.  God could have mercy on us and withhold His wrath.  He is God and I am not.  But when I look at history, I see a trend.  In this case, the trend is not our country’s friend.  The good new is that it may turn many who are relying on their wealth and country to their knees.  One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess.  What a blessing if more choose to do it on this side of eternity.

End Times Clock

I feels like I’m living in a Tim LaHaye novel.  United States and Global economies collapsing.  Health care being nationalized.  Obama is asking Russia to tell Iran to be nice and we’ll stop missile defense in Europe.   Britain Prime minister is addressing Obama and Congress regarding globalization of banking.   Change is happening so fast.