>>>> Dear ...
>>>>
>>>> 'For He is good, For His mercy endures forever towards Israel.'
>>>> Ezra 3:11b
>>>>
>>>> In adverse weather conditions, literary or real, is where I often see the truth of God's care for those who seek Him, down to the minute details of the strands of our hair.
>>>>
>>>> Going right smack into an ongoing 10 days unexpected and unprecedented winter blitz is not exactly the most ideal way to visit UK but God is sovereign. The Brits might have been caught a little short with less salt to smooth out the iced up airport runway, but last evening's landing was bumpy but safe. And now going up north to frigid Scotland seems a folly, but snow covered landscape were aplenty but thankfully, the snow drifts stopped short of Edinburgh to ensure our train journey was not disrupted, much as any places beyond that was non passable.
>>>>
>>>> 'you both know Me, and you know where I am from...'
>>>> John 7:28
>>>>
>>>> To know God is a blessing and privilege open to all. And much as it has been more than two millennium since Christ was born, God is ever present whenever we come unto His presence. And there is always no reason not to be thankful once we learn to look from His perspective
>>> '..old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this temple was laid before their eyes. Yet many shouted aloud for joy.'
>>>> Ezra 3:12
>>>
>>> United kingdom is not Republic of Ireland though the latter was part of UK in the old days before the Emerald Isle became independent. But what is to stop mother England from joining it's erstwhile neighbor in the boondocks of a crisis of confidence next year when the summer of discontent takes over from the present disconsolate winter?
>>>
>>> The Union Jack is the flag of the United Kingdom comprising England as its core, and flanked by Wales in the left, Northern Ireland ( but not Republic Ireland) further up left and the independent minded Scots smacked up north.
>>>
>>> The British Isles was once the foundation upon which the British went forth to build a great empire. Today, it is back down to size and would once great men in her heyday, if they were alive today not wept like the old men of Israel who had once witnessed her greatness?
>>>
>>> 'and he did not humble himself before the Lord as his father Manasseh had humbled himself, but Amon trespassed more and more.'
>>> 2 Chronicles 33:23
>>>
> Is China the new empire and is finally living up to it's name as the center of all civilization?
> The rest of the BRIC countries might not agree, but most are agreed that living standards at least in major cities of Asia are fast moving up.
'For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.'
Philippians 2:21
Yet is this increased wealth in China the sowing of the seeds of a future break-up of the vast country as disparities lead to pride and envy and the center cannot hold as the grip of the Chinese Communist party becomes tenuous in this new confidence amongst her population?
That might be sometime before we see the divisive warlord days of post Qing empire and the tumultuous Republic period of the early twentieth century.
But in Europe, the dissolution of nation hood into a One Europe seems to be nearer reality. The Irish fought hard for independence from the English but now has taken the first step towards subservience to a greater sovereign, the European Commission. And the Catalonians as symbolized by Barcelona soccer club to us soccer fans, wants to not just beat Real Madrid(pride of mainstream Spain) 5-1 recently, but be free from the Spaniards and the way out is to pledge allegiance to a greater One Europe. And what about Belgium, where Brussels is the seat of the European Commission yet paradoxically is a divided country? Will the Flemish and the Dutch speaking divide of Belgium subscribe to a greater sovereign instead of the present Belgium King?
These are interesting times. Europe is ready for the anti - Christ as it's ruler. Question is, do they go back to the arms of the Russian bear, a proven atheist anti Christian nation or do they pay obeisance to the new representation of anti-Christ in the making?
Self first, aligned to what the prideful Satan professes is the attitude of many in Europe today, and with the economic crisis putting at great risk this much desired lifestyle, the hearts of many Europeans are ready to receive a new god of prosperity that can maintain their desires.
Is there a lesson for us to learn from what is happening in the Old World(ie Europe?) For Asia the nascent economic powerhouse or even for USA, the New World? History will repeat itself like the proverbial three generational curse. Difference though is that the cyclical nature of human behavior that marks the history of mankind will end when the present God returns and it is clearly nearing.
God blesses
Eng Hieang
Nov 30th at 4am in -6 degrees Edinburgh, Scotland
An after-note
As I spend my quiet time this morning in a less than ideal place, in the bathroom to avoid waking my fast asleep son( a deja vue on my last trip to Paris 4 years back), God knows my heart is desirous of receiving His truth.
Interestingly, the cover of the Dec daily bread shows a snow covered scene straight out from where I am now.
How prescient, but the accompanying verse Luke 1:68 is even more meaningful.
Indeed, God has allowed me to go through the present winter storm, just like the storms of life, but He shelters the faithful.
I illogically left( much against my concerns)for the near blizzards of Scotland from the 'warmer' climes of London last Sunday morning without realizing that I by His grace just missed a strike at the London Tube, a great inconvenience .
God will be with me always, if I remain steadfast in Him and I go where He leads me.
He has redeemed us. But are we prepared to be the lamp from which His redemptive grace shines forth through our lives, into that of others He places in our paths?
'..for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins through the tender mercy of our God with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us. To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death. To guide our feet into the way of peace.'
Luke 1:76-79
And so I urge you
'But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.'
James 1:22
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