Worried Christian

I am not your fire and brimstone kind of Christian, but I need to share this with you because of what is going on in our world today.

My bible study and church service both paralleled each other making its emphasis so much stronger.  The other parallel it brought to mind is what is going on today in our world.

 

In my bible study we studied Daniel 7.  Daniel prophesized in a dream where he saw visions of nations at war.  He saw four huge beasts representing a world empire. 

The lion represented Babylon (our modern day Iraq),

a bear that ravaged the lion representing Persia (our modern day Iran)

and the leopard represented Greece (our modern day Syria). 

The fourth and largest beast points out to Rome and the end times. 

The large one has 10 horns that represent 10 Kings who will reign before God sets up tribulation.  The little horn is a human ruler (an anti-Christ).   God describes the end times in II Thessalonians 2:3,4.  Also see Revelation 13:5-8.  

In Revelation 17:3, John recorded a vision of a scarlet beast with 7 heads and 10 horns symbolizing the powers on earth that will rule under the anti-Christ. 

Daniel 7:10 God is ministered by millions of angels (also Rev 5:11,12).  God opens his book of life and the dead were judged (also Rev 20:12).  Non-believers will not be saved.

Daniel 7:18,25  tells us that believers will be saved in the end times.

Daniel 7:19 discusses how Christians will suffer persecution.  We are seeing that today in Iraq and Syria (aka Babylon and Persia).

Daniel 7:23 One of the ten kings will take over three of the kings.  He will make war against Christ and Christians and attempt to stop all religious activities and laws. 26 But the Kings’ power will be taken away and destroyed and the Christians will be given the Kingdom of God.

Pastor Mike spoke from Matthew 24 & 25.

Matt 24:3 the disciples asked what the end times were going to be like?  4,9 says Don’t be mislead by a false messiah. 

Signs of end times: false messiahs, wars, famines, earthquakes, horrible living conditions, persecution, false religions, lawlessness and love turning cold (Matt 24:12) 

Does any of this sound familiar???

In Matt 24:36 Jesus says that no one will know what day or hour these things will happen.  It was compared to Noah’s day when people were told of the flood but everyone went on with their lives until the flood swept them all away. 

Matt 24:42 So we must keep watch!  We must be ready! (also Matt 25:13)

Matt 24:50 He will return unannounced and put all the hypocrites in a place where there will be weeping an gnashing of the teeth.

Matt 25:24-30 We must not make excuses to avoid what God asks us to do. If we ignore, squander or abuse what we are given, there will be eternal punishment.

Matt 25:32  All the nations will be gathered and He will separate them like a shepherd will separate sheep from goats (parable for believers from non-believers).

Matt 25:40 By serving others, you are a servant of God. (also Isaiah 58:7)  He will curse the ones who are unwilling to serve others and go to eternal punishment.

So what should we be like?  II Peter 3:11 We should live holy and Godly lives.  If we are morally clean and spiritually alert, Christ’s return will not be a surprise. 

 

There it is!!  Put out in front of you like it was given to me.  With this in mind,  I am a worried Christian.  I am worried for those that deny knowing Christ.  I am praying for my ministry to touch and heal bitter souls who have turned from God.

 

If you (or someone you know) have any questions about “being saved” or “becoming a believer”, please email me at judyherrig@abetterlivingexperience.com. 

Blessings to you and yours,

Judy Herrig

Serenity Prayer

I have a number of people in my life that are recovering from addictions.  So I am writing to say...
God Bless You and your journey.  I am proud of you for taking responsibility for it, and I commend you for each day that you get through - another day.
I adore the Serenity Prayer thanks to my Dad who explained what that prayer meant to him as a recovering alcoholic.  I shared a more in-depth version of this with my Toastmaster's group and received warm responses from it.
GOD, Grant me the serenity (God, please give me peace of mind and heart)
To accept the things I cannot change (to understand I cannot change what other people think and do)
The courage to change the things I can (to take responsibility for my own thoughts and actions)
And the wisdom to know the difference (self explanatory).
I get it!
Written with warm thoughts of my Dad who passed many years ago!
With Blessings to you and yours,
Judy Herrig

Why do we need to be neighborly?

It is very hot and humid today here in Tennessee.  This morning, as I drove by a familiar house where an elderly couple live, they had their door wide open.  I realized they do not have air conditioning in their home.  A couple of days ago, I saw that same couple with their underwear drying out on an old ladder.  All I could think was "Don't they have any family to help them?  What is their story?"  I sit here in my air conditioned home waiting for a storm to go by, thinking about that couple.  If they were my neighbors, what would I do?  I would invite them to my home for dinner! 
I would like to share a beautiful scripture in Matthew 25:30-34 (NLT).
It is a parable that describes acts of mercy that we can do daily.  These acts do not depend on your wealth, abilities or intelligence.  We are not to ignore people with deep needs and should not make the church or government responsible for them.  Jesus expects us to have personal involvement in caring for others’ needs.
Now that's something to think about!
Blessings to you and yours!
Judy

Working on my garden...

Today I worked all day on my class preparation.  I am hoping that these long hours will be fruitful.  I know that you have to plant seeds and maintain the garden to reap a good crop.  So, I am working on the garden!  I believe in all of my research, I have found a wonderful ground for planting a huge crop.  Prayers needed!
Blessings to you and yours...
Judy Herrig

Sex Offenders in the Community

I am always concerned about children being safe in the community.  I found some staggering stats and facts that I feel are worth sharing.

There are more than 704,000 sex offenders across America.  Most people believe that rehabilitation rate is low.  It is proven that with stable housing / support system, they are less likely to re-offend.  Here are some stats that I found interesting.
 

% of re-offending	5 years	10 years	15 years
Rapists	14 %	21 %	24 %
Incest	6 %	9 %	13 %
Girl victim molester	9 %	13 %	16 %
Boy victim molester	23 %	28 %	35 %

 
Lisa Gererro of Inside Edition, wrote an article about Sex Offender Island where the most dangerous, high risk offenders live.  It is set up like Alcatraz.  She reports that it costs $160k per year, per person.     She learned in her interviews with the inmates they are not sure that they will never re-offend if released into the community.  She found the offenders' triggers were of everyday things that a person cannot avoid to "manage their urges" such as the sound of a muscle car, hearing rock music, long hair, and diaper commercials.
Due to cost, we are destined to have predators mixed within the community.  With thanks to Jessica's Law and Meghan's Law, we at least are informed when a sex offender has moved into the area.
If you are EVER given notice that an offender is moving into your area, make sure to find out as much information about that offender as possible. 
In Minnesota where I owned/operated a group home for women that were mentally ill/intellectually challenged, we had a male sex offender move into the community that had sexually assaulted a female child and an intellectually challenged adult female (I only found this all out by attending the town meeting where flyers were distributed by the local police department).  Because my ladies walked outside on our dirt roads where they were not always visible, we showed them a picture of the man, described what his vehicle looked like and reviewed stranger danger.   We also had them carry two-way radios.  We also role-played what to do if this man comes up and asks them a question, offers them a ride, money or candy, or visit his dog... or whatever he may use to attract them.
I do not like that offenders are allowed back into the community, however...
Here's a kicker!  65- 70% Robbery/Assault re-offend and 41% murderers re-offend.
Be smart, be safe!
Blessings to you and your family!
Judy Herrig

Brat-Proof your children

Today I viewed a Dr. Phil show about "how to brat-proof your children."  Wow!  Some of the parenting examples blew me away.  And made me sad for the children.  I know a person does not always know how much they yell.  I know I was a strict mom and did my share of yelling.  Hind sight is 20/20 and I wish I knew then what I know now.
If you want to get control of your home without being a controller... 
If your children lack responsibility...
Your children lack respect for you...
I strongly recommend the book written by Betsy Brown Braun (guest on Dr. Phil)
"You're Not The Boss of Me"
Blessings to you and your family!
Judy Herrig

Robin Williams

Today I cannot stop thinking about Robin Williams.  My daughter said she feels like she lost a favorite uncle.  She grew up watching his movies! 
Robin was a very sweet man that suffered with Bipolar Disorder.  "What could be so bad to make him commit suicide?"  Please understand that in the depressive cycle, there is no rhyme or reason...  it was beyond what he could cope with.  
I have seen articles with people digging up every personal low he has lived through trying to analyze Robin's demise.  It is my prayer that people will just forgive the past and love him for the great man that he was.  Let him die in peace and with the dignity he deserves.
Prayers of blessings go out to Robin Williams and his family!
Judy Herrig

Newby Blogger

Ok...  I am a newby blogger.  It took my youngest daughter to help me figure out what I was doing wrong.  But I won't go into that!  Thank you, Amber!
ahhhmm....
It is my intention to touch on a subject daily - that may touch you. 
If you have any requests, please offer them to me.  It will help me know what people are thinking about out there.
Thank You!!!!
Judy Herrig