On the first leg of our flight to Ireland I read Bonnie Gaunt’s wonderful book, “Apocalypse and the Magnificent Sevens.”

Bonnie explains the book of Revelation using the language of numbers, particularly the number 7 which occurs 49 times therein. Her insights transform the word ‘Apocalypse’ and the book of Revelation, into a source of ‘blessing’ as we understand how God’s glorious plan is unfolding in these days.

On the longer transatlantic leg of the flight, I scanned the movies to see if there was anything I was prompted to watch. The 2016 remake of The Magnificent Seven with Denzel Washington obviously caught my attention!

I had time for one more movie, so continuing on the Western theme, selected the 1952 classic, High Noon with Gary Cooper.

I found both films acutely relevant for where we find ourselves as the human race today!

The storylines were similar…..Evil ‘Robber Barons’ have taken over the towns. The townsfolk need help to save them. In one, the cowardly judge deserts the townspeople, in the other, the official law enforcement agents have been ‘bought off’.

Enter Denzel and Gary, the brave lawmen willing to pay the price personally to restore justice even though the odds are stacked against them.

These were classic, David vs.Goliath set ups! You’ll remember how David was ’the runt of the litter’. He was the least likely candidate to bring deliverance, but that has always been and continues to be God’s modus operandi, ‘so that the glory goes to Him’, as the song says.

Both men have alongside them faithful fearless women (read ‘the Bride of Christ’) who make the crucial difference.

The one motivating the Magnificent 7 is a woman who has been widowed by the evil robber baron. When Denzel asks her, ’ So you seek revenge?’ She replies beautifully, ‘I seek righteousness, as should we all.’

The WHO Plandemic treaty is the latest attempt in the New World Order’s ”power grab” seeking to rob both individuals and nations of their God given sovereignty. Having used their wealth and guile to work their way to the top of the human power pyramid – they are terrified that they are now loosing that position, in accordance with Psalm 2.

Bonnie explains how their 6000 years of misrule is now coming to an end, as Jesus comes to take his place as KING OF KINGS.

I began this blog a few weeks ago, but just last night received the good news that the WHO pandemic treaty (at least for the moment) had been voted down!

The heros in the story?

Those normally deemed the ’runt’ of the global litter……. 47 African nations…….for “the first shall be last and the last shall be first.”

The above photograph was taken just as two of our covenant partners here stepped through the door.

Two hours later three more friends arrived and were greeted by another full double rainbow…..

A few hours later our son Robin in Minneapolis posted this photo on Instagram

The first photo had been taken at 5.32. These are the numbers for covenant(32) and grace(5). Our phone code in Minneapolis is 612. I had just read in Bonnie’s book how 612 is the gematria for covenant. We had 5 rainbows.

God’s covenant with Noah, that the rainbow is a sign of, is stated 5 times in Genesis 9. It is an unconditional covenant of grace the extends to ’every living creature.’

God will have the last word………and picture……. as my eye was caught by this local image of a #’7’ George was expelled from my old High School where he was deemed ‘a failure’. However he went on to become one of the world’s greatest footballer’s ever! (Soccer for US readers😊)

George our Father (Gk. georgios John 15:1) knows Best and in the end has only the Best in store for the whole of his creation!

Hallelujah!

Forwarded to me by a friend who is another heroic Freeman in the prison colony of Australia.

On the May 3rd blog, “A Good But Deluded Dude” I used the above meme. In case it’s meaning was lost on some, (like Hilary : – ) I subsequently found It was fully explained in Episode 5 of Propaganda Exposed.

I appreciate many folk feel they are too busy to watch a long in-depth series like this, but if you go to about the 57 minute mark and watch the next 20 minutes or so it gives a good flavor of the whole. While the depth of evil exposed is shocking. it also is an encouragement to see so many “Good and Undeluded Dudes.” courageously standing up, speaking truth, and offering solutions.

The free viewing has been extended throughout this week end, so here is the link….

https://go2.propaganda-exposed.com/docuseries/replay/

If your time is limited (of course!!) you might also check out Episode 6 where it begins by telling the real story behind the Federal Reserve and then goes on to explain the shocking truth about how fluoride came to be in our water.

Definitely go to ‘the end of the book” as the last half hour of Episode 8 has the contributors giving their final thoughts which are filled with hope.

The front of Hilary’s current notebook says it all, with this quotation from the seventeenth book of the bible……

“Well that’s the last of the sheets ironed.”

Hilary said to me at 9 o’clock last night.

“I’m tired, and going on to bed.”

During the night I woke and began thinking about how tirelessly my wife works to care for others.

The retreat was three days of wall to wall relating to people, where she taught, talked to and prayed for folk, and organized us all – non-stop!

Subsequent prayer sessions for those who couldn’t be fitted in on the weekend, cleaning and reorganizing the house after the 8 overnight guests and 30+ attendees had left, was only now finishing up a week later. The preparation had begun more than a week beforehand with shopping, cookng and making up beds, reviewing talks and testimonies, planning meal responsibilities, discerning prayer team combinations and so on and so on..

Of course we have a marvelous team of mothers and fathers and others like Gilbert and Amy helping with meals, set up and take down, and working away quietly in the background, and without whom the retreats would just not happen ….but this IS my Mother(Hilary)’s Day : – )

I followed her up to bed after watching the current episode of Propaganda Exposed. here, where time and again the rule in discerning good from evil was stated , “Follow the Money” for “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” (1 Tim. 6:10)

I realized how Hilary was clearly following God and not Mammon! (Matt.6:24)

Simply asking folk for a donation to cover the cost of buying their food and not ‘charging’ or passing a plate at the retreat is how we have been lead to live and serve since coming to the US, up to this point. As we have aimed to, ‘Seek first the kingdom of God‘ we have trusted and proved that ‘all these things will be added unto you.” (Matt.6:33) I realized Hilary was, if you reckoned things that way, getting ‘paid’ pennies per hour! Then I remembered someone once talking about how that would work for a ‘stay at home’ mom and how ridiculously poorly remunerated that would be…. as ‘a job’

This is The Majesty of Motherhood.

This is what folk encountered last weekend, beautifully exemplified in Hilary’s inviting people to,“Come on on on in.” to the heart of our home, accepting and welcoming them, often as ‘strangers’ to become members of our extending family, and offering them help, so they could heal and move forward into a more whole and holy life – a kingdom life, their Christ life.

God describing to Moses his attributes in Exodus 34, begins with a Hebrew word usually translated ‘merciful’ It is related to the ‘womb’, that place where God ‘knit me together‘ (Ps.139:13) It is to do with the cherishing and nurturing ‘mother love of God.’ It points us to T.L.C. – our Tender Loving Creator. For while our earthly parents ‘did their best’ (Heb. 12:10) He is the only ‘perfect parent’ out of whose richness we can receive all that was lacking in our experience with ‘less than perfect’ human parents.

One of the talks and testimonies Hilary gives, concerns her birth, when after a caesarian section her mum who almost died was whisked away to be nursed back to health, leaving Hilary ‘motherless’ for the first 6 weeks of her life. After talking about the harmful impact of this on her subsequent life, and how God then healed her from that trauma, she teaches about El Shaddai which can be translated ‘the mighty breasted one.’ This was the first name God used of himself to Abraham, because the mother’s care comes first…..it is primary!

At the closing circle at the end of an intense 27 ‘family’ hours together, each person gets an opportunity to make a brief comment about their experience.

One brother, a church elder, simply said. “You guys are ‘The real deal.’ You are genuine.”

So encouraging!

The final comment of the circle and the retreat was an action – when a father and son who had been estranged for 10 years, moved around the room playing their guitars in sync’ together, and prophetically singing our Father’s blessing over each person!

Wow!! Electric!!

“Ours is this privilege……. to serve before our Father’s face.”

….and to encounter, experience and express……the majestic mother love

…….of El Shaddai!

It was the story of Abraham that God used to invite us to take a first step of faith and “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you.”

On the tenuous basis of a “Temporary Religious Worker’s visa” we were admitted to the US for 3 years during which time I alone could work and only in the prescribed field! Father confirmed this step when shortly after ‘against all natural odds’ we ‘won’ the ‘Green Card Lottery’ that my mother had submitted our names for!

The next hurdle to overcome was the interview where I had to present evidence that I could provide for my family of 9 without being a burden to the State. Dean, a lawyer we had providentially encountered who was intrigued by our story and had offered to represent us ‘pro bono’ was skeptical that showing her a few CDs of my music would persuade the judge.

As the 9 of us plus Dean squeezed into the small office, she opened with the question.

“So where are you from? ”

“Belfast.” We replied meekly.

Her countenance changed instantly. “Belfast!” she exclaimed. “Oh! I have a soft spot in my heart for Belfast. Last year my daughter visited there and they treated her right royally! And I have just had an operation at the Mayo Clinic giving me back my eyesight……and the surgeon was from – Belfast!! Now let’s get these formalities out of the way quickly and get you into the country as permanent residents!”

Dean’s jaw hit the floor. “I reckon God does want you here!’ He gasped!

That was 27 years ago. We could have become US citizens after 5 years but never felt released to make application, that is not until a few years ago. At that time we thought it would all be done and dusted in a matter of months. but only a few weeks ago did we receive our appointment for the interview …. 27 months after applying!

I was pondering this ‘God-incidence’ as I passed through security today….27 years and 27 months. I walked up to the counter to register, and moments later was handed my ticket number……

The interview went without a hitch.

“You have passed.” the USCIS official said. Then he handed me my results.

I looked down to read the name of the officer………

From ‘Behind the Name‘………..“Engel. A German word meaning “angel”

Not only was this personally reassuring that we were and had all along been ‘in step with the Spirit’ at a personal level, but it excited us as to where we all are ‘today’ in the overall plan of God.

The number 27 cropping up again and again in our lives has pointed us to the story in Acts 27 of Paul and ‘The ship of fools’.

Currently we live at number 2721 Parkview Blvd. In chapter 27 verse 21, Paul stands up and speaks to all on board. He tells them not to be downhearted but to have faith in God…… because an angel has appeared to him saying, “Fear not….God has granted you all those who sail with you.”

I grew up in number 76 Gortin Park. My father had painted a 76 on each of the 2 gateposts at the entrance to the driveway. i.e. 2 76s

Our phone number there was 2737.

Acts 27:37 records the number on board…… as 276.

The gematria of “all flesh” is a multiple of 276.

Chapter 27 ends with all 276 persons on board making it safely to shore!!

The next chapter of the story is – 28. It describes the shore being on the island of Melita (Malta) – which means ‘honey’. This represents The Promised Land….“a land flowing with milk and honey.”

The number 28 represents the Leading of the Spirit.**

This is our destination……. that as we ‘cross over’ to receive with Abrahamic faith our full inheritance, that “…..better country, a heavenly one”, we will then ‘walk in the Spirit’ perfectly… even as Jesus did.

P.S. Our plans for being in Ireland May 17th – July 11th are taking shape. We would like to take our spiritual daughter Raine and her daughter Mni with us to share in the FREEDOM! retreat we plan to host there 25th-26th June. As yet do not have accommodation for them. If any of our Irish readers can help with offering then a home for two weeks around those dates, please do get in touch with us. We will post information on the website paulkyle.org as details get finalized.

**https://godskingdom.org/studies/books/the-biblical-meaning-of-numbers/chapter-4-numbers-21-30

I have been asked, “……but how could so many good (Christian) people be so wrong?”

I have answered this question previously by referencing psychological/psychiatric sources such as F Scott Peck’s “The People of The Lie” and links about “Mass Formation Psychosis”, Stockholm Syndrome etc., but last week I was sent a biblical and spiritual perspective entitled Delusional Culture by my respected brother and friend, Gary Schreiner who lives in Switzerland. Gary just lost his job for refusing to take ‘the jab’.

2 Peter 2:4-10 references two old testament characters, Noah and Lot. Lot is described as a ‘righteous man’ but Noah is described as a ‘preacher of righteousness’. In Gen. 14 Lot moves to be NEXT to Sodom, by chapter 19 he has moved INTO Sodom and become ‘a respected citizen’ of the City, denoted by his having a seat with the elders at the gate.

Gary writes…….

“While many countries are above 75% vaxxed there is no letting up on the push to get the rest a Covid-19 jab. Herd immunity seems to operate differently with this virus as generally a population is immune after so many are “protected”.

Pastors are asking many questions regarding the vaccines and the mandates to have people vaxxed. One question that remains for most unanswered is this; If the vaccines change the host DNA then believers who have taken it have been allowed by God to let this happen with little to no information about it. How could God permit this?

Whereas there are studies by virologists to demonstrate that the DNA is changed permanently where is there evidence that God would allow it to happen unbeknown to believers?

Jesus helps us here when He said that the end times would be like unto the days of Noah and the days of Lot. Both together must be considered in order to see our current situation.

Noahs Profile

Noah was a preacher of righteousness. A hundred years before the flood he was warned and instructed to build an ark. He did this and thereby condemned the wicked world which he and seven others left behind in the provision of God. Noah had remained genetically untainted but later there were again giants in the world whose DNA was altered.

Lots Profile

Lot was righteous, as the bible says, but most certainly he did not preach righteousness in Sodom as they would neither listen to him or tolerate the message. Lot chose to live in Sodom. Although the wickedness of the Sodomites vexed the soul of righteous Lot he tolerated it and coped while he made a nice living in the city. When the angels showed up at the gate of the city he had no clue why they had come but immediately extended hospitality to the two strangers. Even after the bizarre scene in front of his house where the men of Sodom demanded the delivery of the two angels to fulfill their perverse lust and the counter offer of Lot to send out his two daughters instead, it never dawned on righteous Lot that something terrible has happened and that he and his house should leave immediately.

The angels explained that they had come to deliver him and his house from the pending judgment. They told him to go and gather all his house and he went to his sons in law and repeated what the angels told him. The two men laughed in his face. When he returned Lot did not seem to be so convinced that it was as bad as he was told and began to hesitate when the angels said it was time to leave. Finally the angels grabbed the four of them by the hand and led them out. Even then Lot was not willing to go the whole way out which would have been up into the mountain and negotiated to be allowed to stay in Zoar. His wife looked back and became a pillar of salt. Later they did go up into the mountain and there, Lot’s daughters made him drunk and lay with him thinking there were no more men available to them. How delusional.

Lot was vexed, worn out and tormented by the culture he lived in. The result of which was a state of delusion. He witnessed day after day the evil of the culture and eventually saw it to be acceptable and normal. No righteous person will look at rape and think it to be normal let alone acceptable in the culture. No righteous person would offer up his daughters for rape to oblige the cultural demands. No righteous person would think because no one was around that incest was necessary. All this was displayed by Lot and his family.

But delusional persons would be able to do all of this thinking it normal. The delusional effect of the Covid-19 culture

Before Covid-19 the standards and definitions of several things were different than they are now. For example, that a paper mask does not make any difference in stopping the spreading of a virus in a population has long been understood, yet now it does make a difference. Obviously there is some other reason to wear a mask;)

A vaccine before Covid-19, was a weakened form of a virus injected into a person which caused the person to develop immunity to the virus. This immunity protected the person from getting the disease and from spreading it further to someone. That’s not so with the SARS-Cov-2 vaccine. For that a vaccine is defined as anything injected into a person for the purpose of causing an autoimmune response. Period. No immunity, no protection and spreading the virus is the accepted result of this vaccination. That my friend is a new vaccination! Right? Or maybe they don’t care that you are unprotected just so you get the shot.

Definitions are regularly being changed and this amounts to lawlessness and leads to delusion. The vexing that Lot felt according to 2 Peter 2:8 was due to their lawless deeds. It is vexing when a man can be a woman or believe a woman can have a penis! Our current culture is full of lawlessness and the effect is a deluded society.

The end time church is Laodicea and it is marked by its delusion. They think they are wealthy and well to do and do not know that they are naked and blind! They should repent and buy gold and sauve for their eyes as Jesus said!

But deluded people can’t see things as they are any more. The new reality has become normal for them. This is the reason why, I believe, God did not warn Lot and why He is not warning some believers today. He is however calling them to repent – change their minds about what is culture and what is worship.

The word culture comes from cult. A cult is how a people worships their god or idols. Today’s culture dictates that we acknowledge that the vaccine works and that wearing a mask can help stop the spread of Covid-19 among other things. This is vexing, tormenting and wearing out the believers especially as they have some sense of righteousness in contrast to the profane world.

When a believer chooses to get vaxxed then he or she has acknowledged that they think the un-vaccine works and they are ready to wear the sign of their acknowledgement, the paper mask if need be. The repeated and continual message in the propaganda day by day has worn them out, worn them down and deluded them. They have been set up to believe the lie.

Many have chosen the vax for its privileges like eating in a restaurant, going to a movie or a sports event or in order to travel on their vacation. These are all well to do privileges and it would hurt very much if one didn’t have them. If the cost is just a jab in the arm then just do it! Such a person is a real friend of the world’s system and probably scores high in its social credit system.

As friendship with the world is enmity with God this is an additional cause for God not to communicate with them. However we know that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” and so God continues to appeal to our hearts through the manifestation of his love in the finished work of Christ in his death and resurrection and his ongoing ‘intercession’ for us all.”

Another main player in the Lot story is of course Lot’s uncle Abraham. God did reveal to him that judgment was coming to Sodom knowing full well how he would respond. Abraham prayed for his nephew and gained the intercession; Lot would be rescued out of Sodom before the hellfire rained down on it.

There are only these two profiles to pick from when we want to assign a role to the believers. Either you are a deluded Lot type or an interceding Abraham type. If you don’t know which one you are then hopefully someone is praying for you. Those of you who know which one you are don’t need to be told what they should do.

Now unto Him Who is able to keep you from falling and to make you stand in His glorious presence.

Amen.”

May we, in these days, seek to be found to be of Abraham and of Noah……rather than of Lot!

P.S. Below is a link where you can register for a free viewing of a timely new series called “Propaganda Exposed’ An impressive cast of ‘truth seekers’ affirm that we have been once again living in the corrupt, “days of Noah’ (Matt.24:37)

https://go.propaganda-exposed.com/?a_bid=f9f117e3&chan=trailer&a_aid=1619624&utm_campaign=Solo%20Newsletter%3A%20Propaganda%20Exposed%20%28SYUZ88%29&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Daily%20Newsletter%20Sends-%20Updated&_kx=rNhamgDn-QhMrLfPELS2bHuEKOLTt5RInaAPtT31HdRgPEucfiEXAGZO_b2z9hHy.K2vXAy

The other day I spotted our neighbor making his way to our door. I smiled at my high level of expectation that I was about to be delivered a message from God from this simple unschooled farmer.

I was not disappointed. John wanted to give me some squash seeds and handed them to me in an old pharmaceutical drug container.

“Now don’t plant them until May 15th.” He said. “We always waited to May 15th on the farm. Timing is critical.”

I had already been given the title for this blog because a friend had reminded me recently of a talk I gave a few years ago based on a project in the local woods to clear invasive species that were choking the wood to death and have the native prairie vegetation return! The talk had 4 headings beginning with E. and R.

Expose and Eradicate then Re-seed and Restore.

That morning Lydia had sent me an interview with John Mark Comer on the same theme. He emphasized how after the E. phase the wood at the back of their home looked ghastly. After such a long hard winter our wood looks pretty dead too!

But then, at the right time, the green shoots will begin to appear as E. morphs to R. as the Re-Seeding begins until the verdant wood is Restored to it’s former beauty and glory!

My friend felt my old talk was more appropriate than ever at a GLOBAL level as we see God EXPOSE corruption as never before in the failing institutions of the ‘Harfang’ corporate giants of Government, Media, Academia, Public Health, Banking, Tech………the list goes on.

We know this is happening so that God might ERADICATE the corruption as he did ‘in the days of Noah.’

“For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.” (Lk.8:17)

The world is in God’s E.R. Room

.…..and so are we PERSONALLY

He wants to change our world one life at a time……. which is why 35+ people have set up appointments with with The Great Physician here next weekend in God’s E.R. Room at Rivendell. For all of us have darkness that needs to be brought into the light. In 1 John we’re told the purpose of this ‘walking in the light’ is ‘that we might have fellowship…’ literally ‘share in a common life‘…..the life of God! For Jesus said that the reason he had come was “… that they might have LIFE, and have it abundantly.” (Jn. 10:10)”For this is LIFE that they know me the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (Jn. 17:3)

At this FREEDOM! retreat we will again witness the miracle of God creating a ‘safe space’ where people can gather to encounter the disarming love of God as they open up, often about things they have never exposed to anyone before, and find, not judgment and rejection, but acceptance and assistance to learn how to walk into and remain in the FREEDOM! wherewith Christ has set them free!

Our heavenly Father will EXPOSE and ERADICATE the ‘invasive’ species that have been choking out our LIFE, and RE-SEED us with the truth of the “living and abiding word of God.” in order that we might be fully RESTORED to our Father.

I believe John’s little offering, is a picture of how humanly engineered ‘artificial’ systems that merely mask symptoms must give way to God’s ‘natural’ source of LIFE and true health that will burst forth in this next season for both body and soul.

“For you have been born again not of perishable seed but of imperishable through the living and abiding word of God.” (1 Pt. 1:23)

P.S. We have a full house for next weekend, however we may be doing a FREEDOM! retreat in Belfast when we travel to Ireland next month. We are still waiting on Father’s provision of accommodation for this, so if you could help, or are interested in participating please let us know.

A canny Scotsman (Neil Oliver) reflects on the last two years.

The scriptures (and emphases) that came to mind were Titus.2:11-14 and 2 Cor. 1:20-22

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “NO” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” 

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “YES” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”

A reader wrote:

Hi Paul
Following on from your blog. A Canadian friend sent a short message. They would not have seen the video in your blog. 
…We learned from a friend in church today  who has studied pharmaceuticals something amazing about the blood of lambs.  She told us that about 80% of pharmaceutical companies use the blood of lambs to produce anti-snake venom . Of all animals, the blood of a lamb for snake bites… considering the blood of Jesus…..that’s incredible
I decided to check it up and this was the first link Google had. 
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-05-23/sheeps-blood-provides-rattlesnake-anti-venom/1576314

Blessings Margaret 

Dr Brian Ardis hypothesis about snake venom has created some controversy. If in the end of the day it is found to have some substance, we know God has gone ahead by providing through the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God, our full salvation which we can enter into by faith.

A few days ago I was standing in line at the grocery store waiting to check out, so I opened my phone to read a message that had just come in from my friend Mike. The subject line was The Epistle of Paul (McAree). Mike wrote, with his inimitable wit and insight……..

Hi Paul.

Thanks for posting the video of the above mentioned. Twenty and six years ago we met Paul in a restaurant in New Hope. As Ruth was just a few weeks pregnant with Ellie, Paul commented that she was the skinniest pregnant woman he’d ever met. As we said our goodbyes and look-forward -to-seeing-you-agains…Paul would affirm each future hope with “God willing.” I know he borrowed this phrase from the book of James, but he said it with a smile & an ardent conviction that made me realize he knew this experientially. So I started saying it too. He set a fine example…my experience would catch up.😊

But when I watched the video I didn’t recognize the distinguished grey haired gent because in my mind he still had a full head of whatever color hair it was back then. (The only other thing I know about Paul is that Hilary nearly killed him with oregano but he seems to have gotten over that. Even if it did turn his beard white)

As I listened to his abridged life story, I was compelled by it. He is every bit a living epistle! (which is the serving suggestion given by that “other” Paul) Paul McAree: A true “mensch” in every sense of the word. As moving as the rescue story is, I would have been just as moved had it not been included. His ministry is inspiring. His words are eloquent and his humility is genuine. The decision to follow Jesus has paid big dividends on this side of the world to come and will have greater rewards on the other side. The LORD has certainly exalted him in due season. This man is like the finest aged whiskey and his bottle is about to be opened for all to savor. If I ever do see him again, I will extend to him the heartiest of handshakes. Every quarter century or so I get encouraged by his object lesson on how to walk with God. I wonder what’s next?😊

Feel free to forward this to him if you think it will give him a boost. Even righteous dudes need a little shot in the arm occasionally.

McCabe!

As I glanced up I noticed in front of me at the Checkout, the above edition of National Geographic on the magazine rack. “How appropriate!” I thought, and snapped it!

The life of Jesus, The Good Shepherd, is now illustrated to the world through his disciples ….like Paul.

As was apparent from the setting in which Paul gave his powerful testimony he is Catholic. My blog readership is very broad, including people from Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox churches as well as many with no denominational affiliation. I realized that in the last blog with Dr Brian Ardis, the Pope was not painted in a good light. I wondered how some of my Catholic readers might respond.

On Thursday I received the “Renewal Ministries” newsletter in the mail. We have known Ralph and Ann Martin for nearly 40 years. They stayed with us when they were in Belfast in the 80’s to lead a F.I.R.E. rally (Faith. Intercession. Repentance. Evangelization.)…. and trace their ancestors in the depths of County Cavan : – )

As I opened it, I noticed it was a special edition focusing on “The Shepherds.”

I flicked through the newsletter, then went to Youtube, where the title of a recent podcast caught my attention. So I tuned in to listen.

Ralph was expressing grave concern about some recent developments in the Catholic church. A Cardinal who had recently been promoted by the Pope to a very influential position was talking about the need to change the Church’s teaching on homosexual union to adapt to the times! Ralph talked about how disastrous this would be for the Church. He then quoted Benedict XV as saying that the church would indeed lose it’s standing in society, it’s money, it’s buildings and it’s people and then Ralph said ‘We’re heading toward a division because God is gathering A REMNANT that’s really faithful, that’s really committed.”

What grabbed my attention was not only Ralph’s words, but what was in the background in the recording, even at one point, unwittingly pointing to it……..

Yes! It is exactly the same icon that I had photographed the previous day in connection with Paul McAree’s testimony at the top of this post! This is the Christ Pantocrator, the most important Christian icon depicting Christ as ‘The World’s Sovereign Ruler.’

Notice the text where Ralph is quoting is from Psalm 2 which I did a blog series on some time ago. Here is the next caption………..

The final caption I captured to end on a most hopeful note was this……..

Although we may not agree on every detail of doctrine, it is our living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ who oversees every detail of life, that will unite us as A REMNANT drawn from all walks of humanity to become in our united love for Him and one another, a ‘motley crew’ indeed, but a shining illustration of The Good Shepherd.

This weekend, we are reminded of how our confidence is based not only on our Shepherd’s Goodness but on his Greatness. “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep.” (Heb.13:20)

On Thursday the WW4K** also met and watched and discussed the Brian Ardis interview. The verses we were lead to conclude on were these from Mark 16…
¹⁵ He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.¹⁶ Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. ¹⁷ And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; ¹⁸ they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

God is indeed bringing good out of evil as we go forth in the authority of our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ‘The World’s Sovereign Ruler’ to proclaim this Good and Great News!

…….as we become the icon

**Warriors of the Word for the King. (or 4 Kyles….. three grandsons (11)(12)(13) and me)