JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum Prophecy anyone?

I think it's like this John,
I found the Pope to be meddlesome in the affairs of nations and their borders.
Particularly when the Vatican has walls, gates and doors, and the most luxuriant art and architecture collection in the world...I think.

But I understand looking out for all peoples on a planet where "God sees no borders."
And I understand the Popes's pursuit of those ideals.
And I understand that if he did not do that, he would not stand for much else.
And I understand that his intent (Aristotle) is benevolent.

But not Tony and MTG.
The zealots who want the world purged by God with fire of what they deem evil.
And they can't wait for it to happen.

And MTG can't even let a man who is the symbol of something greater for 1 billion people lay quietly in a coffin without an undercut.

There is no such thing as compromise, gentlemen...
There is only Truth, and everything else.

Consequently, there are only two kinds of people.

Hate me all you want... I don't care.

No one hates you Tony.
I know you wish we would because that adds cred to your zealous persona, but I don't hate you and John dont seem the type to hate anyone.
You'll have to hate us instead.

And I agree with you about the truth, but not about compromise.

Marty

Dirk Willems was an Anabaptist martyr from Asperen, Netherlands, who lived in the 16th century. His story is particularly famous and revered within Mennonite and Amish traditions due to an act of compassion he showed towards his pursuer.

Here's a breakdown of his life and the events leading to his martyrdom:

Anabaptist Beliefs: Dirk Willems was an Anabaptist, a radical Protestant movement that believed in adult baptism, the separation of church and state, and non-violence. These beliefs were considered heretical by the Catholic Church, which was the dominant religious and political power in the Netherlands at the time, leading to severe persecution of Anabaptists.
Imprisonment and Escape: In 1569, Dirk Willems was arrested for his Anabaptist faith and imprisoned in a castle in Asperen. He managed to escape by making a rope out of rags and lowering himself from a window onto the frozen moat surrounding the castle.
The Act of Compassion: As Dirk Willems fled across the ice, he was pursued by a "thief-catcher" (a type of guard or law enforcement officer). However, the ice broke under the weight of his pursuer, and the guard fell into the freezing water, crying for help as he was in danger of drowning.
Returning to Help: Despite his own precarious situation and the risk of being recaptured and facing certain death, Dirk Willems turned back to rescue his pursuer. He helped the guard out of the icy water, saving his life.
Recapture and Martyrdom: Although the guard was initially inclined to let Dirk Willems go due to this act of kindness, the burgomaster (mayor) insisted that the guard uphold his oath and rearrested Willems. Dirk Willems was then imprisoned in a church tower under stricter conditions.
Trial and Sentence: Dirk Willems refused to recant his Anabaptist beliefs. He was tried and condemned by a council of seven judges for "persisting obstinately in his opinion" against infant baptism, holding unlawful religious gatherings, and rebaptizing adults.
Execution: On May 16, 1569, Dirk Willems was executed by being burned at the stake outside Asperen. It is said that a strong east wind blew the flames away from his upper body, prolonging his suffering. His cries of agony were reportedly heard in the nearby village of Leerdam. Moved by his suffering, a sheriff ordered the executioner to end his life quickly.
Significance:

The story of Dirk Willems is a powerful example of Christian love, compassion, and the Anabaptist commitment to non-resistance, even in the face of persecution. His willingness to risk his own freedom and life to save his enemy has made him a highly respected figure in Mennonite and Amish history. He is remembered for embodying the teachings of Jesus, particularly the command to love one's enemies.

Legacy:

Dirk Willems is prominently featured in the Martyrs Mirror, a significant book documenting the stories of Christian martyrs, particularly Anabaptists.
He is considered a folk hero in his hometown of Asperen, even among non-Mennonites. A street in Asperen is named after him.
A historical drama based on his life, Dirk's Exodus, was written in 1989.
In 2018, a statue of Dirk Willems was unveiled at the Mennonite Heritage Village museum in Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada.
His story continues to be shared and serves as an inspiring example of faith and unconditional love within Anabaptist communities worldwide.
It's important to note that while there is a "Coolea Cheese" from Ireland that uses a very old Dutch Gouda recipe, there is no direct historical link established between this cheese and Dirk Willems himself. The connection seems to be the Dutch origin of the Gouda recipe.

https://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=15005840

There's a calm on my face
But there's a lion in my cage
Biding time for my rage

The whip stings, body's tired
As the brand glows in the fire
Putrid smoke rising higher

I face the Eastern sky
My faith will never die
Can't blame me, can't change me
No no no
I will survive
Aaaah...
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done
Aaaah...
I stand... unyielding

My prison stands on a hill
A faded icon tests my will
But freedom's heart is beating still

There's a calm on my face
And a lion in my cage
Biding time for my rage

I face the Eastern sky...

Sweat stings my eyes
Back bent against the sun
The trumpet sounds
Prophecy fulfilled
Armageddon has begun

I face the Eastern sky...

It just writes itself...
https://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=15017764

Politicians and their ambitions
Pride all over their faces
Assume dominion over public opinion
Evil in high places
Playing fools and changing rules
But their lies never bind
Till they lose a mile in my shoes
I’ve got better things in mind
I’ve got something else on my mind…

Gender bender, how d’you figure
I should be ashamed
I simply favor mother nature
And don’t care who’s to blame
Play your part like a work of art
Yeah', we all know your kind
I disagree so stay away from me
I’ve got something else on my mind
I've got something else on my mind….

Now, pay attention... children
It’s all just mental masturbation
Once you pay for your
Ivy league indoctrination

Some ragged raisin in the sun
Tryin’ to change the way I live
Preachin’ submission to a god
That’s all take and no give
Pardon me and my sanity
But I must decline
Bring your war to my front door you'll find
Something else on my mind

Don't worry, it's all part of the plan

https://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=15021436

I’m done preaching, nobody’s listening
Guess I’ll write another song
Antiquated laurels for yesterday’s morals
Who will miss them when they’re gone…

Friends in need and gods of greed
No freedom to choose
Living for sake of a prayer too late
With nothing left to lose

If salvation is yesterday’s news
Then ignorance is no excuse

We take too much credit
We redefine the truth
We sell freedom for profit
And give the Devil his due

Eternal trust in a spec of dust
This universe we roam
Given freely but owned completely
No safe place to call home

I’m done preaching, nobody’s listening
The wheat is choked by chaff
No laurels for yesterday’s morals
Guess who treads the grapes of wrath…

You can sell your soul but do the math
Dig your hole, man’s pride never lasts

We take too much credit...

Heavenly Father
I failed again today
The world is going to Hell
And I have nothing left to say

Lord Jesus
I'm all alone again
I face the day in your name
But no one sees a stupid man

Holy Spirit
I believe in prayer
My brother scoffs and spurns me
Judging me for my behavior

Dear trinity of eternity
I've never seen a miracle
My neighbor thinks I'm crazy
My enemy just laughs at me
I bow my head, I close my eyes
And faithfully question why
Love... Why love

God, please tell me
What's the point of living
There's no everlasting hope
Or holy saint to forgive me

The Devil's laughing
Gloating in hypocrisy
I'm a cringe-worthy cliché
Condemned for my honesty

Judge them, Lord
They know precisely what they've done

Dear trinity of eternity...
Why love

Well you stay steadfast in religion , I'll say that , sounds good

He's failed alot more often than today.

This could be a long one

God, please tell me
What's the point of living
There's no everlasting hope
Or holy saint to forgive me

I think about this every day .

A philosophy called nillisn...which says, why does existence even matter, when we remember nothing..

For example, George Washington has no idea he ever existed, that he was first president of the United State s, that he pioneered America.

He's just gone. It's a pulverizing thought

= Israel / Iran =

My money's on Israel!

a portion of a book i will probably never be happy enough with to call it finished...

He wondered “Why are there earthquakes, mudslides, volcanos, and storms that kill and hurt so many people? How could a loving God make those happen? Why wouldn’t he prevent them?””

As he formulated this question, he was oblivious to a nearby gardener. The gardener was turning over the soil in a flower bed. In the process, some worms were killed by the gardener’s shovel. The gardener did not mean to hurt the worms, he was merely loosening the soil to make the flower bed better suited for worms to live in.

Another question formed in Fred’s mind. “How can mankind be a creation of God, when mankind is so far from perfect? So hateful, so putrid, so amazingly and incredibly far from perfect.”

He was oblivious to another gardener that was tending to rose bushes. None of the roses had flowers yet, only thorns. But some had buds that would some day become roses.

As a tag on question, Fred asked “and how can a god that represents goodness allow so many truly evil rotten people to exist. What purpose could that possibly have?”

He was oblivious to another gardener that was spreading manure in a flower bed.

He was oblivious to a potter making a vase. The vase would be beautiful sometime in the future, but right now it was still an ugly blob of clay.

and people who have no choice to be evil, they simply are just wired that way

I grew up near a guy who was a little league coach, he was revered for the kind of teacher and mentor he was.

He had three sons who didn't play who were all bad druggies, trouble makers, fight starters, in and out of jail.

You wonder how, it certainly wasn't a nurture problem, it was a nature problem.

I have a thousand questions like that. Never get anywhere, cause I want to believe, so I ignore logic in favor of hope

............

Russia and China are laughably offering to mediate for peace between Israel and Iran... Who's next? The UN?

I recall all the stories
That have blessed so many lives
Now holy destiny manifests
Right before my eyes

The desert blooms by His hand
The ancient bones dance again
A rising lion in the sand
Right before my eyes

The bible is unfolding right before our eyes, especially Revelation, but most don't see it because they don't read the bible.

I read the Word and watch the news
I write a song with my guitar
I see the mystery of eternity
In the sun, In the moon, In the stars
Right before my eyes

I recall all the stories
That have blessed so many lives
Now holy destiny manifests its glory
Right before my eyes

The desert blooms by His hand
The dusty bones dance again
A rising lion in the sand
Right before my eyes

I read the Word and watch the news
I write a song with my guitar
I see the mystery of eternity
In the sun, In the moon, In the stars
Right before my eyes

History and prophetic verse
Ancient proof for the wise
A Holy God keeps His promise
Right before my eyes

Those who only sow confusion
Suffer from a strong delusion
And refuse to hear, refuse to see

I read the Word and watch the news
I write a song with my guitar
I see the mystery of eternity
In the sun, In the moon, In the stars
Right before my eyes

Well good I'm tired of working and paying bills to survive , I hope it ends before rent is due again
I don't see Trump doing anything but ruining the economy .I'm old and tired of being taxed , The billion -airs are getting away with fraud with high power lawyers , while middle class suffer , I've read the Bible several times , Some events line up with revelations. I hope Trump gets rid of the IRS , But I doubt it . Businesses are afraid to invest over Trumps Tariffs. I see nothing religious over business aspects on 2025 fiscally .

I thought you sold your guitar...?

Revelation is a hard book to understand but it is mostly telling what will and is happening in the last days. The Babylon talked about could be the USA and /or the church of Rome. The bible is based mostly around the Jewish nation of Israel, they are God's chosen people to deliver the Gospel to the world, but they failed to do so, that is why God blinded them spiritually, they are still looking for their Messiah, which is Jesus but they didn't recognize Him and had Him crucified, but He rose three days later, He will be returning when the time is right, which is about now. Jesus told the signs to watch for when He would be returning, those signs are happening now.

I did what's that got to do with the Bible ?

https://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=15043441

I read the Word and watch the news
I write a song with my guitar
I see the mystery of eternity
In the sun, moon, and stars
Right before my eyes

I recall all the stories
That have blessed so many lives
Holy destiny manifests its glory
Right before my eyes

The desert blooms by His hand
The dusty bones dance again
A rising lion in the sand
Right before my eyes

I read the Word and watch the news
I write a song with my guitar
I see the mystery of eternity
In the sun, moon, and stars
Right before my eyes

History and prophetic verse
Ancient proof for the wise
A Holy God keeps His promises
Right before my eyes

Those who only sow confusion
Suffer from a strong delusion
And refuse to hear, refuse to see

I read the Word and watch the news
I write a song with my guitar
I see the mystery of eternity
In the sun, moon, and stars
Right before my eyes

Good song, I'm not into rock but the Gospel needs to be heard in all genres, keep writing.

Thanks, Everett.

Question;
If 70% of the population identifies as Christian, then why isn't there a music category more accessible and mainstream than "Gospel"?

Sometimes I think Christians are guilty of allowing themselves to be labeled and stigmatized by a minority of people who just don't know or care.

Church is obviously not the only place I enjoy music... It's also not the only place I pray... or try to be charitable...

I'm Christian 24/7/365... but I'm not always "Gospel" lol 😎

I may not be Gospel... but I try to be "Christian Friendly"

Gospel means good new, so Gospel music can and does come in many genres. I write it in country, bluegrass and Southern, others write it in genres that they like in secular music, the lyrics is the message and it is good news. The main purpose of Christian music is to tell about Jesus and what He did for mankind on Calvary. It has a darker side that tells what Satan does to oppose God's plan of salvation. A Gospel song is really a short sermon set to music which people will happily sing over and over, while they will not listen to a spoken sermon over and over. Music styles change over the years but the word of God does not change, but it can be delivered in up to date music styles.Churches will use music that suit their members. Somber churches will not likely play country style Gospel music, even if the Gospel message is contained. We all have different tastes when it comes to music, but the Gospel (good news) message is for all people, just delivered in different music style.

Christian rock like the radio channel K-love sticks to good news of the Bible
https://www.klove.com. From the ones I've heard its mostly conversational lyrics
Where as your song, in leans more on poetry. I guess it depends how you were raised on believing the Bible. Death and taxes is the only 2 things that happens to all of us. I can only listen to religious songs so much , They are a dreamlike and Bible concepts , while reality dictates the real world and how we exist from day to day. They are a comfort zone for 3 minutes from the harsh reality's of life . The genre it self is just as competitive as secular music in the real music business world .My Jesus song is better that your Jesus song judged by music peers and what's going to be on radio.

You are right, some Christian artists are in it mainly for the money, they produce high quality music and perform live with all the bells and whistles that secular artist do, but are they really touching hearts for Jesus. Sometimes a simple song, simply sung with the right message will touch a soul for God. So who is successful in God's eyes.