My neighbor's a super-hero

Hi Mike,

Guess you’re getting ready to go soon now, huh?

Well…you’ve been getting ready for a long time. What’s it been, some 15 years or so, you’ve been fightin’ with a heart that just wants to quit?

I want you to know it’s been a real pleasure—an honor—getting to know you.

Roxy and I are thankful you and Brenda moved in, and God allowed us to be neighbors…friends.

You fought hard, like a real super hero. You did the right things, even when no one was looking, even when it hurt. You got up and went to church—when most folks would stay in bed. You took care of yourself, ate right and exercised…and yet, here you are, on a hospice bed in the middle of your living room, with an oxygen mask indenting your cheeks.

And I think things like, it’s just not fair.

But you say words like, “When the doctors are through, and there’s no more they can do, then…I’ll go bye-bye.” You lift a little smile, like it’s no big deal. And I’m always impressed every time you do.

You’ve lived in today, while being packed and ready to step into tomorrow—that always impressed me about you, too.

You and Brenda were forever bringing treats for the kids and little gifts for us—wish we could’ve shared some of that last pecan pie you bought. But, I ate your share, and mine. You’ve spoiled us…and wore a path from your house, and heart, to ours.

Thanks for hanging out in the carport while I worked on that old fixer-upper boat. I saw the smile under your oxygen mask every time I’d make a stupid joke—thanks for that, too.

We spent last Christmas morning playing chess in a hospital room—don’t tell my family, but I can’t remember a better Christmas. 

Remember the other day when you said, “I’m not gonna make it.”?

Well, my friend, you’ve already have made it. You’ve lived a Godly life, raised a family and loved your wife.

You told me you’d never make it ‘til Friday, ‘til when all you kids could come. 

Well…Mike, my friend. I just looked out the window and saw a car drive up in front of your house and the last of your kids are piling out.

They drove all night—700 miles. Guess what? It’s Friday. They’re here. You made it. Well done.

Oh, and one more thing, if you don’t mind… when the time comes for you to go bye-bye, please tell God, that I said…“Thanks.”

Am I just seeing things...or was it a sign?

While you were sleeping, I was typing. I woke with questions running through my head.

If you want someone to find you, what do you do?

Give them directions, right?

What do you find on every road?

Road signs, right?

How do you find your gate at the airport?

Follow the signs, right?

Signs make sense.

So, if God wanted us to find Him, it’d make sense that He’d want to put up some signs, right?

A road builder puts signs along the road for all to see.

But, where would a world builder put a sign for all to see?

My guess is—the sky.

It’s not just a guess, either. I know it’s true…because He told me. He told you too.

“And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for appointed times and for days and years” (Genesis 1:14)

“He appointed the moon for times and seasons...” (Psalm 104:19)

I said all that to say the following. I think I saw a sign. I didn’t mean to. It was an accident. I didn’t even know I saw it until I woke up in the middle of the night...and what I saw came back to me.

I had skimmed right past the minor detail, hidden in the article. But now, I think, perhaps it might not be so minor after all, perhaps it's a sign—a warning sign. (Don't get hung up on the headline because it's not where I'm going with this.)  

'Obama Army' Deploys To Tel Aviv To Topple Netanyahu

V15 (Victory 2015) is a group founded by Nimrod Dweck, and is backed by a group called, One Voice. They have hired a consulting firm, composed of staffers from President Obama’s re-election campaign, to defeat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Did you see it? Wait—first, let’s talk about something more obvious.

Take a look at a few things piling up on each other in the next few weeks.

• On March 3^rd Bibi (Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu) is to give a speech to United States Congress regarding America and Israel’s enemies, specifically Iran. (The President & staff plan to skip this meeting.)
• March 4^th  Fast of Esther (Day enemies planned to destroy Israel)
• March 5^th  Purim (Day Israel achieved victory over enemies)
• March 17^th  Israel election
• March 20^th -21^st (sunset to sunset): Solar Eclipse (1 Nisan—Jewish New Year)
• April 3^rd Blood Moon—Passover

Much has been written about these fascinating signs in the sky, so I’ll just mention that the Solar Eclipse on Jewish New Year and the Blood Moon on Passover are only two, in the middle of multiple signs in the sky, which have, and will appear, coinciding with Jewish Holidays in 2014-2015.

In the meantime back on earth…

Did you see the sign in the article above? Let me break it down.

Nimrod backed by 'One Voice.'

Where have we heard that before?

Do you remember Nimrod in the Bible? Noah’s great grandson. Isn’t he the guy who built the tower of Babel—where the people were of one language, one voice?

Nimrod is introduced in Genesis immediately preceding God's call of Abraham from among the Gentiles to bring him into the Promised Land.

Does history echo?

I did a little research at Biblehub.com and found that Babel originally meant "the gate of God," but afterwards, because of the judgment the Lord inflicted, it came to mean "Confusion." 

Nimrod's ambition was to establish a world-empire, one world government…sound familiar? Theologians claim Nimrod was a type of antichrist with his desire to raise his throne to the heavens. Historians say he was ruthless and brutal in his quest for fame and blatant defiance of The Creator.

I find it interesting that The Holy Spirit inserts record of Nimrod right before the inspired account of God bringing Abraham into The Promise Land. As if drawing a map of what was to come, by HIS divine destruction described in the words, “Let US go down and confound their language.” Confound their one-voice.

You’ve likely heard it said that the world revolves around Israel. God is spinning HIS-tory around dealing with Israel.

Now, please bear with me as I step out on a limb.

If Nimrod represents antichrist and Bibi represents Israel, the headline above could be broken down to read: 

Nimrod army against Israel

Babel against Israel

Antichrist against God

Is the mention of nimrod, one voice, Signs in the Heavens, coincidence?

Or, could it be, The Voice crying in the wilderness, “Prepare ye the way of the LORD.”

 “And I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth—
    blood and fire and columns of smoke.
The sun will become dark,
    and the moon will turn blood red
    before that great and terrible day of the Lord arrives.”
But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
    will be saved…” (Joel 2:30-32)

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~

Why, The Voice, broke the rules

Doug, I have a question about, The Voice

Okay—shoot.

Why’d you break the rules?

What rules?

You’re supposed to capitalize proper nouns.

I did.

No…you didn’t.

Whaddya mean?

You didn’t capitalize some of the names.

What names?

All the ones related to the demonic realm.

Didn’t you say I should capitalize proper nouns?

Yes.

Well…they ain’t nowhere near proper.

Soul repairman

Cowboy boots dangled at my side, hanging from a finger looped through each pull—that’s the loop thingy sown to the top of the boot to help pull them on.

   

“Let’s check the directory.” Roxy pointed at the lighted sign in the middle of the food court.

“Nope. Nothing listed. Maybe I was wrong.” I looked across the mall corridor. “Let’s ask in there.” I pointed at one of those franchise shoe stores.

“Yep, it’s that way—” the shoe store clerk pointed—“straight across from the jewelry store.”  

“I knew I saw one in here…there it is, David Clark Shoe Repair.”  

A small black man greeted us with a smile so big it lifted his glasses. His hands were calloused leather.

I handed him my boots. The leather soles were worn clean through in the middle, and the heels looked like they’d been filed off at an angle. If those soles were souls, I’d know exactly how they felt.

That’s when I noticed the sign.

JESUS, GRANT THAT I MAY NOT CRITICIZE MY NEIGHBOR UNTIL I HAVE WALKED A MILE IN HIS SHOES

I loved it—and I told him so.

His glasses raised again behind laughing eyes. “What the world needs is more lovin’ Jesus. That would change everything.”

Roxy started reading the other signs taped to the wall behind the counter. They were hand written on simple typing paper—all were encouraging words of wisdom. “Can I take a picture of those?” She asked.

“Sure. Come on back here so you can get closer.”

She did.

I picked up his business card, it read:

 David Clark Shoe Repair

Repair * Build-up * Modifications

    JESUS LOVES YOU

Before we were through we found out he was from where I was born, Muncie Indiana. He’d helped teach about feet at Ball State, where my dad had gone to college. He told us how he invested years caring for his aging parents, and finally moved to Florida to care for the man that had been his mentor. And repairing soles, is the only hobby he’s ever had.

He told us he’d have the soles repaired by early next week. 

I can hardly wait ‘cuz there’s just something about him. I’ve got a feeling he repairs, builds-up and modifies more than just the soles on boots. 

So, if you ever find yourself soul worn weary, be encouraged because, in the middle of the mall, there’s a simple little shop, and a man with calloused hands and a tender heart that has the answer.

 “What the world needs is more lovin’ Jesus. That would change everything.”