10/30/2025
"How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on,
when in your heart you begin to understand...there is no going
back? There are some things that time cannot mend.
Some hurts that go too deep...that have taken hold."
Frodo Baggins
Considering Tolkien again - The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Listening to comments made by characters in books and plays by well-spoken gentlemen of earlier years, brings my own deeper thoughts to my remembrance. In the quiet hours of night, after my son goes quietly off to bed, I have only the cacophony of his raucous snores and the serenading bull frogs to inspire my creativity in writing. Then there's Mia's softer snoring and her occasional sharp retort.
Tonight we had eight ladies in attendance at my group meeting, including myself. That's pretty good, as attendance has been less sporadic lately. The discussion was about maintaining one's cool when trials and tests come, as they surely will come. The enemy tries to destroy our faith and peace while God allows tests and trials to build our faith and trust in Him. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego serve as examples of demonstrating great faith when they were cast into the fiery furnace for disobeying Nebuchadnezzar's mandate to bow down to a statute of himself. Earlier, after Daniel and his friends were exiled to Babylon, they were put to the test immediately. King Nebuchadnezzar chose the young, handsome, and intelligent men to be prepared for his service, and as part of preparation to meet the king they had daily food requirements including being fed the best and richest foods. Daniel and his friends were not used to this type of food, so they requested a simple diet of vegetables and water. Daniel found favor with the chief eunuch in charge of their care, so he persuaded him to feed them their diet on a trial basis for comparison. He did, and the Lord blessed the young men for choosing to put Him first. Throughout the story of their exile in Babylon, Daniel and his friends found favor in the eyes of their overseers and the king, because they continued to put God first, and when recognized for a service and promoted, they gave credit to God.
God used Babylon to punish Israel for her disobedience to Him, just as He said He would, but He also used those whom He allowed to punish and take Israel into exile, to bring His people back and to foot the bill. He used King Cyrus of Persia to allow the return of those who had been exiled to return to Jerusalem for the rebuilding of the temple. Later on King Artaxerxes allowed Nehemiah, his cupbearer, to return to Jerusalem to build up the walls around the city that had been destroyed by invading armies of Babylon previously. All of this had been detailed in scripture, as well as the current return of the Jewish people who were scattered across the globe. The return of the modern day "exiles" is called aliyah, and God is calling His people back to Israel, even in the midst of the present day crises. Biblical prophecy is playing out before our eyes, although there has been much confusion in the church and in the secular world about everything that is happening in Israel and the Middle East. God is a covenant-keeping God, and He is fulfilling His promises made to the patriarchs of the faith.
Finally, Hamas has returned all the living hostages, but they are failing to return the deceased citizens, as they agreed to do in the treaty. We look forward to the day when all have been returned, so the families and all of Israel can begin to go forward with their lives. As Christians we know that the only one who can bring restoration is King Jesus, but, sadly, many do not know that the Messiah has already come, and they do not accept Jesus as Savior. So we continue to stand on the wall of intercession, and we pray for their salvation and for the Arab nations as well. Only God can bring healing and restoration, but it is coming. And Jesus's return is imminent.
Frodo's thoughts posted above about returning to life, picking up the pieces, has certain validity. Frodo knew that his life would never be the same, because of the price paid in order to receive freedom for the others. Everyone else could adjust over time, or set off for new horizons, but for Frodo and others, the story ends, at least in that world. Looking at the circumstances existing in our nation and in the world, how does one pick up the pieces or even continue on?
Since Charlie Kirk's murder Turning Point USA has grown exponentially overnight, yet Erika and her children have a greater adjustment to make. Knowing her determination to continue Charlie's legacy, Erika will do wonderfully, especially with the support she is getting from so many people who loved Charlie and supported the ministry. Personally, in the quiet times, it will be harder, but they had a unique marriage, one truly made in heaven, so she has those blessed memories to cling to, giving her strength.
In Israel, God will ensure that she lands on her feet, because the Jewish people are His chosen people, with whom He has a covenant, and He always keeps His covenants. Those nations who stand with Israel will be blessed, according to the Word of God, but those countries who continue to curse Israel by turning their backs on her and withdrawing support, will not go unpunished. In fact over the years if one looks at history closely, there are many examples of events where nations acting against Israel have already been punished. I won't go into that now, but suffice it to say, there are no coincidences with God.
Right now, our beloved nation of America is going through perilous times, and unless the church wakes up and stands up, we are in for even rougher days. This is not my assumption, but it is scriptural. I am not afraid, because I am a servant of the most high God, and Jesus is my Savior and Lord, but for those who do not yet know Him, or those who do not truly serve Him, their lives hang in the valley of decision. There are so many lies, so much deception, and so many people, including professing Christians, are not seeking to find out the truth for themselves. The truth is being exposed, with evidence noted, so that anyone can find out the facts for themselves. Ironically, not many choose to look for themselves, rather they listen to the cover ups of social media, newspapers, and naysayers. This government shut down is a case in point. Please wake up, America.
As for me, my life has been greatly changed over the years, transformed thanks to my decision to follow Jesus, putting God first in my life, no matter what anyone else says or thinks. No, I am steadfast in my stand, and I invite anyone who truly wants to be free, to seek Him while He may be found. Therein lies peace that transcends all understanding! Selah.
