Revelation 1:7 Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him. Even so. Amen.
Colossians 4:5–6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Featuring Christine Clarity McDonald
Christine has been recognized by the Missouri House of Representative for outstanding civil service in the state of Missouri. She is an advocate for Mental Health Champions.
Human trafficking is a topic that has been making its way into the mainstream over the last several years. The awareness of this issue is greatly rising, and that is certainly good. As awareness about human trafficking and other marginalized populations—such as the homeless, addicted, and mentally ill—has risen, so has the impulse to address these real problems. People want to know how to help. They want to make a difference.
I have read a number of books about how to help the homeless, the commercially exploited, the prostituted, and those generally marginalized. Some have been written by authors who share their own journey out of these places of darkness and hopelessness. The majority, however, have not.
Most of the literature that exists in this field fails to inform and educate people from an insider perspective. The authors of most of these books do not write from personal experience. They haven’t felt the desperation of trying to find something to grasp hold of to continue living. They haven’t faced the barriers put up by service providers that prevent them from receiving services. They haven’t experienced the social and spiritual disenfranchisements that can occur. While they are well–meaning, I haven’t found these particular books accurate in their depictions, nor were their “helping” suggestions all that helpful.
The need for something more true–to–life has stirred in my heart. It is something I have prayed about often. Perhaps a book on this subject should be written by someone who has walked in the very shoes of those we are trying to help. If we can see and understand the journeys the forgotten and overlooked have walked, then we can better understand the rejection, hurt, and struggles they face when people attempt to reach out to them.
And so I find myself writing this book, sharing pieces of my journey and the stories of others I encountered on my journey, to help the world better understand the thoughts, feelings, and struggles of those who have been exploited and marginalized in our society.
“Love your neighbor… ALL of ’em!” -Christine “Clarity” McDonald
These are the main constellations of the Mazzaroth. Major stars and the meaning of the star’s names are completed within the constellation.
Virgo, The Seed of the Woman
– Spica = the Branch
Libra, The Required Price Paid
– Zuben alChemali = the price which is deficient
– Zuben alGenubi = the price which covers
Scorpio, The Mortal Conflict
– Antares = the wounding
Decan to Scorpio is Ophiuchus,
– Ras El Hagus = He who holds
Sagittarius, The Final Triumph
– Naim = the Gracious One
Capricorn, Life out of Death
– Al Gedi = Cut off
– Dabih = the Sacrifice slain
Aquarius, Blessing out of Victory
– Sadalmelik = the Record of the pouring out
– Sadalsuud = He who pours out
– Sheat = Who goes and returns
Pisces, Deliverance out of Bondage
– Okda = the United
– Alsamaca = the Upheld
Aries, The Sacrifice, Glory out of Humiliation
– Elnath = wounded, slain
– Sheretan = bruised
– Mesartim = the bound
Taurus, His Glorious Coming
– Al Deberan = the Govenor
Orion, Coming forth as Light
– Betelgeuse = The Coming of the Branch
– Rigel = The Foot that Crushes
– Bellatrix = Quickly Coming, Swiftly Destroying
(Note Orion is a decan constellation)
Gemini, His Rule on Earth
– Pollux = Wounded, Afflicted
– Castor = Ruler, Judge
Leo, His Enemies Destroyed
– Regulus = Treading Underfoot
– Denebola = The Judge who Comes
– Algiebha = The Exhaltation
It’s interesting to note that Ophiuchus, the decan to Scorpio, is restraining the serpent with his heel on the scorpion. The star Antares meaning wounding is the foot of Ophiuchus and the head of Scorpio.
Also, Sagittarius the archer’s arrow is pointed at the heart of Scorpio.
Maybe meant to be part of the same since they share a major star and this prophecy.
Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise Him on the heel.
Ezekiel 38:1-3 The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him and say, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.
Ezekiel 38:6 Gomer and all his hordes; Beth-Togarmah from the uttermost parts of the north with all his hordes—many peoples are with you.
The brothers of Magog (Meshech, Gomer, and Tubal) appear to point to modern day Turkey.
For more evidence pointing to modern day Turkey, see the link below.
The strategically important nation of Turkey is in Trouble; big Trouble! Turkey has threatened to invade Greece, has threatened Cyprus and oil explorers Exxon Mobil, Eni, and France’s Total for exploring in the Mediterranean; going so far as to threaten to sink oil rigs and Hydrocarbon Survey ships before the US 6thFleet intervened.
Turkey has invaded Syria and attacked the Kurds in Iraq as recently as last June. The Government of Erdogan seems to be searching for an external enemy; a classic diversion from an Economic Decline that may be inevitable.
You do not talk nice enough and do not give us enough respect; you are so mean to us! We may not pay the money we owe you and it’s YOUR fault!
Turkey is in trouble economically as it’s currency, the Turkish Lira, plummets in value causing massive internal inflation as the prices of raw materials, energy, and of course food and gasoline skyrocket. A plummeting Lira means more than just higher and higher prices for the populace, it means more Lira are needed to pay back International Loans denominated in US Dollars. The Lira dropped almost 20% Friday August 10th; Turkey owes $240 Billion US Dollars.
The decline of the Turkish Lira makes repayment more and more difficult. The US Dollar exchange reached a high of 6.43 Lira to the dollar; a loss of 40% so far this year. Loan repayment has jumped 40% in just 8 months!!!! The Turkish Sovereign 10 year bond has hit a record of 20.67% from 11.5% in January.
Rising rates are a direct indicator of Market Risk. Mr. Market is stating Turkey will struggle to pay it’s Debt. These loans are never repaid, just rolled over; 20%+ is definitely a danger zone! Turkey has defaulted and not paid it’s debt 5 times in the last 100 years. A Turkish default will rock the Global Economy and hit the European Banks particularly hard. Italian Banks have been in the news recently and not in a good way; 20% are reported to be struggling with solvency. Deutsche Bank of Germany has recently closed offices and furloughed 10,000 employees; none can easily afford Sovereign Debt losses. These are Systemically Important Financial Institutions! A Turkish default or even the thought of a default should send shivers down your spine.
An authoritative ruler who has replaced the head of the Central Bank with his son-in-law, who is threatening neighboring nations, who is threatening the US, who has a crumbling domestic economy that is heavily debt ridden may be looking for an excuse to blame others and not repay those that have wronged him. You do not talk nice enough and do not give us enough respect; you are so mean to us! We may not pay the money we owe you and it’s YOUR fault! Pay attention! Everything is connected. Turmoil will cause the US Dollar to get stronger; maybe a lot stronger!
Ezekiel 38:13 Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish with all its villages will say to you, ‘Have you come to capture spoil? Have you assembled your company to seize plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to capture great spoil?
Turkey’s economy is struggling for the reasons stated above. Sanctions against Iran are taking their toll on their economy. The Iranian currency continues to get pummeled against the US dollar. American economic sanctions against Russia are taking a bite out of their economy.
Ezekiel says Russia and its cohorts invade Israel for economic reason. Five times in Ezekiel 38:13, verbs of the verse indicate taking goods from Israel.
‘Have you come to capture spoil? Have you assembled your company to seize plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to capture great spoil?
With struggling economies of the modern day countries involved, Ezekiel’s prophecy is making more sense every day…
Using manipulation & guilt to control someone doesn’t make that person strong, it makes them an insecure weak jerk. God didn’t make you to be controlled. Do not allow anyone to have that power over you. Control does not equal love.
Not everyone will be for you & that’s okay. Do not give them or their words power over you. Their assumptions do not define you at all.
Those that love you & matter see you for who you truly are. Be happy in that. You can’t defeat hate with more hate, spread love.
Galatians 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Proverbs 21:6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
Proverbs 18:2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
Psalm 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!
The Holy Sanhedrin, a group of 71 of Israel’s leading rabbinical sages, presents the World Creation Concert.
God-fearing participants from all backgrounds and all nations on earth are invited to participate and join together. Under the leadership of The Holy Sanhedrin, the concert is a public declaration of thanksgiving and allegiance to the Mighty G-d of Israel, the One Creator who formed us all.
Songs and prayerful hymns will be offered in praise to the Creator.
The Jewish sages have long held that Biblical Creation Day is the 25th of Elul.
The concert will be held in Jerusalem, Israel, outdoors, near the ancient precincts of Solomon’s Temple.
The concert will be held on Elul 24, 5778 on the Hebrew calendar. This would be September 3, 2018 on a Gregorian western calendar. The concert is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Israel time.
Haggai 2:9 The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the LORD of hosts.
The Hebrew month of Elul initiates a 40 day period called Teshuvah. This is the Hebrew year 5778. In a Gregorian calendar of the year 2018, this would be August 11 or 12 or 13 depending on when the new moon is confirmed by two witnesses.
Elul is the last month of the civic calendar in Judaism. Elul is the sixth month of the religious calendar. Jewish tradition points to the name of the month to be an acronym of “Ani l’dodi v’dodi li” a quote from Song of Songs 6:3 I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine…
In Aramaic, the vernacular of the Jewish people at the time that the month names were adopted, the word Elul means “search”. Per Strong’s Concordance, Elul means “nothingness” in the Hebrew.
The month is mentioned one time in the Bible. Nehemiah 6:15 So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. Cultural customs per http://www.jewfaq.org, http://www.myjewishlearning.com .
It is Jewish custom to blow a shofar (ram’s horn) one time every day during the season of Teshuvah. The trumpet is blown every day after the morning service except Shabbat or the Sabbath (Saturday for us in western culture) and the last day of month of Elul.
This is the Hebrew word for “repent”. The call of Teshuvah is to turn toward God and repent. Repent is not a warm and fuzzy spiritual word that causes your stomach to flutter or hair to stand on your neck. Prepare and turn to God with a joyful heart. People are called to turn away from their sin, repent, and change course. It is a time of inward reflection and sincere self-assessment. The goal is a change in lifestyle away from sin to obedience in God’s word.
The point of the season is to prepare for the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah and the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur.
The concept of “repent” is timeless in the Bible. People were called to repent in the past in the Old Testament. Today in the 21st century, we are called to repent as members of the church, the body of Jesus Christ.
“Repent” is not a mystical, spiritual word that has some deep and hidden theological meaning. The Greek word for repent in the New Testament is μετανοεο/metanoeo. It means: to change one’s mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins.
One should be ashamed of their actions. There should be some conviction. Be honest. Right is right and wrong is wrong. We can all do better.
The 40 day period of Teshuvah ends on Tishri 10, Yom Kippur.
This is a simple thought. When you are in retirement or getting ready for it, you are “not in it for the long haul”! Getting older can sometimes feel like a chore, but it comes with the added benefit of perspective; asset markets have a cycle. If you are in your 60’s, you have been through 4 or 5 Business Cycles and know they all end badly. This current Cycle will not be any different. Already, the current expansion is the second longest on record. It is also the weakest expansion ever! In this Cycle, the GDP has never exceeded 2.3% and that is with massive fiscal stimulation. The Great Financial Crisis scared the authorities and Ben Bernanke embarked on a unprecedented program of Global monetary liquidation forcing the economy to postpone the cleansing of insolvent, poorly managed, or ill timed investments. In June of 2018, Mr Bernanke now has been quoted as alluding to a Wile E. Coyote moment for the US Economy within the next 12 months as the Business Cycle hits an air pocket for FREE FALL!
Knowing what will happen is not the same as when it will happen! There certainly is a Timing Component to consider. Leave the Stocks and Bond markets too early and the late stage gains are forfeited, too late and maybe all the gains are lost, or worse! Knowing that the Cycle does and will end gives an incredible advantage. One can watch for signs the Business Cycle is about to complete. Invariably, the Federal Reserve raises rates until a slowdown is well established. Not recognizing the Change in Trend the Fed generally hikes at least 2 or 3 times more until a downward spiral has started leading into the Last Stage of the Business Cycle which is ugly and can be very brutal. The Federal Reserve has been hiking rates for two years and now much more aggressively indicating a 25 basis raise every other Fed meeting.
Retirees typically allocate 20-40% of their portfolio to Bonds and Debt. The cash flow generated by fixed investment is predictable and consistent; Debt is a Stealthy Risk. Rising rates will devastate Bonds. Would not the prudent course of action be to reduce to much shorter duration and raise the quality?
This chart illustrates the drastic change in the pace of the rate increases. “Normalization” is still a long way away. 2.38% June 22, 2018, Credit card debt has already risen from 8% to well over 13% and the consumer has accumulated RECORD CREDIT CARD DEBT!
2 year Treasuries climbing FAST!
The Federal Reserve not only directly influences the short term rates in the US, but sets the tone for the rest of the World. As rates rise in the US, other Central Banks are still suppressing rates notably the European Central Bank maintaining their policy of buying bonds. However, all central banks have stated they are in the process of tapering their Asset Purchases to Zero!! The effect is rates are now free to rise and the ascension has started. Further, this will come as no surprise, the markets are anticipating increasing rates. The process has started!
As of June 22, 2018, Turkey’s 10 Year Bond was priced at 15.7%. The Turkish Lire is also rapidly losing value; Turkey has defaulted 6 times in the last 100 years. Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, the Ukraine are just a few of the Sovereign Nations in trouble with their debt. Look for Defaults; once started a possible Cascade.
Turkey is in REAL trouble! US rates are driving rates higher throughout the World. Higher rates affect 40-60% of all Global Debt currently estimated at $217 Trillion. None of us think about the fact that Governments never pay the principal back or even reduce it, Government Debt is simply refinanced. Think about that!! What will tripling the debt service do to already stretched budgets? Social Services will need to be reduced. Not only those that receive the benefit, but also the providers will be curtailed causing a declining ripple effect throughout the World. When the Central Banks stop buying the debt of the Nations, Municipalities, Towns, Villages and Corporations, who will buy Debt priced a 0.1%, or 1%, or 2 %? Probably no one! Rates are heading up and heading up fast and much higher than anyone thought.
Italy has been in the news and not in a good way! Pay Attention!
As the Federal Reserve unwinds the Debt on it’s balance sheet, long term rates will rise as well.
The Federal Reserve has stated it’s intention to raise rates. Central Banks around the World have joined together to state they also will allow rates to rise. All Debt including Treasury Notes, Bills, and Bonds lose value when rates rise. The longer the maturity, the greater the loss. Unless one believes this trend is going to reverse , holding debt guarantees a loss unless held to maturity. Bond Funds never mature; probably losses have already started. A rapid rise in rates may cause a rush to exit the asset class. If Sovereign, Municipality, State, or Corporate bonds begin to default as rising rates and a slowing economy could initiate, there could be a Panic to sell Bonds.
Retirees typically allocate 20-40% of their portfolio to Bonds and Debt. The cash flow generated by fixed investment is predictable and consistent; Debt is a Stealthy Risk. Rising rates will devastate Bonds. Would not the prudent course of action be to reduce to much shorter duration and raise the quality? Maybe reduce the exposure to Debt? One does not need to be fully invested at all times. Cash flow from other asset classes can easily replace fixed income revenue, potentially grow to double or triple the cash flow, and probably prove to be a much, much safer allocation.
The Bond Market has an incredibly long Cycle of 70 years: 35 years with rates trending up and 35 years with rates trending down. It appears the Bond Cycle bottomed in July of 2016. As such, the Risk is very evident. As Turmoil begins in the World, Capital will flow to supposedly safer Assets. US Treasuries should enjoy a short window of lower rates as demand for Treasuries depresses rates.This Window may be short-lived, any adjustable rates should be reviewed for refinance into fixed. Further, for disciplined Investors only; Helocs might be created and the funds saved for a Rainy Day. When turmoil strikes, the Banks quit lending. Cash becomes KING!
Stocks are a little more complicated. The typical Stock Cycle is 7.5 to 9.5 years. This one is the second longest in recent history.
Stocks and Bonds peak and then roll over, but it is a process not an event. The US Stock market is usually the last to suffer. Turmoil around the world “Pushes” Capital to perceived “Safer” Investments. Martin Armstrong makes a very impressive case for yet higher prices for US Stocks particularly the Dow and S&P as foreign Capital leaves Europe, Asia, and Emerging Markets and looks for safety. There may be a limit as eventually events overwhelm and the Stock Cycle completes. Since November 2016, the rise in the Stock market has been nothing short of “Explosive”.
Did the Dow peak in February? As of June 2018, the Dow is just about even for the year; unless you invested in January! Retail Brokerages opened record new Stock accounts in January of 2018 as the “Retail” crowd rushed in with maximum FOMO ( Fear Of Missing Out). Private and Institutional money that had entered the S&P and DOW in 2009, were very happy to sell to them!! Timing is very important so is the Asset Class! Wealth is gained by entering an asset class early in it’s cycle. Commodities are still bottoming; Rental Real Estate is approaching mid-point with many years until it completes.
Find the good in others & build them up instead of tearing them down with what you may not like. I know I’ve always worked better receiving praise. Making someone believe they aren’t good enough will never bring positive results. Praise them & they will want to make you proud.
In general, people are insecure, but if we focus on the good in them & praise all that is good in them, their insecurities become less. It’s never okay to belittle those we love. Lift them up with what we love about them.
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those that hear.
Proverbs 31:28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
Proverbs 15:23 An apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!
Have a week full of praise and blessing my friends!!!
Revelation 16:17-20 The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath. And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found.
The context of this verse is before the Second Coming of Christ. It occurs near the end of the seven-year Tribulation. The Millennial Kingdom is about to commence. The seventh bowl concludes the judgments upon the earth and humanity.
…and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. The last earthquake mentioned in the Bible will be the largest and strongest in the history of humanity. This earthquake will also be the most destructive. The Greek expression of the quake is restated three times. The earthquake is greatness and magnitude upon greatness and magnitude upon greatness and magnitude. The scale and power are larger than the Discovery Channel can imagine. It is the Mega Quake!
The great city was split into three parts. The great city is mystery Babylon. Some think the city is a reborn Babylon in modern day Iraq. Others think it is Rome, Italy. Some believe it is Istanbul, Turkey. Mecca, Saudi Arabia is a city on seven hills. Pick your seven hilled city. Conjecture in regards to city is pointless.
…and the cities of the nations fell… All the cities (plural) of the nations (plural) are doomed. The Greek word for “fell” is πιπτο/pipto. Per Strong’s Concordance, it means: to descend from a higher place to a lower; to be thrust down; come to an end, disappear, cease; to lose authority, no longer have force. Metaphorically: to fall under judgment, came under condemnation. “It is done!”
And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found. The idea of no more mountains and changed geography is noted in multiple places in the Bible. Revelation is not the only source of this concept.
Psalm 97:5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.
Psalm 46:6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
Isaiah 24:1 Behold, the LORD lays the earth waste, devastates it, distorts its surface and scatters its inhabitants.
Isaiah 24:19 The earth is utterly broken, the earth is split apart, the earth is violently shaken.
Micah 1:4 And the mountains will melt under him, and the valleys will split open, like wax before the fire, like waters poured down a steep place.
The level of destruction is unimaginable. We cannot comprehend. It says what it says.
Christine has been recognized by the Missouri Senate for outstanding civil service in the state of Missouri.
On the streets the help we offered each other might seem odd to folks on the outside looking in. But on the streets, we were everything to one another.
“Science may have found a cure for most evils; but it has found no remedy for the worst of them all – the apathy of human beings.” – Helen Keller
We all know the feeling of being worn down as our body fights off a common cold or the flu. All you want to do is the very thing you need to do, which is rest. We know that the best thing we can do is stay in our nice comfy beds, curled up under the blankets until our symptoms pass.
But what if you didn’t have a bed? Or a roof to sleep under? What if, when winter hit, you didn’t have so much as a winter coat or blanket? That pesky common cold now becomes a huge fight for your life.
Even in the worst of circumstances, we instinctively seek out comfort. Have you ever thought of where a homeless person goes when they are fighting for their life in this way?
As you journey with me through this next story, put yourself in my shoes. Allow yourself to feel what I felt.
Matthew 25:34-36 Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.
Men and women who survive life on the streets share a bond like no other. This bond is an unspoken connection, commitment, respect, and love for each other that isn’t the same as the relationships we build outside of the life. The help we once offered each other out on the streets looked very different from what those outside of the life might understand.
The help we offered might look more like a hit of dope if someone was beaten or raped, or a shared sandwich. Or it might even look like a ride in a car or a night’s sleep in a hotel room to shower, if one of us had access to such a rare thing. Sometimes we watched over one another as we slept, particularly if we were sleeping outdoors or in an empty building. Sometimes we shared quarters for the dryers in the laundromat to get warm or dry off our clothes. I could go on. On the streets we had each other’s backs, because no one else in the world did…
“Love your neighbor… ALL of ’em!” -Christine “Clarity” McDonald
Using manipulation & guilt to control someone doesn’t make that person strong, it makes them an insecure weak jerk. God didn’t make you to be controlled. Do not allow anyone to have that power over you. Control does not equal love.
