This very special
2nd Amendment SUNDAY open thread

is VERY OPEN – a place for everybody
to post whatever they feel they would like
to tell the White Hats, and the rest of the KAG!KMAG world.

Header photo credit: http://andyporterimages.com/night-sky-at-bryce-canyon

Say what you want, comment on what other people said,
comment on people’s comments.
Keep it civil.  Treehouse rules, but expect lots of QAnon.

See the January 1st daily thread for the rules of the road,
which are few but important.

Remember – your greatest gift to President Trump is FIVE WORDS:
I AM PRAYING FOR YOU

2nd Amendment Sunday

Well, it’s really quite the hot August and there are a lot of chores to be done around our place. To be honest, the number of really excellent threads inspires me. To not be very wordy. To allow for some strong conversations here…

Let Trump’s Base Speak [on gun control]…

Not to mention the conversations here…

Top 10 Reasons Red Flag Laws Are Bad For America

We are not alone in the fight. We have one another. We have the patriots. We have our Lion PDJT. And we have One greater than every enemy around us.

We have examples of how this works.

So let’s do this!

This very special
You’ve Got to Know SUNDAY open thread

is VERY OPEN – a place for everybody
to post whatever they feel they would like
to tell the White Hats, and the rest of the KAG!KMAG world.

Say what you want, comment on what other people said,
comment on people’s comments.
Keep it civil.  Treehouse rules, but expect lots of QAnon.

See the January 1st daily thread for the rules of the road,
which are few but important.

Remember – your greatest gift to President Trump is FIVE WORDS:
I AM PRAYING FOR YOU

You’ve Got To “Know When” Sunday

In researching for the prayer post earlier this week, I came across the following story of a family returning to their home town in Iraq after ISIS was finally driven out. It is told from the perspective of the young daughter and includes video of earlier interviews from the time when her family was in exile in Egypt.
This is a beautiful story of resilience anchored in hope.

Assessing Situations

The lyrics from Kenny Rogers song, The Gambler, succinctly sum up the necessary task of discerning the right response to a high stakes environment. If you judge the situation correctly you can sometimes take in big winnings, just stay in the game for future wins, move on or live another day.

See also: https://genius.com/Kenny-rogers-the-gambler-lyrics

Jesus’ Parable About Investment

Jesus often taught principles of the Kingdom of Heaven using stories (parables). In the following parable, Jesus is gently directing his disciples attention away from their expectation of God’s immediate judgment coming to earth, wiping out their enemies, and the restoration of Paradise for the righteous among them.
As you read through it, consider your own expectations. What you expect from God. From the White Hats. And, most important of all, what do you expect from yourself?

¹¹ While he had their attention, and because they were getting close to Jerusalem by this time and expectation was building that God’s kingdom would appear any minute, he told this story:

^12-13 “There was once a man descended from a royal house who needed to make a long trip back to headquarters to get authorization for his rule and then return. But first he called ten servants together, gave them each a sum of money, and instructed them, ‘Operate with this until I return.’
¹⁴ “But the citizens there hated him. So they sent a commission with a signed petition to oppose his rule: ‘We don’t want this man to rule us.’
¹⁵ “When he came back bringing the authorization of his rule, he called those ten servants to whom he had given the money to find out how they had done.
¹⁶ “The first said, ‘Master, I doubled your money.’
¹⁷ “He said, ‘Good servant! Great work! Because you’ve been trustworthy in this small job, I’m making you governor of ten towns.’
¹⁸ “The second said, ‘Master, I made a fifty percent profit on your money.’
¹⁹ “He said, ‘I’m putting you in charge of five towns.’
^20-21 “The next servant said, ‘Master, here’s your money safe and sound. I kept it hidden in the cellar. To tell you the truth, I was a little afraid. I know you have high standards and hate sloppiness, and don’t suffer fools gladly.’
^22-23 “He said, ‘You’re right that I don’t suffer fools gladly—and you’ve acted the fool! Why didn’t you at least invest the money in securities so I would have gotten a little interest on it?’
²⁴ “Then he said to those standing there, ‘Take the money from him and give it to the servant who doubled my stake.’
²⁵ “They said, ‘But Master, he already has double . . .’
²⁶ “He said, ‘That’s what I mean: Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag.“

Luke 19:11-26 The Message (MSG)

And so we come to the very heart of this exploration.

How do we assess the appropriate response when the place where we live is in outright rebellion to our Heavenly King and His ways?

Whether it’s Baltimore or Broward County, Cleveland or California, the right move for you and your family will require discernment. We can all agree that these places come with a higher level of toxicity than other places.

What is a Toxic Environment?

Chernobyl comes to mind. But did you know that plant and animal life around the reactor is stronger and more diverse than before the accident? From an Institute for Creation Research article just published this week (emphasis added):

“Interestingly, in addition to this innate resilience to radiation, some plants in the Chernobyl exclusion zone seem to be using extra mechanisms to protect their DNA, changing its chemistry to make it more resistant to damage, and turning on systems to repair it if this doesn’t work [added emphasis].” His observations coincide with research on the progeny of Arabidopsis plants from Chernobyl.

Several Russian scientists discovered that when exposed to high radiation there was a resistance to mutations through a more than 10-fold decreased frequency of extrachromosomal homologous recombination, major differences in the expression of genes controlling DNA-repair and for proteins removing dangerous free radicals, and a higher level of global genome methylation.

Other research on several bird species at Chernobyl found that they also have internal mechanisms for detecting free radical molecules that are a byproduct of radiation exposure and then up-regulate mechanisms for DNA repair.

Because all DNA damage was repaired more quickly, radiation-exposed birds surprisingly “may even obtain beneficial hormetic effects following an adaptive response.”

It is now obvious that creatures have innate mechanisms that enable them to self-adjust to a higher range of radiation than anticipated. The existence of these systems precedes radiation exposure—Chernobyl was a unique radiation producing event—as there has not been enough time for them to have developed due to evolutionary “tinkering” via “trial-and-error” struggles to survive.

… [T]he Institute for Creation Research has been promoting an organism-focused, design-based model of adaptation called Continuous Environmental Tracking (CET). 

This model explains what organisms are doing when they adapt. The organism-focused arm of the framework hypothesizes that: organisms possess internal mechanisms that enable them to actively and continuously track environmental variables and respond by self-adjusting to changing environments—which results in their adaptation.

The other design-based arm assumes that these internal mechanisms utilize the same engineering principles that constrain how human-designed objects self-adjust to changes.

CET postulates that how organisms adapt is via innate systems with elements analogous to those within human-engineered tracking systems, namely: input sensors, internal logic mechanisms to select suitable responses, and actuators to execute responses. CET, therefore, expects that the creatures’ self-adjustments would be characterized as regulated, rapid, and targeted to specific challenges.

The Foolish Servant

In the parable above, the foolish servant was a complete failure at adaptation. Maybe he saw the rebellion fomenting and buried his master’s money in hopes of cashing in if the rebellion succeeded. Maybe he just was really afraid of loss and that’s why he hid it.
But look at the admonition of the King to this foolish servant, “Why didn’t you at least invest the money in securities so I would have gotten a little interest on it?”
Apparently, Jesus wants his followers to understand that He rewards smart risk taking for potential gain and will be more pleased with someone gaining a little in a very safe investment rather than not investing what they have been given at all.

Risky Investments: Exhibit A

If there is anyone out there putting the gifts he has been given into good use, Scott Pressler certainly makes the list!

His work reminds me of a story that takes place during the settling of the “promised land” by the Israelites. Certain tribes wanted to settle on the east side of the Jordan river which had already been conquered. This would be allowed, but the stipulation was that they had to agree to send their fighting men to the west side to help take the whole of the land for their nation before they could enjoy the peace of their own territory.

Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, ready for battle, must cross over ahead of your fellow Israelites. You are to help them until the Lord gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land the Lord your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise.” Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.”

Joshua 1:14-16 

In Scott’s case, he is traveling around the country to invest his talents in whatever way benefits all patriotic Americans. He is fighting for us! May the Lord guide, protect and equip this young man for what lies ahead in his life.

Risky Investments: Exhibit B

Later in Israel’s history, their land was conquered and the people were carried away captive to Babylon. God gave their prophet, Jeremiah, instructions to help them know how to respond to this upheaval.

“This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease.”

Jeremiah 29:4-6

Now imagine the risk of following these instructions. What if the situation changes and you are able to return to your homeland quickly? What if the Babylonians decide to relocate you and all your work is for nothing? Quite the risky investment.
And yet, they are told to pour their sweat equity into building houses, growing food and making big families. They are to seek the welfare of the city where they have been placed–while remaining in captivity!
As it turned out, they were there for some 70 years. Those that heeded the words of the prophet would be coming out of captivity strong and prosperous.

Risky Investments: Exhibit C

In the case of the Iraqi Christian family returning to Qaraqosh (mentioned at the top of this article), they are returning to their hometown which has been bombed, looted, nearly destroyed–with about half of the original residents choosing to not return to rebuild. A different set of risks, but certainly made the choice to return and invest in the community they came from instead of seeking refuge in another, perhaps safer, place.

So back to that pesky question…

How do we assess the appropriate response when the place where we live is in outright rebellion to our Heavenly King and His ways?

I don’t think there is a simple answer.
It’s true that for some people there comes a point in time when they just know in their hearts it is time to leave. And for others it is just as clear that they are to stay and “pray to the Lord” on the behalf of the city God has placed them in.
Many will spend a long time working out what is right for them. But that is the journey and no one else can tell anyone what is the right path for another. I have deep respect for anyone that takes that journey. A journey of truly seeking God’s highest and best purpose for them no matter the cost.
May God grant us all discernment, wisdom, and peace in the process.
Think *3

(just for fun!)

This week’s installment by Rick Joyner on the Second American Revolutionary/Civil War is worthy reading for every patriot and provides much needed encouragement as we face the month of August which promises to be very, very intense.

I am offering this mid-week topic as
a place to fortify ourselves;
a place to pray for America,
for believers around the world,
for those blinded by the darkness,
and for the “good guys”
who are risking it all for liberty.

#WWG1WGA

Remember – your greatest gift to President Trump is FIVE WORDS:
I AM PRAYING FOR YOU

 July 30, 2019 * WEEK 31

When Jesus was asked about the signs of the end of the age in Matthew 24 and Luke 21, He described the general conditions that have now come upon us and gave us three things to do:
     1) stand up
     2) look up
     3) rejoice!
     These are the three main things that we should set our hearts to do each day. We must stand up for what we believe with courage and boldness. We do this by looking up to see the One who is on the throne above all rule, authority, and dominion. If we see Him as He is and where He sits, we will rejoice knowing with certainty that His kingdom is coming and His will is going to be done on earth as it is in heaven. This “joy of The Lord” will be our strength.
     It is our first duty to take a stand for The Lord and His truth. We must never retreat before the enemies of the cross. We must resolve that we will not stop fighting until the entire earth and all it contains serves The Lord. He has paid the full price for it, and it is His. As soldiers of the cross, it is our duty to stand resolutely for what belongs to our King.
     We have the strength and boldness to do this when we put our faith in Him, seeing Who He is and where He sits above all authority, power, and dominion. Those who live by seeing Him as He is live as He lived, and choose death over compromising what He paid such a price for. His truth is more precious than our temporary life in this world, and we must resolve that regardless of the cost we will stand for Him. We are here to preach the good news of His coming kingdom and to help prepare the way for His coming, building a highway that is His higher way.
     Knowing these things, how can we not rejoice regardless of how dark it may look for a time? The night gets the darkest and coldest just before the sun rises. It is during this darkest time that the stars shine the brightest. Throughout history, the brightest lights have appeared during the darkest times. We are told that the darkest times of all will be at the end of this age. So, it is then that we can expect some of the brightest stars of all, The Son of God and “the morning star,” a sure testimony that the day is about to dawn, will soon appear.
     So how do we stand up as one of those lights? We get engaged. “The future belongs to those who show up.” We get engaged where the darkness is. As we are faithful in engaging in even the small things, He will give us authority over bigger matters. We get engaged attending school board meetings and county and city board meetings. We get engaged in media, education, business, sports, and entertainment. We let our voices be heard clearly and often. We do not shrink back from confronting the darkness and resolutely standing up to it.
     We do not know how much longer the darkness will last until The Son appears, but let us resolve to embrace this opportunity to stand up for The King—to stand on His word and to make His Gospel known even against the greatest opposition. To stand against the greatest darkness is the greatest honor we could be given.
     At the same time, being a light in the darkness is not just about standing against the darkness; it is also having and being the answer to the greatest problems. We must be solution oriented people instead of just problem oriented people. Our message is how bright The Light is, not how dark the evil is.
     As racism rages, let us resolve to be the temple of The Lord that is a house of prayer for all races. Let us search our own hearts for any prejudice and resolve that we will not judge others by the color of their skin, but rather by the content of their character. Let us rise far above just tolerance of those who are different and determine that we will esteem these and rejoice to know them so that we can learn things we do not understand.
     As hatred rages, let us resolve to grow in love, even the ultimate love that loves our enemies. Let us determine to hold to the truth that people are never our enemy, and that we do not war against flesh and blood, but against evil spiritual forces of wickedness that have captivated people. We are sent to set the people free. Fear is the biggest demonic inroad, or “gate of hell.” Perfect love casts out fear, so let us resolve to grow in the love that casts out the fears by which the devil has bound people.
     We are told in Romans 16:20 that “the God of peace will soon crush Satan under our feet.” Two major takeaways from this is that 1) He wants to do this under our feet, and 2) it is the peace of God that crushes him. Do not ever lose His peace. Peace is the result of our faith in Him—who He is and where He sits above all rule and authority and dominion. As we go into battle, peace is a primary weapon and our primary strategy. So let us resolve to protect it and use it to the fullest effect. In these times of rising anxiety and fear, those who walk in the peace of God will stand out as the great lights of hope that the world so desperately needs. NEVER LOSE THE PEACE OF GOD.
Read more by Rick Joyner at MorningStarMinistries.org

The Great Awakening is Coming

We here, at Wolfmoon’s Q Tree House, like to watch for cues from the Q Team. That is, to ponder, discuss, consider, share, what the Q Team highlights for our consideration. One of the key phrases in the Q posts has been “Great Awakening.”
This is a well known term from the early days of our nation. There were times of “awakenings” where by the prayers of believers and by the sovereign mercies of God thousands of wayward souls were consumed by an uncharacteristic sense of the nearness of God through the Holy Spirit, with a correlating desire to be cleansed and restored to right relationship with their Heavenly Father through the redemptive work of His Son on the cross.
These awakenings seem to come at key times in our history when a course correction was needed. It is easy enough to see in our day that we have been long overdue for a course correction. And so it seems appropriate to open up this thread for prayer for those that are ready and willing to battle together for their King.

It is likely that we each will have our own way of participating. That’s good and right. Some have already said they are seeking God with fasting. Some are part of other groups that pray. Some have no words.
Maybe some will post a prayer meme or the text of a traditional prayer. Others might compose their own Spirit-breathed prayer for us to join in to pray with them. Everyone that wants to add their heart-felt prayers is very, very welcome.
Let’s P.R.A.Y.!
Think *3

Credits:
“I Can’t Find the Right Words”
“The Lord’s Prayer“