The Real Indiana Jones

Take a look at the new Linc I have about this fellow Vendyl Jones. Very Interesting. Yes, the movie Indiana Jones was made based on this gentleman's life's work. He was interviewed live on Richard Syretts talk show on 1010 Talk Radio CFRB. You can look up their web site at www.cfrb.com. Vendyl Jones is a highly educated Christian. He studied the Torah and is close relationship with high ranking Jewish authorities belonging to the Sanhedrin. He has dedicated his life to uncovering biblical artifacts that prove the historic accuracy of scripture and disprove many Jewish myths and beliefs. Here are some interesting facts I learned in the interview as my memory will allow:
- Israel was reformed as a nation in 1948 in fulfillment of prophesy. At that same time, a natural disaster uncovered half of Noah's Ark which is located in Turkey.
- Vendyl is in possession of The Copper Scroll, and Marble tablets. The information in the Copper Scroll lead him to the location of The Ark Of The Covenant. The Silver Scroll which is a commentary on the Copper Scroll has not yet been located, but he believes they will find it with the Ark.
- He is in the process of raising $88,000 needed to excavate the Ark Of The Covenant. He will not accept any government money, as he believes the Ark belongs to the Jewish people.
- When he uncovers the Ark, it will be given over to the Sanhedrin, handled only by Levitical Priests who have undergone the cleansing process and moved to the Dome Of The Rock, in Gilgal?
- This will be in fulfilment of prophesy in Amos 9: 11-15.
- It is believed this will spark world war III, as the Palestinians believe they should have the Ark.
- There are many groups that claim to be in possession of the Ark or know of its whereabouts. He said they are all "liars". He doesn't pull any punches.
- The result would be the second coming of Jesus.
- This will take place in the next few years. There was a year 2012 that was mentioned as a possible time line.
- There are also other key artifacts that he has uncovered. You can see these on his web site. It was the discovery of these that lead to the location of the Ark of The Covenant.
- He mentioned that although he was not personally involved, he believes the Shroud Of Torin is real and authentic.
I believe in my spirit this man is the real deal. I think he is right. You know how you just know? I have always known in my spirit I would be alive when Jesus returns.
It is exciting times we live in.
What do you think?
We are to be doing the Lord's work until he returns.
Come Lord Jesus!

To Strike or not to Strike?

Well, it's that time again. It happens every three years. Our contract is up with TTC at the end of March, we rejected their first offer, which we always do and are waiting for next one, which will also get rejected. Don't you hate predictable games? I do, with a passion. It's the same game many of us play in our relationships. I don't play well. I guess I'm too honest, which is a real turn off to some people, refreshing to others. I am learning to be honest with out hurting peoples feelings. It is a balancing act of tact, wisdom, patience and knowing when to keep your mouth shut. Fortunately, I do learn from my mistakes and am always looking for self improvement. I wish the TTC and the Amalgamated Transit Union would do the same. It is not a good relationship. I've never understood how organizations with the name "Union" in them can create so much "disunity". It's all about the money. They want to spend less, and we want more. Quite frankly, I would be happy if they just left everything the same and just gave us an inflationary increase. They want to take away things we already have. That is not acceptable. Being a bus/streetcar/train operator is not as easy as it looks. If driving large vehicles in bad city traffic was not stress full enough, we also get abused and assaulted by the public in every way imaginable, just for doing our jobs. We get spit on, punched, kicked, sworn at, stabbed, and shot. Mostly just for asking people to pay for their ride and sometimes because we work on the streets of an increasingly dangerous city and happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. We've had two drivers shot in the past year and have lost their careers as a result. On top of that, due to poor management planning we are short of equipment and there are not enough buses on the road to carry all the people that want to ride them. On any given day we have 10 to 20 drivers sitting in the division with no bus to drive. Imagine what that does to the other drivers on the line and the customers who need to get to work. Talk about everyone being frustrated. They waste money like it was water by opening a multi-million dollar division, then deciding not to use it. Spending millions of dollars on another and then closing it down. But, they don't have any money? If they would give us more responsibility by allowing us to communicate with each other by installing a two way radio system, we could run the lines much better than a supervisor sitting in his office looking at an outdated computer system asking questions like " where are you?". Aren't they supposed to know. When you treat people like a bunch of idiots, what do you think you are going to get in return? Thank God I carry a cell phone. We could do with half the management staff and save TTC millions of dollars and the customer would be much happier. IT works for Toyota, why not TTC?
I think stikes are stupid. They have outlived their purpose. Transit in a big city has become an essential service. Stop the games and make it so. IF we can't agree on the terms of the contract, get a disinterested third party to decide in arbitration what is best for everyone.
I would agree to that.
I might be moving to HSR anyway. Closer to home. Hamilton. Closer to God too I think.

HAPPY EASTER !

This is really the biggest Christian celebration. It gets a little over shadowed with all the commercialism of Christmas. It's great to celebrate the birth of our saviour, but the whole message of that event is wrapped up in Easter. " HE HAS RISEN" and to those that believe,
" SO SHALL WE RISE".

1Corinthians 11: 23-26

" For I passed on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, " This is my body, which is given to you. Do this to remember me. In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, " This cup is the NEW covenant between God and his people- an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it." For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord's death until he comes again."


See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown? -- Watts

NOTHING SPEAKS MORE CLEARLY OF GOD'S LOVE THAN THE CROSS.

Have a wonderful weekend everybody. This is a time for reflection, sharing with family and friends, a time for forgiveness. Let's be ready for when Jesus comes.

THE YEARS'S BEST HEADLINES

by Anonymous

* Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers

* Experts Say School Bus Passengers Should Be Belted

* Iraqi Head Seeks Arms

* Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over

* Eye Drops Off Shelf

* Teacher Strikes Idle Kids

* Enraged Cow Injures Farmer With Ax

* Plane Too Close To Ground, Crash Probe Told

* Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant

* Two Sisters Reunited After 18 Years at Checkout Counters

* If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile

* Cold Wave Linked To Temperatures

*Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges

* Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead

* New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group

* Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft

* Kids Make Nutritious Snacks

* Chef Throws His Heart into Helping Feed Needy

* Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half

* New Vaccine May Contain Rabies

* Hospitals Are Sued by Seven Foot Doctors

* Drunk Gets Nine Months in Violin Case

* Prostitutes Appeal to Pope

* British Left Waffles on Falkland Islands

* Stolen Painting Found by Tree

* War Dims Hope for Peace

Hope you had at least one good laugh!

Goodbye Claudio, Rest in Peace

If you read my post for March 2ND entitled " Life can be Bitter Sweet", I told you about my co-worker being sick and dieing in hospital. I was on holidays and out of touch with what was going on at work. This was the day of his funeral. I just found out tonight, Yes, he died. 42 years old, leaving behind a wife, 9 year old son and 3 month old daughter. A group of drivers took a bus and drove it to Brampton where the funeral took place. I missed it. I had every intention of visiting him in the hospital, because he was so close, Hamilton General. I wanted to talk to him about Jesus and pray with him. I don't know if he knew the Lord or not. We talked about a few things at work, but not our faith. I missed my opportunity and I'm not feeling very good about that right now. In fact, to say I'm a little ticked at myself is an understatement. I have missed a few opportunities in life to be a blessing to someone, and every time I say I won't let that happen again, my life gets in the way, and I miss it again. To show you what kind of man Claudio was and how he cared about people, about one year ago, while driving his bus, he came across a single car accident, where the car had hit a tree. There were two ladies trapped inside. He stopped, got them out of the car and then went back to get their purses! The car was smoking. He was being recognized by TTC for bring a hero. He died February 27Th, two days before he was to be presented with the award. They gave it to his 9 year old son, who still doesn't really understand what happened to his dad, but he does understand what he did for others, those two ladies. What a way to be remembered! To go out as a hero. He didn't see himself as a hero. He just considered it part of his job. You know there are some people in life you just connect with? Claudio was one of those. He would spend time excitedly telling me about his trip to the Ukraine ( his wife is Ukrainian, he is Spanish) meeting his father-in-law and brother-in-law for the first time. He told the story several times and I listened to it every time. Maybe that's why he talked to me, because I liked to listen to his story. I'm really sad he is gone and I won't get to talk to him or listen to him anymore. I feel very sorry for his wife and his children. He was too young to die and had too much to live for.
Sometimes, life just is not fair.
Sometimes, I think there is no justice in this world.
I know differently, because God is all about fairness and justice.
The day is coming when we will finally have these two things.
I hope.

Dedicated to my friend. Claudio Infante. May you rest in peace. My hero.

Time To face Hard Reality, Not Fantasy

I came across this scripture today. It hit me between the eyes. It came alive for me and was as if God was speaking to all of us. Very humbling and I think relevant for today. What came to mind was sweet and sour/ sweet and salty. I love sweet and sour meat balls and sweet and salty desert. I think grace and judgement is like that. They go together well and balance each other out. I think God intended it that way.

Amos 5: 18-24 The Message

" Woe to all of you who want God's judgement day! Why would you want to see God, want him to come? When God comes it will be bad news before it is good news, the worst of times, not the best of times. Here's what it's like: A man runs from a lion right into the jaws of a bear. A women goes home after a hard days work and is raped by a neighbor. At God's coming we face hard reality, not fantasy- a black cloud with no silver lining.

I can't stand your religious meetings. I'm fed up with your conferences and conventions. I want nothing to do with your religious projects, your pretentious slogans and goals. I'm sick of your fund raising schemes, your public relations and image making.

I've had all I can take of your noisy ego-music. When was the last time you sang to me? Do you know what I want?

I want justice- oceans of it.
I want fairness- rivers of it.
That's what I want. That's all I want.

Question: Would we need grace if there was no impending judgement hanging out there?
What keeps us honest?

My Prayer too for Me Today........ For You!

A Prayer©
By Jacquline S. Meyndert

I pray Lord that you'll restrain me
When someone lashes out to hurt
Don't allow me to bid revenge
But teach me to avert

Teach me to love unconditionally
Teach me always to care
Teach me to teach good things
Things that will always be there

I pray for the wisdom that will bring peace,
I pray for the understanding that will bring love,
I pray for heavenly blessings that will come from our Father above

Bless me with the faith,
Oh Lord To make this prayer come true
Bless me with the strength,
Oh Lord To follow after you

Amen!

INSURANCE CLAIMS ----- SHORT RESPONSES

BY ANONYMOUS:

* Coming home, I drove into the wrong house and collided with a tree I don't have.

* I collided with a stationary car going the other way.

* A pedestrian hit me and went under my car.

* I had been shopping for plants all day and was on my way home. As I reached an intersection, a hedge sprang up, obscuring my vision, and I did not see the other car.

* To avoid hitting the bumper of the car in front, I struck the pedestrian.

* My car was legally parked as it backed into the other vehicle.

* An invisable car came out of nowwhere, struck my car and vanished.

* I was sure the old fellow would never make it to the other side of the curb when I struck him.

* I was thrown from the car as it left the road. I was later found in the ditch by some stray cows.

* The telephone pole was approaching. I was attempting to swerve out of its way when it struck the front end.

Quotes of the day:

"Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face." - Victor Hugo

" The cheerful heart has a continual feast" - Proverbs 15:15

" It is God's giving if we laugh or weep" - Sophocles

Double Post

I started off with a Post inspired by Patti's blog, but came across this in the paper, so I decided to do both Posts in one.

Post# 1

Headline on Page 1 of The Hamilton Spectator:

"One coffin holds so much life unlived"

This is the story of the 22 year old mother and her three children that died in the house fire on March 1st. Tragic! This story was going through my mind when I wrote my last post.

Headline on Page 3

" Lord, we have questions"

This was the statement from Reverend Jan Huijgen who did the funeral.

We all know the theologically correct answer to this statement. You know, this was not God's original purpose and it had to do with original sin, bla bla bla. It just doesn't seem to further our cause by being theologically correct at a time like this. This is one of those times when it is safe to say that there are times when life just stinks! Why Lord? They were so young and innocent and had so much life ahead of them.
I've been told the best thing you can say to grieving people is NOT " I understand", or " they are in a better place". It is simply " I"m sorry for your loss", and just be there with them in their grief and , maybe do something practical like make a meal and drop it off. People don't have time or desire to cook or eat during times like this, but they have to. Be available after the funeral, when ,most people forget, because the grieving process can be a long one. As Christians, I believe we need to be there for hurting people. That's my heart.

AND............ We can learn from this experience. Within your sphere of influence, if you have friends and loved ones, make sure they have working smoke detectors and if they don't , get them one. Those few minutes of warning can be the difference between life and death. This tragedy could have been prevented. Check the batteries in your smoke detectors at least once a year if not more often!

Post #2

Patti's blog post on "meat" inspired me to share a Chili recipe I recently tried, which is very simple and very good!
Do you have a favorite "meat" recipe you would like to share?

CHILI CON CARNE

Ingredients:
- 1lb (450 g) ground beef, I like extra lean
- 1/2 cup (125 ml) chopped onion
- 2 tbsp ( 30 ml) chili powder
- 1 clove garlic, sliced or minced
- 1 can ( 15 oz) ( 425 ml) kidney beans, undrained
- 1 can CAMPBELL'S condensed Tomato soup ( note: it's their recipe, but it really is better than no name, no kidding.)
- 1/4 cup ( 50 ml) water
- 2 tsp ( 10 ml) vinegar
Hot cooked rice or baked potato optional.

* In 10 inch ( 25 cm) skillet over medium heat, cook beef, onion, chili powder and garlic until onion is tender and beef is thoroughly cooked and NO pink remains, stirring to separate meat. Spoon off fat.
* Stir in beans, soup water and vinegar. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low. Cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
* serve over rice or baked potato if desired.

To microwave: Into 2-quart ( 2L) microwave-safe casserole, crumble beef. Stir in onion, chili powder and garlic. Cover with lid; microwave on HIGH 5 minutes or until meat is no longer pink, stirring halfway through cooking to separate meat. Spoon off fat. Stir in beans, soup, water and vinegar. Cover; microwave on HIGH 5 minutes or until bubbling, stirring halfway through cooking.

Makes 5 main-dish servings.

ENJOY!

Celebrating Life can be Bitter Sweet

We have been celebrating allot of birthdays recently. Ruth just had a big one. Dan had one a few days ago. We celebrated my mother-in- laws 75th today. Although hers is the same day as mine which is actually March 4th. I like to call it March forth for Jesus. We have many other birthdays in the family around this time of year, all important, because each of us are creations of God put here for a purpose and I think that is worth celebrating. My dad will have his 85th this year. WOW! He seems to get younger every day. Now a new grandchild on the way.

With all this celebration of life going on, I have never in my life had such a strong sense of my own mortality. I am not going to live forever on this earth. I know that sounds funny coming from a dedicated Christian. It has really hit home to me that any day my life could be snuffed out by disease or by accident. I ask myself, " am I ready to go home and meet Jesus?". I have so much I want to do and haven't accomplished yet. What would I do if I learned I only had a few weeks to live or if I died in a car accident on the way home from work on the QEW one day. It happens almost every day. I have a co-worker in the hospital right now dieing of some weird disease I've never heard of before. A great guy age 41, with two beautiful children, one of which he has never seen because she was born while he was in a coma, and a beautiful dedicated wife. Why him and not me? We never think it could be us. Somehow, I escaped thinking of the reality of these things. Perhaps I thought I was invincible. I now have come to the realization that I am not. I don't even know why I am thinking of these things at this point in time. I want to be ready for when it happens and I want to feel good about it if it does. It's good to celebrate life, but I also think it's good to think about our death and our resurrection to new life.
That is supposed to be a Christians ultimate celebration.

I know God is always good and he created life which is also good, but sometimes life stinks. It can be bitter sweet.

We need to hang on to hope and remain thankful for what we have.

Philippians 1:21: " For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."