And They Said It Wouldn't Last! ~ Our 47th Wedding Anniversary - And Counting!

ABOUT 50 YEARS AGO, I saw a movie which changed my life completely.  The movie was "No Man Is An Island."   It was a true story, modified of course by Hollywood, of an American sailor, George Tweed, who was trapped on Guam when the Japanese invaded the island in World War 2. 

A Filipino family living on Guam hid the sailor from the Japanese for several years - until the Americans came and drove out the Japanese, and in the process rescued George Tweed.

The part which got my attention, was also the part added by Hollywood.  To have romance, Hollywood invented a daughter for the Filipino family, played by Barbara Perez, known as the Audrey Hepburn of the Philippines.  Hollywood's added touch was that Tweed and the daughter fell in love.  That was all false since George Tweed was a happily married man serving in the Navy. 

But thanks to Hollywood, Barbara Perez got my attention.  After watching the movie, I told myself, "Bill, that is the woman you have been seeking - the fire of the Latina, with the femininity of the Asian - the perfect woman.  But where do I find her?"

Watching that movie, I made the decision that the perfect woman for me was a Filipina.  But I had a major problem.  I had no idea where to meet Filipinas, or at least, one I could take home to mom.  That was long before I was a Christian believer, so my happy hunting grounds were the bars and night clubs I frequented.  No luck there.

Someone suggested I try church.  But that did not fit my schedule.  And I was too healthy to need a doctor, clinic, or hospital - the Filipina nesting place.  And no one told me that wee bit of useful information.  So my search was in vain.

Until one fateful Wednesday evening in 1977, I was in the lounge at the Saddleback Inn Hotel, the main conference and meeting place in the Santa Ana, California area.  Plus it had a terrific lounge with live music for dancing.  I was there with that "little old gang of mine" - Marge, Lupe, and Dick. 

As we were waiting for the music to start, Lupe looked toward the lobby and saw two ladies, one a Filipina, who had just come out of a Red Carpet Real Estate meeting.  Lupe told me, "Bill, there is Rita" - a Filipina I was dating off and on.  I looked and told Lupe, "No, that is not Rita - but I am going to find out who that beautiful lady is and how I can get to know her."

And that is how I solved my Filipina search problem.  I went to the hotel lobby, pretending to casually notice the two ladies as I introduced myself.  We chatted for a while, I got her business card - and about two weeks later, on a Saturday evening, we were on our first date. 

We went to Bobby McGee's, a club in Newport Beach, briefly, to say hello to a friend.  Then to the Newporter Inn for dancing.  When the band took a break we walked outside by the hotel's tropical pool - and there we had our first kiss.  The next morning I went with her to church at the Garden Grove Community Church, then we went to see the new movie "A Star Is Born" with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, and then finished the day having dinner at the Quiet Cannon in Dana Point. 

The Quiet Cannon (now just called Cannons) sits on a hilltop overlooking the Dana Point harbor - and in the early evening the scenery of the boats and the ocean was amazing - almost as beautiful as the lady sitting beside me.  After that day, we never dated anyone else.

And that is how September 2, 1977, became my lucky day.  That is the day I first married my beautiful Filipina bride.

I can see that piqued your interest.  "Bill, what do you mean the day you FIRST married your beautiful Filipina bride?"  Glad you asked.

When we were married on September 2, 1977, we only had time for a quick weekend honeymoon in Ensenada.  You can see that from the donkeys we are riding in my 1977 collage below.  But please ignore my 1970s shirt!  That is something I do not want to remember.  On our third anniversary, even though I was still not a believer, I knew that a church wedding was important to Dory.  We had the time so we arranged to have a wedding and proper honeymoon in Hawaii - on the same September 2 - but in 1980.

We wanted it to be authentic, so we did the whole thing over - blood test, wedding license, etc.  Even the pastor did not know it was our second wedding.  But Dory momentarily forgot!  After the wedding when we were signing the license, Dory wrote as her pre-married name, Dory Gray - and then had to scratch it out and write Daludado.  "Oh, what a tangled web we weave / When first we practise to deceive!"  (Sir Walter Scott).  Yet that only makes our 1980 wedding license unique.

That year, 1980, September 2 fell on Tuesday because of Labor Day.  So although we had made the wedding arrangements with a local pastor and church - we still had to get the Hawaii wedding license (blood test we did in California, and no waiting period required in Hawaii then), arrange for flowers, and arrange for a photographer. 

The wedding license first, unlike California where they are obtained at the court house, back then in Hawaii, we had to go to the Department of Health to get a wedding license.  On the street when we asked directions to the Health Department, folks would look at Dory and say, "You know."  And Dory would have to say, "No, I am from California and we are lost."

By late Tuesday morning we had everything arranged except the photographer.  When we told him the wedding was that evening, no can do - but he did refer us to a photographer who could - so all was on schedule.  That evening we had a beautiful wedding in a Honolulu church, attended by the pastor, his wife, and their friend.  After the wedding I invited them to dinner at a restaurant on the top, 32nd floor, of a downtown building with a full view of Honolulu.  Breathtaking! 

Driving to the restaurant to meet them, Dory told me, "Honey, he is a pastor - so you cannot order a drink."  When we were seated, the waitress come over asking if anyone would like a drink - and the first person to speak was the pastor, who ordered a cocktail.  I looked at Dory, smiled, then ordered my Chivas Regal on the Rocks.  Later a couple who saw that we were newlyweds, sent over a bottle of champagne.  The perfect ending to a perfect day - September 2, 1980.

Then we truly began our Hawaiian Honeymoon with a a traditional Hawaiian Luau, a first for both of us.  The next evening Dory insisted we go to see the Society of Seven Show at the main showroom of the Outrigger Waikiki in Honolulu.

That was my first time to see their performance - and a few years later when I had become a Christian believer, Jun Polistico, lead singer with the group we saw that night in Honolulu - had also become a believer.  He left the group and was recording Christian music.  As two new believers, Jun and I became close Friends and Christian brothers who love to share the Gospel - he through his musical talents and me through my writing.

That is why September 2nd is my Lucky Day.  Tomorrow, Monday, September 2, 2024 - Dory and I will celebrate our 47th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to my beautiful Filipina bride.  One of the many blessings God has bestowed upon me.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

Click on the images to enlarge:

 

 

 

Join Me In Standing Against Satan

FOR THE PAST 35 YEARS, I have shared a lot of Prayer Requests and a lot of Blogs with you, both Christian and Political.  Why Christian?  Because I have been a Christian believer since 1987 and a Christian writer for the past 35 years.  Several years before I was saved, God prepared me for the Christian Writing Ministry He would called me to circa 1989 and if I do not follow my calling, I will be disobedient.

Why political?  Because I believe that an informed American will have a strong knowledge of what is happening in the political offices which govern our city, state, and federal governments.  And while being a Christian is not a criteria nor gating factor for one serving in a government office, I would hope that many are Christian believers and that America will always have Christian influence within all our branches of government. 

But until today, I have never shared a Prayer Blog.  Today I want to do that - for a very special Christian Brother/Friend who I believe has been especially gifted by God - but has currently lost his way spiritually.

Why am I asking prayers for such a man?
 

FIRST, he has been a Christian brother for many years and I know he will not lose his eternal salvation.  But he has been under heavy attack from Satanic spirits and he really needs our prayers.  We all, to some degree, may experience a weakening of our faith in times of stress and trouble.  If we were perfect, we could avoid those experiences - but I will admit that I am not perfect, nor as strong all the time as I would like to be.  Are you? 

My Friend and Christian brother, Nathan, has experienced major backsliding twice.  He recovered once, but Satanic spirits doubled their efforts and Nathan needs our prayers to beat them this time.

Because of his outstanding business acumen, he has been financially successful in almost all his business ventures, amassing a sizable fortune. But the greater his financial success, the more anxiety he had, and the more it tore at the seams of his personal life.  Business success and money became his gods, causing him to stop depending upon God.  He began to look toward his own God-given strengths and attributes, which allowed him to be successful, as the cause of his financial successes.

In Nathan's words about giving God control of his life, "Once I had gotten everything I wanted in life, I would give God control.  This made perfect sense to me!  Get to where I wanted to be and then let God have control.  My thought was if I made just a bit more money, then I could spend more time with my family and develop my relationship with God.  But the more I made and the bigger my companies grew the more time I spent away from my family and the more miserable I became."

His anxiety over business and wealth, his addiction to pain medications from heath issues - brought personality changes which were eating away at his relationship with his wife and young daughter - bringing it close to breaking.  But praise God, this time, like the prodigal son, Nathan found his way back to God and family.

Nathan tells us of that Moment of Truth, "I knew beyond a doubt I needed God in my life.  I needed to let God lead, guide, and direct me.  But I was struggling.  Then one day in the fall of 2014, .  .  .  Suddenly I saw, with perfect clarity, I was serving myself and my own carnal desires, worshiping material things and success.  I was practicing a contemporary form of materialistic idolatry.  I was a saved, religious hypocrite who only wanted God involved when I needed Him.

Then it really hit me, I knew I was going to stand in front of God and give an account of my actions.  I would give an account of the testimony I had with others.  I would answer for the husband and father I had been.  Then it really hit me.  My daughter would likely marry the type of man I had become.  I was not the man of God that I wanted to be and I certainly wasn’t the man of God I had been created to be.   It was time to change."

The backsliding son had returned, to God, and to his family.  He was backsliding no more.

BUT the Satanic spirits were not through with my Christian brother, Nathan.  They doubled their spiritual attack and Nathan once again was pulled from trust in God and this time slid into the dark world of the paranormal, began depending upon Satanic ways and seductive spirits.

In Nathan's own words:  "I was an accomplished athlete in high school, especially in basketball, and as you know when you are young, nothing hurts for long.  Unfortunately, by the age of 16, I was visiting a chiropractor weekly and had knee surgery, and by my late 20’s I was having legit neck and back pain.  Entering my 30’s, I was diagnosed with degenerative disk disease and mild spinal stenosis. 

To control the pain, I had steroid shots in my spine, trigger point injections in my muscle, and pain meds.  By the time I turned 40, I was on 240 milligrams of morphine a day and getting over a dozen trigger point injections every 8-12 weeks. .  .  . In October 2016, I was unfortunately rear-ended by another driver. The effects of the wreck caused massive nerve damage and muscle atrophy that forced me to have an anterior cervical fusion of my c5-c7 disks."

As he was becoming more and more addicted to medications and drugs to soften his pain, the Satanic spirits launched a more deceptive, dark, and evil attack against Nathan.  His marriage was finally broken, he was alone - then the Satanic spirits introduced New Age dark religion into his life. 

From childhood we have envisioned Satan and his Satanic spirits as being gross, angry red beings with horns, holding a three pronged spear (trident).  But that is far from the truth.  Satan and his angels can appear in any form they choose, i.e., before I became a believer, Satanic spirits appeared to me as my maternal grandfather who supposedly committed suicide, but I was uncovering evidence that led me to believe he was murdered. Satanic spirits played on that desire to prove the report wrong.

Here I can truly relate to the Satanic spirits attack on Nathan - because for about 10 years before I became a believer, I was very much involved in the Psychic/Paranormal/New Age world of darkness.  During that 10 years, I had a number of up close and personal encounters with those dark spirits.  Trust me, they know our hot buttons - and they know how to reach us through those weaknesses.  

Example:  From childhood I was told that my maternal grandfather committed suicide.  As an adult I questioned that and began examining the evidence, concluding that he was murdered. I was, and am, still very convinced that he was murdered.  In the early 1980s demonic spirits appeared to me appearing to be my grandfather.  I will discuss those up close and personal encounters with Satanic spirits in another blog. 

But I will emphasize this: I DO KNOW the dark world of doubt and backsliding which Nathan is experiencing now - and I know that our prayers are the only way to bring him back to his real Father and family - and to push Satan's spirits away from him.

In the late 1990s, after becoming a Christian believer, Dory and I were working with a friend on an international project and transaction.  One day he excitedly shared with us the fantastic book he was devoutly reading, highlighting much of the text - treating it like a Bible. 

In effect it was a bible to him, for it was a book written by one of the leading New Age authors, psychics, and influencers of that time, Doreen Virtue.  At that time, if anyone mentioned New Age influencers to me, my mind automatically went to Doreen Virtue.  That is how prevalent her occultic writings and public exposure were at that time.

Our friend offered to lend his New Age bible to me to read.  I accepted - for one reason.  I would rather have that book and have it hidden away, rather that having him worshiping at the alter of the New Age guru, Doreen Virtue.  That is how evil I saw her and her influence at that time.

When I began my research for this Prayer Blog, I came upon a new revelation which really blew my mind, and I give a really Big Praise To God.  For He had changed that lady, Doreen Virtue, who, through her books, speaking engagements, New Age products, and influence - had lured thousands, if not millions, away from the path to God and onto the path into Satan's world. 

God took her from the depths of New Age darkness - and brought her into the family of God.  In 2017 she rejected her New Age spiritual beliefs - and became a born again Christian.  Now she writes and speaks for God, not Satan.

My immediate thought?  If Doreen Virtue could be brought to God by the radio teaching of Pastor Alistair Begg - then my Christian brother, Nathan, most certainly can be brought back into His arms.  By our prayers!

A moment of insight! 

Isn't it amazing how often New Age Occultist - such as Doreen Virtue was before God stepped in - come to us as Pretty Women - reminiscent of the 1990 movie, Pretty Woman, where a prostitute and a wealthy businessman fall for one another, forming an unlikely pair? 

Then Satan can use such attractive blonde exteriors such as Doreen Virtue was during most of her New Age career, to lead vulnerable people into the dark world of psychics, witchcraft, tarot cards, sorcery, Wicca, and the dark Satanic world?  Satan sure knows how to deceive.

We know that God is Omnipotent, all powerful, nothing can overcome Him - and there is nothing He cannot overcome - if only we will turn to Him.  In my mind and heart, I can picture many people around the world, leading up to her moment of decision in 2017, praying for Doreen Virtue to be saved from the dark world of the Paranormal. 

And on that day in 2017, God answered their prayers, He made it happen for Doreen.  He can make it happen for my brother, Nathan, also, if we all lift him in prayer.

I am asking for prayers from around the world, that what happened to Doreen Virtue in 2017 - will happen for my Christian Brother/Friend, Nathan now.  I am asking that your prayers will become so great that God will reach down and lift Nathan from the pigsty of the psychic and drug world - and like the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), fully restore him to God and to his family.  If you will pray, God can make it happen, just as He did with Doreen Virtue.

Let me tell you a bit more about Nathan Tabor.  In 2007 I met and became close Friends, and an even closer Christian brother, with Nathan.  I have long respected his Conservative Christian Values, his Patriotism - and his deep knowledge of our political process, and his knowledge and wisdom on who is governing America, who is governing the United Nations, and how that is affecting all the world. 

When we met in 2007, Nathan had recently, 2004, run for Congress in North Carolina's 5th Congressional District with an impressive list of supporters.  His first attempt to run for the high office of Congressional House of Representatives was outstanding, even though he did not win that time.

On the other hand, I personally benefited by his not going to Congress in 2004, for in 2007 when I met Nathan he had founded "The Conservative Voice," an online newspaper.  And he invited me to be a guest columnist.  I wrote in The Conservative Voice, mostly in the Faith & Family section, but at times visiting the Politics section, for several years, posting about 500 articles.  That was a true blessing and a great learning experience. 

In my own Christian Writing Ministry, my Friends Ministry eNewsletter, Facebook Notes, our Bill & Dory Gray Christian Ministries blog site, and in the TimesDaily Religion Forum where Nathan and I met - while varying, my list of readers probably never exceeded 2000 worldwide, predominately Christian.  On Nathan's The Conservative Voice, I was now writing to reach about 250,000 readers worldwide - covering a much broader spectrum of beliefs and ideas.  That was a challenge which I know God gave to me, through Nathan.

Nathan Tabor was an entrepreneur, businessman, speaker, business consultant, life coach, real estate investor, commercial real estate broker, author, Liberty University adjunct professor, and founder of Handling Life.  Since 1999, he has founded and operated more than two dozen businesses, grossing over $150 million in sales. 

Along the way, he has had some amazing successes, and some failures, in the areas of commercial real estate, automobile financing, direct product sales, web-based marketing, strategic partnership facilitation, consulting/coaching firm, and online educational courses. 

He has been an exceptional author of political, business, and Christian books.  But the book which really impressed me is "The Beast On The East River:  The U.N. Threat to America’s Sovereignty and Security."  I am still amazed that a man who was only 33 years old then, but looked to be 21 - had the insight, wisdom, and knowledge to recognize the real threat posed by the United Nations - and the ability to put that understanding into a book.

Below is a short C-SPAN video interview which shows the Nathan Tabor I met and grew to admire on the TimesDaily Religion Forum in 2007.  I knew from the beginning that he is a very special person, gifted by God with unique intelligence, wisdom, maturity, and a deep love for America.  Yet I am still amazed at the level of maturity, knowledge, and intelligence I see in him during this interview in the C-SPAN video.

In the C-SPAN interview, Nathan admits he is 33, but looks 21.  Suggesting it was possibly a part of why he did not win the 2004 seat in our Congressional House of Representatives.  Yet when he speaks his intelligence and knowledge make him seem to be a man of twice that age and experience.  He speaks intelligently, with knowledge, with the authority of a person who knows his subject matter very well.  It is a shame he did not go to Congress in 2004, for we need people like him in Washington DC.

View this video and you will see the Nathan Tabor I knew, my fellow Alabamian then living in North Carolina, the man who was a very successful entrepreneur, businessman, author - and an even stronger Conservative Christian brother. This is the man I am asking you to lift in prayers.

THE BEAST ON THE EAST RIVER  ~ C-SPAN INTERVIEW VIDEO - March 1, 2007
By Nathan Tabor - Founder and CEO, The Conservative Voice
https://www.c-span.org/video/?197059-2/the-beast-east-river

Nathan Tabor talked about his book "The Beast On The East River:  The U.N. Threat to America’s Sovereignty and Security," published by Nelson Current.  His book argues that the United Nations hopes to establish a “new world order” that limits the sovereignty of the United States. 

He urges that the U.N. be abolished and replaced with an organization that allows for dialogue between nations, but does not have the power to infringe on the rights of the United States and its citizens.  He also talks about threats to education and moral values.  After his presentation he responded to audience members' questions.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ~ ~ ~

Bill Gray Note:  The book, published in 2006, accurately prophesies what we now see has happened to America's Education and Moral Values.  The current decay of our education and moral values began in Bill Clinton's presidency - and then rapidly accelerated under Obama's Secular/Muslim administration - and Joe Biden is merely a puppet carrying forward what Obama and the United Nations started. 

All of this was their concerted efforts to surrender America's Sovereignty to the United Nations.  A major tool in the Anti-America arsenal was the resurrected, nourished, and promoted "Racial Division" in America - all done at the behest of their master puppeteer, The United Nations.

You can see why I am asking major prayers for my Christian brother and Friend, Nathan Tabor.  For even though I am absolutely convinced that Nathan has not lost his salvation - it would be a real shame to allow Satan's minions to cause him to waste all the talents God has given him.  America needs people today like Nathan Tabor.

I realize this Prayer/Blog has been a wee bit long.  But that is how important I consider your prayers are for my Christian Brother/Friend, Nathan Tabor.

Thank you for your prayers.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill Gray

Right click on the image to enlarge:

 

This Has Been My "Dream Team" For A Very Long Time!

This Has Been My "Dream Team" For A Very Long Time! I am convinced that a Trump-Gabbard Team will turn ALL America RED in the November 2024 Elections. Before I show you absolute proof that I am right - I would like to share what we will be missing when Trump-Gabbard wins in November, as compared to the Biden-Harris team currently cluttering our White House and making America a laughing-stock all around the world.

First, we will see a president who will immediately begin to rebuild the strong America he built during his first term. We will see the China, Russia, Iran, North Korea coalition stop laughing, stifle their smiles, and start moving toward building a working coalition WITH America - and put away their rattling sabres.

We will see the American economy once again blossom - inflation will take a big dip - unemployment for ALL Americans will be drastically lowered - jobs will once again come back into America instead to countries who hate us. In other words, we will once again see the America we had between Jan 6, 2017 and Jan 6, 2021 - an America who, without doubt, had the strongest economy, the strongest military, the best controlled border, and happy, productive American Families.

Our borders will once again be closed to all except legal immigrants. The ILLEGALS, foreign terrorist, drug cartels, human trafficking cartels, and other undesirables that have been flooding into America through our OPEN borders - will begin to flow OUT of our borders and back into Mexico. Once again it will be Mexico's burden, not Americas!

Now to the good part. What will we lose by having Tulsi Gabbard as our next Vice President? We will have to learn to live without the Cackling - without the Word Salad - and without the VP who got into politics in California by having an up-close and personal relationship with the married California Democratic Political Boss, Willie Brown.

During the 2019 Democratic Primary Debates, Willie Brown publish a book of his memoirs as a Political Boss in California - and in his book he speaks about his affair with a young female attorney, Kamala Harris, and how he, because of their relationship, was responsible for getting her into politics, by getting her appointed as Attorney General of San Francisco, and then AG of California.

Willie was her ticket into politics. But for some reason, even though the book was published and ready to hit the stores - it disappeared. Hmmm? I wonder how much that cost the Democratic Party?

Although I realize we all will miss the amusement of the Cackling and the Word Salad, because I know YOU are a true Conservative American who wants to "Make America Great Once Again," aka, MAGA PLUS! Based upon our mutual love for America, we all want to see sanity revived once again - I ask you to take about an hour of your time and view these four very impressive videos.

What will you find in these videos? Before continuing let me digress a wee bit. I went on Google to find a better way to express a person who is articulate - and although I seldom read on the Quora site - this question which popped up on Google so strongly expresses the comparison I wanted to show between Cackling "Word Salad" Kamala and Tulsi Gabbard, I have to share it with you.

"Why is it that people who articulate and speak well - seem to be smarter than the average person who doesn’t pronounce their words thoroughly? Is their a correlation between articulation and intelligence?" (Quora) And I would have to answer that question with a really big YES!

In these four short videos, you will not find Tulsi "cackling" - you will not see her waving her arms and offering a diet of Word Salad. What you WILL FIND is a woman who is articulate, intelligent, patriotic, and a Vice President who could, without American missing a beat, step into the Oval Office and continue our American government, if for any reason President Trump could not finish this term in office.

This is an excerpt from a blog I wrote on April 9, 2024 titled "Why Would I Vote For Tulsi Gabbard To Be The Next Vice President?"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Why Would I Vote For Tulsi Gabbard To Be The Next Vice President? ~ Thought you would never ask. Let's get serious. We now have seen a VP chosen, not for ability, competence, patriotism, and most certainly not for her ability to speak to an audience and discuss issues of importance to American families.

She was chosen because she is female and for her supposed ethnicity. Those are admirable traits, but definitely not qualifications to be VP - and one heartbeat from being President to the United States. And her "cackling" when asked a serious question is enough make a stone scream!

Then there is Tulsi Gabbard ~ a Lieutenant Colonel and Battalion Commander in the Army Reserves - Iraq War veteran - former Congresswoman - and 2020 Presidential Candidate. Tulsi enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard in 2003.

In 2004, she deployed for a year-long tour to Iraq where she served as a medical specialist. After being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, she was stationed in Kuwait from 2008 to 2009, serving as a Military Police Officer. In July 2021, she was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

Tulsi was elected to Congress as the Representative from Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District and served in that office from 2013 to 2021. And if one wants to play the race card - Tulsi was the first Samoan-American to be elected to Congress.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Now I ask YOU to view these videos - and get ready to vote for a TRUMP-GABBARD Ticket in November 2024:

MASSIVE Prediction: Trump's VP Will Be Tulsi Gabbard! - Donald Trump's VP Pick Could Be Tulsi Gabbard.
She'd Make A Great Vice president And This Is Why!
TayMerica - Jul 9, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJB_0JTSLCE

Tulsi Gabbard's Warning To America | CPAC 2024 Speech - Feb 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMG2Yq_Bhps&t=320s

"Fight Of Our Lives" - Tulsi Gabbard Says Trump Needs A Strong Patriot As His VP Pick For 2024
PBD Valuetainment Podcast - Apr 27, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-3cRAhE2h8

Tulsi Gabbard's Rallying Cry for America
Turning Point Action Convention - Jun 18, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-5yWsisQ2M

God bless America,

Bill Gray

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Which Is True - Eternal Heaven And Eternal Hell - Or Annihilationism?

Which Is True - Eternal Heaven And Eternal Hell - Or Annihilationism? ~  Today my good Friend and Christian brother, Jack B. Marti, posted a text graphic which declared:  "The soul of man is not naturally immortal.  If we are redeemed we 'put on immortality.'  (But) "The soul that sinneth, it shall die'."
 
In other words Jack was saying that heaven is eternal and immortal for believers - but NOT eternal and immortal for non-believers. 

That is the definition of Annihilationism,  the belief that unbelievers will not experience eternal hell and suffering, but will instead just be burned up, extinguished, after death.  I would like to offer Biblical proof that my Friend is confused and is following a theology which is not Biblical.

I had intended to respond to Jack's post, but when I tried Facebook told me my response is too long.  So I have to address my Friend's contention as a new post.  This is what I initially posted to Jack:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hi Jack B. Marti,  Your graphic tells us, "The soul of man is not naturally immortal.  If we are redeemed we "put on immortality."  (But) "The soul that sinneth, it shall die."

Let's look at your first statement, "The soul of man is not naturally immortal. .  .  ."

Yet in Genesis 1:27 God tells us, "So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them."  

In what way were Adam and Eve, and consequently all mankind, created like Him?  God does not have a physical body, so He could not be speaking of our flesh and bone bodies.  God is perfect in every way.  But because of Adam, man is flawed in every way.  So no mortal perfection for man.  So what is left?  Eternal Immortality!  All mankind after Adam and Eve, later saved or unsaved - are born to be immortal.  The only question is where will that immortal body spend eternity - heaven or hell?

The next part of your statement, "If we are redeemed we 'put on immortality'."  is referring to 1 Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 15:50-53,  "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.  Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed - in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality."

This is referring to the fact that because Christ resurrected - all mankind is assured that we, too, will be resurrected.  Christ assured that all mankind will exchange mortal bodies for immortal bodies - both saved and unsaved.  The only difference is the eternal destination.

Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:1-5,  "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.  For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked.  For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.  Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee."

That is referring to the fact that our corrupt mortal bodies cannot enter into the perfection of the presence of God - so He resurrects we believers into immortal bodies so that we many stand before Him in fellowship. And He later resurrects the immortal bodies of the non-believer to spend eternity separated from God.

Now let's look at your final statement, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die"   Here you are suggesting Annihilationism, that the body of the unbeliever, rather than suffer in hell eternally as God has determined - will merely burn up, disappear.  That is not Biblical.

You are referring to Ezekiel 18:20-21, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.  But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die."

Pastor David Guzik in his Study Guide for Ezekiel 18 tells us:  The soul who sins shall die: As God judges each man and woman individually, the righteous will be justified and the wicked will be judged.

That phrase you quoted is from Ezekiel 18:20, and it is basically referring to the fact that in God's perfect Love and perfect Judgment - each person must decide for himself / herself to choose eternal Life in Christ, or eternal Torment in hell. 

The Bema Seat Judgment is for those who died in their faith in Jesus Christ, while the Great White Throne Judgment is for those who died in their denial of Christ and have been waiting in Hades/Torment (Luke 16:23) to be resurrected in their immortal bodies to stand before Christ to hear His judgment which sends them to the Lake of Fire, Hell, eternally.

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For reference, these are the Scripture passages referred to in that excerpt from GotQuestion:

Acts 24:15,  ".  .  .  . that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. "

Revelation 20:10, "And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever."

Revelation 20:11-15, "Then I saw a Great White Throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled, and no place was found for them.  And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. 

And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them; and they were judged, each one of them according to their deeds.  Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire.  This is the second death, the lake of fire.  And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."

And from the Sheep & Goat Judgment following His Second Coming, this is found in Matthew 25:31-46:

Matthew 25:46, "These (goats, non-believers) will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous (sheep, believers) into eternal life."

Jack, my Christian brother, all mankind was created to be eternal, immortal beings.  Only Adam's fall into sin divided us into those going into Eternal joy and happiness - and those going into Eternal torment and suffering.  Both depend upon the eternal choice made by each individual man/woman in this lifetime.

Ephesians 1:13 tells us that the Holy Spirit enters and dwells within each believer - and Ephesians 4:30 tells us that the Holy Spirit lives within each believer by which we are sealed unto the day of redemption.  What is our day of redemption?  It is the day we die in this mortal body - or the day we are Raptured from this mortal body and into our immortal bodies.

Jack, thank you for your initial post.  This is a point of confusion for many believers - and we have seen a number of supposed Evangelical pastors who are teaching the false hope of Annihilationism.  So I feel this discussion between Friends and brothers in Christ is timely and very worthwhile.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

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For Years I Have Read The "Grace In Focus" Magazine - But!

FOR YEARS I HAVE READ THE "GRACE IN FOCUS" MAGAZINE ~ Published by the Grace Evangelical Society, aka, Free Grace Movement.  And while I have many Christian brethren and Friends who worship in Free Grace churches, and are just as saved as me - I have never been able to agree with them completely. 

I love the articles in this magazine, I learn from them, yet there remains a couple of teachings and/or actions which I cannot fully digest.  I will say this to all my believing Friends, "I highly recommend the Grace in Focus magazine for your Christian and even leisurely reading."

Today, while eating breakfast I was reading the latest issue of Grace in Focus and the article "Is The Forgiveness Of Sins Equivalent To Everlasting Life?"  caught my attention.  It was written by Mike Lii, a finance attorney and a member of the Grace Evangelical Society Board of Directors.  As I was reading Mike's article, it suddenly dawned on me the root of my disagreement with the Free Grace teaching.

But first let me digress a wee bit.  During my 50 year career in the computer industry, I traveled a lot.  To the point that hotel rooms became more like home to me than did my actual home.  And often when I would have repeat visits to the same hotel and had found a specific room I liked - in making reservations I asked for that room.   Thomas Wolfe may have written the novel, "You Can't Go Home Again" - but in my hotel homes I was proving him wrong.

Traveling meant eating in restaurants, or room service in my rooms, and when I came home from a trip, being single I ate in restaurants.  So on the road or at home - I ate in restaurants.  Eating alone in restaurants, no matter how elegant or upscale, became boring - so I came with a good book to read during my meal. 

I remember a funny incident that happened years ago while I was reading and eating.  A lady walked by, stopped, and asked with that "Hi there, big boy" smile, "What are you reading?"  I smiled at her and replied, "It is 'The Life of Jesus'."  Her smile disappeared and she walked quickly away.

You can see how, after a while, I chose to eat most of my dinners in my hotel room while watching television, and then go for a walk.  And restaurant eating is why I was forced to learn to cook at home.

What was my favorite room service meal?  I would have to say that a Reuben sandwich with french fries, a bowl of fresh fruit, and a pot of coffee was number one on my dining list.

"Bill, why have you begun a blog addressing the Grace in Focus magazine, Free Grace Movement, faith, repentance, believing in Christ, and forgiveness of sins - and then switch over to a Reuben sandwich?"   I thought you would never ask!

In the Free Grace churches they teach we are saved by Faith, but without repentance.  To me, when I was saved by Faith in Jesus Christ, Repentance was an integral part of my Faith.  That would be like diving into a lake to swim, but not getting wet.  Can't be done!  Getting wet is an integral part of diving into the lake.  Just as Repentance is an integral part of being saved by Faith Alone.

And today reading the article "Is The Forgiveness Of Sins Equivalent To Everlasting Life?" it suddenly dawned on me why I have never been fully able to accept the teachings of the Free Grace Movement.   Why?  They insist upon taking the teachings of the Bible and dissecting it down to the bare bones - then claiming the bare bone as the Gospel.

They do not separate the chicken or the egg - they insist upon taking the chicken apart instead and making that their doctrine.

In the article, "Is The Forgiveness Of Sins Equivalent To Everlasting Life?"  - Mike Lii argues for separating "Believing in Christ" - "Forgiveness of Sins" - and "Eternal Life" - as being separate issues.   While to me, when by Faith I believed in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, All my sins were forgiven, and I had His Promise of Eternal Life.  That is one integral package:  Faith, Believing, Forgiven Sins, Eternal Life. 

Just as the Reuben Sandwich is made with corned beef on rye bread, topped with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing - then put on the grill and melted until the corned beef, cheese, sauerkraut, Russian dressing, and bread become ONE tasty meal ~ Salvation is one integral package:  Faith, Believing, Forgiven Sins, Eternal Life.   There is no such thing as Believing in Christ without forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

One last thought.  It seems to me that Bob Wilkin spends more effort arguing against John MacArthur, than against Satan!  I know, that is an exaggeration  - but that is often the feeling I get in reading his blogs and articles.  I read them because they are very worthwhile, but I would get more from them if he left John MacArthur at home.

I spent about 35 years in computer systems sales and marketing - and one practice which gave me success was ~ When with a prospective customer, tell him all the good features of your product and how it will fulfill his needs.  Do Not spend all your time knocking down your competitor.

If you have a great product, which we do - since our Eternal Life Doctrines are based upon our Bible - we do not need to spend a great deal of time downgrading the competition, but should spend all our time telling and showing folks what a great God and Savior we have in Jesus Christ. 

Let me close by suggesting that, if you do not already subscribe to the Grace in Focus magazine, DO IT!  If is FREE (great price).  

"It is a free bimonthly publication, is filled with easy-to-follow topical and exegetical articles dealing with the Gospel and assurance.  The articles are both informative and motivational.  Many find the articles so helpful that readers file them for future use."  (This was copied from their Subscribe web site, but I agree)

https://faithalone.org/resources/grace-in-focus-magazine/subscribe/

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill 

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Allow Me To Share A Wee Bit Of My Early Naughty Life!

Well, not so naughty, but interesting, at least to me.  As most who have read my past blogs know, in the early 1960s I was sort of bitten by the acting bug.  Not so much bitten, but bored and tired of parties and night clubs every night - so I enrolled in the Theater of Arts acting school in Santa Monica. 

And from there later to an acting school in Beverly Hills run by the man who had been in charge of a large studio's inhouse acting school.  In the 30s, 40s, and 50s all the major studios had their own acting school at their studios - and when they found a young potential future actor, they would put him/her on salary and train them inhouse. 

By the early 1960s most studios had stopped this - so this man started his own school in Beverly Hills.  And it was interesting.  There I learned that my Southern accent was a form of lazy speech.  Maybe he was right, or maybe we Southerners know what the English language should sound like. 

One related incident happened circa 1963.  I was Lawrence in Little Women at a Children's Theater in Encino on Sundays - and one week I was asked to fill in for the man who played Professor Luigi in Pinocchio, the Saturday production. 

As I was studying the script, a lady was helping me with my costume, and another lady was teaching me an Italian accent.   Finally she threw up her hands and declared, "I start with your Southern accent, try to teach you an Italian accent - and end up with Chinese!"  But the performance went on, two times that afternoon.

After Beverly Hills I enrolled in an acting class at Pierce College in Woodland Hills.  That class proved to be interesting also.  For on the first night when we all introduced ourselves, one lady introduced herself as the wife of Rod Serling, creator of The Twilight Zone.  Why she was in a college acting class, I don't know.  But why would she lie?  For surely folks in the class or the man teaching the class would know if she was not being truthful.  And she made our class interesting - every week after class, she was the one leading the whole group to a local club for dancing.  Never happened in any of my other classes. 

Then last night on YouTube I saw the trailer for the movie "Days of Wine And Roses," and that really took me back.  This scene in the photo below is from the beginning of the movie.  Jack Lemmon is a high-powered Public Relations man and in this scene he is taking six tall, beautiful blonde call girls to a party on the yacht of a sheik.  The six tall, beautiful blonde ladies were actually six models they had hired in San Francisco just for this part of the movie.

At that time in my life, my favorite evening spot was the original El Torito in Toluca Lake, California.  Why was this my favorite place?  Well, for one, they had great Mexican food, they had Manuel on the Piano Bar, and they had two very talented waiters:  Val and Miguel.   Val was a tall, handsome Latino who sang popular songs such as La Bamba better than the original - and Miguel was a small guy with a big voice, singing show tunes and even operatic songs.

The clientele was also interesting since the restaurant was near Warner Bros Studio in Burbank, many of the young folks working at the studio patronized this original El Torito.  Normally they were not wild, but I will admit that one evening when I came in, a young lady from the studio crowd was dancing on the Piano Bar.  Not a regular occurrence though.

Another interesting occurrence happened one evening as we all stood by the main bar chatting while waiting for Manuel to begin on the piano bar.   We were all dressed in casual clothing - except for one young guy from the Midwest.  He was wearing a black suit, white shirt, and black tie.  He mentioned that he was in California attending a school.  Naturally someone asked what he was studying - and he, with a straight face, told us, "I am studying to be a mortician."  You could have heard a pin drop.

And I mentioned that Manuel was at the Piano Bar which was loaded with all sort of noise makers:  bongos, maracas, tambourines, etc.  It was fun to sit around the Piano Bar, sing, and make noise while waiting for Val or Miguel to come and truly sing.

One evening I walked into the club and walking past the main bar I noticed a very attractive blonde sitting at the bar with two guys hanging all over her - so I just noticed briefly as I walked on to join Manuel at the Piano Bar.  A little while later, that very attractive blonde came to me and asked, "Can I sit by you?  Those two guys are really pestering me."  

What could I say?  No gentleman would refuse to help a lady in such a stressful situation.  She sat beside me at the Piano Bar and we chatted, she told me she one of six models hired for the early scenes of the movie "Days of Wine And Roses" which was being filmed at that time.  And the next evening we went on a date.

Later that week she told me that one of the other girls who was her friend, had nothing to do that evening, and she wanted to know if I had a friend who could go on a blind date with her.  A guy would have to be blind to not accept that date.  There was a guy where I worked at Ramo-Wooldridge, a nice looking guy who I thought would fit in well, so I called and arranged for him to join us.  Big, big mistake!

That evening we were having dinner, just chatting and having what could have been a nice evening - except this clown was star-struck, "Oh, you are really in this movie?  You are an actress and a model?" he repeated with little puppy eyes as he was adoring her - to the point that it was embarrassing.  I felt like telling him, "Lighten up!  These two beautiful ladies are just flesh and bone like you and me.  They are not here to be worshiped."  I felt like saying it, but did not.  However, I can assure you that I never introduced him to another date again, never!

She was in Los Angeles for about two weeks, then I drove her to the airport and we said goodbye, and except for a couple of phone calls - that was the end of our relationship, gone like the Days of Wine And Roses!

As I said earlier, that was my early somewhat naughty young professional life in the City of Angels, Los Angeles.  In my later more mature years I know I have made the right decision, an eternal decision which I happily share with all my family.  Yet I do admit, at times the deja vu bug bites me and I look back and wonder - "What if?"  Then I dust that deja vu bug off, or as now I write about it, smile, embrace my family, and look for my next inspiration. 

My regrets in life are not related to fame, fortune, or many "What ifs."  No, I have only two real regrets: First would be the times in my life when I may have hurt someone, for it was never done intentionally.  I cannot recall a time in my life when I have purposely chosen to hurt another, although, in hindsight, I can recall times when I look back on a situation now and ask myself, "Did I really do that?" or "Did I really say that?"  At the time, I was totally oblivious and had no idea what I was doing was hurtful.  If only I could go back and make amends.  But God and time do not allow "do overs."  That was my first real regret and I have to live with it.

My second real regret was my waiting until I was 50 years old to become a believer. So many time during that 50 years I could have lost the eternal gamble and have been lost for eternity. But praise God, that did not happen. And the experiences of my first 50 years prove helpful in my writing ministry. I have to believe God has always been in control - for within a year of becoming a believer in 1987 - God gave me a Christian writing ministry.

I have long wondered how Roman Catholic priests can offer Marriage Counseling - when they have never been married. Or how a Roman Catholic priest can counsel young people on Sexual Relationships - when they have supposedly never had such a relationship?

Yes, they can offer book knowledge, but which is better, book knowledge, or "Been there, done that!" and can tell you the pitfalls to avoid. My 50 years of walking with the world - allows me to share my experiences of how the world is working to pull folks away from God. Me being a delayed believer, I can use that experience and knowledge in my writing and sharing, hopefully to guide others away from doing the same. And what I share is very often, like this blog, the product of deja vu reminiscing.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

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What Do Barack Obama And George Wallace Have In Common? ~ They Are Both Racists!

WHAT DO BARACK OBAMA AND GEORGE WALLACE HAVE IN COMMON? ~ They Are Both Racists!

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, America's first black president, Barack Obama - is trying to be the next George Wallace! Yes, Barack Obama (the president who could never find his own birth certificate) has realized (or maneuvered) that his puppet, Joe Biden, will not be able to successfully run in the 2024 Election.

And knowing that virtually all Americans do not want to see America further embarrassed by Cackling Kamala as the next Democratic presidential candidate - Obama is starting the subtle campaign to push his wife, Angry Michelle, as the next Democrat Party candidate for president.

In other words, "Barack Obama Is Trying To Emulate George Wallace! He Is Trying To Be The NEXT George Wallace!"

Racism, Racial Division, most frequently has come from two sources. And the following is my worldview of racial discrimination.

First, it grew in America in the 1600s to 1800s, costing over 600,000 American lives in the Civil War of 1861-1865. But over the next 100 years or so, thanks to a booster shot given it by President Eisenhower in 1957, the Civil Rights condition in America began to turn around. Racially divided schools became integrated, discrimination laws were enacted, and other changes were slowly making America more the land of freedom, for all people. I grew up in Alabama in the 1940s/50s and saw segregation and prejudice first hand. I praise God I was not raised in a home where prejudice and racism were practiced. But in hindsight I can see that racial discrimination, starting back in the early days of slavery in the l600s, was an evil passed on from parents to children, over and over again.

That is what kept it alive throughout the 18th, 19th, and most of the 20th century - parents who, as children, had learned this evil in their homes - then passed it on to their children, those children to their children - and the cycle continued. Were these bad people? No! Most were not, just folks who had heard, parroted, and accepted racial prejudice as normal in their homes and communities. They were just folks who did not know how to break the cycle.

President Eisenhower began to break that cycle when he signed the Civil Rights Act of 1957, the first civil rights legislation since the Post-Civil War Reconstruction period (1865 to 1877). And he sent Federal Troops to protect the Little Rock Nine, a group of nine African American students, enrolled in Little Rock Central High School in 1957.

Second, and I believe most prevalent in America during my lifetime, racial division is used to gain political power - primarily by the Democratic Party.  One of the most flagrant abusers of that evil was George Wallace, the Democratic Governor of Alabama in the 1960s when racial tension ran high, fueled in a large part by Wallace himself, who nurtured it for political gain.  In his gubernatorial campaign, his campaign slogan was:  "Segregation Now, Segregation Tomorrow, Segregation Forever."  

In my heart and mind, George Wallace was pure evil, for he was willing to sacrifice a large portion of the population of Alabama - for political purposes, power, and gain.  He was an expert at playing to that familial inbred racism, i.e., parent to child cycle, which had nurtured it for centuries.  Believe it or not, George Wallace was a greater embarrassment to me than our current Cackling Kamala!
 
When Wallace's term as governor ended and he could run no more - he pushed his wife, Lurleen, to the forefront, getting her elected governor of Alabama.  That made him Governor-in-fact.

Much like George Wallace making Lurleen his front puppet - I believe Barack Obama is subtly working on the same plan for the 2024 Election - get rid of Joe Biden and present his wife, Angry Michelle, as the best candidate to run against President Trump.  It is my opinion, and you can watch her current interviews and press meetings to verify what I believe is their intention - that Obama wants to get his wife elected - so that he can be President-in-fact. 

BARACK OBAMA has become the next GEORGE WALLACE!

Barack Obama has been the Master Puppeteer behind Joe Biden, how much more would he be behind his own wife, Angry Michelle?

Democrat George Wallace ran in the 1968 United States Presidential Election as the candidate for the American Independent Party against Richard Nixon, Republican, and Hubert Humphrey, Democrat.  Wallace did not expect to win the election, his strategy was to prevent either major party candidate from winning a majority in the Electoral College.

This would throw the election into the House of Representatives, where Wallace had influence and believed he would have bargaining power sufficient to determine, or at least strongly influence, the selection of the next president.  Personally, in hindsight, I believe I see the old Adversary guiding George Wallace's actions.  Who would you guess is guiding Barack Obama's actions?

Can you picture Barack Obama (with great disdain for whites) - standing shoulder to shoulder with George Wallace (with great disdain for blacks) - pushing Angry Michelle Obama to be president?

And just like George Wallace was fighting to spread Racial Discrimination for political gain, Obama has been, and is, copying Wallace's game plan.  George against Blacks - Obama against Whites.  There is no difference!

In the video below, Candace Owens shares her candid thoughts on how the Leftist Democrats have, for almost two centuries, lied to and used the black communities to keep them voting Democrat.  It is time to change all that - for I don't believe any American wants to give Barack Obama a third term in office hiding behind Angry Michelle's petty coat.  I urge you to watch this short 4-minute video:

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Candace Owens: The Left Uses Racism to Control Black America
PragerU 4-Minute Video - February 17, 2020

Candace Owens speaking TRUTH! It's time for Black America to leave the Left.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUOYPdomEPI

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And then I urge you to:

IN NOV 2024 - VOTE CONSERVATIVE, ON ISSUES AND CANDIDATES!

IN NOV 2024 - VOTE TO "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

IN NOV 2024 - VOTE FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP!  MAGA ALL THE WAY!

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill 

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