TAIWAN QUAKES!

Good morning, blog readers, from cloudy and mild (51 degrees) Wisconsin where, on my morning walk, I saw: a bunny, a neighbor, a robin, a shooting star and heard the horn of a freight train! Thank You, Jesus, for all the different sights and sounds!

In case you hadn’t heard, there was this morning-headline from Reuters: “Taiwan rattled by more than 200 quakes, but no major damage.”

The Reuters staff reported: “Largely rural and sparsely populated Hualien was hit by a “major” (7.2) earthquake on April 3 that killed at least 17 people, and there have been more than 1,000 aftershocks since, including two “strong” (6.0 and 6.1) quakes. Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration said the spate of earthquakes starting Monday afternoon were aftershocks from the large April 3 quake.”

Jesus said to His disciples, in Matthew 24:7, “For nation will rise against nation (check), and kingdom against kingdom (check), and in various places there will be famines (check) and earthquakes (check). Then, He added in verse 8, “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs (pains).” In other words, as we get closer to the Lord’s return, the “signs” of HIs return will increase in frequency and intensity.” So, if you are a believer in Jesus, then watch, wait, work, witness for, walk with and worship Jesus until He comes. And, if you are not a believer in Jesus, simply agree with God you are a sinner who needs a Savior Who is Jesus (Romans 3:23, 24) and believe He died on a cross for your sins, was buried and raised from the dead (I Corinthians 15:1-4) to forgive all your sins and give you eternal life (John 3:16). Blessings with love, Doug (4/23/24)

QUAKES & RUMORS!

Good morning, blog readers, from snowy, windy and cool (31 degrees) Wisconsin where, on my morning walk, I saw: 4 robins, well below my high of 80+, some years ago in the summer! Thank You, Jesus, for the robins and the different kinds of birds You created!

Here are a couple of headlines which got my attention this morning:

#1. Taiwan’s strongest earthquake in 25 years kills at least 9 (NBC News)

#2. Many Iranian options to retaliate against Israel, but all carry risk (Reuters)

Most of the earthquakes I have been monitoring of late have been in the “moderate” (5.0-5.9) category. This morning’s quake in Taiwan was a “major” (7.4) quake which was then followed by a “strong” (6.4) quake and some 14 “moderate” (5.0-5.7) aftershocks. According to Reuters, the “major” (7.4) quake has killed nine and injured hundreds.” Stay tuned for more aftershocks in or near Taiwan. And, by the way, there were also “moderate” quakes in Ecuador, the Mid-Indian Ridge, the Northern Mariana Islands Region, the Philippines and Vanuatu.

In the second article, Idrees Ali and Arshad Mohammed reported: “Iran faces a dilemma following an Israeli attack on its embassy in Syria: how to retaliate without sparking a wider conflict that Middle East analysts said Tehran doesn’t appear to want. Monday’s strike, which killed two Iranian generals and five military advisers at Iran’s embassy compound in Damascus comes as Israel accelerates a long-running campaign against Iran and the armed groups it backs. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed revenge.” Stay tuned!

Got to go for now. Lord willing, I will write tomorrow, as I am led by the Holy Spirit, keeping you updated on the “signs” Jesus gave us to watch for in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21. And, if you are still not a believer in Jesus, why not become one right now by simply agreeing with God you are a sinner who needs a Savior Who is Jesus (Romans 3:23, 24) and believe He died on a cross for your sins, was buried and raised from the dead (I Corinthians 15:1-4) to forgive all your sins and give you eternal life (John 3:16). And, if you do, I’ll see you in heaven! Love, Doug (4/3/24)

TAIWAN RUMORS!

Good morning, blog readers, from clear and cold (27 degrees) Wisconsin where, on my morning walk, I saw Venus and a plane!

This headline, from Bill Koenig, caught my eye this morning: “Taiwan sounds alarm as 20 Chinese fighter jets and eight warships circle island.”

In the article, Koenig reported: “China has deployed more than 20 fighter jets and eight warships toward Taiwan, the self-ruled island’s defense ministry announced on Wednesday. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army sent 20 military aircraft and eight navy vessels around Taiwan in a 24-hour-window leading up to 6am local time Wednesday, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said. Of these, 14 fighter jets crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait – an unofficial boundary that spans over 90 miles wide and is regarded a buffer zone between the island and China.”

And Jesus said to His disciples, in Matthew 24:6, “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of war.” See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.”

You may remember, a while back, I wrote about Russia threatening Ukraine with war and then going to war with Ukraine: a “rumor of war becoming a war.” Could it be we will see history repeating itself between China and Taiwan? I certainly hope not. But, with the world the way it is right now, I wouldn’t be surprised. So, stay tuned, dearly beloved in Christ, and fix your eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) and keep them there that “whatever may come,” a beautiful song by Jeremy and Adrienne Camp, you and I will report for duty and serve Jesus until He comes.

And, if you are not a believer in Jesus, please don’t delay, simply agree with God you are a sinner who needs a Savior Who is Jesus (Romans 3:23, 24) and believe He died on a cross for your sins, was buried and raised from the dead (I Corinthians 15:1-4) to forgive all your sins and give you eternal life (John 3:16). And, if you do, I’ll see you in heaven. Glory to God! Love, Doug (3/28/24)