PARKS BROWN

The wisdom of Hollywood is an oxymoron, but they tell great stories. In every story, whether it is documentary, fiction, fantasy, comedy or sci-fi there is a grain of truth to take away. The Godfather, produced in 1972 contains many of those pearls. ‘I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse’…’Never tell anyone outside the family what you’re thinking’…and for the purpose of this discussion, ‘You’re not a wartime consigliere, Tom.’

Since the spring of 2020 there has been greater than a 50% increase in the demand for counselors and therapists leading to an all-time high. The need for advice and guidance is as old as time itself. President’s have a cabinet of advisors ranging from domestic and foreign affairs to economic and environmental issues. Doctors give advice ranging from your skin and eyes to internal organs, bones and mental health. Advice comes in many forms and from various sources because ‘Fools are headstrong and do what they like; wise people take advice.’ Proverbs 12:15.

Where we seek and accept counsel is what the Godfather was talking about. We seek specific counsel depending on the immediate need and the need changed for the Godfather. Michael Corleone told a proven and trusted counselor he needed NEW counsel because ‘things may get rough with the move we’re trying.’ When things move, shift and change it’s critical to make sure the counsel you’ve received in the past is appropriate for what you’re dealing with now. Specifically, things get rough when you’re at war, in a battle.

Three years ago not many people recognized the frontal assault against truth, freedom and mankind. Today many of the initial C-19 conspiracy theories are proven fact and in your face. Now the headlines read, World War III…Spy Balloons Cross the United States…Toxic Mushroom Clouds Over Ohio…Chemical Fallout Kills Animals and Fish By The Thousands. The changes being made include many countries around the world re-instituting a military draft AND increasing the draft age. If you can’t see the changes and what they will bring, evaluate where you get counsel and plan accordingly.

‘Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance.’ Proverbs 20:18. Although China has increased the draft age to 60 most folks above 35 don’t see themselves as ever actively waging war. Boomers and Gen X have historically sought advice and formed opinions on world issues from the mainstream media, their circle of friends and their church. Gen Y and Z recognize the failure and incompetence of the media and they don’t attend church that often. The younger generations tend be more myopic leading them to neglect counsel that isn’t confirmation biased to their immediate opinions, circumstances and needs. The climate is ripe for misinformation and bad counsel.

Historically the church has been the leading advocate for counsel and advice as revealed in the Bible. The Bible is the counsel of God that includes advice for every changing situation since the beginning of time. ALL scripture from Genesis to Revelation is God’s full counsel that ‘is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.’ 2 Timothy 3:16. In other words, we need to know and live by ALL scripture and not ignore the parts that target our lifestyles and choices in 2023.

The modern church often chooses to focus on Christ’s gospel of love and not the FULL gospel of God. This was apparent when RVW brought abortion front and center. Many preached free will not repentance. The full counsel of God says our bodies are not our own and that HE knits a person together while they are still ‘unborn’. Some pastors think these verses are too offensive and limit the inclusion of everyone.

The battle has always been against God and his Word. In the beginning, Satan wanted Adam and Eve to ignore one or two words. God said mankind would ‘certainly die’ and we know what happened next. In the 70’s the front line against God’s word was abortion. Many focused on ‘free will’ while ignoring ‘whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Sixty million abortions later…

Today, the battlefront is a lifestyle choice. The full gospel/counsel includes what some popular preachers want to ignore and call the ‘clobber’ scriptures like 1 Corinthians 6…’Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolators nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.’ If these folks don’t inherit the Kingdom of God you might ask, who else is there?

If this counsel offends and excludes you or someone you know remember, Jesus is a savior AND a wartime consigliere. He knows the war for your soul is through the mind and His mental health counseling is measured with truth and not opinion. It’s not popular counsel to say that you must submit to God and ‘anyone who takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share of the tree of life and the holy city…’ Truth is not always inclusive. When you choose anyone other than Him, Jesus said, “‘Anyone who loves their father and mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”‘ Matthew 10:37.

No man is an island and the climate change is towards more counseling not less. More counsel can present a real paradox of choice and lead to not accepting any advice. The faith and survival of the next generation hinges on the full counsel of Truth, God’s truth. The full counsel of God says EVERYONE is loved and welcomed in His Kingdom. This counsel also reminds us “‘small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.'” Biblical counsel recommends repentance and is radically different from a lifestyle of self indulgence.

The counsel of God doesn’t always build a mega practice, or congregation. But, the full counsel of God includes the Old Testament where God looks for one righteous person, a remnant to follow Him. Multitudes can see ‘..our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.’….but will multitudes heed this counsel?

Michael Corleone knew it, so should you. Things are getting rough with the moves being tried in the world. NOW is the time to make sure your counsel is the FULL Biblical counsel from a wartime consigliere. ‘Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors’ Psalm 119:24.

5G is the way of the world. Out with the old, in with the new. 5G is everywhere you turn whether you know it or not. 5G is the next gen, the 5th generation. 5G represents a move forward, the next step in everything from technology to warfare. 5G is newer, better, faster and improved. 5G warfare represents social engineering, misinformation, cyber attacks, along with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and fully autonomous systems.

Cell providers and military forces around the world are dropping the old and focusing on the new. This evolution and change reaches institutions, church and state. How does the new gen manifest? Did you watch the social engineering at the Grammies? Did you hear the change this week from the Bishop of London and the Protestant Church of England? Have you read what Pope Benedict wrote before his death and contrast that with the ‘new’ Pope, Francis? Out with the old, in with the new.

5G is evident in the next generation of money and finance. Yesterday, the Bank of England discussed their proposed roll out of the new digital currency to replace the pound. Under current guidelines, Britons would only be allowed 10-20,000 pounds in their digital wallets. To posses money above this limit, the BOE would be in charge of approving and allowing you to sweep from other accounts to make additional purchases. When CBDC’s roll out, your cash will be outdated 3G technology left behind.

5G represents the NEW way of the world. While you decide whether to participate in the changes it brings, 5G demands you get on board or get left behind. Verizon has moved on so your 3G phone and services won’t work anymore. ChatGPT has changed the way your kids write their next essay whether you participate or not. This week’s SOTU address was 5G misinformation regardless of the economy participating or not. The world is moving on whether the truth participates or not.

Coming soon to a theater near you, Christians will be labeled as either participating in the new 5G world or their archaic first generation faith. It’s incumbent Christ followers remember the world may offer new and improved but the Bible says…’You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.’ James 4:4. Yes, the choice IS between the two and the contrast is stark. The time is NOW to have wisdom and discernment regarding the ways of the world versus the ways of God.

Jesus knew the choice between Him and the world would be the same in the 1G or the 5G so, He prayed to the Father…’ ” I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world anymore than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.’ ‘ John 17:14-15. In the world, if your faith dictates not baking a cake to commemorate a particular ceremony, the choice and the consequences are real. It begs the question, do we really believe ‘…the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world’?

The heat is getting turnt up each day and we have battles to either fight or ignore. Before turning away from a battle or engaging with a comment on social media remember, ‘For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.’ 2 Cor 10:4-5. Prayer should be the 5G weapon of choice for a Christ follower.

Christians are called to be holy. Holy is not silence, self righteous, pompous, angry or meek. Holy means to be set apart, separate. We are to live in this world but not be of it. We are called to be salt and light, to stick out and be different. The time is here and now to decide where you stand on ALL the issues of the world that are in conflict with your faith and what Jesus commanded. The Christian faith is in direct conflict with many headlines and events. Biblical faith means ‘Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.’

With CBDC’s around the corner, many believers don’t want to think the convenience of utilizing an ATM card might be replaced with a chip somewhere on your body. 5G monetary technology might dictate you adapt or get left behind like an old phone. ‘We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one’ so live prepared to make the hard choice.

Things are moving fast and Christ followers must stay in touch with the Holy Spirit and a body of believers more than the next technology. Go to church. Socialize with other believers. 5G is sweeping the world. A 1G faith is the remnant that will never become obsolete or leave you behind. “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Have faith, wisdom and discernment in God, not the world. Live in community with like minded. The letter Paul wrote to Timothy reminds us about those who chose the new ways over their faith, ‘have nothing to do with them.’

Wolves are widely known to be among the most deadly predators in the world. They dominate in all climates right at the top of the food chain because they are predominately ruthless pack animals. Wolves work together to devour every part of their weaker prey preferring psychological warfare to physical confrontation. Wolves thin out the weaker elements and control the population where they live.

Wolves aren’t considered an everyday threat because they live in the wild, but wolves are cold blooded killers. Think Liam Neeson’s movie, ‘The Grey’. Jeremy Renner in ‘The Bourne Legacy’. Most people only encounter wolves in the movies, or do they?

What would happen if wolves disguised their appearance and breached the borders in your city? Think back to Jack Nicholson in ‘Wolf’. What if wolves were a metaphor for intruders and evil like in the slasher film ‘Wolves At The Door’ depicting the Manson family massacre in 1969? Think the words in red, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” Matthew 7:15. Wolves come in many shapes.

Wolves are easy to recognize until they start masquerading and identify as humans. Today we are told everyone can be androgynous and identify however they feel, is it so far fetched to believe wolves are doing the same? Old testament prophets remind us this has been happening for centuries. Zephaniah identified a rebellious city full of oppressors and it’s ruling class. ‘Her officials within her are roaring lions: her rulers are evening wolves, who leave nothing for the morning’ Zeph. 3:3.

When the prophet Ezekiel told of the coming wrath of God, he identified one reason as the political leaders. ‘Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey: they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain.’ Ezekiel 22:27. He didn’t say anything about a man made virus to thin the population and make billions of dollars but if the shoe fits.

In the time period he was writing, Ezekiel said the church failed as well. ‘Your priests violated my law and desecrated my holy things. They can’t tell the difference between sacred and secular. They tell people there’s no difference between right and wrong.’ Ezekiel 3:26. I’m thinking this is when you can’t tell the difference between making a choice of free will that God gives us and killing a live baby in the womb. The church is failing us today when it condones marriage between the same sex and promotes lust to be the same as love. Truth is, wolves are identifying as politicians, corporate leaders, pastors and priests.

When truth is said to be so wishy washy it can be whatever you identify as ‘your truth’, wolves have breached the border because there are no walls to keep them out. Wolves are crossing the border into our hearts and minds. We need discernment to see and identify the wolves around us because what comes next is wolves entering your house without a valid search warrant…or is that already happening? Each of us need to know God’s truth about what is good and what is evil…and speak it loudly. Or else what? ‘Doom to those who call evil good and good evil.’ Isaiah 5:20. It doesn’t sound rewarding for anyone not speaking up against the abominations and evil parading and demanding to be accepted.

We know wolves prefer psychological warfare in order to confuse and separate, making their prey become more vulnerable and lose hope. Are there signs this is happening today? Suicide rates through the roof. Church attendance not recovering after the virus lock-downs. Friendships dividing because of who you vote for. The rate of sudden deaths, myocarditis and abnormal blood clots in cadavers beyond anything morticians have ever seen. Athletes dropping like flies. Wolves are definitely in the house and we need good shepherds to point them out more than ever.

Jeremiah 50:6 reminds us we need good shepherds like in the days when Iraq was still called Babylon. Why? Because, just like then…’My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray.’ The profession of being a shepherd has been overrun by wolves and the number of sheep without a shepherd is increasing. Like the police force is dwindling, no one is stepping up to join the ranks of shepherd at a time they are most needed.

In Biblical terms, wolves are the same genus as false prophets. If wolves are running rampant, odds favor false prophets are as well. Jesus told us this recognition was very important because it signified the second advent; His return. We remember ‘wars and rumors of wars…famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.’ These have also been such ubiquitous headlines for the past two years that many are desensitized and forget the importance they signify.

Don’t be lulled into complacency just because the wolves parading in the open seem like just another drag show. Christ did say He would return ‘like a thief in the night’, and the Message version of the Bible makes His words speak in the modern vernacular about the end. ‘”And then going from bad to worse, it will be dog-eat-dog, everyone at each other’s throat, everyone hating each other. In the confusion, lying preachers will come forward and deceive a lot of people. For many others, the overwhelming spread of evil will do them in-nothing left of their love but a mound of ashes…and then the end will come.” ‘ Matthew 24:10-14.

I know with God a ‘thousand years are like a day and a day is like a thousand years’ and no-one knows when He returns. I have heard the rumors of wars, watched the increase in earthquakes and bizarre weather from Cali to the Philippines. I also know the love between people grows cold… good is called evil in the name of unity and inclusion… and wolves kill.

The wolves we encounter today aren’t racking up the body count but they are killing none the less. ‘”Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”‘ Matthew 10:28. Beware the Wolves.

Christmas is a season of preparing for and celebrating change. The liturgical season of Advent culminates on Christmas Eve and the birth of Jesus is celebrated on Christmas Day. Advent is a time where Christ followers prepare their hearts and minds to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Advent is a season of waiting for change, anticipating and then celebrating the change Christ brought into the world. Although we celebrate the birth of Jesus today, we enter a new season of Advent tomorrow.

We all know, see and hear how things have changed in America and the world in less than 3 years. We all know there are greater changes in store for 2023 but do we know what those changes will be? The founder and Executive Director of the World Economic Forum in Davos produced a video preparing us for what and when the changes he and his followers will try to implement. Are we prepared for this? Are we preparing for greater changes than these?

We knew bitter cold weather was heading our way here at Christmas. We knew the arctic blast would be something different than we had seen so we prepared the best we could. Despite the preparation pipes still froze, people still died and power companies couldn’t meet the demand. Knowing the change coming doesn’t always favor the prepared mind as Louis Pasteur once said, but it does favor the prepared heart.

Louis Pasteur changed the face of science and medicine in the 19th-century. Pasteur was a bacteriologist credited with discovering the principles of vaccination. Pasteur’s contributions to science, technology, and medicine are nearly without precedent as he pioneered the study of molecular asymmetry; discovered that microorganisms cause fermentation and disease; originated the process of pasteurization; saved the beer, wine, and silk industries in France; and developed vaccines against anthrax and rabies. Years of study and research led to his most famous saying, “Chance favors the prepared mind.”

Football coaches remind players to keep their heads on a swivel to be prepared and see change before it happens. Sports fans may have seen the video of Deion Sanders preparing his new football team at Colorado for the changes ahead. Deion told his followers, “I’m coming. And when I get here, there’s gonna be change. So get ready.” Prepare for the change that is coming.

Coaches, politicians at Davos and anyone can TRY to bring change but only ONE person has a perfect record at predicting and bringing the exact change they promised. One of His most famous quotes was when He said, “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe I am who I am.” Yes, what he was talking about came to fruition.

Change often happens when you least expect it so we need to live ready. Jesus said, “You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” In other words, stay ready so you don’t have to get ready. Chance may favor the prepared mind so be prepared.

The writer of the 39th book of Psalms put it best. “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.” In other words, help me be prepared for the last change I’ll see.

The past few years have reminded everyone that life altering change can come suddenly and unexpectedly. As we look into 2023 and prepare for the next changes we KNOW are coming, lets return to the OG. Remember, He is batting 1000 for predicting and instituting change. He is so confident in his ability to predict and institute change, He put it in black and white for all to see…and never forget.

Let these words shape your season of Advent beginning tomorrow.
……..’Then I saw “a new heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Book it. Be prepared for this change. It will happen.

Christmas Day may be over in a few hours, but our season of Advent is not.

A hedge is a fence or boundary. When a hedge is in place it surrounds a thing, protects it and provides security. Hedges are used to shelter and mitigate risk. When hedges fail, the results are volatility, troubles and distress in spades. Everywhere you look these days, hedges are failing and being removed. In the old vernacular, woe to those who hedges fail.

I spent 30 years in the financial world before starting to farm and landscape 24-7. Therefore, I see hedges everywhere. Shrubs and trees that shelter a yard or field. Investments and strategies used to limit risk and protect capital. In 2008 failing hedges (derivatives) tied to mortgage backed securities were the origin for the severe damage caused to financial institutions. The rest is a tale of misery and gnashing of teeth felt around the world. In other words, enough woe to go around for everyone.

Today pundits will point to financial institutions being in a much better position and say the ‘great recession’ is in the rear view mirror. But, look closely and you’ll see the next phase of hedges failing is well underway.

We need to recognize the systemic failure of hedging, how widespread it is and where this failure originates. People want to believe as long as there isn’t a monetary and fiscal catastrophe, money and sound finances will hedge us against the woe we lived through a few years ago. Well, look at the hedges being removed today and buckle up.

The police are historically a hedge to protect against crime…that hedge is being de-funded and torn down. The U.S. Military has been a hedge to protect our freedoms and way of life domestically and abroad…that hedge is being removed as well. The border was a hedge to ensure against any and all threats like terrorists and drugs.

Many investors believe Bitcoin is a hedge against government overspending and printing of fiat currencies. Governments don’t accept competition without a fight so that rout is only in the 4th inning. Bonds are considered a hedge to balance a portfolio. Rising interest rates and the failure of confidence in governments across the globe is tearing apart that hedge. Pension funds in Europe will bear this burden at first but American retirement funds will follow. The fruit many expect from hedging is failing to ripen and materialize.

“In Unity We Trust” will replace the phrase “In God We Trust” on the CBDC’s (Central Bank Digital Currency) which will start in Europe. Sound finances and monetary policies of a ‘United Nations’ are not the hedge we need. A little history and knowledge of the Bible reveals that everything we SEE is a reflection of what we don’t see happening in the spiritual realm. The God of Creation is the only hedge protecting our world. When you take Him out of the schools, from the court buildings and out of the conversation in the heart and mind of men and women, woe goes parabolic.

Hedges have been falling my entire life. The family is the bedrock for civilization and the means for passing along Truth and Faith. Parents have the primary responsibility to give their children God’s Truth. When we substitute passing along Biblical truth for a better socioeconomic standing and a college education, the hedge of a Godly family has failed the next generation. When we tell each other and teach our kids evolution trumps creation….abortion is choice not murder…genital mutilation is a means of correcting gender confusion…woe to the press, politicians, church and family.

This isn’t MY opinion, this is what God says. Read the 5th chapter of Isaiah and see if any of this sounds like America in 2022.

…’ Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field till no space is left and you live alone in the land.’ Can you say urban life?

…’ Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine.’ Can you say a culture of entertainment and a work force where the service industry creates more jobs than manufacturing?

…’ Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness.’ I’ll let you come up with a list for this. It spreads across race, sex and political persuasions. None are exempt.

The God of Creation is NOT a safe God. When HIS people, who call themselves by HIS name don’t act or speak out against what has become politically correct or woke ideology, He removes the hedge of protection. The resulting distress, volatility and trouble is what we are currently experiencing.

God created our world as a garden (remember Eden) and a vineyard that is meant to produce fruit for Him. His people are supposed to work that garden and bear the fruit. That fruit is ‘love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.’ When God’s people don’t bear that fruit, you could say Christians are a large part of the problem. Sound extreme? Listen up.

‘What more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad? Now I will tell you what I am going to do to my vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be destroyed: I will break down it’s wall, and it will be trampled. I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and briars and thorns will grow there. I will command the clouds not to rain on it.’ Isaiah 5:4-6.

The hedges we see failing in American society and our financial markets is a result of spiritual hedges being removed. Christians must take the lead and produce the fruit that comes from the Holy Spirit…or else the hedges will continue to fail.

If we don’t speak God’s truth, if we don’t love regardless of political affiliation, if we don’t turn back to God, woe is a gentle word to describe what lies ahead.