the threshold of a new beginning!
The heart beat of the future:
Kingdoms shall perish, nations shall rise and fall. But The Kingdom will flourish. Joy will abound. Righteousness will reign. It matters which system you are in, and Jesus makes the difference. So as you read the following prognostications, two different messages will compete for your attention. In the world expect doom and gloom. In Christ expect life abundant. You can have either one. We hope you choose Jesus.
January 4, 2010
Christian Science Monitor says:
Africa, the perennial land of famine, may be the next breadbasket. Europe, where France banned the head scarf in state schools and the Swiss outlawed minarets, will emerge more tolerant of Muslims. Chinese babies will have siblings, and the new Russian political elite will be chosen, “Idol”-style, through a nationwide talent hunt.
Sometimes, we have good signposts. If recent trends hold, for example, senior citizens will play more video games, and teenagers will pick up more books. Birthrates in the United States will go down, and life expectancy in Burundi will go up. Fresh water will get scarcer everywhere, and desert land, drier. If money is no object, and imagination no obstacle, some say it’s possible to see corporations buy up artificial islands and become countries, or our cellphones play matchmaker at the coffee shop, alerting us to a nearby customer with a digital profile that matches our interests.
That’s the fun stuff, but the decade of the ’10s is also serious. As climate change continues to make contentious politics, rising temperatures could bring a 50 percent increase in armed conflict to Africa. Meanwhile, warlords will feel the increasingly tight grip of the International Criminal Court, which will finally define the crime of aggression, the last of the three crimes under its jurisdiction, at meetings in Uganda in 2010.
Closer to home, the year’s big issues – the environment and the economy – may get, well, closer to home. After a year of national and international flourish for environmentalism, eco-activism will look more local, says Elaine Kamarck, a lecturer in public policy at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government in Cambridge, Mass. The national political “system as a whole appears to be failing,” she says, “so I think you’ll see more grass-roots environmentalism.” It’s already started, she adds, pointing to the push back against clothesline prohibitions in some of the country’s 300,000 private communities.
We may not all be environmental activists, but when it comes to that other broken system – the economy – we’re all consumers. What we buy probably won’t change that much, but our purchasing power may be in for a boost. “We’re not going to see any movement on iPods, big-screen TVs, or even real estate,” says Elizabeth Warren, chair of the Congressional Oversight Panel and a professor of contracts law at Harvard University. “I think the big shift is going to come in credit.”
That’s if the Consumer Financial Protection Agency, which Ms. Warren advocates and President Obama has endorsed, gets through the Senate in 2010 (it passed the House in less-sweeping form in 2009). It faces stiff opposition from, among others, the banking industry, but if it succeeds, Warren says the agency will “watch out for consumers on credit products, the same way there are agencies that watch out for the safety of toasters, refrigerators, car seats, water – all the things that consumers touch and taste, smell and feel.”
Whether good credit will mean we’ll all need an android shopping assistant when we go to the mall – all the rage in Japan – remains to be seen. But the 21st-century country that 1950s America envisioned should give us faith – and pause – as we imagine 2010.
January 1, 2010
New Years's Eve Predictions for 2010
New Years eve party predictions for 2010: [with some personal editorializing]
Sports:
(The party was near Indianapolis, so this colors the sports predictions.) The Colts win the super bowl against the Patriots or a long shot against the Vikings. Tiger is repackaged in his comeback as ‘player’ of the year. Badmitten is removed from the Olympics and the US will win the most medals (I’m guessing its China personally). The Cubs win the world series or perhaps they are watching as the Angels beat the Yankees. On the local level the Soap box derby re-emerges as a popular racing venue, carpet ball arrives at the shelterhouse and local athlete Jimmy E gets a gold medal.
Religion:
Mega churches are squeezed as people no longer can afford the entertainment value and those serious about their walk with Christ return to the churches that led them to the Lord in the first place. Mid size churches experience and pursue church growth. Ted Haggard is repackaged as Tiger’s spiritual advisor. On a more serious note there is some concern for the health and well being of the Pope. The second red sweater attack and moving the New Year’s eve time to 10 spark conjecture that there may be a new Pope this year. Please pray for his health and safety. Also there is speculation of increased Islamic pressure on the West, but it is accompanied by an increase in conversion to Christ. On the local level, the church on North Raible will see a moderate gain in baptisms with a large core of young adults beginning to engage. And finally in the category of wishful thinking the same church receives a donation allowing for the construction of the family life center.
Economy:
US economy recovers slowly with job growth driving unemployment to 7%. The US will see a growth in alternate energy sectors with good news for Bright Motors. Job demands in the US will increase as will taxes. There will be a rise in ‘grey’ market dollarless barter and exchange networks, maybe using gold and silver coinage, or some foreign currency. Look for Pandas in your pocket. The dollar collapses enough that it is no longer the trade currency of the world. ‘Anti bubbles’ begin to fill. Like bubbles collapsing, certain currently undervalued economy sectors will suddenly grow substantially to fair market value and maybe beyond. Did we mention Pandas? This along with an acknowledgement (finally) that China owns the US will be revealed by the Chinese company known as General Motors. If it is renamed Government Motors, it will be spelled with Chinese characters. A sudden realization that socialist economy doesn’t work may stem the US slide. On a local level, one participant is looking forward to Social Security and another who doesn’t buy lottery tickets, (wise man), has a winner given to him. Hmmm.
Politics:
We get an expose on the Bush liberalism and the imposition of big government over individual liberty. Who knew that voting for Obama would elect Bush III? Meanwhile the US experiences a substantial terrorist attack. Civil unrest breaks out with riots when health care becomes impossible for formerly insured lower income people and elderly as a result of the Health bill. Medicaid continues to muddle along, but frustration over delays and paper work hamper its ability to provide. Anyone thought of a doctor’s strike? The AMA made much of this mess with government help. Resentment against members of the AMA begins to grow. US worship of medical degrees evaporates. By November there is more noise about impeaching Bush III than there was in impeaching Bush II. Obama responds to tanking popularity by suspension of the constitution and declares martial law to deal with terrorist attack and the civil unrest. Meanwhile the Republican Party picks up 50 house seats and 12 Senate seats. Internationally, Iran begins to flex its muscles. Atomic testing aside, it will overtly threaten the US. “If they can come to Afghanistan and Iraq, why can’t we go there?” India will take advantage of Pakistan’s disintegration and insert itself into the Afghan war, but not necessarily as a US ally. “They are going to flood Afghanistan with service calls until they are so distracted they can be overrun.” On a local level every school board member up for election will be replaced and the governor of the state will follow.
Social:
In the US illegal aliens amnesty is reasserted. English is kept as the primary language of the US, but there is some discussion about Spanish. School systems collapse suggesting a widening gap between the educated and the illiterate as the former is soon to be outnumbered by the latter in the US. The attack on the institution of marriage continues with proposals for state recognized polygamy and marriage of pets. (So long as the pets have their parents consent)… Global warming is no longer ‘chic’ but environmental imposition of government over individual liberty continues under the rubric of climate change. Post birth abortion is proposed and seriously discussed as well as affirming doctor assisted suicide. The internet becomes a stronger tool for monitoring individuals as search engines organize lists of ‘traitors to be treated as threats to national security’. This web site could be in trouble. No one wants their names included with their predictions. [My name is Arthur Jaggard]. On a more friendly note, there is an increase in social gatherings at home, a decrease in restraints, movies (! I’d have thought differently given the experience of the great depression where people sought escape from reality), and pricey sports events. Airport imposition on travelers decreases air travel. The national security agency begins searching trucks and doing scans on Interstates. Widespread college unrest as students rebel by becoming conservative. Some rebel against their parents by going to church. On a local level Anderson High and Highland Middle School finish the year with a sense of peace and a new beginning. The system is still in a mess and one grandson winds up in E2. Finally the Birthday Party at the church on North Raible is given a new format. [Pretty sure this one is going to happen.]
December 9, 2009
Hang in there!
I know, I know. We got you out of the stock market when the Dow was barely over 9000. On the other hand if you got into gold, (see Feb 7, and May 4), then you have outperformed the market by about 50%. We still see perilous times in equities in the near future.
The US. economy is like an old man in the hospital recovering from pneumonia. It does look like things are stabalized and the cough seems less serious. But this is only good until the next bug comes along. And it will. Don't have your money in this basket when it does.
Meanwhile questions abound:
Will the health care bill be passed? Will the US adopt global warming measures cutting carbon emissions? Will there be another bailout. Yes, Yes, and Yes. (any of these could turn out to be the next 'bug' for the economy) None of this is real news if you look at the previous posts.
We've got some other real news coming up in the next few weeks.
August 18, 2009
Scenarios
Several months ago we took some time to outline four ways of seeing the future. There are two weatherman models: projecting current trends and examining cyclical events. There is a way of seeing the future that relies on the One who already knows it. This spiritual endeavor is one that strongly influences this site. The fourth strategy is to develop scenarios. We write the story of our future and look for models that might develop. It is a Jules Verne approach and is often surprisingly accurate.
So what are the scenarios that might unfold over the next several months? Let us offer two and suggest that an accurate one will be in between.
Scenario one: The health care program passes with the public option. The economy continues to contract, unemployment hits 15% in government numbers and 25% in real numbers. Health care begins to get as muddled as the cash for clunkers program. The energy tax makes itself felt and consumer confidence plunges. Cities and States face increasing short falls.
Railing against the government for creating this mess gets Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck and O'Reily put in jail. Conservatives and Libertarians become militant at worst and passive aggresive at best. The National Guard and the Army, (never mind the constitution, Lincoln didn't) will be used to crush the rebellion. The blood bath will be extreme. Churches will either conform to the State (a sort of Reichstag church) or they will be closed. Say goodby to orthodox Christian churches. The generation that endures the conflict will only be educated if they are home schooled and that education will make them suspect.
On the other side of the second Civil War will be a time of renewal and rebuilding that will be only partially successful. So much will have been lost as the National Social agenda overwhelms the agendas of Liberty and Responsibility. Several decades after the renewal an new collapse will plunge the hemisphere into a dark age that will provide another culture an opportunity to expand and plunder what remains. North America will be the new Africa.
Scenario Two: A huge revival sweeps the Nation and people repent from their self centered, indulgent, fickle, me-first, politics. Human worth, which most locate in society, is once again located in individuals relationship to the God who gives all humanity inalienable rights, among them the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And the right to speak freely, protect ourselves and own property. The 400 people who have run the country into the ground are replaced. The court justices not upholding the constitution are replaced. The nation endures a time of adjustment as those who refuse to be responsible for themselves get a wake up call. As reality sinks in a new group of truly poor learns the advantages of work without the luxuries we take for granted. And as the repentant nation observes the poor among them, they reach out not with welfare but with individual opportunities to escape the poverty of heart that creates the poverty of pocket books.
August 12, 2009
Is it too Late?
Too late for what? Glenn Beck, Limbaugh, Hanitty and O'Reily are hoping to raise enough awarenss to stop the National Social agenda with the hopes of saving the Republic. Yes, it is too late for that. We've said before that the United States will end. Why is this a surprise?
The agenda is held at some level by most people in the United States. The Republicans are as complicit as any. They just move us in that direction more slowly than the democrats. At some point, fast or slow, the agenda will take hold. We will reach a tipping point where the government will have so crippled the economy that people will turn to the government for survival. Unless of course they turn to the Lord. (A notion the government will be much less tolerant of in the future). Wilkerson's prophecy will be fulfilled. (See sidebar, March 11 2009)
When that day comes (and it's nearly here) the United States will face a measure of violence. The guns will be collected, only a few from cold dead fingers. The industries, including agribusiness will be nationalized. People will be given work in exchange for subsistance. Food will be scarce. (It's for our own good, we're overweight, or it's our own fault, we spent decades eating the food we need now.) The Constitution will be set aside, (again a process already well under way).
So, is it too late?
It's not too late to lay hold of a future that is bright and bold and prosperous. Invest yourself in Jesus.
On a side note, resisting the National Social agenda is not the path of God's future. When it implements evil of course, we must not participate, even at the cost of our lives. But like Jerusalem, faced with Nebuchadnezzar, the solution is not to find a way out, but to submit to the corrective hand of the Lord. God is our only hope. And that has always been so.
August 8, 2009
Recent Questions and Answers
Question: Is the recovery over?
Answer: What recovery? We predicted the Dow would make it to 8900 and it passed it by a little. We are nearly unanimous that it is headed south. Again do not be in the market when the fourth quarter begins. It will bounce around for a while, but each time it will bounce lower.
Question: What about cash for clunkers?
Answer: This program is just one reason why the economy is about to head south. Anyone needing a car that can't afford to buy an energy efficient one is out of luck. The program costs nearly twice as much as a person saves on a new car. The cars that are sold are made overseas as often as not. Only people who can afford a new car should even consider the program. There are just so many reasons why this makes things worse in the long run. The short term may show an increase of sales, but these are sales that would have happened over the next several months anyway. We are using up tomorrow for the sake of a little encouragement today.
Question: Will the National Social Health Program be passed?
Answer: Absolutely. What form it will take will hardly matter. Once the government assumes the responsibility for our health, the program will continue to develop and take on a life of its own. Think Social Security. It was voluntary and minimal when it began. It was insurance, not welfare as it is currently configured. (Some object to the welfare language, but it is what it is.) Since its inception it has grown into a huge government industry supporting the National Social platform.
Question: What about the energy tax?
Answer: It is still on the way. The agenda to protect the earth will always be a valid one. People will on occassion do what is right (in their mind) despite the immediate unpopularity of the plan. They are counting on history vindicating them before the next election. The electorate is fickle after all. Today's enemies are tomorrow's friends. Just by way of illustration, Pres. Bush would never have taken us to Iraq if he listened to the polls. We got what we did not want, (well some of us anyway) because he thought it best. The current administration's commintment to a National Social agenda will deliver the energy tax despite any immediate howling by the unruly masses.
July 16, 2009
Hey, Look over Here!
In the last days the Bible says you will hear that alot. When you do, don't bother. Your salvation will come from the Lord, not stimulus packages, diplomacy, buyer incentives, world economy, government health programs or...
This last week we had encouragement that the economy in China is still cooking. The trade deficit is falling. India is still fast tracking small industry. Maybe they will lift us out of our demise.
Actually for the US what some think is good news is really not so much, unless our goal is to have a life style and standard of living that can pass for mainstream in New Dehli.
So, look for renewed hostility between Isreal and Iran, Syria and even the Saudi's, (who have been funding much of the anti Israeli terrorism). In South America the failure of Chile will be seen as a result of North American meddling. I know that's old news, but you are going to hear it again.
Meanwhile the climate continues to change. Over the next several months you will start to hear about global cooling because of CO2 emmissions. (Yes you read it right). And the march to locate human worth in society will continue to promise you hope for a better humanity.
And all of it that the pundits point to will be discouraging. They will actually discourage some of us to death.
Here's where Jesus comes in. He will give you life, joy, peace and purpose. Don't miss Him!
May 4, 2009
Money, Money, Money
Well, we really do believe that Jesus wants you to prosper and be in health, even as you prosper in your soul. But so many folks measure that prosperity in dollars. What a shame. The dollars are going to disappear all together. Trying to hang on to them will only wear you out and discourage you.
So what will happen? Right now we are completely invested in an index of Stocks that closely follows the S&P. We are looking for the Dow to get up to 8900 before heading south for the winter. We expect to get out by the end of July. And as noted before, we expect to have a choppy ride until then. Gold is looking good when you do get out.
But if following the market as it heads down (with your money in it) then stop. The finances are making you poor of heart. And as noted before, when this ride is over, all we will have for hope is Jesus Christ.
March 11, 2009,
Opportunity knocks amid fear and trembling. The whole world shakes.
If you know what is happening before it happens a person can make a fortune even in bear markets; maybe especially in bear markets. And this bear has just begun to roar. What a great time of opportunity!
Sadly it is also a time of suffering and fear, especially for people whose lives are so emeshed in the falling systems of this world. An interesting note related to churches is that not only is giving down across the board, but attendance is also. This flies in the face of popular wisdom that in times of trouble people flock to church. This time around people are angry about their discomfort. They are angry with God, they are angry with churches and they are angry with pastors.
After the shooting of a pastor in Illinois last week another pastor commented on the anger, "When things were going well they couldn't be bothered to do things God's way. Now that things are not going well they think it is all His fault..."
But even this anger is good news. For decades the church has been full of pretend Christians. The church has not been full of the power and presence of God and many have even come to believe that God is largely irrelevant to daily life.
As the cushy climate for the church evaporates all that is left is the power and the presence of God. What a great time to be in church! It turns out that God is able when things seem impossible to man.
Well, more of tomorrow's news: We were looking for pivot points in Feb. Turns out the pivot took things in the world from bad to worse. International politics is now full of resentment instead of hope. US rudeness to allies and bumbling overtures to enemies has dashed international hope in a new administration helping us move to world piece. The EU will become increasingly resistant to US economic policy and China will begin to actively look for ways to undermine the US that are not counterproductive to its own ascendency.
Another pivot point is a realignment of the axis of evil. What once was the axis is much more accepted as mainline. Look for the atomic program of Iran to be accepted by all but Isreal. Even the US will be tolerant. Isreal's desire to maintain control over Iran's ability to launch nuclear warheads will be condemned.
One last (for now) observation. For those who follow Toynbee, western civilization has crossed the divide for affluence to decadence. For those who do not follow Toynbee, the presumed solution to problems has made a seachange shift. Under affluence the solution is to spend our way out of problems. One might think that is the dominant mindset given Washington's recent nonsensical bailouts. But the mindset that is emerging as dominant is quite different. Now the dominant thought is that the systems, culture, and institutions of the past actually are the problem and need to be torn down and perhaps replaced.
We recently heard from a mortician that the medical establishment was so broken that we should just shut it down and start over. Now that would be good for a funeral director's business, but beyond that, when members of the chamber of commerce start to think that way, it is a sure sign that the world has changed.
As for the shaking, look for a literal shaking as earthquakes make news. But the real shaking will come in the hearts of people who once believed in hope. The anger that churches experience is about to spill over into the arenas of secular pundits who have proffered solutions. The true intentions of those who seek to have power will begin to be exposed. A stage will be set for the heavy handedness of government oppression even in the United States.
The Bible says, "When you see these things come to pass, lift up your heads, your redemtion draws near." When the fallenness of the world lifts itself up, it can't help but lift up the one who died to redeem us. And when Jesus is lifted up, He will draw all men unto himself. There are some great times coming for those who love the Lord.
Wish we had better news for those who do not.
February 7, 2009
Pivot points
The basic premise if this site is that the world is entering a long term bear market, but the Kingdom is entering a long term bull market. Still it is not a smooth ride for either outlook. We see Feb. 12 and 21 as pivot points in the ride.
Also there has been a lot of mixed conversation related to deflation and inflation. We tend to affirm both, though personally I look for more deflation.
How can both go on at the same time? Stuff will be worth less, but at the same time, the dollar will be devalued enough that it will take more of them to buy the worth less stuff. (Pun intdended).
As an illustration, a bottle of Cola that costs a dollar now will only be worth 75 cents. However, because the dollar is devalued by 50 %, it takes twice as many of them to buy the sugar water. So the cost in dollars goes to $1.50. In stable currencies and in some exchange commodities, (gold, silver) the price actually does go down.
Some interesting questions include, What are stable currencies? Euro? Or some smaller country that exercises sound fiscal policy? Are there any of those?
We are entering a very interesting period of choppy water.
January 2, 2009
So, What's next?
Government: Look for the Press to sidestep increasing insinuation that Obama is part of a corrupt Chicago machine. The Illinois governor under the bus will help disassociate him from the cesspool. Meanwhile the Democrats will dust off the Republican's nuclear option at least for conversation. Look for even more open partisan hostility outside of the watchful eye of Obama.
Iraq: No changes at all in the first several months. Any promise of a quick withdrawal will be overwhelmed by reality and a redeployment of even more that was predicted for Bush. Back in 2005 we said that Iraq was the tool of chastisement. We aren't done learning our lessons yet.
Economy:We still see a rebound sometime after the inauguration. Until then there may be some retesting of the Dow's low. How long the rebound will last is unclear, but it will be swept away with hyper inflation when it finally gets going. There has been way too much bailout money created out of thin air and when it's impact is felt all bets are off. When China and others finally divest themselves of US cash, the run on the dollar will push inflation well into double digit territory, along with interest and unemployment. Dollars will be largely irrelevant for day to day life. Survival will be the name of the game, not investment. Have your pantry well stocked and well protected. Organized crime militias are on the way eventually.
Good News: This part is huge. The Holy Spirit introduces a new health care program. Prayer communities will arise. They will look a little like the network of shrines in Europe. But it is not the Shrine that makes for health. It is the presence and power of Jesus Christ showing up there.
There will be a stronger emergence of other forms of spiritualityas well. Some of them will bring healing as well, though with some strings attatched.
The Holy Spirit has already begun to develop a sharing network to make sure people are fed and employed. All volunteer, all fed. Those who won't volunteer may be less fed. (Let those who will not work not eat) BTW, learn to garden now. Those victory gardens made a difference once before.
Another system in formation is education. Home schooling will continue to grow. Home school associations will provide assistance.
The best days are still ahead of us! Rejoice!
January 1, 2009
So, How'd we do?
Somethings were just wrong. Hillary Clinton is not in jail. Not even in trouble. In fact she seems to be rewarded with one of the top cabinet posts.
The price of underware did not sky rocket. Expendable comodities have begun to fall much earlier than we anticipated.
Somethings are still out there. Al Gore for instance. It might even be that the prognostication regarding Hillary is too. And the timing of the dead cat bounce for April of next year will have to wait.
But there were other things that we got right. A year ago we said it would be Obama and McCain with an Obama victory. We called the bottom of the Dow at 7500. And we called Jesus as the Lord of Lords.
November 12, 2008
Post Election Predictions
Two interesting calls came in over the last three weeks. One is from a mid sized town mayor and the other the head of a mainline denomination. Both are wondering what happens after the election. Well, here we are.
Ane here is what is going to happen. There is a slow awakening coming. Right now we are still in the sleepy shadow of the election. Obama has won handily. But he ran on the same magical thinking that brought us JFK. Obama's America will not be Camelot, but the notion that all is well now that he is here will soon run its course. People will begin to realize that the troops are not coming home just because he is the president elect. The economy is still in a tail spin. The efforts of Congress to make a positive difference will continue to make things worse.
"Just wait until after Obama takes the oath of office" The mayor is hoping that somehow everything will be better then.
It won't. And sometime in February people will begin to rub the sleep from their eyes and depression will take hold in a serious way.
So, look for continued decline in the stock market. All commodities except maybe food and medical help will decrease in price, some substantially. The price of oil will continue a slow descent. Rise in unemployment will begin to accellerate. Look for double digits by mid next year.
Now to the denominational leader. He called saying The Future of Religious Organizations was on his desk. Good start, even if a little late. The quick take on a long conversation is that the organization needs to reset at the lowest level of order that will still sustain its presence. Pull in the spending and personel in every way possible. Resist the urge toward centralized control. Give as much energy to the extremities as possible. Some of those extremities will not survive, but hopefully enough will that the denomination can survive. A federated model of organization is much stronger in times of stress than a centralized union.
Well, that may be true, but the odds of selling it to every one are slim. People want to hold on to the old way of doing things. So, even though people know what needs to be done, many will not have the ability to do it. Look for the denomination to dissipate into irrelevence.
The same is true for every organization that will not slim down. Families, business, city administrations all need to cut back now or face real pain later.
One last note. This past Sunday a person handed me a page of predictions. The Bible will still be God's Word. He will still deliver. Prayer will still work... You get the idea.
Jesus is brighter than the darkness coming. So the last prediction for the post election world is that churches which survive (and churches which are faithful enough that the power and presence of Jesus actually shows up) will start to thrive. Not economically, but spiritually you will be able to see the depression lifting. Pocket books may be empty, but hearts will be full. By February 2009 you will see real joy begin to spread. There really is good news and it does make a difference.
October 9, 2008
Focus, Focus, Focus
We've been telling you for years that all this is coming. We've even endured a bit of criticism for saying it was coming. Maybe even a little scorn. But remember, we are the glass half full folks. Life is as good as ever! (If you are in Jesus, what could we be afraid of?)
Now for those who have tried to be prepared, there is little to no financial loss. If however you have lived like the world and not like a Christian, you are probably in debt and that which you thought you had is down some 25% or more. But it's not too late. What we are going through now is just the early warning system. Real hardship for the world has not yet emerged. The world is just so unprepared for real hardship that a hiccup sends them reeling.
So, right now, invest yourself in Jesus. The rest of the news becomes an opportunity to be blessed by Him and not the world. And who would you rather be blessed by?
September 30, 2008
So Many Questions we've already answered!
Well, as you can imagine, there are lots of questions flying around after the "melt down". Take a deep breath. We've been telling you about this for a while. You are going to get through it. And it is just beginning, so take another deep breath. Book mark this page, we'll walk you through it.
Question: Will the Government put a bail out deal together. Anwer: It is absolutely the worst thing they could do. On the other hand that makes a person think it will happen. Look for a more liberal version of the defeated bill. Partisan politics is just getting started. And as we have said before, there will not be a beginning to the relief until Feb. or there abouts.
Question: You said not to pay attention to money. Are you serious? Answer: Well, sort of. It is a poor person who measures life in dollars. And it doesn't matter how many dollars they use to do it. On the other hand, Do not spend what you do not have! Pay enough attention to get that right. If you owe money on something, sell it and get out of debt. Do it today!
Question: (From a bank officer this morning no less!) Should I keep contributing to my 401 K? Answer: Absolutely!!! And if you can give some management to your retirement, keep it as liquid as possible until this little storm has passed.
Question: The Dow just lost 777 points. What is the significance of that number? Answer: Please don't be silly. More seriously, back in 2000 we called for the Dow to fall to 3500. In adjusted dollars (figuring the dollar has been devalued 50%) we need to fall to around 7500 for that to be fulfilled. We are about half way to where we are going. And it has taken 8 years to get there. We're looking at another half dozen years to finish the cycle.
Question: Why is it bad for the government to buy up the bad loans? Answer: This seems like such a no-brainer. First of all, if the debt is killing the folks who made the loans, why would we want the government to have it? The bad debt is like a bad disease. Try not to get it. Secondly, the Bible says the borrower is slave to the owner. Our government does not have cash in hand to buy the bonds or the companies that packaged them. Guess what we will have to do to make the bail out? This is a sure way to garauntee that we are a nation of slaves. So much for the land of the free and the home of the brave. Third, the Bible says it is foolish to garauntee another person's loan. If you haven't learned that lesson on a personal level, please do not try to learn it on a national level. Remember, we see a bailout package coming...
Question: Why are you supporting Obama for president? Answer: Please... We are only telling you what will happen. The folks contributing to this effort are mixed, but only two of them support Obama. There are several that support McCain and most (self included) tend toward Libertarian/Constitutional parties. By the way, it looks more like a landslide coming. We are still trying to parse the Al Gore undercurrent. In the world's eye this seems like such an implausible prediction. Biden would have to get beat up by Palin pretty badly for him to step down. Of course other unthinkable scenarios could play out as well. How Gore would become VP is beyond us. We are sure however that Hillary will not be VP.
Question: Why don't you update this site more often? Answer: Accurate future information is rare. We have alot, but what we have we give. We aren't here to make stuff up or to entertain. If we put stuff up every day, we'd be giving you things that aren't accurate. Plus, we (and I) all have other lives to live besides this. In that vein let me ask for prayers as I travel to meet with some of our compatriots in Oklahoma this month. Our main project there is caring for the Murrow Indian Children's Home where I am on the board. But beyond that there are several there who see the future and who share in this endeavor, (Tomorrow's News).
love,
Arthur Jaggard
August 22, 2008
The eye of the storm
The price of gas and gold have fallen. Oil even more so. The dollar is rebounding. Some pundits think the turn around has begun in America (and the world's) economy.
Sadly it is just the eye of the storm. Look for the storm to last until well after the elections. When Obama takes the oath of office the storm will have spent its energy. Until then unemployment, and prices of expendable commodities will rise (gold included). The dollar will continue its fall, more banks will collapse, real estate and industrial capital will fall (taking the DOW with it).
As we forcast back in March, Gold has fallen from its highs. But we also predicted a rebound that would cause it to move well past its highs. Look for this to happen by early spring.
So what to do?
Stop paying attention to money. Really.
God is able to provide for all our needs from His riches in glory. It is a poor person who measures their future in money. The currency of the Kingdom is righteousness and peace. Seek Jesus. May His Holy Spirit indwell you and flow from you. May the Prince of Peace be the ruler of your future.
Talk about a great futures market!!!
July 17, 2008
Where have all the cattle gone?
After driving back and forth across Kansas, (the number one beef producer in the nation), there was one troubling observation. All the feed lots are empty. They should be packed shoulder to shoulder with cows eating corn.
So what does that mean about tomorrow's news? The price of beef is about to sky rocket. There is a huge reduction in the amount of meat coming to the supermarket near you in the near future.
Meanwhile the economic melt down we warned was coming is beginning to arrive. Look for this down turn to last until after the elections in November. By then it will have a long hard march to make it back to where it is now. Sadly it will not make it all the way back.
So what options do we have? Some folks will follow the cattle. But for people that follow the Lord, 'the good old days' are yet to come. In the midst of the darkness, He shines brightly.
While we do not rejoice in the darkness, be sure, God will meet all of your needs through His riches in Glory. If you are His, Tomorrow's News is good news!
May 5, 2008
Finding the path to the future
There are four ways to look ahead. One is to find recurrent cycles. Unless something interrupts the cycle, we can use it to make predictions. I predict snow for Indiana even though summer is upon us. (Winter will follow). The second is to project current trends. It is a shorter term tool, but it still works. Temps are getting warmer. I predict next week will be warmer yet. A storm is tracking toward us, we can predict where and when it will hit based on trend lines. A third forcast tool is projected scenarios. One day the United States will cease to exist. (I hope that isn't too large a leap, because that is what we will look at later). What sort of scenarios could lead to that eventuality? Right now there are probably too many to consider. But some are more improbable than others. What would the more probable ones look like and how do we plan for them? Finally, (I like this one best), we have some sort of spiritual insight into the future. If God says it, ...
So, back to tomorrow's news. The United States will cease to exist. Some people think that might seem outlandish to consider. Their counterparts in the Soviet Union are now convinced. No nation gets to have a 1000 year reign (outside of God's millenium). Obviously the American experiment has lasted longer than the Nazi reich, but all things come to an end. Will it be 20 years (ala Toynbee) or 5 years (Mayan Calander) or 60 years or more? The longest incarnation of western civilization actually made it over 400 years with the Roman empire.
This is where option 4 for finding the future comes in. The Holy Spirit is warning us that an end is upon us. Many in the church think it means THE END. Maybe, but Christians historically have presumed that their end means the end of everything. A little presumptuous perhaps.
So what kind of preparations need to be made? History has some impact, (a sort of cyclical analysis). What happened in the Soviet Union could be a great teacher.
One commentator observed several dynamics. There was a rise in organized crime, sometimes wearing a badge. There was profound shortage of everything. On the up side, people lost weight. On the down side, people dependant on medication died. Alchoholism and drug use skyrocketed as people tried to numb the discomfort. Surpirisingly people spent money on small nonessential trinkets, very cheap luxury items as if to reassure themselves that they were surviving in styl. The commentator had one last observation. It was always cold. The cold seeped into everything and never went away.
Now here is the good news. The rise of Chrisitianity, (not without a few bumps along the way) provided a source of warmth, comfort and health for those who allowed it. The power and the presence of Jesus Christ impacted people so profoundly that a huge portion of the populace began flocking to the once outlawed church.
Jesus will make that same difference when it happens in the United States as well. Even so Lord Jesus come!
April 12, 2008
Future Money
Tomorrow we will post exerpts of an article from Avi Tiomkin which we think will come out in Forbes in about a month. Not sure about the when and where... Except that it will be in our Things to look for in the world section. And it will predict the end of the Euro as a consolidating monetary unit for Europe.
Given Avi's prognostication here are some questions to be asking:
How does the World Bank adjust to the confusion as the Euro collapses, especially in light of the current weakness in the dollar?
What does this do the plans for an Amero as the NAU (North American Union) continues to gather steam?
Would it be possible for an underlying world currency unit to emerge, to which all international currencies could peg their worth?
Our prediction is that by the end of Gore's presidency, the one world financial system will be far more structured than it is today.
Good news again. As the forces seeking to deify collective humanity ascend, so does the power of God. In the day of humanities pride, the Glory of the Lord will shine most brightly. For those who seek the joy and life in Jesus, the very best days are right before us!
March 29, 2008
Gore, Obama and McCain
It still looks like Obama and McCain in the race for the US Presidency. But we have been hearing Al Gore for over a year now. What would that look like? The scenario noised about is so discouraging.
Obama and Hillary come to the convention without a clear majority of elected delegates. This seems like a forgone conclusion at this point. Neither can claim a clean victory and both are relying on superdelegates for their claim to the nomination. Al Gore signs on the Obama ticket with the intent to reinvent the vice presidency as a sort of superadvocacy position above the fray of partisan politics.
There is some concern in our circle that McCain's health will hold up even through the campaign. In any event, for Gore to be president, Obama must first win. And then the unthinkable.
The chaos that would ensue would be profound. There will be a rush to consolidate power. Martial law ensues. What a mess. It certainly would fulfill the prophecy about the immanent collapse of the US. as we know it.
But this web site is about the good news. And even in this horrible scenario there is plenty. The hollowness of American prosperity needs to be exposed. This certainly would do it. Above and beyond a restoration of heart, this scenario will be accompanied by a powerful outflowing of the Holy Spirit.
Arise and shine for your light has come and the Glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Darkness shall fall upon the nation and deep darkness upon the ethnicities. But kings and princes will be drawn to the light of your rising.
Even so Lord Jesus come!
March 3, 2008
Wars and Rumors of War
That's what the Bible says to expect in the world. So here's what to look for in the world. Somalia is heating up. Chavez and Columbia, (which dedicates the thinning resources of the US) are heating up a new frontier of warfare. The draft will become a presidential issue, and the one who promises not to have one will be the one elected to go back on their promise. By 2010, WWII will seem like peace time.
Wait, there's more. War fatigue will set in. There's just too much for any person, presidents included, to pay attention to. The US will begin to fold back in on itself and pay the price for its dependency on its colonial imperialism. So to the degree that we need oil, or titanium, or cheap labor, or infusions of capital, or... To that degree we begin to do with out. By 2012 the elections will be about getting us out of depression. And the government will begin to be more controlling than ever. Look for liberal facism to exert itself more powerfully than ever.
So what is the good news? Jesus says He brings peace. It's what He is the prince of, right? In the midst of darkness shined a great light. And that light is beginning to rise upon you who call upon His name. The joy of life is not diminished because it is dark outside. Inside the brightness of His rising overwhelms despair. We live on the verge of the triumph of hope!
February 25, 2008
Bonds, Food and underwear
Yep, the price is going up. A lot. [The Spirit is whispering about a bond crash later] Buy bonds now, [but do unload them in time] save underwear (and other clothes) for later, but what to do about the food thing? When push comes to shove, God will provide for those who let Him. One classic example of His provision was with the Children of Israel wandering about in Saudi Arabia. ( I know that conventional wisdom has them 40 years in the Egyptian desert, but you came here to find out what really happened, right?)
For 41 and a half years the descendents of Abraham recieved from the Lord's hand good food. And they named it Manna. A rough translation of the word Manna, is "What's this stuff?" Hardly what you want to hear at the dinner table. But it does illustrate a point. God will feed us and we won't understand how even as we are eating.
Look for good news in the coming days as God cares for all who let Him!
Meanwhile in the kingdoms of the World:
WORLD TAKES FRIGHT...
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/banking_and_finance/article4895024.ece
Bush: 'It's going to take awhile'...
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D93L3O100&show_article=1
Pope says world financial system is 'built on sand'...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article4893190.ece
STAMPEDE AT NBC: Jim Cramer warns investments could lose 20% of value...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27045699/
FLOOD AT FED: Doubles Cash Sales to $900 Billion...
http://www.reuters.com/article/gc06/idUSTRE4954BI20081006?sp=true
MARKET MAYHEM: London suffers sharpest fall since '87...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/3146097/FTSE-100-heads-for-sharpest-fall-since-1987.html
Gunman kills self, five kin over financial woes in L.A....
http://www.knbc.com/news/17635113/detail.html
FEAR
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c9a27b24-93d1-11dd-b277-0000779fd18c.html
LEHMAN's Fuld: Where was our bailout?...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081006/bs_nm/us_financial_lehman
PAPER: 'We risk a disintegration of global finance within days'...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/ambroseevans_pritchard/3141428/Germany-takes-hot-seat-as-Europe-falls-into-the-abyss.html
Germany considers national financial 'shield'...
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D93L35HO1&show_article=1
Asian markets plunge on fears crisis is spreading...
http://finance.yahoo.com/intlindices?e=asia
EUROPE ROCKED...
http://finance.yahoo.com/intlindices?e=europe
Oil falls below $89...
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE49439X20081006?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&rpc=22&sp=true
CNBC Confirms Lehman CEO Punched at Gym...
http://www.businessandmedia.org/articles/2008/20081006150152.aspx
Barney Frank says GOP housing attacks racially motivated...
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D93LAKT01&show_article=1
MUSCLE: Dollar Reaches 13-Month High...
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=avC.1.PvSqHg&refer=worldwide
UPDATE: eBay to slash workforce by 1,600...
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D93L63UG0&show_article=1
Pope: Financial crisis shows futility of money...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081006/ap_on_re_eu/eu_vatican_pope_meltdown
Al-Qaida: US economic crisis equals Muslim victory...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081005/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_al_qaida_american_video
'Intelligent' computers put to the test...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/oct/05/artificialintelligenceai
U.S. to rely on Russia for manned spaceflight...
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/10/05/america/gap.php
UPDATE: Russian nuclear warships sailing to Venezuela...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4887728.ece
'Human evolution is over'...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article4894696.ece Half of mammals 'in decline'...
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=081006114428.v3nn78li&show_article=1
China cancels military contacts with US...
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D93L6QFG0&show_article=1
NO SLUMP: Dubai aims to top its own world's tallest tower...
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1772769.ece
Prophecy archive
We're not always right, but here is the record of what we see unfolding in the future for the people of this land.
February 21, 2008
So long Taiwan...
On January 2 we suggested paying attention to China preparing to occupy Taiwan. Another step in that direction is today's development. The Vatican is preparing to remove recognition of Taiwan. China is preparing to enter its 'age of conquest'. So what is good news about that?
When Assyria was about to sweep through the Kingdom of Judea, most people in Jerusalem thought it was the end of the world as they knew it. Against God's advice they made a deal to flee to Egypt. Bad move. God used the invaders to bring righteousness to those who would accept it. And the infusion of righteous leaders from Jerusalem brought salvation to many in Assyria, including the king that cast Daniel into the lions den.
So what is God's plan for the salvation of 1/4 of the planet's polpulation? It may just be us. The day star is rising! Even so Lord Jesus, Come!
February 15, 2008
"President Bush has died"
I woke up this morning hearing as clear as a bell, "President Bush has died." There was the same sense of confusion I associate with the death of President Kennedy. But as I came awake, several thoughts gave some order to my heart. First, it's just a dream. Second, which President Bush? Neither is welcome news to me, not because I appreciate their liberal anti liberty politics, but because I want for them to live. God says he hates death, even the death of the wicked. And I'm not willing to consign either Bush W or Bush H to that catagory, at least not without a lot of company.
The third thought that occurred is that this is the future. Hence, the article here instead of some other web page. The day is coming when I will hear those words, "President Bush has died". (Providing you haven't heard them of me before hand.)
The heart beat of the future is that this world is not all there is. In Jesus, even death can not defeat us. We can have a victorious vibrant life in defiance of death.
Unfortunately, for those not in Jesus, the hell on earth is just a foretaste of future. What starts here does not stay here. It lasts for eternity. So what is your future? You, like President Bush, will die. There is no secret service to protect him let alone you. And then what?
Here's wishing you life. May Jesus rise in your hearts today. May He be the Lord of your future. May His Holy Spirit produce in you a victory even in the valley of the shadow of death. May life and joy flow from you like an out of control river. May people around you delight in your life even in your death. May Jesus Christ be praised!
love
Art
January 22, 2008
The Kingdom future.
This just in, 2/3/08
We've been praying for a gentleman with Pancreatic cancer. Two weeks ago he had a month to live. The doctor's visit this last week produced a startling update. The doctor said the cancer is gone! "It's just gone"
We have a better explanation. The future in the hands of Jesus is life and life more abundant! Get ready, the best is yet to come!
1/22/08
Here's one thing to expect in the future with Jesus!
Health care programs will thrive. Expect more news like this:
Dorothy had cancer on her foot. It was large and black and scaley. The surgeon removed it and it returned. A week ago last Wed. she was scheduled to see the surgeon to arrange the next operation. Sunday she asked quietly if she might have people pray for her.
Monday she showered and when she toweled off, the cancer was gone. Just gone... Last Wednesday Dorothy kept the appointment with the surgeon. The cancer is gone. No medical explanation, it's just gone.
It's not our great faith, we're just ordinary folks. It's God's great faithfulness
January 6, 2008
General Resonance!
Isreal builds a Maginox line . Will it be more effective than the last one was?
Now it looks like Obama and McCain, but...
Don't count Hillary out yet. And the less liberal Republicans will begin campaigning against Mac. And the Spirit still whispers Gore.
The Fed now intends to create a recession to avoid a depression. Too late? In any event look for Perot's flushing noise to drown out any voices of good news for the economy.
January 2, 2008
China occupying Taiwan as the US says, "Good luck" to the island.
The superhighway creating the infrastructure for a N. American Common Market
Look for more news related to the Amero, (like the Euro) no matter who the next pres. of the US is.
Right now we are still calling for Hillary and Romney with Hillary taking the election, but we still hear the whisper of Al Gore.
Meanwhile in the world look for serious stagflation over the next decade.
Bird flu is just the tip of the iceburg. We will see several new diseases in the next few years, most of which will not be severe.