Does Cat Stevens - Where Did I Go?

If you were born before the sixties you may have wondered what became of then popular singer-songwriter Cat Stevens. What happened to his music career and where is he today?

The pop singer goes his own way

In the end of the sixties Cat Stevens who lives in England--born from a Greek father and a Swedish mother--pursued what we could call a "regular" pop musician career. The songs were of high quality but the arrangement were not much different from other typical pop songs in that period. It seems that this was not a life style which he could stomach because he caught ill with tuberculosis and ended up on a hospital.

After this experience he must have decided to change something in his life. He somehow got his record company to drop him. And then started to work with a new approach on his songs--in a more folk-rock direction.

The following albums with that new sound became extremely popular in the beginning of the seventies--many songs have the qualities of a strong melody and complex arrangements while they still can be played on a single guitar at the camp fire. It was as if the earlier person he had been before was forgotten--this was the real Cat Stevens.

The transformation to "Yusuf Islam"

If you listen carefully to the lyrics of the albums you will find a rich layer of search for spirituality and religion. So in the rear view mirror it is perhaps not so surprising that when the artist known as Cat Stevens finally finds some long searched answers in the Islam religion, he practically abandons his music career. He simply stopped making records at all in the end of the Seventies, and put his attention on the religion not to mention the understandable goal of having a life and a family of his own.

He changed his name to Yusuf Islam at the same time. Of course, as the productive artist he was, the creative process does not stop just like that. Now the output went into becoming one of the most respected spokesmen for the religion of Islam itself, always communicating the basic good intentions and values his newly found religion represents.

The music never stops

Actually, Yusuf did continue to make music but now he played music that would communicate the teaching of Islam. Of course, if you listen to some of this musical output which is obviously not meant for the broad public, the quality is sky-high as usual for everything this charismatic singer-songwriter does.

Now, he begins to realize that making a song is actually the best way to communicate something-instead of lecturing, and thus creating a debate where opinions can be questioned-as Yusuf said, "You cannot argue against a good song, and I have some really good songs". And if you want to come out with messages of peace and understanding what is a faster way of spreading the words than pop music? So Yusuf is recording and singing live again - returning much to the old sound of Cat Stevens and not closing the door to that part of his life and career.

Where to start?

To listen to samples of the music of Yusuf Islam/Cat Stevens, and get all your questions answered about this phenomenal artist, go to his own Cat Stevens-website and see for yourself.

Where is the Ark of the Covenant?

Resumption of Jewish Temple worship is prophesied in Daniel 9: 27, proclaiming Antichrist will make a "one week" (or seven years) covenant (perhaps to treaty among Israel and her Islamic neighbors) and will somehow permit Israel to sums up Temple worship after a void of almost 2000 years.

"And I shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week I shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations I shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."

At the "midst of the week" (of seven years) prior to arrival of Messiah, Son of David, this says Antichrist ("he") will betray the covenant with Israel and halt the Jews' brief 3 ½ years of Temple worship. Therefore, since we know the sacrifices will cease, then it follows that at some time prior to that time they will have been restored, as forecast in Daniel 9: 27. It is to be noted that this "ceasing the sacrifices" event is the harbinger of the infamous "Abomination of Desolation."

As ominous confrontation between Israel and Islamic nations continues threatening World peace, a major facet of that confrontation is the Promised return of Jewish Temple worship. Islam currently controls access to the Temple Mount. So, even if and when Israel does regain access to the Temple Mount, the question from many Jews and Christians Protocol becomes: "How can Israel summarized in a Third worship Temple without The Ark?"

Many popular and respected religious writers have and continue to sensationalize this question by offering, often dogmatically, that the Holy Ark is here - or it is there - or it is-?

Truth is obtained from Scripture in Jeremiah 3: 16-17 - where the prophet notes that when Israel was to return from captivity in Babylon, they certainly did NOT resume worship with The Holy Ark, nor did they have even so much as to replica of the Ark in the Second Temple. -From Jeremiah:

"And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, ' The ark of the covenant of the LORD': neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it;" Neither shall they visit it; Neither shall that be done any more.

At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; "and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart."

Yes! • When Messiah arrives to build the Third Temple, they won't even remember the Ark. See 17 notes that at the time of Messiah's arrival (Return) Jerusalem will be "the throne of the LORD." Messiah is going to appear as a man with a body. -He is NOT going to live in some golden box! -Go figure!

Another prophet, Ezekiel, described the Temple that would be restored for Messiah. In it there is NO Ark. -Again - "...." "Neither shall THAT be done any more...." Historians, such as Flavius Josephus and the Talmud Rabbis, inform us that there was not even to replica of the Ark in the Second Temple.

So, don't permit these "book salesmen" to dupe you into buying their books, telling you the Holy Ark is "somewhere in Ethiopia" or it is "concealed in a passage beneath the Temple Mount" or "in a secret vault beneath the Vatican" or a dozen other "theories" with absolutely no credible evidence, notwithstanding their contradiction of Scripture. We need only await His Blessed Coming, resting assured that I will need no Ark.

Much more information on this subject, as well as many allied factors, are discussed in the book co-authored by Robert Reiland: "Jesus and the Third Temple: The Complete Guide to the Ancient History and Secret Rituals of the Red Heifer Ceremony"-This book details why building the Third Temple in Jerusalem is a Jewish right and to Christian Imperative!

http://yowbooks.com/HTML/Jesus.html

Where Is 'Peace' on Earth?

It's in the news everyday. There is the uprising of nuclear threats from Iran to destroy not only God's people in Israel, but America as well. Up until recently, 911 in fact, we viewed this kind of stuff from the comfort of our hown homes and would passively thank God that it wasn't us. But, it is us and unless we start taking a stand on the reality that our country is under a threat of turning into an Islamic nation, we will be left wondering how it happened. There is a conspiracy going on right under noses...can't you smell it?

A woman named Nonie Darwish is an Egyptian born Christian who immigrated to the U.S to escape Islam. She has recently had a book published called "Now They Call Me Infidel". She says that Americans must understand that radical Islam wants to impose its repressive Sharia law on the U.S. by the middle of this century. By 2050 she claims that Muslim teachers on the East coast of the United States will impose this law on America. We are not just being threatened by terrorism, but also by the conquering culture of radical Islam. One of the major threats is organizations such as the Council of American Islamic Relations. She claims they use American free speech laws to squelch criticism of Islam. This is certainly true. Instead of being afraid of offending anyone we should be screaming and asking how can they demand equality while the home they came from gives no respect to any other religion? Can't you detect the conspiracy of hypocrisy? Unless we fully start paying attention and stop snoozing, we will be left only with the consequences to pay for, mainly our freedom!

Not only this but the threat of dividing Israel is a major threat to us as well. It blows my mind that President Bush who I thought was a Christian man seems to be leaning on the counsel of men and not God. Last week the Annapolis Peace Summit was held in Annapolis, Maryland. It is the conspiracy to divide Jerusalem. President Bush is agreeing to divide Jerusalme before the end of his term in 2008. It is his belief that the Palestinian cause is the root of Islamic hatred for Americans. One reason he most likely is agreeing to this is because he has advisors telling him that it will affect his legacy in the most positive way. We'll see.

Since 2003, phase 1 of this "Final Status Plan" was to disarm terrorist organizations, but this failed. Phase 2 of this plan was to dismantle all terror organizations and their infrastructure. HAMAS, Islamic Jihad, al-Aksa Martyrs Brigade to name a few would have been forced to turn over all illegal weapons and stop terror incitement. This was not implemented either. Just the opposite happened. HAMAS took over Gaza; Abba's own terror organization, Fatah and al-Aksa Martyrs Bridgade continue to kill Jews.

If this division takes place, Israel will be a living hell. God's chosen people will be forced to live next door to a state controlled by Islamic fanatics such as HAMAS. All I can say at this point, may God have mercy on all those responsible.

As news-worthy as all this is, it's not new. Yes, I believe that God is in control and I also believe that we are living in a time where each one of us is under a yoke of God's judgement or the yoke of His grace. I know how God handles those who are against Him. Who's side are you on?

The 83rd Psalm was a national lament which includes prayer concerning Israel's enemies. The writer of this Psalm was Asaph who divides this Psalm into three parts. 1. A plea for help (vs.1) 2. A protest against Israel's enemies (vs.2-8) and 3. A petition for God's divine judgement (vs.9-18). Asaph implored God to confound His enemies as he had prayed so many times before. Asaph speaks of hostile nations against God as His enemies. These terrorists are God's enemies, not just ours.

"O God, do not remain quiet; do not be silent and, O God, do not be still. For behold, Your enemies make an uproar, and those who hate You have exalted themselves." Psalm 83:1,2

It's obvious that the Islam religion is pushing their beliefs down our throats because it is the only religion and the best one at that. This is exalting themselves in a gross fashion.

"They make shrewd plans against Your people, and conspire against Your treasured ones. They have said, 'Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more.' For they have conspired together with one mind; against You they make a covenant." Psalm 83:3-6

This lines up exactly as it's reported today. I already mentioned the shrewd plans of slowly turning America into an Islamic nation. The attempt to divide Jerusalem is a valid plan to wipe God's people off the face of the earth. The Koran may not tell them, but God's Word makes it no secret that Isreal and His precious people will outlive everything else on earth. It's also no secret that everything concerning God or Christmas are being abolished from this country. America which was once known as the land of the free, one nation under God is disappearing. In fact, at one time we even said, "God bless America". How will you feel when one day your children and grandchilren will pay homage to Allah? This is what we are facing unless we get back to our Christian roots, our heritage. It's something worth fighting for, don't you think?

Like Asaph, perhaps we should pray the same way as he continued this lament.

"O my God, make them like the whirling dust, like chaff before the wind. Like fire that burns the forest and like a flame that sets the mountains on fire, so persue them with Your tempest and terrify them with Your storm, fill their faces with dishonor, that they may seek Your name, O Lord. Let them be ashamed and dismayed forever and let them be humiliated and perish, that they may know that You alone, whose name is the Lord, are the most High over all the earth." Psalm 83:13-18

Asaph makes it no secret how he wants God to repay these wicked people. But also take notice how he also prays that they may come to know God. We are commanded to pray for our enemies. Remember, God is no respector of people, He wants the same thing for everyone...salvation through Jesus Christ. Can you pray with me for these people?

"Dear Heavenly Father, we humbly come before You to honor Your holy name. Lord, we ask for Your mercy on this great nation and those who are leading us. Please give a spirit of integrity to President Bush and may he follow Your godly counsel and not that of man. Lord, please help him make the right decisions concerning Israel and this country as well. Open the eyes of those who are still blind to your truth. Also give them ears to hear Your truth. This we ask in Jesus' precious name. Amen."

No matter what happens in the end, those of us whom God as called will never be in bondage. Christ has already set us free.

True freedon is found in serving Christ!

All Scripture taken from The New American Standard Bible.

Vivian Gordon writes inspirational and spiritual articles in which to help strengthen the Believer's walk in Christ. They are often taken from today's point of view and used in conjunction with what God says about certain situations and how we are to handle them. There is always an answer for every problem. These articles are not all about asking God "why?" but in finding the answers.

Supporting Christian Communication Online http://www.churchwebsitedesign.org.uk A Christian based organization that seeks to encourage clergy and church leaders to identify the potential in developing an online church community. This project provides support and advise on ways that the internet can enhance the work of your church and also provides the tools to meet your needs.