End Of The World
Have you ever had a song that has been stuck in your head and you just can’t get it out of there?
Sometimes it’s a commercial jingle. “A sprinkle a day helps keeps the order away!” Oh, I hated that one.
Maybe it’s a hymn. “I come to the garden, alone, while the due is still on the roses.” There are times when it gets stuck on my mind and I can’t get rid of it.
For the last several of weeks I’ve had the refrain of another song in my head. I heard it first back in 1987 when it was released on a album by the alternative rock band REM. Since I can’t get the tune out of my head, I decided to title this morning’s sermon after the song. “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine).”
It started around the time when some preacher got the notion that Jesus was coming back on May 21 to destroy the world. That didn’t happen. You’ll be happy to know that he’s revised his date. The it was October 21, next on the end of the world radar is 12/21/12- –
If you haven’t heard, some five thousand years ago a Mayan calendar predicted that the end of the world would take place on December 21, 2012.
Now the Mayan calendar is uncanny in it accuracy at predicting an astonishing number of other astrological events. Still, I feel sorry for them. Despite their ability to predict the end of the world on December 21, 2012, they still couldn’t predict the THER own cultures demise with the arrival of a bunch of Spanish soldiers.
With every election – with every earthquake – with every tsunami – with every flood – with every war – with every political, economic, or natural disaster – there is always somebody somewhere who is saying, “lo, the end of the world is upon us.”
In 1980, I heard some identify Ronald Wilson Reagan as the anti-Christ. Why? Well, there were six letters in each of his names 6-6-6. He must be the anti-Christ!
Then there was all that trepidation we felt as we approached the new millennium and possibility that the world would be destroyed due to a computer glitch called Y2K.
Next was the fear we all felt on 9/11. There were many who thought that this event was an usher of “end times.”
Throughout human history there has never been any shortage of end-of-the-world scenarios. From the Mayans to Hal Lindsey, from nuclear winter to Nostradamus, from Y2K, to 9/11, to 2012, there has always been somebody somewhere saying, “It’s the end of the word as we know it.”
Now let’s pretend for a moment that the Mayan are right (or Hal Lindsey, or Jack Van Impe or any of the other propets of “end times”). That’s right, let’s pretend that these “false prophets” get it right (even a blind squirrel finds a nut – or in this case, I guess a nut finds the squirrel). In an event, what if they are right this time? Whadawedo?
“When the world is falling apart, preach the gospel!”
The world always seems to be falling apart, doesn’t it? It seems like the world (as we know it) is always coming to an end. This is a world of disease, of headaches and hemorrhages. This is a world in which we are constantly confronted by our own human weakness, deafness, blindness, paralysis, and death. This is a world of chaos and cruelty, where the innocent suffer and lives are put at risk.
“When the world is falling apart, preach the gospel!”
Why? We preach GOSPEL (good news) because we know trust that no matter how bad the circumstances, there is still a Word that brings hope. There is still a Word that brings life. There is still a Word that creates possibilities out of the chaos and calls God’s Kingdom into being.
In the words of a favorite hymn of the church,
And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim, We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, For lo! his doom is sure,
One little Word shall fell him . . . 1
The Word. The Word is Jesus Christ.
This world may well be troubled by evil, but this world still belongs to God.
–end
I am not endorsing the book below…haven’t read it…it looks sort of goofy…but I like the title.
How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It: Tactics, Techniques, and Technologies for Uncertain Times
by: James Wesley Rawles
publisher: Plume, published: 2009-09-30
ASIN: 0452295831
EAN: 9780452295834
sales rank: 263
price: $9.57 (new), $9.57 (used)
The definitive guide on how to prepare for any crisis–from global financial collapse to a pandemic.
It would only take one unthinkable event to disrupt our way of life. If there is a terrorist attack, a global pandemic, or sharp currency devaluation–you may be forced to fend for yourself in ways you’ve never imagined. Where would you get water? How would you communicate with relatives who live in other states? What would you use for fuel?
Survivalist expert James Wesley, Rawles, author of Patriots and editor of SurvivalBlog.com, shares the essential tools and skills you will need for you family to survive, including:
* Water: Filtration, transport, storage, and treatment options.
* Food Storage: How much to store, pack-it-yourself methods, storage space and rotation, countering vermin.
* Fuel and Home Power: Home heating fuels, fuel storage safety, backup generators.
* Garden, Orchard Trees, and Small Livestock: Gardening basics, non-hybrid seeds, greenhouses; choosing the right livestock.
* Medical Supplies and Training: Building a first aid kit, minor surgery, chronic health issues.
* Communications: Following international news, staying in touch with loved ones.
* Home Security: Your panic room, self-defense training and tools.
* When to Get Outta Dodge: Vehicle selection, kit packing lists, routes and planning.
* Investing and Barter: Tangibles investing, building your barter stockpile. And much more.
How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It is a must-have for every well-prepared family.
End Of The World
