Is the world coming to an end?  Are the signs of the times pointing us toward the close of human history? The way the world is today I sometimes wonder.  With population explosion, the emergence of such heinous groups as ISIS and Al Qaeda, weapons of mass destruction in the hands of Lord-knows-who, and the increasing reality of global warming, at times it makes we want to throw my hands up in the air and quit-or at least gather bottled water, canned goods, and duct tape, and head for the basement.

 Bad news, it seems, all around!  Such doomsday talk, however, has been around for a long, long time.  I recall such cult leaders as Jim Jones from the 70s and David Koresh from the 90s claiming "the end is near."  And of course I remember all the Y2K hysteria 15 years ago at the turn of the millennium that made many of us more mainstream people a bit nervous about the world.
 
Jesus himself even talked of end times way back in his day as a time of nation against nation, earthquakes, famines, wars and rumors of war.  And yet Jesus didn't dwell on the bad news, but rather went on to describe these times as the beginning of birth pangs.  -Mark 13:8
 
This Sunday I will be preaching that the "end" could very well be "near."  But in the midst of the bad news, there is good news galore for the people of God.  We will explore that good news this Sunday.  So come-and bring a friend.  See you in church. 

Prayer for Today

Through all the tough times, O God, may we be strong and courageous.  May we "endure to the end" and find salvation.  Make us instruments of your peace, we pray.  Amen.