Weather. Tornadoes are abounding and the death toll is rising. Earthquakes are claiming thousands of victims on what seems a daily basis.
Wars and rumors of wars. Iraq is but one of many conflicts taking lives across our globe.
The price of gas expected to arrive at and then exceed $5/gallon. As a direct result the price of everything else is rising and will continue to do so. Those riding the edge of poverty are falling into the abyss and those already there are left without hope.
I have had several friends tell me how scared they are. Really, really scared.
Is it "The End Times?"
My question is this- Which "End Times-" I've seen a few.
In the sixties, when the Vietnam war was in full swing, my father and I would watch the daily news coverage. It was during one of those times that I was told that the communists would be marching down our street and would strangle all the congressmen with the guts of all the preachers, and that the kids of the preachers would have bamboo shafts driven through their ears That was my first end times. I didn't expect to see the end of the sixties.
I did, of course. Then came the '70s. It was the decade of disco and the oil embargo. Vehicles would sit in long lines waiting to see if they could buy a ration of fuel. There were fights and theft and much talk of the "End Times." I can remember my father complaining that the price of gas was 36 cents a gallon. I heard folks say that if gas ever hit 50 cents a gallon they would put their cars on blocks. They didn't, of course.
It did end for those who realized Jim Jones wasn't kidding about the Kool-Aid and entered eternity during the infamous "White Night." The soldiers in Vietnam trudging through the jungle all too often saw their world end at a much too young age. Folks across the country left home yesterday and were likely thinking about the economy. They never thought they would be lying in a morgue that afternoon.
There were others. I won't have you endure the '80s and '90s, but, suffice it to say, rare was the moment in time when the world wasn't about to end in one way or another. Time after time groups of individuals just "knew" the end was here. Maybe one had to belong to a certain church or be on a particular mountain to at an exact time to be picked up by God- it never ends.
Here's the deal. The only thing that is the end of the world is the end of the world.
Now, we can't do much about the weather, but there is plenty we can do something about.
No doubt we are in an economic crisis. The cost of fuel will lead to an abrupt and seemingly never-ending rise in the cost of living. I believe it to be a wake-up call, and not a death knell.
Like any other problem this is an opportunity to change for the better. We don't need to push for nuclear power, which would be fatalistic, but clean, renewable energy sources. We can learn to be more efficient with the resources at hand. Carpooling, fuel-efficient transportation, or even just slowing down; which would also decrease traffic accidents and subsequent injuries and fatalities. How many ways can you save a few drops of gasoline here and there? It really does add up, and would send a message to those who hold us hostage via our insatiable thirst for petroleum products.
Please don't despair. This is something we can pull out of and be in a much better state than before.
» left by Anonymous (190 days 15 hours ago.)
You know Ken, in the 60s I could see the world coming to an end. But with Nixon's trip to China, Russia, all over the world things were looking up. What happened after that I just don't know.
» left by Ken McCreless(157) Ken McCreless (188 days 10 hours ago.)
That's a complicated issue. Our propensity for war and violence might be a clue. I wish I knew. Thank you for reading.
» left by Hannah Quinn from Australia (190 days 2 hours ago.)
Ken,
In the 50s we had to hide under our school desks to practice for when the communists overran us! End of times is rolled out endlessly (no irony intended, however...) Most problems we complain about and fear are of our own making. I'm surprised at the angst in your country in particular at the price of gasoline. It's another bill, and people aren't happy here either - and we pay far more than you do - but it isn't creating the fear it is in your country, mostly just anger and concern over lifestyle. Franky, I think it's about time we all toned down our lifestyle instead of just consuming at an ever accelerating rate.
Cheers, Hannah
fyi: we buy fuel by the litre; it is currently $1.65+ which works out to approximately $7.45 a gallon. So, really, you're not that bad off in comparison. Respond to this comment
» left by Ken McCreless(157) Ken McCreless (188 days 10 hours ago.)
Hi Hannah. Your comment reminded me of practicing in school for a nuclear attack. They gave us handouts with a cartoon school being rained on by nuclear fallout. As far as gas prices, you are so right. You observe the sampling of vehicles lined up to pick little Johnny up from elementary school. All single occupants and most enormous gas-guzzlers. Thank you for readng.
» left by sue thom from nj (188 days 8 hours ago.)
hi ken, i t's not only a scary time for us older folk, but my God, our kids working for a little more than minimum wage, when minimum wage won't buy them a gallon of gas. my heart aches, and my soul is afraid, but i keep hoping things will get better. thanks for a good article,
best regards,
sue
» left by Ken McCreless(157) Ken McCreless (185 days 22 hours ago.)
Hi Sue, I remember what my Drivers Ed instructor said once. "Your hands will steer the car in the direction your eyes are looking." Oversimplifying, I know, but I believe it can be applied here. I know we can overcome this situation, I really do. Thank you for reading.
» left by Camille Strate(1,366) Camille Strate (187 days 14 hours ago.)
Ken~ I suppose the only thing missing from this well-written reminder is the humor that usually accompanies your pieces. But I can certainly understand why. I think it's high time we (Americans) stopped living in fear and did something about what's going on. The whole gas thing is a bunch of baloney....a result of the current administrations blatant disregard for the 'meat' of our country; the 97% who are NOT wealthy. Those fat cats are grabbing every dime they can before they get booted out of office and we're the ones paying for it. It's despicable to me. I do, however, agree with you that we all need to take a look at the way we blindly dismiss the utter wastefulness of our lifestyles. Where I live, people fly down the highways at 85+MPH, in huge SUVs as if there were no end to the supply of fuel on this planet. It's mind-boggling to me that these people are so clueless. I've said for years that if Mr. Schwartzenneger wants to eliminate the state deficit, all he has to do is lower the speed limit back down to 55MPH and start handing out speeding tickets. The state deficit would be gone in a year! But is that happening? Nope. Because it's all a bunch of hogwash. The big boys are gonna get what they can and to hell with the poor schmucks who can't even afford to get to work. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. But, as they say, 'this, too, shall pass'. We may not be able to do anything about 'end of days', but we sure can do something about who's running this country...wait...isn't that supposed to be US???? Respond to this comment
» left by Ken McCreless(157) Ken McCreless (185 days 22 hours ago.)
Hi Camille, I do worry about the ever rising cost of fuel, not for myself so much but for those hardworking folks who were barely making it. How can they pay for a $100 + tank of gas? I understand Ahh-nuld has a few Hummers of his own. This is a great opportunity for some bright soul to make alternate fuels more cost effective. Thanks Camille.
» left by robert mealccio sr (186 days 12 hours ago.)
Yes Ken as i read the replies another fulfillment of prophesy right before our very eyes. Leave out all the rest that was written and all that has not been. "As in the days of Noah', etc. No no one knows the day or the hour but and that but is significant. As they say in vegas to the wise gambler, "do you want to cover your bet"? Good article, best wishes.
» left by Missing Link (184 days 14 hours ago.)
Good topic Ken. I think even John expected that the end times would happen during his lifetime when he wrote Revelations. Being prepared is the key to peace of mind because only He knows when He will pull the plug.
» left by Ken McCreless(157) Ken McCreless (182 days 8 hours ago.)
One should buy new Nikes to go jogging, not to poison themselves waiting for a comet to deliver deliverance. Thank you for reading.
» left by Adam (177 days 10 hours ago.)
2 Peter 3-7: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. Do not mock God.
» left by Adam (176 days 9 hours ago.)
Time after time I talk to people about the end times and it's usually the same answer from people, "Oh it's just a bad time then end is some far off time that no one knows". The big problem with that statement is the Lord says we will not know the hour but God gave us prophecy throughout the entire bible to know the season or the time that we were or are in. Of course we are in the end times. Israel has been reborn for the last time and we are in the last generation. To know this brings much joy but much work as well. Now more than ever we should be out there talking to people about Christ! Telling them the reason for our hope and also warning them of the impending crisis that is coming. I just get really saddened by so many people using that blanket statement of "the end time is so far away".
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