The OM_! Phenomenon

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/

The OM_! Phenomenon
A commentary by Debbie Pennington
I was struck by a recent commercial. The scenarios weren't surprising.

Geared toward teen girls, it advertised a deodorant that could withstand typical teen stresses of extra homework (scream!), demanding teachers (scream!) and teen friendships and relationships (scream!). The product's tag line was: "For every OM_ moment." (Yes, we took the "G" out to try to help those of us who don't want that phrase going through our heads.)

Standard slang

That abbreviated phrase comes from instant messaging and texting. Yahoo advertises an "OM_!" Web page detailing celebrity fashion dos and don'ts. But the words are neither new nor obscure.

Television sitcoms and movies have included the phrase for decades, and it's frequently used at school, on campus, at work or around town. Perhaps you've even said it a time or two.

Rest assured, everyday stresses are certainly not to be belittled. Teenage years in particular are challenging for many reasons. But if you use the phrase casually in your regular conversation or the abbreviated version when you text, you might be surprised what the Bible says.

Back to basics

Most people are familiar with the Ten Commandments, though perhaps a bit rusty with the third one: "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain" (Exodus 20:7, emphasis added throughout).

God stated "in vain" twice. The general definition: to render something empty, void, meaningless or to misuse.

Have you ever heard a word so many times that it sounds strange? A word or phrase loses meaning when repeated too often. This is the caution of the Third Commandment.

Weighty words

Note the last half of the commandment: "For the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain." Jesus tells us we are in fact held responsible for every idle word we speak (Matthew 12:36-37). Idly misusing God's name is also included.

What it implies

If we casually repeat God's name without meaning, or "in vain," our attitude is irreverent—that is, disrespectful to God. It's sincerely doubtful that most people use "OM_!" to genuinely declare over and over that the true God is their God.

Simply put, using the phrase to express any mundane event or casual emotion sends a clear message of disregard or contempt. Likewise, abusing Jesus' name sends the same message, and calling a common or vile thing "holy" is also extremely disrespectful.

The abundant heart

So is the phrase ever appropriate? Actually, variations of it are abundant in the Psalms (see Psalm 22:1-2 for an example).

King David poured out all his emotions in his prayers to God, running the gamut from complete frustration and anger to absolute ecstasy and joy. But despite frequent use of the phrase and its variants, David didn't abuse His Creator's name. Why? Because his heart was in the right place.

David's approach was always one of complete respect toward God, not once flippant or casual. He looked to God for solutions, unburdened his concerns and expressed his praise with a sincere attitude. We can learn much from his heart and example.

When the moments do come that cause you to react with surprise, shock, humor or pain, avoid the disrespectful slang. To learn more, check out "The Third Commandment: From Profanity to Praise." VT




About the Author
An Ambassador Bible Center 2000 graduate and an alumna of The Ohio State University and Indiana University, Debbie Pennington and her husband, Guye, attend the United Church of God in Bloomington/Normal, Illinois.


Comments or Questions
If you have any comments about this article or vertical-thinking questions we can help you answer please send them to info@verticalthought.org .

The Decline and Fall of Nations: A Prophetic Perspective

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/

The Decline and Fall of Nations: A Prophetic Perspective
Ancient Babylon fell in one night after having been "weighed in the balance and found wanting." Can modern empires fall just as quickly? History and the Bible provide an answer!
by Darris McNeely
Harvard historian Niall Ferguson, writing in the March-April 2010 issue of Foreign Affairs magazine, presents an analysis of how empires can quickly collapse into chaos. Rather than a slow decline over centuries, Ferguson shows that many large nations of the past were gone in a few short years. While seemingly strong and viable, they faded virtually overnight.

Conventional wisdom assumes that the economic challenges to America's global dominance are long-term threats. It is pointed out, for instance, that demographics alone will over time increase the debt to unmanageable proportions.

Ferguson himself cites long-term predictions of China overtaking America in economic size and output by 2027 or 2040, but then he asks: "What if history is not cyclical and slow moving but arrhythmic—at times almost stationary, but also capable of accelerating suddenly, like a sports car? What if collapse does not arrive over a number of centuries but comes suddenly, like a thief in the night?" ("Complexity and Collapse," p. 22).

Sudden shifts like a thief in the night
A thief in the night? Sounds biblical! The New Testament tells us: "But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, 'Peace and safety!' then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape" (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3, emphasis added throughout).

What the Bible says about end-time events culminating in the Day of the Lord applies to the sudden collapse of powerful nations and empires throughout history.

Ferguson looks at the collapse of the Soviet Union over a short period of five years, from the time Mikhail Gorbachev became general secretary of the Soviet Communist Party. Although the CIA overestimated the size of the Soviet economy, the Soviets did have nuclear superiority over the United States. It looked as if the Soviet Union would be around to challenge America for many years to come.

"Yet less than five years after Gorbachev took power, the Soviet imperium in central and Eastern Europe had fallen apart, followed by the Soviet Union itself in 1991. If ever an empire fell off a cliff—rather than gently declining—it was the one founded by Lenin" (p. 30).

Ferguson's thesis is that empires are large, complex systems that can be turned upside down in short order by the insertion of even one event that is more than the system can handle. Lack of confidence in a nation's future, even while it is strong, can be such an event. When other nations lose confidence in the sustainability of an economic model, events can be set in motion to quickly change the balance of power.

Other smaller, seemingly insignificant events can trigger a chain reaction leading to massive upheaval. The assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand in June 1914 was the fuse that lit the powder keg of World War I. No one saw it at the time, but events quickly raced out of control, and a worldwide conflict ensued.

An example from the recent economic crisis
We have the recent example of how the complex world economy went from boom to bust when a lot of Americans began defaulting on what are commonly called "subprime loans." Because thousands of large financial institutions were set up to depend on the performance of those loans, they suddenly found themselves insolvent or quite near the brink. The reverberation brought down large Wall Street financial houses and had repercussions across Europe and Asia.

The world financial system approached meltdown one week in September 2008. The global economy is still recovering. It is an object lesson in how quickly events, even relatively small ones, can turn the world upside down.

Ferguson concludes by observing that "empires behave like all complex adaptive systems. They function in apparent equilibrium for some unknowable period. And then, quite abruptly, they collapse . . . It is sudden" (p. 32).

What Ferguson and other historians typically leave out of the discussion is what can be called the missing dimension in world affairs. That missing dimension is the hand of God in the rise and fall of nations and empires.

The Bible is a chronicle of ancient nations that rose and fell according to God's plan and purpose. Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome—all are mentioned in the narrative. All played key roles in interacting with the nation of Israel and the Church founded by Jesus Christ. Even today, the lessons of empires embedded in the Bible apply as we watch the modern world move toward what Christ said would be the end of the age of human governments.

The lesson of ancient Babylon
The prophetic book of Daniel lists Babylon as the first in a line of empires that would impact the world from the time of the fall of Jerusalem in Daniel's day to the end of the present age of human misrule. Daniel found himself at the seat of the empire dealing with a succession of rulers beginning with Nebuchadnezzar. While explaining the significance of the king's dream to him, the prophet told him that God "removes kings and raises up kings" (Daniel 2:21).

Here is a crucial first principle to understand about world affairs. God determines the course of nations. He can set up or remove a leader when He wills. That doesn't mean He is involved in every small nation's affairs when these don't impact the course of His plan. But clearly He is involved in seeing to it that all the prophecies He has given about various nations and the world at large are fulfilled. Many of these prophecies are warnings of judgment.

Babylon found itself facing God's prophetic warning on the night when a subsequent ruler, Belshazzar, "made a great feast" (Daniel 5:1). This event occurred as the Persian armies massed outside the city gates. During the banquet the disembodied fingers of a man's hand appeared and wrote on the wall of the king's palace (verse 5). King Belshazzar was troubled at the sight and asked for anyone who could interpret what the writing said. Word came that Daniel was the only one who could possibly interpret the handwriting, so he was brought into the banquet room.

Daniel related some of what the former ruler Nebuchadnezzar had learned through his experience with God, including the fact that "the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses" (Daniel 5:21).

Daniel's interpretation of the handwriting highlights another fundamental dimension in world affairs. The message on the wall was, "God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it...You have been...found wanting...Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians" (Daniel 5:26-27).

It is God who judges the time an empire is allowed to persist and when its time is over. A key is when the nation and its people are "found wanting"—not measuring up. In other terms, this is speaking of sin, breaking God's laws and not acknowledging Him.

The Babylonians worshipped false gods who neither saw nor heard nor knew anything. They did not acknowledge the "God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways" (verse 23). Their problem was the same as virtually all other great nations that rose and fell throughout history: They did not worship the true God. They practiced what the Bible calls idolatry, worshipping as God that which is not God. The problem remains with us today.

That very night the Persians captured Babylon and Belshazzar was killed. As a power, Babylon ended—absorbed into the Persian kingdom. The transition was over suddenly, like a thief in the night.

A modern-day "Babylon" to rise and fall
In the Bible, the name "Babylon" refers to more than just that ancient city. It is also used to describe a religious and political system that traces its roots back to pagan Babylon. When we go to the book of Revelation, we see a modern version of this ancient system dominating the world scene. Revelation 17 shows a woman sitting on a scarlet beast with this name on her forehead: "Mystery, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth" (verse 5).

This system controls the world for a brief but significant time prior to the coming of Jesus Christ. The world will be lulled into a sense of peace and security by this system that will come together in the guise of safety and security.

While this system will impact the entire world, there are signs it will be weak in its foundation. Its size alone will make it a complex system. Many nations, ethnicities, cultures and languages will be in play. It will be an unstable mixture that, after a brief supremacy, will quickly unravel.

Revelation 17:16 shows that the economic and military power aligned with this end-time Babylon, prophetically called the "beast," will turn on this system symbolized by a fallen woman. Revelation 18:8 tells us: "Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine...'For in one hour your judgment has come'" (Revelation 18:8-10).

Once again, judgment comes quickly—unexpectedly. Whether it is days or months is unclear, but it will likely not be much longer, given the time frame of prophecy in this period. Like ancient Babylon falling in one night, we see that sudden change can come on a nation even as life appears to be normal.

Christ's warning not to be caught unaware
Jesus Christ said people would be going about a normal life and would be caught unaware by the momentous changes occurring: "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth" (Luke 21:34-35).

Once again, we see the warning that events will occur suddenly, like a thief in the night. What Niall Ferguson observed in his article about the decline and fall of nations is supported by both history and biblical prophecy. But there is a difference. Ferguson and most modern historians focus on demographics and economic factors. As already pointed out, they typically leave out the spiritual dimension of God's intervention.

To ignore and deny the hand of God in history is to miss the real meaning of history and current world events. And to deny God is what lies at the heart of any decline and fall.

The problem of idolatry
Nebuchadnezzar had to learn this lesson the hard way. He looked at the kingdom he ruled and thought it was all established and built through his wisdom and cunning. Like any despot in history, he was pretty high on himself; and when he surveyed the splendor of Babylon in a pride-filled boast, he came face to face with reality.

Scripture says He went mad for seven years. His mental state made him a prisoner in his body, with no ability to act or think rationally. And then, just as suddenly, he returned to normal and resumed his position in the kingdom. He learned a lesson—that God's control of leaders and nations is the critical factor in world affairs. The last few verses of Daniel 4, where this part of the story is told, form a final word on the reign of Nebuchadnezzar.

The words of the prophets, including Jesus Christ, teach us the critical lesson we need for understanding why nations can suddenly collapse when the normal signs say otherwise. When a people fail to acknowledge God and lapse into idolatry, putting themselves first, they set out on a road to collapse.

That collapse may take several generations, but it is inevitable apart from national repentance. The fall can take a few decades or only a few years. But when God's time is ready, what He has foretold will happen.

This is why the present state of affairs in America and its role in the world is so critical. Since the end of World War II, America has been the defender of what has been called the "free world." Its nuclear shield protected Europe during the Cold War, allowing European economies to rebuild. The U.S. Navy has kept the sea lanes of the world open to commerce. Its armies have fought terrorism, responded to genocide and been a deterrent to rogue nations like North Korea and Iran.

America's rising debt will one day—perhaps very soon—cause it to retreat from the historic role it has played as a global protector. When that day arrives, it will signal a change, perhaps a collapse, in America's role as a superpower. What follows will likely be quick and sudden, "like a thief in the night."

When the day comes that America and the English-speaking peoples relinquish their historic and biblically predicted role in the modern world, the world will become a vastly different place—with much darker days to follow. GN



Related Resource
Are We Living in the Time of the End?
Religious people aren't the only ones asking this crucial question. Many recognize that we live in an increasingly dangerous world.

Are You Protected by the Ultimate Security System?

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/


Are You Protected by the Ultimate Security System?
We live in a dangerous world. Threats to our safety and security are growing. Is there a way to insure that you and your family are always protected?
by John LaBissoniere
Dateline: Dec. 18, 2009, WDTN TV Channel 2, Dayton, Ohio: "The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office arrested two men after a Jefferson Township woman called 911 as she hid in her bedroom from two men who were breaking in the back door.

"'They're outside, but I can hear them banging,' she told the dispatcher. 'Are they trying to break in?' he asked. 'Evidently, but I'm hiding in my bedroom ... Hurry, please hurry,' she said. The woman stayed on the line as officers rushed to the home. When they arrived, police said they found two men inside the home.

"'You never know what a person's intention is; they might have just walked away, or they may have hurt her, you just never know,' said Captain David Hale, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office."

Dateline: Dec. 10, 2009, The Buffalo News, Buffalo, New York: "Niagara Regional Police are looking for four men who pulled off a home invasion robbery on Riverdale Drive Wednesday morning. Police said the four robbed residents of the home about 10:10 a.m., barging inside after ringing the doorbell.

"Two residents were found bound by the hands and feet when officers responded to a home intrusion alarm.An undetermined amount of cash was stolen and police said they believe the robbery was 'not a random act.'"

Dateline: Dec. 15, 2009,The Sydney Morning Herald, Engadine, New South Wales, Australia: "A 21-year-old man had a shotgun pointed at his head in a violent home invasion in Sydney's south last night, police say. The man heard three men trying to enter his home at Dunstan Place, Engadine about 11:40 p.m., police said.

"He went out to confront them and had a small shotgun pointed at his head. He was marched back into his house, where the gunman demanded money, police said. The man and two other housemates, aged 24 and 26, were forced to the ground before he was allegedly hit on the head with a blunt object. Police said the alleged robbers fled with some household items when they were unable to get any money from the residents."

A growing threat
These reports are actual news stories describing recent home invasions. A home invasion is the crime of entering an occupied private residence with the aim of carrying out a crime, whether assault, robbery, rape or murder. It's a legally defined offense in the United States, Australia, New Zealand and other countries.

Over the past decade, law enforcement officials have observed a marked increase in the number of home invasions. This may be due to many banks, convenience stores and fast-food restaurants, all traditionally targeted by criminals, installing advanced security and surveillance devices. As a result, criminals are now targeting less secure residential neighborhoods.

What can occur during a home invasion? Chris McGoey, a professional security consultant, discusses this subject on his Web site:

"The most common point of attack is through the front door or garage. Sometimes the home invader will simply kick open the door and confront everyone inside. More common is when the home invaders knock on the door first or ring the bell. The home invader hopes that the occupant will simply open the door, without question, in response to their knock. Unfortunately, many people do just that.

"Home invaders will sometimes use a ruse or impersonation to get you to open the door. They have been known to pretend to be delivering a package, flowers or lie about an accident like hitting your parked car. Once the door is opened for them, the home invaders will use an explosive amount of force and threats to gain control of the home and produce fear in the victims . . .

"Some home robbers have been known to spend hours ransacking a residence while the homeowners are bound nearby watching in terror . . . A major fear is that the robbers might commit more violence like sexual assault or even murder . . .

"If you can delay a home invader at the point of entry then you have a chance of deterring them or have time to call the police . . . The weakest home security link is the home occupant who fails to lock doors or windows or who will open the door without question at the sound of a knock" (crimedoctor.com/homeinvasion.htm).

Are you at risk?
Obviously the thought of a home invasion or any crime is alarming. Could you and your family members be at risk? Becoming a crime victim is certainly a possibility. In the United States, for example, the Federal Bureau of Investigation estimated that more than 9.7 million property crimes took place in 2008, the most recent year for which complete statistics are available, resulting in $17.2 billion in losses. The FBI also estimated that nearly 1.4 million violent crimes occurred that year, including murder, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault.

What can you do to make your home less susceptible to a home invasion? Security professionals encourage good safety habits and also advise installing solid core wood or metal outside doors with high-quality locks and deadbolt mechanisms. Many experts also recommend using window alarms, motion-sensitive outdoor lighting, video surveillance cameras, interior motion detectors and a two-way, voice-activated security monitoring system.

However, while these devices can help reduce your chance of a home invasion, they cannot guarantee that you won't become a crime victim. No matter where you live, you are at risk in a dangerous world. So what can you do?

It comes down to a simple question: Are you protected by the ultimate security system? This system insures that no matter what trouble comes your way, you will be safe and sound. It is summarized in this statement by King David of ancient Israel: "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Psalm 118:6).

A failed security system
While humanly designed security systems have their place and we should do what we can to shield ourselves from harm, complete protection can only come from God. Regrettably, most people have rejected this critical security arrangement. Too often they have placed trust exclusively in humanly-devised safeguards, which can and do fail.

For example, consider the infamous Maginot Line. This massive security project, designed chiefly as a strong barrier against any future German invasion, was constructed by France on its eastern border during the 1930s. Named in honor of André Maginot, a World War I hero and French minister of war during the 1920s, its intricate network of forts and bunkers was intended to provide sufficient time for French armed forces to mobilize in the event of an attack.

Built between 1929 and 1938, the Maginot Line became a vast, state-of-the-art defense complex stretching more than 400 miles along the German and Italian borders. Most of the system's fortresses, which included miles of interconnected tunnels and railroads, were located underground.

The multiple thousands of soldiers who served throughout the intricate configuration were sealed behind reinforced concrete walls and heavy steel doors. There they trained, watched and waited for war. And war came on May 10, 1940.

As the key component of the German invasion strategy, Adolf Hitler's 19th Panzer Corps quickly sliced through the Ardennes region of the French-Belgium frontier and broke through near where the Maginot Line connected with Belgian fortifications. The French mistakenly believed the area's extensive forests and steep hills would pose a major impediment to the rapid movement of large motorized forces.

This failed strategy allowed Germany's main invasion forces to smash through to swiftly outflank and trap Allied forces that had advanced into Belgium and Holland. After expending enormous effort and resources on the Maginot Line, the security the French thought they possessed vanished nearly overnight. The German blitzkrieg overpowered and conquered the entire nation in just six weeks.

Absolute protection comes from one source
What lesson can we learn from this example? Even with a carefully calculated strategy designed to protect an entire nation, no security method is foolproof.

What if we applied this lesson to the most advanced electronic home security system? Here, too, we can find inherent vulnerabilities. A door or window could be inadvertently left open or unlocked, creating an opportunity for intrusion. And what about times away from home while driving, walking or shopping? A person's well-being could be compromised in these and other situations.

So is security even possible in this world? Where can we find the answer? A careful look into the Bible, the "instruction manual" for life, gives us the decisive answer. Throughout the Scriptures, we find that God offers His mighty protection to those who trust and obey Him. A number of passages confirm this important and comforting fact.

Israel's King David wrote of his profound confidence in God's pledge of security: "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.' Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.

"He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day,nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you" (Psalm 91:1-7).

Beyond the physical
Just as a mother bird instinctively covers its fledglings during a threat, God carefully guards those who believe and obey Him. But does this mean that no evil will ever befall those who trust in God? No, it does not. Biblical passages confirm that God permits difficult trials to afflict His people.

David distinctly understood this reality: "For all day long I have been plagued, and chastened every morning" (Psalm 73:14). Yet although he suffered, David knew God stood by him and would deliver him: "Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory" (verses 23-24, emphasis added throughout).

David recognized that there was life beyond his physical existence. He knew that "glory"—eternal, spiritual life with God in His Kingdom—awaited him. The truth is, physical security and survival in the here and now is not an absolute biblical promise. It is not without exception.

In fact, Jesus Christ carefully explained to His disciples that they would face harsh persecution and some of them would suffer martyrdom (Matthew 5:11; 24:9; John 16:2). The prophets of past ages had suffered the same. And even Christ Himself, though perfectly righteous, was viciously abused and then brutally murdered at the hands of malicious evildoers (Matthew 23:29-37; Luke 23:33).

A future focus
The long history of God's true servants is one of distress at the hands of Satan's human instruments. The time just before Christ's second coming will be no different.

Although God supernaturally protects His people in numerous ways and will ultimately spare many from the terrible martyrdom that is coming, He will nevertheless allow others among them to be the focus of Satan's fierce rage at that time, even to the point of facing death (Revelation 12:9-17). Yet for most, that prospect will not overthrow their faith! Why? Because their focus will then be on their future spirit life with God in His Kingdom rather than on this fleeting physical existence (Hebrews 11:35-38).

Just like those who preceded them in martyrdom in previous ages, they too will be more attracted to the promise of an eternal reward than a desire to extend their physical lives a few more days, months or years. "And they overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death" (Revelation 12:11).

Though some of God's people will die physically in this coming martyrdom, they will in the end be utterly victorious (Matthew 10:28-39). They know that God's promise of perpetual security is absolutely guaranteed (1 Corinthians 15:53-54).

While God regularly provides physical security to those who trust and obey Him, the protection of our minds and hearts is His foremost motivation and objective. The apostle Paul wrote, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

Physical safety is important, but our spiritual well-being ought to hold significantly more meaning and value to us. "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory" (Colossians 3:1-4).

Rescued from death
What then is the "ultimate security system"? It is our eternal salvation. Salvation simply means preservation, deliverance and rescue. And from what are we rescued? From the peril and threat of eternal death. Jesus Christ "has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (2 Timothy 1:10).

Through His suffering, death and resurrection, we have been given full access to never-ending life as spirit beings in God's coming Kingdom (John 6:51; Ephesians 2:22; Romans 6:23).

This salvation, which is our unending security, is only accessible through repentance from sin and our full acceptance of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on our behalf (Colossians 1:14). Once we have repented and been baptized, we must diligently labor at "bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). We need to "fight the good fight of faith" in order to "lay hold on eternal life" (1 Timothy 6:12).

Our faith and obedience will be rewarded at the second coming of Jesus Christ: "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work" (Revelation 22:12).

That is ultimate security! The question is, are you protected? GN


Related Resources
Transforming Your Life: The Process of Conversion
Examine the Bible's teaching on conversion. Contrary to what many think, it is not just a one-time event. Instead the Scriptures reveal that it is a process.The process begins with God's calling, followed by the key steps of repentance, baptism and the receiving of the Holy Spirit—finally climaxing with the return of Jesus Christ, when the dead in Christ are resurrected to immortality and given eternal life. That is the ultimate transformation, being changed from a mortal to an immortal being!

You Can Have Living Faith
Our world is experiencing a crisis of faith. Few people place much faith in the future. Many have no faith their marriages will survive, that political leaders will honorably serve their country or that education will prepare them adequately for the challenges ahead. Faced with the difficulties of everyday life, many people simply have no confidence that there will be a better tomorrow.

The Giving Pledge and the Riches That Matter

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/

The Giving Pledge and the Riches That Matter
A commentary by Jeremy Lallier
United Church of God staff writer
Posted August 12, 2010
Not long ago, the Giving Pledge would have been laughed into absurdity by the tycoons and magnates of the day. Even today, the very idea seems impossible.

And yet, in spite of this, over 40 of America's richest men and women have publicly pledged to, during their lifetime or after their death, give away 50 percent or more of their personal fortunes—each one being counted in multiple billions of dollars.

Bill and Buffett and billions with a "B"
The Giving Pledge was founded by Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates. They and the other billionaires participating in the Giving Pledge have each provided a letter explaining their reasons for pledging the majority of their fortunes to philanthropic causes and charity (available for viewing at http://givingpledge.org/ ).

Warren Buffett, who notes that he and his family can live on less than 1 percent of his wealth without lacking needs or even wants, has pledged to take the funds of the remaining 99 percent "and commit them to benefit others who, through the luck of the draw, have received the short straws in life."

The Bible places repeated emphasis on providing for those who "have received the short straws in life." For example, it places the needs of the fatherless and the widow (Deuteronomy 14:29; 26:12; James 1:27) as the responsibility of the rest of us. The Giving Pledge will likely go a long way to help those in need.

A problem
Even so, we've got a problem. It's not with the Giving Pledge itself, which will hopefully yield wonderful results. The problem is that society's woes run deeper than financial difficulties. Money alone will never be able to address the deep-rooted issues that cause us grief as individuals, as societies and as a planet.

Jesus Christ elaborates in His message to the seven churches of Revelation. In speaking to Laodicea, the notorious lukewarm church, He criticizes them for claiming, "I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing" without realizing that they were, in fact, "wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked" (Revelation 3:17).

Although the congregation at Laodicea possessed great physical wealth, they were in a spiritual state of disrepair. They took comfort and pride in the things they owned, not seeing that they were losing the only thing that really mattered—God's calling.

But Christ provided more than just a rebuke for His people. He also gave them the solution—the pathway to true, spiritual wealth. "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see" (Revelation 3:18).

The gold, the garments and the eye salve all represent a way of life in alignment with God's Word. When we daily apply God's instructions to the things that we do, the things that we say and the things that we think, we open the door to a life filled with true riches—peace of mind, meaningful relationships, hope for the future and a purpose for all time. (See our "3 Bible Tips" on "Lessons From Laodicea" for more on this topic.)

True riches
The Giving Pledge has the potential to do tremendous good in the world. But the riches that society truly needs lie not in the checking accounts of the Warren Buffetts and Bill Gates of the world. They lie instead between the covers of a book containing the wisdom of a still small voice, quietly speaking to mankind since the dawn of time.

Fortunes come and go; economies rise and fall; civilizations grow and collapse—but the riches of God endure forever. Make your investments wisely.

Time Flies—How to Make the Most of It!

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/

Time Flies—How to Make the Most of It!
Benjamin Franklin said: "Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of." The Bible also has many things to say about time and life—things we very much need to hear!
By Don Hooser
Time Flies. That's the title of a very funny book comedian Bill Cosby wrote when he turned 50. With nostalgia, he reflects on his bygone days of youthful vigor and the often-comical realities of growing older.

Bill Cosby's book illustrates how a sense of humor can help us cope with the trials of life. With it, 50 can be pretty nifty after all.

After finishing Time Flies, I thought about what Cosby did not say. He never expressed regret for time wasted! That's largely because he has lived a very goal-oriented and productive life.

One of life's saddest feelings is major regret—regret for bad things that happened or for good things that didn't happen. As Ben Franklin said, "Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late." How most people wish they could turn the clock back and redo part of their lives! It's our hope to steer you in the right direction so you can avoid future causes for regret!

Realize the value of the time you have
It's sobering to read how often the Bible emphasizes the brevity and fragility of life. King David wrote: "Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You. Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor" (Psalm 39:4-5).

Moses indicated that the typical lifespan in his day was only 70 years, with 80 being fairly common as well (Psalm 90:10). With the brevity of life in mind, he made this request of God: "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" (verse 12, New International Version, emphasis added throughout).

We should all pray as David and Moses did for God's help to understand the great value of our limited time and how to make the most of each day.

Are godly people rewarded with longer lives? Not necessarily. It's true that people who avoid sinful and risky behavior naturally tend to have healthier and longer lives. And sometimes God rewards a righteous person with a long life, relatively speaking (Psalm 91:16; Ephesians 6:1-3).

But God often allows good people to die young and evil people to live long. When the Bible promises "long life" to God's people, it ultimately is referring to life after death—eternal life!

Wisdom: Waste not your time
It seems that most people waste an awful lot of time. That means each one is wasting a huge chunk of his or her life. How we use our time says a lot about our character and priorities!

The Bible places heavy emphasis on seeking wisdom. "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom" (Proverbs 4:7). And a big part of wisdom is knowing the value of time and learning to make the
most of it.

The lack of wisdom in most young people —and many immature older people—is evidenced by their improper priorities—not yet realizing what really matters. Some people spend much of their lives in pursuit of trivia, entertainment and self-indulgence. They're loitering their lives away!

However, both the Bible and history offer many examples of great accomplishments by people who used their time well.

Life's satisfaction and joy is derived largely from productive work (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13). One of God's first commands to Adam in the Garden of Eden was "to tend and keep it" (Genesis 2:15). The Bible clearly teaches a strong work ethic.

However, God doesn't want us to be workaholics. We need balance as we budget our time. We need time to stop and smell the roses! The proper amounts of sleep, exercise, good nutrition, time with family and time worshipping God all help us to be more productive in the long run. "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

God revealed the weekly schedule man is supposed to follow in the Fourth Commandment: "Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work" (Exodus 20:9-10).

Good time management
Good "time management"—using one's time efficiently, effectively and productively —is an issue of great importance in business and industry.

Time is valuable. "Time is money!" Yet many people "kill time." Wasting small fragments of time adds up to lots of time that is forever lost.

Making the most of every minute is not a new idea. Rudyard Kipling's famous poem "If," published in 1910, ends with these lines:

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And—which is more—you'll be a Man, my son!

For example, a person will accomplish much more in life if he learns to put in-between times and wait times to effective use instead of just fuming or daydreaming. For example, when you know you might have to wait in line—say, at the post office or barber shop—bring along something to read. Another good option is silent prayer.

When you're doing something physical that doesn't require much concentration, you can be listening to a recording of something educational.

You can find many books on time management. Reading one will give you lots of useful ideas.

Many great accomplishments have been achieved by people who were using their "spare" moments.

A biblical perspective on using our time
Managing your time well becomes highly important when you recognize that God has called you to a life of serving Him and serving others. Jesus said, "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples" (John 15:8).

To produce fruit for God and others to enjoy, we must be willing to unselfishly sacrifice our time. "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (verse 13). Jesus Himself personified these words—not just in His final hours of supreme sacrifice, but throughout His earthly ministry in constantly giving of His time to help and teach others.

To the Christians of his day, Paul emphasized the seriousness of "redeeming the time"—making the most of your time and opportunities. "So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days" (Ephesians 5:15-16, New Living Translation).

In Colossians 4:5-6 he similarly wrote: "Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone" (NLT).

Jesus was certainly on fire with zeal and urgency for doing God's work! "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work" (John 9:4). He also said, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work" (John 4:34).

Today, Christ wants followers who have that same kind of zeal for doing His work!

No one knows how long he will live
No matter how young and healthy you are, don't be overconfident about living a long time. "For man also does not know his time" (Ecclesiastes 9:12).

James warns us: "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit,' whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that'" (James 4:13-15).

James points out here that declaring future actions without considering that we are not in ultimate control of what will happen is "arrogance" and "boasting" (verse 16). He is referring not so much to exact wording as to our need for a humble attitude. Therefore, when talking about future plans, you don't necessarily need to specifically add the words "if the Lord wills" or "God willing." Instead you could say, "I plan (or expect) to do such-and-such," realizing that God may cause or allow things to work out differently.

As an example, Jesus told a parable about a cocky and covetous rich man who felt sure he had plenty of time to "eat, drink, and be merry," but he died that very night (Luke 12:15-20). Then Jesus said, "So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God" (verse 21).

Be ready and stay ready to meet your Maker
Jesus repeatedly promised that one day He will suddenly return to the earth to set up His Kingdom (Matthew 24:23-36). And He warned that when that day approaches, most people will be spiritually unprepared—like the people in the days of Noah "until the flood came and took them all away" (verses 37-39).

He said, "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect" (verse 44). Those who are spiritually ready will receive eternal life. Those who are not will not.

The need to stay spiritually prepared is illustrated by the well-known parable of the 10 virgins, picturing 10 bridesmaids accompanying the bride on a nighttime procession to meet the bridegroom (Matthew 25:1-13). Having an ample supply of lamp oil represents being prepared. The bridegroom represents Jesus Christ returning to marry His bride, the Church. The five foolish virgins represent Christians who will be unprepared for Christ's return.

Now what if you somehow knew the date when Christ will return? Consider: What difference would it make if you died before He returns? So we need to be spiritually prepared always—for the end of our lives could be moments away. Of course, we are not to live in anxiety over such a possibility. Rather, we need to get our spiritual houses in order now—and there will be no cause for worry.

"The end" for each person is Christ's coming or the person's death, whichever comes first. Jesus warned that when a person thinks the end is far off, he tends to procrastinate and compromise and let down spiritually (Matthew 24:48-51; Luke 21:34-36). Let us not make that tragic mistake!

Rest assured, God is on our side. He is pulling for us. He wants no one to perish, but "desires all men to be saved"—for all people to receive "everlasting life" (1 Timothy 2:4; John 3:16).

Joyous everlasting life! Just think! No more shortage of time. No more running out of time. No worries about time. Time will no longer fly by too fast.

We'll have plenty of time. Time that goes on and on and on. Forever. Everlasting time!

In the meantime, time flies! Make the most of each and every day! GN



Related Resources
Making Life Work
You probably already own the best self-help book ever published—the Bible. It's filled with practical guidance on how to make your life work!

What Are You Doing With Your Time?
Rich or poor, old or young, male or female, we all have the same amount of one thing—time. How we use it will largely determine how far we’ll go in life and in our relationship with our Creator.

How Can You Deal With Information Overload?

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/


How Can You Deal With Information Overload?
We're often bombarded with information of all kinds from every direction, leaving us stressed, anxious and fatigued. How can we better cope with this ongoing information explosion? How can we sort the helpful from the wasteful?
by Becky Sweat
Do you have a stack of journals, magazines and books on your desk that you really should read, but haven't gotten to?

Ever feel frustrated because you don't know how to use features on your cell phone, laptop or PDA?

Are you concerned that your job marketability is declining because your industry knowledge is getting out of date—but you just don't have time to take the classes to stay current?

Do you often find yourself in conversations with others who bring up events in the news you're unaware of—and you feel embarrassed admitting you don't know what's going on?

If you answer "yes" to any of the above questions, you're experiencing information overload!

It's a common malady these days, stemming from the rapidly increasing quantities of information being produced and published.

Let's consider the ever-widening scope of this problem, its impact on us and some ways to deal with it in our personal lives.

An explosion of information
According to researchers at the University of California at Berkeley's School of Information, mankind has produced more information in the last 30 years than in all the previous 5,000 years combined. They estimate that in just the last decade, the total of human knowledge has doubled every two to three years. Soon researchers believe knowledge will double every year.

As the amount of available data expands, managing the information becomes more difficult. "Most people today have more information coming at them than they can ever assimilate and process," observes Deborah Barreau, Ph.D., associate professor at the School of Information and Library Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

"If we're trying to make a decision, we often have so much information that we get confused, and we don't know what to do. At the same time, we're expected to be knowledgeable about more and more things to function in our society."

This state of having too much information to digest is known as information overload. Almost everyone suffers from it to some degree. It can cause stress, anxiety, fatigue, frustration, reduced productivity, an inability to concentrate and feelings of being overwhelmed and overburdened—eroding work efficiency as well as personal health and family life.

"There are only so many details in anyone's life that can be handled comfortably," Dr. Barreau says. "When that limit is exceeded, circuits begin to shut down. We refuse to process any more."

Information overload is not a totally new phenomenon. Ever since the printing press was invented in the 15th century, making it possible to distribute written information to the masses, people have been complaining that there are too many published materials to get through.

"By the late 19th century, there were already more books in the average American library than anyone could possibly read," notes David Levy, Ph.D., professor at the School of Information at the University of Washington. However, he adds, "information overload is a far greater problem today than it ever was in the past." This, he says, is directly related to technology—in particular, the advent of the computer.

Information overload—21st-century style
Before the invention of modern computers in the 1950s, information was produced in very sedate increments. Once computers became available, data could be compiled and analyzed at speeds never dreamed of before. Modern computers also allowed scientists to utilize computer modeling and simulation techniques, which greatly accelerated the scientific discovery process. Scientists could now conduct their research on the computer, which yielded faster results than doing traditional laboratory experiments. This caused information production to soar.

But that's not technology's only impact. The modern computer, and accompanying growth of the Internet starting in the mid-1990s, have allowed information to be duplicated, published and accessed by just about anybody. "The World Wide Web has provided us access to billions of pages of information, increasing the number of people whose thoughts we encounter and exposing us to more ideas than ever before," says Lark Birdsong, an information professional and Web search trainer in Denver, Colorado.

Anyone who wants to can start a blog or Web site or share their perspectives on online forums and chatrooms. If it's information you want, you can sit down in front of your computer and do a Google or Yahoo search and, within seconds, be presented with hundreds, thousands or even millions of search results to weed through. Of course, a lot of the electronic information we're being inundated with isn't information we're necessarily seeking.

And our home or work computer's stationary Internet connection is not the only way this inundation comes to us. Modern communications technology has given us cell phones, PDAs, MP3 players and wireless Internet connections for our laptops, allowing us to be connected to information sources wherever we go and whenever we want it. Each day you may have potentially hundreds or even thousands of e-mail messages, instant messages, RSS feeds, podcasts and audio clips, YouTube downloads, text messages and posts on social and professional networking sites to read, watch or listen to—all competing for your attention.

"All of the computer-mediated communication—instant messaging, chatrooms, social networking sites, text messaging—while they're not 'information' in the traditional sense, have really intensified the problem of information overload in recent years," Dr. Barreau observes. "Much of the social messaging is relaying really trivial information, like your friend posts a status update on Facebook about where she is going for lunch today or what movie she is going to see. But it can be so easy to get caught up in all that."

Facebook is the largest social networking site, with more than 400 million active users worldwide, who share more than 25 billion pieces of content (news stories, Web links, notes, photos, posts, etc.) each month. Hundreds of other such sites are targeted to specific life stages or interests.

Anthony Rotolo, professor at Syracuse University's School of Information Studies, specializes in social media. What he finds particularly interesting is that "more and more people are accessing this information 'on the go' from their mobile devices, rather than being tied to a computer. That information is coming at us 24/7 and being integrated into our daily routines."

Not only that, but, he adds, "whether it's academic or work information, the news, or seemingly irrelevant social information from friends, it's all happening in one spot—your mobile device. This constant bombardment is adding tremendously to the feeling of information overload."

In addition to electronic communication, all the "traditional" information sources continue to vie for our attention. That includes magazines, newsletters, journals, newspapers, reports, books, letters, direct mail, faxes, memos, video teleconferencing, phone calls, voice mail, radio and television programs, DVDs and CDs. Considering this tidal wave of data coming at us, it's clear that the concept of keeping up with it all is illusory.

"The sheer volume of information being published today far outstrips our capacity to deal with it," Dr. Levy says.

The road to overload
Excesses of either type of information—the factual kind ("book knowledge") or the social information coming from electronic communication—can lead to information anxiety. Exactly how does it happen?

First off, it's important to state that information in and of itself is not a problem. It can be wonderful to connect with friends on social networking sites. And obviously we need information to be able to earn a living, make wise decisions and take care of our families.

Proverbs 18:15 tells us, "The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge." Proverbs 24:5 similarly says, "A wise man is strong, yes, a man of knowledge increases strength." God wants us to use our minds and develop our abilities.

The stress comes in when we feel like we're not well enough informed about the various situations we confront on a daily basis, or when we try to keep up with all the information coming at us and can't. So you may feel nervous discussing certain business topics with your boss if you haven't had time to keep up with all the trade magazines and books recently published related to your field.

You may be upset with yourself for not making the move you should have with your stock portfolio, and the reason you didn't is because you didn't have the time to watch the financial news to keep up with the latest statistics. Or perhaps you are having difficulty staying on top of the technology you need to use at work or at home, and that is causing you angst.

The demand to be informed is relentless. "Changes are continually being made to technological innovations, adding to the pressure of what else we need to learn about," observes Dr. Levy. "The rate of technological change has never been faster. If you're going to use technology, you have to always be learning in order to stay up on it."

Of course, Levy adds, if you buy the newest version of your word processing software, it can seem like a waste of time to read the manual and learn about all the features because the next version will probably be considerably different.

You've got (too much) mail
Some people become stressed because of the dozens or even hundreds of e-mails they receive each day (and that's after their spam filters deleted the ones that were junk!), and each one needs to be answered.

I know one parent who feels guilty because she doesn't have time to read the 30 or 40 e-mail updates she gets on average each week from her kids' teachers. She has two teenage sons, each with seven teachers.

"Every teacher sends out at least one e-mail a week explaining what they're doing in class. Usually there are study guides and handouts sent as attachments that the teachers want us to go over with our kids," this mother related. "But I am already so busy with my job. I don't have time to deal with extra e-mails, so I don't usually read them. But I do worry that I'm letting my kids down, because they're not getting the extra help from me."

One other cause of overload is that so much of the information we encounter, particularly on the Internet, is either irrelevant, simply personal opinion, or outright false. Trying to filter through all the "fluff" to get to the information we really need can be an overwhelming task.

It can be difficult to discern bias and point of view, know which Web sites are trustworthy and which ones aren't, and assess the validity of information being presented. Not everyone has the skills to devise effective Internet searches. You can end up with a lot of duplicate or conflicting information, or you might have to go through many, many pages of search results before you find something useful.

You encounter some of these same challenges in other media too. Consider television, for example. It's become a much more complex medium than it used to be.

"A quarter century ago there were only a couple of TV channels, and people would tune in every night to listen to one source, Walter Cronkite, and he would tell you the way it is," says Rotolo. "But in this environment, with hundreds of cable and satellite TV channels broadcasting around the clock, there is no longer one trusted source of information. And when you have urgent and sometimes conflicting messages coming in from multiple TV channels, how do you know which one to believe? More often than not, you can't know."

Efforts to cope with the uncertain quality of our information supply and conflicting "facts" can result in information anxiety, fatigue and confusion.

The time factor
Some believe the real problem with information overload is lack of time. If we do attend to everything directed at us (because we think that's what is expected of us!), or if we allow ourselves to become addicted to the Internet or to the endless pursuit of information (it does happen!), that can take away time from more important priorities.

"There is a lot of pressure to stay informed about what your friends are doing, what's going on in the world and what's happening in your profession," Dr. Barreau observes, "but there is not so much pressure anymore for people to have time to sit down and quietly think and reflect."

She takes her dog on a walk every morning, and says she "can't help but notice all the people who are talking on their cell phones while they're walking. We don't even feel free to be able to take a few minutes away from our technology." Having some downtime is important for our emotional and mental health, not to mention to be able to think deeply about the larger issues of life, such as why we are here and where we are going.

Barreau is also dismayed when she sees people dining out, with several either on their cell phones or focused on their Blackberries rather than conversing with their friends or family members at the table. "It makes other people feel like you are shutting them out—and you are," Barreau says.

She says people are spending increasing amounts of time "interacting" with their technology (during their downtime, away from work), which is coming out of time that used to be allotted for socializing with friends and family. Compare this trend to a generation ago, when sociologists were expressing concern about family members spending their evenings staring at the TV. Now the concern is that family members are at their own laptops, surfing the Web and reading e-mail, with each one in their "own little world."

Dr. Levy shares the same concerns. Additionally, he's worried about what all the technological interruptions are doing to our workdays. "All the e-mails and text messages are very distracting, waste a lot of time, and are destroying our productivity at work," he states.

In recent years, he's met with many professionals from various fields, who tell him they feel dissatisfied with their careers. In a nutshell, it's because they feel they don't have enough uninterrupted time to do as quality a job as they would like.

There's a similar trend in academia. Dr. Barreau's students often send "tweets" (posts on Twitter) and text messages to each other while she lectures the class. She says not only is that behavior disrespectful, but "their attention is divided, and they're not getting as much out of class."

"Most people don't multitask very well," she notes. "We generally deal with things better sequentially rather than trying to do three or four things at once." However, she adds, for many people, multitasking and having constant interruptions is becoming the "normal" way to function.

Our most important priority
Ultimately, information overload can distract us from the most important priority in our lives—our relationship with God. Indeed, a healthy relationship with other people, especially our family and fellow Christians, is an important part of our relationship with God Himself. And, of course, it's vital that we have frequent time alone with God in prayer and studying His Word.

Nearly 3,000 years ago, King Solomon, whom the Bible states was gifted with wisdom more than any other person, understood mankind's proclivity for information overload. In Ecclesiastes 12:12 he cautioned, "Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh."

While there were no mass-market publishers back in Solomon's day, still a good number of books were being written. As is true today, there were some back then who let the pursuit of secular knowledge become their top priority. Solomon saw that you could study countless numbers of books and still feel unsatisfied with your life—if you let the pursuit of physical knowledge steer you away from God's truth and a relationship with Him.

About 500 years later, the prophet Daniel was informed through an angel that an unprecedented knowledge explosion would occur in the last days. He wrote, "Many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase" (Daniel 12:4, New Living Translation). The Hebrew word used here for "increase" implies not just an addition of knowledge, but a multiplication of knowledge that is growing exponentially—certainly a fitting description of our day.

This prophesied knowledge explosion, however, was referring to an increase in secular information, not a better understanding of God's truths.

In 2 Timothy 3:7, the apostle Paul told Timothy that in the last days many people would be "always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." How aptly that describes our society! While there has been a boom in physical knowledge, the knowledge of God and His way of life certainly appears to be decreasing!

In recent years, Gallup and other polling organizations, along with the American Bible Society, have conducted surveys about Bible readership. All have reported that Americans and other Westerners are not reading the Bible as much as they used to—and consequently know less and less about it. Yet that is the kind of "information" this world needs most! It is only God's eternal truths that can solve the enormous problems facing our world.

There are probably many factors leading to the decline in biblical literacy. This article has alluded to one of them: As a society, we have become so overloaded with the "cares of this world" that they are choking our spiritual lives. Mark 4:19 describes this condition in the parable of the sower, and the person so afflicted "becomes unfruitful."

God's warning to the nation of Israel more than 2,700 years ago is another that rings true today: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). Again, the destruction was a matter of the people lacking and not seeking spiritual knowledge. With the amount of stress, frustration and fatigue so many people are contending with today, we can already see this destruction happening to some degree. These are certainly sobering warnings, for very serious times.

The antidote to information overload
The crucial thing to remember is that while information overload is a widespread problem in our society as a whole, it need not take control over your life. So what can you do?

• For starters, take an honest assessment of your priorities. Are you so wrapped up in pursuit of secular knowledge or an online social life that you have no time left to dig deeply into God's Word? Are you routinely using your PDA or laptop when you are with friends and family? If your priorities are misaligned, be willing to make the necessary changes.

• Plan for only one time each day to check e-mail, social messaging sites, chat rooms, etc. Don't allow yourself to check multiple times—unless you truly are waiting for an important e-mail. Each time you go online, you run the risk of being pulled in, and that eats up your valuable time.

• If you are being barraged with too many electronic interruptions during the weekday, ask people to call or text you during work hours only if it's a genuine emergency. Otherwise they—and you—end up stealing time from your employer.

• When you need to do some Internet research, be willing to ask your reference librarian for help. Most librarians are happy to educate people about Internet search techniques, which will help you get better refined search results and waste less time.

• Remind yourself that it's okay to not know everything. In fact, it's impossible to keep up with the pace of the information superhighway. The sooner you accept that, the happier you'll be. Know what's worth knowing and what isn't, and be willing to fall behind on the information that really doesn't matter.

• If there are critical features of your computer or other technology that you don't know how to use, look up the appropriate information online, get help from the tech support desk at your local computer store or sign up for a workshop at your local community center. Don't worry about the applications you don't use.

• Set aside a regular time each week where you and other family members do not use any kind of electronic media technologies, including television. It could be something you do every Sabbath, or perhaps an hour or two every evening. "'Unplugging yourselves' will give you time for family, for reflection or to just unwind," Dr. Levy says.

• Finally, no matter how busy you get, make time for some Bible study every day. Keeping your mind focused on God's Word will help you to filter all the information that's coming at you on a daily basis—and to know what's important to address and what isn't! GN



Related Resources
Making Life Work
You probably already own the best self-help book ever published—the Bible. It's filled with practical guidance on how to make your life work!

Are You Feeling Overwhelmed?
Do too many problems stare you in the face? Do you find yourself with too much to do and not enough time and energy to do it? There are ways out of the dilemma.

When Do I Get a Break?
Are you working more and relaxing less? Doing more but never getting everything done? Running here and there but only running yourself down? Maybe it's time you took a break!

What Are You Doing With Your Time?
Rich or poor, old or young, male or female, we all have the same amount of one thing—time. How we use it will largely determine how far we’ll go in life and in our relationship with our Creator.

Immigration: How a Foreign Invasion Is Reshaping the West

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/


Immigration: How a Foreign Invasion Is Reshaping the West
In the last 50 years, millions of people from the Third World have moved into the Western democracies. Many have contributed to the welfare of these nations, but others lack work skills, proper education and democratic convictions. What will it mean if and when these ever-growing minorities begin to constitute the majority in several key countries?
by Melvin Rhodes
Suddenly, immigration is becoming a bigger issue throughout the Western world. Governments around the globe are very concerned about potential problems that massive immigration may bring.

The American state of Arizona, which borders Mexico, recently passed a law authorizing police to inquire of people they've stopped for other legitimate reasons if they are in the United States legally, should there be sufficient reason to suspect otherwise, and to ask for proof of their legal status in such case. Illegal immigrants have contributed to mounting crime, increasing health and educational costs and other problems in the state.

Most of Arizona's citizens support the law, though some organizations outside the state have announced boycotts, which could cost it a great deal. Even the federal government is considering filing lawsuits to prevent the law from being implemented.

Immigration reshaping Western countries
A car bomb placed in New York City's Times Square on May 1, 2010, was the 11th attempted terrorist act in the city of New York since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The bomb—which, thankfully, failed to go off as planned—raised some deeply troubling questions about even legal immigration.

How could a young Pakistani immigrant who lived the American dream possibly want to kill hundreds of his fellow citizens? The United States and other Western democracies, still coming to terms with radical Islam, are finding it hard to fathom. It just doesn't fit into the multicultural ideal!

France, Belgium, Italy and other European countries are passing laws to block Islamic women from wearing full veils in public. Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel is insisting the country's large Turkish population should assimilate, while the Turkish prime minister insists they should have their own separate schools to protect their Islamic identity.

Meanwhile, a Danish cartoonist whose cartoon depicting the prophet Muhammad led to riots in a number of countries was threatened by an ax-wielding intruder, and a Swedish cartoonist was physically attacked by protesters shouting "Allah is great!" as he gave a lecture on free speech. Muslims insist that freedom of speech, long cherished in the West, has its limits.

In Britain, the issue of immigration may have cost Prime Minister Gordon Brown the recent election. When a 65-year-old supporter of his own party approached him during the campaign and expressed concern about all the immigrants from Eastern Europe flowing into her neighborhood, Mr. Brown was overheard in his car describing her as a "bigoted woman." Leaders clearly don't like the sensitive issue of immigration being brought up.

But it's not going to go away.

Majorities becoming minorities in their own land
People are feeling increasingly threatened by the changing demographics in their own nations. The ethnic composition of Western countries is rapidly altering due to massive immigration in the last few decades. The United States alone took in 10 million more immigrants in the seven years following Sept. 11, 2001—many of them from countries rife with radical Islamists. To many citizens, this just doesn't make sense.

An increasing number of Americans are aware that these demographic changes will lead to a majority nonwhite population in their own lifetimes. How they handle this will determine the country's future. As Time magazine put it: "How the current majority reacts to its incipient minority status is the most crucial socio-demographic issue facing the country" (Gregory Rodriguez, "The White Anxiety Crisis," March 22, 2010, international edition).

In an amazing break from tradition, many Western nations changed their immigration policies after World War II and welcomed millions of people from the Third World. Even the United States, often deemed a cultural "melting pot," had an immigration policy prior to 1965 that favored maintaining the racial status quo.

The late Senator Edward Kennedy's 1965 immigration bill deliberately changed earlier policy, welcoming a big influx of immigrants from the world's poorer nations. At the time, Americans were assured it would not alter the ethnic mix and social fabric of their nation.

Now it's evident this assurance was false. One could easily make the argument that the election of America's first African-American president would not have happened without the reality of changing demographics.

Immigration leading to unrest
The issue of immigration was briefly discussed on NBC's Chris Matthews Show on May 9, 2010.

During the program, John Heilemann of New York magazine observed: "We're going through one of these once-in-a-century transformations that cuts across a lot of different things—cultural change, there's big demographic change, there's big economic change, and technological change, and it makes people really nervous. It's been going on for about 15 years in America—the sense of anxiety, the sense we've lost control of our lives."

Also on the show was Cynthia Tucker, a columnist with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, who offered this perspective: "I've always thought that this great melting pot or salad, however you want to describe this diverse nation, works as long as the economy is good, as long as the pie is growing and every American believes he or she has an opportunity to get a piece of that pie, we're all pretty happy."

However, now that the economy is not doing so well, the United States could be in for a more stressful time when it comes to assimilating the various ethnic groups that now live in the country.

The same applies elsewhere, of course. Some of the eurozone countries are on the brink of financial collapse due to decades of overspending. Severe government spending cuts are inevitable. The nations have already seen unemployment rise. Without jobs, many are already blaming immigrants for their situation.

In the latest election in Britain, the anti-immigrant British National Party almost tripled the share of the vote it received in the 2005 election. In fact, anti-immigrant parties are seeing growing support in a number of European countries.

The perceived threat applies on several different levels.

Security a growing concern
Besides feeling that their way of life is threatened, both culturally and economically, people are also becoming more concerned about security as radical terror movements increasingly recruit homegrown terrorists. Commenting on the recent attempted bombing in Times Square, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies professor Fouad Ajami wrote the following in the May 10, 2010, Wall Street Journal:

"'A Muslim has no nationality except his belief,' the intellectual godfather of the Islamists, Egyptian Sayyid Qutb, wrote decades ago. Qutb's 'children' are everywhere now; they carry the nationalities of foreign lands and plot against them. The Pakistani-born Faisal Shahzad [who set up the car bomb] is a devotee of Sayyid Qutb's doctrine, and Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, the Fort Hood shooter, was another.

"Qutb was executed by the secular dictatorship of [Egyptian President] Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1966. But his thoughts and legacy endure. Globalization, the shaking up of continents, the ease of travel, and the doors for immigration flung wide open by Western liberal societies have given Qutb's worldview greater power and relevance. What can we make of a young man like Shahzad working for [the cosmetics company] Elizabeth Arden, receiving that all-American degree, the MBA, jogging in the evening in Bridgeport, then plotting mass mayhem in Times Square?

"The Islamists are now within the gates. They fled the fires and the failures of the Islamic world but brought the ruin with them. They mock national borders and identities. A parliamentary report issued by Britain's House of Commons on the London Underground bombings of July 7, 2005, lays bare this menace and the challenge it poses to a system of open borders and modern citizenship.

"The four men who pulled off those brutal attacks, the report noted, 'were apparently well integrated into British society.' Three of them were second-generation Britons born in West Yorkshire. The oldest, a 30-year-old father of a 14-month-old infant, 'appeared to others as a role model to young people.' One of the four, 22 years of age, was a boy of some privilege; he owned a red Mercedes given to him by his father and was given to fashionable hairstyles and designer clothing...Two of the four, rather like Faisal Shahzad, had spent time in Pakistan before they pulled off their deed.

"A year after the London terror, hitherto tranquil Canada had its own encounter with the new Islamism. A ring of radical Islamists were charged with plotting to attack targets in southern Ontario with fertilizer bombs. A school-bus driver was one of the leaders of these would-be jihadists.

"A report by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service unintentionally echoed the British House of Commons findings. 'These individuals are part of Western society, and their "Canadianness" makes detection more difficult. Increasingly, we are learning of more and more extremists that are homegrown. The implications of this shift are profound'" ("Islam's Nowhere Men: Millions Like Faisal Shahzad Are Unsettled by a Modern World They Can Neither Master nor Reject," emphasis added).

Prophecy warned of consequences for national sins
The modern descendants of the ancient Israelites include many of the nations that make up today's Western world. In Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28, God promised tremendous physical blessings if they would obey Him, but He also warned them of the dire consequences of disobedience. The promised blessings for obedience are awe-inspiring; the assurances of punishment for sins are deeply troubling.

These chapters make for sobering reading when we consider trends in recent years. In Deuteronomy 32, verse 25 warns of "terror within"—a prophecy clearly being fulfilled now, with an even greater increase in the problem likely still to come.

The apostle Paul spoke of how God created "from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings" (Acts 17:26).

Of course, this passage does not mean that correctly controlled immigration is inherently wrong, seeing that when the Israelites left Egypt the door was opened for a certain number of non-Israelites to dwell among them. However, they had to leave their culture behind and abide by the same laws God gave the Israelites. We are now learning the negative consequences of the multicultural society that has been propagated for the last 50 years.

Mixing cultures, and especially religions, can be volatile! We should have known that before the change in immigration laws just by looking at history and at other societies where mixing religions has led to serious tension and conflict.

The people of Europe feel particularly threatened. With higher population densities than the United States and closer proximity to the volatile Middle East, many West European nations have significantly high Muslim populations. Add to this Europe's low birthrate in contrast to the high Islamic birthrate, and the potential for violent conflict only increases.

And as we've seen, it's not just security that is threatened. Economics also play a major role. God Himself warned of serious consequences for the native peoples as a result of immigration: "The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower. He shall lend to you, but you shall not lend to him; he shall be the head, and you shall be the tail" (Deuteronomy 28:43-44).

In other words, the strangers—those of foreign cultures and religions—will end up on top, in control and in time possibly dictating a way of life foreign to the indigenous population.

This is, of course, exactly what happened when European settlers started arriving in North America, Australia and elsewhere—they ended up on top and in control, displacing the native populations. Now, two or three centuries later, they are the ones losing control to newer arrivals.

Immigration trends and birthrates show that sometime in this century the peoples who currently dominate most of the Western nations will be minorities in their own lands. Whatever you may think of the ethnic mix, the reality is that significant change is underway, and it's threatening no less than the future of Western civilization. GN



Related Resource
The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy
Where does the United States of America appear in Bible prophecy? Does Bible prophecy neglect to mention major nations such as the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom? In fact, many prophecies do mention these nations.