My knees are flat from prayer this week.
Above. I miss the National Enquirer stories of people seeing UFOs. Never seen by scientists, these flying unknowns seem to always appear to the simple folk in life. As a Babatist, I can tell you for certain that we are the only creatures in the universe, or else the Bible would have talked about the others. Amen? So, I read these tales as pure science fiction and the product of some illegal substances. Now comes accounts of UFOs in airspace over New Jersey. But this time, they are IFOs since they are identified by scientists and government officials as drones, remote-control devices monitored by unseen earthly humans. But why? And why in New Jersey? Could these be spying devices from enemies abroad or at home? Is our government watching every move above New Jersey? I’ll admit to being slightly alarmed over these appearances, but I am grateful that they have not come near me. Based on some television programs I have seen over the years, if these drones are looking for intelligent life in that area, it won’t be long before they disappear with nothing gained. Just my opinion.
Abhorrent. Print media has been dwindling steadily over the past decade or so. Even I limit my column to the interwebs. Yet some of us still like holding newspapers and magazines in our own hands for bathroom reading and/or perusal. Therefore, those who still issue these publications are wise to pick stories worthy of OUR attention and not just worthy of attention in general. I’m referring, of course, to TIME Magazine’s annual Person of the Year cover story. I’ve always looked forward to this issue in hopes that the media’s opinion of greatness would (at least somewhat) align with mine. Past images have included humanitarians, religious figures, titans of industry and respected political leaders. Respected. Key word. TIME has a history of recognizing former American Presidents more than once when it is deemed appropriate. Our incoming President made this year’s cover for the second time after gracing that page back in 2016. I’m going to remember this abhorrent cover in the same light as the magazine’s past decisions to honor such figures as Hitler, Stalin and Khomeni before TIME learned to “shy away from using figures who are controversial in the United States, fearing reductions in sales or advertising revenue.” Clearly, TIME is rethinking. If the magazine is truly at death’s door, why not finish the job with a bang? We need prayer.
Abundant. I am beyond bereaved at news of yet another school shooting. Why must these innocent children and their teachers be constantly subjected to such violence? But the differences this time are notable. The troubled shooter was a 15-year-old girl, and the school was not a public school but rather a private Christian school. (Clearly, school vouchers will not protect our children.) Notably, it is a school named after Scripture found in John 10:10 where Jesus said (in red letters) “I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly.” Also in Scripture, Matthew 19:14, Jesus pulled out the red ink and said, “Suffer the little children to come to me.” There is no interpretation of that scripture which reads “let the little children suffer when coming to me.” I pray that every school in this nation will be able to welcome its students to Abundant Life on a daily basis. And that all guns be beaten into plowshares. I’ll let you look THAT scripture up on your own. Amen.
