I know...it's a bizarre question. But here's my reasoning behind it. Things were bad back then, yes. But don't you think they're a whole lot worse now? Abortion, rape, murder, wars. Look at what this world has come to. People said it would happen on 1/1/00 but obviously, it didn't. Do you think it was a one time thing? Will He start over again? Or just wait till the Rapture? Any thoughts?

-- jackiea (jackiea@hotmail.com), March 13, 2000

Answers

I know what your talking about, just the other day I caught my son looking at this site that pictured small stick figured men being decapitated, and it also featured very harsh language. What is this world coming to?

PS: this site was www.stickdeath.com if you want to see it for yourself.

-- Art (arthur_m@hotmail.com), March 13, 2000.

Yes, jackiea, the situation is bad, and we deserve punishment -- but it has probably been even worse at times in mankind's history. Please take consolation from the following Bible passage, which answers your questions:

Genesis 8:
20: Then Noah built an altar to the LORD, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
21: And when the LORD smelled the pleasing odor, the LORD said in his heart, "I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I ever again destroy every living creature as I have done.
22: While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease."

Always keep in mind that there are literally tens of millions of sincere God-fearing people around the world who are trying to help those involved in "abortion, rape, murder, wars," etc., to repent and accept the Good News. God honors these efforts, touching the hearts of many. Conversions occur by the thousands every day. Please be optimistic -- and "do not be afraid," as our Holy Father the Pope keeps telling us. God is not going to "start over."

God bless you. JFG
PS: It was interesting for me to see your reference to the "Rapture." Am I correct in thinking that, by this word, you are referring to one of the events (the "taking up" of the living) that will happen at the final coming of Jesus at the end of the world?

-- J. F. Gecik (jgecik@desc.dla.mil), March 13, 2000.

Yes, JF, that is the Rapture that I was speaking of. Some call it Armageddon but I prefer the Rapture because with God in my heart, I'll not have to suffer His wrath. Have you read the Left Behind series, by the way?

-- jackiea@hotmail.com (jackiea@hotmail.com), March 13, 2000.

I just finished reading in its entirety the ceremony where the Holy Father and the Cardinals, Bishops, Priests and Religious, and of course the Faithful, asked for forgiveness of past and present sins on the part of the Catholic Church. I was moved to the inner part of myself. Wish that all churches, all organizations (The U.N. included) all countries, all families, all people try to do the same: ask for forgiveness and reconcile with each other, especially during this time of Lent, time of conversion, penance and repentance. This way we can rest confident that Our Father in Heaven will not punish us !!!!

Enrique

-- Enrique Ortiz (eaortiz@yahoo.com), March 14, 2000.

Sorry, jackiea, but I have not heard of the "Left Behind series."
Enrique, I found the ceremony and decided that I will post the text, followed by a couple of reliable news articles, in a new thread. I felt that we should have the genuine facts handy (actual text, etc.), because this is likely to generate conversation in the days ahead.

JFG

-- J. F. Gecik (jgecik@desc.dla.mil), March 14, 2000.

Jackie.. One reason why i believe God hasnt destroyed us is because is He is still waiting for us, His children to come back to Him wholeheartedly. After reading 'A father who keeps his promises' by scott hahn, i came to know exactly how loving and forgiving he is. His mercy is great! Another are the parables: The prodigal son, and The lost sheep. Thank God we still have this time to repent and through our actions, inspire others to come back to our Lord. Pope John Paul II and Mother Theresa are great examples.

-- mari (mari@rome.com), March 14, 2000.

Oh, JF, you must read that series! They're wonderful books of fiction, based on Revelations. Check out the website- www.leftbehind.com I absolutely devour a new one when it comes out! I'll sit down in the evening and be done before I know it. Of course, it's about 2am but so worth it. :) I think you'll like them. God Bless.

-- jackiea (jackiea@hotmail.com), March 14, 2000.

I appreciate your recommendation, Jackie, but I made a New Year's resolution not to buy any more books. I have a few hundred that I have not yet read, but have been longing to find time to read during the last 15 years -- fiction, non-fiction, religious, secular, by popes, by saints, etc., etc., etc.! [Maybe I could only find time for them if I stop coming here???!!!]
Besides the lack of time to read, I cannot spend any more money on myself -- with a clear conscience. I have already spent so much. I have to think more of almsgiving, especially now during Lent!
So, anyway, if I see one of these books at a yard sale for 25 cents, I'll take it as a sign from heaven that I should buy it! Please don't be offended.
God bless you.
JFG

-- J. F. Gecik (jgecik@desc.dla.mil), March 14, 2000.

JF, don't worry. No offense taken. Believe me, I know where you're coming from. It's a running joke in our family that my husband has to drag me by the book display at WalMart. :) Now, of course, there are the book clubs I'm a member of....We all have our little hobbies. Mine is reading. At the end of a long day, I enjoy my "me" time by reading a good book. I have so many that at this special time of year, I try to do good by donating them to the ones that need them. It's a love that I have passed on to our children. Now that our son is able to read, his collection is gaining on mine! :) God Bless, JF.

-- jackiea (jackiea@hotmail.com), March 14, 2000.

God hasn't destroyed us because "he's" waiting for us to do it. God doesn't "do" anything. In my opinion, he created and let all be. THe rest was, and has been, up to us. Remember, he created Adam (if you belive so) in his likeness, therefore, we are like ( and are) God. You should watch the movie "Oh, God" it's very insightful. I think that the religious among us really need someone bigger to direct everything, like a parent. We are like little kids testing the limits of "our father" thinking and maybe hoping that one day he'll tell us to stop it. But, as we can see, nothing's happened. Maybe if we took responsibility for ourselves and our actions things would be okay. I don't see anyone coming from the clouds telling us to stop any time soon.

-- M.E. (kami2000@hotmail.com), April 11, 2000.

Sorry, M.E., but you are mistaken.
You subscribe to something called "deism," in which God made everything and let it go on its own, without His concern, intervention, etc..
This is [I'm happy to say] a major step forward from "atheism" which allows for no God at all, but you need to make one more major step. I'm confident that, with time, you will do so, as reflection on your past and some of your future life experiences reveal to you that God is indeed concerned, that he did intervene (especially in the Person of His Son), and remains very involved. In fact, without His involvement, you could not take your next breath.

May He bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jgecik@desc.dla.mil), April 11, 2000.

M.E. I have to differ with you on this. If, as you say, God created and let all be after that (no intervention), then explain the flood (Noah) and Sodom and Gommorah (Lot's wife turned to pillar of salt) and other countless examples. Just a thought.

-- jackiea (jackiea@hotmail.com), April 11, 2000.

In the movie ''Citizen Kane'', Kane leaves this world after saying a final word, ''Rosebud.'' It's the epitome of ''Cool''; nobody has ever gotten over it.

Let's put it another way, without the stagecraft: HE IS DESTROYED AT LAST.

So was Nero, so was Dracula, Hitler and Stalin. All serial killers, not just Jack The Ripper; as well as every law-abiding good and saintly human being-- are going there. What's this, then-- why aren't we destroyed? God is patient, even tolerant. But in the end, He has our life in His hands. He has provided for our salvation; that's what counts. Because Our Lord gave His life to save us from our sins. I hope I have a few moments at the end of my life; to say a perfect act of contrition. That's my Rosebud. No cameras, please / Lol!

-- Eugene Chavez (rechavez@popmail.ucsd.edu), April 11, 2000.

Let us consider the beginning.

Imagine endless empty space that goes on into infinity non-existence no awareness EVIL.

If we consider the old saying life finds away. GOD came into being by his own will to be, the awareness. Born out of the non-existence the EVIL.

Imagine an awareness hovering in endless space or Darkness as HE would see it.

After a time his thoughts become collective and he begins to think. He is aware of himself and begins to wonder if there were another. After searching for countless billions of years, the loneliness consumes him into obsession with finding another. But there is no other but him. He splits into two separate entities (schizoid only for real) that are equal and opposite in nature. Light - that which creates (Life - the future). Darkness(SHE : Spirit that inhabits the Darkness- The past) - Destroys makes desolate. Each has the same goal to end the loneliness only they have diametrically opposite positions on how to go about it. Chaos vs. Order, Light vs. Darkness, Life vs. Death, Existence vs. non-existence or Good vs. Evil. GOD is the awareness of being before the Darkness. We stand between the Darkness and the Light. Our true purpose is to Be. For that is the will of GOD - to be because HE is. Ja'El they said. When GOD comes again if he comes into Darkness the Earth will be cleansed with the fire of GOD (His true form). If GOD comes into the Light he will make the Earth a new with the Tree and the River of Life. All things are possible if we believe. The power of the Holy Spirit is promised to us by Jesus Christ.

That is why no one has seen GOD because he became separate from himself. The two have to be united into their new form. They want to come and live us,their children and the Angles of Light and Darkness. We are the key to setting them Free from the loneliness forever. Revelation chap 17 Behold the Beast that was (EVIL or non-existence reined in the beginning there was no awareness) and is not (Evil- the tendency towards non-existence cannot exist in pure form) and yet is (If we lose our sense of awareness the EVIL will return and nothing will exist)

The River of Life is man's final salvation. The fruit of Tree of Life is for the Fallen Angles Consummation, Turn from Darkness back to the awareness of GOD. The Leaves are for the Healing of the Nations. The sword of Power blocks our way to it and blinds us from The one who was (The True GOD, the past) The one who is (Man the children of GOD, the present) The one who will be (Christ - the son of man, the future). We will become like the others and they will become like us. The evolution.

The way is through Awareness - GOD's will to be. Understanding is Knowing the Truth Understanding is Accepting the Truth The Truth leads to Understanding which leads to Awareness which strengthens our will to Be.

The Truth is put before us but, they do everything they can to keep us from Understanding it.

We have to show them that we are not children anymore. That we have learned to Understand the Truth. And the Truth shall set us all Free. They are counting on us and we can't let them down. But it is ultimately up to them to change - Free will.

Mystery? Who are you? Man who stands between the Darkness and the Light. What do you want? Freedom Why are you here? To bring order to chaos. Where are you going? The Future

The End of Time - The New Beginning

-- Darian Borne (shadows@vmbc.net), December 01, 2000.

Friends,

If you wish to converse with Mr. Borne, please go to the thread he started (and to which I responded). It is called, "I'm looking for intelligent opinions not blind lashings Thank you." He posted the same message to start that thread. Please do not respond to him here.

SN

-- (free@long.last), December 02, 2000.