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Tick, Tick, Tick goes the clock working its way ever so slowly toward the almost feared second when the clock strikes twelve at the stroke of midnight January 1, 2000. Every eye will be open that night waiting expectantly to see if the power suddenly goes off and life as we know it changes dramatically to the days prior to modern invention.
People are getting ready for the unknown but aren't sure how to prepare. Experts of all kinds are giving us their educated guess, while those of less expertise worry and wonder, "What, if anything, should we do?"
I will venture an opinion based on the information I have read and heard. I also encourage you to study the information available on the Internet and from ministries like Focus on the Family and Christian Financial Concepts and form your own opinion. We know that the problem is being worked on and that eventually will be solved. Whether or not it will be solved prior to the turn of the millennium is the question.
I think we should prepare as much as possible without spending excessively for what might be nothing more than a blip on your computer screen. Taking care of your family obviously must be a top priority and doing nothing would be a mistake in light of the evidence that points to some type of Y2K problem. The greatest problem we face in my opinion is procrastination and a fear of the unknown which could result in a public panic.
Keep yourself informed and share information with friends and family. Develop a contingency plan just in case a problem does arise. Stay calm and know that God is aware of what the future has in store. But, please don't simply ignore this problem and bet your family's welfare on the outcome.
A contingency plan should include a provision for your family's basic needs.
Here are some examples:
1. Food - dried or canned
2. Water - bottled
3. Heat - LP Gas, wood, kerosene
4. Power - generator
5. Transportation - extra gasoline
6. Communication - battery operated radios
7. Finances - extra cash
Include enough for your family and some to share. Worst case scenario would be a matter of weeks not months. If Y2K turns out to be nothing, the extra food, water and supplies will not be wasted.
Don't wait until December to get ready.
Who would have thought 30 years ago that America, a Christian nation, would find the subject of abortion controversial? A controversy that has divided families, homes and even the church. While people wrestle with their conscience, holding the power of death in their freedom of choice, thousands of children are dying.
Since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, more than 35 million children have been killed by means of abortion. At present we are disposing of 1.5 million babies each year; that’s one child every 22 seconds; 4,000 each day. In the time it takes you to read this column 100 tiny infants will be destroyed. America loses more lives each year through abortion than were lost during all American involved wars combined, yet the subject of abortion remains controversial. (Statistics provided by the National Right to Life).
Wherein lies the controversy? Most people agree that the dispute is over the moment life begins. For instance, after a child is born, it has all the rights afforded by the Constitution. If the child was killed, even though it was only one minute old, the person responsible for his or her death would be charged with murder. However, if the child was aborted, on the same day mind you, prior to birth which would have occurred later that day, the death of the child would be perfectly legal, and everyone, except the baby, would go free.
When does life begin? Jeremiah 1:5 says: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. Before you were born I sanctified you.” According to this scripture, God not only knew us before birth, He knew us even before we were conceived. Not only did He know us, He formed us in the womb. Again, I ask you, where is the controversy?
It grieves me, when I think of the legal holocaust that is taking place in this country. I love children, all children, they are a precious gift from God and this senseless killing must end soon. Abortion is not a choice, it is a sin against God.
We call it abortion. In 2nd Chronicles Ahaz called it a sacrifice to his pagan god when he tossed his children in the fire in the Valley of Hinnom. (2 Chr. 28) Let me quote the commentary on 28:3 from the Life Application Bible:
“Imagine the monstrous evil of a religion that offers young children as sacrifices. God allowed the nation to be conquered in response to Ahaz’s evil practices. Even today the practice hasn’t abated. The sacrifice of children to the harsh gods of convenience, economy, and whim continues; in sterile medical facilities; in numbers that would astound the wicked Ahaz. If we are to allow children to come to Christ (Matthew 19:14), we must first allow them to come into the World.”
Because of Ahaz’s evil practice God allowed the King of Syria to defeat him. According to verse 6, 120,000 of Ahaz’s best soldiers were killed in a single day, because they had turned their back on God.
Must America also be destroyed because of its disobedience to God? I pray it’s not too late to return to Him and cry out for forgiveness.
Let’s put our hearts and minds together in a concerted legal effort to end the controversy and save the children. We must forgive those who have failed. Bring restoration to the fallen and pray for guidance and peace and life for us all.
