Zager and Evans: "In The Year 2525"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew01FGfOZdE

Being a true science fiction fan, I loved this song. Though I hoped God would show up long before 2525 A.D., I still loved this one-hit-wonder group's futuristic song from the year 1969. Listen to it here.

Nobody knows when Christ will return. Even so, each generation of Christians has hoped they would be the ones to see Acts 1:10 and 11 (Bible in Basic English) fulfilled in their lifetimes. "And while they (the disciples) were looking up to heaven with great attention, two men came to them, in white clothing, And said, 'O men of Galilee, why are you looking up into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken from you into heaven, will come again, in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.'"

Before that, Christ told the disciples it was none of their business about future events which they didn't need to know. Acts 1:6 and 7 (BBE) reads, "So, when they were together, they said to him, 'Lord, will you at this time give back the kingdom to Israel?' And he said to them, 'It is not for you to have knowledge of the time and the order of events which the Father has kept in his control.'"

So what do we do? Christ spoke a parable in Luke 19:12 and 13 (BBE) which should be our instruction. "So he said, 'A certain man of high birth went into a far-away country to get a kingdom for himself, and to come back. And he sent for ten of his servants and gave them ten pounds and said to them, "Do business with this till I come."'"

For those concerned about rewards, they're in good hands. Luke 14:13 and 14 (BBE) reads, "But when you give a feast, send for the poor and the blind and those who are broken in body: And you will have a blessing, because they will not be able to give you any payment, and you will get your reward when the upright come back from the dead."

XTC: "No Thugs in Our House"

This New Wave band from England weren't very famous out of their own country but they did have a few North American hits. Some of them were quite thought provoking. Hear one of that kind here.

Unlike those parents in the song who figured their boy could do no wrong, God expects parents to be critically involved with their children. As Proverbs 22:6 (Bible in Basic English) reminds us, "If a child is trained up in the right way, even when he is old he will not be turned away from it."

Teaching youngsters the ways of God must be a constant effort. As Deuteronomy 6:6 and 7 (BBE) also reminds us, "Keep these words, which I say to you this day, deep in your hearts; Teaching them to your children with all care, talking of them when you are at rest in your house or walking by the way, when you go to sleep and when you get up."

And unlike the prevailing attitude of people today, Psalm 127:3 and 4 (BBE) says, "See, sons are a heritage from the Lord; the fruit of the body is his reward. Like arrows in the hand of a man of war, are the children of the young."

And to keep them from going astray, parents need to discipline children. As Proverbs 20:15 (BBE) says, "Foolish ways are deep-seated in the heart of a child, but the rod of punishment will send them far from him."

To modern people, this sounds cruel. Even so, Proverbs 29:15 (BBE) tells us why children need correction. "The rod and sharp words give wisdom: but a child who is not guided is a cause of shame to his mother."

Likewise, spiritual children also need the example of godly parents, as 1 Timothy 3:14 and 15 (BBE) demonstrates. "But see that you keep to the teaching you have been given and the things of which you are certain, conscious of who has been your teacher; And that from the time when you were a child, you have had knowledge of the holy Writings, which are able to make you wise to salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus."

If Christ hasn't come for us by New Year's Eve, I hope to have a post published about the future and who is in charge of it.

William DeVaugn: "Be Thankful For What You've Got"

I found several versions of this song on YouTube but I believe this is the original version. Not only is this a great song but it's excellent advice. Check it out here.

 What a great motto this is. If only everybody on earth would learn this lesson. But advertisers cause us to covet things we didn't know we needed or even wanted.

Luke 3:14 (Bible in Basic English) is one instance of how we should be thankful for what we're paid. "And men of the army put questions to him, saying, 'And what have we to do?' And he said to them, 'Do no violent acts to any man, and do not take anything without right, and let your payment be enough for you.'"

Furthermore, we're happiest when we aren't concerned with future successes or failures. As Paul learned in Philippians 4:11 (BBE), "But I will not say anything about my needs, for I am able, wherever I am, to be dependent on myself".

Here's another verse advertisers would hate people to take to heart. Hebrews 13:5 (BBE) reminds us, "Be free from the love of money and pleased with the things which you have; for he himself has said, I will be with you at all times."

And because our heavenly Father is taking constant care of us, we need not worry about the future. As Christ said in Matthew 6:26 (BBE), "See the birds of heaven; they do not put seeds in the earth, they do not get in grain, or put it in store-houses; and your Father in heaven gives them food. Are you not of much more value than they?"

So if he in whom we yearn for hasn't returned for us by

Weird Al: "Virus Alert"

Can a singer make a career out of singing novelty songs? Mr. Yankovic did. Many times, he took songs and changed the lyrics. At other times, he made up songs in the style of the bands and artists he spoofed. Listen to this example of his hilarity here.

Sin is like that tempting e-mail attachment. Scammers know they can't infiltrate your system unless you click on their attachment or link.

In the same way, Satan couldn't force Eve to sin. Genesis 3:6 (Bible in Basic English) shows that sin is voluntary. "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and a delight to the eyes, and to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit, and gave it to her husband."

And like the man in the song, we must forward the warning of sin's danger to everybody.  As God explained in Ezekiel 3:18 and 19 (BBE), When I say to the evil-doer, Death will certainly be your fate; and you give him no word of it and say nothing to make clear to the evil-doer the danger of his evil way, so that he may be safe; that same evil man will come to death in his evil-doing; but I will make you responsible for his blood. But if you give the evil-doer word of his danger, and he is not turned from his sin or from his evil way, death will overtake him in his evil-doing; but your life will be safe."

Additionally, we're required to, as the end of the song says, "Hit SEND right now." Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 6:1 and 2 (BBE) that, "We then, working together with God, make our request to you not to take the grace of God to no purpose. (For he says, 'I have given ear to you at a good time, and I have been your helper in a day of salvation: see, now is the good time; now is the day of salvation):'"

We also know that computer viruses must be quarantined and destroyed. Likewise, James 4:7 (BBE) explains, "For this cause be ruled by God; but make war on the Evil One and he will be put to flight before you."

If our commanding officer hasn't returned to put the world right by Saturday, I hope my post about contentment with our possessions will make readers think.

Walter Egan: "Magnet and Steel"

This song by a one-hit-wonder artist was a refuge for us listeners who hated seventies disco. It's about a man  attracted irresistibly to a woman. Check the song out here.

As any child learns in science class, magnets only attract iron and nickel. Try picking up copper or aluminium and it just won't work.

Because God chose certain people before the dawn of time to be his, we have an affinity to his rule in our lives. As Christ told his disciples, and us too, in John 15:16 (BBE), "You did not take me for yourselves, but I took you for myself; and I gave you the work of going about and producing fruit which will be for ever; so that whatever request you make to the Father in my name he may give it to you."

Paul also pointed out how believers were chosen long before energy and matter were created. Ephesians 1:3 and 4 (BBE) reads, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us every blessing of the Spirit in the heavens in Christ: Even as he made selection of us in him from the first, so that we might be holy and free from all evil before him in love:"

And though Christ said this to his disciples, I believe he meant John 17:24 (BBE) to apply to us too. "Father, it is my desire that these whom you have given to me may be by my side where I am, so that they may see my glory which you have given to me, because you had love for me before the world came into being."

Jesus also said plainly why some people can't come to faith in him while others can. He told the Pharisees in John 6:44 (BBE) that, "No man is able to come to me if the Father who sent me does not give him the desire to come: and I will take him up from the dead on the last day."

Like predestination, those whom the Lord has chosen have iron or nickel properties of faith. Those with other metals, metaphorically speaking, can't be attracted.

If Christ doesn't pull us up like iron filings to a magnet by Christmas Eve, I hope to have a post featuring a virus alert spoof up for all to read

Uriah Heep: "Easy Livin'

Though this is a love song, it could easily be sung by us to Christ. It certainly meant a lot to me back in 1971, two years after Christ had taken his place in my heart. Check it out here.

Jesus himself likened salvation to having him come for dinner and lodging. Revelation 3:20 is rendered by The Bible in Basic English this way. "See, I am waiting at the door and giving the sign; if my voice comes to any man's ears and he makes the door open, I will come in to him, and will take food with him and he with me."

Furthermore, we who surrender our lives to Christ become his friends. As he told his disciples, and by extension us, in John 15:15 (BBE), "No longer do I give you the name of servants; because a servant is without knowledge of what his master is doing: I give you the name of friends, because I have given you knowledge of all the things which my Father has said to me."

Better still, we're part of his family. Mark 3:32-34 (BBE) tells us, "And a great number were seated round him; and they said to him, 'See, your mother and your brothers are outside looking for you.' And he said in answer, 'Who are my mother and my brothers?' And looking round at those who were seated about him, he said, 'See, my mother and my brothers!'"

Additionally, our actions show that Christ lives in us. As we read about true children of Jesus in 1 John 2:24 (BBE), "But as for you, keep in your hearts the things which were made clear to you from the first. If you keep these things in your hearts you will be kept in the Father and the Son."

Likewise, Romans 8:9 (BBE) warns us that,  "You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God is in you. But if any man has not the Spirit of Christ he is not one of his."

If Christ hasn't come to take us up to him in the air by Monday, I hope the post about why some folks are saved while others aren't is up for all to read.

The Alan Parsons Project: "The Cask of Amontillado"

This recording engineer for such bands as Wings and Pink Floyd also recorded his own music. Built around the stories of Edgar Allan Poe, the songs express Alan Parson's interpretation of them in music. Check one track from him here.

I've heard that a Chinese proverb says, "Those who seek revenge must dig two graves." Though the character in this song was never found out, God knows every evil thing people do.

The Bible speaks of God's omniscience in verses like Psalms 33:13-15 (Bible in Basic English). "The Lord is looking down from heaven; he sees all the sons of men; From his house he keeps watch on all who are living on the earth;" He makes all their hearts; their works are clear to him."

Neither can foolish people hide their deeds in darkness. It's as futile as hiding behind a barbed wire fence. As Psalms 139:12 (BBE) points out, "Even the dark is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day: for dark and light are the same to you."

People can't even get away with cheating others with deceptive measures. As Proverbs 20:10 (Bible in Basic English) warns, "Unequal weights and unequal measures, they are all disgusting to the Lord." By the way, this doesn't mean fractions or multiples of measurements.

And as Ecclesiastes 9:2 (BBE) reminds us, all people will die sooner or later. "Because to all there is one event, to the upright man and to the evil, to the clean and to the unclean, to him who makes an offering and to him who makes no offering; as is the good so is the sinner; he who takes an oath is as he who has fear of it."

But when Christ returns, we who belong to him will be changed. If that hasn't happened by Saturday, I hope my post about the joy of forgiveness will be up for all to read.

Talking Heads: "A Clean Break"

This is a song which the band never had as a studio song. It's about not taking love to extremes but rather setting the expectations back to zero. Check out this live track here.

We believers need to make a clean break from our past practices. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (Bible in Basic English) Paul rebuked that church for still behaving like carnal people. "Have you not knowledge that evil-doers will have no part in the kingdom of God? Have no false ideas about this: no one who goes after the desires of the flesh, or gives worship to images, or is untrue when married, or is less than a man, or makes a wrong use of men, Or is a thief, or the worse for drink, or makes use of strong language, or takes by force what is not his, will have any part in the kingdom of God. And such were some of you; but you have been washed, you have been made holy, you have been given righteousness in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God."

Neither must we give in to the crowd we once ran with. As 1 Peter 4:4 and 5 (BBE) says about those folks, "And they are wondering that you no longer go with them in this violent wasting of life, and are saying evil things of you: But they will have to give an account of themselves to him who is ready to be the judge of the living and the dead."

Hebrews 13:5 (BBE) shows us that we need not fall back on our old ways which seemed better at the time. "Be free from the love of money and pleased with the things which you have; for he himself has said, 'I will be with you at all times.'"

We need to let the change in our natures be seen by the world. As Ephesians 5:17 and 18 (BBE) reminds us, "For this reason, then, do not be foolish, but be conscious of the Lord's pleasure. And do not take overmuch wine by which one may be overcome, but be full of the Spirit;"

Another reason to remain spirit-filled people is given in Christ's parable about the bridegroom. Matthew 25:10-12 (BBE) warns us, "And while they (the foolish virgins) went to get oil, the master came; and those who were ready went in with him to the feast: and the door was shut. After that the other virgins came, saying, 'Lord, Lord, let us in.' But he made answer and said, 'Truly I say to you, I have no knowledge of you.'"

If he who knows us perfectly doesn't come by Thursday, I'll post about how dangerous revenge is.

Sam the Sham and The Pharaohs: "I'm In With) The Out Crowd"

Being popular is one of many human failings. We all want to be appreciated but some folks take it all too far. This sixties band decided to sing about people who didn't care how unfashionable folks were. Check it out here.

Faithful people have never been approved of by the world. As we read in 1 John 3:12 (Bible in Basic English), we're, "Not being of the Evil One like Cain, who put his brother to death. And why did he put him to death? Because his works were evil and his brother's works were good."

Because of this, we read in 1 Corinthians 1:26-28 (BBE) , "For you see God's design for you, my brothers, that he has not taken a great number of the wise after the flesh, not the strong, not the noble: But God made selection of the foolish things of this world so that he might put the wise to shame; and the feeble things that he might put to shame the strong; And the low things of the world, and the things without honour, did God make selection of, yes, even the things which are not, so that he might make as nothing the things which are:"

As a matter of fact, the world isn't our friend. Neither must we emulate its ways. As James 4:4 (BBE) points out, "O you who are false to God, do you not see that the friends of this world are not God's friends? Every man desiring to be a friend of this world makes himself a hater of God."

Jesus never kept it a secret that we would find nothing but animosity toward us from the world. John 15:18 (BBE) tells us, "If you are hated by the world, keep in mind that I was hated by the world before you."

Neither is the world worthy of Christ's martyrs and children. As Hebrews 11:38 (BBE) comments on faithful saints throughout history, they were, "Wandering in waste places and in mountains and in holes in the rocks; for whom the world was not good enough."

If Christ hasn't returned to reward us by Monday, I hope my post about giving the past the slip is up for all to read.

Neil Young: "The Needle and the Damage Done"

This Canadian guitarist wrote a song about people destroyed by addiction to hard drugs. Sadly, this still happens today. Check out this song here.

Sin is like an addictive drug and like babies of drug addicts, we all are addicted. As Ecclesiastes 7:20 (Bible in Basic English) notes, "There is no man on earth of such righteousness that he does good and is free from sin all his days."

We also learn from James 1:13 and 14 (BBE) that giving into sin is our own fault. "Let no man say when he is tested, 'I am tested by God;' for it is not possible for God to be tested by evil, and he himself puts no man to such a test: But every man is tested when he is turned out of the right way by the attraction of his desire."

According to the Bible, religious sinners are the worst as they don't think they need salvation. As Jesus, in John 8:34-36 (BBE), explained to the Pharisees, "And this was the answer Jesus gave them: 'Truly I say to you, Everyone who does evil is the servant of sin. Now the servant does not go on living in the house for ever, but the son does. If then the son makes you free, you will be truly free.'"

We see how Christ makes people free from sin's addiction in 1 John 3:8 (BBE). "The sinner is a child of the Evil One; for the Evil One has been a sinner from the first. And the Son of God was seen on earth so that he might put an end to the works of the Evil One."

In spite of being new creatures, Satan continues to put a monkey on our backs. When we give in, we still can become clean. We read in 1 John 2:1-3 (BBE), "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may be without sin. And if any man is a sinner, we have a friend and helper with the Father, Jesus Christ, the upright one: He is the offering for our sins; and not for ours only, but for all the world. And by this we may be certain that we have knowledge of him, if we keep his laws."

I hope Christ returns soon but if he hasn't come by Saturday, I expect my post about being in with the out crowd will be up for all to read.

Karl Bartos: "Without a Trace of Emotion"

This one-time member of Kraftwerk released an exceptional album in 2013 called Off The Record. It contains musical ideas which he couldn't realize while he was in the band. Listen to one track here.

Just as Karl can't avoid his past from effecting him, we still have events which shaped us. As Paul wrote of his background in Philippians 3:4-6 (Bible in Basic English), "Even though I myself might have faith in the flesh: if any other man has reason to have faith in the flesh, I have more: Being given circumcision on the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in relation to the law, a Pharisee: In bitter hate I was cruel to the church; I kept all the righteousness of the law to the last detail."

Now some folks might wonder about believers being declared new creatures. Shouldn't we be free of our old nature? Paul answered that in Romans 7:14 and 15 (BBE). "For we are conscious that the law is of the spirit; but I am of the flesh, given into the power of sin. And I have no clear knowledge of what I am doing, for that which I have a mind to do, I do not, but what I have hate for, that I do."

While we await the return of our Master, we trust in his saving work. As Hebrews 5:8 and 9 (BBE) reminds us, "And though he was a Son, through the pain which he underwent, the knowledge came to him of what it was to be under God's orders; And when he had been made complete, he became the giver of eternal salvation to all those who are under his orders;"

When we're resurrected, we'll be given bodies fit for the new world. As 1 Corinthians 15:54 and 55 (BBE) tells us, "But when this has taken place, then that which was said in the Writings will come true, 'Death is overcome by life. O death, where is your power? O death, where are your pains?'"

If this hasn't happened by Thursday, I'll post an anti-drug song by Neil Young.

Joni Mitchel: "The Circle Game"

This is one song we can all relate to as it's about life. Additionally, people tend to want to grow up when they're children and then wish to stop the advance of the years once they're grown. Listen to this excellent songwriter's thoughtful song here.

In our lives, the Lord has granted us different seasons. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (Bible in Basic English) reminds us, "For everything there is a fixed time, and a time for every business under the sun."

And to help us with keeping track of the times, Genesis 1:14 and 15 (BBE) reads, "And God said, 'Let there be lights in the arch of heaven, for a division between the day and the night, and let them be for signs, and for marking the changes of the year, and for days and for years: And let them be for lights in the arch of heaven to give light on the earth:' and it was so."

Holy days in the Old Testament were also set for various seasons of the year. As God told Moses in Leviticus 23:4 (BBE), "These are the fixed feasts of the Lord, the holy days of worship which you will keep at their regular times."

Our Father in Heaven is also fully in charge of whatever happens. Nothing is beyond his control, as we read in Daniel 2:20-22 (BBE). "And Daniel said in answer, 'May the name of God be praised for ever and ever: for wisdom and strength are his: By him times and years are changed: by him kings are taken away and kings are lifted up: he gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those whose minds are awake:  He is the unveiler of deep and secret things: he has knowledge of what is in the dark, and the light has its living-place with him.'"

But details of future events remain off limits for us, as Christ told his disciples in Acts 1:7 and 8 (BBE). "And he said to them, 'It is not for you to have knowledge of the time and the order of events which the Father has kept in his control. But you will have power, when the Holy Spirit has come on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judaea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

If Jesus hasn't returned by Monday, I expect to have my next blog post up.

Andy Gibb: "I Just Want to Be Your Everything"

The Bee Gees' little brother released this track in the summer of 1977. With the help of his older siblings, Andy had his first hit. His brothers also sang harmonies on this song. Listen to it here.

We know that nobody on earth is able to be all things to all people. Even so, the Apostle Paul did try. He wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:22 (Bible in Basic English) that, "To the feeble, I was as one who is feeble, so that they might have salvation: I have been all things to all men, so that some at least might have salvation."

Be that as it may, the only person who can be all things to us is Christ. As he said in John 10:10 (BBE), "The thief comes only to take the sheep and to put them to death: he comes for their destruction: I have come so that they may have life and have it in greater measure."

Likewise, Christ said in John 12:46 (BBE), "I have come as a light into the world, so that no one who has faith in me will go on living in the dark."

And as we work for our Master, we know he'll be with us all the time in the spirit. Matthew 28:19 and 20 (BBE) reminds us to, "Go then, and make disciples of all the nations, giving them baptism in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to keep all the rules which I have given you: and see, I am ever with you, even to the end of the world."

Even if we forget some things, we still know that Christ will help us testify through the Holy Spirit. As we read what he said in John 14:25 and 26 (BBE) to the disciples, "I have said all this to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will be your teacher in all things and will put you in mind of everything I have said to you."

So if he whom we adore hasn't returned by Saturday, I'll feature a sweet song by Joni Mitchel.

The Guess Who: "Undone"

This song is based on a tragic event in November of 1969. A teenage girl dropped acid and thought she could fly off of a Vancouver high rise apartment balcony. Randy Bachman wrote this song about her. Check it out.

Deception certainly is a powerful force. Since Israel kept turning away from God and they killed the Messiah, God let them be victims of their deceit. As Romans 11:25 (Bible in Basic English) reminds us gentiles, "For it is my desire, brothers, that this secret may be clear to you, so that you may not have pride in your knowledge, that Israel has been made hard in part, till all the Gentiles have come in;"

Back in Romans 1:32 (BBE), Paul shows how sinners are hardened when God removes his grace from them. "Who, though they have knowledge of the law of God, that the fate of those who do these things is death, not only go on doing these things themselves, but give approval to those who do them."

One line in that song offended me at first. I thought "Too many churches and not enough truth," was an insult directed at believers. Sadly, it is true that we don't have enough truth preached in churches today.

The first-century congregations certainly had  deceived members who deceived others. As 2 Peter 2:1 and 2 (BBE) warned, "But there were false prophets among the people, as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly put forward wrong teachings for your destruction, even turning away from the Lord who gave himself for them; whose destruction will come quickly, and they themselves will be the cause of it. And a great number will go with them in their evil ways, through whom the true way will have a bad name"

By the time Jude 1:4 (BBE) was penned, the infiltration of the church had happened. "For certain men have come among you secretly, marked out before in the holy Writings for this evil fate, men without the fear of God, turning his grace into an unclean thing, and false to our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ."

Rupert Hine: "The Sniper"

This British artist recorded songs which weren't the usual lovey-dovey love sort. He also created his own sound with samplers and electronics. Have a listen.

Like any army, we followers of Christ must be on guard against Satan's spiritual snipers. As Paul wrote about our sacred armor in Ephesians 6:16 (Bible in Basic English), "And most of all, using faith as a cover to keep off all the flaming arrows of the Evil One."

As with any military force, infiltrators and saboteurs creep in to destroy us through misinformation. As we read in 2 Corinthians 11:14 and 15 (BBE), we must be careful when encountering new teachers. "And it is no wonder; for even Satan himself is able to take the form of an angel of light. So it is no great thing if his servants make themselves seem to be servants of righteousness; whose end will be the reward of their works."

A long-distance spiritual sniper attack was described by Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:1 and 2 (BBE). "Now as to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and our meeting with him, it is our desire, my brothers, That you may not be moved in mind or troubled by a spirit, or by a word, or by a letter as from us, with the suggestion that the day of the Lord is even now come;"

We also know that Paul's enemies smeared his reputation behind his back. As we read in 2 Corinthians 10:10 (BBE), "For his letters, they say, have weight and are strong; but in body he is feeble, and his way of talking has little force."

But those who were rebuked by one of Paul's letters cleaned up their acts, as we read in 2 Corinthians 7:8 and 9 (BBE). "For though my letter gave you pain, I have no regret for it now, though I had before; for I see that the letter gave you pain, but only for a time. Now I am glad, not that you had sorrow, but that your sorrow was the cause of a change of heart; for yours was a holy sorrow so that you might undergo no loss by us in anything."

If our king hasn't returned to have victory over this world by Monday, I'll feature a song about a true event back in 1969.

Randy Stonehill: "Big Ideas (In a Shrinking World)"

This Christian artist was led to Christ by Christian rock pioneer, Larry Norman. He became one of many singers and bands in the Jesus People movement of the early seventies but he kept releasing records long after the movement fizzled. Listen to one of his songs here.

Just like the people with big ideas today, the early church had their own pompous people. As Galatians 6:3 (Bible in Basic English) reads, "For if a man has an idea that he is something when he is nothing, he is tricked by himself"

Paul also worried that proud Christians would laud themselves rather than giving all praise to Christ. As 1 Corinthians 4:6 and 7 (BBE) says, "My brothers, it is because of you that I have taken Apollos and myself as examples of these things, so that in us you might see that it is not wise to go farther than what is in the holy Writings, so that no one of you may be lifted up against his brother. For who made you better than your brother? or what have you that has not been given to you? but if it has been given to you, what cause have you for pride, as if it had not been given to you?"

Paul also knew some folks would fool gullible believers with feigned humility. That's why he wrote in Colossians 2:18 and 19 BBE), "Let no man take your reward from you by consciously making little of himself and giving worship to angels; having his thoughts fixed on the things which he has seen, being foolishly lifted up in his natural mind, And not joined to the Head, from whom all the body, being given strength and kept together through its joins and bands, has its growth with the increase of God."

Peter likewise wrote in 1 Peter 5:5 (BBE) regarding the value of humility. "And in the same way, let the younger men be ruled by the older ones. Let all of you put away pride and make yourselves ready to be servants: for God is a hater of pride, but he gives grace to those who make themselves low."

If the longed-for return of Christ hasn't happened by Saturday, I hope to feature a song about a sniper.

Paper Lace: "Billy, Don't be a Hero"

This is one of two hits by this band in 1974. It tells how Billy joined the Union army and how his girlfriend warned him not to be fool hearty. Listen to the song here.

As Christians, we're in Christ's army. But as 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (Bible in Basic English) explains, we don't fight like worldly armies do. "For though we may be living in the flesh, we are not fighting after the way of the flesh, For the arms with which we are fighting are not those of the flesh, but are strong before God for the destruction of high places); Putting an end to reasonings, and every high thing which is lifted up against the knowledge of God, and causing every thought to come under the authority of Christ; Being ready to give punishment to whatever is against his authority, after you have made it clear that you are completely under his control."

And as in any army, dishonourable conduct is to be punished and good conduct commended. We read in 1 Timothy 1:18-20 (BBE), "This order I give to you, Timothy my son, in harmony with the words of the prophets about you, so that by them you may be strong, fighting the good fight, Keeping faith, and being conscious of well-doing; for some, by not doing these things, have gone wrong in relation to the faith: Such are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have given up to Satan, so that they may say no more evil words against God."

We also need to help out ministries which feed us with spiritual truth. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:7 (BBE), "Who ever goes to war without looking to someone to be responsible for his payment? who puts in vines and does not take the fruit of them? or who takes care of sheep without drinking of their milk?"

Serving in Christ's army isn't always sunshine and gentle breezes. As Paul also wrote in 2 Timothy 2:3 and 4 (BBE), "Be ready to do without the comforts of life, as one of the army of Christ Jesus. A fighting man, when he is with the army, keeps himself free from the business of this life so that he may be pleasing to him who has taken him into his army".

If our sacred commander and chief hasn't come by Thursday, I hope to tell you about the world's big ideas and how bad they are.

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark: "Enola Gay"

This song references the plane which dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6th, 1945. Only after Japan surrendered was the true horror of the explosion exposed to the world. Check out the song here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5XJ2GiR6Bo

No sane person wants war. Even so, there are plenty of insane people who, given the chance, would unleash brutality on innocent civilians for their own wicked ends.

Because God is in control of everything, we see in 1 Samuel 17:45-47 (Bible in Basic English) to whom Israel's battle belonged. "Then David said to the Philistine, 'You come to me with a sword and a spear and a javelin: but I come to you in the name of the Lord of armies, the God of the armies of Israel on which you have put shame. This day the Lord will give you up into my hands, and I will overcome you, and take your head off you; and I will give the bodies of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth today, so that all the earth may see that Israel has a God; And all these people who are here today may see that the Lord does not give salvation by sword and spear: for the fight is the Lord's, and he will give you up into our hands.'"

A lesser-known incident when God fought for Israel was mentioned in 1 Chronicles 5:19 and 20 )BBE). "And they went to war against the Hagarites, with Jetur and Naphish and Nodab. And they were helped against them, so that the Hagarites, and those with them, were given into their power. For they sent up prayers to God in the fight, and he gave ear to them, because they put their faith in him."

We also read in 2 Chronicles 13:13 and 14 (BBE) how the Lord fought for Judah when apostate Israel fought against them. "But Jeroboam had put some of his men to make a surprise attack on them from the back, so some were facing Judah and others were stationed secretly at their back. And Judah, turning their faces, saw that they were being attacked in front and at the back; and they gave a cry for help to the Lord, while the priests were sounding their horns."

If Christ hasn't come to save us from Satan's attacks by Monday, I plan on posting another war.