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.