Sign of the times

Dear Dad,

You've been gone for nearly thirty years now, so I thought I'd fill you in on what's been going on. Today I paid $3.50 for a gallon of gasoline! I knew you'd be shocked! When you left in the very early 80's, gas was .40 and you thought THAT was ridiculous! That's not all, Dad! Food prices are going through the roof (the price of diesel fuel is higher than gasoline and, as you know, diesel is what delivers almost all of the commodities to market, so those costs are passed on to consumers via higher prices). Rice is in short supply in several areas of the world market, causing "rice riots" in several places over the last several days. Sam's and Cosco began to limit the amount of bulk rice any individual can purchase! Rice rationing! Can you believe it?


5When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!" (Revelation 6:5,6)


Oh, and I know you knew about Viet Nam and all, but we've had a few wars since then. In 1990, we fought in Kuwait to evict the Iraqis from there and then, in 2001, we were attacked by terrorists in New York and in Washington. One of the attacks was thwarted by brave passengers on one of the airliners used in the attacks; it crash-landed in Pennsylvania. Anyway, we retaliated in Afghanistan and later in Iraq; two places where we're still at war. I read today that an American cargo vessel had to open fire on an Iranian speed boat in the Persian Gulf and that the US believes that Syria is working with North Korea to develop a nuclear reactor (ostensibly for the purposes of getting "the bomb"). Naturally, we just had the same problem with Iran and a lot of people thought we would wind up at war with them before everything is said and done.


4Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 5For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. 6You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are the beginning of birth pains. (Matthew 24:4-8)


Anyway, Dad, you'd be disappointed with the progress we've made in space. I guess it was all worthwhile, though. Our space program and advanced technology drove the Soviet Union out of existence along with all the other "Iron Curtain" countries. The only communist countries left in the world are the Asian communists and they're not so much communist as they are totalitarian and capitalist! Oh, and you wouldn't believe the presidential races, Dad! The Democrats are running two main candidates in their primaries; the former First Lady (Yes, Dad! A WOMAN!!) and an African-American Senator from Illinois! The black guy's name is Barak Obama. He basically captivates his audiences wherever he goes. Most of the pundits think he'll win the nomination. The other day he made a comment about working-class people clinging to their guns and religion to alleviate their bitterness! Imagine that, Dad! A politician attacking religion and getting away with it!

9 Out of one of them came another horn, which started small but grew in power to the south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land. 10 It grew until it reached the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host down to the earth and trampled on them. 11 It set itself up to be as great as the Prince of the host; it took away the daily sacrifice from him, and the place of his sanctuary was brought low. 12 Because of rebellion, the host of the saints and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground. (Daniel 8:9-12)

Well, that's all for now. I'll try to let you know if anything else interesting happens. I have a feeling it will. - Dan