The declinists see the predictability of world-wide collapse under every bush. Population explosion was the popular cause fifty years ago. The era of vile chemistry was ushered in with the complicity of Rachael Carson and her book Silent Spring – never mind the incumbent death of tens of millions as a result. Nuclear holocaust and the total destruction of the world was then around the corner for another sixty three years. Every where one looked there was another looming peril. Today we have an even greater burgeoning industry in fear mongering. We choose to ignore our progress and comfort in modern society and focus on improbable factors in our lives which could possibly result in our extinction. For lack of anything else more dire, we can now await an impact with a meteorite the size of Iowa for our ultimate destruction.
Personally, I question that we can live like this and honestly say; we understand and give thanks to God for the marvelous gifts He has presented. We not only possess the physical features which surround us but also the encouraging presence of the Spirit. He is there to buoy us and give us the confident hope for our future with Him. I can only imagine that once in His presence, how trivial all these man-made frights will become. At seventy-six, I am far more concerned with my reception beyond the veil than the means of my departure.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A problem which has vexed me on an increasingly regular basis is that of supplying power to the myriad of devices I own which operate on AA batteries. I thought that buying the monster packs from Sam’s Club (80 count) would be the answer. It proved otherwise because I ran out this week when I tried to reload the camera.
At last, out of nowhere came the answer. I sincerely believe this should do the job:
Now, all I have to do is figure out how to get it in.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In a news release over the weekend, I came up with a Reuters report from Monsignor Vittorio Formenti from the Vatican. Monsignor Formenti is in charge of the statistics and his records indicate that the current Muslim population is 19.2% worldwide. This is in excess of the 17.4% calculated for Catholics. This marks the first time in recorded history in which the Catholic Church has fallen from their number one spot.
Happily, the figure does not include the total of Christians as a whole. Since it does represent an increasing number of Muslims from former calculations, I can’t help but wonder why. The presence of Catholic missionaries worldwide is ubiquitous but apparently not as aggressive as that of the Muslims. Additional Protestant missionaries are obviously not keeping up either.
I find it difficult to believe that our message of hope, love, and a verified resurrection is failing. I am not suggesting that we should adopt recruitment by violence and intimidation but it’s plain we are doing something wrong. Some Christians change denominations into and out of different groups with great regularity. What becomes difficult for others is the mixing of ecclesiastical and governmental authority. If offense to one equates to a crime in the other, it would certainly discourage any urge to seek the truth. In most Muslim countries, apostasy can result in severe penalties. (See the previous post on “Teapots”)
Returning family members have supplied anecdotal evidence of touring ancient cathedrals and religious venues in Europe and reporting them more as museums rather than places of worship. The burgeoning Muslim population on the continent must certainly be instrumental in that development. That, coupled with their nearly double birthrate would easily answer the question of how it is happening. Large families and selfishness cannot abide together.
One of the frequent toasts heard at a wedding reception is the admonition to “go forth and multiply.” Every one chuckles and the newly weds then continue on their merry way and ignore the advice. As a result they deprive themselves of one of God’s greatest gifts and Christianity suffers. If we continue to neglect this particular aspect of our stewardship, it will not be just the Catholics who are slipping backward; it will be all of us.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
No comments:
Post a Comment