Kirjahaku

I've been asked to tell you a story.The request comes from the same Source that I hear during my daily meditations. This Higher Power, whom I choose to call God, is worried about the state of our planet. But this story is not about climate change that could someday imperil us. My Source is warning of a more imminent danger. From what I'm hearing in the silence, time is running out. God is angry. As the Holy Bible in the Old Testament tells us, the earth's people are always subject to spiritual judgement. In the past, many nations and even entire civilizations have felt God's wrath. Why would it be any different today?There is no question that God Itself is under attack. We openly embrace and worship various idols. Science and technology rule our thoughts and lives. Our culture insults and disdains spirituality. We act as though a Higher perspective is no longer needed. Our scientists have now slammed God with the ultimate rebuke. They have assumed, through Artificial Intelligence, the task of creating human life. It is no matter that these robotic beings lack "soul". They are programmed for the benefit and use by human beings alone. God's input is nowhere present in this new creative process.I hear in my meditations that this usurping of God's role will not stand. The end could be near for every living thing and the earth itself. That's why you need to hear Lorena Mae Johnson's story. It also concerns 7 Puzzle boxes, the battle between Good and Evil, and how we might survive the dangerous days ahead. This might be our generation's "handwriting on the wall". We all need to pay close attention. Our lives may depend on it.

I've been asked to tell you a story.The request comes from the same Source that I hear during my daily meditations. This Higher Power, whom I choose to call God, is worried about the state of our planet. But this story is not about climate change that could someday imperil us. My Source is warning of a more imminent danger. From what I'm hearing in the silence, time is running out. God is angry. As the Holy Bible in the Old Testament tells us, the earth's people are always subject to spiritual judgement. In the past, many nations and even entire civilizations have felt God's wrath. Why would it be any different today?There is no question that God Itself is under attack. We openly embrace and worship various idols. Science and technology rule our thoughts and lives. Our culture insults and disdains spirituality. We act as though a Higher perspective is no longer needed. Our scientists have now slammed God with the ultimate rebuke. They have assumed, through Artificial Intelligence, the task of creating human life. It is no matter that these robotic beings lack "soul". They are programmed for the benefit and use by human beings alone. God's input is nowhere present in this new creative process.I hear in my meditations that this usurping of God's role will not stand. The end could be near for every living thing and the earth itself. That's why you need to hear Lorena Mae Johnson's story. It also concerns 7 Puzzle boxes, the battle between Good and Evil, and how we might survive the dangerous days ahead. This might be our generation's "handwriting on the wall". We all need to pay close attention. Our lives may depend on it.

There are many important chapters in the New Testament. Without question, the chapters in the gospels detailing Jesus' trial, crucifixion and resurrection are key in explaining the origin of Christianity. Yet, I believe there is one essential New Testament chapter for today's unique challenges. We are now living through a world changing pandemic, massive cultural shifts, an epidemic of loneliness, economic dislocation, civil unrest, political divisions, racial disharmony, addiction challenges and a spiritual separation from our Creator. Many of us feel confused, buffeted and alone as we face these relentless tests to our serenity. I believe there is one specific chapter in the New Testament that could help us cope with our current problems. It offers a spiritual insight, wisdom and perspective that can provide clarity in an age of isolation and rampant negativity. The narrative contained in the 14th chapter of John occurs at a profound event in human history-The Last Supper. Jesus has brought His disciples together to hear some bad news. After three years of revolutionary teachings and startling miracles, their leader has informed them that He must leave. These loyal men, who had given up everything to follow Jesus, felt shocked and abandoned. The announcement of His imminent departure stunned and saddened them. What would happen now? Who could possibly replace the Master? Did they face imprisonment or even death because of their association with the Messiah? They needed an immediate explanation. Jesus understood their feelings of surprise and loss. He was also alarmed and worried. A trial and crucifixion would take place the following day. Jesus had gathered His closest followers together one final time to prepare them. What He shared at The Last Supper still reverberates today. As we walk our own human and spiritual Paths, fear and uncertainty surround us. We all need explanation and reassurance. We seek comfort and clarity in place of fear and confusion. I believe you and I can indeed find sustenance and hope in the prophetic words of Jesus. Whatever challenges you or I may be facing, we are never alone. The Holy Spirit lives within all of us. God is walking with each of us through the chaos. I hope this little book brightens your life and provides hope and understanding for both today and tomorrow.Rev. Allen C. Liles

There are many important chapters in the New Testament. Without question, the chapters in the gospels detailing Jesus' trial, crucifixion and resurrection are key in explaining the origin of Christianity. Yet, I believe there is one essential New Testament chapter for today's unique challenges. We are now living through a world changing pandemic, massive cultural shifts, an epidemic of loneliness, economic dislocation, civil unrest, political divisions, racial disharmony, addiction challenges and a spiritual separation from our Creator. Many of us feel confused, buffeted and alone as we face these relentless tests to our serenity. I believe there is one specific chapter in the New Testament that could help us cope with our current problems. It offers a spiritual insight, wisdom and perspective that can provide clarity in an age of isolation and rampant negativity. The narrative contained in the 14th chapter of John occurs at a profound event in human history-The Last Supper. Jesus has brought His disciples together to hear some bad news. After three years of revolutionary teachings and startling miracles, their leader has informed them that He must leave. These loyal men, who had given up everything to follow Jesus, felt shocked and abandoned. The announcement of His imminent departure stunned and saddened them. What would happen now? Who could possibly replace the Master? Did they face imprisonment or even death because of their association with the Messiah? They needed an immediate explanation. Jesus understood their feelings of surprise and loss. He was also alarmed and worried. A trial and crucifixion would take place the following day. Jesus had gathered His closest followers together one final time to prepare them. What He shared at The Last Supper still reverberates today. As we walk our own human and spiritual Paths, fear and uncertainty surround us. We all need explanation and reassurance. We seek comfort and clarity in place of fear and confusion. I believe you and I can indeed find sustenance and hope in the prophetic words of Jesus. Whatever challenges you or I may be facing, we are never alone. The Holy Spirit lives within all of us. God is walking with each of us through the chaos. I hope this little book brightens your life and provides hope and understanding for both today and tomorrow.Rev. Allen C. Liles

This is a book about God's Laws. It concerns one specific set of spiritual precepts (and perhaps the most famous)-The Ten Commandments. Here is a question for you: How relevant do you think these ancient Commandments are in today's 24/7 digital world? We already know that many people, especially in the 18-29 demographic group, are less religious and not prone to accept dogma in general. For the rest of us, it is doubtful that the most devout churchgoers could rattle off all 10 of God's primary Laws without pause. How important should they be in today's cancel culture? Are the Ten Commandments in need of deep revision because of technological changes? Personally, I stand with The Commandments. I believe these fundamental laws still have relevance and that present-day society may be undervaluing them. Just as they established standards for Jewish behavior thousands of years before Jesus Christ walked the earth, I believe these 10 rules for acceptable behavior are still pertinent. In fact, returning to the original Commandments might be crucial in reversing our moral decline. Are we trending downward in values and behavior? What do you think? Every relevant statistic shows crime of all kinds, divorce, drug addiction, pornography, gambling, alcoholism, suicide, mental illness, and increased use of profanity are all increasing. Rather than reversing themselves, these problems seem to be gaining momentum. Human beings are beautiful but imperfect creatures. We all have foibles and failings. Breaking God's (and society's) laws has become acceptable behavior. It is even encouraged and condoned by a permissive society. Unless this trend gets reversed, who knows where we might end up? Civil behavior might be irreparably damaged or even destroyed. We all know something is wrong. We need a moral reset to get centered again. Just as in Moses' day, people need eternal rules for basic human conduct. Perhaps we should remember the reason for the original Ten Commandments. God felt the Jewish people were lacking in two things: (1) spiritual direction and (2) personal discipline. God felt the freed slaves from Egypt could not enter the Promised Land without a basic Code of Conduct. The Jewish people needed reminding of how to honor God, their parents and each other. The same basic human need for direction and discipline still exists today. There is some good news regarding the Ten Commandments. With these 10 basic precepts long in place, we are not starting from zero. If followed, these timeless laws still promise hope for a happier and more God-centered life. Thousands of years after first being handed off by God to Moses, the Commandments still present a powerful and ordered way to approach life. Another bit of good news: these rules are already well known and accepted by many. They are still revered and practiced faithfully in some quarters. However, public display of The Commandments still ignites controversy. Some rue the mixing of church and state. Yet, a majority of those polled are not openly antagonistic toward The Commandments. This offers some hope and a potential base for the reset of our moral compass. It is generally true that God's rules suffer from inattention and neglect. Few spend time worrying how their own behavior compares to the original Commandments. A percentage of people probably follow these laws because of their church-based upbringing and long practiced personal values. However, not many human beings arise each morning and say: "Well I will break Commandments 1, 4 and 7 today. But I promise God to faithfully keep 2, 3 and certainly number 6." Most people are far too busy living their daily lives to constantly measure their spiritual behavior. We do know that a moral crisis exists. To retrieve our standards, a revolution might be needed. A fresh look at the original Ten Commandments could be a part of that shift.

In February 2021, 1 was a retired minister that had just been diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer. The urologist performing the biopsy told me: "I'm sorry. It's a very aggressive form. You might want to begin your radiology treatments next week." I explained to the doc, "I have already thought about the possibility of cancer. I'm nearly 85 years old. I've had a great life. I have decided to opt for quality of life and skip any treatments. By the way, what is your best guess about the time remaining?" He stroked his beard and answered: "One year, maybe two". Now, over two years later, I am still around. But my physical condition tells me that things have gone downhill over the past two months. It won't be long before I move forward to the next stop on my spiritual journey. As an ordained minister, this precious time between diagnosis and end stage has caused me to think about "What's Next?"