Isaiah the prophet (4: 1) made this prediction about his nation, 'In that day seven women will take hold of one man and say, "We will eat our own food and provide our own clothes; only let us be called by your name. Take away our disgrace."' It was not about polygamy but about reproduction. Wars had taken the males that reproduced. And because of it, Isaiah's nation died. That part of Israel, or the Ten Tribes, was annihilated. Jeremiah had a similar prediction about Judah or Jerusalem (31: 15). "A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because her children are nor more."

Jesus told the leaders of his day, "You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the time" (Mt.16: 3). Their system was collapsing, the Romans were about to end their existence and here they were squabbling what to do with Jesus (Jn.11: 48). How could it be that what has happened to the Jews two thousand years ago is now in the process of happening to us? Our westernized form of Christianity is failing. Our democracy is on the brink of collapsing. We can no longer pay for our expensive leadership and the equipment to manage the world. On top of it, this nation best fits the description in the Book of Revelation where the world leader shall headquarter. It also has a city that resembles Babylon. At the present, no such location exists in the Middle East.

King David wrote, "Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save" (Ps.146: 3). Every time we have an election, we expect a political magician to emerge. We fall constantly to their deceptive promises (Jer.7: 4). I am reminded of the prophet Shemaiah. While the people were packing to be shipped to Babylon, he was still holding out for a Jewish utopia (Jer.20: 31). Our present President was expected to be such a "Wunderkind" or miracle child. Now, the Republicans are hoping that one may be mistaken for a Shemaiah among their ranks. All these political magicians have one thing in common. They know how to treat us as if we were children living on fantasyland.

A musician, a friend of our son and before I could introduce myself said, "You are the pianist's father." We look at our second son and we see my father walking. I attended a birthday party of my mother's family and the shape of my head betrayed me instantly. It is a fact that resemblance is passed on. It repeats itself constantly.

Jesus ended his requiem on the Temple, Jerusalem and the nation with these words, "Where there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather" (Mt.24: 28). What motivated Jesus to make such a prediction? Why did He use such a crude and distasteful example to drive home a point?

Modern automobiles are equipped with sensors. When our car threw a fit and would not pass inspection, I had to take it in for repair. To my dismay, the repair did not stop the red light; but the large repair bill qualified the car to pass for another year. The engine will cease running one day and the repair bill shall pass the cost of a many sensors.

Jesus told Nicodemus, "I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe (understand); how then will you believe (understand) if I speak of heavenly things?"(Jn.3: 12). Nicodemus was not just an ordinary person. His name stood for "a conqueror of people" and was known to Jews, Greeks and Romans. In addition he was a teacher of the Jewish law and a member of the elite or Pharisees. His party was similar to our Republicans, and his opposition the Sadducees was similar to our Democrats. The nation that once was the most unique on earth under Moses, Joshua and the Kings David and Salomon, was in the hands of Herod an Idumean and the Romans. Heaven no longer had a role in Judaism. Jesus had come to change it back and Nicodemus did not understand or believe that it was possible. How do we relate to Nicodemus and his religious and political world?

Jesus told Peter: "I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will lead you where you do not want to go" (Jn.21: 18).

World War II had deprived me of a basic education. I immigrated to Canada and met with a serious and life-long injury that necessitated a further education. Only one such place was available in Canada where an adult could go and study to qualify for college or university. It was The Christian Training Institute (CTI) in Edmonton Alberta, founded and managed by E.P. Wahl. He was a phenomenal man and his vision has been lost to us.

I was asked, "Is being smart the same as being wise?" Christians need to be "clever as serpents and harmless as doves"(Mt.10: 16). One of King David's choir members wrote these words, "See how your enemies plot, how your foes rear their heads. With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you love" (Ps.83: 2-3). Job's friend, without being unaware, described the reason for deceitful craftiness. "Your sin promotes your mouth; you adopt the tongue of the crafty. Your own mouth condemns you, not mine; your own lips testify against you" (Job 15: 5-6).