From Jim McGuiggan... The vulnerable among us

The vulnerable among us

Some in our world are in for a tough life. They entered our world as gentle children and are growing as gentle young adults and a harsh world is going to be sheer hell for them. All of us feel deep pain when we’re insulted or assaulted but for these people it’s more than pain—it’s absolute agony. They are so built that the faintest breath of unjust or searing criticism opens deep wounds in their hearts. We can dismiss them as people who simply won’t grow up but that completely misunderstands them and it would grieve them all the more. It isn’t that they’re hypersensitive in that spoiled and self-centred way—they came into our world with a greater capacity for feeling than the vast majority of us possess.

As Tony Newley has taught us, they come to us and will believe our every word and if they trust us they will give us their hearts. They don’t know how to keep something in reserve; that capacity isn’t in them, and to people like that, when we break our promises, we break their hearts. To become impatient with them and curtly demand that they "get over it!" is to add torture to torment. We don’t give them grief for just a few months—grief that will heal by and by; some tender and believing souls will never recover and they’ll carry the pain all their days and nights. They’ll function but it will be a deeply sad pilgrimage. The pain won’t always be excruciating but though it hides it’ll never be far away and without warning it’ll steal the sun from their sky. There’ll be no really carefree days for them. Shy to begin with, they’ll be driven far within themselves; they’ll run far away from the possibility of rich life, too afraid and too deeply hurt to come out into the light again.

So if one like that comes to you, and she trusts you, make no promises that you’re not going to move heaven and earth to keep. If someone like that comes to you and he opens his or her heart to you, don’t go in if you don’t mean to stay because people like these are ill-equipped for a harsh world.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... To The Churches Of Galatia (Galatians 1:1-2)

                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS"

                   To The Churches Of Galatia (1:1-2)

INTRODUCTION

1. We live in troubling times...
   a. Sin is ever present, depravity seemingly on the rise
   b. There are many religions seeking to address the problem, but their
      solutions are amiss

2. Christians in the first century A.D. found themselves facing similar
   circumstances...
   a. Immorality was rampant, moral virtue was scarce
   b. Religions were many, yet ineffective in saving and sanctifying
      souls

3. In his letter to the churches of Galatia, Paul addressed such
   concerns...
   a. Dealing with false gospels and false hopes
   b. Providing guidance for salvation and godly living

[Paul's epistle to the Galatians remains a powerful and relevant guide
for Christians today.  In this lesson, we shall consider some background
information on the book of Galatians...]

I. THE AUTHOR OF THE EPISTLE (1:1-2)

   A. PAUL...
      1. Mentions himself by name twice - Ga 1:1; 5:2
      2. Known formerly as Saul of Tarsus, persecutor of the church - Ac 9:1-2
      3. Who became known as the "apostle to the Gentiles" - Ac 9:15
      4. Author of half of the books of the New Testament
      5. Regarding his authorship of Galatians
         a. This was the unanimous view of the early church
         b. Even modern critics who challenge the authorship of many of
            the New Testament books concede that Galatians is truly
            Pauline

   B. AN APOSTLE...
      1. He immediately identifies as an apostle
         a. "not from men nor through man"
         b. "but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him
            from the dead"
      2. His gospel and apostleship were questioned by some, this
         epistle offers an aggressive defense beginning with this
         opening statement

   C. THE BRETHREN WITH HIM...
      1. "and all the brethren who are with me"
      2. Other Christians send their greetings along with Paul
      3. Though not named, their inclusion implies support of Paul and
         the gospel he preached

[Having identified himself as the author of this epistle, Paul then
addresses...]

II. THE RECIPIENTS OF THE EPISTLE (1:2)

   A. THE REGION OF GALATIA...
      1. Galatia was a name used both geographically and politically in
         the first century - ISBE
      2. Geographically, it was used to describe the northern part of
         central Asia minor
      3. Politically, it included parts of Pontus, Phrygia and Lycaonia,
         i.e., more southern regions of central Asia Minor
      4. I believe Paul like had reference to the latter (the Roman
         province of Galatia)

   B. THE CHURCHES OF GALATIA...
      1. During their first missionary journey (45-47 A.D.), Paul and
         Barnabas had the opportunity to establish several churches in
         the Roman province of Galatia - Ac 13:14-14:23
      2. On Paul's second trip (51-54 A.D.), he and Silas visited them
         again - Ac 16:1-5
      3. On Paul's third trip (54-58 A.D.), he visited them yet again
         - Ac 18:23
      4. It is quite likely that the churches of Galatia included those
         established on his first journey
         a. E.g., Antioch, Lystra, Derbe
         b. The home of Timothy - Ac 16:1-6
      5. Paul and Peter would later make mention of these brethren in
         other epistles
         a. Paul in reference to the collection for the saints - 1Co 16:1
         b. Peter in writing his first epistle - 1Pe 1:1

[The time and place of writing is uncertain (perhaps from Ephesus,
sometime around 55 A.D.).  What is more certain because of what was
written is...]

III. THE PURPOSE AND CONTENT OF THE EPISTLE

   A. THE PURPOSE...
      1. The churches in Galatia were being influenced by those who
         would "pervert the gospel of Christ" - Ga 1:6-7; cf. 3:1
      2. Known as 'Judaizing teachers', these individuals taught that
         Gentile Christians needed to be circumcised and keep the Law of
         Moses - cf. Ac 15:1
      3. Paul recognized this doctrine would jeopardize the salvation of
         those souls who accepted it - cf. Ga 5:4
      4. Because the enemies of the true gospel were trying to support
         their case by undermining Paul's authority as an apostle of
         Christ, it was necessary to verify that he was truly an apostle
         "not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God
         the Father" - Ga 1:1
      5. Therefore, Paul writes to verify His apostleship and the gospel
         of justification by faith in Christ

   B. THE CONTENT...
      1. Because of his outstanding defense of the gospel of Christ in
         which we have freedom from sin and the Law, this epistle has
         been called "The Magna Carta Of Christian Liberty"
      2. Here is a brief outline of the epistle:
         a. Paul's defense of his apostleship - Ga 1-2
            1) Introduction - Ga 1:1-10
            2) Divine origin of his gospel - Ga 1:11-17
            3) Relationship to the other apostles - Ga 1:18-2:21
         b. Paul's defense of the gospel of justification by faith - Ga
            3-4
            1) Personal argument - Ga 3:1-5
            2) Scriptural argument - Ga 3:6-25
            3) Practical argument - Ga 3:26-4:7
            4) Sentimental argument - Ga 4:8-20
            5) Allegorical argument - Ga 4:21-31
         c. Call to stand fast in the liberty of the gospel - Ga 5-6
            1) Liberty that excludes the necessity of circumcision - Ga 5:1-6
            2) Liberty that fulfills the Law - Ga 5:7-15
            3) Liberty in which one is led by the Spirit - Ga 5:16-26
            4) Liberty with a sense of responsibility - Ga 6:1-10
            5) Conclusion - Ga 6:11-18

CONCLUSION

1. A passage that expresses the theme of this epistle is Ga 5:1...

   "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us
   free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage."

2. The liberty of which Paul writes about in this epistle pertains to...
   a. Freedom from the bondage of sin - cf. Ga 2:16
   b. Freedom from the Law of Moses - cf. Ga 4:4-5
   c. Freedom to serve one another in love - cf. Ga 5:13
   d. Freedom from the works of the flesh - cf. Ga 5:16,19-21
   e. Freedom to produce the fruit of the Spirit - cf. Ga 5:22-25

3. Do you desire to learn more about the freedom that Christ
   provides...?
   a. Jesus spoke of it during His earthly ministry - Jn 8:34-36
   b. Then He chose Paul to write about it in this epistle!

If you want to learn more about true freedom, then give special
attention to the epistle written "To The Churches Of Galatia"...

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Gary.... Up in a tree--Again!!!

Giraffes are large creatures and I wondered: What could make one "climb" a tree?  I just couldn't imagine what could possibly make this happen until my good friend Bruce Arnold sent me the following items today via email...

So, what's the problem?

A wife asks her husband, "Could you please go shopping for me and buy one carton of milk and if they have avocados, get 6. 

A short time later the husband comes back with 6 cartons of milk. 

The wife asks him, "Why did you buy 6 cartons of milk?" 

He replied, "They had avocados." 

If you're a woman, I'm sure you're going back to read it again! Men will get it the first time. 

My work is done here. 

  

Water in the carburetor... 

WIFE: "There is trouble with the car. It has water in the carburetor." 

HUSBAND: "Water in the carburetor? That's ridiculous " 

WIFE: "I tell you the car has water in the carburetor." 

HUSBAND: "You don't even know what a carburetor is. I'll check it out. Where's the car? 

WIFE: "In the pool" 

  

    

THIS IS A FRIGHTENING STATISTIC, PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST WORRYSOME IN RECENT YEARS. 

25% of the women in this country are on medication for mental illness. 

That's scary. 

It means 75% are running around untreated. 

A young man wanted to get his beautiful blonde wife something nice for their first wedding anniversary. So he decided to buy her a cell phone. He showed her the phone and explained to her all of its features. 

Meg was excited to receive the gift and simply adored her new phone. 

The next day Meg went shopping. Her phone rang and, to her astonishment, it was her husband on the other end. 

"Hi Meg," he said, "how do you like your new phone?" 

Meg replied, "I just love it! It's so small and your voice is clear as a bell, but there's one thing I don't understand though..." 

"What's that, sweetie?" asked her husband. 

"How did you know I was at Wal-Mart?" 

HE MUST PAY... 

Husband and wife had a tiff. Wife called up her mom and said, "He fought with me again, I am coming to live with you." 

Mom said, "No darling, he must pay for his mistake. I am coming to live with you. 

Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus- that saying has been around "forever".  Funny thing is: its true!!!  I think most men would think the "jokes" above are funny, but I doubt most of the ladies will.  Just goes to show you... we just have to love one another.  Frankly, it is difficult at times because the sexes are SO DIFFERENT!!!  But, as a refresher, please read this very important passage from the book of Ephesians...

Ephesians, Chapter 5

  25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it; 26 that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word,  27 that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without defect.  28 Even so husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself.  29 For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly;  30 because we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones.  31 “For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife. The two will become one flesh.”  32 This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and of the assembly.  33 Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband. 

Why was the Giraffe up a tree? Probably told too many of these jokes at a family gathering.....

PS.  I find myself in the doghouse on a regular basis, by doing the same things.  Good thing is... my wife really, really loves me!!! How do I know this- Well, she hasn't made climb any trees lately!!!

From Gary... What is it?

Here is something I have never seen before - an ANGEL cloud.  For that matter, I have never seen an angel before.  We take a lot of things on faith and don't realize it; I remember being told as a kid that the man in the moon was formed from green cheese-- and believed it (for awhile).  Then, there are angels; God's heavenly messengers.  I have never seen one, so I can guess the cloud looks something like one.  When I think of angels, I think of this passage from the Gospel of Luke... 

Luke, Chapter 2

 1 Now in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. 2 This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.  3 All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city.  4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David;  5 to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant. 

  6  While they were there, the day had come for her to give birth.  7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.  8 There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.  9 Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  10 The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.  11 For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  12 This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.”  13 Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying, 

  14 “Glory to God in the highest,

on earth peace, good will toward men.”

I can only imagine what it must be like to actually SEE an ANGEL, so I am not in the least surprised that the shepherds were terrified.  But the news the angel announced was (and still is) wonderful.  Consider, The Creator of all the universe took on human form to help us with our transgressions (sins) against God.  It is no wonder that at this proclamation a multitude of heavenly hosts praised God.  If beings who are in the presence of God realized that something extraordinary was happening, we should as well, because we are the beneficiaries of the sacrifice that he made thirty some years later!!! Now, the cloud in the picture may just be a coincidence and the real ANGELS may look different, but the important thing here is that God loves me and really did do what the Scriptures said HE did.  I don't know about you- but I will continue to look at the clouds and wonder why God would even want to love me.  I believe HE does and that's what really matters!!! Are you looking at the clouds yet; if not, today is a good time to start!!!

From Jim McGuiggan... THE SULK, FAVORITE WEAPONS OF TYRANTS

THE SULK, FAVORITE WEAPONS OF TYRANTS

King Ahab owned half the country for pity’s sake. Summer houses here, autumn houses there and winter palaces elsewhere. What more could he want? He wanted Naboth’s vineyard! 1 Kings 21:1-4. He saw it, made more than a fair offer for it but Naboth couldn’t part with it, didn’t want to part with it and so he wouldn’t part with it.

And what did the king do? The land baron went home to his palace, to his bed and there he lay in a royal sulk with a huge bottom lip. “Leave me alone. Don’t want any supper!” Nothing he possessed—list what he had why don’t you?—nothing he possessed made him happy; if he couldn’t have that one little piece of property next door he couldn’t enjoy anything he had. The respect of his troops couldn’t keep him out of bed. The praise of the architects and builders who were impressed with his marvellous building achievements couldn’t deliver him from that huge pout. The text tells us he lies with his face to the wall—poor thing, bad ole Naboth won’t sell him his garden so nothing else matters. “Yes, yes, I’m blessed beyond imagining but what good are the blessings? What does it matter that a host of people please me and want to continue to please me? What they do and think isn’t enough to keep me from being unhappy. Wah..wah...I want...” And did his thumb slip past his jutting bottom lip into his whimpering mouth?

We don’t begrudge Ahab his wanting Naboth’s vineyard but because he can’t get it he runs home to his bed and lies there pouting with his face to the wall—in a palace?

If a tragedy occurred to one of my dearest I’d be gutted even though there'd be much that remained as other sources of rejoicing. If you have five children you truly love and in some tragedy of some kind—whether in death or some other way—you lose one, your pain is not to be trifled with; it’s too deep for that! It doesn’t help a lot when good friends remind you that you still have plenty to be thankful for. Five beloved children minus one doesn’t = plenty. Do you think this is the kind of thing I’m thinking about when I talk about Ahab? No, that’s not what I have in mind. We mustn’t hurry people out of their grief even though in wise love we’ll do our best to help them toward better emotional health.

No, I’m thinking of that super-sensitivity that sees every refusal as a personal insult; that childish tendency to childish tantrums, with or without the visible signs of tantrum; that juvenile attitude that uses the pout as the lever to move a home or a church out of a happy path. I’m talking about that make-up that has to have everything its own way or the nearest and dearest will pay! I’m talking about a heart that mustn’t be confronted or a week-long silent treatment begins. There’s no physical violence but the dread that some families live in lest they say the wrong thing or don’t say the right thing often feels worse than physical abuse.

C.S Lewis said you can only commit murder a relatively few times but you can cripple and emotionally wound ceaselessly, and all around you, with that sullen, grieving, dampening spirit that soaks into everyone within reach.

And you’ll have noticed that it’s the persons that give most to these tyrants that suffer most from them. Strangers and acquaintances would walk away from them but their loved ones day after day bend over backwards to please them and day after day have to endure the peevishness and pouting.

In homes the family members walk around whispering and suppressing simple ordinary activities in case they disturb the sulking monarch. Televisions must be turned down too low for comfort, doors must be closed gently, and nobody is to laugh in case his /her majesty thinks his /her colossal sulk is going unnoticed or not taken seriously enough.

In congregations these tyrants must be visited week after week and reassured sickeningly often that their views are taken with the utmost seriousness even if the congregational flow can’t be turned out of it channels for them.

In God’s name, grow up and get over it!

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... Examine Yourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5)

                "THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                       Examine Yourselves (13:5)

INTRODUCTION

1. As Jeremiah lamented over the destruction of the city of Jerusalem,
   he called for the people to examine themselves and turn back to the
   Lord - Lam 3:40-41

2. In teaching on the proper observance of the Lord's Supper, Paul 
   wrote that it was to be a time for self-examination - 1Co 11:27-31

3. Paul later challenged the Corinthians to "examine yourselves as to
   whether you are in the faith.  Prove yourselves." - 2Co 13:5
   a. In doing so, he employs the present tense for the verbs "examine"
      and "prove"
   b. Indicating that such examination was to be an on-going activity!

4. This should naturally raise some important questions...
   a. Why should we examine ourselves?
   b. By what standard should we examine ourselves
   c. What sort of questions should we be asking ourselves?

[In this lesson, I would like for us to focus our attention on this 
call to "Examine Yourselves".  As we do so, let's answer the questions
already raised, beginning with...]

I. WHY SHOULD WE EXAMINE OURSELVES?

   A. TO  DETERMINE WHETHER WE ARE IN THE FAITH...
      1. Paul said, "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the
         faith."
         a. The expression "in the faith" refers to being a faithful 
            Christian
         b. Thus we are to examine whether or not we are remaining 
            faithful to the Lord!
      2. We need to remember that the danger of drifting is ever 
         present
         a. It is possible to drift away if we neglect our salvation 
            - cf. He 2:1-4
         b. It is possible to develop an evil heart of unbelief - cf.
            He 3:12-14
      3. What our text implies, however, is that it is possible to KNOW
         of one's standing before God
         a. In fact, the Bible was written for this purpose, that we 
            might know
         b. One book in particular has this purpose in mind - 1Jn 5:
            13; 2:3; 3:14,24

   B. TO DETERMINE IF JESUS CHRIST IS IN US...
      1. Paul challenged the Corinthians to consider whether Jesus 
         Christ was in them
      2. That Christ indwells the Christian is a wonderful thought
         a. It was promised by Jesus Himself - Jn 14:21-23
         b. It begins when we put Christ on in baptism - Ga 3:26-27
      3. We may wonder at times "how" He indwells, but the key here 
         is...
         a. To know that He does!
         b. To realize there are ways we can KNOW whether He does!
         -- Which is why we need to periodically examine ourselves!

   C. TO DETERMINE IF WE ARE DISQUALIFIED...
      1. It is a given that Christ is in Christians, unless they have
         become "disqualified"
      2. What does "disqualified" mean?
         a. Here is how some other translations read...
            1) "ye be reprobates" (KJV, ASV)
            2) "you fail the test" (NASV, NIV)
         b. Literally, "not standing the test", and in the context it
            refers to the test of...
            1) Being in the faith
            2) Having Christ in you
      3. This verse is simply another among many that reveal that a 
         Christian can indeed fall away from grace!
         a. Paul warned of falling from grace - cf. Ga 5:4
         b. Peter likewise warned of falling from one's own 
            steadfastness - cf. 2Pe 3:17
         c. Jesus described what would happen to those branches who did
            not bear fruit - Jn 15:1-2,6
      -- Again, through self-examination one can KNOW what their true
         condition is!

   D. TO DETERMINE IF WE REALLY KNOW OURSELVES...
      1. As Paul calls for self-examination, he asks "Do you not know
         yourselves...?"
         a. We can easily fall into the trap of self-deception - e.g.,
            Jm 1:22-25
         b. The religion of such a person is "useless" - Jm 1:26
      2. Only through periodic self-examination can we avoid deceiving
         ourselves!

[So the need is ever present to "examine yourselves", to "prove 
yourselves".  That leads to the next question...]

II. BY WHAT STANDARD SHOULD WE EXAMINE OURSELVES?

   A. NOT BY THE ESTIMATE OF SELF...
      1. We cannot trust solely upon what we may think of ourselves
         a. We are approved only if the Lord commends us - 2Co 10:18
         b. Therefore even though we might "think" we are right, we are
            not the final arbitrator - cf. 1Co 4:4
      2. We can be wrong in our basic assumptions, which can lead to 
         wrong conclusions about ourselves
         a. Paul had thought persecuting Christians was pleasing to God
            - Ac 26:9-11
         b. There will be many people at the Judgment who thought they
            were pleasing God during their lifetime - Mt 7:21-23
      -- We must therefore look for a standard outside of ourselves by
         which to examine ourselves!

   B. NOT BY THE ESTIMATE OF MEN...
      1. We cannot compare ourselves with others, or trust their 
         approval
         a. To compare ourselves with others is unwise - 2Co 10:12
         b. The approval of others is a small thing - 1Co 4:3
      2. People are often wrong in their thoughts and evaluations
         a. The majority will find themselves lost on the day of 
            judgment - Mt 7:13-14
         b. Even many religious will be surprised - Mt 7:21-23
      -- We must still look for yet another standard by which to 
         examine ourselves

   C. WE MUST TRY OURSELVES BY THE STANDARD OF GOD'S WORD...
      1. Again, it is the commendation of the Lord that makes one 
         approved - 2Co 10:18
      2. It is the Lord who is the ultimate Judge - 1Co 4:4; 2Co 5:10
      3. As the Lord Himself has said, we will be judged by His words 
         - Jn 12:48

[The only appropriate standard to use when we examine ourselves is the
Word of God.  We cannot trust our feelings, or what others might say.
Finally, let me share some...]

III. QUESTIONS TO HELP US EXAMINE OURSELVES

   A. IS CHRIST IN ME...?
      1. Have I put Him on in baptism? - Ga 3:27
      2. Am I keeping His commandments? - Jn 14:21

   B. ARE THE "MARKS" OF DISCIPLESHIP PRESENT IN MY LIFE...?
      1. Am I abiding in His word? - Jn 8:31
      2. Do I love my brethren like Christ loved me? - Jn 13:34-35; 
         1Jn 3:14-19
      3. Am I bearing fruit? - Jn 15:8
         a. Such as the fruit of the Spirit - Ga 5:22-23
         b. Such as the fruit of our lips in praising God - He 13:15
         c. Such as the fruit of good works - cf. Tit 2:14; 3:8,14

   C. DO I HAVE THE ATTITUDE OF THOSE WHO WERE TRUE DISCIPLES...?
      1. Under inspiration, Paul wrote 2Co 13:6; what was his frame
         of mind?
      2. We can glean the mind of a true disciple from Php 3:7-14
         a. We read of his goal in life (7-11)
         b. We read of his attitudes in attaining that goal (12-14)
      3. We will ALL have this "frame of mind" if we are "in the faith"
         and "Christ is in us" - cf. Php 3:15-17

CONCLUSION

1. Other questions might be appropriate to ask when examining 
   ourselves, but I hope this illustrates how we need to use the Word
   of God to "prove" ourselves

2. Consider the sad plight of those who are "reprobate", 
   "disqualified", who "fail the test"...
   a. Paul describes some of them in Php 3:18-19
   b. Because they set their mind on earthly things, their end is 
      destruction!
   -- How much better to be like those described in Php 3:20-21!

To ensure that you will not be "disqualified", then frequently "Examine
Yourselves" in the light of God's Word!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Gary... Wargames; beyond the movie...

If this doesn't look familiar to you, then you probably have never seen the movie "War Games" from the early eighties.  Interested? 

Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WarGames for some more information.

Who knows when the end of mankind will be? Recently, there has been talk of the beginning of World War III.  Is it possible?  You know it is!!!  Will it be- your guess is as good as mine.  One thing is certain: evil will lose and God will win.  Christ will be victorious and the world will never be the same.  Consider the following passage for a few moments...

Revelation, Chapter 19

  11  I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war.  12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has names written and a name written which no one knows but he himself.  13 He is clothed in a garment sprinkled with blood. His name is called “The Word of God.”  14 The armies which are in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in white, pure, fine linen.  15 Out of his mouth proceeds a sharp, double-edged sword, that with it he should strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He treads the wine press of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty.  16 He has on his garment and on his thigh a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” 

Very few of us live amazing lives.  Most have ordinary mundane childhoods, marry, have some children, work at a job, grow old and die.  One of the things I love about being a Christian is that beyond the template of the previous sentence, I am joined to the KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS!!!  Even if the worst happens (and there is always that possibility) Jesus will eventually appear and I WILL BE VICTORIOUS THROUGH HIM!!!  I really don't need to know exactly how or when this will happen- but it will!!!  Well, enough of this- whatever will happen WILL HAPPEN!!! You know, I am long overdue for a nice game of chess... I hope the computer will give me a handicap- I need it!!!