Let Peace Then Still the Strife.

Let peace then still the strife,
The loneliness and grief,
Com heal the piercing silence of passing.
And sweet familiar strains,
The voices lost in death,
Arise in songs of hope everlasting.
Then let the voices roll
As waves upon the sea;
Come forth and break upon us, refreshing.

And barren coves be filled -
O'er flow with reverie!
Let mem'ry sable as Gilead's caressing.
And though the balm be spread,
Let tender rifts remain
That breaking hearts not yield to forgetting.
For hearts rent wide at death,
Unfolded to our dead,
Hear singing from beyond sunlight's setting.

Then sing, beloved ones,
Reach o'er the summer sea.
Pour forth thy boundless love for us living!
Sweep into ev'ry soul,
Make music of our tears,
Turn all our songs to joy and thanksgiving!
And when we silent pass,
From far across the sea
Let praises ring for life's wond'rous blessing.

Then sing ye living souls!
Sing generations past,
Swell high the tide of life, us refreshing!
Sing forth as with one voice,
Bear silent grief away,
Resound with peace and hope everlasting!
And all who wait and sing,
Sing on from earth and heav'n
And make out crossing forth joyful passing!

Amen.

Mack Wilberg, Requiem.

The End.

Though the title by itself was rather ominous and amusing, though the publication was accidental because the post was simply not finished yet, I decided to finally put up the whole reason the title exists.

Knowing.
The Day After Tomorrow.
2012.
The Day the Earth Stood Still.
Wall-E.
I Am Legend.
War of the Worlds.

What do all of these films have in common?

The abolishing of existence on the planet called Earth, as we are so aware at this moment. What is the fascination with "the end of the world as we know it"? The premise of 2012 comes from a Mayan calendar prediction. Is there something in every human heart that can sense the direction human-kind has taken? In many of the films, our destruction is not our fault. Aliens and the "supernatural", or natural disasters in catastrophic proportions. Are we so apathetic to consequences of our actions that we can't handle the idea that we may incur the suffering upon ourselves? Course we are. Who wants to think that the choices they make are mistakes? I'm not suggesting that most people on the earth are "sinners". I believe that most people are well-intentioned. One thing that motivates every being on this earth without exception, is happiness. Some have a pretty messed up perception of what brings happiness. Most people are misguided. If you really sit down and take into account all the things that happen on a daily basis; Rape, abuse, murder, rude comments, thievery - on a huge scale (consider the number of people), we're not even approaching the fundamentally wrong decisions people make that are socially acceptable; Divorce, pornography, sex before marriage, gay relationships, single people adopting children, pride, greed, disrespect.

There is so much despicable and disgusting behavior, is it really a wonder that the wrath of the Creator will ensue upon this people of our small planet Earth?

Yes, the "end of the world as we know it" is approaching. I'm curious to know the reactions of those who are unaware, when "the end" finally does come, 'cause it sure seems like we know something is coming.

Hopefully the events to come will sober many.

One Thing I Know for Certain.

There is absolutely no one, not one single being, on this earth who has the answers to the questions we each have in our individual lives. Answers, pure truth, to all the questions we have can come only through God, at the appointed time, from the appointed place, through the appointed being (whether it is you personally or through someone else). And really, the answer to any life question comes down to one solid answer that will never change. Jesus is the Christ, and life eternal come through faith in Him; Through Christ, the Father has a plan that is set before us all because we have an opportunity to repent (opportunity, not punishment) and become more as God, our Heavenly Father. He is the Life, the Truth, the Way. Let cares like sun while deluge come, let storms of sorrow fall. May I but safely reach my Home, my God, my Heaven, my All.

Children these days...Or is it the Parents?

I was at a clothing store, perusing the racks when I heard a small voice exclaim, "Mom, buy this!" There was no reply and again came "MOOOOM, buy this!!" in a whinier tone than before. After a few more pleas from the boy, about 6 or 7, the mom softly and distractedly replied "What's the price?" to which the boy said "What's a price?" A few moment silence then "Mom, but this!!!!" She said "It's probably not for sale..." The kid started pushing the small couch, just his size, across the room. His older brother was calling for him, and I assume this boy was laying claim to the couch and taking it with him. Before I left the store, I heard the boy ask the same a few more times.

This boy is old enough to understand money, and worth, and not to complain and beg. As the mom was ignoring his pleas, I assume she was working to change his behavior.

Honestly, it's the parents.

Educational Deprevation.

As the end of a semester draws to a close, there is usually some sense of relief. You pass through your professor's ax-laden outstretched arms to discover you still have a head. Weeks ahead of you with a little something called "free-time", a strange new phrase appearing in your dictionary.

Yet this time, some sadness and a small hole appears also.

Am I NUTS?!

No, ntrly. Not as far as I see it anyway. A curse in a certain respect, as menial tasks in the workforce are more bothersome than ever before (aka, I'm bored with the lack of a challenge). Tonight I picked up an algebra book and once again tasted the sweet juice of knowledge. Alas, much of what I read didn't sink in very well (it's been awhile, me and math) and I thought "Maybe I should read my Greek book, it's easier."

*pause*

"Yeah, that explains why people think you're insane."

Draw your own conclusions. I'm not here to brag, just expressing my observation.