1. AN ALTERNATE PERSPECTIVE ON "Y2K"

By now, I'm sure most of us (especially believers) have heard all about the Y2K problem - non-compliant computer chips at the turn of the century will create havok. The great question is, how much havok?

Gary North insists that it's the end of civilization as we know it. Chuck Missler grants that it's a possibility. The reconstructionists at Chalcedon prefer a more sober approach, but without denying that it could cause serious problems. Dave Hunt, in the most recent Berean Call, considers such reports sensationalistic alarmism. Bob Ross of Pilgrim Publications basically dismisses North's scenario as just so much smoke.

What then are we to think?

Well, I've only begun to research the issue for myself. The few friends I have who are kneck-deep in computers in one field or another have no positive comments regarding Y2K. This, of course, is not good. So with only 15 months left on the ticking clock - I have started thinking about preparation. I think I have come up with some basic things that are sane reactions to a possible crisis.

I have decided the following: get in shape (i.e., ready to walk or engage in real labor); cultivate as much "old-fashioned" knowledge and skill as possible (horticulture, carpentry, etc.); choose my higher education courses carefully (like maybe COMPUTER PROGRAMMING - possible demand there!); carefully budget & save money; keep basic emergency items stocked (bottled water, batteries, canned goods, etc.); etc.

As I was going over some of these items in my head the other day, I had an "awakening." WE SHOULD ALL BE DOING THESE THINGS ANYWAY! We in the West have been a slave to "creature comforts" for far too long. When I realized that my biggest worry was that we'd be without air-conditioning, I knew that I have a long way to go! It is time for some changes in all our lives, I believe.

Blaise Pascal was a brilliant apologist who came up with a Christian apologetic argument called "Pascal's Wager." It goes something like this: If you believe the Gospel and live accordingly, and it's not true - you've lost nothing by ordering your life in such a way. On the other hand, if you ignore the Gospel in unbelief, what if it IS true? Well, then you've lost everything.

I say we adapt Pascal's Wager to the Y2K problem. If 2000 rolls around and the forcasted problems are minor or even non-existent -- you've lost absolutely nothing by following preparations like I've outlined for myself. In fact, you will gain regardless - for you will have done things we should all be doing anyway. Most of all, we will have recovered some of the God-ordained aspects of true humanity from the sugar-glossed culture that has lulled us into deception. Selah.

2. IDENTIFYING MIND-CONTROL GROUPS BY REMEMBERING F.L.E.S.H.

FEAR = of MAN (sometimes fear of what the leaders might do, or fear of losing your close friends, spouse, and even career opportunities) & FEAR of the "Exiting Interview from the organization." Their Exiting Interview is often equated with possible loss of salvation or spiritual judgement if you break your covenant to the group. You are always told, however, that you are free to go at anytime and that it is your choice to either stay or go.

LOVE = is second place to FEAR. In a Christian Church, love is #1, not #2. The Mind Control Group's "LOVE" is often selfish and based upon "What's in it for me?".

EMPTY = the group is encouraged to empty their mind. Not to ask too many questions. . . to totally trust their leaders. . . not to question the groups authority. . . not to attend another group's meetings - to do so would be recognized as disloyalty to the Mind Control Group. . . not to read anything or talk to anyone that might disagree with the Mind Control Group. There's usually a high level of secrecy, especially in regards to finances and how money is being spent. Since gossip is forbidden, ASKING QUESTIONS about the operations of the Mind Control Group is often equated with GOSSIP. The fear of spreading gossip ("asking questions") is used to maintain a rigid silence within the membership. Loyalty is therefore achieved by a trust in either man or an organization rather than a trust in God in accord with The Bible. Heavy accountability often becomes the necessary evil which follows for closing "The Back Door" to stop people from leaving the Mind Control Group.

SEX = Most Mind Control groups seem to support some type of abnormal sexual conduct. Some promise hopes of marriage "if and only if" a person stays committed and fulfills their missionary commitment ... others encourage fornication or adultery outside of marriage ("free sex"), while still others might encourage complete abstinence during marriage, except for when it is approved by leadership. - - This is often done by a couple being kept so very busy by the Mind Control Group that there is no time for sexual intimacy within the marriage. Many members will even feel guilty for not being busy enough in serving their Mind Control Group. Resting and relaxing seem like a sin to them ... etc ... etc ... etc.

HATE = They learn to hate those who are not part of their exclusive group. Their own group is tightly "NETWORKED" together and becomes more and more exclusive. Others are refered to as their enemies. They often consider it God's will for them to be experiencing a "Persecution Complex" even when no persecution for Christ's sake is truly evident. They often speak of "Unity and Peace" but Unity has been redefined as being "tolerant of everyone EXCEPT the intolerant. In other words - be united with everyone unless they disagree with you ... this can be very dangerous. Often faithful members who later disagree with the Mind Control Group are refered to as being hirelings or as being demon possessed.

WARNING: If you already attend a Mind Control Group, we encourage you to "FLEE," and find a loving, Spirit-filled, Bible teaching Church where Jesus is clearly at the center of their teaching, conversation, and lifestyle. Your efforts to try to change the Mind Control Group from within will often fail and be thwarted by the head leaders of the Mind Control Group. In leaving, perhaps some of your friends will follow, and be rescued from bondage and legalism to a new life of freedom in Christ Jesus. To God be the glory.

(The F.L.E.S.H. acronym text is reprinted with permission from the A LOVE LETTER site) Amen.

* Donald E. Chittick, The Puzzle of Ancient Man (Newberg, Oregon: Creation Compass, 1997) -

There has long existed a virtual mountain of discovered information that "just doesn't fit" with current scientific theories of our past. Such information is generally swept aside. Chittick has taken such information as found in the fields of anthropology and archaeology and shown how - taken together - such is evidence for the Biblical picture of man. This book clearly demonstrates the case for believing that ancient man was not "primitive" - quite the contrary! From ante-diluvian technology and ancient metallurgy to the awesome stone structures that dot the earth - Chittick challenges the established views of modern science.

"O LORD, how great are Thy works! and Thy thoughts are very deep." PSALM 92: 5 (KJV)

Here, the Psalmist makes mention of God's "works" and God's "thoughts" together, as in Psalm 40:5. God's thoughts are described as being "very deep." Too deep to be comprehended? You bet!

Verse 6 describes the one who would reject the doctrine of God's incomprehensibility and attempt to "figure out" God with his depraved mind: "A brutish man knoweth not: neither doth a fool understand this." The prophet Jeremiah tells us that every man is "brutish" (i.e., "stupid") both in his knowledge (Jeremiah 10: 8,14) and by his knowledge (Jeremiah 51:17).

In the NT, Jude gets specific: "But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts (i.e., in their depravity), in those things they corrupt themselves" (Jude 10).

Our depraved mind keeps us from comprehending God or His truth apart from His revelation and the renewing of that mind by the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 4:16; Titus 3:5).