Happy 13th Anniversary, ALI!

 Thirteen years ago today, I shared a story on this blog about finding spring in the fall on an elevator. I won't go into all the details, but we got married four years later—and we’re still happily together! Happy anniversary, my love! I love you!

End of Days? (Part 2)

The normalization of lies, the reversal of truth and morality, is deeply unsettling. And you’re not alone in feeling that way. It’s one of the clearest signs that a society is in a moral or cultural crisis. When lies become truth and wrong becomes right, it can feel like the very foundations of reality are cracking. Here's what’s likely happening, and why it feels so apocalyptic.

The saying 'Repeat a lie often enough, and it becomes the truth” reminds us of the power of repetition in shaping perceptions. Although it's often wrongly linked to Nazi propaganda, its relevance today is undeniable. In our digital age, truth feels more scattered than ever. Many of us find ourselves in echo chambers, where algorithms feed us what we want to hear, whether it’s accurate or not. Disinformation is being used as a weapon across political, religious, and cultural spheres, not just by fringe groups, but by mainstream voices too. Now, debates aren't just about differing opinions—they're about what's real. This isn't just irritating; it’s genuinely dangerous. When truth diminishes, so does accountability, and without that, society can start to weaken from within.

When we witness a reversal of morals, where evil is deemed reasonable and good is mocked or punished, it can feel as though the moral consensus is crumbling. This isn’t a new phenomenon; history has seen darker times, such as when slavery was justified as “God’s will” or genocide was justified as “justice.” However, today, it’s happening more openly and on a global scale, often with widespread approval or silence. Many religious texts interpret this moral inversion as a sign of the end times, not necessarily the literal end, but the fall of a civilization's integrity. What we're witnessing isn't just lies; it's a core value system being mocked, reality being distorted, and these things being celebrated. Such chaos can lead to feelings of anger, disillusionment, and profound spiritual exhaustion. And that’s understandable, because we see people trading truth for comfort, profit, or tribal loyalty, and sometimes calling it righteousness.

What we’re experiencing isn’t just despair, it’s clarity, a rare and powerful gift. You still care deeply about truth and inherently know right from wrong. Even if everyone else is following a different path, your refusal to accept the lie shows your strength. This doesn’t mean you’re hopeless; it means you’re awake. Staying aware in dark times can be burdensome, but it’s also how the light makes a comeback. Remember, you don’t have to let others define what’s real for you. Hold onto your principles amid the noise. You’re not alone in feeling this erosion of truth and morality—others may be quieter, but they’re right there with you. Keep speaking your truth, even if it’s unpopular. While it may not change the world overnight, it preserves your spirit and keeps the truth alive. If ever it feels like the world is falling apart, think of it this way: sometimes, it’s not the end, but the start of something new. And during times when truth is under siege, that’s when truth-tellers are most needed. You’re not crazy. The world is shifting. Truth is being sold off cheaply. But the fact that you feel it and won’t bow to it means something vital. You’re still standing. And while you are still standing, bend down on your knees and pray for forgiveness and mercy that the Lord gives freely.

End of Days? (Part 1)

The current political landscape is quite complex and challenging. Global instability is heightened by increasing authoritarianism, polarization, the erosion of democratic norms, and intense competition among great powers like the U.S., China, and Russia. Trust in institutions is declining, with many feeling that their governments, media, and legal systems are no longer serving their needs. Hotspots of conflict in Ukraine, the Middle East- particularly Israel and Taiwan- tensions in Taiwan, and recent coups in Africa have many people worried that World War III could be on the horizon. But is this really the end? Most likely not. We’re probably just going through a big transitional phase, perhaps even witnessing a significant unraveling of the post-WWII global order. However, it doesn’t have to be apocalyptic.

Many religious scholars believe that a period of chaos or tribulation may precede a final judgment or transformation, similar to concepts such as Christianity’s End Times, Islam’s signs of the Hour, or Hinduism’s Kali Yuga. Today’s events—such as wars, moral declines, natural disasters, and societal unrest—seem to align with these descriptions for many believers. Some feel that we’re living through prophetic moments, while others view these signs as part of recurring cycles of human history. Since prophecies are often symbolic, they have been “fulfilled” numerous times throughout history. For instance, people during the fall of Rome, the Black Death, or the World Wars also believed they were witnessing the end times. 

There’s a noticeable sense of fatigue and frustration worldwide over issues like inequality, injustice, climate change, culture wars, AI, and more. People are feeling angry, disillusioned, tribal, and sometimes even violent. Civil conversations are breaking down, and hope can seem elusive. Mental health struggles, loneliness, and addiction are sadly on the rise. While this is a serious situation, it's also often part of the natural cycle preceding significant cultural transformations, such as the Enlightenment, the Renaissance, or the Civil Rights era. Typically, darkness comes before new beginnings.

Is this the end of days? It might seem that way, but it’s more likely a moment of reckoning. I think that we're probably in the middle of a historical turning point, and humans have experienced such moments before. Whether this leads to a collapse or a transformation depends on how we respond now. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, angry, or despairing, that’s perfectly understandable. However, remember that it’s also a call to action, or at the very least, a call to gain clarity. End times aren’t just about destruction; in many spiritual traditions, they also symbolize a state of awakening.

            The one thing that we can all do is repent. Return to God and pray for reconciliation. We have stopped praying to God and have lost our way in this world. We have forgotten that we are pilgrims here and that this world is not our home. We must find that peace that transcends all understanding, the peace that Jesus offers, not the world’s.