Dear friends:

When I retired from the U.S. Air Force many years ago, I sang the old Southern spiritual, "I ain't gonna study war no more."  See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOmRm0-acJw by Sister Rosetta Tharpe (1915-1973).

But now I am singing another song!

For the past year we have been trying to sell our house, with no success.  "Soft market," they say.  However, we know that the Supreme, sovereign Creator of the whole universe is not controlled by mere human market conditions.  He will sell it in His good time, on a perfect, appointed day, to the person of His choice -- that is, if He chooses to sell it!

Now I wonder.  With all the talk about a 2008 rapture, I am starting to sing a new song: "Ain't gonna need this house no longer!" ("I'm getting ready to meet the saints!")

CHORUS
Ain't gonna need this house no longer
Ain't gonna need this house no more
Ain't got time to fix the shingles
Ain't got time to fix the floor
Ain't got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend the window pane
Ain't gonna need this house no longer
I'm getting ready to meet the saints!

This old house is getting shaky
This old house is getting old
This old house lets in the rain and
This old house lets in the cold
On my knees I'm getting chilly
But I feel no fear or pain
'Cause I see an angel peeking through
A broken window pane

Ain't gonna need this house no longer
Ain't gonna need this house no more
Ain't got time to fix the shingles
Ain't got time to fix the floor
Ain't got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend the window pane
Ain't gonna need this house no longer
I'm getting ready to meet the saints!

Now my old hound dog lies asleeping
He don't know I'm gonna leave
Else he'd wake up by the fireplace
And he'd sit there, howl and grieve
But my hunting days are over
I aint gonna hunt the 'coon no more
Gabriel done brought in chariot
When the wind blew down the door

Ain't gonna need this house no longer
Ain't gonna need this house no more
Ain't got time to fix the shingles
Ain't got time to fix the floor
Ain't got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend the window pane
Ain't gonna need this house no longer
I'm getting ready to meet the saints!

Listen to "This Old House," by the Cathedrals: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afzKLHy4KpY

Jim