Dear John and Doves:

We're familiar with the concept:  you cry out to someone or appeal to someone or "send a letter to your Congressman and demand action" and you get no response.   Crickets.

It's somewhat maddening, but in some cases probably justified.  After all, if the person to whom the appeal has been made has appealed to YOU in the past and the appeal was ignored, well ... what should you expect?

And that's where God seems to be.  After all, I would not expect the average atheist or agnostic or humanist to know much about the story of Jonah.  I would not expect an unbeliever to know that the sun, moon and stars were put in the heavens by God "for signs and seasons."  I would not expect the average carnal man to think much about God judging the world.

But for those in the churches and especially those who claim to be Christians, it is perfectly reasonable for God to expect them to be at least somewhat conversant on the very basics of the Bible story.  Christians should know that Jesus came, forgave sins, was crucified, and said He would return.  Since He compared Himself to Jonah, they should have some idea of who Jonah was.  They should know something about the first Passover and the Exodus story. 

And if they don't know, it's not an indictment against churches or pastors.  This is basic Christianity 101.  Christians - especially in America - can be properly expected to read their Bibles.  Free Bibles in ANY version are easily available.  It's all online.  Bible apps, printed Bibles, Bible radio programs, Bible TV programs, Bible on YouTube ... legal and available in any format 24/7.  Audio Bibles or Bibles in any language.  Men - and most especially Christians - are without excuse.

So God has traced a giant black X over the U.S.  People generally shrugged.  This is not the first time God offered a sign which was ignored.  It also happened at the time of the Exodus.  "Then it will be, if they do not believe you, nor heed the message of the first sign, that they may believe the message of the latter sign." (Exodus 4:8)  I would suggest we have had at least two signs already; warnings to those paying attention that God is about to intervene once again in human history.

Next will come catastrophe - maybe this week, maybe this month, maybe in May or June.  Something bad WILL happen, and then ... then the tears and the prayer meetings and the crying out to God oh God help us please please!!!

And all they will hear is cicadas.  A TRILLION of them.  90 decibels I'm told ... like a power lawnmower.

Crickets. 

We'll see, of course.

Best,

Steve