39th ANNUAL MISSION CONFERENCE - By E. L. Bynum

Hunker In Your Bunker - By E. L. Bynum

The Linguistic Epidemic - By Bill Mosley

What a Frivolous Group We Were - By Robert J. Grady, Lt. Col., USAF (Ret)

Now that the Y2K fanatics have come out of their bunkers, this will probably be our last article on the Y2K hysteria. Some may look upon this article as an example of, "I told you so." It is not considered to be polite to say this, but nevertheless I will proceed.

In 1998, as the Y2K hysteria began to gather a full head of steam, I decided to investigate this terrible thing that was going to destroy life as we know it. I read some of the articles and books written by those who believed that the sky was falling. I call that the Chicken Little Syndrome. Some of you old timers will remember that story from childhood. Poor Chicken Little ran around crying "the sky is falling, the sky is falling." When he was asked why he knew this, he replied, "a piece of it fell upon my head."

I also read some books and articles that disagreed. After reading both sides, and considering how ridiculous the alarmists were, I started to think of it in the light of the Bible. It seemed evident to me that it was all a hoax. So in October 1998, I wrote an article in the Plains Baptist Challenger, entitled "Y2K Goldmine." Soon thereafter I published it as a tract and titled it "Y2K Goldmine, Computer Hysteria Debunked."We distributed thousands of these, and many expressed their thanks for helping them see the light. Our concern in all of this was to teach people to show discernment in all things. We have thousands of these tracts still on hand, and you can have them free of charge, as long as the supply lasts. Just send us money for postage, and tell us how many you want.

I feel sorry for the great number of good citizens and devout Christians who were deceived. Many millions of dollars were wasted on food, and survival equipment that will most likely never be used. I heard of one local family that spent 20 thousand dollars getting ready for Y2K, and these were not wealthy people. Christians spent millions of dollars that could have gone to their churches and their missionaries.

Some sound preachers and some not so sound in doctrine have been taken for a ride. Some preachers preached so many alarming sermons and warnings about Y2K, they have caused their churches to disintegrate. They have alarmed their people constantly for many months. Some even stored food, water, and even guns in their churches, so their members could stand off the world. How foolish, if disaster had really struck, they would have been overrun by the mobs in short order. I am reminded of the little boy in sheep country, who always was running around crying wolf, wolf, when there was no wolf. When the wolves came for the sheep, nobody believed him when he cried wolf. How these preachers could face their members on Sunday morning, January 2, 2000, is a mystery to me. I am waiting for these alarmists to apologize, but so far I haven't heard a peep.

The week before January 1, 2000, I received my copy of Common Sense for Today, edited by Don Boys. It was the NovemberDecember, 1999. Out of an eight-page issue, at least five pages were devoted to the Y2K scare. This paper predicted all kinds of things happening or possibly happening. These included that the planes might not be flying this summer; Clinton may declare a national emergency, send in the troops and take over the country. He wrote on page one, "You could be without power on January 1. That means no heat or lights. No elevators. No water. It means a huge number of elderly people will die of exposure in the northern cities. It means you will have to dig an outside toilet: however, if you live in a concrete jungle, that will be almost impossible. What will you do to innovate?" He goes unto to warn against catastrophic nuclear accidents. Now I do not personally know Don Boys and I have nothing against him. In fact for years I have known of him, and respected him. He, like many others simply got mislead by listening to the people who had themselves been misled by those who had an ulterior motive in the whole thing.

In the same week, the week before January 1, 2000, I received another paper that was very pessimistic over Y2K, with some of the same possibilities as the above. This was also written by a seemingly mature preacher.

The LAJ carried the story of one poor soul down at Post, Texas. He had been preparing since 1997 to survive and help others to survive Y2K. Let me briefly tell his story. He was a partner in a successful Dallas, TX, business connected with computers. In 1994 he made a trip to Yugoslavia to see the place where the little Catholic girls received a vision of the Virgin, along with messages of the terrible things. He not only visited the site where the vision took place, but he found the then grown women that saw the vision. (By the way, these religious shrines, where such things took place, are a wonderful place to pick up your demon possession, or demon oppression). He returned to Dallas as a changed man.

In 1995 he received a telephone call from a blind woman in Lubbock, warning him to get out in a place where he could survive the awful disasters. He sold out his business and moved to the small town of Post, TX, and began to prepare for what was coming. In 1997 he learned about Y2K, and he just knew this was the disaster. He has now exhausted all his money buying supplies and equipment to survive. His explanation now is that God changed all the computers by a miracle. Now he is going to look for a job. I wonder who would hire such a looney?

There are another group of people that saw this as an opportunity to make big bucks. They began to alarm people by writing faulty information into books. Such men as Michael Hyatt, who wrote "The Millennium Bug How to survive the Coming Chaos." He also wrote, "Countdown to Chaos The Year 2000 Computer Crisis and its Impact on You," as a resource manual. You could also buy six audio tapes on the crisis. He sold all of the above for $74.95. At conferences and seminars here in Lubbock, the above was sold, along with many other materials. Somebody made a lot of profit on this. Guess who. Several meetings were held in Lubbock, at schools, at a hotel convention center, and had the Lubbock Civic Center. Some of these meetings featured dried food products, generators, water purifiers, and other survival products. I have no way of knowing whether he believed his own material or not. He may have really believed it, but oh the people that bought his story.

Don McAlvany is the editor of the McAlvany Intelligence Adviser. He also wrote the "Y2K Crisis: Preparing for the Coming Computer Crash." This man has been known as a patriot, and highly respected by many. His rather small book sold for $22.50. I wonder if he has considered taking the word Intelligence out of the name of his publication?

Gary North is another author that has published many articles on Y2K. I believe that his article may have been posted on more than 1,000 web sites. He invited anyone to copy them to their own web page, and many did that very thing. I understand that he bought property in the country with a gas well on it, and planed to ride out Y2K. I doubt if he needs the gas today, and I know that he needs no more hot air. This man is anti-Baptist, anti-premillennialist. He is a follower of John Calvin and the Geneva theology. In fact he is connected with the Geneva Divinity School of Tyler, Texas. His views on the millennium are unscriptural, and he apparently believes that when our society collapses the postmillennialists will take over the world and bring in the millennial reign. Read on to get the news that Gary North has spread all over the world about Y2K.

It would be impossible in a dozen articles to cover what all North has spread about the Y2K problem. I will give you some quotes from one of his Web Pages.

"We've got a problem. It may be the biggest problem that the modern world has ever faced. I think it is. At 12:00 midnight on January 1, 2000 (a Saturday morning), most of the world's mainframe computers will either shut down or begin spewing out bad data. Most of the worlds desktop computers will also start spewing out bad data. Tens of millions - possibly hundreds of millions - of preprogrammed computer chips will begin to shut down the systems they automatically control. This will create a nightmare for every area of life, in every region of the industrialized world."

North goes on to say, "Think of what happens if the following areas go down and stay down for months or even years: banks, railroads, public utilities, telephone lines, military communications, and financial markets. What about Social Security and Medicare? If Social Security and Medicare go down, it will affect millions of people. Yet both programs are at risk."

Y2K rolled by with hardly a ripple. Now what will these alarmists, and there were many of them, have to say about it all? Those of you that stocked up on items for Y2K might want to hang on them. There will likely be another manufactured crisis coming along soon.

We bought no extra food or supplies. The only thing we did was to fill three one-gallon milk jugs with water from the faucet. My wife used them to water some potted plants, so it was not wasted. So what would have happened to me if Y2K really did happen? I said in my tract that if it did, I would have egg on my face, and that I might have to scrape it off and eat it. I think it would have discredited my ministry, and the respect of the people I pastor.

Please do not misunderstand me, I do not think that it was off base to store up a few days of food and water. But to buy all the supplies that some did, is to me very foolish. I know this article will offend some, but I am writing it in the hope of causing some to use better discernment in such matters.

Many of the deceived people are wrong on prophecy. Some people thought that the rapture would take place on that date. (If the rapture takes place, I am not going to hang around to see what happens.)

Some people believed that the tribulation of Bible prophecy would begin on that date, and that the believers were going through the tribulation. These are the mid, and post tribulation people.

Some believed that we were in the tribulation, or that it was fulfilled more than 1900 hundred years ago, but they wanted to survive the crisis and set up the kingdom in due time.

No doubt there are other theological beliefs that made a ready room for Y2K hysterics.

Please understand that the Bible teaches that there is going to be a tribulation period, but that true Christians will be raptured out as Christ comes in the air.

There will be a seven-year tribulation, but we will not be here. I am not saying that there will not be tribulation for the people of God. This has been true in all centuries, as many suffer in parts of the world today. This is not "the tribulation," and it does not come close to the events described in Revelation chapter 6 through 19.

Christ will come back at the end of the tribulation, and will establish His 1,000 year reign on the earth.

The Bible predicts that there will be false prophets in the last days, and we believe that there are many here today. "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many" (Matt. 24:11). "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (I John 4:1). How can we try the prophets? "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isa 8:20).

As this age comes closer to the end, terrible things are going to happen. "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come" (II Tim. 3:1). "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived" (II Tim. 3:13). "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils" (I Tim. 4:1).

Yes, all of this is coming, but that is no reason why we should be carried away by "doctrines of devils" (I Tim. 4:1).

God has not called us to live in fear but in faith. "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (II Tim. 1:7). "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father" (Rom. 8:15). "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love" (I John 4:18).

Our beloved President shares our pain . . . I was embarrassed to read that President Clinton and his advisors have said, "The older generation must learn to sacrifice as other generations have done."

That's my generation. I knew eventually someone would ferret out the dirty secret: we've lived the "lifestyle of the rich and famous" all our lives.

Now, I know I must bare the truth about my generation and let the country condemn us for our selfishness.

During the Depression we had an hilarious time dancing to the tune of "Brother Can You Spare A Dime?" We could choose to dine at any of the country's fabulous soup kitchens, often joined by our parents and siblings.

We even wasted good cardboard by putting it in our shoes to cover the holes in their bottoms---- those were the heady days of carefree self-indulgence.

Then, with World War II, the cup filled to overflowing. We had the chance to bask on the exotic beaches of Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa; to see the capitols of Europe and travel to such scenic spots as Bastogne, Malmedy and Monte Cassino. Of course, one of the most exhilarating adventures was the stroll from Bataan to the local Japanese hotels, laughingly known as death camps.

But the good times really rolled for those lucky enough to be on the beaches of Normandy for the swimming and boating that pleasant June day in '44. Unforgettable.

Even luckier were those that drew the prized holiday tickets for cruises on sleek, gray ships to fun filled spots like Midway, The Solomons and Murmansk.

Instead of asking, "what can we do for our country," an indulgent government let us fritter away our youth wandering idly through the lush and lovely jungles of Burma and New Guinea.

When our world tour was over, we came home to more rest and relaxation, the good jobs were already filled by those who had stayed at home.

Some of us were even more fortunate and got recalled from our attempts to get an education to go enjoy winter and summer sports in Korea. Actually it was a continuation of our practical education. In the winter we learned that splashed sea water could freeze on your clothes. In the summer we learned that, even though the Koreans used human excrement for fertilizer, we could, with some treatment, drink from their wells, and live. We learned that Russian guns, though crudely made by our standards, shot very well. Some of us even got to enjoy the hospitality of the North Koreans, where they encouraged us to talk and tell all about ourselves and our friends.
Yes, it's all true: we were pampered, we were spoiled rotten, we never did realize what sacrifice meant. We envy you, Mr. Clinton, the harsh lessons you learned in London, Moscow and Little Rock. Thank you for setting us straight, for your example of moral courage and virtue. Further we are grateful to you for the great love and respect that you have shown for our military and its members.

My generation is old, Mr. President...and guilty; but we are repentant. Punish us for our failings, sir, that we may learn the true meaning of Duty, Honor, and Country, as you have done.

By Robert J. Grady, Lt. Col., USAF (Ret), Colorado Springs

Speech or language was among Adam's first talents put to use. Surely when God provided a wife for Adam they spoke the same language. Their language came from God and was God honoring. This was the language with which they communicated with their Creator. The first recorded use of Adam's language was the naming of the animals. (Gen. 2:19,20) It was later used in conversation with the "help meet" given to Adam.

Satan heard the God given conditions that were to be followed in the Garden of Eden spoken in this language. He perverted the instructions from God to man by cultivating doubt concerning the purity of God's language. He is still in the business of contaminating language today. He even used the God given language to plan a rebellion against God in the days of Nimrod. "And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech." (Gen. 11:1) Because of their misuse of their common language God scattered them abroad. (Gen. 11:8) Excessive expressions is certainly not the only cause of God's scattering judgment upon America. But it is definitely a sign of the moral decline that will bring the judgment of God upon us.

Debauched and improper language is addressed clearly by our Lord. "But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil." (Matt. 5:34-37) James, also by divine inspiration, leaves this warning: "But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation." (James 5:12) He also warned the twelve tribes scattered abroad among ungodly nations not to incorporate the world's vernacular into proper language. "Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?" (James 3:10,11)

Our society has quickly and quietly graduated from "Christian cursing", the use of slang language only slightly removed from the real thing, to down-right cussing. (See C-426 in the PBC Tract List.) It is becoming so common place, yet totally unacceptable, to hear the name of God or His Son, Jesus Christ, abused that it slips off the tongue and into the ear with little notice. When this is brought to the attention of those using such language we often hear: "But I don't mean anything by it." If it doesn't mean anything then why say it? It certainly means something to God. He included this warning in the ten moral commandments. "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." (Exo. 20:7; cf Deut. 5:11) "Vain" not only means empty it also means useless or of no value. It means exactly what many say, "I don't mean anything by it," yet with a strong disrespect of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The time was when cursing was confined to barrooms and dance halls. Only the most depraved, disrespectful, degenerate minds and mouths would use needless adjectives in their conversation. The decline of proper language has progressed rapidly in recent years. The acceptability of the use of profanity has been heightened through TV and Hollywood productions.

Yesteryear's harmless(?) Art Linkletter show, "Children Say The Darndest Things," is nothing short of the euphemism of `damn.' (Webster) This is only one example of the beginning of open vulgarity in language that is becoming acceptable. Innocent you say? The remainder of this writing will be based on an article in the Lubbock A-J, 01/06/00: "Parents worry that strong language going off the bleep end."

Even the slightest euphemism, the use of a word that is less expressive or offensive, brought the lie soap out of the closet and into the mouth in years past. The column in the LAJ is not only alarming but should be a warning of the direction our society is headed. "...plenty of curse words are punctuating talk in the classroom, on the playground, and even at the dinner table - right in front of parents." Many of these children hear and learn these words from their parents. A more lamentable aspect, this is allowed in many homes who claim to be Christians.

Inevitably this brings up the question, "What is so wrong with cursing?" At least it reveal, a lack of education. When curse words have to be added to express a thought the speaker should take a refresher course in communication. However, listen to what `higher education' has to say about kids who cuss. Stephen P. Steinberg, executive director of The Penn National Commission on Society, Culture and Community, at the University of Pennsylvania (how's that for authoritative credentials on character) said, "It's [cursing] worrying about the wrong things." He further is quoted as saying, "Kids are desperate to talk. And frankly, I don't care if they're rude, crude or cursing. What is important is that they have a productive conversation." Remember Mr. Steinberg is executive director of The Penn National Commission on society, culture and community at PU. PU might well have a euphemism of it's own.

Rene Young, 37, of Linwood, PA doesn't understand all the fuss. She has a 17 year-old, Sean Belknap, and is not offended when her son's talk "turns hot as Hades." Note her son's last name differs from her's. Other things in Ms. Young's life may not have been offensive in her estimation. She gets use to hearing it and views the language as the vernacular of the times. So is living together outside of marriage but it doesn't make it biblically acceptable. This mother thinks this "language is one of the least important things I worry about." In her list of most concern is "having unprotected sex." She has no problem with her son having sex, but wants him only to have "safe sex." Although profanity permeates the language in this home, abstinence has no home there. This woman hardly fits the category of the virtuous woman in Proverb 31 whose price was "far above rubies" who would do her husband "good and not evil all the days of her life." (v. 10-12) It goes without saying that the above mentioned son will not "arise up, and call her blessed." (Prov. 31:28)

Before children are old enough to say, "Thank you," many are learning unsavory language mainly from their TV baby sitter. Although they pick up some from their peers, their peer learned their nasty language from the same source if not from their parents. This will be addressed in a later segment of this writing.

There are still some parents who punish their children for using even euphemism. The LAJ commentary on this subject quoted "cursing expert Timothy Jay" as saying, "It's a reflection of a more democratic, less oppressive time, part of an informal culture in which CEO's dress down, everyone's on a first-name basis, and about anything goes." Of course, the Almighty God of Heaven has not yet revealed His reflections on the matter to this "expert." Expert means very skillful; having much training and knowledge in a special field. (Webster) Another good definition, yet not found in Webster's, is a former drip under pressure. Jay may have attended PU and not UP.

Like so many other undesirable traits, the freedom to express thoughts in undesirable ways followed the technique used by the civil rights movement. "The way women (now) behave in public is much freer," was one explanation. This would consist of their attitudes as well as their attire. Skimpy clothing, starchy conduct, and swearing `cuties' are one of the results of the women's liberation movement. Some reading this will charge me with believing the woman's place is in the home with her children, giving them biblical motherhood and guidance. If this is at all possible, YES, I'm guilty of that charge! Where are the aged women who dare teach the younger women "To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." (Titus 2:5) Likely few care what the Word of God has to say or if it is blasphemed. Be careful how you respond to this.

It will be no surprise to the reader that Timothy Jay is professor of psychology at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. He makes his view clear in this statement: "You can't express yourself, your emotions, as deeply with other words as with swear words." The professor must have completely missed or either repudiates Matt. 5:37, "Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."

Sean Belknap, the 17-year-old son of Rene Young said, "I think I curse because it helps me describe how I feel." It clearly describes how he feels about God. Corrine Iacono, a fifteen year-old school girl says she hears obscenities all the time from grown-ups. "The teacher says, `Shut the h up.'" She says she "talks that way at home but she is trying to cut back." Sounds like a quit smoking commercial. I know where a patch would need be applied if such language had been used in my childhood home.

More space is needed for this section than is available. Even in the Christian(?) community God's name is used in undesirable ways. More than not when one hears the exclamation, Oh, God, it is not the beginning of a prayer or approach to our Heavenly Father. How does this effect the thrice Holy God? "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain."(Exo. 20:7) Remember our Savior's words in Matt. 5:37 above. Paul exhorted the church at Philippi to "let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ." (Phil. 1:27) Professor of Psychology, Timothy Jay of MCLA would say depending on the Bible for child rearing would warp the child's personality and inhibit their expressions. Such men as non-spanking Dr. Spock and Prof. Jay are the primary reason for the vulgar actions and language in youth today. Little do they know or care that Satan has inspired their theory and is the instigator of their practice.

Paul recognized the source that inspired his spiritual son, Timothy. He knew that "the unfeigned faith that [was in him], . . .dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice." (2 Tim. 1:5) Like still produces like. Where the seed of debauchery is sown the fruit of profanity will ripen. Timothy was taught proper godly language from his youth. "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." (1 Tim. 4:12)

The creation of God speaks volumes without the aid of expletives. "Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard." (Psa. 19:2,3) Incoherent humanity may look skyward and damn the weather or it's consequences, yet it will be only for a season. The Judge of all the earth has yet to hold His court in Heaven.

No carnal wisdom can attach "Professor of Psychology" to their name and touch the garment of this statement of James: "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom." (James 3:13) God clearly identifies the style and source of good conversation. "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation." (1 Pet. 1:15) Lot made the mistake of pitching his tent in the wrong direction yet he was "vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked." (2 Pet. 2:7) One of the things that we learn from this verse is those who deem profanity as a proper method of expression are wicked. Even the professor knows the meaning of this word.

Proper expression has always been a command of God. The near coming of our Lord should generate a desire in the heart of wise men to be saved and be holy. Hear and heed this warning: (2 Pet 3:10-12) "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?" Those who believe that "dumbing down" is `cool' in worship, attire, first name calling of the pastor, forgetting about Mr. & Mrs., and in many other areas, the instigator (Satan) of this is raising its ugly head in the language arena.

Often professional athletes are fined a small portion of a days salary for using bad language toward the referee. There is coming a time when the Judge of all the earth will be seated upon the Great White Judgment Throne and the lost of all the ages will appear before Him. The assessment will be of incomparable consequences when he says, "I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity." (Luke 13:27) "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Rev. 20:15) The Holy One who was and is rejected will become the One who rejects. "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:" (John 5:22)

Repent of sin, refrain from sin, receive the Savior. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." (John 1:12)