Hopefully, There Will Be Less Drama in June

Today is the last day of May.  There has been some drama going down this month.

This month, there was the scare about there being a rapture and a worldwide earthquake on the 21st. Obviously, that didn't happen. The same guy behind that prediction is now saying that those things will happen on October 21 of this year. Um, yeah, we'll see.

The day after what was supposed to be Doomsday, Joplin, which I live up to maybe an hour away from as far as driving distance is concerend, got hit by a tornado which killed and/or injured a lot of people. One of the injured people was someone I knew since middle school. As far as I know, she's still alive, but her house and car have been destroyed. From my understanding, it will take months, if not years, for Joplin to get everything back in order. The controversial Westboro Baptist Church had planned on picketing in Joplin on Sunday, saying that the tornado was God's judgement on Joplin, but it's my understanding that their plan ended up not working out. (That reminds me, some of you reading this might be interested to know that yesterday, when they were protesting at Arlington Cemetery some members of the KKK were part of the group of counter protesters. And no, I don't generally care for the KKK either.)

Also, last week, someone from an online book club that I was in had been going through a lot and had mentioned wanting to die. It has been five days since said person has posted on any of the forums, and I'm hoping they're okay.

I'm hoping that this month, there will be less drama. Here's hoping for no natural disasters, no more end of the world scares, or anyone getting depressed or anything like that.

A Lot of Drama Going Down

First off, there was that whole controversy about how the beginning of the end of the world was supposed to end on Saturday but didn't. I didn't clear out my possessions or anything like that (but I heard some people did), but once the prediction had come to my attention, I couldn't not have it float around in my head.

Second, Joplin, which I live maybe an hour or two at most from, got hit by a tornado. I've never lived in Joplin, but I have taken the occasional shopping trip there. The mantra in my family was if we couldn't find what we wanted/needed in our own hometown, there was always Joplin. Now, with all that has happened over there, I won't be able to look at that town the same way again.

 This morning, it came to my attention that someone in an online bookclub that I'm involved in has been through a lot lately and wants to kill herself and has asked us about painless ways to go about it. Those of us who have begged her not to kill herself, to get help, etc. This person is, from my understanding three years older than me and one year younger than my sister. I don't know her personally, but the thought of her resorting to such drastic measures scares me. If I lived closer to her, I'd maybe ask her for her number so that I could check up on her and/or in case she needed to call someone and vent. I might ask one of the other members to check up on her. I am hoping that she is simply blowing off steam at this time, but I've heard stories of people threatening suicide and following through (at least one anyway; the guy was 19 at the time and did it via an online telecast even).

Hopefully, all of the this will pass. It is all a lot for me to process at this time.

So, I Listened to Family Radio Last Night

I wanted to find out what the explanation was for the failed prediction of May 21 as Judgment Day. (I was unable to listen to the whole thing as a thunderstorm going on in my area prompted me to shut down my computer.)  If I understand correctly, God had come spiritually rather than physically, and the earthquakes, rapture, etc. will occur on October 21 of this year. You can read more about it here.

Personally, I cannot forsee every little thing that will happen tomorrow, let alone on a day that is barely less than five months away. As Proverbs 27:1 says, "Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." Thus, I cannot bring myself to confirm or deny that the world will end at that time. As had been the case with May 21, I'm taking this one with the "we'll see" mentality.

Finally Some Answers, I Hope

Over the past week, I've been blogging about the controversy of May 21 being the predicted date of the Second Coming of Christ to prelude the end of the world. Of course, May 21 has come and gone with no rapture.

Yesterday, I dropped Harold Camping, the man behind this prediction, an email in regard to this. I asked him what had happened as well as whether or not he has learned to stop trying to figure out when the end of the world shall be. It turns out that tonight, on his radio show (which will be at 7:30 PM my time; I'll be listening online) he plans to talk about his failed prediction. If I'm able to, I'll give you all the link to it when it becomes an "archive". And I will be taking notes as well as hoping nobody calls me tonight. (I do not want to have to tune out of the program, but if someone calls, if only to chat, I will have to accept.) I'll give you all an update tomorrow or later in the week, Lord willing.

First Day After the Judgement Day That Wasn't

Family Radio had said that the Bible guaranteed that May 21 would be Judgement Day, that there'd be earthquakes involved, and people would be raptured. Yet, there was no earthquake where I live, and I'm still here. (And I'm sure everyone at church is as well.)  It's a good thing that I didn't clear out my possessions or anything like that. I've heard that there were people who quit their jobs, cleared out their bank accounts, etc. I wonder what they're going to do now that the anticipated Judgement Day has passed.

This past Monday, I had posted a poll (which is now closed) asking you all if you believed the whole May 21 thing. Most of you said no, and you were right. But regardless of which answer you selected, I thank you for doing so.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to finish getting ready for church. When I get home, I think I'm going to write to Family Radio asking them what happened. After I've done that, I will let you all know what, if anything, they say.

I'm Going to Call it a Night

So far, no "Judgement Day" stuff has happened, at least not where I live. I had thought of staying up until midnight for my final update, but I'm getting tired, and I need to get up in the morning to go to church.

If the "Judgement Day" prediction for today is to come true at all, it has little more than an hour and forty-five minutes to do so, at least in my time zone. Since it looks like I will be waking up to another ordinary day tomorrow, I'll be sure to give you all more of my thoughts on this stuff tomorrow, even if I have to wait until I get home from church.

Lord willing, I will see you all tomorrow. Have a good night.

Six O'Clock Update

It's a little after 6 PM where I'm at. I've already eaten dinner, but not dessert yet. There's been no earthquake, and I'm still here. (If I wasn't, why would I be writing this?) Unless things are supposed to happen later, I get the sneaky feeling that tomorrow is going to be rather embarassing for certain people I could name but won't this time. I have a feeling that when they are asked about the Rapture that was "supposed" to happen today but didn't, the words "no comment" will be involved.

Then again, the day is not over yet. If I can get myself to stay awake long enough to do this, I will let you all know if anything happens by midnight. (I'm thinking probably not.) In the meantime, I think I will go have some dessert and possibly have a "so far so good" stroll. I'll talk to you all later, Lord willing.

Today's the [Supposed] Day and Someone's Going to Be Screwed

Over the past week, I have written about what some religious groups claim to be Judgement Day, which happens to be um, today. I'm up and dressed, have had my breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast, grapes, coffee and orange juice), and have VH1 in the background as I write this. So far, nothing out of the ordinary has happened. Then again, I guess things are supposed to happen at 6 PM in one's time zone, if they happen at all.

Most of you who have voted in my poll seem pretty confident that Judgement Day will NOT happen today. If you have not cast your vote already, you have until midnight tonight to do so. (After all, there won't be much point in doing so once this day has passed.)

From my understanding, 6PM has come and gone in some places, such as  Singapore without anything happening. (See the comment section on that link.) The day is not yet over, so anything could happen at this point.

Regardless of how today actually plays out, someone's going to be screwed. Those who have dismissed the idea of today being Judgement Day will be caught off guard if it does happen. Those who haven't been saved will be left behind to face destruction. Those who have given up their normal lives, cleared out their bank accounts, etc., in anticipation of today are going to be in a very awkward position if nothing happens. At the very least, people that have been going through the trouble of spreading "the word" about today and have no question in their mind about today being Judgement Day will be quite embarassed if today were to come and go without anything happening. If nothing happens tomorrow, I hope groups like Family Radio will be prepared to explain themselves.

I'll try not to say any more until 6PM my time. God willing, I will be sure to give you all an update then.

Less Than Half an Hour Away from "Judgement Day"

In my time zone there is less than half an hour left until May 21, the "Judgement Day" predicted by some religious groups out there, such as Family Radio. (The last time I tried to access their site, I didn't have much luck with it. I'm hoping it's just a temporary burp of sorts.)

I'm not sure if anything will happen tomorrow or not. Family Radio had said that the Bible guarantees that the rapture and the earthquakes will happen. I was unable to find this on the site, but some people had said that the earthquake/rapture business is said to supposedly happen at 6PM in whatever time zone one is in. These people refuse to consider the possibilty of tomorrow coming and going with nothing happening.

I'm thinking tomorrow, I will have a hearty breakfast, catch up on email and Facebook requests, and do whatever else I need to do tomorrow, and let whatever shall happen happen. I may be in tomorrow to do one or two posts. If May 21 comes and goes with nothing happening, I plan to post some more here (as well as my other blogs.) I do wonder though, what kind of explanation those in the "May 21 is definately Judgement Day; there's no question" camp will have IF the earthquake, rapture, etc. do not happen at any time tomorrow. Hmm. Maybe I should tune in to the news all day tomorrow just in case anything does happen.

Proverbs 27:1 and Tomorrow's Alleged Rapture.

In the King James version of the Bible, Proverbs 27:1 says, "Boast not of tomorrow for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." (I'll admit, I googled that one. In some churches that version is considered the only acceptable version.)

If you've been following this blog lately, you know that it had been predicted by some Christian groups that May 21, which happens to be tomorrow is Judgement Day. Earlier this week, I posted a poll asking visitors if they believed that Judgement Day is May 21. Of the 25 people who have voted so far, only one said yes, one said don't know, one said don't care, and the rest said no. I felt that it would have been cheating if "I" had voted on that poll. However, if I had voted, I would've voted don't know. Not only would this be because of the whole thing about not knowin the day or the hour (something stressed by many people who do NOT buy into the May 21 business) but also because I don't know what the next day will bring forth. Tomorrow may or may not bring forth the rapture and the earthquakes that Family Radio had claimed would happen. (And there is NO question to these people about this date.)

What sorts of things will you all do tomorrow, whether Judgement Day occurs tomorrow or not? As for me, I plan to eat a good breakfast and take care of some other stuff and let whatever shall happen happen.

Doing Laundry for the Last Time?

Today is Laundry Day for me. (I generally do it once a week, either on Tuesday or Thursday depending on my stepdad's schedule.) I've done two loads so far and have one going in the dryer as we speak.

IF Judgement Day is this Saturday, and I'm one of the people raptured, this will be the last time I do laundry as well as the last time I change my sheets. (I have two pairs of sheets that I rotate between each week.) I'll have left behind a couple of unwashed items. I think I will write a note stating that in the event of Rapture on Saturday, I want all of my clothing, shoes, and bedding donated to the thrift store where I volunteer (whose proceeds go to the Humane Society). Failing that, I would want it donated to the Salvation Army, sold at a garage sale, or sent to someone still on Earth who could use those things. Same goes for books, miscellaneous, and other things that I may leave behind. I will specify that any clothing I have that is unwashed be washed prior to donating it or whatever is done with it.

If there was no question in my mind that Judgement Day would in fact happen on Saturday, I would already be in the process of clearing out my wardrobe (which is rather extensive, espeically the sweaters). However, it could very well turn out that nothing will happen on that day and thus I will be around long enough to wear everything out. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go take care of my last load of laundry for the week if not for good.

My Last Weekly Weigh-In?

As some of you reading this may be aware, I'm involved with an online book club called BookCrossing. In the "Chit-Chat" forums on that site, someone will host a Wednesday Weigh-In. I will generally take part in those if I have access to a bathroom scale.

I've already left a post there. You know, if Judgement Day is in fact on Saturday, and I am one of the people raptured, then that is the last one I will ever post. Of course, if there's going to be a big earthquake on May 21 like Family Radio had said, then the site will probably be down, at least for a while.

I know I really should stop obsessing over this Judgement Day/end of the world stuff, but it's one of those things that can't come to my attention and not float around in my head for a while. As I may have menitoned before, I probably will keep bringing that subject up here until Saturday has passed. I should probably also stop listening to REM's "It's the End of the World as We Know It" so much on YouTube.

I'm going to stop talking about this, at least until tomorrow.

Current Poll Results, Song Addiciton,and Potentially Last Dinner With the Family

For those of you who have voted so far, thank you. At this point, 16 people have voted altogether: I've gotten one yes, fourteen nos, and one don't know.

In light of claims of Judgement Day being this Saturday, I've become somewhat addicted to the REM song It's The End of the World As We Know It. I played that song on YouTube a bunch of times last night and a couple of times this morning. I've got my volunteer work at a thrift store today, like I normally do on Wednesdays. I'll try not to think about that song too much.

Tonight, I have plans to go out to dinner with my mom and stepdad. It's his birthday today. Normally, my mom likes to cook birthday dinner for people. However, as they need to make final preparations for their trip tomorrow, we are going out for Chinese buffet (stepdad's idea). IF this Saturday is in fact Judgement Day, then this will be the last time I will have dinner with them, let alone at a buffet or anywhere else. On the off chance that Judgement Day turns out to occur on Saturday after all, I will not take tonight for granted. But I will not say anything about Judgement Day or the end of the world or anything like that at dinner or anything like that. (My mom and stepdad may or may not have heard about it. I'm guessing they haven't.) It's going to be a nice, pleasant dinner.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go prepare my lunch for today and do whatever else I need to do before time to head out the door.

To Show That I Think Judgment Day Might NOT Happen on May 21.

Today, I picked up an application to the Big Lots in my hometown. I have filled it out, signed it, and dated it for May 24 (next Tuesday), the date I intend to turn it in. This is after the alleged Judgment date of May 21. Would I have done this if I thought for sure that Judgment Day would occur on May 21? Even if I were to be left behind on that day, there would be the earthquake that Family Radio claims will happen to deal with. Chances are, a lot of places would be ruined by this, no? If so, then Big Lots will probably not be in the best position to accept my application for a while.

Actually, my getting the job application had nothing to do with Judgment Day. I've been in the process of looking for a job for quite some time, to pay off my student loans if not to save up to eventually be out on my own. So far, I've been able to defer on my student loans. However 1) I can only do that so many times and 2)  during whatever deferment period I'm on I have to make at least six attempts towards seeking employment in order to get an extension. I generally make more attempts at that. I'm not just making the attempts in order to defer on my loans. I really do want to get a job, and I hope I can one day get the student loan payments over with. Then again, IF not only will the rapture that will happen on Saturday as Family Radio claims, but so will the end of the world altogether five months later, I won't have to worry about paying off my loans, will I?

Most Of You Don't Buy The May 21 Prediction...You're Not The Only Ones

First off, thanks to those of you who have voted so far. The poll results so far show a total of nine votes: one "Don't know" and eight "No's".  If you haven't voted at all, you have until after Saturday to do so.

For those of you who voted "No", you're not alone. While some professed Christian groups believe that Judgment Day is this Saturday, others do not. One such group is King James Bible Online. They also conducted a poll regarding Judgment Day. However, the question was when one thought it was. The choices were "May 21, 2011",  "December 21, 2011", and "No one knows but God". All but two people chose "No one knows but God" while the remaining two chose "May 21, 2011".  The article that discussed the poll even mentioned a couple of people (in the "No one knows but God" camp) who have plans for that weekend whereas one of the people who was in the "May 21" camp did not have any kind of "special" plans for that Saturday.

Also if you look at the picket schedule of the controversial Westboro Baptist Church, it would appear that they either 1) Did not get Family Radio's memo or 2) Do not buy the whole May 21 business as they not only have two pickets scheduled for that day, but they have other pickets scheduled for other days after it. (And no, I haven't been to any of said pickets nor do I live anywhere near the areas they plan on picketing.) From my understanding, they do believe that the Rapture will happen at some point, but they have made no claims as to when it will happen.

As for me, I will likely be at a meeting with someone on that day if we're able to arrange it. Otherwise, I will probably be doing things like catching up on email, doing Facebook, and/or otherwise keep busy and let whatever (if anything) shall happen on that day happen. IF May 21 comes and goes without a rapture, earthquake, or anything like that, I will go to church on Sunday and when I get home seek out an explanation from the May 21 crowd.

So, what about you? If you believe that the Rapture will happen on Saturday, what will you be doing up until that point. If not, or you don't know or don't care, what are your plans for that day and the days thereafter?

A New Poll

I don't normally post polls on my blogs, but in light of a claim made by some websites that Judgement Day will occur on May 21 of this year (which so happens to be this coming Saturday), I've made an exception. There are some who would say yes and some who would say no. There are people like me who can't say for sure, some who might not even care, and some who might not even know what Judgement Day even is.

Please find on the side bar with a poll which asks "Do you believe that Judgement Day will occur on May 21, 2011 as some websites claim?" The choices for answers are:
Yes
No
Don't know
Don't Care
What is this "Judgement Day" that you speak of?

If you would do me a favor and select your answer, maybe even leave a comment here, that'd be great. I will be in at different times to check the results. Thank you.

Okay, Getting Nervous Here

A group called Family Radio claims that Judgement Day (when Christ will make his second appearance on Earth and take all true believers to heaven) will happen on May 21--which just so happens to be this coming Saturday--and the world and all who are left by then will be destroyed altogether exactly five months later. In their FACTS about May 21, 2011, they say that one of the things that will happen on that day is that there will be a worldwide earthquake. They also dismiss any possibility that May 21will come and go without anything happening. Another thing they say that those who are not saved by that time have no chance at salvation. So basically, those that are not in Heaven by this Saturday will die sometime within the five months that follow and will go straight to Hell. At least, that was how it sounded to me.

I know that I shouldn't let this kind of stuff get to me, but I can't help it. If the Bible says that God is the only one that knows when Christ will return and the world will end, then I would think that there IS the chance that the rapture, earthquake, etc. might happen at some point on that day. Then again, it might not.

My plan is that, IF May 21 comes and goes and no earthquakes or anything like that happens, then I will drop those people a message asking them what happened (and encourage anyone reading this to do the same). That is, unless they have information on their site after that date to reflect lack of anything happening. If I end up having to write to them or end up finding information after May 21, I will let you all know here. In the meantime, I should probably calm down and go about my business.

Do We Really Have One Week Left Until Judgement Day?

If you have been raised on any school of Christian thought, you were probably taught that "Judgement Day" is where Jesus will make his second appearance on Earth and take those who have been saved to Heaven. Everyone else will be left behind. (Ever read the "Left Behind" series? I've read the first ten books of the kid version.) Following that will be destruction and the end of the world altogether. What I was taught was, yes, this will all happen at some point, but it was my understanding that only God knew when this would happen.

However, there is a religious group that claims that Judgement Day will happen on May 21 of this year, followed by the end of the world altogether exactly five months later. It just so happens that the date that Judgement Day will supposedly happen is a week from today.

 I don't tend to quote the Bible very often in my posts if ever. However, Mark 13:32-33 clearly states, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come." (NIV).  In other words, we don't know when it will happen. Maybe it will happen on that day. Maybe it won't.

I for one will take a "we'll see" approach to this and just go about my business as planned for that day (including a meeting I have with someone depending on whether or not that date works out for them). After that day, I will check back in on the site to see if it's still up, and write to the people running it to please respond if they are still here on this earth with the rest of us. After all, it will mean that either they made a mistake about the date or they were not saved. I may also write to them again on October 21 of this year if that day comes and goes and I'm still here and so is this world. With the latter date, I'll ask them what happened. I'll let you all know when and if I get a response.

Bin Laden? I Thought We Forgot About Him

Some of you may have heard the news that Osama bin Laden is dead. I heard it on the radio, and maybe it was because I was still waking up, but I didn't react strongly, one way or the other. To be honest, I thought we had forgotten about him. After all, it's been nearly ten years since 9/11 (and yes, I STILL remember where I was at the time), and if I recall correctly, the amount of talk there was about him eventually went on the decline.

I don't know what his death is going to mean for us or Al-Qeada. One of my thrift store colleagues thinks that there will be retaliation on the terrorists' end, and it'll be World War III for us. We'll just have to wait and see.

So, for those of you who heard about the death, how did you react? Did you have strong feelings either way, or did you, like me, pretty much forget about him?