If You Want to Unfriend Me After This.....I Understand....Warning. I'm Going to Insult Everyone Reading.....

 It might be time to go. 

If it is, well, 14 years was a good run....

A minister at a mega-church got into trouble for saying that the newly selected Supt. of Schools in Deer Park ISD wasn't qualified to lead the district because she is " an alphabet person."  

And a bunch of people are jumping on the bandwagon because the lady saying she isn't qualified because she is an "alphabet person." 

Why now? The lady in question had been an administrator for Deer Park ISD for over a decade.

Why that particular sin? 

Why not people who are fornicators? Or divorced without reason? And I remember when being divorced was only for one reason. Maybe two....2000 years ago whipping the hell out of your spouse wasn't a biblical reason for divorce. But I don't think you need to stay with them, because next time, you may wind up at the undertakers., yet, there are ministers who think you should try and 'work it out.'  Literally ministers who think you should be able to " spank your spouse." ( It depends on the spanking.....You might both be into it. Not for disciplinary reasons....Then again, in the process, one of you might say, " I've been a bad girl.....or boy...." Not my thing, but if it's yours, go for it...) But beating your spouse? No.....Get the hell out of there....

Is it because about half the church is or has shacked up with someone else, or Saturday night, you " hooked up" with some nasty ass guy or girl in the backseat of your car, or do it behind the venue against the brick wall? Someone you'll never see again? Asking for forgiveness knowing good and well, next weekend, you're going to play " slap and tickle " with someone new.

Or divorced because you " were not happy?" 

Hell, it's the reason why half the people quit their jobs. Do you think I was always happy at Buna HS? Worse paying district in Region V Area? ( Seriously) Had to deal with teachers who I could not stand? They couldn't teach a dog to scratch a flea? ( And there were teachers I really like and call my friends to this day, who were brilliant, teachers and brainpower... Supt. of Schools who treated teachers like dirt, showed favoritism. Did experimental programs to show their next position what programs they implemented? And the teachers had to do that program knowing next year, it'll be a new superintendent and some silly/stupid program. Who hadn't taught in 20 years. ) 

And don't tell me " Not me."   You know good and well, there are people in the church doing stuff they shouldn't.

But the preacher goes after alphabet people because, well, they are an easy target....God forbid he preaches against heterosexual sins. Heck Jesus even went after heterosexual sin pretty hard.....

God forbid he talks about idolatry. And how many love that money, more than God and preach against it....Might hurt that offering this Sunday. And covet? Heck, most of American economics is based up folks needing the next iphone or a Coach purse, or a new Dodge Hellcat to show off because Johnny has one. 

And railer? Heck, it might be my worse sin?  

If you went after all the teachers involved in sins, especially those involved in those sins that Paul talks about....Well, good luck finding anyone to be administrators, teachers, whatever.....Are you going to fire everyone who got divorced? I can remember when Baptist preachers who divorced were disqualified, same with deacons. But apparently, we are short preachers and gotta take what we can get.) ( Going to get in trouble here.)

I don't know. If you're going after one group, go after them all. 

But, you got to keep that job. Preachers at some churches get a big paycheck....Really big...

I don't know, sometimes we need to go after everything, even stuff that is hard to speak against, and sometimes, there are things that happen for a purpose......Hosea married a woman of the evening, and scholars say two of the 3 kids Gomer ( the wife) had were probably not Hosea's. Hosea even had to pay to get her back at one point. Never mind she'd run off to commit adultery....

Might need pull that plank out of your own eye first....Lord knows I do. And I'm brave enough to tell y'all my faults....And sometimes it is difficult to do....

 

 

Buna Schools...I Get Into Trouble.....And You Never know....

 I am going to try and shorten this blog considerably. Espcially after yesterday's 3300 word blog/mess I wrote. I am going to omit several topics and may or may not revisit them at a future point in time....

So far, it seems to be realities quiet in the Buna ISD. 

My only complaint is that this week is Spring Break, the same week as UIL Academic Contest and while it may not seem like a big deal to you, it is often hard to get kids to skip days from the break to travel to Winnie for literally an all day event. The bus often leaves by 6AM and many of the contestants don't get home until , well, I've gotten in at 10PM before. Many times, parents have planned trips during the break and their kid has to travel with the family, this is especially true with family visiting family out of town during the break.  Most of the area schools have already had their break and they outvote those off this week for when district contest is held. 

And, it will hurt results, sorry, but it is. UIL Academics is not a class like other UIL events and grades for missing can't be held over the heads of those involved like in other UIL events which include an actual class. 

And it looks like it will happen again in the 25/26 school years......And believe it or not, their are actual parents who look at how involved and how much the district cares about academics. 

Other than that, I still hear about the clique in Buna and am already being asked about what district I would move to? 

And there is no-perfect district and each has its own political situation. But.....I'd look at Bridge City, LCM in Orange County. I'd considered Evadale. And I am holding hope the new superintendent is going to " clean up" many of the problems the district has, and a couple of the campuses I have hopes for. 

- I've also heard from so many in PMs concerning dating for Millennials and Gen Z in 2025. My Gen Z nephew has kept me updated and was laughing about one of his friend's stories concerning his sister. 

His friend said his sister had been approached by a guy, her age, she called, " handsome, dressed well, well spoken, and had asked her out to dinner." 

She was appalled. Actually shocked, and accepted. 

Afterwards, she panicked. Was the guy a serial killer? A rapist? Going to carry her off and sell her into slavery? 

And the thing is, she knew some of his friends. And they're good people. 

My nephew as I have told you said, " He wouldn't dare ask a girl, in person" out on a date....

All I could think was, it's how it used to be done. Yeah, guys, you get turned down. But now, my nephew said, the girl might go online and make fun of you for even asking. 

Dadgum. I was about to ask my now wife out, when she " beat me to the gun," and suggested we "go to Sonic for Dr Peppers."( Dr Pepper, the official drink of East Texas)  Not spending large sums of money as some now expect on a first date....The purpose of a first date folks is to get to know one another. 

But, more on this topic later. 

May tease you with my last blog I will write , someday when I shut the blog down, concerning the supernatural, and voodoo, and it scared the hell out of me....( You believe in God, Jesus, praying, etc....You better believe in the other....I'll tease you...." I walk into the house on business and there are 43 cat skulls on the wall." )

- From time to time I catch hell about us traveling......

We live a frugal life to do so. I am not in debt with a $100,000 truck. I drive a 15 year old Honda. Yes, we have a new Subaru, but we have paid it off, and may always drive a Subaru. The last one saved Deborah's life.  We don't have a big house, and the house we live in is actually too big for just Deborah and I.  We travel. Not thrilled about where we are going this time, but I'll go. I did look at the menus, and they were worth me going...

You live your life like you do. I go without certain things so I can go to Scotland/England. And the things I go without, I really do not need and the clothes I but, are all on sale or I buy from top shelf thrift stores nearly always associated with a mainline denominational church.  

So, if you want, I can say something about those of you with $1500 car notes....

-Finally, was told about a former student who now has an Onlyfans. 

I am sorry, but it upset me. I know it's your bidness, and the person who told me offered to pay their subscription fee, or whatever it is called. 

It is not her, and there are girls on OF having sex with hired " actors" who are saying that because this is acting, no emotional attachment, and this is the only place they've had sex, they are still " Virgins." 

I don't you to spend $3.99 for me to be able to see her butthole....Or screw two guys at once....

I'm sorry, It has just upset me. 

 

Dread, Dread, Dread.....

 Dread, Dread, Dread........

So, I was informed by the "person I sleep with" that I am going on a cruise later this Summer....

Kerry Don Thomas don't do no damn boats. 

I barely will get in a fishing boat in the Neches or Toledo Bend.  

And my favorite place in the world is on an island.....

But.....A damn boat.....

And I'll fly anyplace. 

Been across the Atlantic at least 12 times to Europe and the Middle East and back home. ( Heck, that included the Mediterranean. )

Been across the Pacific to East Asia. 

Been to islands in the Caribbean.  

Been across the Gulf of Alaska. 

And while the concept of being in an aluminum tube hurling across the sky at 39,000 feet throws fear into many people, I love it......I figure if I crash into sea, well, I was foreordained to go that way, and in truth, can't think of a cooler way to go....

Hell, I've seen both of the movies about the Titanic. That's the last way I want to go. ( BTW- Sorry ladies, the last Titanic was not about love, it was about adultery. Most romance moves are.....Bridges of Madison County? The English Patient? I can name about 60 movies....) 

Then the cruise is to Alaska.....

Many of you know, the last time we were in Alaska, my father passed away....And my 94 year old mother is still with us. 

Grandma( Mom) is doing well, still drives, but still, at 94, you never know....

That said, they do have " Formal Nights" and already looking at ordering myself a white dinner jacket. 

And the boat stops in Juneau, and I'm trying to see as many state capitol buildings as I can before I die.....There at pictures of me standing on the steps of capitol building(s) in both Montpelier, Vermont, and Olympia, Washington.....I've even sat in on the Louisiana House in session...Touched the bullet holes in the wall where Gov. Huey P. Long was assassinated by Dr. Carl Weiss.  

Oh well, I guess it is, what it is.....

 

 

Okay Buna...Again...I Hope for the Last Time.....And I Know I'm Lying....

 Was told by two former student that I am quite fond of not to do this, but the farther I get away from actually teaching in the classroom at Buna High, well, new folks to the community do not know who I am...

Yes, I appreciate the people jointing the blog group The Govteach Part Deaux ..... It is separate from the Kerry Thomas' Facebook site. And I do not blame people for not going onto my normal FB lunacy. The blog is lunacy enough....Sometimes. 

Again, I've been away from teaching " gubmint" and economics at Buna that there are people who do not have a clue who I am. 

Yes, I taught senior government and economics at Buna for a number of years. 

Yes, I actually studied in a divinity school to become a clergyman, and yes, an outlaw denomination with ties to the Church of Scotland still has me ordained. 

This blog is a " Buyer Beware." 

Seriously. 

I often cuss....Badly. 

Yes, I like Scotch and Irish whiskey. 

At one time, I really liked cigars, but as I have grown older, not so much now. That said, I saw Malcolm Guite smoking a pipe on YouTube, and well, man, that looked good. I smoked one as an undergrad. 

I love clothes. So much so, I have 3 closets here at the house full of suits, sports coat, blazers, shirts, pants, etc....And yes, I call myself a fop, a dandy. I own over 100 ties. I can tie over 20 knots, but normally, I am lazy and do either a coachman's or oriental knot. Yes, I can tie a bow tie.

I am a bit of an Anglophile, Scotophile, Hibernophile.....That said, I have a good dose of Coonass in me and love the Gumbo, Étouffée, Rice and Gravy........Yes, I can make a roux from scratch. It's sort of like therapy. While stirring, you can work out your problems.....

The above said, my wife and I have traveled to the UK 4 times in recent years, and the last 2 evenings, we talked about going back to Scotland..... Rent that car and drive on the left....

Okay, if you are new to the blog, and there are several of you.....I try and write mostly about Buna, Buna ISD,( Mostly the school district) and South Jasper County here on the blog. Sometimes news, sometimes opinion....And sometimes, well, Thomas has jumped the rails and is writing on whatever....I'm looking hard at writing why men do not go to church, especially younger guys. This includes me. ( I ain't young) And so much happier not going....And I have no fear of making fun of church, churches, ministers.

I'm looking hard at starting a second blog on nothing but economics, but, the rules, the technical "stuff" has changed so much since I started the original blog, well, I may have to get my son to help me set it up. ( I am old and learning new stuff well, is not as easy as it once was, and my child has a M.S. in a computer field from UT) Same goes with starting a vlog on YT. Sort of afraid it'll get out of control. 

We welcome new folks to the blog. Get ready, I'll let you know what I really think, and often say stuff you can't. 

Again, thanks for reading....And as always, help the algorithm, like the blog on Facebook. 

 

 

FLASH- News From Buna Schools....

 I am showing my age. And the fact I studied history .....At one time in this country, world there were two major American news agencies. Or, as they were called back in the day when both still used the telegraph, wire services. 

Both did international news. 

The Associated Press and The United Press International. The AP and the UPI. 

When there was big news such as JFK's assassination, or  the end of WWII. The UPI would put on their wire the term.....FLASH.....And of course, very little is left of the UPI.

Okay, you've had your history lesson for the day.... 

Last evening the Buna ISD Board of Trustees AKA as the School Board met in what I was told was an almost 3 hour meeting. 

Last night, two building administrators( Principal, Asst. Principal) were put on probation. And this means that they will be put on a growth plan. 

Now I have fucked up before......Fucked up royally.....Sometimes I fucked up so bad I expected to get fired. And I ain't going to lie, I've fucked up before, on purpose, just to push that envelope. ( As I've said many times before, I fully expected to be fired by Buna ISD, I came planning to stay 1 year, and wound-up staying 20.)

All this said, in 31 years of teaching, and jumping from one pile of shit to another.....I never was put on probation....

I know there have been a number of people unhappy with these administrator(s).  Both parents and faculty. There are teachers who have left, and others, who are looking to leave because of them. 

In other news, many of the roles assumed by the Asst. Supt. of Finance were given back to the Supt. of Schools. ( This sounds like something the new Supt of Schools requested, I could be wrong, but it sounds like it.) 

Also, previously, the Supt. of Schools was allowed to spend $100,000 of taxpayer money without asking the Board of Trustees. That amount has been dropped to $50,000. ( The new Supt. of Schools told the board she'd ask them before spending that amount.....So far, I'm liking this new Supt.) 

Man, sounds like the new board and the new Supt. of Schools have " Hit the ground running.." 

With the changes coming in Texas education, it looks like they understand that ISDs are going to need to become a little more customer friendly.

Watch Out Today.....

 I am writing this at 3:30AM......

Watch the markets today folks. 

I know a lot of people " Bought the Dip" on Friday, at least the " Retail" folks in the market. Retail is the regular person in the market, not the professional stock buyer. 

Already the futures look rough this morning. And if the machines get involved like they did last week, well, it could get bad. ( Folks using AI/machines set to sell, buy when the market hits a certain level.)

And when earning coming, well, I am concerned. Like I said yesterday, the numbers on Nissan, and Stellantis look bad. ( Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Jeep is Stellantis.  The Europeans are now in control of this company if you didn't know. Especially the French-Italians. I look for CDRJ to be a shell of its self sooner rather than later.)

Get ready, could be a rough week. 

Bonds are looking better and better. Hell, I've even looked at agricultural commodities.  

Hope I am wrong....

Doritios, Snickers Bar, & Marlboros....Question???

 The the " Daily Diary of the American Dream" as they once called themselves, the Wall Street Journal had an article this morning on people's buying habits, especially at the 7-11, Circle K, convenience type stores. 

I know to buy gas, we all stop at these type stores. Where else you going to get it? A truck stop? Which is just a bigger convenience type store. Often with a Burger King or Wendy's inside. 

Sales inside these stores are down 4.3%. That's big for these type businesses. 

- Refrigerated products are down 7%

- Chocolate candy like Snickers, Almond Joy, Hersey bars are down 7%.

- Part of the problem the average consumer is saying things like a large bag of Doritos is like $7 now. 

- People who bought a carton of cigarettes in the past are just buying one pack....And making them last. 

Most folks get back into their car and keep on going once they pump their gas. 

In an attempt to get people back inside, companies like Pepsico are developing Doritos with warm nacho cheese and other toppings.... Smuckers , the jelly/jam company now owns Hostess and they are coming out with a limited edition cherry flavored Twinkie in the near future. Smuckers is also pushing their crust-less sandwiches. ( On YouTube, they've been advertising " Uncrustibles" like crazy.....That said, I still don't want to buy one.)

It seems the only thing that is bulletproof are lottery tickets. There is no change in the American population thinking they're going to be the next millionaire.  

I know here, I am see more and more HEB chips, and soft drinks...And if you've not tried them, they're pretty good, especially the HEB "Pure Cane Sugar" Cola. It's pretty darn good....

So, the question of the day is this.....How much have you stopped buying incidentals, or treats? Are you still getting a " Big Gulp" from you local 7-11 type store? ( I can't remember the last time I bought a fountain drink.) 

Boys, Mens, Don't Do This.....

 And if you already have, well, we will try and get you straightened out. 

This past week on my YouTube, the following videos have popped up on Hugo Jacomet's site, AskOkay's site, the Gentleman's Gazette. 

And it concerns you having a black suit. 

Especially if you buy it as your first suit.  

Now I know this is SE Texas, and well, people just don't dress up. I understand this, however, if for some reason you decide to get a suit, please, don't do this.....

A Black Suit....

If we lived in Victorian or even Edwardian England in the late 1800s, early 1900s, the color of men's frock coat, or business coats was black.....But by the 1950s, this changed dramatically. 

Black Suits were seen to be worn by people in mourning...

And if you are funeral director or undertaker, or you are in the funeral business, well black is an appropriate color. 

Men, boys, and ladies,( if ladies,  you're shopping for your BF, husband, dad, brother, etc...... ) your first suit , should be navy....and if you get a second suit, charcoal grey. 

A basic navy suit will work for anything. A job interview, work in an office,  a wedding, a funeral, a night on the town. 

And if you just cannot stand a navy suit, get the charcoal grey. It'll work...

Please, make it a solid, don't be like me and more and more of my suits are pinstripes( Economics Teacher. The banking community first started wearing pinstripes, and it symbolizes commerce today.) or I have a khaki suit with a blue Prince of Wales check. ( I am dying to wear that one to a wedding. )

Sorry, couldn't do economics today and to be honest may take the next two days off from blogging. ( Unless something big happens, like a UFO lands in the middle of Hwy96 in front of Black Gold for some BBQ.)

 

Them Decisions, Them Decisions.....And Tuesday Morning's Economics....

 There is a joke behind the title, one of which, is now not good for polite society.....But, was often told in old Southern Baptist pulpits....But today? I would not go there....

But I got decisions.....

I received an invitation this morning, via, email for my 50th High School Reunion...

Class of 1975 Vidor High....50 years ago this coming May.......It doesn't seem that long ago....It seems like an an eternity.....That old " Best of times, worst of times"idea......

And the venue they have chosen is not that far from my house.   

And they do want $50 for me to show up....Trouble is, I am tight, tight with a dollar. I'd rather spend about £50 quid in a pub drinking Rev. James Ale talking with the UK locals. 

It is not until the end of June, so I have time to decide.  

I'm leaning a hard " No." Unless I was in the band, I never associated with these people when I was in school. Especially high school, and unlike Buna, there were 3 different elementaries funneling into the secondary schools, and the kids from the other two schools, well, never really associated with them. ( Plus, my graduating class was right at 400.)

I am looking at a " Hard Pass." And not go....I've not seen these people in 50 years, why now? 

- On to the economy....

The futures this morning have a modest gain on the Dow. Looking at various amounts since I got up, the NYSE is up around +100...This after losing almost -900 yesterday.  

Yesterday the stock markets lost $4 trillion in value. 

This morning the so called experts are talking about a " Credible threat of recession."

I think we are there. 

Southwest Airlines announced no 2 free checked bags starting May 28th.....Got to make a dollar, somehow....

When the tariffs finally go into effect, the companies will raise prices, even the prices on products they have had for a while.....Trouble is, the consumer can't buy their products now. go up on prices? They will substitute goods, or do without.  And force the businesses to cut prices in an attempt to stay in business. 

And if no one is buying goods and services, this will mean there will be cuts in workers. But how much?

The Economy and a Recession.....

 I get up this morning, and the VIX( That tells the economic volatility) is down -26. When it is double digits, it is not good....

And sure enough the stock market futures are down -385 points, Bitcoin was down to $82,000. Wasn't that long ago Bitcoin was over $100,000. 

I just looked back and saw that the Dow futures are now down -421.  That's within about 10 minutes. When the markets open at 8:30 CDT, who knows what will happen. 

I know a lot of people, companies are looking at keeping everything liquid right now ( In cash is liquid) 

And then there is the talk of tariffs, and the yes, no, yes, no...start /stop of the threat of tariffs, if you're going to do it, fuckin' do it. 

Then, the last 2 months people have slowed buying. And the car market, housing market, well, they have slowed too. And a large part of that is interest rates and inflation. 

Dow futures are now at -504...

The American populous now owes $1.2 trillion in credit card debt. And growing. People want that lifestyle. 

Say what you want,  Cracks are forming in the economy.... Layoffs are mounting,  hiring is slowed way down, I know people have hundreds of applications out....consumer confidence is eroding and inflation is picking up speed.

I am afraid it is going to break down to this, ..." Do you have a job? Does your neighbor have a job?" 

 

Did Not Expect This from Ya'', and Not Going to Lie, I Cried....

 I made an off-hand remark about people who have been with a long term Significant Other, and now, they are no longer together, and I am not going to lie, it upset me. 

I heard from more people in my Private Messages then I have well, perhaps, any other topic. 

And I am not going to lie, I broke right down and balled my eyes out some upset me so badly. 

To be honest, I am worry about us as a society. I know there are a large number of males ages 18-40 who have just given up on women. Just done. 

Most I have spoken to blame the social media, dating, apps, the internet, all the above, some of the above...

And the thing is, it is both males and females who have given up having a long time love in their lives. 

A couple of guys told me they would not dare ask a girl at school, at work, at a bar out for a date. They're scared of being called a creep, or worse. 

Now, I thought it was bad back in the 1970s, but today....

And the thing is, I do not know what people want. Boys or girls. 

I do look back at some of the girls I dated in the 1970s, and how I dodged a bullet.A girl I dated is now on husband number 5.........But it is such a different world.  And I know people my age do not understand why their grandchildren are often not married, or even looking, and I've seen a lot of research, watched a lot of YouTube, TikTok posts, and 50+ folks, it is so different. And to make matters worse, the economy is not helping.

And every person who sent me a private message seemed so discouraged. And 80% asked for prayer. And I don't blame them, the way they broke up with their SO, well, it was going to hurt them....

And of course, I put you on the prayer list. 

I am getting closer to 70 with each passing day, and I am not kidding when I say this, I am worried about many of you......And you may take this with little solace, but y'all are on my pray list permanently. 

Older folks, I am worried......It you might want to be concerned too....

The Pope Explodes......Literally, he " Blows-up."

 Let's see who gets upset today.....

Little background on the potential death of the present pope.  And deaths of former popes.

In October, 1958, Pope Pius XII passed away at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo. In the mountains, the residence was cooler than Rome which is warm in the summer. This was long before universal air conditioning. 

The long time doctor of the pope decided to experiment with an embalming technique saying it would " sooth the pope into sainthood. For years after their death if a priest, or bishop or nun, or pope was dug up and their body was " fresh faced" it was considered a miracle by the Catholic Church, and this was a step towards sainthood. 

The pope's doctor was sure that his method of embalming would be the first step toward Pius XII becoming a St. Pius. 

Trouble was, the doctor did not have a clue what he was doing....( Need Bruce here to explain the science behind embalming)

Trouble was Dr. Galeazzi-Lisi, the pope's personal physician  by all accounts, was not a very good doctor. He knew nothing about embalming. 

-First Pius XII was soaked in oils, then wrapped in cellophane, allowing gases to build up, as the pope was not embalmed in a traditional manner. 

- Pius XII's internal organs were not preserved, allowing a large amount of gases to build within the body cavity. 

- Putrefaction and autolysis started....."Putrefaction is the breakdown of tissues by bacteria....Autolysis is the breakdown of cells by the body's own enzymes..."

- Pius XII lay is state 4 days, unwrapped, and eventually, his body explodes. 

- The smell from Pius XII was so bad, the Swiss Guards, standing watch over the body had to be rotated out every 15 minutes, and the faithful, who viewed the body, often passed out from the stench.    

- Toward the end of Pius XII lying in state, people who viewed Pius XII said his face turned green. 

-At the very end, the Pope's nose and fingers fell off. 

In August 1978, after his death, a similar event took place with Pope Paul VI. In the summer heat, and under TV lights, the Pope was literally being roasted. People could see Paul VI rotting away. The bureaucracy at the Vatican decided to close Pail VI's casket, long before it was time to do so. Again, poor embalming methods. 

We will talk more about what happens when the pope passes away. I am even in the middle of writing a blog on exorcists. I had planned to write it as part of this blog, but it'd be much too long, and I have to keep blogs short, or people get bored.May even talk about a student who I am certain was possessed, yes at Buna. I even had student in the class who was convinced and came and talked to me about it. So much so, she changed classes, Did not want to sit near him during graduation. Even gave me a the " Prayers against the Powers of Darkness " book. 

Until she came by and we made arrangements to move classes for her, I thought I was just crazy thinking the person may have been....I already would not take her outside to discuss grades, other concerns this person may have had. They scared me.

But' we'll talk about it later. And probably not who you think.

Biblical Prophecy?

 I took a class in seminary a hundred years ago, seriously, 40+ years ago that had a lot of "Biblical Prophecy" included within the course. 

Classes like this, or course are not taught anymore, or if they are, they are not taught the same way they were in the late 1970s to middle 1980s. 

In 1970, an author by the name of Hal Lindsey wrote the book, " The Late Great Planet Earth." 

The book of course was an Evangelical view of how the world would end. 

Lindsey made a fortune from this book and series of books that followed up to this book. 

People in the Evangelical world sang all sorts of praises about Lindsey, and Lindsey saying that Jesus was coming in out lifetime, soon, very soon, like in 5-7-10 years. 

I have heard ministers praise Lindsey saying he was a " Christian's Christian." 

Never mind that Lindsey was married 4 times in his life, all ex-wives divorced him, mostly for reason....and the money from his books, speaking engagements allowed him to buy a new German luxury car every 3-4 months......and he was going to London's Savile Row and buying several £15,000( $19,500) hand made suits at a time.

I say this because one of Lindsey's tag lines was "Jesus was going to return in his lifetime. "

Lindsey died at the end of last year, 2024.  

And there were many people who either hung on every new book he published, or in those days, a number of people just like him. It was a business. 

I am convinced the Southern Baptists used Lindsey's books to scare the hell out of younger Baptist people. Keep them from having sex. listening to Rock-n-Roll( Country and Western was okay, but Rock, was the " Devil's music...Never mind Country was full of those drinkin' and cheatin' songs), and the biggy, drinking alcohol.....And worked for a lot of them. I swear it caused a lot people I know to marry at 18, so they could screw, never mind most of them most of them divorced, also sin according to the Baptists, but this is another story....

Now, there has always been prophecies in the Bible. 1/3rd of the Bible is claimed to be future events, or events in the future which have already taken place. 

All religions, have prophecy. 

All.

All forms of Christianity have prophecy. 

All...Even the Roman Catholic Church. 

So, with the illness of the 88 year old Pope Francis, and his now third week in the hospital, most of it in critical condition, I was asked by a few people to discuss the prophecies of St. Malachy. 

Malachy lived from 1094 until 1148. He was the Archbishop of Armagh, a city in Northern Ireland. ( We've been there. Nothing special, but we liked Northern Ireland.) 

He is said to have...." an alleged vision of 112 popes later attributed to the apocrypha." 

It is called the Prophecy of the Popes. 

Francis is Pope number 112.....and according the Malachy, is the last pope.  

In this 112th's pope's time....Peter the Roman, who will pasture his sheep in many tribulations, and when these things are finished, the city of seven hills ( Rome) will be destroyed, and the dreadful judge will judge his people. The End

Trouble is, what happens, if this does not occur, and Francis dies?  

Already, there are people saying that Francis is not number 112....That some previous popes were not pope. Trouble is, which one? 

Some of the Catholic experts are saying the confusion is during the time in which there was 2 popes. One in Rome and one in France. Of course, politics is involved. Called the Great Schism, or Western Schism, The Schism of 1378, and about 5 other names. 

Trouble is, during this time, there was period in which there were 3 popes. The 3rd one reigned from Pisa in Italy from 1409-1410. However, he died, and there was no replacement for him. 

They are saying that if the next pope is Italian, then, he will be the last pope. 

Many analyses of the prophecy note that it is open to the interpretation that additional popes would come between the "glory of the olive" and Peter the Roman. Popular speculation by proponents of the prophecy attach this prediction to Benedict XVI's successor. Since Francis election as Pope, proponents in internet forums have been striving to link him to the prophecy. Theories include a vague connection with Francis of Assisi whose father was named Pietro. 

Trouble is, is any of this right? 

I question a lot of people interpreting Revelations. Heck, I don't believe in a rapture. Show me the word rapture in the Bible? The idea of it didn't show up until the 1800s. And in truth, why are you so narcissistic to believe you are good enough to not go through suffering? I know most of you, you ain't that good. You better hope there is some sort of grace, a technicality to get your sorry butt through to the other side.  

And don't write me a thesis on end times. Don't be quoting the Bible on me. I'll quote stuff back you in Koine  Greek and ask you questions. People have not gotten it right, if there is an end of times or not.  It might be man made with a nuclear war, or an asteroid at some point may slam into the earth.....That said, don't be telling me how this is all going to end, because you , not I, nor anyone on earth knows. 

All this said, if you want to know a little more on Catholic prophecy, let me know. I may wait until the pope dies, but if there is enough " popular demand" I may go there....