Several years ago, a movie was produced called "The Perfect Storm." The gist of the movie had to do with a fishing boat departing a New England port and sailing into the confluence of two major storms in the Atlantic Ocean. These two storms created conditions that caused the sinking of the ship and losing all hands aboard. This actually was based upon a true story and a good friend of mine from my Air National Guard days was the commander of the Air Force Rescue Unit which lost one of its helicopters in an attempt to rescue a civilian sail boat crew who were also caught in this terrible storm.

As we look at conditions in America, we can see a parallel in the direction that our nation is headed which will result in the confluence of several "nation-shaking" events leading to the ultimate downfall of our nation, as we know it. The events that are leading toward a national, political and economical disaster have to do with the tanking U.S. dollar which is now only worth about half of the Euro currency. At the same time, as a result of several misguided legislative moves, the cost of fuel and food are at an inflation rate to exceed 12% this year. Food, clothing and shelter are the basic necessities for human life. When two of those necessary elements begin to skyrocket in cost, most economists believe that we are headed toward a period of "stag-flation" like the country experienced during the Carter administration in the late 70s. While the economy may be slipping into a serious recession, the Federal Reserve System is at a loss to reverse the inflationary pressures brought upon the economy by the cost of fuel and food.

Several years ago, in an ill-advised approach to solving our fuel needs, hasty congressional leaders decided the best way was to use corn and other farm commodities to produce ethanol as a way of reducing our dependence on foreign oil. All experts agree that producing ethanol is a costly process and can only cause the increase in the cost of a gallon of gasoline. At the same time, many scientists believe that ethanol-treated gasoline is far more polluting than conventional fuel made from oil.

The obvious answer to reduce our dependence on foreign oil is to provide more oil from our own country. The same reckless elected leaders absolutely will not consider allowing for the exploration and drilling of oil in Alaska or near the borders of the U.S. along the Gulf, and both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. And to add injury to insult, these same imprudent environmentalists who are elected to office have prevented the building of any new refineries in this country in over 30 years. All of this increased cost of fuel is now impacting the cost of food. The solution is quite simple and it is to produce more of our own oil rather than depending upon countries like Venezuela, Mexico and Canada to make up for our shortfall. If the energy and economic crisis weren't enough, it appears that this political season for the election of a president is going to be one of the most malicious, personally destructive campaigns in American history. It appears that several of the candidates are promising gigantic increases in spending which would add greatly to deficit spending. It seems that these candidates either have no understanding of finances or they are blatantly double-dealing with the voting public, promising all sorts of "government giveaways" in order to be elected. No matter who is elected president, 50% of the American people will be unhappy the day after the election. If things hold true as they have in the last 8 years, within the first year only about 25 to 30% of the people will be happy with "whoever" our next president will be.

Unfortunately, there is bad news facing our beloved nation. With the release of my book, Our Lost National Identity, I have spoken to over 40 radio talk show hosts across the country and, in every case, their question is, What can we do to avert these terrible crises, like a Perfect Storm, headed in our direction?" The only answer I can give them is to read Leviticus 26 followed by Acts 2:38 and then, and only then, can they secure their future. You should take note of these two scriptural references.

We can know that, in the end, Jesus Christ is coming back to save humanity from total destruction. When we observe this "perfect storm" of the national crisis coming our way, it helps us to better understand why we should pray, "Thy kingdom come."

In Christ's Service,