"...These are the beginnings of sorrows."

Daniel & I stayed home this beautiful Sunday morning b/c of his (very) runny nose and cough.

I listened to a timely sermon (considering all the natural disasters recently) on Mark 13:1-13, by Pastor M. Vogel.
("The toll from a huge south Asia earthquake rose to 18,000 in worst-hit Pakistan." -today's news)

"For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
And there will be earthquakes in various places,
and there will be famines and troubles.
These are the beginnings of sorrows...
And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations."
Mark 13:8,10

Rev. Vogel said:
"Earthquakes, ...pestilences, & famines have taken the lives of thousands. But as we come nearer to the return of our Lord, we can expect these things to increase...
Jesus went on to say that in the midst of wars, disasters, and persecutions, the gospel must continue to go forth... The church must not retreat. Rather, we are to continue in the task that the Lord has given to us. The gospel must be preached. As we anticipate the return of our Lord, we have a task to accomplish. The gospel must be brought to the ends of the earth. The church must pursue that task until we hear the sound of the trumpet. We must labour for the spread of the gospel, reaching the unreached, until the Saviour Himself calls the task complete...
As false prophets arise, we are to proclaim the true divine Prophet. As nation rises against nation, we are to proclaim Him who is the Prince of Peace. And when there are famines and earthquakes, we are to proclaim Him who is sovereign over creation."