All that is written in these columns is not chiseled in stone, rather are some reflections of a lay Christian who is honestly ever seeking and searching for more revelations of His Truth and His accompanying blessings. N. believes that the Christian world, especially

its leadership, has entered a season of God's chastisement for the reason (as if He needed one) that legions of them have used His Holy Word, not to edify His church, but instead they are merchandising it for their own edification and self gain.

Be advised that N. is not a prophet or teacher of God or His Word nor have I ever claimed to be. Not a few, however, have inquired at what church I preach. I do confess and write again for the record that God Almighty, the Father of Jesus Christ, is the creative source of all life and the giver of all good and possessor of all authority in heaven and in earth; and He may give to whomsoever, whensoever, wheresoever He pleases for whatsoever purpose He chooses. That said, I believe God has called and given to me a gift of discernment that most often focuses on leaders of men. Since no. d else, to my knowledge, heard God call me, I do not foresee any woe to fall on those who believe me not. I further confess that any resemblance of these columns to scholarship or professionalism is purely coincidental. A scholar I am not, Hebrew. Greek or otherwise! I know not whether the word "woe" suggests a bee sting, a modest two-hour hanging by the neck, thirty days in the electric chair or an eternity in hell. I feel strongly though that if God "woes" you, it would definitely behoove you to clean up your act!

Ezekiel 34: 1-4 caught the attention of my discerner and provided the motivation for much of what is written here. It states: (1) "and the word of the Lord came unto me saying, (2) Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock? (3) Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe ye with the wool, ye kill them that are fed; but ye feed not the flock; (4) the diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them".