Satan Cast Out of Heaven: Part 2

Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the Child. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened up its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon spewed out of his mouth. And the dragon was enraged with the women, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Consideration: The serpent, with all of his power and might, tried to destroy the woman. God's creation, the earth, protected the woman against the evil serpent. The serpent, defeated, took out his anger on those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Father, the woman clothed with the sun, who gave birth to the male Child, Jesus Christ, was protected. The Child who would set the captives free from the evil serpent.

Satan Cast Out of Heaven: Part 1

 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the devil and satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows he has a short time."

Consideration: Michael, the Archangel, fought the dragon and his angels, and cast them to the earth. Is there any wonder now why the earth is in such a bad way. The evil one who was cast to the earth, has polluted it with every possible offence and sinfulness to bring shame to every form of God's creation.

Father, help us by Thy grace to persevere and overcome the trials and tribulations of daily life. Only with your help can we do battle with the forces of darkness in the world who never rest and seek only the ruin of souls.

The Women and Her Child

Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a women clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. She bore a male Child who was to rule the nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. Then the women fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.

Consideration: The dragon, stood before the women ready to devour the Child when it was born. the male Child born to the women was caught up to God and His throne. And the women was protected by God until His appointed time had come.

Father, He who is; and was; and is to come, was known by the dragon to be the One who would rule the nations, from that moment on to all of eternity. 

The Seven Trumpets: 7

Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshipped God, saying: "We give you thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was and is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned. The nations were angry, and your wrath has come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth." Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.

Consideration: The time that was foretold by the prophets has become a reality, and God's wrath is cast upon the angry nations about to be judged for their many transgressions.

Father, praise be Your Holy Name, for the time of thy justice has come. 

The Two Witnesses: 2

Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies for three-and-a-half days, and not allow their bodies to be put in graves. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one and other, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and a great fear fell on those who saw them. And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly. 

Consideration: Those who stand firm in faith and proclaim the power and glory of God may have much to suffer, even unto death. But God will raise them up and they will praise Him in the glory of heaven for all eternity.

Father, bless us with the courage to stand firm through all the adversities and trials of this life so that we will one day be called home to be with you for all eternity.    

The Two Witnesses: 1

"And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed with sackcloth." These are the two olive trees and two lampstands before the God of earth. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to kill them, he must be killed in this manner. These have the power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophesy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with plagues, as often as they desire. When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. And their bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

Father, help us to be witnesses of truth in a time ripe with evil and lawlessness. We are weak without You, but with Thy grace become strong and can accomplish all things according to Your Will. 

The Seven Trumpets: 6 Part 3

Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, "Go, take the little book which was open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth." So I went to the angel and said to him, "Give me the little book." and he said to me, "Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth." Then I took the little book out of the angel's hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I eaten it, my stomach became bitter. And he said to me, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings." Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, "Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months."

Father, give us the humility and wisdom to understand these words that are impossible for those without faith to interpret.

The Seven Trumpets: 6 Part 2

I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. He had a little book opened in his hand. and he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; But I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them." The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer, but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets. 

Father, grant us the grace of obedience to do your will, even if we do not understand where it will lead us.

The Seven Trumpets: 6 Part 1

Then the sixth angel sounded: Then I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the river Euphrates." So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed by fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths. For the power is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm. But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. And they did not repent of murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

Consideration: The four angels were released to kill a third of mankind. But the rest of mankind did not repent of the works of their hands. And they did not repent of murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts. 

Father, your mercy is not always appreciated by your children. Though we may survive the angels commanded to carry out Your Will, we will certainly be held accountable for our unrepented sinfulness.

The Seven Trumpets: 5 Part 2

In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them. The shape of the locust was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold. and their faces were like the faces of men. They had hair like women's hair, and their teeth were like lions' teeth. And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle. They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men for five months. And they had a king over them, the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in the Greek, he has the name Apollyon. 

One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things.

Consideration: A torment so great they sought to die. Locusts armed to carry out the command of their king, the angel of the bottomless pit. Two woes are still to come.

Father, how much time will you extend in mercy to mitigate this terrible suffering?

The Seven Trumpets: 5 Part 1

Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from the heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit.

Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as scorpions of the earth have power. They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man.

From the bottomless pit, great smoke, and locusts within arising out of it. Given authority to torment men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.

Consideration: This imagery focuses on the consequences of sinfulness and the anger of a just God.

Father, all things are possible for you, touch the hearts of your children to lessen the anger we have caused from our disobedience.  

The Seven Trumpets: 4

Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, 
And a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, And likewise the night.
And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a load voice, 
"Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, 
Because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!"
A third of the trees; a third of the sea and its creatures,
a third of the ships. The third angel and a great star,
And a third of the waters, A third of the sun, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, were struck. 
A third of the day and a third of the night did not shine.

Consideration: Has a third of mankind lost its way? 
Has a third of mankind ceased following the light and entered into darkness?

God of Light: Enlighten your children with the humility to understand the remaining
Trumpet blasts of the three angels who are about to sound.

The Face of God Frees

I see people as beauty

The young and the old

They love with humility

They long with the soul

Praying on their knees

Or comforting words

Or caring for the sick

Or for the homeless

Quiet and lonely times

When no one else sees

God sends out angels

To love, He sends these

Beauty is around us

Smiling though misery

The hurting and broken

The Face of God Frees 

The Seven Trumpets: 3

Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, 

And it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.

The name of the star is wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, 

And many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.

Father, like the star that fell from heaven, infuse your children to burn with the fire of love for you.

 

Consideration: Life is sometimes as bitter as wormwood, but the Lord will lead those who love him to crystal clear springs of eternal life.

The Seven Trumpets: 2

The second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, And a third of the sea became blood. And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.​

Father, thank you for sparing two thirds of the sea and the creatures within.

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Consideration: The merciful Father shows great compassion for his children.

He could have commanded the angel to destroy it all, but spared us though His great mercy.

The Seven Trumpets: 1

So, the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared them to sound.

The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth.

And a third of all the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.

Our Lord and our God, have mercy on us!

Consideration: Hail and fire mingled with blood. Millions of holy martyrs and holy innocent's blood has been

shed.

Mankind is responsible for allowing acts of violence to occur. God's punishments are God's justice.    

The Opening of the Seals: 7

When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour! 

And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. 

Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, 

That he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand.

Then the Angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth.

And there were noises, thundering, lightning, and a great earthquake.

Silence in heaven: The time is at hand...repent!

 

Father, the cup of abominations is overflowing. Have mercy on those that have strayed and pray for mercy. They have repented, humbled themselves, and have been washed in the blood of the Lamb. Amen!

The Opening of the Seals: 6 Part 3

Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?"

And I said to him, "Sir, you know," So he said to me, "These are the ones who came out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

"Therefore, they are before the throne of God, and serve Him night and day in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.

They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Those in white robes: Victory from the great tribulation, washed in the blood of the Lamb.

Lamb of God and Shepherd: Will lead them to living fountains of waters.

Saved from all unrighteousness and sin: God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore.

The Opening of the Seals: 6 Part 2

I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree.

Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads."

And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed; Judah, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin, twelve thousand were sealed.

I looked and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"

All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, saying: "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever, Amen."

The Mighty Angels: On a mission from God; obedient to His will and command.

The Tribes of the children of Israel: One hundred and forty-four thousand to be sealed.

Worship, Blessing, Glory, Wisdom, Thanksgiving, Honor, Power and Might, to God forever and ever, Amen!

The Opening of the Seals: 6 Part1

I looked, when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.

Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.

And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! "For the great day of his wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

Great Earthquake: Attention, the appointed time is here.

The Sky, Mountains, Islands: Moved by the hand of God.

Wrath: All inhabitants of the earth shaken to the core in fear.

Father, forgive us from our transgressions, igniting the flame of your love, to the wrath of justice.   

The Opening of the Seals: 5

When he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held.

And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until you avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"

White robes were given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

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Martyrdom: Under the altar of sacrifice, slain for the word and testimony in love of God.

Justice: How long, O Lord, until you avenge our blood.

Fulfillment: White robes of glory until the blood of their brethren was completed.

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Our Lord is merciful, but also just. His appointed time will come, and justice will be served.

The blood of the martyrs will not go unpunished.   

The Great Promise

Where have they gone, does life go on, or do we just cease to be.

This life is hard, no matter who you are, it’s not always as it seems.

We move forward through it all, some leave, others come to be.

This is life, this is the journey we’re on, live, love, forgive, believe.

In time, when time is no more, we will understand everything. 

Why we were born, why we laughed, why we cried, rich and poor.

Why we suffered it all, why we dreamed, kept the faith, believed.

On that glorious day, free from the pain, and we are together again. 

We will understand, free from misery, in total joy never to end.

The past forgotten, all things will be new, and we will forever be.

The Great Promise. Keep the faith, live, love, forgive, believe!

The Opening of the Seals: 4

 When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
And I looked, and behold, a pale horse: and its rider was Death, and Hell followed with him.
 And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with the sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

Come and see: A pale horse, and his rider was Death. and Hell.
Destruction: Pestilence, Famine, Murder, of mankind and beast.
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Heavenly Father, have mercy on your wayward children, so we will repent of our sinfulness.
And through Thy grace amend our lives to bring you glory and honor all the days of our lives.

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The Opening of the Seals: 3

 ​When he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And behold, a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of scales in his hand.​And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, "A measure of wheat for a denarius, and three measures of barley for a denarius; and do not hurt the oil and the wine."

​And I heard the third beast say, Come and see.
 And behold, a black horse. Symbolizing darkness, famine, and suffering.

Limited portions of food to be rationed to mankind.
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Cherish all the Father's blessings that sustain us.
In a fleeting moment all we've been given can be swept away.

The Opening of the Seals: 2

When he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.

 
Another horse, fiery red, and power was given to him that sat on it to take peace from the earth.

 
And that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.

Come and see: A fiery red horse, removes peace from the earth.

Thou shall not kill: A red horse symbolizing a great sword dripping with the blood of mankind.

 
The holy innocents and the martyrs continue to be taken from us.

How long will our Father allow this slaughter to continue before we suffer this wrath.

The Opening of the Seals: 1

I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals. And I heard, as it were, the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold, a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.​

Thunder: and the invitation to observe what is to come.

Behold: a white horse, the rider on him armed with a bow.

Given: unto him a crown, and he went forth conquering.

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We have witnessed society faltering. We have been warned to mend our ways. We have ignored the voice within us. We now have a price to pay. 

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Jesus, the Christ...the Babe!

I once heard a story, of a man who came to be.

Prophets proclaimed his coming, King of Kings.

Born to a virgin, I admit, was hard to believe.

Visited by the angel Gabriel, her name was Mary.

Do not be afraid, Mary, you have favor with God.

You will conceive in your womb, bring forth a Son.

Behold, the name of the babe shall be Jesus.

He will be great, Son the Highest, the Lord God.

His name is Jesus, Son of the Most God,

His name is Jesus, conceived without sin,

His name is Jesus, proclaim his holy name,

His name is Jesus, the Christ...the Babe!

His name is Jesus, Son of God, the Lamb,

His name is Jesus, Son of God, the great, I Am,

His name is Jesus, Holy, Holy, Holy, is his name,

His name is Jesus, the Christ...the Babe!

Jesus, the Christ...the Babe!

Joyous Ends

Seems everything around us is crumbling

Everywhere you look people are stumbling

Trying to get a handle on things wondering

A point in time upon mankind for humbling

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Standing tall is possible on shaky ground

Life bearing pressures can wear you down

Redemption is awaiting there for the taken

Building strength on a solid foundation

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Keep moving forward though the tension

All things are reachable with extension

Fighting off the nets cast around you

Change is possible when you rely on truth

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Answers come spending time in prayer

If you seek out wisdom it is found there

Words of comfort for stumbling friends

Humbling journeys lead to joyous ends

Revelation (22:12-16) Reflection

{22:12} Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work.

{22:13} I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

{22:14} Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

{22:15} For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

{22:16} I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

Jesus will reward us according to our work

We will not receive a blessing through laziness

Jesus is the Alpha and Omega; there is no other

No one comes to the Father without the Son

Keep the commandments and enter into his glory

Rights to the tree of life and to eternal life

All those that do evil and love boastful lies

They hear not the voice of the root of David

Jesus sent his angel to testify to truthful things

Rejoice and be glad, your reward in heaven is great. Amen!

The Deceiver

 The day after the night 
Secure in the spotlight
This reality is no dream
A divider on the scene

He is the lying deceiver
Mesmerizing the youth
Bright cunning speaker
Lacking words of truth

Touching fancies delight 
This Beaver Moon night
Cast in a reign of power
This is his awaited hour

Denier of Father and Son
Denier Jesus is the Christ
Now on the world stage
The deceiver is antichrist

Common Sense Integrity

Is it too late to turn it all around

The eve of Election Day is today

Always two sides to every story

Or is it possible to have three

Seems the great debate is history

Civil discussion is by the wayside

Conviction considered blasphemy 

All opinions are crossing the line

Truth no longer exists or matters

Everything's cool even a lying fool

Politicians utter endless chatter

The talking heads spewing news

We still have freedom to choose

Two sides, one winner, one loser

Or for the common good victory

Pray for common sense integrity