Woolly Mammoth called Kentrosaurus into the Prayer Garden on March 2nd after the Church services at the Holy Pentecostal Church of the Pleistocene Revival.
He said, “Kentrosaurus, I read some concerning news in the paper last night, and I need to discuss something important with you at once".
“What is it, Woolly Mammoth? I rarely see you distressed; what has caused you such distress that your calm exterior is disturbed ?” Kentrosaurus asked.
“I need to discuss this article I read with you before next weeks' sermon. I need your advice before I reference it in that sermon. I do not want to unnecessarily alarm someone in the congregation.”
“What is it?” asked Kentrosaurus.
“I read an article that told me that our continent, Africa, will be splitting in two as we will get a brand new 6th ocean soon, sometime within the next 50 million years.“
“Only 50 million years?!? “ exclaimed Kentrosaurus. “I will print more of my favorite tracts at once. We must save souls if the end of the world is nigh.”
“I must prepare an uplifting, positive sermon on the coming earth changes and protect my flock that comes to visit me and hear my sermons every Sunday.”
“I will write cousin Stegosaurus in Colorado and pray he will come to the sermon next week and be saved.” said Kentrosaurus.
As Kentrosaurus settled into writing his cousin, Widow Ground Sloth and her son Junior arrived at the Church, with Western Black Rhino close behind.
“Welcome, Widow Ground Sloth and Junior!” said Woolly Mammoth. “Nice to see you, Western Black Rhino!!”
“We heard the world is ending, “ said Junior. “Yes, we have come to be comforted by your sermon next week. Please tell us you have hope, that the Lord God will prevent this from happening,” begged Widow Ground Sloth.
“I just got used to being extinct and now I have to experience being extinct all over again!” exclaimed a worried Western Black Rhino.
“Fear not, my friends,” said Woolly Mammoth. “By the grace of the Lord God many dinosaurs have survived the extinction caused by the meteor; by the grace of the Lord God many megafauna prevailed and survived the traumatic experience of the comets during the Younger Dryas, so it is reasonable to assume that as long as we all maintain Faith in Him who created us and everything around us we will survive this. Fear not. You know where you are going, whenever the Lord calls if it is tomorrow or 50 million years from now. Believe in Christ, and come listen to my sermon on this matter next week.”
“We will be there, and listen intently to your sermon, “ said Widow Ground Sloth; “Junior and I are always so inspired by the way you preach The Word.”
“Thank you, Widow Ground Sloth, I am your servant, and the servant of the Lord.” Woolly Mammoth rejoined.
Then Mammoth observed Nigersaurus and the Iguanodon family arriving. At this point, Woolly Mammoth knew the Iguanodons all very well, as they were very pious they never missed a day at Church whether it would be for the Sunday sermon, or the Wednesday Bible study.
Nigersaurus, being very large, stuck his head through the Church skylight, ( it was open ), and other than saying “Hello,” to Woolly Mammoth, did not act frightened by the recent news as others had. Maybe he did not know, or is just at peace with the World, thought Woolly Mammoth.
As Nigersaurus was quiet and soft spoken most of the time, he was not sure if Nigersaurus was really saved just yet as he’d never professed to follow Christ; He did however, show up at Church every Sunday, which is why Woolly Mammoth had the skylight built into the Chruch ceiling. And that was something. Mammoth knew that Kentrosaurus was always worried for Mammoth’s safety and well being, and he respected that, just as he respected the zeal that the Iguanodon family gained after every one of his sermons.
Iguanodon approached Woolly Mammoth saying, “Mammoth, please speak comfort to me and my family. Our little children, just out of the egg, are too scared to go to school; they are having fire and brimstone nightmares again and again. Will you please deliver an uplifting sermon message of hope for us? There’s not more on the way, especially since the Iguanodons have already experienced mass extinction once, as well as a strained relationship which has till recently was restored by the Grace of God, and the intercession of Woolly Mammoth.
“ I will speak comfort, my friend, “ assured Woolly Mammoth. “Fear not, the Lord has the Whole World in his hands, and he will pass judgement in favor of those who believe in Him.
“Keep your head up, and facing the sun. As the righteous shall ascend, and those who cannot hear the Word will not seek it so they must in the end days be cast to the flames unless before the last trumpet shall be as our Bible says, “The dead shall be raised incorruptible.”
Western Black Rhino, Woolly Rhino, and Sister Quagga arrived next. Nigersaurus acknowledged them first as he was the first to see them from his high position, and he had removed his head from the Church skylight in order to eat a tree nearby.
“Hail Good Woolly Rhino and Western Black Rhino! Greetings, Sister Quagga!” he exclaimed.
The Rhinos and Sister Quagga were surprised as this reaction as Nigersaurus was often more soft spoken. They sent him hearty morning greetings just the same.
Western Black Rhino asked Sister Quagga, “Aren’t you concerned in the least bit for the future given the recent news about our gaining a new ocean in 50 million years?”“The environment will change, but the range of my plains is vast; whatever country develops is likely to have fertile fields just as Africa does now. As for extinction, I have nothing to fear from that as I am already extinct. I come not for the sermon Woolly Mammoth will give but to support my friends and comfort them in their fears.” Sister Quagga rejoined, in her calm, articulate manner. “It won’t all be water, though the ocean is certainly a major factor in the changes.”
“We also have a lot of seafaring friends, fishes, sauropods, our semi friend Spinosaurus; all these and more will gain in available habitat.”
“Yes, and the seafaring Plesiosaurus and Elasmosaurus among others,” observed Western Black Rhino.
“We megafauna may also enjoy the waters from time to time though I am myself not remotely seafaring.” said Woolly Rhino.
“That’s the way to think about it,” encouraged Sister Quagga.
Then, on queue, everyone was surprised to see Spinosaruus appear just over the hill and headed for the Woolly Mammoth Holy Pentecostal Church of the Pleistocene Revival.
There was some alarm, particularly among the more vulnerable animals in the congregation, but Spinosaruus, seeing the alarm, and the two Rhinos particularly poised to defend themselves and others, stopped as soon as he was close enough to hear, and announced to everyone present:
“Fear not; I mean no harm to anyone so gathered here. I heard the news from Nigersaurus before he arrived here, the news about the splitting of the continent and our new ocean in 50 million years. I share the concern of everyone here about the end of times and have come to hear Woolly Mammoth’s insightful and uplifting sermon on the matter. I promise not to eat any of you even if you look absolutely delicious.”
“It is true, what he says,” confirmed Nigersaurus. “I apologize to everyone for not mentioning it upon my arrival it would have avoided all the alarm.”
Spinosaurus told Nigersaurus, “What has happened is understandable; it is not their fault I am an apex predator.”
Then Kentrosaurus announced to Woolly Mammoth, “Woolly Mammoth, I have written a letter to my cousin Stegosaurus. I know he will come to the sermon once the letter arrives in 20 days or so.”
“That is not long,” said Woolly Mammoth, “...but it is long enough for me to consider feeding the gathered multitude especially before the meat eaters among us abandon their good behavior for sustenance.”
“Might I suggest a meal of loaves and fishes? We might not have the miraculous ability of Lord Jesus to make them appear but we do have a substantial kitchen, and Spinosaurus’ lake is full of Tilapia,” said Kentrosaurus.
“Good idea, Kentrosaurus,” said Woolly Mammoth
.As Woolly Mammoth headed to the Church kitchen, he almost stepped on a pair of unusual looking mice.
“Whoa,” he said. “I am sorry for almost stepping on you. Forgive me, but who are you? Welcome to my Church.”
“Ah, Woolly Mammoth we are both pleased to meet you. As you may notice we are mice of the modern age but we also have thick woolly hair like yourself. We are known as Woolly Mice. Thank you for not stepping on us.”
“I’m very glad I did not, but do tell, how is it you ended up with Woolly hair like mine? Are we related?”
“We have Woolly hair like yours because the mammals helped us evolve a couple of months ago by injecting us with some of your DNA they found in Siberia’s permafrost.”
“The fascinating things you can do with a larger brain,” mused Woolly Mammoth. “But it is also dangerous to play with the laws set in motion by the Lord Himself. You are certainly welcome to come hear my sermon and even live in my Church if you so choose. It is not your fault you are created this way you can still be welcome here to find your way to the Lord. I am giving a sermon to uplift those who are afraid by reason of the recent news about the substantial sea forming within South Africa in the next 50 million years?” asked Woolly Mammoth.
“Oh no, said one of the Woolly Mice. We were just evolved this past December; we had not heard of such a thing and in either case we are modern mice with a Mammoth’s fur coat; we aren’t likely to live 50 million years. But, all that said, we’d love to stay here and hear your sermon. We’d love to be your resident Church Mice.”
“You are welcome to stay, and I am so pleased that you will hear the Word of the Lord. It is my goal to save as many animals as I can and prepare them to meet the Lord and save their souls.”
“We will gladly support your worthy cause,” said the other Woolly Mouse. “Why is it you must wait 3 weeks for the Sermon?”
“My groundskeeper Kentrosaurus, has an American cousin, a cousin from your land, a very popular classic dinosaur named Stegosaurus and he cannot arrive before 3 weeks so we are waiting for him also to arrive. It is important to Kentrosaurus.”
“Okay. We promise to be quiet while we wait. That is what Woolly Church Mice do.”
“I am now going to bake bread to feed the multitudes; and then I shall go fishing for Tilapia in the nearby lake also to feed the multitudes.”
“Ah. I see said one of the Woolly Mice. “We shall proceed with being quiet now.”
The Woolly Mice went to the corner out of the way, and proceeded to live up to their promise.
Henceforth, Woolly Mammoth always called them The Woolly Church Mice and treated them well.
Bread was made, and Tilapia was gathered with the help of Nigersaurus and Spinosaurus the multitude was fed, and Woolly Mammoth spent the rest of the time before Stegosaurus arrived to pray in the prayer garden and consult his Bible on what verse to preach a sermon about the end times but was a lot more clear and uplifting than the usual end of the world proclamation that those in his profession was so prone to in these modern times. He wanted it to be pure and uplifting not frightening and full of doom. He was sure the Lord would help him find the right verses and the right thing to say to alleviate the fears of the masses presently milling about the narthex of the Church, and in the immediate area outside.
The Dinosaurs and megafauna ate very well a great meal of bread and for those who ate meat, Tilapia. They were quick to praise and thank the Lord, and their host Woolly Mammoth for his kindnesses and generosity. No sooner had the meal ended then Kentrosaurus received word that his cousin Stegosaurus was fast arriving by raft. Kentrosaurus left Church to meet him, accompanied by Sister Quagga.
“Hail, Stegosaurus!” exclaimed Kentrosaurus as Stegosaurus’ raft reached land, and he stomped forthrightly onto the land of South Africa.
“Greetings, cousin Kentrosaurus, Sister Quagga. I am pleased to see you again and to be on land! What a long journey!! But it is worth it to mark the birth of a new ocean here in only 50 million more years.”
“You have a much more positive outlook for the present world, but my hope is in the world beyond and the Lord Jesus,” rejoined Kentrosaurus.
“I would expect nothing less from you my cousin,” said Stegosaurus. “Has Woolly Mammoth chosen his sermon yet?”
“No he has not; he is busy cooking bread and Tilapia for the masses who have come to hear him speak. I am hopeful as ever to see Smilodon and Dire Wolf in Church, but they never come even though those many years ago we rescued them from the tar pits in California USA.”
“Fear not for them, Kentrosaurus,” said Sister Quagga. “We are probably lucky they do not show since their appetite is quite unpredictable. Much like Spinosaurus.”
“There is truth in what you say, Sister Quagga, as always,” said Kentrosaurus.
“Hello, Stegosaurus,” said Sister Quagga. “I am here more to socialize with friends than in any fear of the end of times."
“I share your skepticism of the afterlife, but I also enjoy my friends and respect my cousin’s beliefs,” said Stegosaurus. “Let us stomp forthrightly to Church, meet our friends and hear the sermon that Woolly Mammoth has prepared for us, in his well meaning ways.”
“I have never met anyone with more faith in God than Woolly Mammoth,” said Sister Quagga. “I am one with Nature and hug my trees. I care deeply for my friends. This is my religion. Let us go now. Catch a bite to eat before the sermon. I am sure there is enough.”
Woolly Mammoth greeted Stegosaurus as Stegosaurus, Kentrosaurus and Sister Quagga approached.
“Stegosaurus !! So nice to see you! Thank you for coming to Church!” exclaimed Woolly Mammoth. “God be with you.”
“Your hospitality is deeply appreciated,” said Stegosaurus. “Thank you.” “I hope you are not in fear of the new ocean Africa is getting some time in the next 50 million years.”
“No, I am not, really.” rejoined Stegosaurus. “I have been through this before. Long long ago, or maybe last week sometime, when I was just out of my shell in all the world there was only one continent, Pangea. Later on, as the Jurassic Age neared its end, the land had begun to split up and form the continents that the mammals today recognize. We got ourselves the large bodies of water Atlantic and Tethys; therefore I am certain that the news today reveals we will have a new ocean body available to us that was like the two major oceans, then unrealized. I am a creature of grand tradition but I can although not easily, adapt and evolve into change.”
“It will happen again because it is the will of the Lord God,” said Woolly Mammoth.
Then Woolly Mammoth asked Kentrosaurus and Sister Quagga if they would, please trim the yard in the prayer garden before his sermon. Kentrosaurus and Sister Quagga heartily agreed and departed for the prayer garden right away.
“I pray you will enjoy and be enlightened by my sermon today which I will be referencing and speaking on several of the Psalms of King David.”
“You have such a great deal of empathy for the mammals and dinosaurs who live in South Africa.” said Stegosaurus. “It is much to be admired.”
“I am merely a servant; the glory is God’s alone.” said Woolly Mammoth. “Now come and eat your fill for dinner. When Sister Quagga and your cousin Kentrosaurus return from maintaining the prayer garden my sermon shall begin.”
In due time Kentrosaurus and Sister Quagga returned to Church, and Woolly Mammoth, seeing this, stepped forward and began his sermon.
“It is my understanding,” said Woolly Mammoth, “That there are many here who fear the Earth Changes which the science mammals have predicted in that our continent of Africa will be obtaining a new ocean within a very short amount of time: 50 million years. That’s not so far away, by the manner that we megafauna and dinosaurs calculate time. And I feel that it is my job as a minister to convey to those who are here assembled some uplifting words of peace and comfort to ease your minds and your souls. Let me begin by saying my sermon today will consist primarily of selections I have personally chosen from the Book of Psalms. I hope you will find in the words of King David and my own feeble efforts to interpret them, of some comfort to you and yours in this present crisis. Of course the mammals percieve anything that they misunderstand as fear and if you are feeling such things today I have come to assure you that if you trust in the Lord God, you will have nothing to fear.
Let me begin with Psalm #16 specifically verses 7, 8 and 9. Here, the Lord says through King David, “Keep me safe, O’God, for in You I take refuge; “ So, fear not for anything. Not of change, not of the waters of a new ocean. If it is the plan of the Lord to bring us a new ocean, it can only be for good. It does not mean extinction, though such fears may lie at the surface, put them aside and trust in the Creator of All to lead us along the right path to safety. Again the advice of King David from Psalm #16: He writes the wisdom of the Lord: “I will praise the Lord who counsels me, e’en at night, my heart instructs me, I have set the Lord always before me, [ and ] Because He is at my right hand, [ or paw, or claw ], I will not be shaken. “ So trust with all your heart the plan that God has for you to work in your favor and the fear shall fade, and you will rejoice for in a few short 50 million years we will have a new body of water. A whole new ocean. A gift of the Lord. There is no punishment here; look upon this natural wonder as a gift, from the Giver of all good gifts. Once we realize and accept this gift, we shed our fear like a mammal sheds his cloak on a warm day. We can read in Psalm #33:20 -21: “We wait in hope for the Lord. He is our help and our shield; in Him our hearts rejoice for we trust in his holy Name.” You see, we are advised again to have no fear. Instead of fear, turn to the power of prayer and such changes when they come, whenever they come, will fade like the night before the break of dawn. Fear not, worry not, but pray. I hope you will follow my example, I will testify to you all, prayer is powerful and in cultivating its regular practice, you will find the peace you seek not only exists within where the Lord expects you to find it, but grows in strength and power. The shadows pass, and only light remains.”
“Now let us consider Psalm # #31, 2-3. for you may say, “….but Mammoth, the world is so large, the universe so vast, how can I, but a lowly servant, find my way to that inner peace?” And I say, King David asked of the Lord the same question: He said, “Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue, be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Free me from the trap that [ has been set ], for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commend my spirit. Redeem me, oh Lord, the God of truth.”
And of all things we should have no fear of change or of water. Has not the Lord spoken through King David in Psalm #46: 4: [“For ] There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the Holy place where the Most High dwells.” Now think on this before I leave you today. If a river shall make Glad the City of God, what good can an ocean do? The Lord Jesus conquered the ocean by walking upon it; so you see, you have nothing to fear. Be assured when you trust in the Lord then your heart is in the right place and the Truth shall be revealed to you. Fear not the end, but dedicate yourself to finding the beginning and all you wish for shall be added onto you. Go now in peace and love.”