At this time of the year we have cows calving in the farmyard so it was with some curiosity that I learned of the Mertz glacier in Antarctica calving earlier this month. Apparently the gesticulation period is not as predictable as cows occurring every 50 or 100 years but when the calf is an iceberg the size of Luxembourg it must make quite a splash! The birth was assisted by another iceberg called B-9B, itself a mere 60 miles long, bumping into it like a gigantic dodgem car. Scientists reckon the pair may have some effect on global ocean circulation. As I write news is breaking of a massive earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale. The epicentre was 70 miles from Concepcion, Chile’s second-largest city, where more than 200,000 people live. President Michele Bachelet declared a “state of catastrophe.” Buildings collapsed and phone and electricity lines are down, making the extent of the damage difficult to determine. A tsunami is travelling across the Pacific and the inhabitants of Islands in its path are taking to the boats. Its effects may reach New Zealand and Australia. It may be my imagination but there seems to be a stepping up of these natural phenomena. The Lord Jesus did say that prior to his return there would be various signs in the heavens and “on earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves” – St Luke chapter 21 verse 25. If you are of a scientific bent you will find explanations for these occurrences in the movement of plaetonic plates and ridicule the notion of fulfilling Biblical prediction. If you are in that category the words written by St Peter in a letter to the churches are especially relevant: – “you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter chapter 3 verses2-9. Please take note of these events, take St Peter’s advice and turn to Jesus.