Since it seems I have been on a roll these past couple of weeks of ranting and complaining, I thought I would go one more week. Seems like I am acting more like an old man of the age I am moving to! So my latest rant has to do with the authentication process for all my accounts.

I went to get on Hulu on my TV, and it wouldn’t let me access the channel. Said I had to log in. So I tried to log in on the TV and nothing. I went to my phone to access the account. It asked for my e-mail, and I entered it. I then proceeded to enter my password (which was another story just trying to remember where I put it, because I have so many passwords to everything I can’t remember them all). Then … WHA M . . . up pops a message saying that I needed to check my e-mail for a six-digit code for further authentication. REALLY?

And it is not just Hulu. I had a book I ordered from Wal-Mart, and it ended up being returned to the shipper. Went to get a refund from the website, typed in all the necessary info, and again, check e-mail for 6-digit code to say you are who you say you are.

It seems that every time I go to get something from the internet fromoneofmyaccounts, I have to do another authentication. My password is not enough. It has done this to me with my Gmail, Credit Karma, Facebook, my bank and about a jillion other things. Even my own I-phone doesn’t believe that I am me and makes me do a two-step authentication.

Of course, I can bypass this if I will update all my accounts with a fingerprint or facial recognition. But my fear with this is what if my finger is cut off or burned? And facial recognition, what if I get a haircut, change my hair style, or something changes in my facial features? Will I be locked out of my phone or accounts forever?

Maybe I just am getting older and just don’t like change? Maybe I would like to see what someone would do if they became me (digitally)? I think they would return me when they found out I don’t have any money, don’t have access to anything life altering, or that I am just plain boring.

I never did understand this identify theft much anyway. I would think if they found out I was a preacher they may run. I am not one of those preachers that drives a Mercedes (I have a Ford Ranger with 144,000 miles), a personal jet (I do have one of those balsa wood toy planes), dress in Armani suits (I shop at Wal-Mart), have house as personal residence and a vacation home (I have a house that is a fixer-upper in Copan), or radio or TV show, nor a billboard with my picture on it. I’m just a plain, ordinary guy, and like I said, boring.

All this two-step authentication made me glad as a believer that heaven won’t be that way. Nope, the Bible tells us either our name is in the book, or it is not (Revelation 20). Can you imagine, the day comes, you take your last breath here and stand in Heaven. The Lamb’s Book is opened, your name is found, and …“We need further proof that you are you.” Finger prints, facial recognition, or a code to be sent to, um, I don’t know and from whom, I don’t know either.

No, none of this will be necessary. If a twostep is needed, I am pretty sure the name being written in the Lamb’s book of Life is step one, and the name being sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13-14) would suffice as step two.

I promise, next week I will get off my soap box and write something more meaningful. I am going to see my new granddaughter in Hawaii! Well, that is if I can get through the airport without having to have a two-step authentication to prove I am who I am. I would have to show my conceal carry license again, and we all know how that ended last time.

Bro. Tim (Really, it’s me!)