tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34809988865256204672024-03-05T12:51:39.005-08:00The Life OverdoseSimplifying but overdosing on life with God's Word.JDLRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770360759160814369noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3480998886525620467.post-27721543860398250532017-11-14T02:09:00.004-08:002017-11-14T02:09:59.264-08:00Should You Allow Your Children to Engage in Unwholesome Entertainment?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is an issue that a lot of modern parents think about, whether to allow it to a certain degree or to disallow it completely. As a parent myself, I sometimes struggle whether or not a movie, an X-box game or a TV show is really suitable for my 8 year old. Sadly, we live in a world where the subject of sex and violence, explicit or implied, are considered normal in the video games that our children play, movies they watch or in the lyrics of the music that they listen to everyday. Wholesome entertainment has become super uncool, boring or unfashionable, and you've got a multi-billion dollar industry telling you it is. </div>
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It is possible that what media promotes influences the way our youths behave in the real world. In fact, according to the American Psychological Association, who investigated on the correlation between violent video games and aggression, says "<i>..the research demonstrates a consistent relation between violent video game use and increases in aggressive behavior, aggressive cognitions and aggressive affect, and decreases in prosocial behavior, empathy and sensitivity to aggression</i>".</div>
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I agree, well, to a certain degree. Even though there is very little scientific evidence to support the theory that violent movies or video games can lead the person to commit a violent act or crime himself, I believe that violent media contributes to it as one risk factor. Just like a young person watching explicit movies with sexual content does not necessarily move him to commit rape or sexual abuse, but it is one of the risk factors - meaning when integrated together with other influences from his environment and association with friends, it increases the risk of him committing more aggressive acts. It does not always lead directly to violent acts but it contributes to the person being subconsciously aggressive, manifesting itself when the situation allows it.</div>
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With this in mind, should parents allow their kids to engage in these types of entertainment? I think parents choose from different options.</div>
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One is to totally ban the young person from engaging in these unsafe forms of entertainment. They say that even if you stop your son or daughter from doing something, he or she will find a way to do it anyway. The concept here is you will not be influenced by something you are not exposed to.</div>
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Another option is to let the young person engage in them when available, but advise them to avoid if possible, or explain the context in which the sexual and violent content are placed in. Basically, with this method, you hope that they will understand that everything is just make-believe, and they shouldn't copy or be influenced by it. The third option is to let the young person decide on his own, since he has his own mind and conscience.</div>
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I think that the first one is too idealistic. The influence of multi-media is everywhere, from our movies to books to the Internet, and you can't be there all the time to stop your children from being exposed to it. If you ban them from it, they will find a way to quench their curiosity with people outside of your sphere of influence. The second and third one basically tells them that it's okay to engage in violent forms of entertainment. This is very dangerous because gives too much freedom to a young person still being molded.</div>
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I believe that there are movies or video games that should totally and absolutely be avoided. These are those that depict extreme gore, homosexuality, spiritism, violent behavior, borderline pornography or explicit pornography. Even though it may not lead to aggressive behavior, it still promotes activities which are obviously and explicitly condemned by the Bible. God hates violence and anything that is wicked. Galatians 5: 19-21 says "<i>Now the works of the flesh are plainly seen, and they are sexual immorality, uncleanness, brazen conduct, idolatry, spiritism, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, dissensions, divisions, sects, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and things like these. I am forewarning you about these things, the same way I already warned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom" </i><span style="text-align: justify;">and Psalm 11:5 says </span><i style="text-align: justify;">Jehovah examines the righteous one as well as the wicked one; He hates anyone who loves violence. </i><span style="text-align: justify;">Children and teens of all ages should not be encouraged to engage in this type of entertainment. If we love our children, we try to let them avoid things that God hates because it is for their own good, as Romans 12:9 says </span><i style="text-align: justify;">"Let your love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is wicked; cling to what is good." </i><br />
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There are movies that make violence and illicit sex in a more subtle way and seemingly just part of the plot - or it may be hidden in some sort of extreme sport activity such as mixed martial arts, boxing or wrestling. This is where the "gray-area" sort of comes in, since scripturally speaking, these were not explicitly mentioned or condemned. Even superhero movies or cartoonish video games, which seems to be harmless fun on the surface level, have some level of violence in them. In fact, you'd be surprised at the level of enjoyment these kids are feeling when "killing zombies" or "stealing cars and beating up people along the way". In fact, children adapts the hero of the story as a role model. </div>
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You might say, "I've been watching these types of shows all my life, and I've never killed anyone, raped anyone or committed any violent acts. So I think it's safe for my kids to watch them." As mentioned earlier, there is no direct correlation between violent media and criminal activity, but the influence it has on the mind, can alter a way a person treats things in real life - such as how he manages his stress, while driving on the road or his treatment of women. And these violent images stay in our subconscious, until a sudden event in our lives digs out these violent tendencies. Remember that our hearts and minds are easily influenced by today's hypnotic-media-dominated world. Jeremiah 17:9 tells us that <i>"The heart is more treacherous than anything else and is desperate. Who can know it?" </i>For younger kids, we can be more direct, and just let them avoid as much as possible. You can also use the scriptures in a simple way to make them understand why God hates violence.</div>
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For the teens or older kids, since you have a little less hold on them and they can just about do things on their own outside of the home, I feel that it is better to help them develop their conscience, discernment or their sense of perception. The first thing to do is to become a role model to them. If they see you avoid these things and engage in wholesome entertainment, they will more than likely follow your footsteps. But to do that, you must maintain your own conscience first. 1 Peter 3:16 says "<i>Maintain a good conscience, so that in whatever way you are spoken against, those who speak against you may be put to shame because of your good conduct as followers of Christ." </i></div>
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Moreover, help them develop and train their own good conscience in choosing bad and good entertainment. If they know that watching something makes them feel aggression or makes them feel sexually tempted, then they should be able to control themselves and turn away from it. What is the best way to help them train their conscience and discernment? Is by guiding them by means of the Scriptures, and encouraging them to use God's word as a guide. In fact it says in the scriptures that we must keep training our children. Deuteronomy 6:6, 7 <i>"These words that I am commanding you today must be on your heart, and you must inculcate them in your sons and speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up."</i></div>
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And more importantly, teach them to always pray for God's guidance such as Psalms 139:23-24 <i>"Search through me, O God, and know my heart. Examine me, and know my anxious thoughts. See whether there is in me any harmful way, And lead me in the way of eternity."</i><br />
<br />Unwholesome entertainment is all around us, and whether we like it or not, our children will be exposed by it. Media is a very powerful thing. But what we have is protection through meditation of the scriptures and through prayer. We are lucky to have the best guide we can ever have, the Scriptures and God who loves us, and will bless us if we always do the right thing. Let's not be "molded" by this world, and use our well trained conscience to avoid all that is bad so that we may keep doing what is good in God's eyes.<div>
<br />Romans 12:2 says <i>"And stop being molded by this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over, so that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God." </i><i><br /></i>
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JDLRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770360759160814369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3480998886525620467.post-75828831925148362402017-11-09T17:39:00.002-08:002017-11-11T06:20:39.487-08:00On Endurance and Faith<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sometimes, we experience extreme and unexpected trials in our lives such as terminal illness or a crippling condition, or worse, it could happen to someone else leading to the sudden loss of loved one. Undoubtedly, it could be one of the greatest and unbearable pains one could ever feel in life. When this happens, we feel like we don't deserve such pain, or we question God: <i>why did you let this happen to us? We are good people, we help people and we pray everyday.. why?</i></div>
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Imagine a vast forest full of trees of different types and sizes. All of them are rooted on the same soil, gaining access to the same water when it rains, and thriving under the same weather conditions, whether its hot, cold, rainy or sunny. Now imagine a strong, destructive typhoon sweeping across this forest. Some of the trees with larger trunks and strong deep roots will stay upright, while smaller, weaker trees will fall. Some will have their leaves and branches blown off by the roaring wind. </div>
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We are all trees in the same forest, of different strengths and abilities , but living under the same imperfect condition of this earth. The strong typhoon signifies the trials of this world, and it can hit any of us, sparing no one. The ones with the <i>weaker roots</i> and <i>thinner branches</i> have weak foundations therefore falling under extreme trials. Those who have strong roots and larger trunks have strong foundations, therefore enduring and withstanding whatever trials may come.</div>
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It is so easy to blame it on God. Of course, God does not want you to suffer. He hates to see you suffering, and God originally intended us to live perfect lives. We get sick and we suffer because of sin, which originated during the time of Adam and Eve, which we call Original Sin. You see, typhoons and storms will come in our lives whether we like it or not - whether we are good people or bad people, because that is the imperfect world that we are living in, ruled by wickedness and temptations. 1 John <span style="font-family: inherit;">5:19 says: <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px;"><i>We know that we originate with God, but the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.</i></span></span></div>
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And we are suffering more and at a faster rate now, because <span style="font-family: inherit;">Revelation 12:12 says: <i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px;">On this account be glad, you heavens and you who reside in them! Woe for the earth and for the sea, b</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px;">ecause the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing that he has a short period of time.”</span></i></span></div>
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What is important is, how deeply rooted is our foundation of faith so that we can endure in this world? Three things are important. <i>Knowledge</i>, <i>obedience</i> and <i>upbuilding association</i> builds more faith and endurance:</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />If we keep meditating on the scriptures, we gain more of the practical knowledge that God wants us to know to help us get by in life just as what </span>2 Timothy 3: 16-17 says: <i><span class="verse" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none;"><span class="style-b" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;">All Scripture is inspired of God </span></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;">and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, </span></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;">for disciplining in righteousness,</span></span><span style="color: #65605e;"><span style="font-size: 13.09px;"><b> </b></span></span></span></span><span class="verse" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none;"><span class="style-b" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none;">so that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work. </span></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;">Furthermore, </span></span>we see how great God's works are that we see the more positive things in life. Psalm 92:5 says: </span><i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px; text-indent: -3em;">How great your works are, O Jehovah! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px; text-indent: -1.5em;">How very deep your thoughts are!</span></i><br />
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If we obey what God is telling us to do, we will be protected from this world's wickedness. Obedience brings blessings, peace of mind and small miracles in your lives. <span style="font-family: inherit;">Isaiah 48:18 says: <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px; font-style: italic; text-indent: -3em;">If only you would pay attention to my commandments! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px; font-style: italic; text-indent: -1.5em;">Then your peace would become just like a river </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px; text-indent: -1.5em;"><i>And your righteousness like the waves of the sea. </i>If we follow God's commandments, then it helps us stay clear of these trials as well, and prevents us from having to endure more suffering. As Elihu, the more modest of Job's companions, said in Job 36:11: </span><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-size: 15.4px; text-indent: -3em;">If they obey and serve him, </span><span style="font-size: 15.4px; text-indent: -1.5em;">They will live out their days in prosperity, </span><span style="font-size: 15.4px; text-indent: -1.5em;">And their years will be pleasant.</span></i></span></span></div>
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And lastly, associating with people who upbuilds your faith and has true concern for your well-being helps us endure - those people who you can run to when you are weak. We also encourage other people by showing real sympathy when they are going through trials, just as what Jesus did when he showed compassion when healing the sick. Associate with people who can help you build knowledge and faith, rather than those who makes you weaker. Let's build true friendships and relationships. <span style="font-family: inherit;">Proverbs 17:17 says: <i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px; text-indent: -3em;">A true friend shows love at all times </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px; text-indent: -1.5em;">And is a brother who is born for times of distress.</span></i></span></div>
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These three essential things, will help us continue to endure while we go through this world of trials under the rule of the Wicked one - and hoping that one day, God will end all suffering, and we will see our loved ones again, with no more pain, sickness and tears. <span style="font-family: inherit;">Revelation 21:4 <i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px;">And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px;">and death will be no more, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px;">neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px;">The former things have passed away.”</span></i></span></div>
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That question I have for you now is: Do you pray for God to remove the trials that are inevitable or do you pray for endurance, knowledge and to sustain you so you may continue to do his work, to have more empathy of those under trial, build your faith and fulfill his heavenly purpose of earth?</div>
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Let's continue to pray for endurance that we may be like the trees with strong roots and large trunks, so that we may stay upright during times of typhoons and storms. <span style="font-family: inherit;">Hebrews 10:36<i> - </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px; font-style: italic;">For you need endurance, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px; font-style: italic;">so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the fulfillment of the promise.</span></span></div>
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JDLRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770360759160814369noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3480998886525620467.post-73896214592262239962017-09-23T06:08:00.000-07:002017-11-12T01:27:01.264-08:00Violence and Peace<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: justify;">As I was engaging in a very interesting and casual conversation today on the topic of God's heavenly government and existing human earth rulership, a question was asked by one of the leading participants: "</span><i style="text-align: justify;">Do you think there will ever be peace on Earth?</i><span style="text-align: justify;">" </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: justify;">The other participant answered, "Who wouldn't want peace and everlasting life? But CLEARLY, the answer is </span><i style="text-align: justify;">NO</i><span style="text-align: justify;">, because violence is inherently </span><i style="text-align: justify;">human nature</i><span style="text-align: justify;">. People will always look for an excuse to create war. Imagine a world that has no violence or just peace, it will be really boring for everyone."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just as he was saying this, his wildly enthusiastic son ran across the living room where we sat - and then he added, "Just look at my son, his favorite toy is a GUN. Just this morning, he created two replica toy guns with wood. He likes playing war video games. Violence is just part of our human nature and you cannot change that. " </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Obviously, I am loosely paraphrasing here, but this is basically how the conversation went. He then went on to say, "That's why we don't ban him from playing violent video games, but we just make sure we put it into context, so that he knows violence is bad." Therefore, this cements his ideology that there can </span><i>NEVER</i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> be peace on Earth, because humans are intrinsically incapable of behaving. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It is true, that as </span><i>imperfect</i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> humans (yup that includes you and me unfortunately), we are easily susceptible to outside forces affecting our senses - such as the media, advertising, other people - and in that way, it does create violent tendencies in our heads that sometimes, are very difficult to control. And yes, it is through this that has influenced people all over the world to use violence in the name of religion and to attain more political power and wealth. People has also used violence to fight injustices and oppression, whether right or wrong. Even the superheroes children idolize use violence to capture the mean, ugly enemy. Don't deny it - you've had those violent thoughts toward your neighbor with the loud </span><i>videoke</i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> machine. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In fact, if you load up any news website nowadays, words like "TERRORIST" or "NUCLEAR" or "WAR" come up more frequently than any other words. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And in fact, this has been happening ever since the time of Noah long long time ago. </span><i>Genesis 6:11</i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> says, "</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">But the earth had become ruined in the sight of the true God, and the earth was filled with <i><b>violence</b></i>." </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">But studying God's word, we know that our imperfect nature, including the tendency for violence cannot be removed from us, but we can do one thing that can negate this - and for me, it is to trust in God's purpose. If you know and trust in God's purpose, and follow the course to His righteousness, then everlasting peace is possible. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And I don't have any doubt, peace will happen, and it definitely will not be created by any human government, leader or superhero. As stated in:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Psalm 46:9 </i> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-indent: -3em;">He is bringing an end to wars throughout the earth.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">God lovingly wants us to enjoy life on earth, and obviously that was his very first purpose when He made the first man and woman. In fact, Jeremiah 29:11 says </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">“‘For I well know the thoughts that I am thinking toward you,’ declares Jehovah, ‘thoughts of peace, and not of calamity </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">to give you a future and a hope." A <i>future</i> and a <i>hope</i>. Now doesn't that sound comforting like a warm fire on a cold night. But this doesn't come without conditions. Of course, to be able to get a reward, you must be ready to follow a set of rules, guidelines or advice - and these things help us enjoy our lives while we're here on earth and a hope to enjoy our lives more in the future. And it's all in the Scriptures. <i>By reading and meditating on it as much as you can</i>, we are able to make sure we are included in God's awesome purpose. Our participant earlier said that he allowed his son to play violent games and watch violent movies, and then just tries to put it into context so that his son doesn't become a violent person. On the contrary, the Bible's advice is to stay clear and avoid violent things as much as you can. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>Psalms 11:5</i> says "</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em;">Jehovah examines the righteous one as well as the wicked one; </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: justify; text-indent: -1.5em;">He </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: justify; text-indent: -1.5em;">hates anyone who loves violence". </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: justify; text-indent: -1.5em;">If you enjoy watching violent movies and playing violent games, doesn't it mean you love violence? And according to the scripture above, God hates anyone who loves violence. The fact that most of today's media compliments violence with anger, sexual immorality, idolatry and all other bad stuff makes it even worse. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-indent: -1.5em;">So amazingly, God promises us peace on earth forever and ever, and it's not true that because humans are violent in nature, that there can never be everlasting peace. Well maybe not for this earthly government and current system of things. We can take comfort with the words written by the psalmist, "</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-indent: -3em;">Just a little while longer, and the wicked will be no more; </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-indent: -1.5em;">You will look at where they were, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-indent: -1.5em;">And they will not be there. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-indent: -3em;">But the meek will possess the earth, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-indent: -1.5em;">And they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace." </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-indent: -1.5em;">And while we are living in this current world full of violence, hate and high cholesterol, it gives me comfort to read <i>Philippians 4:6,7</i> which says, "</span></span><span class="verse" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="style-b" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none;">Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God; </span></span><span class="verse" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="style-b" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none;"> and the <i><b>peace of God</b></i> that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus." I hope this gives you peace and peace of mind while we wait for <i>ultimate super peace</i>. </span></span></span></div>
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<br />JDLRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770360759160814369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3480998886525620467.post-28628529412305347672017-09-23T04:30:00.001-07:002017-11-12T01:27:01.253-08:00What is Your Meaning of Success?<div class="separator" style="background-color: #f9fdf2; clear: both; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">
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A befitting thought that I gratefully chanced upon on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BelledeJourPlanner" style="background: transparent; color: #b38636; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Belle de Jour Power Planner'</a>s Facebook wall to start with - "Being Successful means something different to each person. Respect that." </div>
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Society has this notion that success means having lots of money, driving expensive cars, having the latest gadgets and bags, or being able to spend like there's no tomorrow. Of course, that's perfectly okay and respectable. I totally admire those people who have reached this level of wealth because of hard work and ingenuity. </div>
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However, there are those people who feel they have reached their "success" when they have a small humble business, with lots of their time each day being spent with family, and peace of mind - even without having lots and lots of money in their bank accounts. Some people have attained their success by achieving a level of spirituality that allows them to live simply, breathing in life's often unnoticed small joys. </div>
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Let's change our view of personal success to the way we want it to be, or to the way we feel would really give us a genuine feeling of self-worth and peace of mind. This would require deep reflection on our end. We make sure that we don't pattern our lives in conformity to what other people or society dictates it to be. On the other, respect people's choices on how they define their success, because it means different to each person. Do not envy people. Take a look at yourself. Be happy with what you are or strive harder if you haven't reached the sense of comfort that you want for yourself.<br /><br />Let's just remember, that money isn't everything. It's essential, but it's more important that we do what we love, we don't forget our time with loved ones, we help other people - and a prayerful, simple life with God as the prime center of attraction is the best kind of life.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Matthew 6:19-21 <span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;">Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. </span><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;">But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure it, your heart will be also.</span></span></div>
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Live simply, share your blessings, respect, love God. Wishing you success, peace and a bountiful harvest everyday.</div>
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JDLRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770360759160814369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3480998886525620467.post-35575775987518730532017-09-23T04:28:00.004-07:002017-11-12T01:27:01.260-08:00Keep Awake at All Times<div style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">
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Dec. 21, 2012...the date that, supposedly, was the date that we would all witness great fireballs hurling from the thundering sky, or devastating intensity 9.5 earthquakes that would topple down everything standing on Earth coupled with kilometer high tsunamis. Thousands of people, I read, prepared Apocalypse shelters, ransacked grocery stores, and probably even spent all their money. Many people even renewed their faiths. </div>
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Well, at least in our part of the world, that didn't happen. Last Dec 22, 2012, I still woke up to a world where I would still go to the office after the holidays, where I still battle with trying to lose holiday weight from overeating, and laboriously deal with the busyness of life. Yes, our delicate, fragile mortal lives would still go on indefinitely. </div>
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Despite convincing Youtube videos (the "Gangnam Style" prophecy) and Facebook doomsday posts, I could say I was pretty confident that the world wasn't going to end that day. </div>
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But the truth is, it COULD have happened that day. </div>
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The thing is, it has been foretold.</div>
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In Matthew 24: 3, Jesus' disciples asked Jesus what the signs will be:</div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica light" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "arial unicode" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-size-adjust: none;">..And Jesus went on to say,</span></span></div>
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<i style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Light", Helvetica, Arial, "Arial Unicode", sans-serif; text-size-adjust: none;"><span class="verse" id="v-4" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">And in answer Jesus said to them: “Look out that nobody misleads </span><span class="smcap" style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">YOU</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">;</span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 0px;"> </span></span><span class="verse" id="v-5" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="style-b" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.</span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span class="verse" id="v-6" style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="style-b" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Y<span class="smcap" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">OU</span> are going to hear of wars and reports of wars; see that <span class="smcap" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">YOU</span> are not terrified. For these things must take place, but the end is not yet.</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span class="verse" id="v-7" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="style-b" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">“For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another.</span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span class="verse" id="v-8" style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="style-b" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress.</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span class="verse" id="v-9" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="style-b" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">“Then people will deliver </span><span class="smcap" style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">YOU</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> up to tribulation and will kill </span><span class="smcap" style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">YOU</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">, and </span><span class="smcap" style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">YOU</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> will be objects of hatred by all the nations on account of my name.</span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span class="verse" id="v-10" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="style-b" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Then, also, many will be stumbled and will betray one another and will hate one another.</span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span class="verse" id="v-11" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="style-b" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">And many false prophets will arise and mislead many;</span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span class="verse" id="v-12" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="style-b" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">and because of the increasing of lawlessness the love of the greater number will cool off.</span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span class="verse" id="v-13" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="style-b" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">But he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved.</span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span class="verse" id="v-14" style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="style-b" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.</span></span></i></div>
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And we cannot deny that these things are happening in our world. Recent wars, violence, earthquakes and food shortages are happening almost all at once, everywhere in the world. Some people would say, well it's because we have the Internet, and information travels faster now, so the number of disasters or disastrous events in the world didn't really increase. Although it's true that we hear about these things faster these days because of social media, but if you look around you - just within your family, the environment around you, your neighborhood, your circle of friends and colleagues - has morality really changed for the better, or worse? Yes, these are signs that indeed, the end is coming. But this is not supposed to be something to be scared about - because of God's promise - that He will change everything from this wicked system of things - to a place where there is no more sickness, hatred, war, famine, and death. </div>
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The prophecy can be found at Revelation 21:1 - </div>
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<i><span class="verse" id="v-1" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica light" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "arial unicode" , sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="style-b" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more.</span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span class="verse" id="v-2" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica light" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "arial unicode" , sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="style-b" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I saw also the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.</span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span class="verse" id="v-3" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica light" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "arial unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="style-b" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them.</span></span>And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."</i></div>
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Are you ready for this marvelous and awesome event?</div>
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I'm not talking about creating those bomb shelters under your homes, or stockpiling Twinkies that could last more than a year. I'm talking about being ready in the spiritual sense, because at least in my opinion, matters more than anything before the end of our physical world. Check out the Bible scripture below:</div>
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<i><span class="verse" id="v-34" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica light" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "arial unicode" , sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="style-b" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Luke 21: 34 - 36 But pay attention to yourselves that </span><span class="smcap" style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">YOUR</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> hearts never become weighed down with overeating and heavy drinking and anxieties of life, and suddenly that day be instantly upon </span><span class="smcap" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">YOU</span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 0px;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="verse" id="v-35" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica light" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "arial unicode" , sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="style-b" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">as a snare. For it will come in upon all those dwelling upon the face of all the earth.</span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span class="verse" id="v-36" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica light" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "arial unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="style-b" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Keep awake, then, all the time making supplication that <span class="smcap" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">YOU</span> may succeed in escaping all these things that are destined to occur, and in standing before the Son of man.”</span></span></i></div>
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I believe, that we must always be ready, whether it's Dec. 20, 2012 - or any day of the coming years, whatever human prophets, priests or pastors are saying.</div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica light" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "arial unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">1 Thessalonians 5:2 says, "For YOU yourselves know quite well that Jehovah’s day is coming exactly as a thief in the night." </span></i></div>
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We will not know the exact day. Do not believe in what you hear on the Internet, on social networks - even if they sound convincing. No man can know when the day will come. But it will come for sure. Don't be afraid. If you look at the scripture from the Gospel of Luke above, it says there what we should do. Do not get weighed down by the anxieties of life - which means don't focus on material things, success and things of this world. You cannot bring this to wherever we are going. Don't get me wrong - God wants us to live good, abundant lives. Being rich is a good thing. But don't let it take away your time from Him. Don't let it become the focus of your life.<br />
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Simplify our lives, and get rid of envy, meaningless fleshly desires and immorality in our lives. </div>
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And it goes on to say "Keep Awake, then all the time making supplication..". </div>
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Keeping awake means several things. When we are awake in this world, what do we usually do? We think about things, we learn new things, we do things, we communicate with people.<br />
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That's exactly what God wants us to do. Keeping awake means to think about God, learn or take in knowledge about God, do and obey God's will, and talk to other people about God. Breathe in God's Word, and live it. Not only live it, but tell other people about it, so that they may also know what matters most in life. Give other people encouragement through the social networks, instead of instilling fear. This is what matters. And "all the time making supplication" means we must always pray to God for endurance. Pray to God incessantly that He will give you spiritual and physical endurance during these hard catastrophic times - and we will survive, and God will deliver his promise by giving us a new world, where there will be no more pain and suffering. Yes, the "end of the world" is not so scary after all, if we know we are ready for it. Trust me, living simpler lives with God as the center, makes our time here in this world better and happier as we wait.</div>
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So are you ready?</div>
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<i><span class="style-l" style="border: 0px; font-family: "helvetica light" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "arial unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Psalm 37:29 The righteous themselves will possess the earth, </span><span class="style-z" style="border: 0px; font-family: "helvetica light" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "arial unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">And they will reside forever upon it.</span></i></div>
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JDLRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770360759160814369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3480998886525620467.post-3003546028006457102017-09-22T17:26:00.001-07:002017-11-12T01:27:01.257-08:00Life Apocalypse<div style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">
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[around midnight. a few thoughts before shut down.]</div>
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You get to this certain point in your life when you realize that there are only a few essential things which makes you feel "uncomplicated" and "blissful" - and in parallel, there are things you need to eliminate in order to get to that positive state of mind the fastest way possible. </div>
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And I am, undoubtedly, at this stage. </div>
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It's not an easy task - in fact, it's rather <i>apocalyptic</i>. From a launchpad of an old system of things - and propel myself to a new one. Long years of society-prescribed ambition, worldly desires, and peer expectations have turned me into what I am today. It is, in reality, just human, to want to accumulate wealth and recognition. But we can't bring these to our graves. In the ideal world, we have to spend as much time doing what we love, also spend this time with loved ones, and spend more time doing God's work. Storing spiritual treasures than riches. </div>
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The desire to simplify my life and remove all the metaphoric clutter seems to be stronger for me now. Maybe it comes with age - or perhaps some divine intervention. It makes perfect sense, and the benefits seem to be much greater. More time enjoyed with the family, more time getting in touch with my spirituality, and removing stress that affects my total well-being, both physically and mentally.</div>
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Now there are only two major decisions to make: Identify the essentials, and eliminate the non-essentials. Then of course, hold on to the essentials as best as I can, without going back into the habit of the non-essentials. Time is really of the essence, the universe's greatest commodity. You can't bring it back. So I have to commit precious time only to things that have the greatest value in my life. Remove all negative, weighty thoughts, and just pray incessantly when I need encouragement. Defocus from possessions. Reduce the number of worldly goals I have to the essential minimum, and increase spiritual goals to the maximum. It doesn't mean God doesn't want us to be financially blessed. It's good to be financially free. But the more you want, the more you will need. The more you need, the more you will be in the vicious cycle of it all. Balance is the key.<br />
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[sounds like I was giving myself advice]<br />
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Besides the loving support of my wife and family, there's absolutely one thing that will make this transition easy, and it's focusing on God's Word.</div>
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I find that being in God's presence through prayer and study makes simplifying my life a whole lot easier. Why do we need to get weighed down and discouraged by the anxieties of life, when He promised us that if we just keep seeking the Kingdom of God, all of the things will be added unto us?</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16px;">(Luke 21:34-35) . . .“But pay attention to yourselves that YOUR hearts never become weighed down with overeating and heavy drinking and anxieties of life, and suddenly that day be instantly upon YOU 35 as a snare. . . .</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px;">Keep your eye simple</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 16px;">. (Matthew 6:22, 23)</span>JDLRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770360759160814369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3480998886525620467.post-79272196380609827322017-09-22T17:25:00.000-07:002017-11-12T01:27:01.268-08:00The Simple Formula of Life<span style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">As I think about it, I might put the clicheic goal "</span><i style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">conquering the world</i><span style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">" on stand by, and just focus on being contented.</span><br style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Believe me, it may seem easier to do, but actually it's not.</span><br style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">It's actually more complicated to simplify life. Found the perfect irony.</span><br style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">How often do we struggle to delete unnecessary files from our hard drive just so we can clean it up? Does our home get filled up with so much useless junk because we can't seem to let go of stuff, even if at the back of our heads, we know we have to get rid of them?</span><br style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">As I wrote this entry, I thought of creating a formula that could guide me forming the way I live next year. The goal is to be contented and have peace of mind. And in the most mathematical and simple way I can put it:</span><br style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Contentment = Life MINUS unnecessary things PLUS things that matter MULTIPLIED by God. DIVIDE everything by people you love.</span><br style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">I made a little graphic of it below for everyone to share, if they find it useful as a guide.</span><br style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5XDDqjb676CkzwW7UUgEpCbLcXIu6lSlrncAC3OX6BGuvAmHZd6ZJKxro2odZutpIrWr4FZaryvhJoHU4eXHTXsEoJsYkSrhADojNiu8BchQy5WeJl0D6PbXUwYjJb-Ha6t0INbpkI8/s1600/life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background: transparent; color: #b38636; display: inline-block; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5XDDqjb676CkzwW7UUgEpCbLcXIu6lSlrncAC3OX6BGuvAmHZd6ZJKxro2odZutpIrWr4FZaryvhJoHU4eXHTXsEoJsYkSrhADojNiu8BchQy5WeJl0D6PbXUwYjJb-Ha6t0INbpkI8/s640/life.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="395" /></a></div>
<br style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">MINUS all the things that puts a weight on your shoulder including negative people, stressful work, unnecessary material desires. Remove envy because it will just cause anxiety. Cut down and simplify pursuit of success that won't matter anyway in the future. This doesn't mean that you will completely remove your work - just learn to balance. Live an abundant, simple life.</span><br style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">PLUS all the things that matter such as family, prayer, time, and spiritual works. Meditate on what matters most in your life, and focus on them - because in the end, this is what makes you happy and contented.</span><br style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">MULTIPLY everything with trust in God, and do faithful works all the time. Put in more time for collecting spiritual treasures. Read the Bible. In turn, He will MULTIPLY your blessings tenfold. Trust in God that everything will fall into place perfectly. MULTIPLY his disciples by talking to people about God.</span><br style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">DIVIDE your blessings and love for everyone. Forgive people. Help people in need. Teach this concept to your children. Share.</span><br style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: #f9fdf2; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Have a great day everyone.</span>JDLRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770360759160814369noreply@blogger.com0