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I wrote a blog Thanksgiving of 2016 called “Absence of light”. When I wrote it, I was trying to draw a parallel between Heat and Light. Absence of heat is when there is no movement of particles to generate energy. It is very cold! Absence of light is very evil. When we are surrounded by evil, we put ourselves in darkness. When we are cold, we turn up the heat and do activities that will warm us up. When we are in the dark, we turn up the light and do activities that will light us up. What do you do to light up your world? What do you not do? I think the most important thing is to not worry. We spend many hours of the day and night listening to negative news about the economy, the unrest around the world, natural disasters, politics right or left, etc. We get all worked up about things someone has said or done. Do we get angry or revengeful or just worry? From Wikipedia,” worry refers to the thoughts, images, and emotions of a negative nature…” The definition continues to indicate that we are proactive in our worrying trying to avoid or solve the potential threats. Worrying will make us sick and keeps us in the darkness where evil resides. How do we stop this destructive behavior?

Matthew 6:25-33, which is part of Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount”, tells us not to worry. I encourage you to read the whole passage, period. There should not be a question when there is a definite period. Questioning will only start the worry again. Leave it alone! I ended my post in 2016 by saying, “during this time of Thanksgiving, let us truly give thanks to the Creator of all things for without Him, we would only be motionless particles with no past, present or future.” A motionless particle cannot generate heat. A person full of worry can become motionless and cannot generate light. Do you consider yourself a provider of light? Or are you afraid to let your light shine because you worry about someone’s reaction? You, therefore, remain in darkness. As we start the holiday season, will it be a joyful or stressful time for you? The answer to that question is yes, depending on your attitude. Happy Stress Free, No Worry, Thanksgiving to you all.

T

Here is a trivia question for you. What song connects Queen to Lady Gaga? Too easy? Then, who wrote the song? Still probably too easy for you music experts. I encourage you to go to see the two movies mentioned below to learn more about these dynamic characters.

Encouragement is the action of giving someone support, confidence or hope. Synonyms include inspiration, motivation, stimulation just to name a few from google sources. My wife and I have been on a family mission to help our son move into their new home way down in Florida along the East Coast. We made two trips loaded with stuff for their new home. We then spent two weeks moving all that stuff into their home. We built a floating dock, ripped up carpet, painted and whatever we could to provide encouragement to our son and family. Now, we are making our way back home feeling good about providing help and encouragement.

I am writing this message while in a condo in Gulf Shores overlooking a beach. It is awesome to walk along the beach even though chilly to feel the fresh sea air. Have not seen much sun as cold, rainy and windy for a few days, but still relaxing. We took advantage of the inclement weather to watch awesome movies. We were both blown away by the stories of encouragement in the light of adversity. We saw two movies in two simultaneous days. That has never happened to us but worth the effort. Without setting off a “spoiler alert”, the movies were “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “A Star is Born”. Both movies were about devastating lives turned around with the encouragement of loved ones and friends. Unfortunately, both movies ended in tragedy when the one being encouraged failed to accept the love and good deeds of their true friends and loved ones. They tragically went down a path of destruction.

Hebrews 10 starting at verse 24 says, “And let us consider each other carefully for the purpose of sparking love and good deeds. Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near.”

Whether we are considering the meeting reference above as church or a gathering of friends, the message is still the same. Do not try to fix yourself by yourself. Instead, be in a state encouragement in a group of people who believe in love and good deeds not hatred and selfishness.

T

The definition of legal is “a formal status derived from law often without a basis in actual fact”. I wander sometimes about the last part stating without basis of actual fact. No matter what profession you choose, you become a representative of your profession to the outside world. A Doctor represents his or her profession and becomes an expert in their field. As a patient, we are under their rules whether actual fact or their best judgement. How do we choose?

My old truck had an oil leak. All the expert mechanics said expensive to replace oil line. I pointed out to several that the leak appeared to be a loose connection at my radiator. The experts all said no. Instead of accepting a huge expense on an old truck, I decided to tighten up the connection myself. Guest what? No more leaks. Do you accept the expert opinion of one or get a second and third opinion? Perhaps, your final decision is based on common sense?

Doctors or mechanics are in the business of practicing their professions based on certain facts or educated assumptions. I had one Doctor tell me that he is not in the business of making assumptions. However, he could not tell me his recommended procedure would reveal any further findings. As a mechanic, it is easier to replace parts until problem solved, at the expense of the customer. Likewise, a doctor may see the solution as just another procedure at the expense of the patient. I am not suggesting to stay away from doctors or mechanics but I believe we need to be cautious of the experts. We should get multiple opinions, in my opinion, then make your best decision for your situation.

Politicians love to promise the moon during campaigns but when the voting is over, do they change their tune? I read a fictitious story recently about a politician who died and was given the choice to go to heaven or hell. He was first sent to hell where all of his passed buddies were playing golf and they all ended up dining with the devil in luxury. He was then sent to heaven where his eternal life was shown to be total peace without his friends and new devil friend. He chose to go back to hell where he was met by the devil for an eternal life of slavery with no green fields but only devastated land. All his passed friends were held in bondage to work the worthless land. He asked what happened? The devil said, before his decision, they were campaigning, but now they got his vote.

In Mark 12 starting at verse 38, Jesus warns us to watch out for the legal experts who walk around in long robes and want to be greeted with honor. They care not for you or me but it is all about their gain at your expense. Deceivers throw lots of money around out of their spare change. Whereas, the true believers give what they need to live.

Are we intended to give everything we have? In my opinion, we are intended to be aware of the legal experts, get multiple opinions then give or choose according to God’s will not ours.

T

Thanos is in “Titan Avengers Infinity War” but he is also a character in the game called “Fortnite”. He appears as a character in “American comic books” published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in “The Invincible Iron Man”. Who cares? To ask the question means you did not do Halloween with children pretending to be someone or something to get candy. I must admit that without five and nine year old grandsons to educate me on the importance of costumes like Thanos and Black Panther, I would be ignorant to the fantasy world these days. During my boyhood years, it was Superman, Tarzan and the Lone Ranger. There are so many costumes and so many characters that it is hard to keep up. Costumes are a set of clothes depicting a particular country, historical period or character. Costumes, during fun times walking secure “trunk or treat” events or safe streets to allow children to say “trick or treat”, is awesome. Beware though of the predators that also like to wear disguises in the hope of deception.

We are all subject to deception. People come to us dressed as if they are more important than you. Is it just another costume? Beware of the many costumes that can cause us to go astray from the truth. Also, be aware that there are good and wise people in the crowds of deceivers. Even Jesus was challenged by the so-called legal experts. They all came dressed with authority in the hopes of catching Jesus unable to answer a legal question related to the Law. Then one wise legal expert asked him which commandment is most important. The answer stopped any more questions not only because of Jesus’ answer but the expert’s interpretation with wisdom. I encourage you to read for yourself in Mark 12:28-34 about the importance of vertical alignment with the Love of God at the top.

T

 

It occurs to me that every waking part of our day is full of choices. We can choose to get out of bed early or lounge in bed for hours. We can choose to eat nutritious food or stuff ourselves with junk then complain why we are so fat. We can choose not to vote then complain for years why your favorite candidate did not get in or you can go vote and at least make you vote count. Your person may not win but at least you did something in the affirmative. You can choose to be a jerk and join the protestors or you can choose a more positive approach to life. You can choose a good career by taking the actions to ensure a good education that will make your chances of success much greater. You can choose to complain for the rest of you life why you did not obtain that good career blaming everyone but yourself. You can choose not to go to exciting placing on vacation for what ever reason or you can take action now to enjoy your discretionary time. You get the picture right?

One more choice you can make to me that is more important than all of the above. Who do you choose to worship? We have two choices, in my opinion. The first choice is temporary. Take food for example. We can worship what we eat until we become so overweight that disease takes over. The World Health Organization estimates that 80% of all heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes along with 40% of cancer, would be prevented if Americans stop abusing their bodies. Read “Chronic Disease: A Self Inflicted Pandemic?” at www.mphprogramslist.com.

The alternative choice to the above is explained much better than I could ever explain in Hebrews 7 starting at verse 23. Shall we concentrate our daily lives into worship of one who is holy, innocent, incorrupt, separate from sinners, and raised high above the heavens? Perhaps, this choice may cause us to work a little harder to make right daily choices. In the end, I believe will lead us to ultimate victory.

Hear my audio recorded way back in October 25th, 2015 below if you have time.

T