Redeem The Time!

 "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, to it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." --Ecclesiastes 9:10

I thought about something after watching this compilation video of Mr. Beast giving advice about YouTube:

I commented, in part: "Mr. Beast is to YouTube as Michael Jordan is to basketball." because Michael Jordan is another person like Mr. Beast, someone who finds a craft, and works on that craft with reckless abandon.  Such people end up wildly successful.

Now, this is not a post to encourage being successful, that's just more likely if you work super hard at what you do.  Just don't grind so hard for the reason of money:

"Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom." --Proverbs 23:4

So why should you work super hard at what you do?  Why should you obsess over whatever craft or skill you have chosen?  Well, as Scripture says, you're going to die anyway, so why not go all-in on an effort?  

In addition, you're really working for the Lord:

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;" --Colossians 3:23, also see Romans 12:11

Finally, the clock is NOT on your side:

"Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." --Ephesians 5:16

That last point is a little personal, because as a teenager in 2004, before I wrote The Ninth Cloud, I wrote a science-fiction story that I never published, called The Adventures of Bluescreen O'Deff.  It was a time-travel story, but really, it was me fantasizing about an "American Dream" future with a wife and kids.  In the story, all of the main characters are encouraging me, and really, it was all about me.  The last line read, "May the clock be on your side." I have since deleted that story.

So, what am I doing that I'm making a giant effort on?  Well, I've kept up this blog for at least 2 years, so that's something.  I'm still a school custodian, and getting better at my job, so that's something.  I have notes on a book about contentment that I might work on.  I guess my advice to people is, do SOMETHING.  Then keep doing it!  Then do it again!  And again!  And again!  

This is the proof of a Christian's saving faith, their works:

"Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." -- James 2:18

So yeah, DO SOMETHING.  It's just pointless not to.

The Source of Contentment Is Jesus

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." -- Hebrews 13:5

One day, going to lunch at a nearby pizza place, I thought about contentment, or satisfaction, a lot.  I wrote down a few notes with the intention of putting all this in a book.  I've said in this blog that I might do a post on contentment, and tonight, I decided to give it a shot.

The tentative title of the first chapter is "The Source of Contentment is Jesus".  Now, of course, presuming I write, finish, and publish the book, that this chapter will be released to the public for free, since it speaks of the Bible, and I don't want to make merchandise of the Word of God (2 Corinthians 2:17).

So, why do I say that the source of contentment is Jesus?  Because this world is full of dissatisfaction.  Even Mick Jagger said in the title song, "I can't get no satisfaction".  It seems that everyone, especially in developed countries like the USA, are always striving for the next big thing in their lives, whether it be a better paying job, a nicer house, a nicer car, etc.  I too once bought into the lie of the "American Dream".

Then, like in the lyrics to the theme song to "Friends", "it's like you're always stuck in second gear, when it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year..."  

I didn't get a job in my college major.

I didn't move out, either during college (the school was blocks away from home), or after college.

I didn't get married.

I didn't get to have righteous sex.  (I'm just being honest, my desire to be a father was secondary to my desire for the ever elusive dangling "pleasure of pleasures" (what I called it), I might do a post about the modern church's culture on sex, which had a HUGE effect on me)

So, I was especially dissatisfied with life, given that I also had tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt.

How then did I learn to be content with my life?  Firstly, it was a biblical command to do so, reinforced by some preachers from time to time.  

Now, I did have a positive attitude in the first few years after college, thinking that since I started at the bottom (due to the 2008 recession), the only direction to go is up.  With the exception of some theophobic scrupulosity in the early 2010s, when I learned that modern Christianity is a big lie that sends people to Hell, I was generally OK with my life.

On Marriage

Then, one of my cousins, who I never thought would get married, got married.  I was the oldest in my generation in that side of the family who was still single, 2nd oldest in my generation overall.  That, with also battling lust led me to actively find a wife.  Not "get married", but "find a wife".  I was determined.  I used I Corinthians 7 as my key Scripture in this "epic quest for the blessed fountain" (see Proverbs 5:18).

There was one preacher (who I later found to be false) named Vaughn Ohlman who even offered a practical opportunity for me to find a wife, but after arguing about dating, which he believed was unbiblical (in fact, the Bible never mentions it explicitly), I stopped listening to him.  He even taught that you can marry an unbeliever, twisting the words of I Corinthians 7:11-16!  He explained away 2 Corinthians 6:14, that speaks of "not being unequally yoked together with unbelievers" with the previous Scripture. 

Anyway, dozens of women and three actual physical meetings with two people later,  I was content with singleness, although not instantly.  It took more study of Scripture, such as Proverbs 21:9 and 25:24, which says:

"It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman (and) in a wide house."

Proverbs 25:24 in the KJV adds the word "and".

And of course the recommendation by Paul for single people to stay single in I Corinthians 7 helped as well.

In essence, Scripture (whom Jesus also is, says John 1:1, John 1:14, I John 1:1, I John 5:7, Revelation 19:13) led me to contentment.

On Living With My Parents

As for living at home, there were many pieces of Scripture that I studied in order to calm my dissatisfaction.  

Firstly, there's the example of Jacob and his sons in Genesis 37 - 50.  Generally, they all lived together (even with a long foot commute to and from Egypt).  In fact, one of them is listed as having children of his own:

"And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again." -- Genesis 42:37

Thus, multi-generational living is a thing, albeit not always under the threat of death.

Secondly, there's the command to provide for your family:

"But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." -- I Timothy 5:8

It's easier to do this if you all live together.  A provider is the OPPOSITE of a sponge.  Besides, in Mark 7:9-13, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for disobeying the command to honor their father and mother for the sake of "Corban".  In this passage, and similar ones in Matthew 15:3-6, the context of "honor thy father and mother" is supporting them, helping them, providing for them, etc.

In the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge entry for Mark 7:11, the author calls "corban":

"a formula common among the Jews on such occasions; by which the Pharisees released a child from supporting his parents; and even deemed it sacrilege if he afterwards gave anything for their use."

So, those two pieces of Scripture wisdom, in addition to the greatly decreasing stigma of living at home, helps in my contentment in this manner.

I say it again: The source of contentment is Jesus.  He commands it, and He shows you how to do it.

Other Works Cited:

Bagster, Samuel. Edited by R. A. Torrey.

TSK Cross References, from e-Sword by Rick Meyers.

I Proselytized To A Native American, Here's How It Went.

Mar 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 

In my last post, I talked about how I felt the pull of proselytizing to people.  Today, I actually did it.  Let me give you the background in what led to me doing it, and how it turned out.

Last night, as our family was watching Star Trek: Discovery, I pondered on the idea of talking to people.  Weeks ago, I went to a certain gas station early in the morning to get some gas, where the manager (whom I am technically extended family with) carried on a conversation with me.  She asked me about my job, and how long I've worked there, etc.  I asked her something like, "Are you curious about working for the school district?"  She replied, "No, just making conversation." 

It hit me:  I'm terrible at making conversation.  I haven't tried to "get to know" people since I stopped trying to find a wife (I'm a pretty biased person).  The last time I recall having a genuine conversation with someone outside family (initiated by the other person, that is), was with Gates McFadden at Planet Comicon in 2022.  In retrospect, Dr. Crusher was more of an evangelist than I was.  

Anyway, that was the thought.  As I'm writing this, I'm thinking that Mary Wiseman, who played Tilly, would offer a great "masterclass" in conversation.

Anyway, as I was thinking about conversing with people, I thought, "What do I talk about?"  Oh yeah!  Maybe I should talk about Jesus to them!  Isn't that what Christians are supposed to do?  Thus, the previous post about my hesitations to give cold pitches about Jesus to strangers.  Is it a lost art?  Perhaps.

Yet, I resolved to actually do it, to preach the Gospel to at least ONE person today.  I still remember the words of the atheist Penn Jilette, who hates those who don't proselytize, because if Christians truly believe in the eternal torture of Hell, why wouldn't you broadcast it fully to the world?

So, after my building check, I headed to Walmart to get some groceries.  I then had a thought pop in my head, suggesting I go to the same gas station to proselytize.  I ignored the thought, thinking that it's just my own imagination (Proverbs 3:5).  As I was approaching Walmart, I thought to myself, "Why not?  Let's do it just in case it is God telling me to do it."  If this is the wrong approach, please correct me on this. (Proverbs 6:23)

So I went to the gas station, and filled a Styrofoam cup of Diet Coke to purchase.  There was one gentleman who was there, and I carried on a conversation with him.  I thank God that he carried more of the weight of the conversation, so it was no issue for me to ask if he was a Christian.  He said he was.  We then parted ways.

I then went to the counter after the first gentleman paid for his drink.  The clerk rung me up, commenting that I could have had it cheaper had I bought a reusable cup like the first gentleman.  I paid for the drink, he gave me the change, and then I asked him a line that I previously thought of, which was, "Have you ever thought of what happens to you when you die?" (Was it the Holy Spirit giving me this idea, per Luke 12:12 and the like?)  

After being taken aback a little, the clerk told me how he hopes not to burden his children with his debts.

I then clarified, "What about your soul?"

He replied, "I'm Native American, so I believe that we come from the earth, and when we die, we return to the earth.  I don't believe in Heaven or Hell, and I don't believe a religion should be pushed on someone."

I then thanked him for his honesty, and he returned the same sentiment in kind towards me.  I left, going back to Walmart to get the groceries.

So what did I learn from all of this?  I thought to myself, "OK, people don't like being proselytized."  I then remember Paul's words:

And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

(1Co 9:20-23)

There is indeed strategy to be considered when trying to win souls.  I certainly didn't want to spout platitudes like, "Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior?", but perhaps the line, "Have you ever thought of what happens to you when you die?" is also a platitude, I hope that's not the case, I hope I didn't deliver that line as a platitude.  As a whole, humans aren't stupid.  They can smell a platitude miles away, and can tell whether or not someone is genuine.  There is an common expression: "Read the room."  This expression is biblical:

Rom_12:17  Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

So how do I get the Gospel out, verbally?  I seem to have no problem doing it in writing, as this blog is certainly being read, for that I thank you, audience.  But how do I do it with my own tongue?  Perhaps these pieces of Scripture will help:

Mat 10:16  Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 

1Co 14:20  Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. 

2Ti 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 

I have always believed that any evangelism is to be natural and effortless, because, as I've said, the world can spot a fake.  May God help me to broadcast the Gospel, in any and every way.  May I not be ashamed of the Gospel (Romans 1:16).

I Lack Patience. (Plus an Update)

Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  

For the past month, I have undertaken a new project.  I have decided to build a PC for the second time.

For the past several months, I have been live-streaming on Twitch, playing video games, doing commentary, etc.

Both are related.

(Bear with me, this will get a little technical here.)

Yesterday, I was going to live-stream my PC build progress.  Yet, I was called away to family matters, so I had to abandon the stream, and even the recording of the build.  "Just build it", I said.  Yet, I still had that anxious, impatient excitement about the project, that I wasn't aware of a few things:

1. The CPU I bought did not come with integrated graphics, and neither does the motherboard.  So, without any kind of video, it won't work.

2. Thermal paste fuses the CPU and cooler together.

3. The CPU is not always the problem.

I thought, all I needed to bring the PC to POST (that is, to display the "power-on self-test" screen), was the motherboard, the CPU, the power supply, and the RAM.  I was wrong.

I watched a YouTube video on how to troubleshoot the situation.  The man mentioned that it could be the CPU, but he also mentioned that you needed video, and that most AMD CPUs don't come with integrated graphics.

All I heard was "CPU", because I thought I already broke it.  You see, I had a rough time getting the CPU cooler to work, that I thought the CPU was the problem, so to save time, I wanted to check that first.

I began to unscrew the mounting brackets of the CPU cooler, and then realized that the entire CPU was ripped from the AMD socket!  Oh great.  It took great difficulty to get the cooler off, but once I finally did, I found out that some of the CPU pins were bent!  I tried to bend them back into place, but then a couple of them broke.  So, the CPU is a brick.  $150 down the drain.

That's not the only problem:  I also heard that the AMD socket could also be damaged.  I looked carefully at the socket, rotating the latch back and forth, and sure enough, it looks like it took some damage.  Another $150 down the drain...maybe.  I'll have to take off the plastic casing on the socket to assess the damage.  I don't mind that, seeing as I'm declaring the motherboard dead anyway.

(Update: Done.  Check out the innards of the CPU socket during my "autopsy".  Look at the darkened pins.  This is where the damage occured.  It is likely the pins can't touch the affected areas, so yeah, the motherboard's a goner.)

Needless to say, I was in a hurry, and I wasn't patient.  If only I diagnosed the PC problem like I diagnose my sin problems time and time again:

And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

(Mat 5:29-30)

The sin was lack of patience, and the cause was my involvement in Twitch streaming, especially since I was working with a salesman of a lady selling me her overlay services, of which she was quite persuasive.

So, in the spirit of Matthew 5:29-30 and 2 Timothy 2:4, I deleted my Twitch and Discord accounts, and quit streaming.  Besides, to continue to pursue this would also be a dishonor to my family (Exodus 20:12, etc.), seeing as I had to pause my streams constantly to take care of family business (not an issue, by the way).  Streaming was just in the way, and a distraction from better things.

So, what about the PC building project?  It's still going on, albeit more slowly.  I have an SSD on the way, and I plan on buying a copy of Windows 11 next paycheck.  However, the replacement motherboard and CPU will have to wait until I get my tax refund, and with the CPU, I intend on getting one with integrated graphics, which was the case in my first PC build (that one went much more smoothly, and with an easier CPU cooler to install that I set up and left alone).

Once I get the parts, I intend to wait until there is ample time to put everything together.  No rush.  Even if I have to go to another location to do it.  It must be done with the utmost of patience.  Not trying to be an Internet personality helps.  I might talk more about this later, or maybe not.  Depends.

May God cultivate patience in me.  This humbling experience sure helped.

 

UPDATE (2/7/2025): The tax refund came, I bought the motherboard and CPU (cheaper ones), and decided to go with Linux instead of Windows.  

 

Here's what happened with this build:

 

1. Won't post.  (Oh, forgot to plug in a cable.)

2. Screen asks me to make a decision on resetting the CPU (or something.).  Internet says Yes.  PC turns off.  I turn it on.  PC turns off after a few seconds.

3. I plug in the USB stick with Linux on it.  After about 30 seconds, posts!  I install Linux Mint.

4. Great so far, but one problem:  Sluggish.  I think, "Temperature problem?"  I install a temperature applet.  90+ DEGREES (Celsius) !  I look up more things.  Enable Internal Graphics in BIOS.  Still, 90+ DEGREES.  Turns out that is the actual temperature.  Great.

5. I think to myself, "Just wait until tomorrow."  I sit in bed, looking up temperature issues.  I suspect it's because I didn't screw in the CPU cooler all the way.  I look up how to do it properly.  Some guy encourages me to be firm on the cooler.

6. I try that.  All four corners screw in tight.  Turn on the PC.  TEMPS NORMAL!  PC is faster!

As I'm typing this, the PC is running at a cool 29 degrees.  Apparently, I went the other direction in temperament.  Before, I lacked patience.  Now, I lacked resolve.  I was too CAREFUL.  I remember the coach from the movie "D3: The Mighty Ducks" say, "Don't be do careless, but don't be too careful either!  You cannot be afraid to lose!"

There are many Scriptures encouraging courage (Deuteronomy 31:7), as well as patience.

On Quiz Bowl and Idleness

2Ti 2:4  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 

Here are some things I need to confess.  I'm not perfect. (I John 1:8-10)  I get distracted by worldly things.  This was even more so when I was younger (perhaps I wasn't even saved back then).

Here's what happened:  For the past 11 months, I have been without a night custodian.  In December 2023, I had to withdraw my participation in the high school's quiz bowl tournament as a moderator, because I had to work overtime as a custodian.  As of yesterday, I now have a night custodian (he's more of a floater, going to at least three schools to help, but hey, it helps).  So, I am able to participate in this year's quiz bowl tournament, and signed up. 

Yet...I have thought about that above verse (of which I have discussed before) pertaining to such an "extra-curricular" activity such as quiz bowl.  Was I sinning by participating in secular activities?  

Honestly, I don't know.  Quiz bowl is no sin in and of itself; how can the promotion of truth be sinful?  I've been wrestling with my participation all day today, and so far, I came to the present conclusion that my participation is better than the alternative: doing nothing (highly discouraged, if not sinful, in Proverbs 19:15:

Pro 19:15  Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. 

).  [Wait, seriously?  Am I lazy for not doing quiz bowl?  No, I'm lazy if I do nothing after work, chores aren't nothing.]

As of now, I'm writing this blog post.  Yet, on most days, I do jack squat when it comes to productivity.  I once said to myself, "I need to relax in order to get ready for the next day."  This is why I don't do any web development during the week, it racks the brain too much.  But other things?  Perhaps that's for another blog post. (That's probably a good idea, a critique of the 40 hour work week. (See Matthew 20:6,9 and the "eleventh hour".))

So what do I have to do to prepare for being a moderator of a quiz bowl tournament?  Not a whole lot:  Just look over the questions, and make notes on pronunciations, changes in current events (this happened in 2021 when Olaf Shulz took over for Angela Merkel as Chancellor of Germany), the acceptability of certain answers (Octavius vs. Octavian, accepting "Bryant" for "Vanessa Bryant"), etc.  Honestly, it doesn't take that long.

Even the event itself doesn't take that long.  As Sima Guang Hater, a critic of Kansas quiz bowl on hsquizbowl.org has said:

"KS quizbowl consists of 16 questions per round, which are one line long and sorted by category. And 3 of them are math calculation. This has the advantage of allowing tournaments to happen in the 3 hours between the end of school and dinnertime, but is otherwise quite terrible."

Now, does this mean that if something of greater importance comes up, that I'll abandon the quiz bowl event?  Of course.  But until then, I have pretty much committed to it, and barring that something of greater importance, it would be unbecoming of me to abandon it (Numbers 30:2, Romans 12:17).  Correct me if I'm wrong please. (Proverbs 6:23)

Hater, Sima Guang. What’s the Matter with Kansas?, 26 June 2011, hsquizbowl.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=11697.

My Thoughts on the 4B Movement

But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

(1Co 7:32-35)

Firstly, what is the "4B" movement?  It comes from South Korea in which women fed up with the patriarchal society of the nation establish four rules for themselves, affecting men:

1. bisekseu (비섹스): No sexual intercourse with men

2. bichulsan (비출산): No childbirth

3. biyeonae (비연애): No dating men

4. bihon (비혼): No marriage with men

Following the November 5, 2024 election of Donald Trump over Kamala Harris, women, particularly leftist women, are essentially going on strike, in the style of the Greek comedy Lysistrata.

However, here are the two differences between the movements:

In "Lysistrata", the titular character leads a group of women into denying men sex in order to end the Peloponnesian War.

In the 4B Movement, women are denying men sex, kids, dating, and marriage in protest over the denial of their "bodily autonomy" (which is a lie for both women and men, I Corinthians 6:19-20 rejects the concept of bodily autonomy), and the practice of such "autonomy" via abortion, which in most cases (the contemporary definition of abortion includes terminating ectopic pregnancies and those that end in miscarriages, which are not murder in the eyes of God), is murder (Exodus 20:13, Deuteronomy 5:17, Psalm 22:10, etc.).

Now, at first, I was quite pleased with the movement.  Women being celibate and chaste?  It's certainly better than murder, and celibacy and chastity are virtuous in the eyes of God.  In fact, Paul calls single women happier:

1Co 7:40  But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God. 

(Of course, even men are spared the "trouble in the flesh" if they stay single too, says I Corinthians 7:28.  Would that not make men happy?)

But then I have to understand the motivation behind their aspirin legs.  They're not doing it out of purity.  It's not even similar to male eunuchhood, a state commended by Jesus:

Mat 19:12  For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it. 

No, these women are doing it because they don't have the "bodily autonomy" to kill babies.  While their motivations are indeed wicked, the act itself is not.  In fact, to those who are "pro-life", this should be welcome news!  While yes, they're not being fruitful and multiplying (Genesis 9:1,7, I Timothy 5:14, etc.), two things:  First, it is most likely they're not believers, so don't judge (I Corinthians 5:12), and secondly, no sin is being committed, because they're not even having babies that they can kill!  How can you kill them that don't even exist?  Take the win, pro-lifers!  This is a good side-effect!

Another thing:  The 4B Movement can teach us another thing:  It's a good thing to keep it in your pants, once in a while.  Celibacy and chastity is not a bad thing:

1Co 7:1  Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 

1Co 7:5  Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. 

Now, while, yes, married couples should get it on (as I Corinthians 7) teaches, it's no sin to take a temporary break once in a while, but only if both agree to it, in order for devotional time.

So yeah, those are my thoughts.  This upcoming administration is going to make things VERY interesting in America.  Buckle up.

Wikipedia contributors. "4B movement." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 8 Nov. 2024. Web. 9 Nov. 2024.

Wikipedia contributors. "Lysistrata." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 7 Nov. 2024. Web. 9 Nov. 2024.

I've Been Persecuted, Praise God!

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

(Mat 5:10-12)

So...it all started when Donald Trump became President-Elect of the United States.  A comic I read called "Pizza Cake Comics" released a comic talking about Project 2025.  In the first three panels, the representative said, "We want to ban abortion for all American women!" (PCC is based in Canada), "We also want to ban access to contraceptives!  Women need to know recreational sex is evil!"  Then in the last panel, a news article reads "AMERICAN WOMEN STOP HAVING SEX ALTOGETHER" "REPUBLICAN MEN CONFUSED, HORNY" 'DON'T THEY WANT 16 CHILDREN??"  with a side headline that reads, "ALSO PORN IS NOW ILLEGAL?"

Now, this post is not about Pizza Cake Comics.  I get the point.  The Left thinks Project 2025 will turn America into Gilead.

But here's what happened:  A comment by Kaitlynn Cary spoke of how Republicans keep saying "abortion is bad" but won't even help the child after birth.  This sentiment I totally agree with.

So I replied, "Former Republican here, [I became Unaffiliated on September 1, 2022] and I agree.  I'm still anti-abortion, but mainly [I first said "only", but changed it because I want to be clear I'm not cold and indifferent towards life] so God won't smite America.  Because of that, I don't mind what the GOP calls "socialism".  I want pre-borns AND pre-schools fine [a George Carlin reference]."

So...some alarm bells went off.  Yet, I wasn't entirely sure why.

Just now, I found out.  It was the God part.

So, Ms. Cary replied, "No no, Douglas.  I want reasoning without god (which some have given)."

[In my opinion, you can't talk about abortion vs. pro-life without talking about God, God is very much on the minds of the pro-life crowd]

A gentleman named Aaron Murray (who calls himself a "Christian who actually reads the Bible") then piped in, telling me, "Bud, abortion isn't a sin." then explained to everyone about Exodus 21:22:

Exo 21:22  If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. 

Another gentleman named Lawrence Inutiq-Sackett cited Numbers 5:11-31, saying that's "literally how to do an abortion".  The key verses are these:

Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing, and the priest shall say unto the woman, The LORD make thee a curse and an oath among thy people, when the LORD doth make thy thigh to rot, and thy belly to swell; And this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, to make thy belly to swell, and thy thigh to rot: And the woman shall say, Amen, amen.

(Num 5:21-22)

I was then called an "imbecile" and a "Pharisee".  But before I jump for joy (Luke 6:23), let's just make sure this is persecution, because I may be wrong on the abortion definition.

So, my response to all of this:

"Before I have this thread go off the rails (my apologies PCC), Firstly, I apologize.  I don't consider the biblical examples Mr. Murray and Mr. Sackett cited to be sinful, those examples I don't consider to be abortions (maybe my definition of abortion is off [It was, they consider removing babies of miscarriage abortion]).  I simply believe that an unborn child is a life, and any procedure that intentionally ends the child's life by another person is murder.  As long as the child is not murdered, I'm fine with any termination of pregnancy [I implied that giving birth is technically a termination of pregnancy], even if it ends in the child's death."

Mr. Sackett says "Wrong Answer":

"They didn't have Plan B millennia ago, you disgusting excuse of a man.  Pro-tip, don't want an abortion?  Don't get one you Fake Xtian."

OK, NOW it's persecution:

Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

(Luk 6:22-23)

 Let's celebrate:

Why I Changed A Few Things On Facebook

 In a word...humility.

This may have been a part of it:  I attended a Sunday School today, and one of the Scriptures mentioned was the following:

Deu 8:18  But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. 

In other words, the ability to make money does not come from you.  All your skills, all your talents, comes from the Lord.  Correct me if I'm wrong (Proverbs 6:23)

As many of you know, I am a school custodian.  Many months ago, I was left short-handed, becoming the only official custodian of the building.  With the exception of some help here and there, I am still the only custodian of the building.  At first, I worked plenty of overtime.  Now, I work less, because I have learned to be more efficient.  This made me somewhat prideful in my heart (Proverbs 16:18).

Sunday School reminded me of that.  

Now, on to what I was going to talk about:

On my Facebook page, I used to have a picture of plastic canvas pieces that read "28 28", referring to Job 28:28:

Job 28:28  And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’” 

I also mentioned in my bio that I am a God Fearer and Lucky.  The "Lucky" comes from the following:

Ecc 9:11  I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. 

I'm still willing to acknowledge that I'm lucky, for we all are.  And I still believe in the concept of fearing God.  We should fear God, mainly because:

Luk 12:5  But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. 

Yet, I also believe in not being a hypocrite, as is written here:

Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

(Mat 7:1-5)

Now, I still believe that "Judge not" doesn't mean "Judge never" as shown in this post here.  Even in this Scripture, Jesus permits one to "cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye".  Why does one do this, unless it's a problem?

So what's the deal?  Do I no longer fear God?  I surely hope not.  I surely hope my fear of God (which is a LITERAL DREAD (Isaiah 8:13)) remains.  Yet, I would be so heartbroken to be found a hypocrite if I do anything that suggests I don't fear God.  

I'm not perfect.  My struggle is just like what Paul is saying here:

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

(Rom 7:18-25)

So, yeah.  That's what's going on.  I haven't abandoned the faith.  I'm just being honest with myself.  Only God knows if I'm being faithful.  I hope and pray that I still am so.

I've Unsubscribed From The Philosophical Gamer

 “They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.” (1 John 4:5, KJV)

(This is neither an exposure, nor an endorsement, of Dr. Phil.  Is he a worldly figure?  Likely.  But this is not the point of this post.)

After The Philisophical Gamer's latest video, titled "Delusional Boomer Dr. Phil Thinks "Gen Z Is Lazy"", I'm done.  He agrees with the Gen Z lady on the Dr. Phil show in that "you should go towards what makes you happy".  Honestly, I don't know anywhere in Scripture where you are to seek happiness in this life, correct me if I'm wrong.  

Also, what "fear tactics" is she talking about?  What?  Work or get fired?  Where's the context?

It is obvious that the "heroes" of this video seek worldly things, I get the same sense of the American Dream trope time and time again, and that is of the world.

Is the American a pile of garbage?  Most likely.  Inflation has been a kick in the pants for us all.  Yet, for most of us, we still live WAY better than we did hundreds of years ago.  Most of you can eat, right?

 “But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” (1 Timothy 6:8, ESV)

The point is this:  Yes, the economy has not caught up with the standard of living.  Yet, for the past 70 years, America has always had high standard of living, and perhaps they are too high.  For believers for whom this is not our home, the standard of living is indeed too high.

“For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” (Hebrews 13:14, ESV)

So, I am unsubscribing from The Philosophical Gamer, because what he seeks is of the world.

Is The Economy A Pile of Garbage? So What? This Isn't Our World Anyway.

(Unless specified, Scripture verses are from the KJV.)

Heb 13:14  For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. (ESV) 

One of the YouTube channels I follow is called The Philosophical Gamer, featuring a millennial who long ago has moved out of the United States because the rising cost of living, and other societal issues.  He has videos titled "Gen Z Doesn't Want To Work / Be Slaves Anymore", "Gen Z's Wages Can't Even Pay For The Job Itself", "$50 Boomer Rent vs. $5000 Gen Z Rent!", "How $60,000 Became The New Poverty Wage In America", etc.  

This got me to thinking:  What sort of life does this person want?  The main reason I work, no matter the wage, was, at first, the following:

Rom 13:8  Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 

Now, it's more because of the following:

2Th 3:10  For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 

I used to work in order to pay off debts.  Now I work to have the right to eat. 

In my own life, I still live with my parents, because I can't afford the insane rents of this country.  I certainly can't afford to support a family by myself.  If I had to finance another car of similar quality, it would be MUCH more expensive than it was back in 2019 ($14k debt vs., say, $28k debt).  So in a way, I agree with The Philosophical Gamer in that the economy is pile of garbage.  Yet, as a Christian, it doesn't matter, because this isn't our world anyway.  Believers must be willing to endure MUCH MORE than a relative pile of garbage economy (I say relative because there are billions of people around the world who have it MUCH WORSE than I do).  Think of what the Apostle Paul went through:

Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?

(2Co 11:24-29, ESV)

If someone were to suffer today like Paul, it would sound more like this:

"I was beaten multiple times.  I was shot multiple times.  Three times the car broke down, and I was stranded on the highway.  I was always in danger from the elements, from thieves, from posers.  I often went without sleep.  I often went without food or drink.  Besides all this, I have a continuing concern for all the churches."

Hmm...just writing this makes me think of another thing:  What if I actually tried to pull an all-nighter, just to see what it would be like?  No, I'm not trying to test God (Deuteronomy 6:16, Matthew 4:7, Luke 4:12, etc.), I just wonder what it would be like to actually experience even a fraction of these sufferings for myself?  Now, I don't dare ask God to do so, because, honestly, I don't think I'm ready, maybe not even willing.  Something I have to work on, I guess.  Perhaps, if it's God's will, He will lead me to the depths of suffering, poverty, sleeplessness, hunger, thirst, cold, pain, etc. and then, while I'm in the middle of all this suffering, He tells me, "You see?  It's possible.  No one can ever say that you never dealt with this."  Again, I don't want to intentionally throw myself into poverty and suffering for no reason.  I want to live my life righteously, and THEN physically suffer as a result of it.  And I want feedback from the world telling me this is so.  This is not an unbiblical concept.  Jesus Himself asked of the Pharisees:

Joh 10:32  Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? 

So, if anything, a garbage economy should be welcomed by the Church, because it teaches you not to be attached to this world.  Believe me, it's much easier to follow Christ when times are bad, because when times are good, I'm afraid that people will behave like the Laodicean church in the Book of Revelation:

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

(Rev 3:15-19)

In addition, remember this:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

(Jas 1:2-4, ESV)

President Donald Trump Is Ordained Of God (Romans 13:1)

Rom 13:1  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 

The United States Presidential Election was on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.  I am not currently endorsing a presidential candidate at this time.  

As of January 20, 2025, the President is Donald Trump.

However, I can say this:  Whoever becomes President of the United States on January 20, 2025 MUST be revered, PERIOD.  God through Paul (2 Timothy 3:16) teaches in Romans 13 that God has ordained government leaders.  Paul gives no exception even to wicked leaders.  To say that he does would be to sinfully add to the Word of God, violating Proverbs 30:6:

Pro 30:6  Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. 

Now, let's go through Romans 13:1-7, and see what more it says about government leaders:

Rom 13:1  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 

Rom 13:2  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 

Rom 13:3  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 

Rom 13:4  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 

Rom 13:5  Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 

Rom 13:6  For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 

Rom 13:7  Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 

Paul is saying that if you resist government authority (which the rioters on January 6, 2021 did), you will be damned, or judged as the ESV suggests.  Indeed, many participants in the Capitol Riots have been justly judged.  For that I thank God, not because I support or oppose Donald Trump, but that it is a great affront to God (and to me personally) to rebel against the government.  The only time a believer should rebel against the government is when the government orders you to sin against God.  In this case, follow this advice:

Act 5:29  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 

Before I continue, I wish to give my personal reaction to January 6, 2021.  On that day, at first, I was in "alert" mode, thinking that such rioting would spread across the nation.  The next day, after thinking about what just happened, I shed tears.  I shed tears, because, in my mind, it was an affront to everything I was personally fighting for, which was maturity, growing up, being a man (I was paying off debts at the time and still trying to prove to the world, despite living with my parents, I was grown up), etc.  In my mind, the rioters were grown men acting like CHILDREN, since they were POUTING because their guy, Donald Trump, lost the election.  It is my personal belief that Joe Biden won the 2020 election fair and square, even if due to the prevalence of mail-in ballots, the deck was stacked in Mr. Biden's favor, such an event is not unfair.

Now, back to Romans 13.

Verse 4 is an anchor verse for me.  This is one of the key verses I cite when I say I support the death penalty, or at the very least, do not resist its use as punishment for multiple crimes, including, yes, homosexuality.  It is no sin for the government to execute homosexuals.  The same goes for all capital sins listed in Scripture, including adultery (in which Jesus also includes the cardiac kind in Matthew 5:28).  So, it is also no sin for the government to execute lusting users of pornography.  Even if I myself am guilty of all sorts of sins worthy of capital punishment, I cannot deny that the government has the right to put me to death for such sins.  Let's just hope that if such government is put in place, we are given enough grace to stop such activities immediately before such expanded death penalties take effect.

So, President Donald Trump is God's ordained minister of justice in the United States of America.  Respect the office.  God demands it.

1Pe 2:17  Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. 

On Lust, Fornication, and Marriage

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

(Mat 5:27-30)

While I was browsing YouTube, I came across a channel called Ear To Hear with a video about overcoming lust.  I have to admit, I thought, "Oh boy, here we go again."  I have to admit, part of why I wanted to find something to expose this channel on (Ephesians 5:11) was because I was annoyed that he's yet another person talking about overcoming lust, and that this topic comes up AGAIN and AGAIN and AGAIN.  Now, there were a few things worth exposing, such as calling Billy Graham a Christian (he is not, he denied Christ by saying on Hour of Power that there were many paths to God, violating John 14:6), and (at first), it appeared that he was peddling the Word of God for profit, violating 2 Corinthians 2:17 (turns out his sister made the merch for him, and the "peddling" was probably something else).  So, at the time, I deleted that exposure of him, because it wasn't quite clear that he was a false teacher.  He may still be a false teacher, but I haven't found much to prove it.

But on lust:  Honestly, it's not just people who profess Christ who hammer down the lesson on avoiding lust and other forms of sexual immorality, which the KJV calls "fornication".  The Bible Himself hammers it down AGAIN and AGAIN and AGAIN:

Act 15:29  That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. 

All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

(1Co 6:12-20)

Eph 5:3  But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 

For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

(1Th 4:3-5)

So, yeah, I must admit, the Bible makes it clear that such activity is a clear and obvious NO-NO.

But why am I so annoyed at this?  

Simple.  I'm single, and I know about this thing called....porn.

Fun fact:  The word for "pornography" comes from the very Greek word for fornication which is "porneia".  So, the "writing of the prostitutes" is quite an accurate term for this.

Now, before we continue:  Yes, I have sinned in this manner before (I John 1:9).  I am working on fleeing (I Corinthians 6:18) from even the "light" stuff, however that's defined.  I've stumbled recently (March 29, 2025), but I am seriously repenting and fleeing.

So if sexual sin is such a problem, what's a solution?  Yes, Jesus gives a solution to sexual immorality, and it is an extreme one:

And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

(Mat 5:29-30)

Jesus is serious about this.  If there's anything that's causing you to sin, cut it off.  Let's just hope it's not your literal body parts, because if it is, Jesus is COMMANDING you to LITERALLY cut off your body parts.  LITERALLY.  SERIOUSLY.  

Some of you may be wondering, "Oh, Jesus didn't mean that!"  In fact, while I was participating in a Reddit NoFap challenge (of which I probably shouldn't have done), I rebuked a veteran user by the name of fredtheuser on this very thing, and he essentially told me, "Are you saying that billions of Christians are mistaken and you're the only one who got it right?"  He then went on to say that if it were literally true, then our literal hearts must be taken out, because the sin is in the heart.  I have doubts about this.  Recently, I've stopped considering the literal organ we call the heart to be the "heart" Jesus was speaking about.  Jesus said:

Mat 15:19  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

Can the blood-pumping muscle in your brain think?  See this article where I explain more about that.

But I digress.

Now, as for your literal body parts, indeed, let's hope it doesn't come to that.  (One thing Ear To Hear does get right about overcoming lust is a form of this, saying that you should delete your social media accounts [presuming that social media is causing you to sin].)

Yet, there is another way to prevent lust and sexual immorality, something that Jesus also approves of (seeing that He is the Word of God, see John 1:1, I John 1:1, etc.)  It's a sort-of "lightning rod".  It's called "marriage":

Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well. Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets. Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee. Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.

(Pro 5:15-19)

Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

(1Co 7:1-5)

Yet what do I hear from the modern church?  crickets...crickets...crickets.  I hear next to NOTHING about using marriage as a means to stop sexual immorality.  If you knew me back in the mid-2010s, you knew that this was my gospel that I myself preached to people.  I even had a name for what I was doing: "The Epic Quest For The Blessed Fountain", the name based on Proverbs 5:18.  Many people, especially the women I was going after, thought I was crazy.  Only one church (which I believe is defunct) actually defended my actions.  This church however rebuked me for me wanting to "date", saying that dating is unbiblical.  It's funny, they compare that to partaking of what Protestants call "communion" using Pop-Tarts and Kool-Aid.  Now, as for dating being unbiblical, I can see that (an example being I Thessalonians 4:5), but I'm not entirely sure.  Of course, this church also said that marrying unbelievers is OK, which is obviously a lie:

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

(2Co 6:14-18)

But back to the apparent silence of marriage as the solution for singles.  I've checked, and it's true:  Only a handful of churches and groups that profess Christ even attempt to rectify the singles situation with marriage.  Unfortunately, I have serious doubts that any of them are in the Truth.  Higher Bond, a 'Christian' singles website that also allows 'separated people' to seek marriage, could be a violation of Matthew 5:32 and the like, and a matchmaking program from the New Independent Fundamentalist Baptist Churches (which advocate for KJV-Only (compare Isaiah 61:1 and Jesus' version in Luke 4:18, this shows that KJV-Only is heretical) and Free Grace OSAS (see Hebrews 6:1-6 and 10:26-31)).  Still, on specifically this subject, their heart is in the right place.

Now, I'm not saying finding a spouse is easy.  In this wicked world, even amongst those who call themselves Christians, finding a spouse is quite difficult.  However, it's even rarer to find ANYONE to perform matchmaking ministries that specifically address sexual immorality.

Now, yes, being single is preferable to being married.  Ask Paul in I Corinthians 7.  Yet, Paul's not stupid.  He knows that sex exists, and that it can get out of hand (I Corinthians 7:2), which is WHY, despite it being "trouble in the flesh" (I Corinthians 7:28), he also promotes marriage (he also does so in a different case in I Timothy 5:14).

Not that I seek one at this time, if I ever find a wife, this Scripture verse will certainly be proven true:

Pro 18:22  Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. 

You Know What? I Give Up.

2Ti_2:4  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

I came across this YouTube video talking about how Republican Christians (I'm officially politically independent, btw) are in danger of being rejected by Christ because they didn't help the poor (through refusing to vote for Kamala Harris).

 Here's the video:

So yes, Donald Trump is highly unorthodox, and leaves a bad taste in my mouth, and I disagree with many of his policies.  In addition, Kamala Harris is still one to advocate not only for baby murder via abortion, but also, and this is a non-biblical opinion of mine, policies that are economically destructive.

Then I remembered the above Scripture verse.

Ever since I first voted for Presidents in 2008, I voted for neither major party candidate, only voting for Libertarians a few times (I have since rejected Libertarianism, since they advocate for legal prostitution (a sin we are to flee says I Corinthians 6:13)).

So, in 2024, I am considering voting for a random person whom nobody knows, or...

I might even refrain from voting entirely.  

So why am I even voting if I'm not confident of either pick?  Well, out of family honor (Exodus 20:12, Ephesians 6:1), I have voted.  Even when Donald Trump was on the ballot in 2016 and 2020, I neither voted for him, Hillary Clinton, nor Joe Biden.  

Then again, and let me repeat this:

2Ti_2:4  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

To not vote, and thus possibly disobeying my parents in this matter, in the name of Christ, and correct me if I'm wrong (Proverbs 6:23), is permitted:

Act 5:29  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 

In addition, how is it any of my business (I Thessalonians 4:11) who the President of the United States is?  

Now again, I may be wrong on all of this.  Please, someone, help me out.  Explain to me how voting for either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris in 2024 is the godly and Biblical choice, even if neither of them are true believers.

Honestly, I absolutely HATE being scared into voting for a particular candidate, if it SOUNDS as if choosing wrong sends me to Hell.  I believe in helping the poor, but I ALSO believe in truth.  What's the truth?

What If I'm Not Saved? (And Discovering A New Method Of Evangelism)

 I know, it's an unusual question to ask, but I have to vent.

I've been a Christian for many years (how many, I don't know, I don't count the time I first "asked Jesus into my heart", I was still following false Christianity at the time).  Yet, I don't seem to have the passion and desire to proselytize openly to others in public.  You know, what they call "street preaching".  Why don't I do this?  My main excuse is, "I don't know what to say.", which reminds me of these verses:

But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

(Mat 10:19-20)

And there are others like this.

Concerning proselytizing in general, I am also reminded of this verse (or something like it):

Jer 4:19  My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. 

I think the actual verse I'm thinking of says something like "I cannot hold it in", that is, the words of the Gospel.

Here's another one:

1Co 9:16  For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 

So where does the "What If I'm Not Saved?" come in?  Well, I am reminded of a quote by Charles Spurgeon (a false teacher though, he believes there will be more people in Heaven than in Hell, contradicting Matthew 20:16 and the like), which reads:

"Have you no wish for others to be saved?  Then you are not saved yourself.  Be sure of that."

Is this Biblical?  I don't know.  Still, I answer the question from Mr. Spurgeon.  Do I wish others to be saved?  Of course!  I would love for people to see the light and experience the truth like I have.  There is hope in this godless world, and it is through knowing the Truth.

You know, as of this writing, perhaps that is what is missing in my evangelism, my own personal testimony.  I haven't really thought of it, but there is something that does give me joy (and sometimes excitement), as well as calm assurance, and that is the fact that I know the Truth, that I can access the Truth, and that the Truth will not lie to me.  In this instance, The Truth (who is Jesus Christ says John 14:6) is a little like Rick Astley to me, but not totally.  I was going to compare the chorus of "Never Gonna Give You Up" to what Jesus says, but a few problems:  Jesus (even through the disciples) can make you cry in this world:

Act 21:13  Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. 

Yet, the other lyrics ("Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down, never gonna run around and desert you") sounds a lot like the following:

Heb 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 

(and the like, Deuteronomy 31:6, 8, Joshua 1:5, I Chronicles 28:20, etc.)

In other words, THE TRUTH WILL NOT LIE TO ME!!!  Mere men lie.  Jesus, who is the Bible (John 1:1, 1:14, I John 1:1, Revelation 19:13, etc.), who is the Truth (John 14:6), doesn't.

This is why:

Luk 24:32  And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 

So, something to think about.  A unique evangelism method.  May God lead me to spread the message of heart burning Truth.

Charles (CH) Spurgeon. “Do You Wish Others to Be Saved? – Charles Spurgeon | Deeper Christian Quotes.” Deeperchristianquotes.com, 2019, deeperchristianquotes.com/do-you-wish-others-to-be-saved-charles-spurgeon/. Accessed 17 Aug. 2024.

Scripture and Doctrinal References In "The Ninth Cloud"

2Co 2:17  For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. 

I wrote a book.  As of this writing, the publishing is pending.  While the book itself doesn't teach religion, It contains many references to the Bible and Christianity (the book is translated into King James language, and the very style of the book is in chapter and verse format), so I wanted to post the religious content on this blog for free, so no one can accuse me of peddling the Word of God for profit. 

FOREWORD

I conclude with the following message. 

Whether it shows me a hypocrite or not, this message is universal to all: 

“Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolary.”

CHAPTER ONE

6 Yet, to grace the Culture Festival with mine presence? Verily, as a stripling, I harbored dreams of such festivities, arrayed in the raiment of intrepid celestial marshals. 

7 But on that day, I recoiled at the thought. I recall a demonstration at a grander culture festival by a band of zealous religionists, decrying such gatherings as dens of carnality and false worship. 

8 “Super Men and Winged Knights, let them be thy salvation!” they would cry in jest.

9 Now, I disavow their congregation, for they proclaim that The Messiah died but for a chosen few. 

10 In truth, The Messiah yielded His life for all, albeit the efficacious redemption is for but a select number. 

11 Whilst I cleave unto this latter belief steadfast as a rock, what weigheth more upon my mind regarding mine attendance at the Culture Festival is thus: Super Men and Winged Knights are verily idols, an abomination indeed unto The Messiah. In this matter, the fundamentalists speak aright.

19 And what declareth The Book? To sup within the temple of an idol is no transgression. Moreover, The Hamster is my kinsman, to watch over him and his kin is an act of charity.

32 No longer was I to restrain my mirth. For there is a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.

CHAPTER TWO

20 Yet, there is another matter to recount: Within the bounds of the festival, there existed a realm deemed verboten in my contemplation, known as Celebrity Row.

21 'Tis a place where devotees of divers notables might capture their visage alongside them and obtain their marks of autograph.

22 I deemed it proscribed, for such personages can readily ascend to the stature of deities in the eyes of men. 

29 'Twas not out of malice towards the Stellas, but rather, a fondness for them, and a desire not to exalt them as idols within my heart.

MIDLOGUE

28 Dear Reader, I do acknowledge that there is suffering in life. 

29 It is written: “In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.”

CHAPTER FOUR

3 Whilst I did procure the garment, my zeal for further acquisitions was tempered. I desired not to return laden with trinkets of regret. 

4 Verily, the Saviour hath spoken, “A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”

41 She counselled that I gather my coin. I do now, yet not for mine own sake. Such is contrary to The Book.

EPILOGUE

18 The edict of The Scripture endures: “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.”

A Street Sweeper Song

Col 3:23  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 

Php 2:4  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 

I came up with a song; I don't have any music to it, but you can put mostly any song to it.

(I now have music, AI generated by the Donna app:)

https://soundcloud.com/user-47391635/street-sweeper-sage

This song is based on MLK Jr's Street Sweeper speech.  I ran it through AI to make it rhyme.  Hope you like it:

All the hosts of heaven’s tune

The lights are up, the camera’s boon

The director counts, the crew’s in place 

Players poised, ready for the chase

The piper pipes, the host awaits 

Control booth whispers, “Go, create!” 

This…is…life, the studio’s stage 

And here comes today’s street sweeper sage

Returning champion, will they shine? 

Like Mike, Bill, or Ludwig, divine 

The highest rated show, they say 

Pay-per-view, a king’s ransom to pay

Street sweeper, put your chips on the line 

Your street, the final boss, so fine 

Bee’s knees, they claim, your sweeping grace 

Prove them right, sweep well in this race!

The task is complete, the crowd's delight

The silent majority recalls your fight

Your name they remember, it echoes in fame

Street sweeper, yet the game's not the same

You've got some PR, a new stage to claim

Consider humanity, it's not just a game

A champion you are, now champion for all

Your heart must be open, or you'll surely fall

The people aren't pawns in your sweeping spree

Remember mankind's business, the charity

Mercy and forbearance, in your trade's small sea

Will add breadth to your length, a grand legacy

So live well, street sweeper, with heart and zeal

Your sweep's more than dirt, it's the human feel

Why Is It Called "Salvation"?

A thought popped in my head:

"Why is it called 'salvation'"?

The church always talks about "being saved".  Yet, has any of us pondered why we use that word, salvation, saved, etc.?

A rational person would rightly ask, "What does Jesus save us FROM?"

You see, for there to be a concept of salvation, there must be a reason TO be saved.  There must be a danger that we need saved FROM.

Some people say that we are being saved from being separated from God.  This is what they call the fate of the unbeliever.  Suppose that is true, that if I was an unbeliever, and I died as an unbeliever, the only thing that would happen to me is that God would be out of my reach.  That's it?  That's really kinda vague.  Is that a good thing?  Is that a bad thing?  "Oh, it's a bad thing, it really is a bad thing!"  OK, then HOW is it a bad thing?  Give me details!  Convince me to believe other than, "If you don't believe, you'll be separated from God."

In the story of Christ's nativity, the angel told Joseph to name his son JESUS for this reason:

Mat 1:21  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 

OK, so what Jesus ("The LORD saves") saves people from are our sins.  Now, by itself, it's still kinda vague.  Yet, God doesn't stop there.  He does explain why being saved from our sins is necessary.  Paul says:

Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

(Act 13:38-39)

So our sins are forgiven through Jesus.  OK, getting warmer (figuratively).  Yet God doesn't stop there.  By itself, to say one's sins are forgiven implies that having sins on your account is a bad thing.

But let's dig deeper.  What does the word "sin" mean?

The Greek word for "sin" is 'hamaratia", literally meaning "to miss the mark".  So, "sin" is an "error", a "misstep", a "mistake", a bend in a straight path, etc.

And what is forgiveness?  Simply, that such things that you are forgiven of won't count against you.

Count against me?  What are you talking about?  

Here's what I'm talking about.  As I've said before, in the end of days, there will be a final judgment:

2Co 5:10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

(Rev 20:11-12)

It is a final accounting of everything we have done in our life.  Everything we do, everything we say (Matthew 12:36), and even everything we think (Proverbs 24:9 calls foolish thoughts sin), will be up for audit.

If ANY sin appears on your record, this is what Jesus says will happen to you:

As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

(Mat 13:40-42)

(There are more passages that speak of this, but in my opinion, this passage drives down the point most clearly for the sake of this post.)

And what is the "furnace of fire"?  It's HELL!

So, to sum it all up, we all will be judged on EVERYTHING we have done in our life.  If we have SIN on our record, we go to HELL.

So, why is it called "salvation"?  Why does Jesus come to save those who believe from our sins?  It's because the sins take us to eternal punishment.  Thus, Jesus saves us from eternal punishment.  Jesus saves us from Hell.  What are being saved from, ultimately?  HELL!

And all we need to do to be saved is to trust Jesus.  Not just the man Himself, but the entire Word of God, for Jesus IS the Word of God (John 1:1, John 1:14, I John 1:1, I John 5:7, Revelation 19:13).  All this IS trusting in Jesus.  If you do so, you are saved.  If you don't, the Bible says the wrath of God abides on you (John 3:36).

Acts 16:31 of the King James Version uses the word "on", which well illustrates what faith in Jesus is:

Act 16:31  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 

You see, it's not just believing Jesus exists, as the modern definition of believing in something says.  James 2:19 says:

Jas 2:19  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 

(devils being "demons")

So demons believe that God exists, they believe "in" God, and specifically, "one God".  Yet, are they saved?  Surely not!

In fact, Acts 2:38 says about the condition of salvation (here, called "remission of sins"):

Act 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

This is still compatible with "faith in Jesus", meaning "faith in Jesus" also means repentance of sins, and baptism (side note:  I don't yet have a solid theology on whether water baptism [by immersion, see Acts 8:39 and "out of" the water] is the source of salvation, yet I do have a solid theology on the command to be water baptized, whether it saves you or not; honestly, it's easier just to do it in the name of obedience and move on.).

So trust Jesus.  He will save you (see Luke 10:20) from the lake of fire (see Revelation 20:15).

Jesus Preached Hellfire and Brimstone Messages

I was watching a video that talked about the false megapreacher Kenneth Copeland.  The speaker was saying that he wanted more preachers that preached subtle truths in the forefront of Christianity, to better represent the faith.

One problem:  Jesus wasn't subtle.

So, to prove my point, I cited all the times where Jesus mentioned either Hell, not going to Heaven, not being forgiven of one's sins, etc. in the Sermon on the Mount.  Then it hit me, "This is a hellfire and brimstone message!", which is a good thing:

Mat 10:28  And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 

Anyway, I just wanted to share some passages in the Sermon on the Mount which would be considered extreme today.

1. Exceeding the Righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

(Mat 5:19-20)

2. On Anger and "Thou Fool":

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

(Mat 5:21-22)

3. On How To Prevent Lust (And Other Sins):

And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

(Mat 5:29-30)

4. On Forgiveness

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

(Mat 6:14-15)

5. The Way To Hell is Broad, The Way To Heaven Is Narrow

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

(Mat 7:13-14)

6. "I Never Knew You"

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

(Mat 7:21-23)

Once again, this is the motivation behind hellfire and brimstone messages; they warn you against a terrible fate.  And again, without bias, this can be easily seen, which explains why a devout atheist like Penn Jilette can see it.  The fate of Hell is like the semi-truck and you are on the road where the semi-truck is about to hit you.  The hellfire and brimstone preachers warn you to get out of the way, those most effective will tackle you.  Believe me, it is very effective imagery when you consider how much Penn Jilette once weighed.

As Mr. Jilette said, I say to you:

"How much do you have to hate someone to not proselytize?"

Jesus certainly proselytized.  His very name means "The Lord SAVES".  There is a reason why it's called "SALVATION".