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.

Just Want To Make Some Things Clear.

I was with my family shopping, when we encountered someone from an old church.  The conversation at one point turned to Dad's profession as a pastor (bivocationally).  

The lady asked, "Do you go [to his church]?"

I along with my brother was silent.  We hardly ever go to church, but for different reasons.  Besides, we work practically every day as custodians.

"You still believe, don't you?"

We all agreed.  I said, "Yeah, we believe." (I meant, we all believe in God and the basic facts of Christianity).

I then added, "...believe in the Bible."  (I meant, I believe what the Bible says, even the literal controversial teachings.)

I later clarified myself, saying with a quicker and slightly lower tone, "I believe in the Bible.", speaking for just myself.  I never explicitly said that my family didn't believe in the Bible.  I do have my doubts of this because I believe in the Bible more plainly and literally (similar to Fundamentalists but not precisely like them), and the rest of my family doesn't.  I'm not saying I'm better than my family.  I'm just saying that my SPECIFIC faith is in the "Bible", the Word of God.  I don't believe in any denomination.  I simply wish to take God at His Word, no matter how crazy it is.  

I don't know the extent of my family's belief in Christ, I've simply stopped automatically considering anyone, including myself, a believer simply because they say that are, for there are loads of false teachings in this world with the label of Christ.

Why am I saying all of this?  I have taken a more plain and literal take on the Bible, and question everyone else who does not, because of my exposure to Darwin Fish and A True Church, who, not explicitly, drew me to search the Scriptures for myself.  I have yet to reconcile the notion of "God is a man" and the "two virgin births" teachings.  All that matters is that I can set aside everyone else's notion of what the Bible says and just read it for myself.  If we agree, great!  If not, I am not responsible on the Day of Judgment.

In conclusion, by simply getting my religion from the Bible and nowhere else, no one can say I relied on mere men, Darwin Fish included.  That, and I'd rather just speak for myself about my faith, because of that I am more sure.

James 5:16

 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16, KJV)

UPDATE:  No, I am not observing Lent.  I just realized that I am posting this on "Ash Wednesday".  And No, "Mardi Gras" was not on my mind.

Lately, I've been thinking about this concept, about confessing your sins to a fellow believer (and yes, I may have had some Matthew 5:28-ish issues last night, maybe more accurately, not following I Corinthians 6:18.  I dabbled in "lighter" and not so obvious content, but it's still not "fleeing") (as well as some occasions where I unintentionally go a few miles over the speed limit, that happened recently a few times (3/19)).  Some say we are to only confess to God.  They say that we are not to seek "absolution" for our sins.  They say that the following Scripture is enough:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, KJV)

I wonder:  What do I do?  I'm not Catholic, Catholicism is full of heresy.  

At the very least, I can confess to God.  Nowhere in the following passages is an additional party needed to receive forgiveness:

“I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.” (Psalms 32:5, KJV)

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13, KJV)

“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 18:13-14, KJV)

So where does James 5:16 fit in?  What if there is no believer for you to confess your sins to?

Honestly, I don't know.

In the name of potential obedience to James 5:16, I address this post to any who are true believers, those are among the "one to another".

Oh, and I've also implemented Matthew 5:29 concerning last night's issues.  For years, I've been wrestling with doctrine concerning...well, self-pleasure, from Darwin Fish of A True Church (he says that the act in and of itself is not sinful, I agree).  If I have sinned in this matter, it is not Mr. Fish's fault, I may have simply misread his stuff.  So what is the implementation?  Cutting off the practice entirely.  This will solve so many problems, especially the following:

“And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23, KJV)

3/9 UPDATE:  Self-pleasure itself may not be the cause of my issues.  It could be certain internet content (I was dabbling in animated internet content, seeing if there was something safe, yeah, that was foolish, see I Corinthians 6:18).  So, let's try staying away from any spicy content, even if it's tame.

The Episcopal Church Exposed

 I received a group text from someone which simply read "Stop".  Upon doing further research, I found that the person making that text message was simply trying to stop further texts from someone claiming to be a lottery.  I called the person, and it turns out she is an "Episcopal deacon".  This led me to look into the Episcopal Church again, also seeing as one of their own, a "bishop" named Mariann Budde, asked President Trump to "have mercy" on illegal immigrants and the LGBT.

Here are the main reasons why the Episcopal Church is a false church whose leaders and adherents (John 10:5, 2 John 1:9-11) are going to Hell ("swift destruction" says 2 Peter 2:1):

1. They ordain women into the ministry.  On their website, if you search for "ordination of women", you find a few articles such as "40th Anniversary of the Ordination of Women Priests" and "Women Ordination Vote Passed In the Church of the Province of Central Africa".  Not to mention the popularity of female bishop Mariann Budde.  It is obvious that they approve of this, which is in violation of I Timothy 2:12:

"But I suffer not a woman to each, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence."

2. They promote the abomination of homosexuality, the LGB portion (Leviticus 20:13), and the wickedness of effeminacy, the T portion concerning males to "females" (I Corinthians 6:9) in promoting the LGBT.  If you search for "lgbt" on their website, a May 16, 2024 article shows up with the title "Episcopal Church unveils new Pride shield in celebration of LGBTQ+ inclusion".  They tolerate this!  

3. Not only that, they allow such homosexuals to be in the clergy!  In their section titled "What We Believe", they say:

"...people of all genders and sexual orientations serve as bishops, priests, and deacons in our church..."

I Timothy 3:2 begins this way concerning bishops:

"A bishop must be blameless..."

How can you be blameless when you're living in gross sin!

So, this is a simple exposure (Ephesians 5:11).  There's likely more damnable heresies to be found within this church, but these three points are starters in making it plain.

Scott Silverii Ministries Exposed

 Here is a recent exposure for you all.  I found him on Facebook.  His ministry mainly focuses on manhood, and how perpetutating the concept of adolescence is ungodly (which it is, see I Corinthians 13:11).  Yet, he is a false teacher for the following reasons:

1. Peddling The Word of God For Profit

"For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ." --2 Corinthians 2:17, ESV

"like so many", Mr. Silverii's church, Five Stones Church in Midlothian, Texas, solicits donations for his ministry, which is against the Word of God.  Not that true pastors are undeserving of compensation (I Corinthians 9:1-14), but that the Word of God must NOT be used as something for "sale".  Anyone who solicits donations for a church or a similar ministry is doing just that.  It is wickedness.

2. Anti Corporal Punishment

Proverbs 23:13-14 (KJV) says:

"Withhold not correction from the child, for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.  Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell."

 

In this picture, Mr. Silverii compares a weak father to a strong father.  A "strong father" to him is one who "doesn't spank", wheras a "weak father" "punishes".  

Corporal punishment is MANDATORY to raise a righteous child and keep the child from going to Hell.  To say otherwise is violate Deuteronony 12:32 (KJV):

"What thing sowever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereo, nor diminish from it."

3. The Lie of "Taxation Is Theft"

Romans 13:6-7 (ESV) says:

"For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.  Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes is owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed."

Check out this other Facebook post from Mr. Silverii:

Look at the last panel.  It is suggesting that you should teach your children that "taxation is theft".  THE BIBLE SAYS NO SUCH THING!!! (Proverbs 30:6)  Now, is it possible for the government to misuse taxpayer money?  Of course.  However, it still doesn't change the fact that taxation is a Biblical concept, and not theft.

How Jeremiah 22:13 Changed My View On The Internet

Jer 22:13  Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work; 

This very Scripture has fundamentally changed the way I see the Internet, and all its content.  Please read on.

How It Started

I have made it a habit to read a chapter of Scripture a day, preferably in the morning.  I was on Jeremiah 22, when I came across the above verse.  I thought something:  What free online services do I use that I could be paying for, either through purchasing a subscription, making a donation, or watching an ad?

I have a confession to make (Proverbs 28:13):  I was a thief.  I pirated music via Napster, I downloaded video game ROMs, etc.  This was back when I wasn't a Christian.  I have since paid for a good number of the albums I once stole from, the rest I streamed on streaming services, there may be a few songs that have slipped my mind.  As for the video games, I have paid for a good number of them too, thanks to Nintendo's eShop.  It is likely impossible for me to make full restitution for the thefts (soft language calls it piracy) of software and media.  Still, I wanted to make an effort (see Exodus 22:12).  To any former thief who is now in Christ, heed the following:

Eph 4:28  Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 

One of the biggest software thefts (of which I was also guilty until I paid for it), and the subject of many jokes, is the file compression software WinRAR.  Officially, you get 40 days to try it out for free, and then you are commanded to either pay for it, or uninstall the software.  Many people, including myself, have kept using the software without paying.  In 2021, after using other file compression tools, I finally paid for it. (I may have paid for it twice, there was also a registration key in 2023, oh well, perhaps it's for the best)

This YouTube video has more information on the WinRAR situation:

I just want to make it clear to everyone:  If you are still using WinRAR after the 40-day trial without paying for it, YOU ARE A THIEF, and thieves are among those who do not enter the Kingdom of God:

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

(1Co 6:9-10)

Back to those online services I've been using for free (of which the providers of the services allow at limited use).  I've been blessed in my job that I more often than not have extra money on my hands, and I've been able to compensate several software authors (individual or group) through a premium subscription, a donation (which I call a purchase, keep reading for more info), or watching ads.  Plus, on a mental level, I feel less restricted in using the software or online service when I have actual skin in the game.

2Th 3:8  Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 

(I'm not perfect in this, but I am making an effort to do this time and time again.)

As for this blog, it is powered by Google, which is compensated mainly through ads through other services I use, so it's not as if I'm taking advantage of this blog for nothing.  It may be "free", but it doesn't come without a cost.  (I may have to consider returning to paid web hosting and get a WordPress blog set up, mainly for the sake of independence)  Now, of course, for the sake of 2 Corinthians 2:17, I refuse to connect my AdSense account to this blog (or solicit donations, I have plenty, also see Hebrews 13:5), so I'll have to figure out other ways to compensate Google while being light on its use. (I recently asked Gemini, Google's AI, for an answer.  Using Google's other services, paying for content on their platform, is essentially the answer.  So we're cool.)

As for the "donation" I mentioned, I donated $50 to Linux Mint in order to justify using that operating system in my PC building project.  In my heart, IT'S NOT A DONATION, IT'S A PURCHASE.  I figured $50 was a decent enough price for an operating system.  It was cheaper than buying a fresh copy of Windows 11.  Some of you may be saying, "You have sinned, because you publicly acknowledged your donation in violation of Matthew 6:14!"  For reference, here is the Scripture:

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

(Mat 6:1-4)

My answer to such an accusation is this: THIS IS NOT ALMS. It's naming my own price, in the guise of a "donation".

OK, one more thing:  What about those who can't afford to compensate for online services?  Are such people sinning?  Of course not!  If the provider of such services offers them for free, to use it for free is not theft.  In fact, we ourselves are to do things for the poor for free anyway:

Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

(Luk 14:12-14)

 

How I See The Internet Now

Remember back before the Internet was a big thing, where if you wanted to consume ANY content, you either had to buy it, if it was music, books, etc., or watch ads if it was television?  Now, because of the Internet, there's a BOATLOAD of free stuff to consume, yes, many of which distribute it in the name of sharing.  Still, Jeremiah 22:13, whether I interpret it correctly or not, got me to thinking, "Am I too attached to this stuff?"  (loving the world leads to Hell says I John 2:15)  So, naturally, my Internet use has fundamentally changed; I am using it less.

What Now?

 So yeah, there's a little bit of withdrawal from reducing my viewing of content.  Still, it's good to reduce it, in order to also follow this Scripture:

"Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life." --Proverbs 4:23

Hopefully, I will find other things to do with my life.  It may take some time, but maybe, just maybe, I can improve my interactions with others, that is, to seek them out more, something that Christians need to do anyway in order to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19).