A new biblical post in response to "pride" month.

https://trustjesus.substack.com/p/two-rainbows

Two RainbowsHope and Defiance
JUN 02, 2024
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One of the great signs of God’s promises to mankind is the rainbow, but man has made it a sign of defiance against God’s great design, His will, and His plan for humanity.(Please read my whole post. Many on either side of this issue might mistake what I am saying without reading the whole post. It also starts with some background verses that are necessary, but may not be fully meaningful without the context below them.)Background data and verses:
Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying, “Now behold, I Myself do establish My covenant with you, and with your descendants after you; and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you; of all that comes out of the ark, even every beast of the earth. I establish My covenant with you; and all flesh shall never again be cut off by the water of the flood, neither shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth.” God said, “This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all successive generations; I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. It shall come about, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow will be seen in the cloud, and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the cloud, then I will look upon it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.” (Genesis 9:8-17) {Emphasis mine}Some may question, why did God destroy the Earth. Genesis states:Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. The Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. (Genesis 6:5-8)The Bible says of mankind that “every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” This evil was every kind of evil, but it also included sexual sins as implied in Genesis 6:1-5. Later in the Bible God causes the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah due to sexual sins.Before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter; and they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men {angels} who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them.” But Lot went out to them at the doorway, and shut the door behind him, and said, “Please, my brothers, do not act wickedly. (Genesis 19:4-7) {bracketed comment is my clarification}A holy God cannot allow great evil to continue. He can’t be in the presence of evil. Luckily for us, we do serve a patient and loving God who gives us many chances to turn back to Him and to obey His commands which always leads to our good.Sometimes we wonder why evil is allowed to continue unabated, but we are all blessed that He is patient and doesn’t punish evil the moment it is committed. If He did, we would all be destroyed. Sometimes He delays punishment to allow us time to repent. Sometimes He delays punishment to avoid punishing His followers among those who defy Him with their evil actions.And the Lord said, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave. I will go down now, and see if they have done entirely according to its outcry, which has come to Me; and if not, I will know.”Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, while Abraham was still standing before the Lord. Abraham came near and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account.” And Abraham replied, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes. Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, will You destroy the whole city because of five?” And He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” He spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose forty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it on account of the forty.” Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak; suppose thirty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.” And he said, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord; suppose twenty are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the twenty.” Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.” (Genesis 18:20-32)Don’t mistake this discussion as Abraham convincing God that He shouldn’t destroy Sodom because it might harm innocent civilians. God knows that there are not 10 righteous people. In fact there are none, but He does save Lot and His daughters out of His mercy. God allows Abraham to “convince” Him so that Abraham can see God’s mercy and righteousness.Defiance:
A few years ago, when the whole rainbow brigade was pushing homosexuality and transgenderism on everyone and calling anyone who disagreed a hater, it suddenly hit me how evil the use of the rainbow was. God shows the rainbow to promise He will never again destroy the earth with a flood due to evil. These people use God’s promise as a taunt to God. “We can defy your creation of man and woman by saying people are born into the wrong body.” “We can defy your command to be fruitful and multiply by same sex relationships and/or chemically or physically castrating kids.” “We can call your creation of man and woman a mistake (born in the wrong body).” “We can destroy the definition of marriage and the family that you created from the beginning.” They can do all of this evil, and they display the rainbow to taunt God and say, “You can’t do anything about our evil because You promised to not destroy the earth again with a flood.” Using the rainbow as their symbol was not accidental. It was an intentional slap in God’s face. They aren’t just saying, “this is the way I want to live my life.” They are saying, “I’m going to live contrary to your will and there is nothing you can do about it.”Christian Response:
As the church, the body of Christ, we need to uphold God’s good design. “He created them male and female, and He blessed them and named them Man in the day when they were created.” (Genesis 5:2) We also need to value people because they are all made in the image of God.One error I’ve seen from lots of Christians is how they will personally attack someone guilty of homosexual sin, but excuse someone guilty of heterosexual sin (sex outside of marriage) as if one is acceptable and the other is not. They are both sins. They are both disobeying God. They are both unacceptable, especially for those who claim to be Christians. Neither error should be allowed in the church.Today, kids have been told that they are born into the wrong body and need to claim to be the opposite gender or one of the hundred or so made up genders. Too frequently Christians attack the kids for their claims. Yes, claiming that God made a mistake and put them in the wrong body is a sin, but they need to be led to the truth rather than browbeat. Those who claim to be “gender affirming” need to be pointed out for the sinful, haters they are. Telling an impressionable kid that they are born into the wrong body and need to take drugs for the rest of their lives or cut off body parts to have value are not gender affirming. They are the opposite. They are physically, emotionally, and spiritually destroying these kids. They are denying the true identity of these kids.We need to tell these kids that God does not make mistakes, that they are exactly the person they should be, and that they are valuable because they are made in the image of God. These kids need to be shown the truth as well as shown how the truth will set them free and protect them from being destroyed. These kids need to be told how they can be used by God for His glory by affirming God’s perfect creation.Too often we are so appalled by the lies and sin that we can’t see the person who has been misled. Even among the adults, many need to hear the truth in a loving manner instead of being attacked. Of course, don’t let my push for a loving response make you think that I am in any way condoning this behavior or suggesting a compromise to God’s word. We need to speak the truth and the truth is that these people have been lied to. The truth is that they are not a mistake (although they are mistaken). The truth is that God doesn’t make a mistake and that we are always best off when we obey and follow God. He created us and He knows what is best for us even when we don’t have a clue.By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)Instead of being mad at these people or just trying to beat them in an argument, we need to have pity on these sinners remembering:Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)Trust Jesus.

#Jesus  #jesus  #god  #God  #Bible  #bible  #faith  #christian  #Christian  #christianity  #pride  #rainbow  #sin


freeborn | ελεύθερος


I use Sleepa.  I've tried a sound machine and a couple different apps.  Most of them have the problem that when the track runs out there is a hitch in the sound that jolts me awake.  I don't have that problem with Sleepa.  With Sleepa, I get to mix a bunch of different sounds together and control the volume of each.  I think each sound has a different sound length, so you don't get that fraction of a second drop of sound that all of the others have.  The only annoying thing is the only way to pay for it is is through Google pay (I refuse to give google my cc) and the free version runs annoying ads (luckily not while sleeping), so I have to start it fast and in the morning click pause and exit really fast, so I don't have to see or listen to the obnoxious advertisements for annoying apps like ticToc (sp?) that I despise.


I've had bad sleep ever since my youngest was young and had health problems.  I didn't ever get into deep sleep for 2-3 years because I was listening for him having breathing problems.  He was hospitalized basically once a month in the winter and every other month in the summer for 3ish years.  I haven't slept well since.  Every little noise would wake me.

I now sleep with what my husband calls the hurricane.  It is a sound app where wind, waves, rain, and a babbling brook are all mixed together.  With that going, I can't hear all of the creaks and other noises in the night and I sleep better than I have in 16 years.  Because it sounds a little like a bad storm, I don't even notice when a terrible storm with wind and rain and hail happens by.  I sleep like a baby.


I'm currently reading "The Holiness of God" by R.C. Sproul. (among other things)  I highly recommend it.


I spent my whole childhood on flashlight duty helping my Dad work on cars.  Somehow he still doesn't believe I understand cars or engines at all.

 I aced my engine test in Driver's Ed thanks to all of that flashlight duty.


I've done a bunch of boring little things, but the one good thing is I just completed another post for my blog (on the rainbow and all that entails).  I haven't scheduled it to post yet.  I usually have my husband read my posts before posting in case there are any grammatical or theological mistakes and to make sure everything is clear.

I can't make up my mind if I want to delay my two posts on prayer and post this one immediately, since it is the beginning of pride month, or just schedule this one for after the other two.


Sounds about right.

I really don't understand why so many employers require college degrees for jobs that don't require the skills from the degrees.  A college degree today basically means the person has been taught to be entitled, think they are too good for the job, and think they are a victim.  I don't need any of those things for my positions.


I haven't worried too much about which oil I season with.  I just use what I use for cooking:  coconut oil, lard (or bacon fat), butter, and tallow.

Due to my food sensitivities, I've used almost exclusively beef tallow lately and my pans (cast iron and carbon steel) are fantastic.  I've never done a side by side comparisons though.

This is the beef tallow I use and love.  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0881XTCR3/ref=sns_myd_detail_page


Have you been off Nostr for a while or are you just showing up in my feed again for some unknown algorithmic reason?


Actual altruism:
Understanding another person's feelings and needs and selflessly helping them.

How many act when they believe the are being altruistic:
- Giving to someone what the giver believes is good for the receiver without bothering to learn about the receiver to see if this is actually what they want or need.  It is done so the giver feels good about themselves.  Frequently what is given is given by force of government and doesn't actually cost the "giver" anything.


I like it.  In my state it is normal to have one establishment tyrant and a bunch of people trying to stop the tyrant.  The 2-10 anti-establishment people divide the votes and the establishment tyrants win even though 60-80% of the voters don't want


Another of my posts on the end times.

https://trustjesus.substack.com/p/to-mark-or-not-to-mark-that-is-the

To Mark or Not to Mark? That is the Question.Left Behind, Part 6
MAY 31, 2024
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After the rapture of the church, things are going to get progressively worse, but the progression from normal to horror will start slow and build up to become worse than anyone could possibly imagine. As times get bad and the culture goes from bad to worse, everyone will have to make a choice, to choose Jesus or to choose Satan.“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” (Mathew 6:24)We will obey Jesus or obey Satan. We will choose a hard life here on Earth and a marvelous, joyous, pain-free eternity in heaven or choose an easier life here on Earth and an eternity of pain and loneliness. This should be an easy choice, but most won’t find it so because they will have trouble seeing beyond the here and now. Just as Esau1 sold his birthright to his brother because he was hungry, most people will do what makes it easy to fill their hungry bellies rather than trusting their creator and making the choice that will lead to the best eternity. Most people aren’t good at looking a month or year in the future. They will find it impossible to see into eternity.There will be two kinds of mark during the tribulation. God will mark 144,000 Jews with His name to be his witnesses to the world.Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth. These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb. And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless. (Revelation 14:1-5)Satan will also try to mark his followers. The False Prophet will force everyone to make a choice, to get the mark of the beast if they want to be able to buy and sell.Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon. He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life. And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed. And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. (Revelation 13:11-17) {emphasis mine}During the seven year tribulation, every person left on Earth will be given the choice: to receive the mark of the beast so they can buy and sell and function in society or to refuse the mark and submit to Jesus, but be unable to buy and sell and provide for themselves and their family. Most people will take the easy path and receive the mark, so they can go on with their lives. Unfortunately this will be a deadly choice that can never be undone or fixed.Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” (Revelation 14:9-11) {emphasis mine}This choice to take the easier path will lead to eternal torment. This refusal to listen to our creator God and our savior God will mean eternal separation. These people will grieve their choice forever.
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There will be a good number of people who will choose to follow Jesus and refuse the mark, but they will pay the price for putting off this decision until the time of the tribulation.Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4) {emphasis mine}Many may wonder, if they experience the tribulation, how can they stand firm on their faith when they know that doing so could (likely will) lead to them and their family either starving to death or being beheaded? The trick is to keep your eye on God and to keep your eye on the prize.I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:13)A perfect example to follow in times when our faith is challenged comes from Daniel (but my idea to use it here came from Dr. David Jeremiah’s book, The Book of Signs, Chapter 25)Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, the height of which was sixty cubits and its width six cubits; he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. … Then the herald loudly proclaimed: “To you the command is given, O peoples, nations and men of every language, that at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe and all kinds of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up. But whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire.” (Daniel 3:1, 4-6)Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego were given a choice. They had to choose to obey God’s 1st and 2nd commandments:“You shall have no other gods before Me.“You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God (Genesis 20:3-5a)and to risk being burn to death in a fiery furnace or they had to choose to disobey God and earn His wrath, but avoid the furnace. When exposed by others, who were jealous of their position, they stood firm and refused to worship the idol. Nebuchadnezzar even gave them a second chance to bow down when faced with the furnace. They chose faithfulness and I love their statement of faith.Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18) {emphasis mine}Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego had the faith to know that God was capable of rescuing them from the fiery furnace (which He did), but notice their faith did not depend on being miraculously rescued. “But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” They served and obeyed God because He is God, not because of what He could do for them. We need to be the same. We need to stand with the faith of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego when we are given the choice between faith and physical death. This is made easier because, if you are a true Christian, death on Earth means life in heaven. It means absolutely everything gets better. Dying in Christ is better than living without Him.As you can see, if you are left behind after the rapture, it is critical that you choose to trust Jesus and submit to His will and to NOT receive the mark of the beast no matter what it costs you.For those who trusted Jesus before the tribulation, we’ll all be celebrating at the marriage supper of Christ in heaven and have nothing to worry about. For those who didn’t trust Jesus until the tribulation, your remaining time on Earth will be exceedingly hard, but your reward will actually be great as stated in Revelation 20:4Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4) {emphasis mine}I hope you won’t put off trusting Jesus and you will live your life like He is coming back any moment. He is coming back soon.
Many may wonder what the mark is.For most of my life, I assumed the mark would be something like a tattoo, but I never understood how people could be prevented from buying and selling. How do you stop my neighbor and I buying and selling from each other using cash? It didn’t make sense.Now we have technology that enables the mark. Most of the countries in the world are working on CBDCs (Central Bank Digital Currencies) and the IMF (International Monetary Fund) is working on a CBDC interface that will let all of the national CBDCs transact with each other. These CBDCs will allow programmable money. Whoever is in control can make your money expire, make it only good for certain purchases, make your money only work in a particular area. The CBDC can make your money completely go away if those in control don’t like what you do, say, or don’t do. If we are moved to a CBDC, all buying and selling could be controlled. As all of the world’s fiat currencies are destroyed by money creation causing massive inflation, it will be easier and easier to get people to switch to the CBDC to rescue them from losing all monetary value.We also have implantable microchips that can act as ID or credit card or bank account access and all a person has to do is scan their hand to buy or get admittance into a particular place. This technology already exists and is being used in small ways. I believe the mark will be a combination of a CBDC and an implantable microchip that will give you access to your “wallet”. The technology is here in a way that could not have been imagined just a decade or two ago. I believe our time is short. We need to live our lives with this understanding.Trust Jesus.
#trust  #Jesus  #Bible  #Revelation  #endtimes  #faith  #Christian  #Christianity  #grownostr  #jesus  #bible  #themark


I am not Catholic and I think the current pope is a little "a" antichrist, not even a Christian.  I don't know what you are arguing against.  You are arguing against a point I didn't make and a belief I don't have.

I know my relationship with Jesus and my going to heaven has nothing to do with `another person or any human organization.  That doesn't mean that we should "forsake assembling together" or that attending church is a bad thing.  It does mean we need to know our Bible well so we can wisely judge what we are told by people.


People today don't worship a stature as an idol, they worship themselves.  Instead of accepting they are made in God's image, they try to make God into their image.  They think they serve God while trying to force God to serve themselves.

I think this is why "And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’"  (Matthew 7:23)


I've reluctantly come to the conclusion that the US is the biggest purveyor of evil around the world.  It is still better to live in the US than in most of the world, but we push evil everywhere.  It is sickening.  It also seems like every time we get involved in an international dispute, we make things worse.


Not only can he still  run for President, I think a lot of people, that don't like Trump and don't like Republicans, are actually thinking about voting for Trump because they are fed up with the corruption and illegality of those currently in charge.

Democrats have managed to make a  vote for Trump = a vote to end corruption


Knowing God is in control so I don't need to worry about all  of the crazy and evil in the world.


I agree.


freeborn | ελεύθερος


One of the worst parts is capital gains taxes.  They deflate our currency so the price of everything goes up and then call that increase capital gains and tax it even though sometimes the capital is worth less in real purchasing power than it was before.  It is all phantom gains caused by the government.


I was doing all of my businesses quarterly taxes.  I hate licking envelopes, so frequently close envelopes with a glue stick.  My state employment tax envelope seems to have stuck to my federal employment tax envelope.  The Feds opened the envelope not addressed to them (should be mail fraud), stamped "Department  of the Treasury" over the to line on the check changing who it was written to (should be check fraud) and cashed  my check.  A couple weeks later the state says I didn't pay my state taxes.  I check and show them the cashed check.  They caught that the Feds stole my check.

I then contact the Feds to ask about my money and they admit they stole my money and tell me I can miss some payroll taxes because I have a credit.  I don't pay one payroll's taxes, which is about 2/3 of the amount they stole still leaving me a credit.  Shortly after filing my quarterly employment taxes where I have a credit and they owe me money, I receive a notice that I didn't pay my taxes and threatening fines, interest, and seizing my business.  I call and spend a couple hours on the phone.  They misapplied the money so it showed unpaid even though I had overpaid.  They said everything was fixed.

Three months later I get another nasty gram threatening to not only fine me but seize all of my assets because I didn't pay my taxes, even though they were over paid and stole my money.  I called and spent several more hours on the phone.  They finally said everything was fixed and I was fine.

A month later I get a really threatening letter threatening to seize my assets and throw me in jail.  This time I went to the local IRS office and spent hours more.  They admitted that everything was their mistake, but since their system showed me being so late, I now had to show proof of employment tax payments with every payroll for a year.  I think it took over 2 years to get my over payment (stolen funds) back and get back to normal.

I can't even begin to tell how much I hate the IRS and taxes.  They are thieves and brigands.  The mafia  and the mob seem like gentlemen in comparison.


The three worst taxes are income taxes (spy and control), property taxes (rent payment for your own property), and inheritance taxes (pilfering those who can't take care of their dependents. Also double taxation.).

I don't like any taxes, but if we moved all taxes to sales taxes and required that every receipt showed how much money was taken by each taxing authority, there would be a much smaller compliance cost and people would realize how much was being stolen from them.  They would be reminded every time they bought something and would be more likely to complain.  You could also avoid/reduce taxes by working to produce your own stuff.

Of course those who live by stealing our stuff don't want this.  They want to nickel and dime us to death and hide how much they are really stealing.


I liked my Buff Orphingtons.  They were good layers, could handle long cold winters, and were gentle and friendly.  I handled them a lot.  They also were big enough to eat for meat (especially if you like dark meat).

Unfortunately, I developed a lung sensitivity and had to chose between breathing and eggs, so I don't have them anymore.


I don't know.  I never notice that I did it until I'm trying to clean out photos and find strange screen shots among my other photos.


I'd recommend reading at least the 3rd section/article at this link, but I'll include a portion of the article as a teaser and then I'm commenting at the end.

https://substack.com/home/post/p-145065630?source=queue

"New research coming from the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University indicates a dramatic transformation in the morality of the youngest generation of Americans compared to previous generations. Christian researcher Dr. George Barna identifies this as part of the influence of an increasingly secular Millennial and Gen X worldview—and those generations are teaching and parenting our youngest generations.

Data from the recent American Worldview Inventory 2024 indicates that younger generations have shifted their morality in discouraging ways:

-- A majority of adults accept lying, abortion, consensual intercourse between unmarried adults, gay marriage, and the rejection of absolute moral truth as morally acceptable.

-- Less than half of all adults embrace the Bible as their primary guide to morality.

-- A minority believes that every moral choice either honors or dishonors God.

-- A large minority of adults accept the notion that as long as you do no harm, you may do whatever you wish.

That’s not all. Other stats are just as alarming:

-- Nearly 7 out of 10 Millennials (age 22-40) and members of Gen Z (age 21 and younger) consider having an abortion to be acceptable behavior.

-- 69 percent of Millennials and 73 percent of Gen Zs consider sex between consenting, unmarried adults to be morally acceptable.

-- Only half of older adults say lying “to protect your personal best interests” is morally acceptable, but 6 out of 10 Gen Zs are just fine with lying."

MY TAKE:
How is a society supposed to function when the majority don't believe in objective truth but do believe lying for personal gain is acceptable?  Nobody can contract with another or work together when you can't trust the other person to tell the truth.

#grownostr  #truth  #lies  #Bible  #christian  #culture  #polls  #society


I understand why people are moving to small towns, but as someone who moved to this small town over 20 years ago, I wish they'd stop moving to my small town.


I figured out the one thing I didn't like which was just a setting change.

I also like that you are so responsive to questions and requests.  Hands down the best desktop app.


My eyes have failed me.  I've seen your icon for weeks and thought I was looking at a photo of an old guy with a beard.  I just clicked on your post to see your whole feed and it is a cat.  Now all I can see is a cat.  I can't believe my eyes were seeing an old man with a beard.  I think I am the one getting old.


It is so sad that this is totally true.

You know you live in a banana republic when the heroes are in jail and the terrorists are celebrated.


I don't like any taxes, but If we are going to have taxes, I'd like to replace 100% of taxes with a sales tax and that tax must be broken out showing how much is paid to each level of government.  If everyone time someone bought something, they saw how much is being stolen from them they'd be a lot more likely to complain and realize they aren't getting anything for free.  Right now, because income taxes are taken out before they receive a penny, lots of people don't think they pay any taxes so they truly believe they get lots of free stuff.


It is ironic that all of the talk today is about the far right when most of the far right is to the left of Democrat heroes like JFK.


I won't hire anyone with a victimology degree.  No exceptions


Coracle definitely


I'm a huge Coracle fan.  Anytime I've had problems, they have responded quickly with either something I was missing or a fix to the software.  No other client has worked as well and had such quick response to problems.  They are my favorite.


A house relatively near me, blew up a couple of years ago because of a leak.  Luckily there was nobody home, but the house was blown to smithereens.


I can't believe I never noticed the replies button.  That was so easy.  I'm loving Coracle again.


Most people are considered experts because they were schooled and/or have a position.  I have learned more since graduating college than I did during all of my formal schooling and I have unlearned some lies I was taught.  Continual learning has made me more open to new ideas.

Today, most of the experts are more concerned with their credentials than staying experts in the subject.  They hold onto past learning (or indoctrination) rather than learning more and moving beyond their formal education.  They have forgotten how to learn and discover and think for themselves.  They are so determined to not be proven wrong that they refuse to even look at any evidence that contradicts their schooling.

Of course there are also those who only believe what is best for their paycheck.


freeborn | ελεύθερος


The bureaucrats will make sure that nobody wanting to eliminate the bureaucrats can ever be elected or even get traction.


Some of the problem is the candidates.  Some of the problem is the bureaucracy that is so big and uncontrollable that if you elected the most perfect candidates for every electable position, the bureaucracy would still make it nearly impossible to change most of the problems without removing >99% of the government agencies/employees.


With the new Coracle update, my feed is full of comments in the middle of a conversation.  It takes a ton of work to work my way to the top of the conversation to figure out what is being discussed.  Sometimes, I work my way to the top and I'm not interested in the subject at all, so it is a total waste of time.  Is there a way to organize the feed, so I can start at the top of a conversation and follow down instead of starting at the end of the conversation and working my way up?

Sorry, my brain just can't work well that way.


The name is Puddintaine. Ask me again, I’ll tell you the same.


Not only are they reusable, they are also stronger.  We tried using the throw-away ones to hang some Christmas lights in the winter.  They broke due to the cold which made them brittle.  These stayed strong and flexible even in sub-zero Fahrenheit temperatures.  I highly recommend as well.


When it comes to the Germ Theory vs Terrain Theory, I'm not convinced it has to be one or the other.  I tend to think that if we take proper care of our bodies, then the opportunistic germs are not a problem, but that they do exist and can cause problems in a body that isn't working right.

That being said, it wouldn't surprise me if sometimes terrain problems (toxic foods, medicine, personal care items, EMF, etc.) get blamed on a virus that either doesn't exist or just doesn't cause the problem.  I've read some stuff relating to AIDs that makes me think that HIV isn't the actual cause of AIDs and that it either has very little or nothing to do with it.  I'm not positive about it though.


Exactly.  It prices out the young people who need their first job to prove themselves.  Those people can't ever get their first job and therefore can't ever become productive members of society.  It hurts those they claim to help the most.


Me, too!


I got busy and missed harvest time for my asparagus.  Due to my climate, mine haven't gone full bore fern, but many are over 3 foot tall (one about 4 foot tall) and bigger around than my thumb (some very significantly so).  I'm so bummed I missed fresh asparagus this year.  My garden went from dormant with no sign of life, to crazy (for my few perennials) seemingly overnight.


We decided to play games again, kind of like we did on Mother's Day.  I think I used up all of my luck for the year.  On Mother's Day I couldn't lose.  Today, I couldn't win.


When I was in high school, my Dad's cousin came to visit.  My parents are not Christians, but my Dad's cousin is a music pastor at a church.  We had never met before, but talked for hours.  Afterwards, my Mom asked what in the world a single teenage girl had in common with a married, older man.  I told her, we were both Christians.  She didn't understand, but it was true.  We related because we were both part of the body of Christ.

I haven't seen him face-to-face since, but we still keep in touch now and again.  Being part of the body of Christ can make you close to someone you would never otherwise be close to.


FYI, it is so much easier to read at the link than in the unformatted NOSTR post.


Sorry, but most things of value don't fit in a meme or a sound bite.


Also, parents know their kids.  What is appropriate varies a lot by kid.  My eldest is mature and trustworthy early.  My youngest is immature and needs to be so much older.  There is at least a decade difference in when they are mature enough for most things.


I'm with you.  I am much more comfortable with parents being in charge although I'll admit there are a bunch of bad parents.


I love pecans, but seem to have developed a sensitivity to them.  I get achy and can't sleep.  Hopefully I can heal my gut and at least eat them occasionally.  I really miss eating pecans.  I used to eat a handful almost every day.


Another post on Jesus and the End Times
https://trustjesus.substack.com/p/walk-in-the-light

I was recently reading in Revelation about how there is no sun, moon, or stars but all light comes from God/Jesus. It made me think of all of the references to God and light, so I decided to do a study on the subject. I’ll start with the Old Testament. Then I’ll investigate the New Testament. Lastly I’ll investigate Revelation in particular. I won’t post every verse, but those that seem to have the deepest meaning and relevance.Old Testament:
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)Studying God’s word leads us to the truth. When we don’t know God’s word (and John refers to Jesus as the word of God), we will have a wrong understanding of everything around us: relationships, religion, science, beginnings, ethics, etc. Belief in Jesus and knowledge of the Bible helps us to understand things properly. If we don’t have the right foundation, we can’t understand the things around us.For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light. (Psalm 36:9)Faith in Jesus helps us to see things as they really are. It helps us see the truth. It helps us see the good that God does through everything, including what we would consider the bad things in life.When we don’t know Jesus and don’t have the Holy Spirit in us, all of the sin in the world is only seen as bad. When we do have them, we can be grateful for all of the good in our lives and the good things that God is doing even through the bad decisions of others and the other bad things that happen. We know that everything will end with the righteous judgment of God and an eternity of joy in heaven with Him. All darkness becomes light in Jesus.Come, house of Jacob, and let us walk in the light of the Lord. (Isaiah 2:5)Although this verse specifically calls Jews to “walk in the light of the Lord,” other verses show that this call is given to all of the world. We can chose to walk in our own strength and knowledge or we can chose to walk in “the light of the Lord.” We can chose the darkness and despair and failure of walking according to our own desires or we can chose the light of walking the path designed for us by Jesus from the beginning of creation. When we walk the path we were designed to walk, we will find joy and fulfillment. We will make right decisions. We will make a difference in the world for good. We will honor our God.New Testament:
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” (John 8:12)It is amazing the clarity that comes from believing in Jesus and submitting to His will. Everything is better (though not necessarily easier). We can know what we should do and how we should do it. The light of Jesus not only affects the life of His followers, but also shines on those who don’t know Him. Some of these will eventually come to trust in Him as well. Others will run from Him or try to attack Him through His believers because of the guilt they feel when the light is shined on their sins.This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:5-7)Because Jesus is light, we cannot have fellowship with Him and live a life of sin and darkness. He has blessed us by covering our sins and giving us the Advocate (Holy Spirit) to guide us and to help us live according to His will in a way that we could never do without His help.It is amazing how being a follower of Jesus can help us have fellowship/friendship with those with whom we might never have a close relationship. When I was in high school, we went on a boat down the St. John’s River with my parents and my Dad’s cousin. My parents aren’t Christians, but my Dad’s cousin is a Christian and a pastor of music. We talked nonstop as if we had been friends our whole life. After the trip, my Mom asked what in the world a high school girl and a married, middle aged man had in common. I told her we were both Christians. Although my Dad’s cousin and I have always lived states away from each other and have never seen each other face to face since that time over 3 decades ago, we still stay in touch. We are brothers and sisters in Christ and that makes close, just as 1 John says “if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another.” Faith in Jesus really makes our lives different, or at least it should.Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:7-10)The light of Jesus should change our lives. No matter how dark and evil are past lives were, we should continually grow closer to Jesus and more like Him. We should convert from darkness to light, from evil to righteousness, and from hate to love. A true believer should have “the fruit of the Light.”This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” (John 3:19-21)When I was a young Christian in college, I attended a Sunday School class with a teacher who I would describe as an expert at exhortation. He would talk and ask question, to help lead you to the truth instead of just telling you what to do or what to think. Frequently these questions were uncomfortable to me as a new Christian who had not grown up doing “Christian” kind of things. In the beginning, I’ll admit I did my best to hide from him because I didn’t want to be asked the questions because I didn’t like the answers that I knew were right. You could say I hid from the light or that I “loved the darkness rather than the light.”Thanks to the grace of God, I learned to love the light. I learned to seek the truth. I learned to expose myself to the truth so I could grow in Jesus. I spent more and more time around him, so I could learn from his wise questions. Now I love that kind of relationship. I learned to prefer the light instead of the darkness as I grew closer to Jesus. We all need to expose our sins to the light, so we can grow in the light.So Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.” (John 12:35-36)Our desire in life should be to “become sons of Light.” We need to trust and obey Jesus, so “darkness will not overtake you.” Although Jesus no longer walks among us, we do have the Holy Spirit with us to guide us. We can also surround ourselves with mature Christians to help guide and teach us, always comparing this advice to the Bible to insure that it is truth.Revelation:
The passage below is the passage that inspired this whole post.The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed; and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it; (Revelation 21:19-26) {emphasis mine}Notice that this description of the New Jerusalem in Heaven is described as “the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb.” This whole city, and presumably the whole universe, will be lit by the glory of Jesus. It will be a light brighter than the Sun, but not harsh like the Sun. It won’t blind us. It won’t beat down on us. It will expose us all to the joy of His glory and the beauty of His new creation. As I read about heaven, I don’t think there will be shadows. Every inch of Heaven will be fully lit by His glory.The city is made of precious jewels which will transmit the light of His glory throughout the city and glow in beauty only surpassed by the glory of God. John describes the streets as “the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.” On Earth gold doesn’t look like transparent glass. It is opaque, but in heaven it looks transparent. I think this might be more due to the quality of light of the glory of the Lamb rather than the quality of the gold. His light will shine upon and through everything bringing out the beauty in everything.And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:5)There will no longer be night and there will no longer be darkness. Without sin in heaven, we don’t need to hide. We can revel in the glory of God. We will be illumined by God.Trust Jesus.#faith  #grownostr  #bible  #christian  #christiannostr  #biblestudy  #jesus  #Jesus  #God  #light  #Revelation  #endtimes  #NewJerusalem  #heaven  #prophecy


It is stuff like that which is why I am grateful I live in Wyoming instead of Florida.


Especially since there are no great candidates.  Any vote is for the least bad choice.  Little things like (little for the nation, but huge for Ross) this make a difference.


freeborn | ελεύθερος


True to a point.

"and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near."  (Hebrews 10:24-25)

The Bible does say we are to assemble together, to disciple others, etc.  "And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart."  (Ecclesiastes 4:12)  We are not to be lone wolves.

It is true; however, that many organized churches have become corrupted and that we shouldn't blindly trust any man that says we have to follow or obey them.  No matter how "good" a man seems, his words and actions should be tested by the Bible.

Just because some church leaders have ben corrupted doesn't mean we should avoid the church altogether.


God says things will get worse before they get better, but good wins in the end.


The even bigger thing to learn is that if a product is free, that means you are the product that is being sold.  Nothing is free.


Most likely.

There are some departments, like the Department of Education or Energy or HUD, that never served a purpose and should never have existed.  There are some departments, like the FBI, that you could make an argument for a limited version, but they've become so corrupt that they are worse than the criminals they are supposed to stop (not that there aren't some agents that are decent people, but it seems like 100% of management are criminals).  (FYI, I'm not saying I think we should have even a very limited FBI for cross-state crimes, but you can make a logical argument that it is helpful.  Of course if you give them an inch, they always take a mile, so better to just say "NO". )

Those in positions of power will always try to increase their power, but things really got bad when Senators went from representing the states (who also want power so kept the Feds in check) to representing the people (who just want "free" stuff).  It sounds so "nice" to have Senators elected, but it upset the carefully created balance of power.


I've got one for my state and one for the country.  You never know when you might want to go offline.


I'll be interested in reading it.


fun.


What kind of book?


It does seem that way.  I think maybe there were a couple of leaders that weren't Satan controlled.  They were either murdered or an attempt was made on their lives.

I was recently listening to a health podcast that got off on a tangent relating to murdered politicians, especially in Africa.  They related it to those that stood up to the covid crazy, but I think it is deeper than that.  It is satanic.


Sadly, this is totally my parents and my sister.  It doesn't matter what evidence I give, they won't hear it.  They only trust the government and the media that they know has lied to them repeatedly.  It is awful seeing smart people, that I care about, so easily controlled.


A post about faith and how my views and actions have changed.  This post is more personal than many of my posts.

https://trustjesus.substack.com/p/a-change-of-heart

A Change of HeartLeft Behind, Part 4
MAY 24, 2024
For most of my Christian life I haven’t been focused on end times or heaven. I wanted to go to heaven, but not now. I had other things I wanted to do that were monopolizing my attention. I was focused on what is happening here on Earth, not preparing for my heavenly home. Although the Bible, both New and Old Testaments, are full of prophecies about the end times, it just seemed so far away and so confusing, so I pretty much blocked it out as far a study and effect on my life.
As the world started going crazy, with shortages, pandemics, crazy government policies, and wars starting all around the world, I started working to prepare my family for these hardships. I got involved with politics. I kept extra food on hand. I kept my car’s gas tank above a half of a tank. I started a garden and got 3 bunnies to breed for meat. I was doing all of this based solely on my own effort. In the back of my head, I knew God would provide for my needs. I had seen how he took care of me in the past, but I was still trying to do everything on my own. I worried about what would happen to my family if something happened to me because I was taking care of them. What I should’ve been doing is giving all my problems and worries to God and letting the all powerful creator God take care of things. I worked by my own power until my health suffered.Recently, as the world has gotten crazier every month, I finally had a change of heart and mind. I looked back at how God had provided for me through every hardship. I read the Bible and saw God’s promises for the future. My prayers changed from praying the solution that I wanted, to praying the problem and letting God do what He knew was best because I’d already seen in my life how God gives us what we don’t want, but what we need: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)I went from worrying about my needs to trusting God for my needs (not saying I don’t prepare for hard times, but in a relaxed, non-worrying, good steward kind of way). I went from trying to change the government and politicians to trying to change hearts and minds for God. I went from avoiding reading end times prophecy to studying it as if my life depended on it. I went from worrying about the future to looking forward to the future. I went from worrying about my needs to worrying about the needs of those that don’t know Jesus.I can’t say that I never worry. I do, but I’ve learned to give my worries to God. Recently my son was asked to volunteer at a pro-life fundraiser. Shortly after he said yes, I received a prayer request because a pro-abortion group planned to raid the fundraiser and cause mayhem and destruction. My first thought was to tell my son (who is 19 and a Godly young man) that he couldn’t go to the fundraiser, but then I stopped myself and decided that God had this. I know my son is a faithful Christian, so if the worst happened, he would meet Jesus early. I decided to let him go and I just prayed fervently. There was a church service going on at the same time as the fundraiser. This confused the protestors. They couldn’t figure out what to do and therefore did nothing. God confounded their plans and I learned a well needed lesson to trust everything that is important to me to God. He is faithful.It used to be that, when I saw things going wrong in my country, state, county, and city, I would vote harder, get involved with politics, work with the party to improve the platform and resolutions, and help campaign for my favorite candidate. Now I’ve come to the conclusion that we get the candidates we deserve. I still vote, but I put my effort into sharing the gospel and turning people to Jesus. We can have a bigger influence by changing the hearts of the people than by campaigning for a particular candidate. We not only can benefit all of us on earth, but also make a heavenly difference. It isn’t that campaigning for and voting for Godly candidates is bad, but thinking a person can save us is bad. There is only one savior, Jesus Christ. Our faith needs to be in him and not in a politician, a party, or a government.As the world goes down hill, I am filled with hope. The rumors of wars, the growing evil, the pandemics, the storms, the move towards global governance means Jesus is coming soon and I am getting excited about it in a way I never was before.I hope you can turn from worldly interests to the Savior. I hope you can get excited to see Jesus face to face and to meet him in the air.Trust Jesus.
#grownostr  #faith  #jesus  #Jesus  #God  #christian  #Christian  #Bible  #endtimes


I was recently reading about someone whose creek had dried up.  They brought beavers back and the creek started flowing again.


This made me laugh.
#meme  #memestr

https://image.nostr.build/a9cf0ddd18a63719b043613d6cb673541ad5a3f7cc5894b6dcf9e11a0603ee52.jpg


A conjunction of Venus and Jupiter during several CMEs

https://www.spaceweather.com/images2024/23may24/conjunction_movie.gif


My son was eating some ice cream from a bowl and states, "I think a good argument can be made for eating ice cream from a plate rather than a bowl.  It is easier to eat all of the ice cream."

My husband asked, "is that to make easier to lick the ice cream?"

son:  "yes"


It's my favorite.  I'm still figuring out the new version.  I think I like it, but it is a big enough change, I'm still figuring it out.  It doesn't seem to lock up like the old version sometimes did.


Officially they let you opt out, but I always have doubts whether they are truly opting me out.


No.  The priests added time in their genealogies to make themselves look older.  Ancient records show fewer pharaohs than more recent lists and disagree with older writings from other countries.  They have a bunch of pharaohs that either have no history or identical histories to other pharaohs that are the added generations.


freeborn | ελεύθερος


Concentration of power in one man's hands always causes harm unless that one man is Jesus.


It isn't always the cost that matters.  I've had a Rolex (a gift from my father) and a Timex.  I liked the Timex better.  It had indiglo, so I could see it in the dark.  The Rolex would get dirty and quit keeping proper time after 3-5 years and have to be cleaned.  The cleaning cost was several hundred dollars.  I could buy at least 10 Timex's for that price.  Such a waste of money.


I would argue with the major premise of this article that Bitcoin is based on nothing.  All money is a measure of work done.  Every Bitcoin in existence was created through work and these days, a lot of work.  That gives it some value.  The fact that it is easily transferrable world wide and secure from being stolen if the keys are maintained properly, gives it value that things like precious metals don't have.  Unlike normal fiat money, it is based on work rather than debt.  That makes it worth more than fiat money.  The fact that it is easier to use for fast, international commerce makes it better than precious metals.

Of course right now I have all 3 because each has a benefit and a problem/risk.  By having all 3, you hedge your bets best of all.  I'd say the only argument should be what percentage to put in each rather than why one is bad.


I said June, but it is May.  We were just looking at plans for June, so my mind, that doesn't process time properly, though "it is June".


Insane!  I knew it was going to be cool and rainy today, but it just started snowing large white flakes.  It definitely isn't cold enough for any of it to stick, but it is snowing in late, mid June.


Boom?


I agree sometimes.  I disagree sometimes.  Sometimes I partially agree, but not entirely.  Whatever the case, it is always entertaining and thought provoking, so I enjoy your rants on various subjects.

I enjoy hearing other points of view.  Sometimes they change my mind.  Sometimes they strengthen my existing beliefs.  Either way, it helps.


We'd been having nice highs in the 70s, but today and tomorrow are going to be rainy and highs in the 40s (maybe making it to 50 F today).  Our weather is so different. :)


Although I definitely do not like many of the things AI is being used for, there are reasonable uses for AI (assuming it isn't trained to be biased, which is a big if).  I've told gab.ai to search aig.org and icr.org and give me 50 evidences of a young creation and to give me a link to one article on each and it spits out the data in less than a minute.  That saves me a lot of research time.  It is handy.  I then use the information gathered to write my article.  I wouldn't trust it to write my article itself, but it is useful for research.

Of course it is often used for tracking people and doing other nefarious things that are terrible.  Like most things built by man, it can be used for good or for evil and can be used for evil; it can be assumed to be able to do things and do bad things because it is trusted before the technology is perfected; and it can be used for good.

As one person I follow stated, (paraphrasing) "AI is here for good.  It will be used.  Better for the good guys to learn it and use it for good than to leave it to the bad guys to use for bad. while the good guys don't understand it and therefore can't defend against it"

freeborn | ελεύθερος


If I fight against the mistreatment of Trump, it isn't because I actually want Trump as president.  I just can't stand lies and injustice.


In some ways it is like arguing "Stalin is better than Hitler."  "No, Hitler is better than Stalin."  Both are horrendous and we often are put in the position of voting for the slightly less atrociously bad.

freeborn | ελεύθερος


In 2012 my husband was a delegate for Ron Paul and I was an alternate.  That was great times, but eye opening.  I knew the Republican Party had problems, but didn't fully understand the depths of their corruption and tyranny until that National Convention.  The corrupt actions they took were truly mind blowing.

freeborn | ελεύθερος


On the first day of my son's 2nd grade (his last year in government schools), my husband was dropping him off.

My son said, "I don't want to go to school"
My husband said, "You have to go to school."
S:  "But I don't want to go to school."
H:  "You have to go to school.  Do you want to go to jail."
S:  "School is sort of like jail."

Out of the mouths of babes.

Although his school was way better and way less woke than most elementary schools, we started homeschooling the next year and never looked back.


I'm a huge fan of nullification.  If the majority of states refuse the federal government's requests/demands/rules, then the Federal government couldn't do more than half of what they do.


Or to differentiate between the Babylon Bee and the New York Times.


Aren't the farts caused by bacteria breaking down the food the cows eat and helping them digest their food, so they can be healthy and stay alive?  It seems like stopping that process would at least harm the cow's health, if not kill the cow.


The conspiracy theorist part of me wonders if this is a planned consolidation.


If you changed that to "I do not trust women that don't want children," I'd agree.  Infertility is becoming a more and more common problem.


Coming to the whole world as predicted by the Bible almost 2,000 years ago.


My first thought was, "I hope the US wasn't involved" because I didn't want this to lead to war.


freeborn | ελεύθερος


This is my post on whether you are ready for the rapture.

https://trustjesus.substack.com/p/will-you-shrink-away-in-shame

Will You Shrink Away in Shame?Left Behind: Part 3
MAY 19, 2024
This post, although I’m including it as part of the Left Behind series, is not directly about the End Times, but I feel I need to add this to it because in the end times, our relationship with Jesus (or lack thereof) determines everything. Are we saved or unsaved? Have we trusted Jesus or not trusted Jesus? Are we children of God or not? We must know the answer to this question because our very life depends on it.
For the most part I am going to answer this question using 1 John, but to start I want to include one other passage to make sure we all consider this carefully.“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7:21-23)Sadly, there will be people who think they are Christians, but they are not among those saved by Jesus. Their hope was in their works, their church attendance, the fact that they were better than someone else, or even just their positive attitude. They never really knew Jesus. They never truly trusted Him. They never truly submitted to Him. Yes, we can really know for sure, and we need to make sure our faith is real.This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:5-7)If we are saved, our lives should show it. There should be a difference between us and those of the world. It should be obvious to others that we are different.Even among the unsaved, there are many, who most people would consider “good” people. They are friendly. They are generous. They are helpful. They are likable. Unfortunately, if they haven’t confessed their sins, submitted their lives to Jesus, and believed what the Bible says about Jesus, then they are not considered good by God and they won’t be joining Him in heaven. These people who seem “good” are actually defiant towards God. They have hidden vices and hidden evil thoughts. We all have sinned, but only those who have submitted to Jesus will be cleansed “from all sin.”If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. (1 John 1:8-10) {Italicized phrases used below}Only those who have confessed their sins will be forgiven. With so many things in life, before we can be cured or fixed, we have to admit we have a problem. We all have a sin problem. Jesus promises, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” but we have to confess our sins. We can’t hold onto the fantasy that we are “good” people. Anyone who thinks they are good without Jesus will NOT be saved.

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. (1 John 2:1-2) {bolded words defined below} {Italicized phrases used below}Trusting Jesus and submitting to Jesus should lead to less sin. Instead of sin just being a regular part of life, it should become a rare exception. In addition to believers sinning less than they did before trusting Jesus, they also are defended by Jesus and covered by His righteousness.AdvocateNOUNa person who speaks or writes in support or defense of a person, cause, etc.a person who pleads for or in behalf of another; intercessor.a person who pleads the cause of another in a court of law.1When we trust Jesus, “we have an Advocate with the Father” who pleads on our behalf, who is an intercessor for us with Father God. He defends us in the court of God. He defends us and protects us from the wrath we deserve.PropitiationNOUNthe act of propitiating (making favorably inclined; appeasing; conciliating.); conciliation:something that propitiates (makes favorably inclined; appeases; conciliates.).2Because Jesus bore our sins and gave believers his righteousness, he covers our sins and makes God favorably inclined towards us instead of wrathful towards us.By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. (1 John 2:3-6) {Italicized phrases used below}If we have truly trusted Jesus as savior and submitted our lives to Him, there should be a change in our actions, words, and thoughts. We should be a new creation. We should be more like Him.Now it is true, we don’t go instantly from being sinners in open defiance of God to being perfect imitators of Christ. There should, however, be a continual transformation to become more like Christ. Yes, we may have a few digressions, but the general trend should be becoming more Christ-like. If our thoughts, words, and actions are not becoming more Christ-like, we need to investigate what our true relationship with Jesus is. If we are continually becoming more Christ-like, then “By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.”Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining. The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes. (1 John 2:7-11)One strong sign that a person is a child of God, and saved by Christ, is that this person is loving. They love God. They love fellow believers. They love the lost and want to win them for Christ (not just beat them in an argument or verbally discipline them). Because the believer cares for the souls of the lost, understands that the unbeliever’s words and actions are aimed at Jesus, and understands that they are due to the unbeliever’s feelings of guilt, believers should pity the lost rather than hate them. “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35) Anyone filled with hate needs to investigate whether they have truly trusted Jesus.I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. (1 John 2:12-14) {Italicized phrases used below}If you have confessed your sins to God, believed that Jesus (the son of God) died and was raised to take away your sins, and submitted your life to Jesus’s rule, you can know that you are saved. You can know that “your sins have been forgiven you,” “you know Him,” “you have overcome the evil one,” “you know the Father,” and “you are strong, and the word of God abides in you.”Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17)A true Christian should be looking forward to their eternal home and not be focused on the things of this world. That doesn’t mean that a Christian doesn’t work, or have a family, or enjoy entertainment, or relax. It does mean that everything should be done with a view of eternity. Our actions should point others to God. Our activities should draw ourselves closer to Jesus and help us to become more like Him. Our words should encourage those around us to trust in Jesus. We should long for God’s word, revel in the company of believers, and relish helping others, whether meeting their physical, mental, or spiritual needs. Our eternity with Jesus should be more important than our momentary comfort or happiness.Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. (1 John 2:18)As the end times approach, we will see many antichrists, people who try to take the place of Jesus Christ. They may attempt to replace Him as leader or king. They may attempt to replace Him as high priest or spiritual leader. They may attempt to replace Him as God and try to say what is good and what is bad. As Christians, we need to know our Bible so we are not misled. We need to lean on the Holy Spirit to guide us and enable us to know who speaks the truth and who speaks lies (including those who speak lies believing the lies).They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us. But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also. As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. (1 John 2:19-24) {Italicized phrases used below}We’ve known many people who seemed to be Christians, but who left the faith and turned to the world. These were people who claimed the label of Christian, but who were not children of God. They were false Christians. There will also be some who pretend to be Christians, and may even be leaders in churches, who speak lies and speak what is contrary to the word of God. Some may do a good job in their Christian act, but if “you have an anointing from the Holy One” and know the truth (the Bible), you will not be misled. Do be on the lookout for these many little-a antichrists who lead people astray.This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life.These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you. As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.In addition to studying the Bible, Christians can lean on the Holy Spirit for inspiration and guidance. The Spirit will help you to see those who speak lies, so you will not be misled. The Spirit will help you to do and say what you should. The Spirit will help you to understand the words you read in the Bible. The Spirit will help you witness to unbelievers. The Spirit will help you to obey God and to live the life He wants you to live.And now for the blessing for all those who have truly put their faith in Jesus Christ, have been indwelled by the Holy Spirit, and have submitted to the will of the Father:Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him. (1 John 2:28-29) {Italicized phrases used below}Believers have no need to “shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.” We can look forward with joy and anticipation to His return. Hallelujah! Come Lord Jesus, Come!Trust Jesus.
#Jesus  #God  #faith  #Bible  #christian  #endtimes  #gospel  #believer  #believe


I'm an apocaloptimist because my savior wins in the end and I'll go to heaven before we hit rock bottom.  I'm thinking that time is near.


That's why I homeschool.


Spoken like the tyrant he is.  He doesn't seem to care about all of his citizens that he used as cannon fodder.  In Ukraine, the younger male generation pretty much doesn't exist anymore.  I've heard the average age of military recruits is 43.  That means half of them are older.


Scrub Daddy makes a scrubbing sponge that I like.  I don't remember what it is called, but it lasts a while.

FYI, I like all of the Norwex stuff (especially their window cleaning cloths and glasses cleaning cloths.)


The people who delay marriage so they can have a career and sow their oats are making a huge mistake, but those that marry early just because they feel they should are also making a big mistake.  Get married when you find the right person, whether that is young or old.  The person and the commitment are what is important, not the timing.


Perhaps Christians need to consider where there citizenship really is and act accordingly.

https://trustjesus.substack.com/p/where-is-your-citizenship

freeborn | ελεύθερος


Sadly the majority of American Christians (or at least those who call themselves Christians) are compliant and don't stand firm on the word of God.

freeborn | ελεύθερος


Stopped?  No.  Reduced? Yes.  I now contribute only what is matched.  I put the rest of what I was putting into a 401k into BTC.


Glad you're doing well.  Having good preps sure does help with peace of mind.  So does faith in God.


I would definitely give up y seat to one of them and they all have a good reason for me to give up my seat, but as I looked at the picture, they all looked mad and entitled.  I'd be most likely to give up my seat to the one that looked desperate and likely to be grateful and least likely to give up my seat to the one that looked the most mad and entitled.  There isn't much that turns me off more than entitlement.


That is beautiful!  If you are needing another source of income, I'm sure you could sell those for some good money.


Beautiful!


This is part 2 on my series on end times.  This post is on the rapture of the church.
https://trustjesus.substack.com/p/left-behind-part-1

You may want to check out part 1 first.  It is a comparison between the judgment seat of Christ and the great white throne judgment.
https://trustjesus.substack.com/p/the-carrot-or-the-stick

Viewing on substack will be a much easier read, but I've pasted the text for those who don't want to leave nostr.  Consider subscribing so you don't miss a post.

Up, Up, and AwayLeft Behind, Part 2
MAY 14, 2024
Check out Part 1 of this series.
For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. (1 Corinthians 9:16)Lately I have been feeling an urgency to write. This is partly because I feel our time left on Earth is short. So many things seem to be lining up with Biblical prophecy in books like Revelation, Daniel, Ezekiel, and 1 & 2 Thessalonians. When I face God, I don’t want to have to admit that I didn’t do all I could to call people to repentance and faith in God. I also believe that the church (true believers) will be raptured before the seven year tribulation as described in 1Thessalonians.For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep {died}. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17) {emphasis mine}This rapture of the church will occur not only to those who are alive at the time, but also to those who died in Christ in the past. The time before this event is the last chance for people to avoid the terror and hardship of the tribulation and I believe that time is short (I will never claim to know when, but I feel in every ounce of my being that the time is short). There will be some saved during the tribulation, but they will all go through major hardship and most who become Christians during the tribulation will most likely be martyred. If there is anything I can do to prevent people from going through this experience, I feel called to do so. “To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.” (1 Corinthians 9:22) Of course only Jesus can save. I hope that these words will draw you closer to Jesus whether that means you accept Him as your Savior or it just means your faith is strengthened and you are encouraged to witness to the lost.
I feel like I need to write about making sure we have a saving relationship with Christ, so we get raptured, and what those who are left behind need to know going into the tribulation (I will discuss this in a subsequent post). This is way out of my comfort zone, but I am going to do my best and let the Bible and the Holy Spirit guide me. I’m sure this will be a multipart series, but I’m not yet sure how many parts or how I will divide it.“Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.” (Romans 13:11-14)This verse talks about how we need to wake up, turn to Jesus, and obey Him as the end times draw near. This verse says to Christians “The night is almost gone, and the day is near.” For Christians, this current time of evil and hardship is night. It is the hardest time we will experience. After the rapture, we will experience the day. We will experience a time with no sin, no pain, not illness, and no death. It will be marvelous!Unfortunately for those who have not trusted Jesus, I say “The day is almost gone, and the night is near.” This current time of evil and hardship that we experience today is the best that unbelievers will ever experience. The night is coming when todays sorrows and hardship and evil will seem like paradise compared to what they will experience during the tribulation and during eternity in Hell. It is so important to trust Jesus and to submit to Him while we still have the chance.We are also told (not specifically for end times) “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19) I’ve always known I need to do a better job of sharing the gospel with unbelievers and discipling believers, but that burden, that need, has multiplied as I feel time is running out. I am trying to be faithful.Something like 30 years ago, I was traveling and went to the local Christian book store to get a book to read. I grabbed this interesting sounding book titled Left Behind. While reading the book during my flight, I got to the part where the Christians were raptured. The pilot, but not the co-pilot was raptured and multiple passengers were raptured right from their seats in the plane. I have to admit, it kind of freaked me out and I was looking around me to make sure none of the passengers on my plane were missing. When the rapture happens for real, it will cause mayhem, sadness, and fear.When all of the Christians disappear, the already depraved culture will get much worse without the Christians here upholding God’s word as a reference of right and wrong. Many atheists, like Richard Dawkins, who says he loves Christian culture, but wishes that nobody actually believed in Christ, will be shocked to find that Christian culture doesn’t work without Christ and Christians.When the Christians are raptured to meet Jesus in the air, nobody will be unaware of the disappearance of the church (although I suspect that there will lots of excuses made for why they are gone, ie. removed by aliens for the good of mankind, etc.)When Jesus returns after the tribulation, nobody will miss His coming. His return will be seen by all. Those who trusted Him during the tribulation will see Him with joy. Those who rejected Him will see Him and despair."And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.'" (Acts 1:10-11)As Christians, we do not need to fear the coming tribulation, the wrath of God. God has promised we are not under His wrath.For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. (1 Thessalonians 5:8-10) {emphasis mine}When this verse says “whether we are awake or asleep” it is saying “whether we are alive or dead”. The Bible always speaks of dead believers as being asleep because we will awake to be with Him at His return.Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:23-25)As we see the last days approaching and the world turning to evil unimaginable we need to have hope in the promise of God that we will join Him in heaven. We need to be fearless and share the gospel with even more urgency. We need to encourage each other in “love and good deeds.”I hope you will be encouraged in your faith and your service to GodAnd then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ’; or, ‘Behold, He is there’; do not believe him; for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance. (Mark13:21-23)When the church is raptured, everyone will know it. There will be no mistaking this event. You don’t need to wonder. You will know, whether you are gathered to be with Jesus or whether you are left behind. You will know.
#jesus  #Jesus  #endtimes  #bible  #christian  #christiannostr  #rapture  #apologetics  #faith  #Bible  #God


I never thought about Atlantis being related to Eden and the destruction of the world by the global flood, but that would make sense.


I would consider myself a Calvinist and I agree with mleku that "god of this world" = Satan.


When you are on your death bed and can see your godly kids, who love and respect you, everything you did for their good, even though it may limit your "career", will be totally worth it.


Agreed!


Insane!  So much risk with so little upside.


Very good.  Best of all my eldest is back home for the summer.


For mother's day, we decided to play games.  I had the best luck that I have ever had in my life.  We played 3 hands of Uno and I won all 3.  We switched to playing farkle (dice game) and I won that strongly.  We then switched to playing Mille Borne and my team won with almost quadruple the points of the other team.  Mother's Day luck was definitely with me today.

They invited me to play our youngest's new wii video game.  I decided to stop while I was ahead.  Video games are not my thing.


All of the numbers are way too high.  The USPS can't do anything right. UPS and FedEx are so much better.  How could more than 50%  of people still approve of the CDC after the covid fiasco?  Why is the IRS over 1%?


Officially 4b, but realistically 3 due to micro-climate.


freeborn | ελεύθερος


That's amazing.

I went outside to see the aurora, but although the sky was clear straight up, the sky to the north was covered in clouds, so I never saw them.  I'm hoping sometime in the next two nights we'll get another chance when it is supposed to be clearer.


As you age, you'll find out that old is always a little bit older than you are, no matter how old you get.  It might change if you get past 90 or 100, but otherwise, it is always someone else that is old.


I tend to feel out of sync with most of the people.  I'm saying GM when it is afternoon for them and close to time for them to say GN and vice versa.  It makes me feel weird doing the GM when I know it is later in the day for them.


There are so many things in the Bible that would not make sense if someone was trying to make up a book.  They only make sense if they are telling the truth about an infinitely complex god.


My strawberries haven't even bloomed yet.


I used them in a rabbit stew.  It was amazing, but I only had a few.  I don't have a specific recipe.


It wouldn't surprise me if he was aspie.  I just don't worry about categorization.  He functions well, so I don't worry about him.

His only issues are taking everything 100% literally (You have to be careful what you tell him to do because he will process the command in the same way a computer would.) and he relates all things in life to advanced math, so he really confuses non-tech people, although everyone likes and respects him.


Definitely has some traits, but he is way more social and way more compassionate than a normal person on the spectrum.


My son is a very good coder, but a total absent minded professor in real life.