You are without Excuse!
Is your father a well-developed monkey? Did your grandfather swing from tree branches in the jungle? Did your great-grandfather entertain people on safari in Africa? Just curious is why I ask these questions. And I ask because many people have bought into the **lie of evolution.**
One of the greatest lies ever told
Rather than argue against evolution, which offers humanity no viable hope for the future but death, the theory does not have a transitional fossil record to prove the existence of humanity's progression, is cancelled out by the Second Law of Thermodynamics, and in the end must be accepted by faith (or school indoctrination).
The Bible
In like manner, **the belief in God also requires faith**. You can no more prove God by arguing with someone than you can prove evolution. Well, there is microevolution, but macroevolution has the above-mentioned critical factors that defeat the theory.
In a previous post I mentioned the fact that you cannot argue a man or woman into heaven. It's impossible for those who live in darkness to recognize the spiritual truths emanating from the light.
Creation
Evolution begins with the Big Bang, followed by pushing the idea that primordial slime was the first living organism, and that over the course of billions of years resulted in modern humanity.
On the other hand, the Bible (God's infallible word), speaks to the creation of the world and all that is in it.
We read:
"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who **suppress the truth** by their wickedness, since **what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it** ****plain**** **to them**. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that **people are without excuse**" (Romans 1:18-20, NIV).
Pretty heavy, yeah? The Bible tells us that all we see, the stars, the flowers, plant life and animal life, and our fellow humans (just to name a few) are not only plain to the eye but demonstrates the power of a Creator. In the end, those who live in wickedness suppress the truth in exchange for a lie.
But wait, there's more!
Conscience
The God of the Bible takes every precaution to let His readers know Him. Thus, Paul, under the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit, tells us more about God's power and His invisible qualities.
We read Paul's accusation against the Jews:
"For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. **They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their** **consciences also bearing witness**, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them)" (Romans 2:13-15, NIV).
Each and everyone of us has the God-given conscience. Do you know how we can know this to be true?
We know the difference between what is right and wrong.
**We know** it is not right to steal, kill, covet, engage in all manner of sexual morality, and more. Our hearts (consciences) inform us about the divide between the darkness and light.
Christ
Were the above-mentioned two not entirely enough (they are!), God sent His Son Jesus to the earth in the form of a Man.
We read:
"But now **apart from the law** the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in[h] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for **all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God**, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented **Christ as a sacrifice of atonement**, through the shedding of his blood—**to be received by faith**" (Romans 3: 21-25, NIV). https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%203&version=NIV#fen-NIV-28014h
**The Ten Commandments** do not save us but rather point out our sinful nature. Therefore, as prophesized in the Old Testament, God sent Jesus to fulfill the law and die in our place. God cannot look away from sin or He would not be just. But Jesus paid it all on the cross. The caveat here is that while Jesus died for all, only though who receive Him by faith will inherit heaven. So you see, **we do not have an excuse for unbelief** **in the eyes of God**.
Thank Your Sponsors!
A lot of us are so busy that we neglect our loyal sponsors, all to our own detriment. I have been guilty of this, too, and hence my necessary post. If you presently have no sponsors, do not lose hope - just keep writing, because eventually someone will like what you have to say and tag along with you.
Thank you!
So before I go into **ways you are able to obtain a sponsor**, allow me a moment to thank mine.
They are: @Niazi420, @BCH Volleyball Player, @King_Gozie, @Bloghound, @bjorn, @onlymythughts, and perhaps the most original of all names, @taptaptaptaptapthatkeyboard. Thank you one and all, your faithful sponsorship is much appreciated.
Be sure to check out their articles!
Getting a sponsor tips
Over 72,000 people are on read.cash as of this writing, but not all are active on the platform. This is to your and my advantage! There are about 2,000 fully active users but not all post daily. That narrows your chances of getting a sponsor considerably down.
So what do you have to do? I have found that picking a specific #niche worked well for me. I write about Christianity and some on politics.
What else? Well, post relevant articles that are applicable to almost everyone. Running in circles posting everything under the sun is fine, but narrowing down your niche lets people know ahead what your expertise or preferences are.
Also when you write, make a post of at least **3 minutes long**. Don't be lazy and think your one minute or less posts are going to make a profit. As I have stated previously, read.cash is not noise.cash, the latter of which is fine for ultra short, Twitter like posts.
Next, write in your language and with **proper grammar**. I believe this is the downfall of many writers on the platform. It's unfortunate, because it's such as an easy fix. Use #Grammarly or a similar software. They are freely available at no cost to you. Again, don't be lazy.
Finally, do not plagiarize from the Internet or other people's articles. I have seen where a couple of people have used my posts as a jumping ground for their articles.
**Be original. Be creative. Write well. Write daily. Include images. Read and comment on other people's articles.**
If you do these things, you will obtain a sponsor in due time. Do not lose hope - we are out there to help you and strengthen the read.cash platform.
Good luck to all of you and thank you to my sponsors one again.
Entry of the Gladiators
The world is a circus. We are either spectators of the present comedy-drama or we are gladiators doing battle with the evil forces aligned against us who believe. Personally, I am ever inclined to live the role of a gladiator. I have willfully chosen this lot in life. First, I was a soldier in the US Army's elite parachute infantry, and later a professional football player. My former ways were always inclined to violence.
Background
The above title comes from a classical military march by Julius Fucik, a Czech composer who lived from 1872 to 1916. If you've ever been to a professional circus, you have heard this catchy opus otherwise known as the "Clown song." You can peep out the lovely music later in this post by following the You Tube link, but for now I want to make a modern day comparison to the gladiators of old.
Gladiators
Gladiators were primarily professional fighters in ancient Rome. We have all heard a little about them in school or even watched an exaggerated Hollywood film version about them. These men (and later, women) fought animals and each other for approximately 300 years, ending in about 405 A.D.
The Romans were a cruel bunch and loved their entertainment much like modern people today. And like our modern era, the Romans took advantage of the **poor, prisoners and Christians** who were condemned to die. Most of the gladiators were slaves who were forced to fight to the death, few were ever volunteers.
The largest venues were the Roman **Colosseum** (or Flavian **Amphitheatre**) the two biggest of all of them. When Christianity began in Rome, it was viewed as a threat to the Roman Empire's vicious emperors who believed they were gods. For sport, Christians who refused to follow these and other pagan gods or even worship the emperor according to Roman law, were either fed to the lions or forced to fight for their lives. This was part of the persecution that the early church endured. https://www.worldhistory.org/Colosseum/ https://www.worldhistory.org/amphitheatre/
In true fashion regarding Roman cruelty and the lust for violence, Christian gladiators were never permitted to die with honor, and if they won their unfair matches, they were forced to fight again after they were booed by upwards of 50,000 spectators who despised the Christians and what they stood for. Eventually, **they were all killed**.
Modern gladiators
Over the last century alone, more Christians have been put to death than in all of history combined. At present, some **327 million** **Christians face persecution throughout the world**. Most of the countries are either Islamic, communist or nationalist-inclined.
"Global Strategic Alliance reports the universal persecuted church had more than **26 million documented cases of martyrdom** in the 20th century alone, more than in the previous 1,900 years combined." https://gsaministries.org/
Friends, that figure represents the population of Shanghi, China, and is close to the population of Delhi, India. Arguably, the present time is also the most dangerous time to be a Christian in all of world history.
Intense persecution is coming
Make no mistake about it, the persecution of Christians will continue to increase. Jesus told all those who followed Him would suffer just like He did. "Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12).
John gives us both a warning and hope in the final book of the Bible when he writes under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit;
"Do not be afraid of what you are **about to suffer**. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, **even to the point of death**, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death" (Revelation 2:10-11, NIV).
Encouraging words and food for thought
As we draw closer to the end of the age, many who have believed on Jesus and have followed Him as a disciple (which the words of Jesus proclaim one must do) will be thrown into prison or killed for preaching and teaching the gospel.
As believers, we must count the cost of being a disciple, think it through wisely, and then **make a choice**. There can be no half-hearted commitment, friends. We will either choose to be spectators or gladiators for Jesus. The latter does not mean we need to be violent, but rather use the sword of the Lord (God's word) as our instrument or weapon to combat evil.
Let me encourage you to "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6;14-17, NIV).
We are the gladiators of God!
**Entry of the Gladiators link** (3 minutes).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B0CyOAO8y0
Where do We go when We Die?
An old saying among us is that there are two facts of life: death and taxes. However, I do not believe everyone will die, but there are many who will **die twice**. In fact, there are written words that speak to these truths. These are found in the Bible.
Beliefs about death
Many people believe that when they die their body is buried or their ashes are scattered hither and yon, and that's the end of it. They are certainly entitled to their opinions, but they would be wrong. Dead wrong.
Some religions teach that a person becomes a god or an angel after death, which is rather comical if not utterly sad. These types of beliefs are ploys of Satan that feed egos, as if people were deserving of being an angel or a God themselves.
Still others believe they are reincarnated and come back either as a human again or some type of animal, dependent on how they lived their life. This is as wrong as it gets, for we read: " Just as people are destined to **die once**, and after that to face judgment..." (Hebrews 9:27, NIV).
What does the Bible say?
I believe God's word is 100% truthful and that it provides us with **everything** we need to know about how to live in our earthly bodies while we eagerly await the Lord's return. There are no contradictions in the Bible, only misunderstandings.
Unfortunately, many Christians are confused about the topic, because they have either not studied the Scriptures, and/or their pastors have failed to preach all of God's word.
To be sure, some people believe that when we die our bodies "sleep" until the Judgment of Christ. Others believe that upon death all people are instantly judged and receive their just reward: heaven or hell for eternity. **Neither of these are correct**.
The believer's destination
The Apostle Paul wrote: "Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by **faith**, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at **home with the Lord**" (1 Corinthians 5:6-8, NIV).
So what *is* at home with the Lord? Our glorified bodies? No, our spirit, our soul. The body **sleeps** in the grave. At the resurrection, not to be confused with Christ's **Second Coming**, our physical bodies are resurrected, glorified, and immediately reunited with our soul/spirit.
"I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the **twinkling of an eye**, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality" (1 Corinthians 15: 50-53, NIV).
Cool beans! The Last Trumpet *is* the Second Coming of Jesus. Believers will spend their eternity in heaven.
The unbeliever's destination
On the other hand, and most unfortunately, an unbeliever will experience something similar and yet completely different, even though they do not have to.
Those individuals who have refused to believe and live for Jesus Christ as their Savior, death means an everlasting punishment, in two stages. Like the believer, the soul/spirit goes to a temporary waiting place, in this case Hell (not Purgatory, for there is no such thing in God's word). The body also sleeps in the grave. Like believers, they too await their eternal destination.
At the Last Trumpet, all people are judged. the believer for his works, the unbeliever for his works. The unbeliever is judged and cast into the lake of fire, the second and eternal death.
We read:
"Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. **The lake of fire is the second death**. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the **lake of fire**" (Revelation 20:11-15, NIV).
Final thoughts
I encourage you to choose life. Place your trust in Jesus, that is, recognize you are a sinner and can bring nothing to Him that He doesn't already have. Repent, that is, turn from your sinful behaviors and world ways of living and live for Jesus. Believe that Jesus is who He says He is and will do everything He has promised. Again, I say, chose life.
Ready, Set, Grow!
Stuck in a rut? Hopeless? Frustrated? Always broke? Run down? Tired? Depressed? Angry? Undecided? Jobless? Been there, done that, but had the steal the t-shirt, because I couldn't afford it.
Life isn't the proverbial bowl of cherries people make it out to be, as we have all found out through our respective experiences. Daily struggles can wear our spirits down to the point we'd rather just hop in bed and sleep life away. Or drink ourselves into a walking coma. Any many do these things because they refuse to grow.
Opportunities
There is no lack of opportunity but rather a lack of vision. **Cause and effect** is one principle that matters in a person's life. This is to say that whatever you do today will impact your tomorrow. Drink today, hangover tomorrow. Bad decisions today, regrets tomorrow. Tears today, lingering pain tomorrow. Life is an unending series of causes and effects.
How are you treating others in your circle? Are they a means to an end? If so, you're already on a wrong path. We need to treat **everyone** as equals, rich or poor, intelligent or otherwise, and **love them as we love ourselves**.
How about your work habit? Do you slumber when you should be working? Do you procrastinate? The effort, even the **extra effort** you put in at work or whatever you do today, will play a significant role in the development of your future. Trust me, your boss is watching, your loved ones are watching, and your inner self is watching. Get after it!
And if you have no employment, get some!
Ready
We have to be mentally stable and prepared to put out best foot forward. Emotional stability is a key factor in your growth. Constant whining, hissy fits and a lack of self-motivation are for toddlers, not for people who profess to be adults. Even ants, who live for a few days to a few weeks at most, are self-motivated!
**Get a grip**. Feeling sorry for yourself will not magically get you out of the rut of daily life. Never has, never will. Also, depending on others is simply idleness, slothfulness, and moreover leads to an increased inability to make daily, critical decisions.
**Get ready**! Why would you want to live like this? Oh, you hate yourself? No, you don't. You love yourself, you just hate where you're at in life - you despise your present condition or situation. But either/or can and **should change**.
Set
Get set. How? **Plan**. Adulting is complex. Getting set takes some organization. It necessitates that an individual set some **priorities** in order that the most important things s/he does are completed 100% of the time, while the rest are accomplished as frequently as humanly possible.
This doesn't mean you have to work 18 hours a day (though I do). Idle hands are the devil's workshop. And while we all need leisure time, exercise and relaxation, we were born to work, produce and enjoy the fruits of our labor, as well as share them with others.
Grow
Once you have wallowed in your misery long enough, and have made a conscious decision to make a plan to grow, you have to set your plan in motion and be ready to alter the plan and/or change directions when obstacles appear, because they will.
Additionally, you have to hold yourself accountable. Integrity is key. Integrity is what you do when nobody is watching. Know yourself and make the necessary changes to grow physically, mentally and spiritually. Yeah, you'll slip up. We all do. But we must make the necessary changes and press on towards positive growth.
Whenever you or I put something into motion, we have to come to understand that this is **our choice** and not something that merely happens. Cause and effect, remember? Our choices have several probable outcomes. However, whatever we pick **as** an outcome we desire to see come to fruition, we are responsible for it. Therefore, we need to take responsibility or own up to whatever we do at all times.
Growth comes in spurts. Change is a process. If it was an easy process, everyone would be living a satisfactory or blissful life. But that's not reality, friends.
The ball is yours
It's in your court. Will you pass the opportunity to another and continue in your present miserable condition? Or will you hold the ball, move it down the court of life and score a win for you and your loved ones? Your call, your choice.
Misery loves company. Choose growth when others refuse to do so.
The Return to the Truth is Painful
19 months ago our world changed. Most of us were living a relatively comfortable life and pursuing our dreams when the virus ushered us all into a new season wrought with unimaginable confusion.
As two weeks became 30 days and the pandemic worsened, some of us blamed our politicians, some of us blamed the Chinese, and some of us merely leaned back and let the cards play out.
The spiritual
Sadly, but really not that not unusual, the vast majority of people failed to look deeper into the true root of the problem. It was easier to cast blame. By and large we were all **spiritually unaware of what was happening**.
Spiritual unawareness is nothing new. Relative comfort and a love of the things of this world take hold of us to the point we give God scant attention. Sure, we might go to church, mumble a few words of prayer, and throw a few bucks into the collection plate, but most of us were not pursuing God because we were so **self-centered** and tuned into the things of this world (and many remain so).
Discernment was not our strong point. We failed to recognize what was really happening in our world, and this despite the fact it has been happening since the creation: **a spiritual war that pits the rulers of darkness against God's light and truth**.
Our talents
All of us have something we are very good at. We were working to refine these talents, made adjustments and corrected our mistakes, and we toiled to make our hobby or work more closer to the best it could possibly be. **But we forgot the fact that God deserved nothing less than the very same thing!** We set apart His precepts and commands for the pursuit of worldly things and self to the point that He intervened.
BOD
BOD is an acronym which is a pattern of the ancient Jews and contemporary Christians. When the Jews followed after idols and rejected God they went into **bondage**. This is observed when the Israel went into Babylonian captivity in 721 B.C., and then Judah in 587 B.C. Here, all of Israel (one people divided into two nations) were **oppressed** by their captors. And finally, when Israel and Judah recognized the errors of their ways and returned to the truth, God **delivered** them from captivity. We can see the same pattern today if we possess discernment.
You see, **every generation has to believe and obey God**. When generations fail to do so, God brings about judgment to bring us **back to the truth**. It is a painful season, much like the one we are facing today. God wants us to be spiritually aware of the long-running spiritual war being fought between light and darkness and participate in His plan.
The spirit of the world
The pandemic caused me to take a hard look at myself. Initially, I blew the two weeks off, because it was like a vacation to me. But when the virus spread and draconian measures kicked in, I went on a 30-day drunk. It was my way of attempting to numb the pain of my errant ways (sin in my life). I didn't want to face the fact that I called myself a Christian but lived for worldly things.
God did not give up on me (**and He hasn't given up on you**). Soon enough, I began to think clearer and made a decision to put aside the drunkenness and **fully devote myself to God**, much like Israel and Judah of old.
I recognized three things: 1. treating God casually like a magic genie when I was in need was my downfall; 2. I had become too worldly, indulging and **loving pleasure rather than loving God**; and 3. not using the discernment God gave me put me in a place where I blamed others rather than recognizing the true problem: spiritual warfare was increasing and changing the world, not for the better but instead for the worse.
What do we do now?
Some of us, nay, *a lot of us* have moved from the **bondag**e of self and the world to **oppression**. Many continue to indulge and follow the ruler of this age and darkness. Money, fame, notoriety, sexual immorality, and more continues to rule lives and are oppressive, as opposed to the freedom in Christ we should be enjoying.
We must return to the truth to be delivered. There are four things we can do right now to experience our respective **deliverance**.
We need to **believe and repent**. This is not a casual exercise. We need introspection to see where we have gone astray and turn from it all. The Holy Spirit is our Teacher and Comforter.
We need to develop our listening skills and be aware of what is happening in the spiritual world. Oh, you don't believe in the spiritual battles between light and darkness? Hmm, Jesus did! We read: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against **spiritual wickedness in high** **places**" (Ephesians 6:12, NIV).
We need to be crucified with Christ and put off our carnal nature. We need to watch what is happening and **do God's will**, which are His commands.
We need to participate in God's plan and make a return to the painful truth.
Remember and also *do these things*
Keep in mind that evil is unrelenting. The tormentors of darkness are hard at work because Satan knows his time is short. The battle rages on but the good news is that God wins in the end.
We must minimize our vulnerability. To accomplish this, we need to pray, praise God, take control of our emotions, put aside immoral thoughts, and use our discernment. We need to pay close attention to what we watch and listen to, for these are entry points for the tormentors of darkness.
Ready, set, go!
Are you willing right now to return to the truth? Simply ignoring the truth does not remove you from the arena of darkness but rather makes one more vulnerable.
Are you able to recognize that a spiritual war is ongoing which seeks to destroy our faith? Satan and his tormentors are well-organized!
Can you and are you willing to commit to putting aside self and its pursuit of worldly things? God is at work. He has an assignment for you and me. Normal has moved. Everything is new with each passing day. We cannot outspend our problems but we can give them all to God, who is waiting for us to return to His ways.
The 7 I Am's of Jesus
I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, and this is because the Scriptures explicitly affirm that a person who believes on Jesus **must** follow Him and pick up their cross daily. Discipleship is leaning on God in everything we do and say, and trusting that He is in total control.
Who is Jesus?
Unfortunately, many people do not know who Jesus is. Some think he was a good man, some think he was a lunatic, while others think he was a traveler of the world. But those who have studied the Scriptures know who He is: both God and man.
God's word makes no guesses as to the divinity of Jesus. Multiple verses assure any critical reader that Jesus is God manifested in the flesh, who was without sin, who ministered on Earth for about 3.5 years, who died for the sins of the world, who was resurrected after 3 days, and who now sits at the right hand of the Father.
John writes: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, **and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning"** (John 1:1-2, NIV). You see, He has always existed.
In verse 14 of the same chapter, John writes: "The Word became **flesh** and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" (v. 14).
I Am
When Moses saw God in the burning bush, and God said he was sending Moses and the people to Egypt, Moses asked, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” (Exodus 3: 13, ESV).
God answered, "**I am who I am**. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘**I am** has sent me to you.’”(Exodus 13:14-15, NIV).
Jesus *was* in the burning bush! He did not reveal Himself because he had yet to come to earth in the flesh.
The 7 proclamations of Jesus
Jesus frequently used metaphors when teaching. The Jews and early church were more familiar with metaphors than Western cultures are to this day.
Jesus testified on Himself thus: "I am the **bread** of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty" (John 6:35, NIV).
Now, anybody could make a statement like this, right? But how would they back it up? Well, Jesus provided such proof. Yes, He actually fed 5,000 in the wilderness, twice!
In John, Jesus also said, “I am the **light** of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life”(John 8:12, NIV). How did He prove to people He was the light? We read in John chapter 9 that Jesus healed a man born blind.
Again in John, Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the **door** of the sheep. All who *ever* came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the **doo**r. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture" John 10:7-9, NKJV).
Here, Jesus tells those who are willing to listen that He is the only way to heaven.
In the very same chapter 10 of John, Jesus says, "I am the **good** **shepherd**; and I know My *sheep,* and am known by My own. **1**As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep" (John 10:14-15, NIV). Jesus proved this to be true when he was crucified on a cruel cross at Calvary.
In John chapter 11, Jesus said to Martha, "‘I am the **resurrection and** **the life**. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ (John 11:25-26, NIV). Jesus later proved this after rising from the dead 3 days after being crucified.
In chapter 15 of John, Jesus testified, "I am the **true vine**" (John 15:1, NIV). We who believe on Him are the branches and He sustains us, and empowers us to do His will and works.
But wait, there's more!
Two other times in the Scriptures we see the **I Am**. However, like the other 7 proclamations, these are not metaphors, but rather are Jesus' claims of who he is. The Pharisees were claiming that Jesus was possessed by a demon!
The response of Jesus reveals a lot about Him. "First, he replies, "I am not possessed by a demon,’ said Jesus, ‘but I honor my Father and you dishonor me' (John 8:49, NIV).
Then, several verses later He tells the Jews, "Very truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, **I am**!’ (John 8:58, NIV).
Did you catch the distinction? Abraham *was*, meaning he had died. But Jesus said he was **before** Abraham and **still is**! At this revelation, the Jews picked up stones to kill Him, because Jesus claimed to be God, but he fled the Temple, as this was not His time to die.
Finally, when the time was near to die for the sins of the world, Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, when the soldiers and Judas appeared to betray him.
"Who is it you want?” Jesus asked (John 18:4, NIV). Jesus knew exactly who the mob was and what they wanted.
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied (v. 5).
“I **am** he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “**I am** he,” they drew back and fell to the ground (v. 5b).
These men fell down because of the power of God at work. Jesus was demonstrating that the Father was in control and that He was surrendering to the mob voluntarily.
They asked Jesus again who he was and "Jesus answered, “I told you that **I am** he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me” (John 18:8-9, NIV).
It is my prayer that you will come to know who Jesus is, believe on Him, and follow Him as a fully devoted disciple.
You Stiffed-Necked People!
**Everyone** alive today, and those who have gone on **before us** in sleep or death, has had or presently has a spirit of rebellion in them. We either rebel against uncomfortable truths or battle against the lies and deception so prevalent in the world today. There is no in between.
We were one and all born in rebellion, inheriting the sinful nature from the first man and woman: Adam and Eve. None of us were born innocent, and many on Earth are already the walking dead who await the second death.
Hard-hearted people of our contemporary times are much like the Israelites under Moses, those who wandered in the desert for 40 years.
They were fed (even manna from heaven!), provided water, clothed and protected by God. Yet despite His daily provisions, they turned to idols of wood, stone and gold images. They were rebellious towards God who had interceded for them when they were slaves in Egypt and freed them from the bonds of Pharaoh.
Even today, God provides for those who do not know Him, for "He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous" (Matthew 5:45, NIV).
The book of Acts
In the book of Acts, we observe **three phases of the early church** and its expansion: the ministry to the Jews, the ministry to the Samaritans (a mix of Jew and foreign blood from those who came to Israel during the Babylonian exile of the Jews and lived in the land), and finally, the ministry to the Gentiles.
Peter's ministry
Peter preached boldly on the day of Pentecost and some 3,000 were saved and began to speak in tongues (other languages), just like the disciples. They were filled with the Holy Spirit. He preached like a man on fire for Jesus, and was beaten, and yet he rejoiced, for he knew what he had seen and heard and knew about of Jesus. Therefore, he could not resist but to **proclaim** Jesus as God, the promised Messiah.
Kerygma
Pronounced ker-rig-ma, the Greek word means **proclamation**. Throughout the book of Acts, after the coming of the Holy Spirit, we observe proclamations that were made by the Apostles, Paul after his conversion on the road to Damascus, Syria, and other early church leaders.
Stephen
Stephen also preached with great boldness, following the kerygma style, which was the norm in the early church. "Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people" (Acts 6:8, NIV). The Jews despised these things, and thus "opposition arose"(v.9).
Then the Jews "...secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God” and they brought him before the Sanhedrin (v. 11).
Their intention was to kill him for speaking what they considered to be blasphemy against God. But Stephen was rebellious and **spoke the truth**!
We read Stephen's **proclamation** to the Jews who refused to believe on the risen Jesus, beginning in Acts 7, verse 2 through 53.
He boldly stated: "“However, **the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands**. As the prophet says:
“‘Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me?
says the Lord.
Or where will my resting place be?
Has not my hand made all these things?" (Acts 7:48-50, NIV).
When Stephen proclaimed that God no longer lived in the Temple but rather lived in the believer by the Holy Spirit, the Jews were infuriated.
Stephen struck to the heart of the Jews in his conclusion: “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: **You always resist the Holy Spirit!"** (Acts 7:51, NIB).
Cut to today
Like the Jews during the rise of the early church, many remain a stiff-necked people. They have, like the Jews wandering in the desert, hardened their hearts to the truth of the gospel.
Furthermore, many have an abundance of idols in their lives made of wood, stone, gold, silver, money, and a digital life. Their idols also include an unhealthy affinity for debased movies, entertainment, celebrities, pornography, pagan gods, games, sexual escapades, and the ways of this world. **In these do they trust**.
They have resisted the prick upon their hearts by the Holy Spirit.
Christ the antidote
The preachers of the early church proclaimed Christ Jesus. Today, many preachers preach a soft gospel of comfort, which is nowhere found in the Bible. Nowhere!
Indeed, preachers preach **event salvation**, where one merely raises their hand and says they believe, **never knowing who Jesus is**.
The 4 points of proclamation
Kindly note that the way the gospel is presented in many churches in our time is considerably diluted. People do not know who Jesus is. But the disciples and early leaders of the church knew, and they shouted and preached **boldly**.
These men spoke about the life of Jesus, His virgin birth, miracles, and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.
The preachers *always* made the point that Jesus was killed (crucified) at the end of His earthly life.
They also made it a point to preach Christ's resurrection from the dead (for without it we have no hope).
They also called on **all people**, whether Jews, Samaritans or Gentiles, to repent of their **misunderstanding of who Jesus** was and, of course, repent (turn from) their sinful ways.
The first Christian martyr
When Stephen had finished his proclamation to the Jewish leaders, they set about to murder him, and as they picked up stones, he said:
“Look, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God" Acts 7:56, NIV).
**"**At this (the Jews) covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep" (Acts 7:57-60, NIV).
Questions
We who truly believe in Jesus await our glorification. Those who have not believed are already condemned (John 3:18).
**Do you know who Jesus is**? Do you know of His earthly ministry, and His resurrection from the dead? Have you **misunderstood** who Jesus is and been a part of event evangelism by soft-speaking preachers? And have you **repented** of your sins?
These are all aspects one should consider in their hearts. I encourage you to seek the truth, and unlike the Jews of old (and today) not be a stiff-necked people.
Come Out of the Darkness and into the Light
If we are paying attention to the increasing changes in our world and communities, we are gaining knowledge but not necessarily applied wisdom. Knowledge is good but its application is wisdom.
Knowledge is simply knowing something. We know we should not steal from others, and yet we steal time from our employer or loved ones in the pursuit of self-indulgences. We have therefore not engaged ourselves in the application of knowledge.
Wisdom is gained by properly applying our acquired knowledge in everyday life. We can know something but not apply it. This leaves us in the darkness and thus we fail to judge what is true or right and hence do not come into the light.
Present reality
The #pandemic has shuttered schools and myriad institutions of higher learning. In my mind, this is both a good and bad thing at the same time. It is good in the sense that Marxist indoctrination has taken a huge hit, which is to say that many students no longer have to regurgitate what their instructors want them to say without critical thought.
In is also bad, in that various schools of learning are not as functional as they once were. Schools where critical thinking is required, as opposed to indoctrination, have been shuttered.
But the good news is that online learning is available **for free** for those who seek it. I am not referring to a worldly education but rather a source of godly education.
Read.cash
Most people on read.cash are here to write, read and in the process earn some #BCH. However, the majority of people here make daily choices with respect to what to read, and based on the number of posts or articles I have observed over the course of the past six months, these choices typically fall along the lines of entertainment and drama.
None of the above-mentioned are edifying. Instead, they drive one away from knowledge, wisdom and thus deeper into darkness where the light does not shine. This works to the disadvantage of people and imperils and impedes the soul and spirit. Unfortunately, we live in a world where entertainment temporarily soothes our cravings but, like alcohol or drugs, keeps us coming back for more.
Solutions
There are always opportunities to solve all of our problems if we diligently seek to do so, and as a result come out of the darkness and into the light.
What is light?
"But whoever lives by the **truth** comes into the **light**, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God" (John 3:21, NIV).
"Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of **light**. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of **darkness**" (Luke 11:34, NIV).
And finally, "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the **light** of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in **darkness**, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12, NIV).
Free Christian education
Yes, I said free, as in no strings attached. With the link below you can learn to come out of the darkness and into the light with free Christian education. You may study alone or in groups you choose to join, or even create your own small group consisting of friends or family. You may use your smartphone or laptop. It's a valuable resource! Best of all, you may work at your own pace.
The classes offered below are **all online** and consist of **audio lectures** by some of the best Christian scholars available. Additionally, books and notes and other material are free of charge to download. And why shouldn't it be? The teachings of Jesus were free and available to all who would lend an ear.
When browsing the website, be sure to enroll in classes that **fit your level of present knowledge of God's word**. Most of you, but certainly not all, would benefit from a **beginner's curriculum**. This takes you through multiple hours of the basic principles of faith and what it means to be a Christian. Not only will you gain knowledge but also heaps of wisdom when you learn how to apply the knowledge in your life.
For those who more advanced in the Christian faith, there are intermediate and seminary level courses. These classes are steeped in interpretation, knowledge and the application of knowledge. They will cause you to think critically and expose you to theology, interpretation, Christology, apologetics, Christian history, hermeneutics and more. Truly, they are not designed for those who are unwilling to delve deeper into critical thought.
Finally, there are classes that you may pay for, **if you choose**, and as a consequence earn actual degrees. Any of the free and paid courses are able to prepare you for future ministry. Here is the link, and I hope you will take advantage of it.
https://www.biblicaltraining.org/enroll-in-a-class
I sincerely pray that you will come out of the darkness and into the glorious light of God's everlasting word.
Who are Our Neighbors?
When it comes to neighbors, many people have a worldly perspective. Their focus is much too narrow. We typically think of the people across the street, next door, those down the road from us, and people in other provinces or cities. But this belief is severely limited in its scope.
Additionally, most of us have neighbors that we prefer to avoid for one reason or another. Maybe they sing karaoke too loudly at night or perhaps they have dogs or roosters who keep us awake throughout the sleeping hours. It's entirely probable that we **all** have some neighbors who are suffering to make ends meet during the #pandemic.
A proper perspective
We *all* come short when considering who our neighbors actually are. We often fail to see the bigger picture. Therefore, it is necessary to correct this faulty perspective and delve deeper into it, that is, **if** we truly care.
Parables
Jesus frequently spoke in parables. Why, was He attempting to trick people? Not at all! He had a threefold purpose in mind when elating a parable. First, for those who wanted to know what he was speaking about, He told parables to get them to meditate on the meaning and how it applied to them.
Second, He used parables so that those who didn't heed the story and disregarded the teachings would not suffer any more eternal punishment than was necessary.
Third, He told parables to get across **one central point**. The rest of the story was not fluff, per se, but **only** when aspects of the parable are connected to the central point are we to uncover the truths.
The Good Samaritan
Even those who do not know the **risen** Jesus have heard something about the parable of the Good Samaritan. Let's have another look at it, now. Keep in mind that Samaritans were half Jews, and the legalistic Jews had no dealings with them, lest they be found unclean. The irony! The hypocrisy!
"On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to **test** Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what **must I do** to inherit eternal life?" (Luke 10:25, NIV).
Did you catch that? This was a Pharisee, who wanted to prove Jesus wrong by testing Him. Pharisees are those who wrongly believed (and still do - the legalists), two things: 1. that salvation was for only the Jews; and 2. that their external works could earn salvation. He wanted to know what he could **do**! Therefore, Jesus taught them all a valuable lesson to the point they wanted to kill Him.
Jesus replied: “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?" (v. 26, NIV).
The Pharisee correctly quoted Deuteronomy 6:4 and said: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself' (v. 27).
Ta-da! He **though**t he had Jesus in a corner. Do we ever do that? Ahem, yes, unfortunately. When we question the truth of the Bible or when we don't believe it all, or even when we wrongly believe that only certain passages are true. Woe unto us who do these ungodly things.
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “**Do thi**s and you will live” (v. 28).
But he wanted to **justify himself**, so he asked Jesus, “And **who** is my neighbor?”(v. 29).
This is when Jesus told the parable about the man travelling from Jerusalem down to Jericho (I'll let you read it). It was a very dangerous trip. Not only was it a steep trek downhill, but it was 18 miles (about 30 km) long! Additionally, robbers and thieves prowled the area.
Two men passed by and avoided the Samaritan who had been robbed and beaten. The Jewish priest avoided the naked, half-dead man, and a Levite also passed by without a care. (The Levites were the descendants of Jacob 's son Levi, and they were responsible for keeping the tabernacles and in Jesus's time, the temple clean, stocked, played music, etc.)
In any case, both men left the man for dead. Let's pause right here for a moment and do some self-reflection. Have we ever avoided someone in need? The answer is yes, we have! But let's read on and learn from the Lord Jesus.
"But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have'" (Luke 10:33-35, NIV).
A denarii was about one day's wages. And now Jesus turned the tables on the lawyer.
“Which of these three do you think was **a neighbor** to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” (v. 36).
Roh, roh, Scooby!
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, “**Go and do likewise**” (v. 38).
Pow! Right in the kisser! Jesus with the smackdown!
Details, central point, application
We saw all the details, right? Several people, dangerous travel, robbers, an injured man, an inn and a donkey, etc. But what was the Lord's central point? The main point is that **everyone in need is our neighbor**.
It doesn't just mean the guy or gal next door, across the street or over in another province or city. Nope! Not at all.
And the application?
Anyone near or far that we are **able to reach** is our neighbor and we should help them as best we can. **Reach** is the meaning in Greek. So, prayer, money, aid, **whatever** we can do as Jesus puts it on our hearts to do, as servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, is the application for us who follow Jesus. May the Holy Spirit bring this to your remembrance going forward.
Read.Cash is not Noise.Cash - Get a Grip!
Have you noticed the recent trend among several individuals who are demeaning the read.cash platform with abbreviated posts akin to noise.cash? I certainly have. It appears that people from there (and it's a good platform, don't get me wrong) wrongly believe their perennial pithy posts work here.
Uh, **no they don't.**
For "whom the bell tolls" regarding this poor habit, why do you insist on debasing read.cash with your terse posts under one minute, even one-liner's? Is it a case of being misinformed or just sheer laziness? Perhaps you have no clue how to write? I don't know, as I am not a seer nor do I possess a crystal ball.
In your quest for earning #BCH, have you not read the rules and expectations from the read.cash platform's dutiful inventors? Do you really expect to be rewarded for your abject slothfulness? If so, you are sadly misguided.
I get it
People don't like rules when they apply to them. I am the same **only** when it comes to my God-ordained freedoms. However, when it comes to read.cash, the rules are quite simple: no plagiarism, posts should be at least over a minute's worth of coherent reading, no porn or excess cursing, and more. It's simple, really.
We regular posters on the platform know the rules and abide by them, because we enjoy the associated benefits: #BCH.
Personally, I give **all** my earnings away to deserving writers. I have income other than what is provided on here. So, if you ever send cash my way, know that they are **given to others** and that I **never keep** them for my own pocket.
Greed makes haste
Quick approaches to acquire earnings are not conducive to the platform or those diligently earning #BCH on read.cash. Furthermore, they are unpalatable.
Then there are those (guess I'm on a rant, now, but it is justified) who feel the need to brag about their earnings and who never tip other writers. It reminds me of a truthful saying from King Solomon: "A person with an evil eye hurries after wealth, And does not know that poverty will come upon him" Proverbs 28:22).
Get a grip
Or maybe get a real job if you are that desperate for money. Yes, times are difficult nowadays, but you are not only not reaping any benefits, but are debasing the platform and turning people off who tirelessly write and earn. Moreover, you risk the livelihood of others who rely on read.cash for their daily sustenance.
Just stop it. Get a grip. Read.cash is not noise.cash.
That is all.
Motorcycles: Convenient but Deadly
Transportation in the Philippines is substandard at best. The MRT and LRT lines have improved but are still packed when lockdowns are not in place. Most of our roads are subpar, jammed, and traffic congestion is the norm. Bicycling is also dangerous, cars are expensive for most people, and the facts regarding traffic accidents reveal that many "licensed drivers" should not be on the road.
Convenience
It may be argued that new bridges and tollways are making travel more convenient. A trip from Manila via the NLEX and on up to Baguio may be completed in a tad over 4 hours, driving the speed limit, providing of course, one leaves no later than 4:30 a.m. I've made the trip numerous times in relative safety. There are always bad drivers on the highways who are driving much too fast, and in the end getting nowhere important.
Since the #pandemic was unleased on the world, travelers have certainly been more inconvenienced. Checkpoints, restrictions, vaccine passports, traffic backlogs, and our transportation systems have all forced us to take a convenience hit when moving about the country.
Motorcycles
After being run off the road in Angeles City by a car for a second time a few years ago, I finally sold my motorcycle and have never regretted it. I probably saved my life.
#Motorcycles are inexpensive and convenient for getting to and from destinations, and they are cheap on gas. But let's take a look at the dangers motorcycle owners face.
According to Jess Diaz (2019) of the ***Philippine Star***, motorcycles are the 9th leading cause of death in the #Philippines. On the surface, this does not appear to be a big deal, but I believe it is indeed. They are simply not safe because they offer little if any protection to their operators.
Some 65% plus of all traffic accidents in the country involve motorcycles (Motorcycle, 2019). According to the same report, 53% of all accidents resulting in #death stem from motorcycle-related mishaps. The majority are head injuries and related trauma.
The report (2019) goes on to state that in 2019 (the latest statistics), 86 motorcycle accidents occurred per day, for a total of 31,279 for the year 2019.
The answer from the government that was meant to decrease accidents and deaths? #Taxes. It's insane when you think about it, because motorcycle accidents and deaths have actually increased since the law was enacted.
I live 70 meters from MacArthur Highway. We see one motorcycle accident a day here. Speeding, reckless overtaking and traffic congestion, replete with operator frustration, are the primary causes of motorcycle accidents.
An aside
As an aside, the Philippines is the only country I am aware of where a driver involved in an accident can be jailed. I may be wrong. The law is simply more insanity, if indeed it is an accident. This means that innocent drivers are going to jail or prison for the reckless behaviors of other drivers.
Safety
Many motorcycle operators (primarily men) are in a big hurry to go nowhere. Additionally, too many on a motorbike make an accident inevitable. Dangerous behaviors, including not wearing a helmet, are foolish.
Finally, those appearing at an accident scene simply take videos for their #Facebook. Those who do help until the authorities arrive, do not know **First Aid**. If you do not know how to treat any accident victim, either learn or stay away.
Experience
Last year I assisted at a motorcycle accident scene mere meters from my then home. The driver had attempted to overtake my neighbors SUV on the right side of the road when the SUV driver was turning right. He crashed into the rear of the SUV and was thrown to the middle of the highway, his helmeted head striking the unforgiving pavement.
I ran to the scene and many began to gather. Experienced in First Aid from my days in the US Army, I immediately saw two critical mistakes being made by the well intended helpers: 1. they gave the driver water to drink; and 2. they propped his head up on his helmet. Big no-no's!
I advised the helpers not to do what they were doing but they didn't listen, so I stepped back, hoping for the best. Unfortunately, he died due from his head injury due to the above mistakes.
The young man was a member of a prominent political clan and they took immediate action against my neighbor, despite the fact that he was **not at fault**.
The neighbor was forced to pay for all the hospital and funeral expenses, plus an additional 250,000 pesos. I saw this as a travesty of justice, which happens a lot in the country.
So if you're considering buying or keeping your motorcycle, take every precaution you can and obey the laws. And remember, the best driver is a defensive rather than an offensive operator. Oh, and people who are driving cars and trucks are not paying attention to motorcycle drivers. Ingat lagi!
**References**
Diaz, J. (2019). Motorcycle crashes No. 9 killer in Philippines. *Philippine Star*. Retrieved from https://www.philstar.com/nation/2019/10/06/1957784/motorcycle-crashes-no-9-killer-philippines
Motorcycle accidents statistics Philippines. (2019). Retrieved fromhttps://reviewmotors.co/motorcycle-accidents-statistics-philippines/
Overcoming Shame
Are you now feeling ashamed or have you ever experienced shame? I would say that we *all* have had some experiences where we felt ashamed, because it is natural for us mere mortals to have said or done something we should not have, or accidentally did, or even *thought* about.
Shame is defined as disappointment or regret. These two emotions cause us to **distance** ourselves from other people. However, most of the time when we say or so something we should not have done, we want to slither away and be alone to suffer, because we are embarrassed of the way we revealed our true self. Our pride has been hurt and we seek solace in things that mask our damaged pride and shame.
Psychology's remedy for shame
The school of #psychology teaches that, "Shame is defined as a self-critical emotion, according to which individuals display a negative consideration of themselves" (Redaelli, 2020).
Lamia (2011) states that "Shame is a clear signal that our positive feelings have been interrupted."
Lamia goes on to say that "Self-observation that is often prompted by shame, and felt as regret, provides an opportunity to learn, change, improve, or do something differently the next time around" (2011).
Unfortunately, many of us do not change right away and some of us *never* change. We become stuck in a never ending cycle where we refuse to deal with our shame. But the **good news** is that there is a fix, a true remedy!
Greek definition of ashamed
*Epaischunomai* is the English transliteration of the Greek word ἐπαισχύνομαι, which the Apostle Paul used in his epistle (letter) to the Romans. Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (God-breathed) wrote: "For I am not ashamed of the **gospel**, because it is the **power of God** that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile" (Romans 1:16, NIV).
Why did Paul write that line? Obviously, there were *many* in Rome who *were* ashamed. Therefore, they has distanced themselves from the **good news** of the gospel.
Peter's shame
We read in the gospel (**good news**) of Matthew the following:
“Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came to him and said, 'You too were with Jesus the Galilean. But he denied it before them all, saying, 'I do not know what you are talking about. When he had gone out to the gateway, another servant-girl saw him and said to those who were there, 'This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.' And again he denied it with an oath, 'I do not know the man.' A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, 'Surely you too are one of them; for even the way you talk gives you away.' **Then he began to curse and swear**, 'I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” **And he went out** and wept bitterly" (Matthew 26:69-75).
Did you catch Peter's behavior? He cursed and swore. I've done this and felt shame, too. My old ways were bitter and I cursed one time in front of a person who I immediately found out was a Christian. I wanted to run away and hide!
Well, Peter did the same thing. Look again: **he went out**. This is to say that he **distanced** himself from the crowd. Yes, he likely was fearful that he, too, would be put to death by the Sanhedrin, like His master, Jesus. But the point is that he was **ashamed** of Jesus. And what does Jesus say about this?
"If anyone is **ashamed** of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the **Son of Man will be ashamed** of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels" (Mark 8:38, NIV).
In short, if we are ashamed of Jesus and His gospel message of salvation, we will wind up in an eternal separation from God in the lake of fire, blotted out from **the book of life**.
We read: "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is **the book of life**. The dead were judged according to what they had **done** as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and **each person was judged** according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. **Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire**.
Brief history of shame
Do you recall when Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden and ate the forbidden fruit?
What did they do about their shame? They realized they were naked and hid (**distanced**) themselves from God! Like Adam and Eve, we too have hidden in the wrong places. Our inherent pride causes us to run away and hide.
But God had a remedy for the shame Adam and Eve experienced. And He has a remedy for us, too.
God's remedy for shame
God's word provides us with the solution to shame brought about by our pride: Jesus. His death on the cross and His resurrection is the *only* remedy for the shame we experience over our grievous sins.
So how do we avail of this remedy? Rather than hiding behind our computers, in our rooms and elsewhere, we come to the throne of grace. There, we confess our sins to God the Father and repent of our errant ways which are direct violations of His just commands.
We place our trust (belief) that Jesus, Who was sinless, died in our well-deserved place for our sins. Paul said it better when he wrote:
"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21, NIV).
To avail of this remedy, I encourage you to read my previous post here:
https://read.cash/@Scotty17/what-is-the-meaning-of-true-discipleship-e67be071
May the Spirit of God penetrate the hardness of you heart and bring us all to Him alone who is able to save.
**References**
Lamia, M. C. (2011). Shame: A concealed, contagious, and dangerous emotion. *Psychology Today*. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intense-emotions-and-strong-feelings/201104/shame-concealed-contagious-and-dangerous-emotion
Redaelli, S. (2020). The psychology of shame. *Psychology Today*. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sonnet-freud/202009/the-psychology-shame
What is the Meaning of True Discipleship?
This post will likely ruffle a lot of feathers, but nevertheless needs to be said, for **your** **eternal destiny is at stake**. For far too long the modern church has failed to teach what it means to be a disciple (true follower) of Christ. It is radical teaching and the opposite of what the world teaches. In a word, **the gospel of Jesus is offensive to most people.**
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a **few find i**t" (Matthew 7:14-15, NIV).
Sitting on a pew, donating to a church, flippantly telling God you are sorry, praying a simple prayer without real conviction, and advancing your will over God's will, are what is called ***easy believism***. Easy believism won't get you to heaven but rather hell.
Jesus said: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, **but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven**. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’(Matthew 7:21-23, NIV).
**We can do all of these works and still not have true salvation!**
I encourage you to take the time to examine what easy believism is all about **after this post**, here: https://www.gotquestions.org/easy-believism.html
Easy believism is the present state of our contemporary churches, where people wrongly believe they are heaven bound simply because they believed or put their trust in Jesus. **Yes, that is necessary**, (Ephesians 2:8-9), but there is more to it than a simple intellectual acknowledgement! What, precisely have people believed? **Have you been taught the cost of becoming a devoted follower of Jesus**?
Truth
People who have not been changed by the gospel of Christ and continue in their rebellious ways are certainly bound for hell. Repentance means to turn, to turn from one's sinful ways. Let's not mince words here. You simply cannot claim to be a Christian and live a life of sin, that is, be a carnal (fleshly) Christian. Nowhere in the Bible will you see otherwise. *Nowhere*. Yes, we will sin, but the goal as the Holy Spirit works in our lives is to **sin less, not be sinless.**
John writes: "We know that we have come to know him if we **keep his commands**. **4** Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and **the truth is not in that person**. **5** But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: **6** Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did" (1 John 2:3-6, NIV).
**Do you live as Jesus did?**
The verses immediately above are plain and simple and give a person **assurance** of their salvation. Anything else is a lie from the pit of hell.
Deceit
The hard truth is that, as the prophet writes: "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9, NIV).
The hearts of many people are deceived by the ruler of this world, Satan. Accordingly, these people believe in a **free get out of hell card**. That is not how God works in the lives of people, my friends.
Unfortunately, many pastors, priests and evangelists seek to make their congregations feel comfortable, as opposed to teaching and preaching the **radical concepts** of Jesus. If you are sitting in church and are comfortable week after week, you are likely not being taught the truth about Jesus, for He spoke about what it means to follow Him.
All of the glitz, glamor, decorations, statues, ornaments, crucifixes, sound systems, fancy robes, singing for entertainment purposes, canned, repetitive prayers, and stained glass windows are pure distractions that separate people from the difficult but necessary truth taught by Jesus.
The gospel of Mark and true discipleship
Mark penned the first gospel around the 50's AD. Beginning in Mark 8:24, we read:
"Then he (Jesus) called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must **deny themselves** and **take up their cross** and **follow me**. **35** For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. **36** **What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul**? **37** Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? **38** If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the **Son of Man** will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels” (Mark 8:34-38, NIV).
Heavy teaching, correct? Heavy but true.
Deny self
This is a difficult teaching in verse 34. What does it mean to deny oneself? **We better understand it**, **for Jesus said we must**. To deny ourselves, we must put away our selfish ambitions, desires and do His will, **not ours**. It is a total, life long commitment to follow Jesus, as opposed to the things of this world. This is what the Apostle Paul calls perseverance.
"I have fought the good fight, **I have finished the race, I have kept the faith**" (2 Timothy 4:7, NIV).
Take up the cross
Jesus never meant we should wear a cross around our necks. That saves nobody. Rather, He said that we must be committed followers of His teachings and commands, even to the point of death.
Wow, huh? This, too, is a difficult, radical teaching. The world teaches us to love the self, indulge it, and nourish it. But Jesus teaches the complete opposite! It is typically true that we followers of Jesus should do the exact opposite of whatever the world teaches.
Taking up one's cross is a **daily activity** and is not for part-timer's. **Total commitment is required**. There are no shortcuts or easy ways to live a life for Christ. True disciples will experience all the things Jesus did, some even death for following Him.
Save/lose life
Another difficult teaching in verse 35. Jesus didn't spare your feelings. If we claim to be Christian and followers of Jesus, we must **give up all control to Him**. In this way **we save our life through Him**, but if we do not deny the self, **we lose it**. Why? Because we are **ashamed** (v. 38) of Jesus. If we are ashamed of Christ Jesus, He will likewise be ashamed of us.
Are you afraid that your friends, family and loved ones will distance themselves from your total commitment to Jesus? To be ashamed means to distance oneself from others.
All of the disciples of Jesus gave up everything to follow Jesus, and there were 100's of disciples, beyond the primary 12 Jesus called. This is not advice to desert your family, by no means. But perhaps this is why the Apostle Paul said it was better to remain single, because he was well aware of the high cost of true discipleship.
Gain the world
Jesus does not make it any simpler to understand. Pursuing a life apart from Jesus (doing our will) is to be devoted to worldly matters, not godly matters.
This includes following the ways of this world: **pursuing wealth, self-gratification, storing up material possessions rather than heavenly ones, fitting in with worldly ways and teachings, and a commitment to one's self**. By pursuing these things (and others) we may gain wealth and success, but what does it profit a person in the end? The answer is simple: nothing but eternal separation from God. Talk about a high price to pay!
Ransom
Jesus gave his life for a ransom for many when He died on the cross and bore our sins. How can we repay Him? We cannot. There is absolutely no way we can even conceive of any repayment.
But we can and must deny self, pick up our cross daily, put away worldly ways and thoughts, and follow Him completely. *This* is discipleship. Easy believism is not.
We are to become servants rather than be served. We serve Jesus, Who alone is master, the Author and finisher of faith, and serve others rather than self.
We, too, must become a ransom for many, even to the point of death. It's difficult theology, but Christology (the study of Christ) reveals that there is no other way to be a disciple of Christ Jesus.
I encourage you to meditate on Christ's words. He is a loving God, but demands His people, the Church, to be true disciples.
you are
Lazada and Shopee Tips - Avoiding Budol Sellers
The onset of the pandemic has created a lot of confusion throughout the #Philippines. The present solutions and response by our government officials to the #virus are dynamic, which is to say, they are always changing from one day to the next.
Many of us have found that it is easier to #shop #online with various selling sites, and have our purchases delivered to avoid the confusion regarding when we are able to safely go outside. Curfews and age restrictions can make it difficult to shop, especially for a #single #mom. But in the end, nobody wants to get scammed by online sellers.
Budol sellers
Unfortunately, it is the mindset of some people to take advantage of others who suffer from natural disasters and health maladies, like typhoons and the virus restrictions. Their greed and dishonesty overrides any ethical or moral behavior they may have learned or that resides muted in their conscience.
Their lust for money by means of deception is rampant on #Lazada, #Shopee, and other selling sites. One wonders when the #DTI will crack down on #budol sellers for the good of the people.
General tips
I've been on Lazada and Shopee for years (as well as other selling websites). I've been scammed, deceived, cheated and disappointed, and even now it occurs from time to time, though rarely. But I have learned from my mistakes.
The first thing I do is **search for precisely what I want**. I typically don't scroll through the feed so I do not make unnecessary purchases. I also don't play their games, but that's just me. The reason for this is because games **are inducements (bait) to get you to buy what you really don't need.**
Once I select an item, I closely read all of the **details** by the seller. If there are few, I am immediately suspicious. The details can be tricky! For example, my German neighbor recently bought some chocolate #Mr #Goodbars off of Lazada, supposedly from the United States. 99 pesos ***only*** for 10 pieces! Boy, was he ever surprised to receive very small candies the size of his thumbnail and worth about 25 pesos, if that.
**The lesson here is that if something sounds too good to be true, it's because it is.** And mind you, most of these items are made in #China, even though they may claim to be from #Korea or the #US. They are what we refer to as #knockoffs or #counterfeits.
Review tips
I then look at the reviews. #Filipinos are pretty good at speaking their mind about a product. If an item is not rated a 4 or a 5, I pass on it. I also look at any pictures or videos that people submit. Here you can get a good idea of the quality, size and actual colors.
My girlfriend ordered some white walking shorts 2 weeks ago and received pink ones. Not good. I wrote a review and gave the seller 1 star and noted that "I won't buy again." This is something we all should do so others are not cheated. It not only helps others but can ruin the seller's rating and over time force him or her to change their ways or go out of business.
Cart tips
After I am satisfied with the item, I place it in my #cart and #click #buy. I then scan it for details. The reason why is that the seller may have a **different price** once the item is in the cart. Also, use a #voucher to reduce the total price!
I recently went to but a pair of glow in the dark sneakers for my boy. Size 27. The price was like 139 pesos. Okay, cheap, but he wouldn't wear them for long, anyway. I selected size 27 and bam - the price jumped 100 pesos! I deleted it from the cart.
COD or debit card?
I prefer #COD. Here's why. When I open the package and the item is the wrong color, size or whatever, **I do not accept it**. Simple as that. If you're like me, you have been cheated and are no longer tolerant of scammers.
Review
Select item
Check details
Read reviews/look at buyer pics and videos
Add to cart
Check price again
Use a voucher
Buy via COD.
Check item before accepting
Finally, **don't forget to leave a review on your purchased items**. Post a pic(s) or a short video so you can inform others and weed out #budol sellers.
Are We There Yet? Perhaps!
That children's refrain we parents of the young are familiar with rings in my head near daily, reminding me of the encroaching tyranny by our world governments. "Are we there yet? Not yet. Are we there yet? Not yet. Are we there yet?" Not totally yet..., but we are gradually being enslaved, and things are increasingly becoming more dictatorial.
Unlike another children's sing-a-long, "Sharing is Caring", our governments don't care a wicked spit about us and moreover do not like to share the wealth, but rather are experts at accumulating it. However, it must be admitted that overall, *we* *the people* are the ones who are guilty of falling prey to the powerful heads of government, their sycophant lackeys, and the wealthy elite who are calling the shots. *Why?*
Perhaps the French philosopher Etienne de La Boetie answered the why best: “Plays, farces, spectacles, gladiators, strange beasts, medals, pictures, and other such opiates, these were for ancient peoples the bait toward slavery, the price of their liberty, the instruments of tyranny. By these practices and enticements the ancient dictators so successfully lulled their subjects under the yoke, that the stupefied peoples, fascinated by the pastimes and vain pleasures flashed before their eyes, learned subservience as naively, but not so creditably, as little children learn to read by looking at bright picture books.” http://www.libertarianism.org/publications/essays/discourse-voluntary-servitude-how-do-tyrants-secure-cooperation
Wow, Monsieur!
Guilty as charged
Are you guilty of any of these vain pleasures that direct your attention elsewhere than where our contemporary problems really lie in wait to swallow our freedoms? I certainly am, though to a much lesser rather than greater extent.
I used to be very big on watching sports, until whiners, crybabies, Karen's and socialists began taking a knee in protest before and after the game. It wasn't long before I cancelled my NHL and NFL season tickets, stopped watching the weak NBA, and turned off the television, that century-old virus and opiate of the masses.
Losing the battle
With each passing day, we learn of new limitations on our rights: free speech, due process, privacy and a government that neglects to represent us. Some of you may have never had these rights because you were birthed with a yoke around your neck. Maybe you have known nothing else but oppression.
For most of us, we are guilty of voting in legitimate, American Psychiatric Association (APA) certified psychopaths into leadership roles in our countries. After all, it is primarily narcissists who are attracted to the spotlight like moths to a light on summer evenings. They claim to represent the people but actually represent corporations and self-interests. Prove me wrong.
As James Long notes, "When psychopaths capture positions of power the result is totalitarianism, also known as pathocracy" (Long, 2014).
Pathocracy
Everywhere one looks there is considerable evidence of totalitarianism. While it has been noticeable, and one could argue increasingly so since the 9/11 events in Manhattan, and President Bush's response with his war on terror and the Patriot Act, the global pandemic has been one of the novel ruses to stifle the freedoms of the masses by enacting draconian restrictions by way of medical tyranny.
The facts
The seasonal flu and mosquitoes kill more people annually than the respiratory virus known as Covid-19. But the flu has conveniently disappeared. How could this be?
And why did governments impose such harsh restrictions on our freedoms over a virus, which does exist, but hasn't been isolated, and which has an exceptionally high rate of survival at around 99.8 percent?
Furthermore, why are social media platforms and other media outlets stifling speech by removing people from their sites or deleting relevant arguments that go against the narrative and are labelled as fake news? And why are they allowed to print and speak fake news while some of us are imprisoned for it?
Fighting back
The globalists were too hasty in their decision making and implementation of worldwide restrictions. Those of us with a keen eye on history and the creeping pathocracy over the last few decades were onto their chess game.
We spoke up, wrote articles, made videos and refuted the bogus claims of *their* kind of science, which continues to be the antithesis of real science. We have been demonetized from You Tube and/or banned, but have been resurrected on #Odysee (where we earn crypto), #Banned Video, #Rumble (more crypto) and #Gab, all relatively new media platforms that are eating away at You Tube's revenue and thus avoiding cancel culture.
Those of us who truly care about our freedoms need to continue to speak up and resist the globalists and their plans to rule over us like dictators. No longer should we bend a knee in subservience to evil.
Yes, we will be persecuted, silenced on mainstream platforms, but we are always able to make new accounts, new emails and look to alt media where the truth exists.
As it stands now, we are slipping further and further into the rabbit hole of authoritarianism. We must join hearts, minds and hands together to thwart the plans (for as long as we can) of these satanic taskmasters, or else we will wake up in a utopia not of our liking.
Conversely, you and others can sit idly by and be "fascinated by the pastimes and vain pleasures" that distract you and lead you to an eventual yoke, a yoke for the masses, a yoke that will strangle your freedoms. Wake up!
**Reference**
Long, J. G. (2014). The road to pathocracy. *American Thinker*. Accessed from https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2014/08/the_road_to_pathocracy.html
Be Encouraged!
Even during the most difficult times, we can be encouraged when we wake up in the morning, knowing that God has given us another day of life on the planet. We may choose to frolic, work or even squander our time, but in whatever we say or do, let us be continuously grateful and encouraged with every fiber of our being.
Discouragement is the antithesis of courage and is the enemy of your heart and soul. Permitting discouragement to rule one's life results in more discouragement and an eventual loss of hope. And without hope, we are ships without a rudder, eagles without wings, trees without fruit.
Thomas Edison
If anyone knew the answer to refusing to be discouraged, it was the noted inventor of the filament and the eventual light bulb we now take for granted. Edison and associates tried in excess of 3,000 theories over a two-year period before success was ever achieved.
Famous inventors
Some of the more famous inventors of the past used drugs, such as methamphetamine, LSD and cocaine. These drugs allowed men not only to stay awake, but think outside the proverbial box. So who used LSD, coke and meth? Some of these men have admitted to their drug use, men of renown, like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Edison, Sigmund Freud, Kary Mullis (**inventor of the PCR test**) and Francis Crick, who confessed to seeing the the double-helix shape while under the influenced of LSD.
No endorsement of drugs
I do not propose that anyone use nor do I endorse the intake of illegal drugs. Furthermore, I certainly do not advocate a human being taking any mind altering substances. I merely point out that some inventors went to great lengths to enhance their thought process and gain success. This is not necessary whatsoever for us.
Temptations
We face obstacles on a daily basis. Obstacles to our success come in various forms. The primary hurdle we face is *our* lack of confidence. Another is those who doubt us. Still another is the temptations from Satan. He is real, and if you deny this, you will lose life's battle, for he is considerably more powerful than you or me.
But God has said: "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Jose Rizal
Rizal was and remains a national hero. He faced myriad temptations and obstacles in life, especially after he criticized the Catholic Church in his seminal screed *Noli Me Tangere*. Rizal became a target of the Spanish and the Church, but he was not discouraged; he pressed on despite the persecution.
Exiled to Mindanao, Rizal continued to serve people with his medicine and push for freedom. As we know, he was executed by a firing squad on December 30, 1896. I like to believe that he stood proudly before his executioners with considerable grace, never regretting his decisions to advance nationalism, and to break the chains of Spanish rule.
Bad decisions
Here again, we have all made bad decisions and regretted them. Some of us continue to make poor decisions. I would hazard a guess that not everyone's wheels go round and round all the time.
Change
We don't have to be like Robert Downey in the meme above; however, some of us choose to be. Discouragement has a way of making those neurons (cogs) in the brain misfire.
Abraham Lincoln
Between 1832 and 1856, Lincoln ran for political office 8 times and lost (though he did win several smaller appointments). You or I would likely have given up, but Divine Providence was on his side, as he went on to become the 16th President of the United States, from 1860 until his assassination in his second term in April of 1865.
We can choose to put off discouragement and work towards whatever goal in life we dare to choose. Yes, we will have troubles and so called failures, like Edison, Rizal and Lincoln, but I firmly believe a person is never a failure until they actually quit.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Let us take heart, strive for our life's objectives, and in so doing be encouraged. We do not need to take drugs or give in to our temptations, but we can overcome bad decisions in life and reject what others consider our failures, providing we never give up. Like Edison and many others, we have 3,000 chances to get it right.
It's our choice beginning today and every single day thereafter our Lord permits us to live. Again, I say, be encouraged!
How to Improve Your Grammar and Earn More BCH
There are many writers on #read.cash, but not many great writers. Great writers possess the ability to pick a topic in short order and spin an interesting story or narrative with clarity and proper grammar.
Introduction
At present, there are 72 thousand plus "writers" on read.cash, but the vast majority are inactive. For whatever reason, they do not participate in the platform and benefit from it nor do they contribute to its success. That is their prerogative, but as active writers, we should all strive to improve *our* grammar.
Those of us who are actively involved do contribute to the platform, and it is the good writers who desire to become better, even great, by learning and diligent application, as opposed to just raking in #BCH currency with sloppy work. These people consist of an even smaller group.
In short, there are several ways to improve one's grammar, and as a consequence, earn more #BCH. Let's get into it.
Proper grammar
Someone once quipped, "Before. B.e.f.o.r.e., not b4. We speak English. Not Bingo."
That anonymous quote cuts to the heart of the matter. It dissuades laziness, and a lot of laziness may be observed here on read.cash. I am not casting stones, but rather I am going to show you how to become a better writer, and in doing so, permit you to bring more credibility to this platform, as well as money in your digital/physical wallet or purse.
Fixing your grammar
There are several ways to improve your grammar, and that holds true for the most experienced writers, since we *all* make grammatical mistakes, **but glaring and repetitive errors should not be tolerated** by anybody who professes to be a writer.
The simplest way to go about improving your grammar is to use **spellcheck**. It's free! I really do not comprehend why people do not use it. If you are typing an article on this platform on your smartphone, you likely have spellcheck. If you do not, you're going to make several errors.
Another way to improve your grammar is to **proofread** your text and/or run it through #Word or #Pages. You may download either for free, even on your #smartphone. If you do not want to download either one (or both), you can go to the following link for a free spell and grammar check:
https://www.online-spellcheck.com/
Yet another way to improve your grammar is by **reading voraciously**. I'm talking at least a book or two per week. "But I don't have the time!" you argue. Understood. Been there. Done that. Have the tattered t-shirt. But you will *never* be a great writer or likely not even a good one, either. It's your choice; it's your money and reputation on the line.
At any rate, there is simply *no excuse* not to do any of these things mentioned above. Laziness begets downvotes and hence less #BCH. Additionally your sponsors may stop their monthly gift.
My experience
As a longtime writer, I have experienced the harsh reality of rejection from publishers and those in the film business. If anyone submits a spec screenplay and it contains more than four grammatical errors, the readers dump it in file 13 - the trash. There are no exceptions.
As a writer of other things, such as academic essays, website content, press releases, short stories, TV commercials, You Tube content and more, there is **no room for error**. I must deliver the best writing to my clients or lose them to a better writer.
Conclusion
I am on this platform daily, mostly writing, but *always* reading, and sometimes commenting. Quite frankly, I read the title and the intro of people's articles and immediately know whether I am going to click on it and read any further. You can trust that others do this as well, because they certainly do.
In other words, readers want clarity and proper grammar, and if you do not provide this, you are losing money, it's as simple and straightforward as that.
It is my desire to not only write good content and improve this free platform, but that *you* do as well. I truly wish you the best of success in your writing endeavors.
Memes Tell the Truth
Paul Gill (2021) defines a meme thus: "A meme is a virally transmitted image embellished with text, usually sharing pointed commentary on cultural symbols, social ideas, or current events. A meme is typically a photo or video, although sometimes it can be a block of text."
In the age of Big Tech censorship and cancel culture, memes have the ability to skirt the aforementioned restrictions by those who do not desire to hear the truth.
This is especially true in the age of Coronavirus and its mutated variants. In fact, if you post anything on Facebook about the virus, you will see a Covid "information" link below your post. I refer to this blatant censorship as *intentional misinformation*, as opposed to the *truth* people need to hear.
It is with great sadness that these so called fact-checkers are now fact checking memes! No, it's more than sad, it is evil, especially since fact-checkers are paid to misinform and misdirect people.
Covid memes
Sometimes a meme can me funny, political informative or sarcastic. At other times it is used to attack a person or a cause. Essentially, a meme can be darn near anything a creative mind can make or type.
**Humorous**
Even though this is somewhat funny it actually reveals truth in that the pandemic has ruined the world's economies and has created a homeless crisis. To that extent, it is three things: truth, sadness and humorous.
**One of my favorites**
I love this for its truth. To believe that our masks are working is sheer fantasy, much like the characters and story in the 1939 flick, "The Wizard of Oz.". The virus pathogens are actually so minute they are able to pass through even the surgical N-95 masks.
**Political memes**
The above meme is truth in your face and undeniable. It says what we already know in our hearts but want to deny. Our diminishing freedoms are just a part of communism.
More truth in your face. If you have ever looked into a box of vaccines, no matter the brand, there is no paperwork, as required of all approved medications. *That* is interesting, especially the word approved.
And then there is this one to test your critical thinking skills.
The truth here cannot be understated. I just read an interesting scientific journal by an epidemiologist who insisted that the virus will never go away with any vaccine. It must play out in nature as all respiratory viruses have throughout history.
And remember this one, because we are always browbeat about its importance.
Someone on read.cash mentioned that the US discontinued the RT-PCR test because of its inability to tell the difference between the virus (which is real) and the seasonal flu. I searched this and found it to be true.
A nice follow up to the RT-PCR test. This is why people do not want to go to the hospital when they are ill.
And finally...
You have to process the one above in your mind rather than just read it. It speaks a lot of truth. The truth is that the double-jabbed are increasingly responsible for passing the virus on to others, because their systems are releasing the pathogen into the air.
Reference
Gill, P. (2021). What Is a Meme? *Lifewire*. Retrieved from https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-a-meme-2483702
The Unfaithful Ones
Oh, the unfaithful ones! Most of us us at one time or another have experienced the drama, disgust and disappointment in the person we trusted when we found out they were unfaithful in our relationship.
We have sobbed long hours, pondered whether we were doing something wrong, and then over time let things go, only to be wary of getting into the next relationship where we could remain unscathed by an unfaithful person.
Beauty
I am no longer enamored by sheer beauty alone; I've learned my lesson the hard way. It is true that #Filipinas are, in my estimation, the most beautiful females in the world. However, whether it is the figure or the facial features of a woman, I now (and have for several years now) dismissed outer appearances alone when choosing a partner. Looks can be deceiving, after all.
Instead, I make every attempt to look inside the heart of a woman, and that can be difficult as well. I was fooled once and that was enough. It seems that after a while people change in a relationship when they are unsatisfied and then choose to be unfaithful. This is not the sign of maturity.
Puppy love
We that are on social media, especially Facebook, have observed underaged couples flaunting their "love". At 13 or 14 years of age, kids don't even know what love is and all the commitment it entails.
My ex had a daughter who I raised as my own. She "fell in love" at age 14. I told her, "You're not in love; you're in puppy love. Now get in their and attend to your studies after you wash the darn dishes."
*That* is what kids should be doing, not looking for love.
Looking for love
If you are looking for love, you have already taken steps towards future disappointment. Love comes naturally and when one least expects it.
I was on a couple of Philippines dating groups on Facebook a few years back. I thought, "Why not make a post and include a pic and see what happens?"
Yikes!
My initial post received over 1,000 likes and several hundred messages, most from Filipinas and a few from baklas.
After 3 or 4 days I left the group. The reason I did was because too many women were messaging me and asking me for money. There was no small talk, but rather a "Hi, can you send me some money?"
Then broken English was followed by a sob story I've heard a thousand times: "My Mom just died. I have a toothache. We are homeless. I don't have food. I'm stuck in Nigeria."
Messages like this clogged my Messenger. I would up blocking hundreds of people.
But is it possible to find a soulmate on social media? I believe so, but those long distance relationships typically do not work out in the end, especially with people (mostly male perverts) from the Middle East.
If you're lucky
If you're lucky, you may find a fine soulmate on social media. On the other hand, if you are destined for love, it will come to you.
Be careful. Be wise. Don't allow beauty to affect your decisions. Don't rush into a relationship with anyone. Anything short of this will likely end in you hooking up with one of the unfaithful ones.
A Filipino Told me to Kill Myself
In the mornings I arise early, at the latest 4 a.m, pray, drink my coffee, and read the news from the #Philippines online. Today was no different than usual, except a Filipino person responded to my posted comment on the news site, by telling me to kill myself.
My comment
As usual, the news was filled with news about the #virus and the lockdowns. The PNP was backing off their threat to arrest violators of the lockdown. I shrugged off the fear narrative and posted a comment. I simply said, "Do not fear, for the Lord told us to trust Him."
His/Her reply
I was both amused and sad at the reply that came mere minutes later. The reply read something like this: "If you are not afraid to die, go kill yourself now."
I was amused that my comment offended him, for I was merely stating the obvious. Worry and fear are tactics of Satan, and they are unnecessary in our lives, Christian or otherwise.
I was also sad to see that so many people around the world are frightened and take their anger out on others. It's easy to be a keyboard warrior. Things are said on the Internet that would rarely, if ever, be said to someone's face.
Surely someone of my height, weight and athletic build would never be confronted on the streets anywhere with a comment like this person did online behind the cover of cowardice.
Facts about the virus
I don't fear the virus spreading around the world. Fear is the enemy of truth. "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control" (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV).
Before God ever created the world He knew what would happen to each one of us. He knows when we will die; He knows the number of hairs on our head!
However the virus came about does not worry me. I choose to live my life as free as possible and by walking in obedience to God's word. That's just me. Others are free to do as they please, hide, stay imprisoned or whatever.
But nobody should live in fear over something they do not control. Those masks "they" force us to wear do not work, especially the cloth masks. The only way to avoid the virus is to wear a hazmat suit, and that isn't going to happen.
The article I commented was full of fear. The intention was obvious: get the jab or die. Of course, this is a lie from the pit of hell itself. The CDC has advised that 99.7% of the people who contract the virus will fully recover.
The #PNP also advised that all people should continue to practice wearing masks, washing their hands and social distancing. I don't have a big problem with that. But here is what I noticed in the image the popular online paper printed: people were lined up as far as the eye could see, wearing cloth masks and crammed together like sardines in a tin can. The fear narrative was working.
I couldn't help but note the hypocrisy. Where was the social distancing? Where was the PNP to enforce the IATF rules?
I suppose it was okay to line up like robots heel-to-toe, as long as the jab was going to be administered. However, if protesters or groups more than 10 are found, they can be arrested. The irony!
My final reply
I don't want to die. Nobody really does, right? Anyway, I replied to the evil comment in this fashion: "My time is decided by the Lord, not by evil people who are far from Him."
It's good to know that the vast majority of Filipinos treat me well as a foreigner in their country. But I chose long ago to make this country my home, so I call it my country now.
All I ever want to do is live peacefully on the beach in freedom, help people when I can, and not live in any fear. I trust in the Lord Jesus and am not ashamed of His gospel.
Here's something in parting: think rather than react. Better yet, heed this command of the Lord: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Ephesians 4:29, NIV).
Thank you, Philippines, for your kindness and grace! I remain inspired.
We Sit Atop a Mountain of Gold in the Philippines!
There's gold in the Philippines that lies hidden underneath the soil, in caves, and stashed by the Spanish, Japanese and Germans in the waters. In fact, there's a fortune waiting to be unearthed by any diligent treasure hunter.
**The Philippines has the second largest unearthed gold deposits in the world**. Most of the gold deposits in the #Philippines are located in Luzon, but Mindanao, Masbate and Surigao are also hotspots for the highly valuable metal. Indeed, some 73 provinces in the country are said to have gold deposits. So why are we a relatively poor country? Laziness? Burdensome regulations?
General Tomoyuki Yamashita
We have all heard about the infamous Japanese commander and his stash of gold bullion somewhere in the mountains of Baguio. Some call it a fable, but I strongly disagree. Indeed, even the **History Channel** has a television series about some American treasure hunters who believe they are close to finding some of the gold buried by Yamashita's soldiers.
They have found gold coins, booby traps rigged with Japanese hand grenades, and more evidence. I won't spoil what else they have done, who they have met, and what they have found. Just watch the series and you will be enthralled.
Here's an image of Yamashita in the mountains of Baguio.
You can watch 16 episodes **absolutely free on the** **History Channel** and there is no need to register or sign it. Here is the link:
https://play.history.com/shows/lost-gold-of-world-war-ii
Baguio
When I lived in #Baguio back in 2009 until 2013, below and around the area of Tuding, down from **Mine's View**, people were panning for gold. Most made around 300-400 pesos a day. But when the heavy rains came, as they often do, their income averaged around 1,000 pesos a day or more. Don't get me wrong, panning for gold is hard work and certainly not for the timid or weak. But 1,000 pesos a day beats the average wage of workers in the Philippines! And guess what? People are still panning for gold today.
**Ferdinand Marcos and his gold**
Ferdinand Marcos was a Philippine Scout during the Japanese and American occupancy of the Philippines during WWII. While he was serving as a Scout, he occasioned to acquire treasure maps of 172 Japanese gold burial sites (138 on land and 34 in the water). Part of this loot was recovered by the Golden Lilly group of Japan.
Filipino Rogelio Roxas eventually filed a lawsuit against President Marcos for pilfering part of Yamashita's hoard that Roxas himself had found. In a 2005 court ruling, the judges found in favor of Mr. Roxas and awarded him $13 million. Still think the Yamashita hoard was a hoax? It certainly wasn't! And Roxas has the proof and let's people see his treasure.
**General MacArthur, Corregidor Island and gold**
I last visited Corregidor Island in 2014. With my keen eye I was able to find spent ammunition, human bones and more relics from the war. I even sat in General MacArthur's bathtub, the only one on the small island. But did you know about the gold he took off the island? MacArthur's men loaded some **$40-million worth of gold onto the USS Trout, a submarine.**
And here is an image of T/Sgt. Harrison T. Martin of San Francisco, California from circa 1945, and a small portion of a hoard of 17 million **silver** pesos taken out of Manila Bay near Corregidor. You think he found it all? Nope! **And there is also a fortune of silver and coins remaining in the waters.**
We always have naysayers and those who claim that these finds are mere folk tales. However, pictures are worth more than tall tales of fantasy and the professors at UP. Maybe this is because certain individuals want to keep the secrets hidden from people for their own greed.
Here is more of the discovered silver.
Does this image look like a fable to you?
Treasure abounds on Corregidor and in its waters. I'll be going back with a metal detector when the pandemic dies down and travel is easier. I expect to find gold, silver, U.S., Japanese and Philippine coins from the era, and **unexploded war ordinance**. I'll have to be careful, however, because I do not want to get blown to pieces!
I plan on searching around the area where the swimming pool used to be - still visible but surrounded by the jungle. I'll also search around MacArthur's old headquarters and around the officer's barracks. Finally, I'll search inside the Malinta Tunnel, a foreboding place that frightens most sane people.
On a tour of the tunnel with my other half, a Manila physician and her friend, we could not see an inch in front of us because of the darkness. Only the flashlight of the guide made it possible to traverse portions of the underground tunnel. There is definitely relics left all over this tunnel and its forks of smaller tunnels.
Concluding thoughts
I'll likely write a part 2 following this article, because there is much more to be said about treasure in the Philippines. While we earn #BCH by writing, it is helpful to know that there is plenty of treasure under our feet. Treasure and relic hunters like myself are ever on the lookout for these treasures and artifacts.
And I still want to write about the C-47 USAF Cargo plane which crashed in the southern Philippine Island of Mindanao. The plane carried a stolen cache of gold and jewelry of Madame Ngu who fled Vietnam after the U.S. led coup. The plane went down in a lake in Mindanao in 1963 and to this day has not been found. The only survivor (deceased now) did not know where they crashed, but it was a 2-hour trek to Cagayan de Oro.
Real Writers Read and Learn
Whether I read a post on #read.cash or not is determined by the first two or three sentences that are provided as a preview. Unfortunately, many people on this platform are not writers, but rather are inexperienced hacks looking to make some quick money so they can later boast about their earnings.
Am I being critical? Yes, I am, but if it hurts your weak sensibilities, you are not ready to accept constructive criticism and consequently your chances of improving on your craft or hobby will remain dismal at the very best.
There's certainly nothing wrong with wanting to make some extra cash by writing, but my goodness, practice your craft before you submit anything! Poor writing leads to less readers, sponsors and hence less money. It also diminishes the platform's credibility, as well as your own.
Aside from blatant plagiarism, as many people have previously written about, the biggest problem I have observed over several months on this platform concerns the dire lack of proper grammar and structure. Fragmented sentences, run on sentences, exceptionally poor punctuation, and pitiful bootlicking to the prospective reading audience are the norm.
*Real* writers take their time to gather information on their topic before typing it out. Of course, the exception is freewriting. Whatever the style one opts for, a dedicated writer will always edit their work a minimum of three times before submitting it. Unfortunately, that's rarely the case on read.cash. Instead, it appears that hacks seek to see how quick they are able to pump something out and entice a potential reader. Another tactic is to leech on to what others have successfully written and make some money off of it. This practice lacks originality and creativeness.
A free solution
If you are unable to spell and utilize proper grammar, there is a simple solution aside from spellcheck on Microsoft Word or Apple's Page: #Grammarly. While I would never purchase or use it, there is a free version available that is able to help you hone your writing skills. Don't be lazy, use it! You may avail of it here:
https://www.grammarly.com/
Reading
The best writers read frequently. You will never be a great or even a good writer if you do not read. In his non-fiction bestseller, *On writing: a memoir of the craft*, the great novelist Stephen King stated: "The real importance of reading is that it creates an ease and intimacy with the process of writing… Constant reading will pull you into a place… where you can write eagerly and without self-consciousness.”
It doesn't get any simpler or straightforward than that. By reading you will learn sentence structure, spelling, punctuation and what works best to earn consistent money. This should be your goal, as opposed to punching your keyboard without a logical thought process. And by the way, the book is available for free nowadays in PDF and EPUB. Download a copy and get after it.
Additionally, read other books, magazines and/or newspapers to improve your writing. You do not have to pay for these sources if you know where to look. Make it your goal to read 15,000 or more words a week from various sources. You will observe your writing get better over a short period of time.
Refrain from bootlicking
How many times have you read an introduction to a read.cash post that goes something like this: "Hello my dear, beautiful readers, today I am going to..."
Here the author is demonstrating his/her insecurity, not to mention poor punctuation. I'll skip right by this type of post and likely the only readers who will dare read it will consist of the gullible or equally poor writer. If you are clicking on these types of articles, you are learning bad habits, as opposed to good ones.
Reading workshops
A final way to improve your writing skills is to attend workshops. I've seen signs and posters advertising free and paid writing workshops. Most work best when you are able to attend in person, but some good ones may be found online live. Take advantage of these if you really want to become an effective writer.
Finally, one person wrote about the "danger" of read.cash being discontinued. Although the writing was not very good, the point was spot on: poor writing (irony!) and the greediness of many spoil the platform. If you want to see this platform continue, make a mental note to care and share. In other words, write well and share by tipping well-written posts.
What I Look for in an Actress or Actor when Hiring
It's been my experience that actors are some of the best liars on Earth. Good actors are able to jump into character and project another life to others with convincing dialogue.
Auditions
Once I post an advertisement looking to take on some actors for a film project, I weed out the hacks by telephone and set audition appointments for others. I always squeeze in a few extra actors, because inevitably some people do not show up, whether out of fear of being denied a role or because of other last minute commitments.
During auditions headshots are collected and provided to me by a production assistant (PA). My cameraman is behind me ready to roll. First off, I lighten the mood and joke or speak with the actor for a minute or two to ease the tension. The cameraman and I then use code words regarding whether we want to film a particular actor or not. If I say, "Roll it," he does not film. On the other hand, if I say, "Let's do this," he rolls tape.
With the headshot and the actor's experience placed before me, I have the actor/actress perform their monologue. Once we roll tape, we allow the actor to complete their respective monologue, whether great, mediocre or horrific. Some are comical, some are sloppy, some are drunken rants, and others are professional. I make notes to refer back to each actor.
You'd be surprised what occurs during auditions. Crying, sucking up to the producers with provocative sexual gestures, and drunken wannabes are all part of the process. These people are almost always immediately eliminated. I just say, "I'll let you know" and leave it at that. Some do get a second chance to do another monologue or ad lib something.
Typically we do two days of initial auditions. I narrow the actors down and the possible roles I have in mind for each of them. Once this process is complete, we do call backs the following weekend. However, sometimes I immediately know if an actor or actress will be a part of the film and schedule them in advance for the following weekend's auditions.
Call backs
I call actors and actresses back and set up a second audition. We roll tape on all of the call backs. I provide the actors with the script they will read for me and the producers in advance.
Once at the second audition, I have the actors read from the script, with a PA, producer or myself reading the lines of another actor. It is here that I am looking for several things.
I look for great timing, authenticity, style, facial expressions and gestures, and whether the actor/actress knows the script. I don't want a parrot who memorizes the lines, but rather a person who knows the story. There's a huge difference.
I do not tolerate tardiness. An actor gets one chance and is warned. If they are late a second time, they are fired. This is an important process in filmmaking. If a person is late to an audition, call back or table read, they will likely be late for filming, which is unacceptable. Tardiness causes scheduling problems, and may delay the film if shooting outdoors and I am losing light.
At any rate, a keen observer of film and TV shows can spot an actor who has memorized their lines. They come across as totally fake. I see a lot of this in Asian films and TV dramas, and amateur US films, too.
Once I have selected an actor for a specific role, I may change their role based on their reading. We wrap the auditions up in four days total (two weekends), and then we set up our next step.
Table reading
A table read is a lighthearted but an important affair. Here I bring in critical parts of the crew, and of course all the actors. Each person has the full script, whether it is a short or feature film.
After introductions, we take a break for beverages and snacks and allow actors to mingle. No energy drinks or alcohol are allowed, as they are known to be disastrous. After about 10-15 minutes, I then ask the actors to go over their part in the script and know the story. In this manner, they are able to stick to the story and ad lib a bit. This makes the lines more realistic.
Once the actors and actresses have had their time to go over the script again (they are expected to have done this prior to the table read), we all sit at the table again. I do not film this. We read through the entire script, with each actor speaking their part. If it is a feature script, we do one read through, two or three read throughs on a short film. I may do a couple of table reads or rehearsals for a feature film.
Once corrections and tips are provided I may change the script if something works really well. Sometimes I notice that an actor or actress is not fit for the role, and assign them another bit part. I have back up actors on call and bring one or more in as needed.
Once everything is complete, I am ready to film. It is here that the actors sign their contracts. There is one important rule while on set that I make perfectly clear, the three D's. Absolutely no drinking drugs or drama is allowed on set. Violators are fired and replaced immediately. An unruly film set is capable of demotivating actors and crew, whereas a harmonious set breeds greatness.
And that is how I do it!
Facts, Deceptions and Ironies on Mask Wearing
In February of 2019, when the China WuBug was attacking the globe, we all heard the lying refrain: "Two weeks to flatten the curve." I turned to my better half and said: "This won't end until 2023 or afterwards. She laughed then, but she is not laughing now. We're 2.5 years into this "plandemic" and new variants continue to appear, the latest being the Delta and Peru variants. Hide and watch, another will appear by the fall of the year.
Deception
Initially, the populace was instructed to *not* wear a mask. Remember that? The reason was deceptive: governments wanted it for their frontliners. and there were not enough masks on the market to distribute to the general public. The governments of the world knew people needed to wear a mask to prevent the spread of COVID until further science stated otherwise. A critical thinker might ask: How many people died as a result of the deception? Will anyone ever be held responsible?
Effective masks?
The only effective mask for the prevention of the WuBug is the N-95. It is stated by scientists to be 95% effective. Okay, well enough. But where these masks remain unavailable or where people cannot afford them (third-world countries), we observe people predominantly wearing cloth masks. Additionally, mask wearing is still mandated in most countries with few exceptions.
The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy adamantly states that data does not show the efficacy of cloth/fabric masks. The research conducted demonstrated that cloth masks could stop large droplets of the bug, but could **not** stop small droplets. In other words, they were partially effective.
Masks in the USA
If you look around the USA, most people don't even wear a mask anymore. The irony here is that only 42% of the US population has been fully vaccinated. The states where the largest number of people who have been vaccinated are liberal states. You can check the facts here.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/coronavirus-covid-19/vaccine-tracker/
Additional ironies
I watch Major League Baseball (MLB) on a daily basis. There are 30 teams and 30 stadiums. Now that the season is half over effective this Sunday evening, I have had occasion to watch games in every state and in Canada where there are two teams. Cameras always pan the attendees and players. Guess what? I have not seen anyone of any age wearing a mask in two full months.
Now think about this for a moment, just pause and ask yourself: If this virus is so darn deadly, **why did people stop wearing masks?** Given that only 42% of the US public is vaccinated, why the lack of mask wearing? After all, the WHO and CDC state that the Delta variant circumventing the globe is the most infectious.
Furthermore, on a recent 2 week trip to Colorado, I saw perhaps a grand total of 100 people wearing a mask. Nobody gave a darn if you wore one or not. It was a non-issue. Karen's had also disappeared into the woodwork to fight another losing cause.
Another irony. President Joe "Potato" Biden is set to release the Hounds of Covid Hell upon the public. Representatives of the government will be going door-to-door to "encourage" people to get vaccinated. Read the word encourage as its true intention, governmental strongarm tactics.
A final irony. Since the, ahem, election of Joe, illegals are flooding across the southern border. The administration is doing nothing to prevent this crisis. Indeed, 50% of all females of **every age** are sexually abused. Southern states are suing the Biden administration in an attempt to halt the crisis.
But there is more to the story. Again, a critical thinker should ask: If the virus and its deliberate mutations are so deadly, why are these people flooding into the country unimpeded? After all, certain travelers from countries around the world still cannot travel to the US.
My view
Untold billions of dollars are being raked in by Big Pharma and their elite shareholders. As for me and my household, we do not wear a mask, will not be vaccinated with an "emergency" experimental vaccine, and will not carry a vaccine card if ever one is mandated. It reeks of the World War 2 era of fascism and Nazi control. I don't need no stinking mask or vaccine cards!
Caveat emptor
Each of us has a decision to make, that is, whether to take an emergency, experimental vaccine with no phase 3 clinical studies, and no long-term studies regarding the benefits or lack thereof of the jab. Whether you elect to take the vaccine or not is none of my business, and what I choose to do should be none of your business.
If and when the time comes where government officials come knocking on my door (if they are able to get past my dogs), they will be met with verbal, stern resistance, and private property rights violations. Meanwhile, you and yours do what you believe to be the next right thing to do.
e are two teams.
Solving the US Incarceration Problem in the USA (Satire)
Crime rates in the United States continue to rise despite the pandemic, even with its ridiculous restrictions and forced lockdowns. The violent crime of homicide is also increasing, especially in “Chicago, N.Y.C., and L.A.” (Hawkins, 2021). “State and federal prisons held an estimated 1,311,100 people at midyear 2020” (Kang-Brown et al, 2021). Violent hate crimes are especially on the rise in the United States, many of which are random in nature (Allam, 2020). There can be no valid argument regarding why violent criminals should not be incarcerated. Unfortunately, over 50% of incarcerated individuals are imprisoned for violent crimes. Given the capacity to incarcerate only 5% of those who violate the law, a plan regarding what to do with the 95% who violate the law requires a novel approach to discourage further criminal behavior. A plan is thus set forth in which the aforementioned 95% of criminals could avoid incarceration and positively contribute to society.
Restorative justice is something of a joke, even though it has good intentions. Guilty criminals experience shame and this concept of restorative justice seeks to alleviate such shame (Jonas-van Dijk et al, 2020). This is a failed policy and a poor attempt at stopping recidivism, thus a better plan is required to both alleviate the jail and prison population and reduce the crime rate in the U.S., namely, more shameful practices to dissuade criminals from committing further crimes.
**An innovative two-part plan**
Many may recall the era when parents punished their children when they caught them smoking at an early age. They forced the youthful offenders to smoke cigarettes until they were blue in the face ill. While this was somewhat effective, shame was not an inducement to prevent future smoking offenses. Even washing one’s mouth out with soap was ineffective. However, a leather belt seemed to work more effectively.
First and foremost, it would be useful to put offenders in labor camps, making big rocks into little ones (as in the old days). Rather than use explosives in rock quarries, which disturb precious wildlife, criminal offenders would replace said explosives with hammers and chisels. Furthermore, each offender in their respective county or state would be forced to work 12-hour shifts.
They would also be issued 20-pound sledgehammers to remove rocks, sand, and gravel from the quarry so that the aforementioned could be utilized for infrastructure projects in the United States. And why not, do not prisoners enjoy lifting weights and building strength while incarcerated? Indeed they do!
Each offender would be issued the appropriate safety equipment: goggles and a headlamp for night shift work. Clothing would be optional in order to ensure offenders receive the proper amount of vitamin D. After all, health is important. And, rather than guards overlooking the backbreaking labor, social workers, those who preferably also have a gender studies minor, would oversee the operations.
Humane practices would be enforced: water, beans, rice and bread for all meals, (and a slice of toast for breakfast with diluted coffee). Additionally, an occasional disciplinary measure using cat-o-nine tails for recalcitrant offenders would serve to ensure discipline and inflict shame on offenders in order to get their respective hearts right.
**The benefits**
President Joe Biden’s “$2.3 trillion” infrastructure plan will fail like the Hindenberg (Hagstrom, 2021). According to the aforementioned author, the president actually wants to eliminate highways that dissect poor communities from the wealthier ones. This is a great concept, because it creates new communities where racial harmony can exist.
Consequently, part two of the plan to decrease the prison population would include skilled offenders whose task would be to tear down these highways and rebuild them from the above-mentioned quarried materials. And to satisfy radical groups and gang members, plated gold murals could dot portions of these highways to promote unity. Just think of the multiple trillions of fiat currency that could be saved and how the government printing presses that spit out money like an F-5 tornado does hail could be slowed down! It is pure genius!
Of course, running offenders would have to be punished. This punishment would be carried out by the same type of social workers as previously mentioned, and consist of the old ball and ankle chain, replete with a few lashes from those compassionate cat-o-nine tails.
Finally, the two-part plan would be far different than the current systems in the United States at present. The prison system would become an archaic system of punishment, except for the most violent of offenders. Moreover, vacant prisons could be used for temporary housing for illegal immigrants, that is, until they were able to secure gainful employment. In the end, everyone would benefit from the plan.
References
Allam, H. (2020, Nov.). FBI report: Bias-motivated killings at record high amid nationwide rise in hate crime. *NPR*. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2020/11/16/935439777/fbi-report-bias-motivated-killings-at-record-high-amid-nationwide-rise-in-hate-c
Hagstrom, A. (2021) Wait a second, Biden’s infrastructure plan calls for tearing down highways? *The Daily Caller.* Retrieved from https://dailycaller.com/2021/06/21/joe-biden-infrastructure-roads-bridges-highway/
Hawkins, A. (2021). CNN admits crime wave, highlights violence in Democrat-run cities. *Breitbart*. Retrieved from https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2021/04/06/cnn-admits-crime-wave-highlights-violence-in-democrat-run-cities/
Jonas-van Dijk, J., Zebel, S., Claessen, J., & Nelen, H. (2020). Victim–offender mediation and reduced reoffending: Gauging the self-selection bias. *Crime & Delinquency, 66*(6-7), 949-972.
Kang-Brown, J., Montagnet, C., & Heiss, J. (2021). People in jail and prison in 2020. *Vera Institute of Justice.*
A Comedy Script: "Bab's the Ticket Scalper"
FADE IN: EXT. PARKING LOT -- DAY -- BABS, AN ATTRACTIVE YET TOMBOYISH WOMAN ON A SIDEWALK NEAR A STADIUM WITH SEVERAL EVENT TICKETS IN HER HAND.
SHE IS GESTURING WITH ONE HAND WHILE WAVING THE TICKETS WITH THE OTHER. SHE IS DRESSED IN TIGHT JEANS AND A SEMI-REVEALING NECK, NONDESCRIPT SPORTS SHIRT. SHE CRACKS AND SMACK HER GUM AS CARS DRIVE BY.
SHE IS AGGRESSIVE IN HER APPROACH TO SCALPING TICKETS. HER MANNERISMS DICTATE CONFIDENCE AND LITTLE NONSENSE. SHE SPEAKS WITH A BROOKLYN ACCENT.
DISSOLVE TO: A young couple, BOB and DIANE approach. Bab's accosts them.
BABS (popping her gum): "I got's two tickets in da second flippin’ row for da game. Right heh, dum dum's."
BOB (nervously): "Uh...no, thanks." Diane smiles nervously.
BABS (grabbing Bob’s shirt sleeve lest he get away): "Oh, you’s a cheap reprobate, huh? The little lady doesn’t desoive good seats, dat it?"
Bob wriggles free from Bab’s grip and attempts to walk around Babs with Diane. Babs blocks their way each time they attempt to sidestep her.
BOB: "Um, excuse me, Miss?"
BABS: "What? You dirty dem britches or are ya skeered?"
BOB" I did not poop my pants, break wind or otherwise butt-trumpet."
BABS (sniffing the air): You’s right, darling. If youdda airbrushed your BVD’s I’d have hoid a squeak..."
(a beat)
" ...ya tight louse."
Bob and Diane scurry away like rats.
CUT TO: EXT. PARKING LOT -- LATER
Babs is popping her head back out of a car window as someone screams. She offers them the bird in response.
BABS (to the fleeing car): "Aight. It’s all good. Just cuz yo mama so cheap she gotta put a loaf of bread on layaway, don’t take it out on my sexy rear. (she slaps her rear).
A middle-age Black couple walks near, holding hands, TYREL and SABRINA. They move to skirt around Babs who is standing dead center in the sidewalk.
BABS (CONT’D): "Woooowee! Now dat’s a fine boo-tay! I bet Fitty Cent could bounce three quarters of dat black marble."
SABRINA: (concerned, to Tyrel): "Honey?"
BABS: "I like mine plain, sugar britches, but he’s yo man and youse can put whatever dessert you want to on dose meat cheeks."
TYREL (offended): What’s the meaning of this?!"
Several people walk around the three as they clog the sidewalk.
BABS: "Lookout, hometown, no need to get your seats at da ticket office, cuz da Babs gots ‘em right heh...in da second row, yo."
Babs swats Tyrel’s chest with the tickets.
TYREL (indignant, loud): "I’ll have you know I work here!"
BABS: "Yo, superlung! Youse want everybody ta know youse washing dishes for da plantation manager?"
SABRINA (ticked off, shocked): "Why, I never!"
BABS: "... but it don’t mean you won’t. Anybody who puts honey on his whoopie cakes is likely to do most anything."
TYREL: I’ll call security..."
BABS: "Look at youse kickin' up a fuss!" (she looks around as if she can’t believe his stupidity). "A Black man gonna call da law? Who’s youse think dey gonna belieb? Youse black."
Tyrel and Sabrina break away from Babs who calls after them.
BABS (CONT’D): "Woooooweeee! Look at da heels on dat stud. Looks like he’s been kickin’ some flour!"
EXT. PARKING LOT -- MOMENTS LATER
Two athletic young men approach having a good time, HECTOR and RUSS.
HECTOR (with a thick Spanish accent): "Wow. Eef I could see ju naykeed, I could die the very happy."
BABS: ...and if I could see youse in the raw, I could laugh at your private detective, Pepe."
Russ is laughing. Hector doesn’t find it too amusing.
BABS (CONT’D): Besides, youse got one of dem techno-hammers...
(a beat) (simulating a stroke)
BABS: "...140 beats a minute."
BABS (CONT’D) (to Russ): "Yo, Adonis. Youse two lookin’ for some second row tickets to da game?"
RUSS: "We...might... be. How much?"
"BABS (squinting as if thinking): "How’s about a Grey Nurse for you and $200 for Super Stroker?"
HECTOR (confused): Hey, tomcat, por que $200 para me and one-hundraid for heem?"
BABS: "Because you fail the smart test, Pancho."
Hector is up for a challenge.
HECTOR (confident): "Why doan ju just try me, mami."
BABS (to Hector): "Mmmk, how do youse start a Mexican parade?"
HECTOR (smiling, believing he has the answer): "Es easy. Ju take the float and ju take the rosas, and..."
Babs cuts him off with a wave of her hand.
BABS: "Whoa, there, Selina. Fail. You roll a centavo down a hill."
Hector moves to slap the taste out of her mouth, but Russ, still laughing, yanks Hector back as Babs stands firm.
BABS (CONT’D): "Jesus...or is that Hey-zeus? It’s not like I din’t give Pepito a warning."
CUT TO: EXT. PARKING LOT -- LATER
A White man, TED and a Black woman, SASHEESHA, approach.
BABS (incredulous): "Wowza, White boy! Where’d you steal Jay-Z’s woman from?"
TED: "Pardon me?"
BABS: "That’s up to the governor to do dat."
TED: "Do what?"
BABS: "Ah, c’mon, don’t go all Dumb and Dumber on me with that refined codswallop. I know youse be on parole. Skip the fees this month and spring for dese two tickets to the game...in da front row, by baby Jeebus."
TED (reluctantly): "How much?"
BABS: "Coupla hundies for the pair."
(a beat)
BABS: "Firm as my naughty pillows." (she mashes her breasts).
"SASHEESHA (digging in her clutch purse): "I gots dis, baby."
Babs shifts her feet.
BABS (sarcastically): "Yo, sorry Moesha. No food stamps."
(a beat)
BABS: "Where’d you shop for dem clothes, in da Goodwill bin last night?
TED: "Hey! That’s uncalled for!"
BABS: "Then we concur. (to Sasheesha, who is angry) "Bloody hell, youse need to stop dumpster-diving for tablecloths!"
SASHEESHA: Girl, I’ll slaps the taste out yo mouth!"
Ted moves quickly to grab Sasheesha’s arm.
BABS (calm, firm): Yo, butt-bandit. Youse better get hold of your axewound there else wait for Life Flight to pick her up."
Babs pulls a switchblade from her back pocket and licks the blade.
SASHEESHA: Yo, Boo, dis fool be crazy. Let’s fly."
BABS" "Freeze, Janet, before I give youse an instant dry socket." The tickets? (she waves them as a reminder).
Babs rubs the pair of tickets between her thumb and index finger.
SASHEESHA (regaining her confidence): "Ah, hell no. Deys be too high."
BABS: "Say what? Saving a C-note for more makeup, Kardashian?"
Sasheesha gasps audibly.
TED (reaching in his wallet for two one-hundreds): "Here now. Leave us alone. Babs counts the money and examines the bills in the sunlight."
BABS: Yo, Rockafellatio, where’s my tip?"
SASHEESHA: "I gots dis, baby. (Sasheesha hands Babs a crumpled dollar). "Here you is."
Babs pushes Sasheesha away by the face.
BABS: "Save it for a new putty knife to clean yo makeup off."
Babs turns and walks away.
BABS (CONT’D): "Tickets! Get youse some! Tickets!"
TED (calling after Babs): "Hey! These are in the 22nd row!"
BABS (O.S.): "Tickets! Catch da game from da second row, yo! Tickets!"
FADE TO BLACK.
Grow Thicker Skin and Avoid Censoring Speech
Many of today's younger people do not possess the wherewithal to conjure up enough backbone to take constructive criticism. Instead, they retreat to their safe space. Furthermore, when their narrative or integrity is questioned, the have a proclivity to dox others and thus attempt to silence them. This is juvenile behavior and worthy of no respect whatsoever.
I grew up in the 60s. We didn't have cell phones, computers, and any form of social media. We had actual friends rather than fake ones. We ate mud as kids, never wore helmets when we raced our bikes, and didn't need warning labels on products. We didn't have seatbelts in our cars, 9-1-1 to call, fought bullies with a vengeance. Through these and many more of life's experiences and hazards, we survived, grew a backbone and learned how to live our life.
Unfortunately, the "everybody gets a participation trophy mentality" and a passing grade in school, has greatly diminished societies on a global scale. The elderly grow physically weak with age, but many of the young are brought up with considerable weakness and rarely recover.
Recently I commented rather politely on a growing problem on read.cash, namely plagiarism. I copied half of a post and ran it through a checker, and just as I expected, some 40% of it was stolen verbatim from a website. Rather than respond to my comment to provide a source to add credibility and save face, the person utilized a logical fallacy in the form of an ad hominem attack (yes, you with the Biblical name that wrote a Bible prophecy book). Then he blocked me before I could reply.
This is exactly the type of behavior I observe more and more each day. I didn't feel threatened, scared or intimidated in any way, but rather sad that the person is so thin-skinned. The inability to take honest and accurate constructive criticism is the antithesis of wisdom. I honestly feel sorry people who are so narrow-minded and egotistical, and who live in a world that shelters them behind identity politics and political correctness.
You may win the ideological battle for now, but your judgment draws near, a time when your deeds will be exposed and you will have no place to cower and hide.
Grow some thick skin. Argue logically when disagreements arise. Grow up. The world owes us nothing. And cease and desist from plagiarizing other people's work for profit. Now go ahead and blast away as you will, as I have the stones to take it.
BCH to the Moon, Alice!
Jackie Gleason had a familiar line when he played the get rich scheming Ralph Kramden in the short-lived TV series, "The Honeymooner's." But #BCH is no short-lived, dubious investment. It's a powerhouse investment that is here to stay. Let's look at a brief history and its future.
History of #BCH
Bitcoin has been the dominant altcoin since it's inception. We know that #BCH is a fork created in August of 2017. The price of one coin at the launch was $250. It shot up to $900 in a matter of days.
Originally planned as a mere cryptocurrency, BCH has since evolved to become an investment. If you have been paying attention, your wallet has increased. That's a good sign. You can thank both #Amaury Sechet and #Roger Ver among others for their forward thinking insofar as increasing the block size for the purpose of creating more transactions and for #BitcoinCash to be used for daily financial transactions.
History shows us that at one time #BCH was at its all time high of $3,785.82. Perhaps the two subsequent forks drove down the price but we shall leave that to one's own opinion for now. The question is, what does the future bode for #BCH?
#BCH future
Graph courtesy of #Coindesk. By the way, today in the US, Coinbase, not to be confused with Coindesk, will go public, but it is still wiser to buy #BCH than NASDAQ shares of COIN, since it is far less riskier.
Just in the past 24 hours, the Bitcoin Cash altcoin has increased 22.53 % or $152.12, as of 1:19 p.m. US Eastern Standard Time (EST). Nice rise, right? It is reasonable to expect #BitcoinCash to continue to rise but with some fluctuation. Yes, some eager beaver type people will sell, but wise folks are not selling, they are waiting to buy the eventual dip. Why?
Well, the history of altcoin's reveals something many folks may not be aware of: **the 2nd quarter of every year is typically when altcoins spike upwards sharply**, hence the phrase "to the moon."
Keep an eye on the daily charts and don't be so quick to sell and wind up crying over spilled milk later. I had a friend who did that with Bitcoin (selling his coins when they topped $7,000 to buy material things). He regrets the decision to this very day. He's back to creating music.
Also keep in mind two very important things: the crypto market is volatile due to unnecessary regulations, stiff competition and people's feelings.
At any rate, in 2018 crypto market pros were predicting Bitcoin Cash to top $800 in 2020. They obviously missed the mark by a bit. Nevertheless, you have to keep in mind that #BCH is tied to Bitcoin. What this means is that like Bitcoin, it is not going to fade into oblivion. BCH is on solid ground. Take it from Roger Ver:
Some of the same crypto market pros expect #BCH to hit between $3,000 and $5,000 going forward. One pro expects #BitcoinCash to spike to $24,000 a coin in a few years, 5 years tops.
Still thinking of selling? I encourage you to reconsider. My suggestion is this: wait for a little downward trend, then buy the dip. If you're thinking of buying an entire coin, all is well, but I would suggest you not buy it in one lump sum. Instead, spread it out over four transactions. We already know the transaction fees are cheap, and definitely much cheaper than Bitcoin. Besides, it is likely to trend downwards slightly and then rebound quickly.
In the short time it took me to write this, Bitcoin Cash rose by $2.00. Be a wise investor. Think #BCH.
Brownouts Then, Now and the Final One to Come
As we approach Easter Sunday, it is a special time to reflect on the death by crucifixion, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The book of Matthew records one of the seven sayings of Christ while dying on the cross.
“About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, *“Eli, li,* *lema* *sabachthani?”* (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) (Matthew 27:46, NIV).
Why did Jesus say this to His Father in heaven and what it its meaning? Actually, Jesus quoted Psalm 22:1 which reads exactly the same but with an added line: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?” (NIV). Furthermore, Jesus sought for his hearers to read the full text of Psalm 22, which foretold of what would occur when He willingly gave up his life on the cross.
God the Father abandoned His Son Jesus for 6 hours because He cannot look upon sin. It took six hours of intense suffering for Jesus to remove the sins and guilt of the world. But only those who believe on him by faith alone will be forgiven! (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Jesus hung on the cross from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. We read: “From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land” (Matthew 27:45, NIV).
Non-believers say this was merely an eclipse but this is untrue. Even the Greek historian Thallus confirmed in 52 A.D. that the Earth went dark for three hours. It was what we would call a brownout here in the Philippines, but with intense suffering.
Brownouts Now
All over the Philippines we experience brownouts at various times of any day. Some are caused by disasters such as typhoons. Others are caused by malfeasance, ineptitude, corruption and a dire lack of forward thinking. But if you think brownouts are bad now, there is a great “brownout” yet to come!
The Last Brownout
The Apostle John was on the Island of Patmos (a small island off the coast of Greece) and was permitted to see visions of the future. We read of the final brownout of the entire earth:
“I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place” (Revelation 6:12-14, NIV).
The above-mentioned verse announces the Second coming of Christ Jesus and the end of the world as we now know it. Furthermore, an earthquake was a regular feature of divine visitation. In fact, when God descended on Sinai, “the whole mountain trembled violently” (Exodus 19:18). Again, this coming this great earthquake is to be accompanied by the sun turning black like sackcloth made of goat hair.
As Easter nears, we are reminded that Jesus died for our sins: past, present and what remains of our respective future. We can know that the time is near by the "signs in the heavens." Are you ready for the return of Jesus? What would *you* be doing if he came today?
I urge you to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. Reflect or meditate on the price Christ paid for you and I, and remember, only those who confess their sins and believe on Jesus will be spared from the wrath of God which is certain to come.
@Scotty17
