Of Snakes, Nations, and Sons

     

     We found a rattlesnake in our yard yesterday. Luckily, I have a son who knew how to help! Satan is like this rattlesnake, sneaking into our space, ever so slyly ready at any moment to strike not only FEAR but poison into our blood if we get too close to him. As I have studied about the conspiracies that are possibly playing out, I have recently noticed that the biggest one is Satan's conspiracy against the children of God. The peacemakers. The people who try to do everything they are supposed to do without complaining or arguing. As I have watched (and sometimes participated in) the bickering back and forth between good people over a piece of cloth and what it can and cannot do, and how they have let it drive them apart or bring them together, and the very strange relatively new behaviors of the government, YouTube and FB of not trusting people to make their own decisions about information presented and precautions to take, and not only people not trusting professionals (for various reasons) but professionals not trusting professionals and not even being willing to look unbiased into the other's point of view, etc..., my heart has been what I think is called "overcharged" in the scriptures. So many things happening so quickly, and emotions all over the place for so many. "Take heed to yourself, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting... and the day come upon you unawares." (Luke chapter 21) What is surfeiting? It is getting so much of something that you can't stand to have it anymore. Sound familiar?
     I have thought about the night that I watched the State of the Union Address. The contention present there was so thick you could cut it. The sharp division that was so plain to see and the biases and rudeness that one could easily observe as well... "A house divided against itself cannot stand" is the phrase that came to my mind. A minute later my 6 year old son said, "Mom, How can this house even stay built?" I told him by loving each other. We are witnessing what happens when a nation is not united. Satan has crafted this plan and crept into our space as a people who were and are supposed to be one nation under God. And he has struck fear into a lot of people's hearts. Some have been poisoned as well. This is sad, to say the very least. 

     "Take heed to yourselves"... As I read that, I wondered what it meant and the spirit told me, for me, it meant to take good care of myself. My husband, my home, my children, and others all need me to take care of me so that I can take care of them and help them when they need it. I came across an article this morning (linked at the end) and quite loved it! The Holy Spirit told me to share it. My prayer right now is that all of us can take good care of our selves, our families, and our neighbors, remembering the 1st and second great commandments, and what true religion is. James 1:27 "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." 
     In conclusion, I thought of the symbolism of my son fixing our snake problem. It reminded me of The Son of God being The Solution to the "serpent" problem we are facing today. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." 
Here is the article.
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2020-05-20/covid-19-elder-renlund-personal-revelation-uncertainty-184629

One of The Most Valuable Adult Lessons I Ever Learned

When I was pregnant with my second baby, I took a refresher childbirth course. This wasn't just any old birth class though. This was a class meant to really get you thinking for yourself and reaching inside for hidden knowledge that would help you make wise choices for yourself and your baby. The instructor gave us all kinds of information on options for birthing. But she didn't expect us to take her word for it. In fact, she made it very clear that she encourages clients to do their own research on the things she presents. She also recommended that we pray about our birth choices. 

This "do your own research" thing stuck. It really has made a huge difference in my life too. 

Back in my high school days and the early part of this century, we had to find resources in an actual library. 

Nowadays, there is a wealth of information online. 

But let's pretend that we were back in high school and could only find resources at the library. And let's pretend that there was someone you didn't know going around the library with you, and just before you could grab a book you needed for your research paper, that person grabbed it first. Maybe you were lucky to get a couple of books off the shelf before him, but then he takes them from you a day or two later. And let's pretend that this person had a friend who worked at the library... The library employee also actually hindered your research by altering some of the pages in the encyclopedia or biography you needed for your research paper. And let's pretend that both of these people are actually telling you that it's for your own good. That they are denying you your research opportunities. They say that the information in the original was messed up, so they changed it or just took it away so that you couldn't see it. 

What would you do? What would you say? 

And what if you aren't able to get any resources... what then? How will you ever get your research paper finished on time? 

We can either say "Thanks!" or we can start asking questions like "Is there other material I can look at?" "How do you know the information is not accurate?" "Can you please direct me to those sources?" 

These questions should help. If you can't get satisfactory answers to your questions, though, or if they keep taking the resources you find, would you feel like going back to that library EVER again? 

If it were me, I would feel like I was being treated like a child, and being bullied, and I'd probably get defensive. Granted, I may say thanks if I find that they are saving me from having to filter through a bunch of lies, but how would I know that without reviewing the material? 

I can pray.

Prayer works on a spiritual level...

Spirit does not have the limitations of a human body and knows so much more than we can comprehend. But we can tap into that knowledge with prayer. Addressing the Almighty God, the author of all truth, and asking for Him to give you answers is one very powerful way to get answers. 

In the mean time, finding a different library is going to be in everyone's best interest, in my humble opinion. 

I Have An Idea

I have an idea.

The states somehow think they have power over businesses...

Maybe they do. Maybe they don't. 

From what I understand it just depends on how big the crisis really is. 

But even that information is subjective and I think we all know by now there's a lot more than just that going on. 

But what if we ditch the business front of things and we start just providing? How about we bring back bartering and trading? 

You have chickens, I need chickens. 

You have stress. I have foot zoning skills.

You have barber skills... I need a haircut.

You need food... I just so happen to have some tomatoes that I grew this year... Or bottled last year.

I have some savings... You need to pay your mortgage.

I need some help with my yard... You've got an able body and a lawn mower. 

You need help for a health problem... I have home remedy knowledge and supplies.

I need tutoring for my child... You have great skills in that area. 

 

You get the picture right? 

This might just be the only way to get through this whole thing. 

The Only-Positive-Things Challenge!

Hey!
Throughout the years I have come to know that there is wisdom in keeping on the sunny side of life. I'm actually not the first one to realize this, though... Millions and most likely billions of people have learned this truth. Dark attracts dark and light attracts light... right? 
Dark drags and causes contention, Light inspires and lifts. Be the change you want to see in the world... RIGHT NOW! 

Here's the challenge! 

Post ONLY POSITIVE content on your social media accounts for the next two weeks. If you want to see people lifted and lifting each other, be the lifter. It could be anything positive! How have you seen the hand of God (LOVE) in your life? Share it! Did you learn something from your inspired reading today? Share it! Do you see something good and special in someone? Share it and tag them!
I challenge you to do this when commenting on other people's social media posts as well. Especially on the ones that need a lift. Share a compliment, random positive fact, or statement of faith... just whatever you feel is positive meriting attention right now. With all your positive posts and comments, use the hashtags #sunnyside or #onlypositivethings.
AND
If you feel the need to address a specific fallacy (a belief or statement based on unsound argument) floating around, do a research paper on the subject, write an essay, or blog post. 
Rules:
1. Find original sources whenever possible and tell why they are credible.
2. Tell the other side of the story with respect. Use credible sources as stated above. If sources are indicated in the fallacy you are addressing, provide some background or evidence stating why you are convinced that these sources were either misinterpreted or not credible.
3. Write with simplicity and kindness. 
4. Try to keep in under 1,000 words. 
5. Be sure to cite all sources either in an attachable document or, in a blog post, create links throughout or put sources at the bottom. 
6. Attach at least 1 picture onto your post/research document.
7. Share your work on social media with the hashtags #freedomofconscienceissacred or #protectfreedom and tag at least 5 friends in the post.

If by some chance your post is removed, email it to your circle of family and friends and tell them to share it through email as well. 
The more sunshine we spread the more everyone can see their way.

To accept this CHALLENGE, simply begin and/or make a video telling: 1) about the challenge, 2) why you are accepting the challenge/invitation, 3) linking this blog post, and 4) nominating 3 friends to take the challenge as well!

HAPPY LIFTING!!!!