Enough

  I think I am suppose to write this, so I'm going to.

    In the world these days, and I base this on living in the USA, we're told a lot of lies. So much so that lies appear to be truth. It only takes two generations to make a lie believable to the public at large. Guess what? This has been sold longer than that now even the lie appears as truth. I'm not sure about you but I myself have had enough. Very powerful, evil people have convinced us that we don't have enough, and it has to stop. Someone at sometime has to say, I've had enough. Most of my life I have been in public jobs and many of them seeing and meeting the public at their homes. I have seen so very much and for years I got trapped in the lie myself.

   Now personally I believe in Jesus and God the Father and the Holy Spirit, but suppose you don't. If you look at Him as a myth or man, what's wrong with Him being a role model? The answer should be nothing. Gandhi was also a role model. Mother Theresa was a role model. Let us just look for a moment at His life. Now if one is a Christian I know this will be hard, but what did He stand for? How did He live? The answer is simple. He had enough and not only did He have enough, He wanted everybody to have enough too. He taught that when we actually had enough, that we make sure others had enough too. He taught that when we had enough food that we make sure others were not hungry and that they had enough too. He taught that when we were clothed that we saw to it that others were properly clothed too. He taught that when we had a home that others had a home too. He taught that we were to see to it that the sick were attended and the hurting were comforted. He taught that a person should be paid properly and that workers should work properly. He taught that rather than love what is material, to love each other. He taught that those who do and live violence will die from the same, therefore be peaceful. He taught that we should be compassionate to our fellow man (or woman). He taught that we should monitor ourselves and judge ourselves rather than pointing fingers. He taught humility and mercy, love and kindness. He taught sacrifice of self over material wants. He taught to seek something other than material things that with time age, rusting and rotting and being eaten away by time. He taught forgiveness. He taught not to take advantage on others and not to turn a blind eye to those in need. He also taught against usury. He taught to be willing to die for something, or live for nothing.

  I don't think that those who are decent that are not Christians can argue with any of that, there is not a bad thing He taught. But for those who don't like some of these things, don't dare call yourself a Christian. In His lifetime He made a profound statement about taking up one's cross and following Him. That means, be like Him. In others words, read what is above, better yet, pick up a Bible (KJV) and read. Those that don't have a Bible there are many online. There are those who are believers and aren't that will say this is Socialism. To that I say, take it up with God. Many churches today kind of skip over this, or water it down. If this is your church... run. So here is the thing. If we lived our lives as Jesus said, there would be no wars, no hunger, no needy. There were two groups back then too that were very much against His teachings, so much so, they killed Him. They are still in existence today and have a large following, just as they did back then. Are you one of them? They knew the Bible back then as they do today, many word for word. Jesus spoke in Parables because evil could not understand what He was talking about. So today, they often twist His words. It is called, taking something out of context.

   Jesus did not get along with the rich or the religious of His day which makes me wonder how we would be viewed. Is your belly full, so much so you really need to exercise a lot to try and control the fat. Is there some child or adult, not in a third world country but here, that is hungry close by. BY close I mean your city. Is your clothing good while others go bare? Does that high priced article of clothes really make the man or woman? No, not if there are those who have to wear rags. Those designed whatever just shows ignorance while they are still made with slave wages and merely have a tag on them. It could be anybody's tag name. Do you have things piled up that someone is in need of? I think this is called hording. Is your house so full of things you can't navigate around in it? Does the fancy new vehicle really say that you have "arrived" or that you are "successful" or that you have "climbed the ladder to success"? No. It just says you've bought into the illusion. Does that big McMansion say you've made it? No. Will any of this matter in a thousand years? A hundred years? No, at least not in this world, but it will in the next. Think the need for A/C in the length of eternity.

  So this part is for the Christians. Today we hear it preached that good works and deeds are not enough. And that is correct...BUT... Jesus also says that if you believe in Him to take up Your Cross and Follow Him. Jesus' cross was a tree in which it was an embarrassment and was meant for shame to die on a tree. The Pagans of the day worshiped nature and for some reason trees as they were suppose to be spirits. Long story there, and yea I like trees. Yet, He took that symbol of shame and turned it for good, redemption for all who would Take Up Their Crosses and Follow Him. In a few words, imitate Him, or better started do as He did. So it is a packaged deal, and a take it or leave it offer. There are strings attached. If one believes then one is to behave as He did. This is a bit different that the do as I say not as I do, He set the example. Do as He did.

  So now we come to the question. Do you have enough of your needs? Do you have more of your needs than you need? Don't count the wants. It also doesn't count with the I work harder or my job is harder or if they wanted they could succeed too. As for Lawyers, sorry, no loop holes. Having some wants isn't a bad thing so long as seeing that someone is not in actual need. Here is another thought to ponder. If it wasn't for the fish sticker on your car, or a cross from your neck, would people know you to be a Christian? I know Atheists that show more Christ like examples than some Christians do. It is not, regardless of what you are told, to just say "I Believe", even the devils believe that Jesus is the Christ. It is true that you will never do enough and by Grace are you saved, but you are expected to believe and try to do as Jesus done. I know I don't always, and thus I judge myself. I try and see what others see, then improve on it. Remember, The Powers That Be back then hated Jesus and they will probably hate you too.

  So have you had enough of this "American Dream"? Are you awake yet? Have you had enough of covetousness?  Enough war and killing? Enough busting your butt for things that fade with time? Do others near you have enough? How will you be known? If this was your last day, what will your legacy be? You, I, and everybody else come into this world naked and empty handed... and we leave the same way. Thing is, did you leave this world in a little better shape then you came in? Were people better off knowing you? Do you leave with more love than you came in with? Do you have enough of the things that really matter? Did you make sure those around you had enough too?

  Anthony Kimbrough               

Pretty much says it all...

911 Today and Yesterday

911 Today and Yesterday

All kind of articles are on the web about 911, celebration, remembrance, and so on. For the first time about two days ago I turned off the radio station I listen to, it got a bit perturbing. What happened that day was terrible but there comes a time to heal and put the past behind you. This will make a few people mad to hear this but let it pass.

So I thought and reflected back the other day and we all wonder what is wrong with the world and I think this is the biggest part, we're being taught wrong. It is past time to stop the hate. To stop putting salt in a wound and let it heal. Let people heal. That is one of the biggest changes I see these days. As the old people use to say, "Let sleeping dogs lie". Churches don't. Conventional media don't. Conspiratorial media don't. Government don't. Influential people don't. It seems like nobody that influences people will not let it be over. No matter if you believe the given story or the conspiratorial story, let it be.

There was another terrible event and it was Pearl Harbor. Many say there was a big difference, and they are right, just wrong on what that difference was. When I was in fourth grade, my teacher, Agnus LaRoue (spelling ?), told us in school about Pearl Harbor. Now this was in the sixties, so bear that in mind, back when free speech was real and we actually studied our own country and states. Anyway, she was teaching us history and came to World War 2, and then Pearl Harbor. She told us about her best friend who was to be married, but that never got to happen. Her soon to be husband was at Pearl Harbor that day and was one of the people who died. She told us of the pain and grief that her best friend felt, and those around her.

Now Mrs. LaRoue could have stuck straight to the history books, but her tale brought us all in the moment, much like what is done today. What she said next though is what separates us from how we once were to what we are now. She rushed, as did other friends, to this lady's side in her anguish. For days on end she wept, as this was the love of her life. They all felt anger and then suddenly the lady looked at them and said she prayed and asked them to remember to pray with her. She prayed though for not only God to help her and to be with her and his family, but for forgiveness to those who had attacked. Mrs. Agnus said at first her and the friends refused, as the country was in shock and disbelief of what had just happened, but their friend was insistent on them to pray as much for the enemy and forgiveness. She said that through that, they slowly began to heal. At the time we listened but did not hear, but in time we did. I'm not sure if this teacher had a clue just how much she positively influenced us back then, but I'm grateful that she did.

Later on I had another teacher, Mrs Harrison, in high school in the seventies. We approached the Pearl Harbor thing and she told us of when she was young and this happened. I want to say she had a friend or relative there, but it has been so long now I forget. Her and some others held a prayer group for the families of those who lost loved ones that day, and the ones who had attacked us. Her message to us was the same. Remember what was learned but at the same time forgive those who committed it. Heal and forgive. Get past the pain, past the hurt, and move forward. She also had the same message as Mrs. LaRoue. In order to heal we must forgive and move on.

My grandfather that raised me, I called him dad, fought in WW2. He was in the medical unit and went through Pearl Harbor and worked with wounded there, then they were sent overseas. He would not speak of war only to say it is horrible. Once, one of his friends her served with came to see him, in the seventies. I listened to them reminisce of their days in the war, more ease dropped when I could. They both sat and talked with me though as I was a big war buff and history fan. What I was taught by these two great men was that they harbored no hate for those who they fought against as far as the people went. They served together and were some of the medical unit that went in the Nazi Concentration Camps, but they did not want to much talk about it. They were later sent to Japan after the bombs were dropped. I distinctly remember asking if they hated Germans or Japanese, they said no. They did not like the Nazis though and said they were evil. As far as they people went though they said they were people, just as nice and polite as we were here, just different in their ways. I also remember their answer when I asked what they had learned that they could teach me, and their answer was simple. People are people and war is the worst thing that could ever be, though they were proud we defeated the Nazis. They both had the same advise. Learn from the past but let it be. Forgive.

So all forms of media and people in influential places should take the advise that once made our country shine. We once were taught that lesson, one that has been lost today. Almost all faiths, save a few, talk about and encourage forgiveness. The true Christian faith is suppose to be know for forgiveness. That leads me to wonder what is being taught wrong in the Christian world today. If we are to be a nation that stands as a beacon and blessed by God the Father, we have to follow His rules that He gave through His Son Jesus. That is to say, if we claim to be Christian, which I do. These not always easy rules to follow sometimes, but they actually work. I finally figured that out with the murder of my cousin. Had it not been for the people in my life who had gone through strife and came out unblemished, who knows. So what impression are we leaving on our kids? What are we doing to ourselves? What are we doing to others? What is the world seeing? All in the name of revenge and hate.

So I'm hearing of this place who has a piece of one of the building or something in a state that isn't even close, and they are placing a piece there as a remembrance to the event. The radio lady on the station says they are debating on if they should rope it off or allow people to touch it. She thinks to allow people to touch it so they will feel it. Now this is suppose to be a Christian Station that is part of Billy Grahams network. I turned off the radio, I'd had enough. This is nothing more than salt in the wound and hate, along with idol worship. We often think idols as a statue but clearly it can be anything that we hold in high reverence, be that money, things, houses, careers, stuff. Anything that gets between you and God. But to place a shrine? So I end this writing with a few scriptures to explain what I am saying. Christians and others can heed this writing, most religions and beliefs have very similar morals. So for your own sakes as well as those we attack in the name of justice who are as innocent as the victims of 911 were, FORGIVE. Let it go. Move forward. Show what the Glory of God is. Be the light you want to see in others so others can see the light in you.

Philippians 2:15
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

1 John 2:9
He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

Matthew 6:14
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

Matthew 6:15
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 5:44
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Matthew 18:21
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

Matthew 18:35
So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Luke 6:27
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

Mark 11:25
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Mark 11:26
But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Luke 6:37
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

Luke 7:47
Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

Ephesians 4:32
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Matthew 6:24
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Luke 9:62
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.


I encourage you to read the whole parts to get the context of what is going on. If you don't have a Bible handy, here is one online. LINK

Just Thinking

   There are quiet A few things today that limit what we know and at the same time, set out to frustrate us. I know my patience is wearing thin when I just cut off sources I know to be wrong for news. Up until recent times I went by what I had been taught as a child, to not "throw out the baby with the bathwater". There is always some truth contained in a lie and a lie contained sometimes in much truth, if one is wishing to deceive another. Then again it was either Hitler or one of his top officers that once said that if you tell a lie, make it a big one. From the same people was said that if one tells a lie big enough and often enough, people will believe it. I believe they were correct. Still, lies flourish when knowledge runs shallow.

   I think we allow ourselves to be deceived more than anything else and there are times, events, and things we are deceived about when not allowing it. These days we notice deceptions easier for the most part, just the smaller ones though. Some of that is done through pride. We boast that we are the smartest and live in the most intelligent time ever since the human race first began, but pride goeth before a fall. Stop and think about that for a minute, it makes perfect sense. Seldom do we fall when we are careful and unsure to where we step, climb, or run. It is usually when we are quite confident and sometimes to the point of being arrogant that we fall, carelessly moving, taking pride in our own abilities. The fall also seems to be when we have pride in our pace and watch our fellow man's pace, waiting for them to fall, watching for them to err.

   Have you taken a good look at us though these days, a really good look. I stop occasionally to collect what is left of myself. Sometimes I stop to just breathe. One look at the comments on YouTube or a Forum and the ignorance seems to just beam through most of the time. I include myself on that. My great grandmother was born 07-01-1894 and she lived until I was 22 years old in 1982. When I was young I thought this had to be the most outdated, ignorant person I knew. Somehow though, maybe through a miracle, the older I got the smarter she got. Still, when she died I thought many of what her ideas were completely outdated, maybe even cynical. It isn't until now though that I see it was her that was outdated but actually advanced, for the times she talked about are at hand. These days she looks more like a prophet than an old woman who reflected to the future. While she reflected back to an old time full of hard labor and less luxuries and was not impressed with the modern advances made, it just didn't make sense... it does now. She wasn't fooled by what we are fooled by today and honestly I don't know for sure, but I doubt she would be fooled today. Her beliefs were simple.   

   Had I have known that our country would have become what it is today and heading for even worse tomorrow, I would have moved a several years ago. Through the Internet though I see that almost all countries have gone this path, some quicker, some slower. The light bulb went back on, maybe briefly, who knows. But in this moment I actually thought for a change, a country isn't just the government, it is it's people too. So what do I do, you do, we do? While it isn't for everyone, I figured that I would write, which is something I am not good at. We all have but three choices. Place our Rosie colored glasses back on and watch the world get worse and wonder why. Join in and live the same way as the rest are living, advancing our world the way it is headed. Look inside ourselves and become the change we'd like to see while helping others to be the change too, or at least recognize the problem. The third is the hardest to do. Once again I reflect back to my great grandmother who once said that the hardest way is usually the right way. Everybody will not do the hard way and nobody can be forced to do the right thing. That however is what separates men and women from the herd. It is not that one man or woman is better than any other man or woman, but rather it is the actions that makes them a better person.

  Just as ignorance and all that goes along with it are contagious, so is intelligence and caring. We don't think it is possible because we are constantly being bombarded with messages that it is not possible. There again is where lies of the few effect the many, but only if we allow it can it affect us. Call it what you will, we all have the ability to stop affecting how we think and feel. We are far more powerful than we have been taught in these last few decades. I see a lot of people take the talk about being self-sufficient and wonder if they even realize that fixing their own part is the perfect example of self-sufficiency. Why survive a catastrophe if we can avoid one, especially a man-made one.  

Ignorance is bliss

  This will have to be a quick one.

  When we remain willingly ignorant we become victims and aggressors. I say that because ignorance breeds fear and from fear comes misunderstand. From misunderstanding can either come pride or subservience... neither is good. From this condition hate grows. It is then easier for the man that ignorance grows in to kill his fellow man and act like an animal to kill each other. Ignorance is mentioned 17 times in the Bible and ignorant,  "ignorantly", is mentioned 20 times.


  We are all ignorant in different subjects, as Will Rogers once said, and I believe that truth. There are things that one need be ignorant of, such as evil, but not so ignorant that one cannot defend themselves. By most terms though, people against a people, it is usually the result of ignorance that drives the hate. As long as there is hate there love cannot reach it's full and intended potential. Forgiveness cannot happen. Kindness runs in short supply if indeed, even at all.

  That happened here in America as Europeans and Spaniards came and began to fight in what almost became a genocide to the level of extinction. It happened in Nazi Germany as a certain Jewish sect was almost eliminated. Since time's beginning ignorance has been around. Generally we read just the opposite as the winners write the study books. What is a hero in one place becomes a villain in another. Even the most religious writings have been twisted to keep the people ignorant to the opponent that  the people in charge wants to war with, or the people hate. 

  Devils often use people and make them become ignorant in order to divide mankind. We are fast to convict and fast to boil, so they, along with men, do their utmost to stereotype people.  I still cannot for the life of me understand how people can love things about a people, their food, clothing, even their ways, yet hate the other person just because they have been deceived and ignorance is instilled.

  Lets take the American Indian for instance. Now we see quotes from all kinds of people saying that Indians believe this or that when in reality, their beliefs vary from tribe to tribe. We forgot that they were many nations, not just one. They honor the Great Spirit. The Sioux had 10 commandments and they did not conflict with ours as Christians. They too had a Great Spirit. The name Great Spirit was used just as Christians uses God, which actually is a title. God is what He is, not His name. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that most of us know a different pronunciation for our own name. God the Father is a Great Spirit. So where is the problem with that? The Hopi get most of the credit with their many gods. Why? That is what has been promoted. This is what has ignorantly been accepted.

  We don't start out ignorant, we're taught it. We tend to latch on to the worse possible thing that is provided to us about a group or groups of people. Why is that? Weaker people are suckered into believing that  someone in a group is less than human, or at least less than they, only by using one example, many times created for just that purpose. This enables us to attain unbelievable acts of cruelty against our fellow person. This gives us power for which evil can corrupt, for along with that comes pride, and pride goeth before a fall. Ignorance also brings with it fear.

  I would wager that most of the evil deeds done throughout history were done through ignorance. I would also wager that Hell is full of ignorant people. True strength is when one learns not to be ignorant, but learns. One learns about someone different and if they are found spiritual lost or wanting, one accepts that they are blessed to know the truth, but the other one is still your brother or sister. Perhaps when they see that strength in you they will desire it as well. Then again, maybe they won't, but you accept them all the same, for he or she is your brother or sister in blood. One may be more fortunate that one knows the truth, but never better than someone else.  Learn a little about them and maybe you will eventually be their light, even if it is through life or death.

  There are things I think most of us should be ignorant from, but by and large, not of someone else s' heart. Not someone's color. Not someone's belief. Not someone's ignorance. Jesus didn't.

  So if we are to be ignorant then let us be ignorant in evil. In selfishness. In Hate. In grudges. In hard heartlessness. So ignorance can be bliss. Understanding and if we can't understand, let us accept.

Anthony
 

The Bottom Line

  I read more now than I ever have, ever since that night. I study things that most don't want to know and some that people do want to know. There is a fight going on and it seems like everything is heading the wrong way. People sometimes ask why I am not afraid, but I have a secret, one that I am willing to share. Many of the term Conspiracy Theories are actual Agendas, and some are just smoke and mirrors. There is as much dis info as info out there.

  Tonight I watched Chris White's new video. I am picky these days what I endorse, especially in Christian things. But tonight, tonight was different as I listened to Chris talk on being saved. I think this is the best description I've ever heard. Some will listen and hear and some won't which is totally their option. This is short, sweet, and factual.

When we die

  I've often wondered what happens when we die and stay dead. According to some, we sleep, and that maybe be true, but when? I know I didn't sleep, so what happened? Why was I not asleep? There are just so many variations that it becomes confusing to people of all and no faiths. Who wants to join a club that requires hard things for you to do when they can't agree on what they are to do.

  Now comes the famous words from yet another man, but it isn't as simple as a line. I promise it is simple though, or at least the start of it is. I'm not sure the dead and the spirits can read this, but the living can.

So... What happens when we die, according to the Bible?

Ecclesiastes 12:7
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

  Notice what happens to the spirit. It (you) go back to God. Now I know, this just says spirit, but what is a soul and does it die?

Genesis 2:7
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

  Note, became a living soul. So we have a body, made from dust that returns to dust, and a living spirit that God gave you a spirit when He breathed into you, and you became a Living Soul.

Body+Spirit = Soul. So the soul and the body dies, but your spirit goes back to God  ans is judged.

   So, in a sense your body and soul must rest, yet your spirit goes to Heaven or Hell after it is done.

 ¹⁶For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:



Dead in this case appears to be body, which separated from the spirit, the soul is sleeping. Body & Soul

  So There you have it, Heaven is where the spirit goes back to God and is rejoined at His second coming where the glorified body once again regains spirit to create a soul.

 Short & Sweet-