WHY HASN’T PUTEN TAKEN UKRAINE ?

August 23, 2025 By Leave a Comment

I suppose the truth is in adding the word “YET”.

Puten is planning on taking Ukraine—planning on it since the day he invaded.

Puten is proceeding with that plan to the limits of what NATO and the United States will allow.

Puten gives gestures of talking and peace as necessary to get more time to bomb Ukraine, to get closer to taking Ukraine.

Puten believes we can’t or won’t stop him.

Puten is an intelligent, patient, brutal dictator who wants Ukraine back, and he’s working on getting Ukraine back, no matter what it takes.

Puten, like all dictators, does not care about human lives sacrificed for HIS goals.

Puten, like all dictators, will be stopped only by force.
Military force to stop Puten is not looking very likely now.
Economic force to stop Puten is going to take a miracle.

We pray for that !

Filed Under: Educational, Political---Cultural, Time

TIME FOR ANOTHER ARTICLE GONE TO THE DOGS

August 16, 2025 By Leave a Comment

I have been very blessed with great dogs all my life, so the title is a positive tribute.
But this one has a surprise twist, that I just discovered recently, and continue to observe with my current dogs.

Some dog breeds like the border collies I have enjoyed, are known for their intelligence, and especially their relating to people.
My last two were rescues, and after a few years we certainly got closer, almost suddenly.
Then, after a few more years, we became even closer.
Indescribable, but so real, so miraculous.

This article focuses on the amazing capacity of some breeds of dogs to understand human words.
Sometimes the only limit seems to be time spent teaching a new word or phrase.
I enjoyed their sensitive, polite, effective ways of endearing me for treats from my plate.
Then I would calmly and quietly say, “That’s all”, and the dog would immediately walk away and lie down.

Now, for the first time, I have pyrenees—Goodness and Mercy, and their offspring Jojo.
Big dogs, big on love, big on 911 patrol of 32 acres, enlarged by Jojo who jumps the fence and enhances fear on the coyotes and endears herself to the neighbors.
Everything about pyrenees is BIG.
These pyrenees have a big capacity and a big need and a big demand for love and affection to match their size.
And I give it to them, and they are satisfied.

So they understand love, lots of loving.
But they don’t understand the word ‘love’.
I now observe and verify that my pyrenees actually do not learn and understand any human words—except for one word.
And they love it, love it, love it when I say that one word over and over and over while I give affection just the way they like it.
In fact, they can be lying 20 feet away (waiting for the next 911 alarm in dog code), and when I say the one word, their tale lifts off the ground.

But the word is not the same for each of them, and I often say the wrong word because they look alike.
What’s the good word(s) for my pyrenees, Goodness and Mercy ?
You guessed it—“Goodness” and “Mercy”—their names—they’ve got that down !

Simple Dogs—Loving Dogs—Profound Dogs—and I love them.
If you don’t give them enough love, the two can stand crosswise in your path until you do.

It remains to be seen if I can live out my days without another border collie.
You see, “Surely Goodness and Mercy will follow me all the days of my life.”
They’re three years old, and I’m 75.
Hmmm.

Filed Under: Educational, Fun, Inspirational

“DAILY BREAD” FOR RETIREMENT

August 16, 2025 By Leave a Comment

Is the title an oxymoron ?

??? What if there’s “our daily bread”, and then there’s . . .

??? What if “our daily bread”* that we have so dutifully prioritized, worked for, slaved over, stashed ‘securely’ for someday here, and followed the best financial advice to keep making more . . .**

??? What if the God Who provided “the means to get wealth” . . .

??? What if the God Who provided manna for Israel, with specific instructions . . .

??? What if the same God Who directed His people so carefully in the past . . .

??? What if He has something to say—a lot to say—about the details today . . .

??? Has He really turned us loose to make our own decisions about “our daily bread” – – –

??? Is the only parameter for us now, that our ‘hearts’ are in the right place—and then we’re on our own . . .

??? Do we still depend on “Our Father in heaven” for “our daily bread” . . .

??? Do we really even need to pray this prayer when we already have more “daily bread” than we need . . .

–

Manna spoiled BAD when they didn’t follow instructions in the wilderness.
What if our manna, “our daily bread”, spoils ROTTEN for not following instructions ?

AND—OH—BY THE WAY—
There is a boatload of instructions for us—unmistakable—can’t miss—about “our daily bread” (and other wealth, man-made, not from God).

But it’s working for thousands of people, Christians—their manna is not spoiling, saved up and stored up for someday, and providing wonderful retirement for many, even now.

–

Perhaps our provision for our better life here in our later years, perhaps that is not “our daily bread’ from God.
Perhaps God’s manna (His real Daily Bread) has spoiled rotten like it did for Israel in the wilderness, when they tried to save it in disobedience, and we don’t even know we’re missing “our daily bread” from “Our Father”.

We’re loading up, stashing plenty here to take care of us later, “treasures on earth”, and we miss “our daily bread”.

So simple:
“Daddy, Give us just what we need to live, just today.”
Any additions, corrections, deletions to improve on that ?

–

Our system of “laying up treasures on earth” with “much goods laid up for many years . . . to retire” is so tightly secure against criticism or debate, that even God can’t touch it, much less crazy people quoting Bible verses warning against it.

In light of so many warnings—so many warnings about the dangers of riches and the dangers of wanting to be rich and the dangers of riches making it harder to go to heaven . . . , why do so many Christians spend a lifetime trying to beat the odds ?

“God doesn’t settle all His accounts on . . .”***

– – –

* “our daily bread”
“this day”
“give us”
That is—
this day – – – just today, for today
daily – – – one day, then one day, then
give – – – receive, free, not ‘get’

** More means enough is never enough.

*** God does not settle all His accounts upon our ‘successful’ retirement.

Filed Under: Educational, Faith Based, Financial, Political---Cultural

DEMONS – – – ALIVE AND ACTIVE

August 2, 2025 By Leave a Comment

The devil and his thousands of demons, evil spirits, are alive and active in this world, in our lives.

Do we believe that ?

Right now, it’s harder to deny that evil is getting worse. *

What does that look like ?

What is real about that ?

What is true about that ?

Where do we get the truth about that ?

What are we supposed to do about that

What are we going to do about that ?

How many demons are there ?
Lots.
Knowing the actual number is not all-important.
Jesus in the garden said He could call over 50,000-75,000 angels to bail Him out, but where would that have left our salvation ?
The Bible says one third of the original angels became demons, in rebellion led by satan, so there are half as many demons as angels.

What should we believe about the devil and his demons ?
We better—we must—get our information ONLY from the Bible ! ! !
How ?
Read it !

What does this bad stuff look like ?
XX- This whole world was cursed, because Adam and Eve sinned.
That tells why a bunch of bad things happen.
XX- Every one of us is capable of bad, because no one is good inside.
That tells why a bunch of bad things happen.
XX- The devil directs his demons to capitalize on the bad in the world and the bad in us, to destroy God’s plan for saving us.
It’s a life-and-death fight to the finish, and we humans are the target, the prize.
We see depravity in ourselves and our vulnerability to lies and deceit.
And over and over we see extreme evil taking control of people to do unthinkable horror—no explanation but demonic.
That tells why a bunch of bad things happen.

XX- When Jesus came to save us, the devil tried EXTRA HARD to mess it up, and demon possession was everywhere.
Any time God moves in a special, powerful way (like now in many places), the devil works harder against God and God’s people.
More Christian martyrs in 20th century than all previous combined.
That tells why a bunch of bad things happen.

–

What are we supposed to do about evil and the devil and demons ?
DO NOT claim or try to deal with any of this yourself, by thinking a certain way.
We must get close to God, to connect with His power.
How ?
The Bible has the power, and the name of Jesus has the power.
When you sincerely call on Jesus, out loud, and when you say what the Bible says, out loud, because God said it and because you believe it—the devil has to leave (just like he left Jesus when Jesus quoted Scripture).

The Bible tells [us who are] Jesus followers:
++ “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.”
++ “Be courageous; do not fear.”
++ “Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
++ “Fight the good fight of faith, and in the end receive the salvation of your souls.”
++ “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.”
++ “Bear each other’s burdens; and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
++ “Remember those in bonds, as though were in prison with them, and those who are being mistreated, as if you yourselves were suffering.”.”
++ “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, roams about as a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith.”
++ “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”
++ “Greater is He Who is in you, than he who is in the world.”
++ “They overcame by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.”

++ “He who endures to the end—that one will be saved.”

What ARE WE GOING TO DO about the evil and the evil one and the evil ones (demons) ?
Choose today whom you will serve, one hundred percent, one or the other, all or nothing.
Choose Jesus.
Spend time with Jesus.
Spend time in the Bible.
Spend time talking with Jesus.

Spend time encouraging others who follow Jesus, and they will encourage you.

–

* So they say it’s always been bad, always been evil in the world.
True, but it’s also true that the Bible says, “In the last days evil will get worse and worse.”
The Bible, and only the Bible, is true—always has been true, always will be true !

Filed Under: Educational, Faith Based, Inspirational, Political---Cultural

A.I. IS NOT – CANNOT

July 31, 2025 By Leave a Comment

Artificial Intelligence is not wisdom.

Artificial Intelligence cannot begin to provide wisdom.

UNLESS – – –
Unless Artificial Intellligence quotes the Bible on wisdom, and where it comes from, where it starts.
And there is plenty of material available there, without creating or inventing, or ever consulting AI.

Human Intelligence, and Artificial Intelligence, can never come up with wisdom, which comes from God—no matter how hard ‘they’ try, and no matter how much ‘they’ claim.

Discern the difference between knowledge and wisdom, and never turn to AI for wisdom.

Filed Under: Educational, Faith Based, Political---Cultural

LUTHERAN/CATHOLIC – WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE ?

July 31, 2025 By Leave a Comment

Lutheran doctrine clearly states their difference, their distinction from Catholic doctrine.
But then it lapses into words and patterns similar to Catholic.

And much of Lutheran practice continues the same as Catholic.

And, sad but true, the effect on both Lutherans and Catholics for their eternal welfare is terrifying.
While the stated Lutheran doctrine that Jesus saves may be there, most people attending and following the rituals and saying the right words will count on going to heaven because they did what the church told them to do (the trademark of Catholicism).

And if there is any doubt about any Lutheran’s salvation, there will be a public declaration at the funeral that the person became a Christian as a baby and confirmed the faith at 12. And this reinforces to everyone in the audience that this is how you come to faith—get baptized and take their ‘classes’.

Individual, voluntary repentance to become a Christian is overshadowed by the church publicly declaring a person is right with God because of what they did, and what the church did.

Filed Under: Educational, Faith Based, Political---Cultural

PARENTING

July 22, 2025 By Leave a Comment

Be strict enough so it means something.

Be strict enough so you can show mercy that means something.

Filed Under: Educational, Family, Inspirational

WEARY, TOO

July 22, 2025 By Leave a Comment

I’m not the only one weary of ‘finding a church ?’ and giving up.

Then what ?

Many have given up on church—many of my friends—and Sunday has no meaning different from the other days.
Many families are left without spiritual leadership and direction, when the father and husband does not step up to his God-given place in the home (that the church had served, filled, before).

Many have tasted the blessing of worshipping together as a family, with other families, and hearing simple, rich teaching from the Bible to satisfy their souls.
Then something went wrong, and they forever cannot fail to see the fallacies and pitfalls in every other church they might consider.

–

“Lord, give me wisdom to give a word of real encouragement to someone in that place.”

–

Christians, Jesus Followers, we need each other—together.
If not in a ‘church’, then let’s get together in a home.
That’s how real church started at the start, at the beginning.
Let’s start over.
It’s time.

–

And, God knows we need the break.
“The Sabbath (day of rest) was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”
There is freedom in one care-free day spent with God with family and friends.

Response :
“Struggling (weary) to keep working every day—can’t afford to skip a day every week, and not work.”
Dichotomy like tithing – is it a blessing, or “I can’t afford to tithe.”

–

One Day
No Work.
No Plans.
No Rush.
No Worry.
No Hurry.
No Regret.

No Kidding.
No Excuses.
No Delay.

Nothing else to say.
D O I T ! ! !

Filed Under: Educational, Faith Based, Family, Inspirational, Time

REPENT – BELIEVE – – – MOTIVE ?

July 22, 2025 By Leave a Comment

I’ve always heard, and I still declare every Sunday at the park, that you come to Jesus by admitting your sin and accepting His payment for your sin—believing in Jesus to go to heaven and not go to hell.

Now, I hear a shift in motivation:
After extensive, detailed description of end-times prophecy, there is a call to accept Jesus to avoid the tribulation.

Summarized by advertised message title–
“Escape The Coming Night”.

Filed Under: Educational, Faith Based, Time

ANOTHER YEAR – – – ADD OR SUBTRACT

July 20, 2025 By Leave a Comment

Another year
Another birthday

What is our focus ?

— add to the number—another year, with more of God’s blessings to thank God for.
“Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come. It’s grace that brought me safe thus far; and grace will lead me home.”

OR

— subtract from the number—another year, with less time to serve Him
“Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”

Filed Under: Educational, Faith Based, Political---Cultural, Time
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