‘RELIGIOUS’ RITUALS

Rituals—acts performed to reflect and reinforce commitment to deeply held beliefs.

Religious rituals—acts performed to reflect and reinforce commitment to deeply held beliefs about God (gods), including how to approach Him, how to appease Him, and how to be right with Him when we die.

There are many other categories of rituals that people engage in—shall I say ‘religiously’—that may add meaning to their life, or may rob them of meaningful life.

There are things we do, things we spend time and money on, things we sacrifice for, that we believe will make our life better, or even make someone else’s life better.
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Stop for a minute.
Think of rituals in your life.
Are some good ?
Are some bad ?
Are some ugly ?

Good–
+ holidays
+ with family
+ with friends
+ with like-minded believers
+ with God
+ with yourself for health, fitness
+ funerals—knew Jesus?—YES

Bad–
— working for unpleasant person
— fixing others’ mistakes, again
— fixing your own mistakes, again
— cleaning up after another disaster
— sin, consequences, repentance
— funerals—knew Jesus?—? ? ?

Ugly–
X losing job (not your fault), looking for another
X obeying bad government
X paying taxes for abortion
X bearing others’ intentional attacks, hurts
X cancer, chemo
X funerals—knew Jesus?—NO

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I live in Central Texas, fifteen miles from I-35.
Every time I watch the traffic on I-35, it feels like everybody’s doing a ritual.
It’s a ritual developed over time, simple at first, to a massive lifeline for our survival, that we can’t do without.
Well, that’s nothing new.
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We recently completed a major expansion of this artery, and now the nation’s lifeblood flows much better (for the most part).
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Then I think of how fragile this system of transportation really is.
No one talks about it, because no one can deal with it, if I-35 (etc) goes down.
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We deal with accidents and delays fairly well, and accept the cost.
But someone is waiting to shut down our life-sustaining system that keeps our transportation system alive—electricity.
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Oh, we know all about that, and we know we can’t do anything about it.
SO, . . . ? ? ?
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Religious rituals invoke God to help—performed at all times, so we can count on His help when disaster strikes, hopefully.
Frankly, I don’t see any religious rituals now that would count with God when electricity is out permanently.

The ritual poured into I-35 (24/7) has no provision, no recourse for the day it fails.

Question—
DOES ANYBODY REALLY THINK IT WON’T FAIL ?

Question—
Does anybody have provisions for when it fails ?

Question—
Does anybody know any leader talking about this ?

Question—
Does anybody know how we’re going to eat when we can’t buy food ?
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The only religious ?’ritual’? I ever observe is a comment when this subject is raised—
We just have to trust God when that happens.

Hmmm.
Noah comes to mind.
We like the Bible story.
We know there was wickedness, like we have today.
They knew there was impending judgment—Noah told them.
Who in their right mind would spend a hundred years PREPPING ?

Nobody
NOBODY
N O B O B Y
considered repentance.
So, not a chance for revival.
So, not a chance for survival.

Is it really any different in America today, really ?
I only hear about hope—if only Christians would just vote.

1- Rituals, especially religious rituals without repentance, make God sick.
2- Sacramental abominations on children make God angry.
3- Anyone who curses Israel guarantees God’s promised curse.

America is full of all three.
America is judged.
The Judge’s sentence is underway.

We need preaching, teaching, instruction now for survival in Babylon.

“NO INNOCENT CIVILIAN CASUALTIES”

“No innocent civilian casualties allowed in the war on terror.”
—–supporters of bad ideas, out of touch with reality, pro-terrorists

Evil, aggressive, blatant brutality against civilians calls for defensive retaliation to take out the enemy.
Israel has done more than any other country to avoid civilian casualties as they proceed to defeat the evil, for Israel’s very survival.

History is filled with consistent, hateful opposition to Israel and the Jews, because they are God’s chosen people, with His fulfilled promise to bring us the Savior of the whole world through them.
God’s promise and warning 3800 years ago has never been rescinded:
To Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you (and your descendants), and I will curse those who curse you (and your descendants). In you (and your descendant, the Savior Jesus) all the nations of the earth will be blessed.”
We will now observe God keeping His Word—HE WILL KEEP HIS WORD !

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+x+x+x+x Where is the same outrage against innocent civilian casualties in the current American civil war over abortion ?
Millions, millions, and millions more ! ! !

We already had a civil war over slavery (America half-slave, half-free)—man’s inhumanity to man—some civilian casualties—many, most casualties by combatants.

The current civil war over abortion (America half-death, half-life) has 100% innocent civilian casualties, by definition.
The current civil war specifically targets killing all innocent civilians involved—not a word of complaint from the above protesters.

Instead—universal defense for militant combatants committing the atrocities against innocent civilians.
Instead—all-out war against defenders of the innocent civilian casualties.

WAITING ON GOD – – – OR . . .

Waiting on God is legitimate, Biblical.

“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength—
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not grow weary,
they shall walk and not faint.”

As I get older and less capable of many things in my past, I realize a special application of this verse for seniors.
I’m actually surprised I haven’t heard this from anyone.

The three promises seem to be a regression to less impressive action.
Then I saw the comfort of renewing strength, through the stages of life, including the times of flying high for God (like an eagle), the times of running full speed for God (without tiring), and now walking with Jesus (without giving up).

“As your days, so shall your strength be.”

“Teach me, Lord, to wait.”

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What about the “OR” ?
“Can’t wait on God forever . . .”
“Some things you just have to do yourself . . .”
“God helps those that help themselves . . .”
“God can’t steer a parked car . . .”
“God expects us to figure some things out ourselves . . .”
“We must plan and provide for our future . . .”
“What must I DO to be saved (what I must do) . . .”
“Don’t want God waiting on me . . .”
“Waited long enough—got to do something . . .”

Catchy, persuasive, compelling, guilt-ridden, urgent, pressing, responsible, accountable—
Yes, just not Biblical.
Waiting on God means you first tell Him all about your situation, your trouble—“Call upon Me in the day of trouble, . . .”, and then WAIT…..period…..
While You wait, get to work on whatever He puts in front of you.
Don’t think twice (or even once) on the thing you’re waiting about.

If you call on Him about the situation, He wants all the credit for . . . the rest of the verse.
“Call upon Me in the day of trouble [your part], and I will deliver you [His part], and you will glorify Me [your part, His glory—don’t forget].

ALL-TIME OXYMORON – – – MODIFIED FOR SENIORS

Occasional Outbursts of Reality

WHO SAID THAT ?

“If Trump is elected, he will defund Planned Parenthood.”

That was quoted by a Harris supporter, expressing one of the greatest fears of the democrats.

Planned Parenthood is the sacred cow of the religion of the left, and
Abortion is their sacrament.
That is the heart and center of their all-out attacks to defeat or get rid of Trump.

The above quote—–J.D.Vance.

MISTAKE(S) – OR – MASTERMINDED

To put in perspective, words in the following list are very descriptive and appropriate, but they do not come close to telling the truth.
Re-read the list after you find out what I’m talking about.

Incompetence
Uncoordinated
Failure
Disastrous
Disorganized
Chaos
Inexcusable
Colossal Failure
Negligence
Miscommunication
Missing Orders
Bungled
Botched
Ineptitude
Unacceptable
Disorganized
Leaderless
Unprofessional
Ridiculous
Unbelievable
Debacle
Dangerous X Ten
Inexperienced
Unplanned
Untrained
Stupid (synonyms unfit to print here)
Falling Down On The Job

– – O R – –

Americans are not buying the lame excuses and flimsy explanations without answers for the two assassination attempts on Donald Trump.
We all know that those in power in the federal government have been trying everything they possibly could to get rid of Trump for eight years, because he stands in their way to change America. *

Donald Trump is not going away.

The people plagued with TDS—Trump Derangement Syndrome—are so consumed with hatred for Trump and bloodthirst for power, that they can’t stop now trying to get rid of him !
And they are running out of options and time.

Many leaders in government and media and entertainment have committed criminal threats against Trump and his supporters and his Supreme Court appointees.

Agencies of the government have arrested and imprisoned citizens just for being political enemies, and illegally invaded homes to terrorize families to make unjustified arrests.

The intent (and the attempts) to eliminate Trump from power or influence or life by whatever means necessary are not a secret—not anymore, not to anybody.

The coverup is so pathetic already, that any additional attempts will be seen for what they are.

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What about the rest of us Americans ?

Trump said at Mt. Rushmore, “They’re not coming after me; they’re coming after you.”

Netanjahu said the same thing, on a world scale, to Congress in July, “We’re not only protecting ourselves. We’re protecting you . . . Remember this: Our enemies are your enemies, our fight is your fight, and our victory will be your victory.”

Those coming after Israel—they’re coming after America—they’re coming after Trump—they’re coming after Americans.
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It is clear, out in the open, that Trump supporters that believe in Making America Great Again are equal targets for elimination along with Trump.

Americans are the frog in the pot of water that is now boiling.
Anyone who tries to jump out of the pot and fight will be shot.

The willingness and readiness of American government leaders to kill American citizens—as many as necessary—is verified by two cold facts.

ONE–
Anyone advocating and willing to kill millions more American babies, to get elected, will kill millions more Americans, to stay in power.
TWO–
Over a decade ago we the taxpayers funded a billion and a half rounds of ammunition stockpiled for domestic use by the government (5 for each American).
– – –
Americans have their guns.
They will use them.
There will be bloodshed.
Fighting for freedom is still better than slavery.
Dying for freedom is still better than slavery.

Who wins this Second Civil War ?
It will be decided by surveillance technology—intimidation that prevents organization for successful revolution.

– – –

We long since passed the point where traitors were hanged for treason against the United States of America.
We’ve been betrayed.

* “fundamentally change America” by tearing it down for “the great reset” to socialism to marxism to communism to global government—slavery.

HARRIS AGAINST DALEIDEN

Attorney General Kamala Harris of California went after David Daleiden in 2016 for his undercover exposure of Planned Parenthood officials discussing the sale of aborted baby parts.
Her office seized videos and other materials from Deleiden’s home.
Harris responded to pressure from Planned Parenthood to get involved as she had promised a year before.
Harris has a long history of supporting abortion and lgbt matters.

This is no surprise after she has campaigned with the democrat platform the worships abortion and everything lgbt.

Please do not vote for Harris or any democrats in November.
Everything they stand for is against God and America.

It’s time to get it right.
American Family Radio – afr.net
American Family News – afn.net

SUFFERING — WHO NEEDS IT ?

“The further we are away from suffering—our own or someone else’s—the weaker our theology will be.”—–Peter Rosenberger on afr

NO PAIN – NO GAIN – – – THEN AND NOW

NO PAIN—NO GAIN
Fine motivational poster/slogan for youth fitness, generally based on fact.

Now, for seniors, the saying takes on a different wording, also largely based on fact.
PAIN—NO GAIN

“I WILL HUMBLE YOU”

In tears, Gordon McDonald told Ravi Zacharias, after Gordon’s moral failure and loss of ministry, “The Lord told me He would humble me. ‘If you don’t humble yourself, I will humble you.’ The Lord humbled me !”

Then, Ravi had a catastrophic moral failure, ending a massive, worldwide apologetics ministry with dozens of associates.
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Consider the impact of one person, one mighty man of God, man of faith, in a single act of sex outside God’s will.
Consider the resulting devastation on billions of people for over 3000 years—hatred, fighting, killing millions—continuing today.

— The descendants of that sinful sex became a great people.
— The descendants of the same man of God and his wife (from their promised son years later) became a great people.

—- The child from sinful sex—Ishmael.
The descendants, as promised to his desperate mother, Hagaar, became a great people—the Arabs, mostly muslims.
—- The child of promise—Isaac.
The descendants, as promised to his father, Abraham, became a great people—the Children of Israel (Isaac’s son), the Jews.
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God kept His promise to Abraham—all people are blessed (can be blessed) in Abraham’s descendant, Jesus, who died to save anyone who believes.
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One-time sinful sex—consequences ?
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David and Bathsheba—
— Their child died.
— The prophet/preacher told David, “You’re the man!”
— Wrong sex—adultery.
— Stole Uriah’s wife.
— Killed Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah.
— Nathan told David, “The sword will never leave your household.”
— One of David’s sons raped David’s daughter.
— Another of David’s sons killed the rapist.
— Another of David’s sons led a rebellion and took over David’s kingdom (forcing David to flee), until he was killed.
— Another of David’s sons was killed after David died.
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One-time sinful sex—consequences ?