A Word For Thought

‘RELIGIOUS’ RITUALS

November 1, 2024 By Larry Michalk Leave a Comment

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.
– – –
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

– – –

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.
– – –
We recently completed a major expansion of this artery, and now the nation’s lifeblood flows much better (for the most part).
– – –
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.
– – –
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.
– – –
Oh, we know all about that, and we know we can’t do anything about it.
SO, . . . ? ? ?
– – –
– – –
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 ?
– – –
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.

Filed Under: Educational, Faith Based, Family, Financial, Health, Inspirational, Political---Cultural, Time

PERSONAL REFLECTION ON THE ECONOMY

November 1, 2024 By Larry Michalk Leave a Comment

A surprise when my CPA charged a hundred dollars less to do my business taxes for last year.

Reason ?

My company had less business last year, so the CPA had less work, to do my taxes.

Filed Under: Financial, Political---Cultural

SOON ENOUGH

November 1, 2024 By Larry Michalk Leave a Comment

I sent the information below to friends and family, encouraging them to watch the finale of Little House on the Prairie.

One friend responded with this—
“Birthpangs are stronger moment by moment.
It seems the Lord will come back any minute and as far as I’m concerned, it can’t be soon enough!”

My response—
“Indeed !
And, Faithfulness for the evil days ahead, if He doesn’t come back ‘soon enough’.”
– – –
Little House on the Prairie finale 1hr35min
s09b pe 202302 – Special – Little House – Finale (The Last Farewell)_3
– – –
I watched it for the first time last night.
ASTOUNDING
Earthshaking impact for the evils we face today.

Filed Under: Educational, Faith Based, Family, Financial, Inspirational, Movie Review, Political---Cultural, Time

SLOW – SLOWER – S_ _ _ ? ? ?

November 1, 2024 By Larry Michalk Leave a Comment

Severe slowing down – – – Is that a warning or caution sign that the stop sign of life is close ?

Accepting the slowing down of life – – – Could it mean it will take longer to reach the stop sign ?
– – –
The best way to reduce the risk of prematurely approaching the stop sign of life—
+ “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.”
+ “Don’t depend on your own mental capacity.” (or physical capacity)
+ “My flesh and my heart fail, but the Lord is my strength and my portion forever.”
(strength and portion L O N G after flesh and heart fail)
+ “For me to live is Christ—to die is gain.” (live this life, but don’t hold onto it at all cost)
+ “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”
+ “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
+ “As your days, so shall your strength be.” (God gives another day, He gives another day’s strength)
+ “Whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God.”
+ “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
+ “The fear of man brings a snare.” (fear of medical motives and mistakes and money)
+ “Whoever trusts in the Lord will be safe.”
+ “Be a faithful steward.” (of life, time, strength, health, wealth)
+ “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.” (shadow of death, reality of LIFE)
+ “Well done, good and faithful servant—you have been faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” (‘few things’ is everything in this life, faithful to the end—‘many things’ is everything He has planned for us TO DO after this life)

— Keep going.
— Don’t quit.
— Don’t start thinking about deciding to quit.
— God decides when it’s quitting time.
— Stop watching the clock.
— Don’t shortchange the Boss the last hour of the day.
— Don’t cheat Him out of what He assigned you.
— He gave you enough hours in advance to do the job, if you keep going.
— If you need something to make it to quitting time, go over the above again.

— When life itself becomes painful, or painfully unfair—
“Consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

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

ERRORS IN THE BIBLE

October 30, 2024 By Larry Michalk Leave a Comment

If you are a believer, a follower of Jesus, and you read and appreciate the Bible, you may encounter others who want to disprove or disregard the Bible.

1- Ask the person why they are raising their question about the Bible.
A helpful quote, “Remember that every time you are answering a question, you are answering a person.”
The well-being of the person behind the question—and their soul—is most important.
Something in their life may be their real question, their biggest need.

2- While you may or may not have the answer to their question (and you may get the answer), ask the person if their question was answered, would they believe in the Bible and in Jesus.
That could make the conversation more real and honest and productive.

3- When someone brings up something they say is an error in the Bible, the best first step is to get a Bible and let them show you what they are referring to.
If they don’t know, then do not be critical or demeaning.
Take the opportunity to share something from the Bible that shows the singular message about sin and salvation.
You can also invite them to another conversation where they can show you from the Bible why they have the question.
A precious product of this—they had to open the Bible and study, even if with the wrong motive—many have come to faith in Jesus while trying to disprove the Bible.

4- Tell them you take their concern seriously.
Then refer to history filled with all kinds of mistaken ideas that were later corrected by additional information or discoveries.
There have been many disputed facts in the Bible that were proven true by archeology or literary technology.
At any point in time, we might not know everything to make conclusions about what the Bible says.
Have them consider how the Bible was recorded by 40 people over 1500 years, with astounding accuracy and continuity—consistent because it is God’s Word, inspired to be written down by people, to tell us what we need to know.

5- Try to shift the concern from less-important matters—questions that keep us from God—to all-important matters—our sin and our need for a Savior.
Consider the conversation with a person seeking answers, to be the hand of God putting you together to plant a seed in their life, for eternity.
Be honest and real about trying to answer their questions, or get the answers, while showing the greatest questions of life and death and eternity that the Bible answers.

Filed Under: Educational, Faith Based, Inspirational, Time

DEFENSE OF TRINITY

October 30, 2024 By Larry Michalk Leave a Comment

The Father
The Son
The Holy Spirit

God needs no defense.
We need to read, teach, preach what the Bible says about God.

Church leaders, theologians, have shifted from revering what the Bible says about God to emphasizing by constantly repeating what man says about God.
This is a fact in saying trinity over and over and over and over
—without explaining why they say trinity
—without stopping to tell listeners and readers what trinity means
—without ever telling how they came up with trinity
—without telling who came up with trinity
—without telling when they came up with trinity
—without considering if they didn’t have Tertullian inventing trinity (hundreds of years after Jesus)
—without considering whether anyone would come up with trinity on their own from reading the Bible now
—without telling how trinity helps tell the Gospel
—without telling how trinity helps anyone come to faith in Jesus
—without telling how trinity helps anyone grow closer to Jesus after salvation
—without ever considering that there is no defense of trinity
—without admitting that we have to keep saying trinity is an assumption, hollow, empty.

—without considering what a relief, what a freedom, what a power to experience if you just let go of trinity and preach The Word.*

The Bible is complete as written.
The Bible is self-defending.
The Bible is self-explaining.
The Bible is a “sharp, two-edged sword”.
The Bible is our weapon—our offensive weapon.

God clearly gave us exactly what He knows we need to know about Him, in writing.
God has a VERY DIM VIEW of any additions, deletions, corrections to what He has written.

*Practical suggestion:
Every time trinity might appear in your speaking, teaching, preaching, writing, study, preparation—search for a fitting Bible verse instead.

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

TWO EVILS ?

October 26, 2024 By Larry Michalk Leave a Comment

“The lesser of two evils”

I never have liked that line.
It seems to dampen convictions and weaken resolve.

Why are so many people so eager to constantly give apologetic disclaimers about the best candidate we could possibly hope for, with a record-breaking track record, and a clear, defined commitment to more of the same.

This morning, Peter Rosenberger on afr gave the answer I’ve been waiting for:
“Instead of saying ‘the lesser of two evils’, let’s work to lessen the evil.”

Amen !

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

“NO INNOCENT CIVILIAN CASUALTIES”

October 26, 2024 By Larry Michalk Leave a Comment

“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 !

– – –

+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.

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

DO YOU HAVE A WILL – – – #1 – #2

October 26, 2024 By Larry Michalk Leave a Comment

#1- If you died today, what would happen to what you have ?

#2- If you died today, what would happen to you ?
– – –
#1– Without a will, the government decides, and takes what it wants.

#2– Without a spiritual will, the devil decides, and takes what he wants—your soul.

– – –

#1— You probably know about making a will—do it, now !

#2— You need a spiritual will, to cover your soul when you die (and now)—talk to Jesus, tell Him you’re a sinner, ask Him to forgive you and run your life—He will write your name in His Book of Life—and that is your spiritual will—do it, now.

Filed Under: Educational, Faith Based, Family, Financial, Inspirational, Political---Cultural, Time