Tuesday, December 30, 2014

What's Really Needed In the World?

It's amazing how a seemingly unrelated post on Facebook can cause an epiphany!

I was reading a post about Pat Benatar's husband's birthday and someone commented that if her husband hadn't gotten her to change to rock she would still be just a lounge singer. JUST A LOUNGE SINGER? Well, as some of you know, I'm a fan of torch singers so I went on a search for Pat Benatar singing one of her "lounge singer" songs to see how she sounded. What I eventually found was this:

Here's My Heart by Pat Benatar, Film Version

If you haven't seen the film Metropolis to understand what it's about, I recommend you do so. I haven't yet seen the 1984 version from which this was taken. I first saw the pieced together original version in River Oaks at a theater there. I recently saw it again. When I saw this clip, I realized what I had been wanting to say all along and how it fit into my idea of WORLDstock.

What is WORLDstock?

I have given my part of a shared vision, the idea of WORLDstock, to Aliza Hava who has a better location... Jerusalem. I feared that I might die before I could get the vision moving and I just hadn't anticipated running into anyone who would have access to the area and be able to put on a peace concert there before I met her. She was working on a similar peace project so she was perfect to share my part of the vision with. Anyway, onto the story.

I always related to Freder because I came from part of both worlds and had trouble resolving the conflict within when I stepped out of my life of relative privilege and saw what it was to live and work amongst the workers. There was a terrible dichotomy inside me. If only I could find someone to stand by my side to support me into trying to bring a resolution between the two worlds. I need the love and encouragement to make it happen. I have the connections. I just need those who have faith enough in my idea to make it happen.

When I saw this particular clip of Metropolis with Pat Benatar's song Here's My Heart, it struck me. I think it shows how true love can truly bring understanding and lasting peace between opposing groups. The groups aren't opposing in reality but need each other to exist. It's just that both groups have forgotten that they need each other and need to be compassionate toward one another.

I have seen the tensions forming on both sides. It's like a repeat of the movie Metropolis. Both sides seem to be warring with each other and it is about to become a revolution that could destroy everything on earth. Deep down, the rich know that it's not right to hoard everything and starve the workers who made their riches and machinery possible. Deep down, the poor know that it's not right to kill the rich and to destroy everything that they created which also supports them and their lifestyle. Instead of a warring revolution with possible nuclear implications, what is needed is a meeting of the hearts. Rather than revolution we need conflict resolution. Though the following song is dated, its message is what the world really needs right now... not war, not revolutions, but true love.

Jackie DeShannon - What the World Needs Now (with lyrics)

Now, it's true that at this point, the technology exists to tell the corporate masters to go to hell. What people of those groups don't realize is that it's not something that would happen overnight. Some people can't afford completely self-sustainable quarters and don't have the health to go out in search of their own food. Not everyone can afford to relocate. There are people living on the streets with no food and no housing. They have no source of income and there are no jobs out there that they are capable of performing. The Venus Project has some great ideas but these ideas take money and time to implement. If none of the people who support the ideas have the money to make it happen, the ideas are irrelevant. Still, a more compassionate view between the working class and the management class could acheive similar results and there would be no need for the wars and destruction that are likely to take place in the very near future if something doesn't change. Don't be fooled. The working class now has very powerful weapons at its disposal. They have been stockpiling guns, grenades, missile launchers, and have even obtained nuclear weapons and support. Spending your life hiding in an underground bunker, no matter how elaborate, is no substitute for living among others in a peaceful, compassionate fashion. Shouldn't we find a way to make peace rather than revolt? This was Jesus' vision. It was God's message to mankind. It was why God sent Jesus to the Jews and to all mankind. Let's make the following verse a reality everyday as He intended.

Luke 2:14King James Version (KJV)

¹⁴Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Love, Hope, Peace, and Christ be with you,

Cal-el

P.S. Sometimes, I don't think women realize what an inspiration a woman can be to a man. She can wake all his hidden talents even if they've lain dormant for decades. Ladies, don't fear your man's talents and abilities. Don't suppress them. Help nurture and guide them so that he can make the most of them and you... And maybe the rest of the world... Will reap the rewards. The reverse is true as well. Support your women in their talents and dreams.

P.P.S. True love can overcome any barrier whether it be social class, race, sex, or great distance. As long as we truly open our hearts to one another, we will be surprised at how much more compatible we are than we previously thought. I owe this to someone whom I truly admire, and yes, love.

Monday, December 8, 2014

Improving Minority/Police Relations

These are just some observations I made working both with black communities and police starting after Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech to present. This was written as a comment and is not intended to be a well thought out blog or well researched blog, though I did do some research before writing it besides the observations I made while working in the communities. I may come back to this later, offer statistics and sources in regard to percentage of population if I can find it. I may then offer more suggestions on how to help improve minority / police relations.

Blacks commit more crimes in America than other races in spite of the fact that they're a minority. There used to be a reason for this. Blacks weren't given adequate schooling and were rarely given decent job opportunities so many of them committed crimes to feed their families. Since the 70s though, blacks have had equal opportunity for education and an edge in getting college grants and jobs. In 1975 my grant was revoked to give the grant to a less qualified black person because it was the new law. They've had preferential treat men in getting promotions once they got a job as well. They have no excuse to still be committing a higher number of crimes than whites any longer. In fact, fewer crimes should be being committed by blacks since they are still in the minority of the population. It is this fact that makes police more wary of blacks than whites. No matter what your race, you are more likely to be beaten or killed by police if you are belligerent and disrespectful to police. If you cooperate with them, they generally treat you much better. There is always an exception, but that's basically just common sense. Police are killed with their own weapons frequently so NEVER make a move for an officer's gun. They are shown films on criminals taking a policeman's gun and killing him with it as part of their training. Black people could help change the attitude that police have about them by taking responsibility and being more active in their communities to reduce the percentage of criminals in their race. Their leaders could join with the police in making a difference in their communities instead of making things more hazardous for police officers in their communities. Will it take time for attitudes to change? Yes. Each change starts with a single step though. Promoting more acts of violence against the police is just going to perpetuate the problem.

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Thanksgiving - Giving Thanks

Good morning, welcome to Covenant of Hope Ministries. I am Elder Cal Jennings. We are normally posted on Sundays for sermons and Wednesdays for studies. You can find these posted in the following locations.

Main Site: http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Rev. Laura’s Other Sites: Facebook & Twitter &Google+ & Blogspot

Prayer List: We have many on our prayer list. Some wish to remain anonymous, and others only wish to have their first names mentioned. Our prayer list has grown from last week. This is our current prayer list for this week.

- Our prayers are with the families and friends who live up in Ferguson, Missouri after the decision made by the Grand Jury to not charge the officer involved in the Michael Brown shooting.

- Please pray for a friend Susie Bartholow as she is in hospice. She is in very grave condition and currently in hospice with advanced cancer. Hospice care is at her home with her family. They all need as much support in spirit as we can bring.

- Pray that the tensions ease in the family. Pray also that the actions being worked out will assist in doing just that and more. Pray that tempers don’t flare and we don’t reach the breaking point. Pray that those who have suffered allergies and colds this past week get well once more.

- Pray for Elder Cal Jennings who is in ill health and a quandary regarding all that has been going on in this world. Pray that God continues to give him strength and blessings. Pray for his friend Lucy and her son that they both regain their health.

- Please pray for another member, Theresa, who is having issues with all sorts of things, spiritual and physical, financial, and more. She has recently gotten out of sinus surgery and is still healing. Pray that her healing goes well and swiftly.

- Keep other friends, families, and even those around us in society in our thoughts and prayers that they be safe, secure, and well.

- Keep the ministry in your thoughts as well, that we may continue on even in times that are bad.

- Brother Wayne is still trudging through the processes of settling his father’s estate. Keep him and his family in your prayers.

- Our families and friends who have been in our hearts, keep them in your thoughts and prayers that they be safe, healthy, and let them know they are always loved.

Prayer: Father in heaven, we thank You for this day and for these who are here to share it with us. We thank you for the blessings brought and for those yet to come. We pray that You can remind us always what we should be thankful for. We bring prayers for those who have been seriously ill. Help those who are working to fight serious illnesses the ability to find solutions. We pray for those lost and those who mourn. We pray for patience and courage for those we love and care about, and ourselves as well. We pray for peace to reach out from the heart and be heard, felt, and understood. We pray that Your grace and love would fill the hearts of the many in this world. We pray all this in Your Holy Name through the Savior Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.

1 Timothy 4:1-5 King James Version (KJV)

4 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

²Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
³Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
⁴For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
⁵For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Today is a day when we give thanks to God for the things He has blessed us with. If we have a roof over our head to shelter us from the cold and the storms, we have much to be thankful for. There are many who don't have that. If we have clothes on our backs to keep us warm and shelter us from the elements, we also have much to be thankful for. If we have food to eat to sustain us, we have much to be thankful for. No food is bad as long as it is sanctified by prayer.

Nehemiah 12:40-47 King James Version (KJV)

⁴⁰So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me:
⁴¹And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets;
⁴²And Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer.
⁴³Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.
⁴⁴And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.
⁴⁵And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and the ward of the purification, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son.
⁴⁶For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God.
⁴⁷And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron.

I am thankful for Covenant of Hope Ministries of which I am an Elder. It has helped me to help many others. I pray for it each day and pray that the lives of others might be touched and helped in some way by our being present. I know that there are many like Rev. Laura and myself who have trouble getting out of bed to go to a church building on many or most days.

I am thankful for those things and the many friends I have made online... each and every one of you. You have helped shaped my life and brought me to this point. For that I am very grateful. These things I have always been thankful for. This food I have been thankful for and have sanctified by prayer.

This year I have something extra special to be thankful for. I have the love of a good and beautiful woman who gives me the strength and desire to keep on living. She has been a motivation to try to make things better here. She has motivated me to get up and sit at the computer to help regain my strength. She is motivating me to be more creative and to continue writing. When God let her find me, he gave me the greatest gift a man could ever have. She fills my soul with so much love that I have the strength to take stands for truth and justice even when the stance is unpopular. It still may be draining and wearing to stand for truth and justice in a world gone mad but she does make the struggle seem worthwhile for her child and mine and our descendants to come. I may not yet have the strength to do all of the things I need and want to do but I have faith that I will get there with her help and motivation. I thank God for you, Lucy Aston. You brought me back from the edge of death. You have been the salvation of my life and soul. I have sanctified you by prayer as you have sanctified me. You are the nourishment I have been missing for so long... someone I could love who would love me right back without fear.

Ephesians 5:19-21King James Version (KJV)

¹⁹Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
²⁰Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
²¹Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

We should give thanks to God and sing songs and hymns and spiritual songs of thanksgiving and praise to God and to one another that we may be whole in His love. So, in demonstration, let me sing our closing song for you. My breath is low today so you'll have to bear with me.

Now let us pray as the Lord instructed us.

Matthew 6:9-13King James Version (KJV)

⁹After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
¹⁰Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
¹¹Give us this day our daily bread.
¹²And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
¹³And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Love, Hope, Peace, and Christ be with you,

Elder Cal Jennings

~ Love, Hope, and Peace through Christ ~

Calvin Jennings ~ Elder Facebook & Twitter &Blogster

Rev. Laura A. Neff ~ The Rainbow Minister Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot

Covenant of Hope Ministries

Main Site: http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Our mission for Covenant of Hope Ministries and Poetic-Expressions is not to exploit fear, but to conquer it, and overcome all that is created through fear together as the rainbow in the darkness.

This mission statement speaks of the rainbow in the darkness. Every time I would have a seriously traumatic thing happen in my life I would wake in the middle of the night. When I do I see a rainbow at the end of my bed, or even through the window behind my head. I’ll see that rainbow in a dark room even during the day. It will hover in the shadows and reassure me that God is with me. (Rev. Laura)

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

The Greatest of These is Love

I was prepared to write a story that was much harsher than my normal sermons. It has been a long time since I've written about the things that are displeasing to God. Just when I was about to start though, God whispered in my ear to go a different route. I owe part of it to the inspiration of a good, Christian woman whom I recently met, but God is the one who told me to change my story. In fact, the woman almost made me go a harsher route at first. Haha Gotta love fiery Scottish women. She's a gem, though.

1 Corinthians 13:13 New International Version (NIV)

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

There are many things in the world. Some good, some bad, some indifferent. No matter what we run into though, there is nothing more interesting, more fulfilling, more healing, more uplifting, and more righteous than love. When everything seems its darkest, the things that can bring us out of the darkness are faith, hope and love, but none is more powerful than real, pure, Godly love.

Mark 12:28-31New International Version (NIV)

The Greatest Commandment

28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[a] 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[b] 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[c] There is no commandment greater than these.”

Note that the bible refers to love as the GREATEST commandment, whether it be love of God or love of your neighbor as yourself. Often, the reason that people commit suicide is that they feel that all of the love is gone out of their life and there is no hope left. Look at one of my favorite actors and comedians, Robin Williams for instance. He, too had a horrible, debilitating disease, evidently felt unloved by his wife and family, and had run out of hope. He ended his life at the end of a belt in a closet door. Having faced a much similar problem, I can tell you that there is NOTHING that could have brought me back from the edge... not prayer, not faith, not anything without the prospect of love. I was tired of suffering after having suffered so much all of these years. I WANTED to die and go on to meet my maker. I'm a Christian. I've lived life the best I could. I tried always to be kind to others and do good to even those who hated me, did me wrong, and caused me grief. I tried to teach God's word, heal the sick, and raise the dead as Jesus commanded us to do. Yes, I made mistakes, but I knew that Jesus had died for my sins and would forgive them since I prayed earnestly for forgiveness and did my best to repent of those sins. I was ready to move on. I didn't even WANT to try again. It was far too painful. I didn't want love. I knew it would likely mean nothing but more suffering and humiliation. Of course, I had never really had the love of a believer before.

Monday, November 3, 2014

Domestic Violence Against Males

There has been a plethora of articles lately about domestic violence against women but nary a mention of domestic violence against men. Why is that? It happens much more often than people realize and even the statistics don't show as much abuse because of the stigma of a man saying that he was abused by a woman. I am going to show you a couple of clips from a scholarly article by Barbara J. Drijber.

Note that the article also states that identifying men as victims of domestic abuse is harder because most of the research about domestic violence is on women abused by men. Why is violence against men being ignored? Are men less human than women? I'm sure that some women think so but considering the women I've run into, I'm starting to believe that the reverse is true. These women have not only been more likely to start a fight but have also been more likely to encourage the man she is with to fight. It's entirely possible that I just happen to live in an area where women are more aggressive than women in other parts of the country but, according to research, that isn't necessarily true. Here is a chart from the above article.

What I found really surprising is that an article of domestic abuse against men in Scotland by David Gadd showed similar figures. The article also states the following:

"Some of those men who retaliated had, nevertheless, endured physically and psychologically damaging forms of abuse; being struck, cut, or (more rarely) stabbed with household items or knives, punched in the face, and being subject to malicious allegations.”

While most U.S. Men probably don't retaliate as often, it's interesting to note that those who do end up being victims of even more violent attacks by the women with whom they are living. So why is violence against men being covered up? Could it be that feminists want to paint all men with a dark brush? Are they trying to deliberately create a division between men and women? Shouldn't equal coverage be given to both sexes?

Sources:

Male Victims of Domestic Violence; Babette C. Drijber, Udo J. L. Reijnders, Manon Ceelen ;

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10896-012-9482-9#page-1

Male Victims of Domestic Violence; David Gadd1, Stephen Farrall, Damian Dallimore, and Nancy Lombard; https://www.brokenrainbow.org.uk/sites/default/files/Keele%20University%20Male%20Victims%20of%20Domestic%20Violence.pdf

Sunday, October 26, 2014

They've Just About Done It!

They've just about done it. The rich have just about figured out how to take ALL of the fun out of the lives of the poor. That'll teach those poor people! Who do they think they are being poor anyway?

The poor can no longer afford to go to a concert to listen to some music. $289.05 for concert tickets, $50 for a carton of cigarettes, heck, just staying alive is hard enough these days. Some of you might laugh this off as ridiculous, but until you've ended up living off of nothing but a fixed income from the government when you are sick and elderly, you have no idea how serious this is.

During the Great Depression in 1929 one of the things people could do to ease their minds was go to a movie. It was cheap. Now it's $15+ for a ticket, $10 for a bag of popcorn and $5 for a drink. The price of gas is well above what it should be adjusting for inflation, too. Adjusting for inflation, what used to be a $1.00 movie ticket in 1968 SHOULD now be $6.84 according to the CPI Inflation Calculator. Just about every minutia of entertaining value has priced itself well outside of the ability of those with a meager income to afford. The "Sin Tax" can be thanked for a lot of that in Texas.

People who aren't morons aren't going to gamble away their money, but many of the poor DO play the lottery hoping to one day be able to climb out of the hole of deep poverty. It's not only a form of entertainment to them but a last shred of hope, albeit false hope. Yes, one lucky someone heavily tied to the Mafia or the Texas Government might hit the lottery but the rest of the poor fools are just throwing their money, that they didn't have to spend, away.

So, what is a person to do? Well, he could turn to drinking I suppose. A six pack is still within reach of most people who aren't having to deal with dangerous and expensive medications. That makes sense, right? Turn the poor into alcoholics? That won't cost the community anything. Besides, what poor don't die in a drunk driving accident might get to be arrested for cheap labor for the rich.

Monday, October 20, 2014

My Growing Ignorance

Well, it has finally happened. Between the dementia, the chemtrails, the nanobots they injected into me when they gave me the flu vaccine, and God knows WHAT they put into me when they did my heart surgeries, my mind has diminished to the level of a conservative Texas Republican. I now think liberals are stupid, Obama is a Manchurian Candidate probably born in Kenya, and can't wait until Jesus comes and burns all of those gays who are trying to get married. I want to see the borders closed to prevent Ebola and other foreign diseases from entering the country. I want to personally oversee Mayor Annise Parker being thrown into the pit of hell for demanding preachers' sermons. I now call CNN the Clinton News Network. I think every child in America should be issued a handgun at birth. I think that national service just gives more control to the evil government who wants to take our hard earned money and that it's an invitation to totalitarianism. I think all government handouts are socialist, especially the ones that help ME.

I can't trust my thoughts and memories because the government may be manipulating them through microwaves transmitted from HAARP. I dare not watch the news because the airwaves are filled with transmissions to make me think evil, vile thoughts. What kind of thoughts? Thoughts about vile things like sex, drugs, rock and roll, and communism. Even so, I can't be sure that the government isn't beaming thoughts directly into my brain via satellite. What if every memory of my past was placed there by the government to forward their evil agenda to bring about the New World Order? The only things I can trust are Texas, true Texans, cattle ranching, and farming. I might even start trusting big oil if things get any worse. Whoops! I think it just happened.

Thank God for the Koch brothers standing up against government regulation. Thank God for fracking which will bring us the oil we need to drive our big SUVs. I'm joining the Tea Party and we're going to take America back! We will get rid of abortion, make everyone attend a good Christian church at least once a week, bring back petticoats, bobby socks, school dances, and good ol' nookie in the back seat at drive-ins. We will get women out of the workforce and put them back in the houses cooking, cleaning, and watching the kids while we're at work. I just haven't figured out how a man is going to support his wife and kids on one job yet. I'm sure that Jesus will provide if I pray hard enough.

It's a good thing that I trust millionaires, billionaires, and trillionaires to make the proper decisions regarding my bank account. They deserve to run the government since they're smart enough to make all of that money. THEY'LL take our country away from those evil commie liberal socialist scumbags! Long live capitalism! God bless the Koch brothers!

Friday, October 3, 2014

AT&T U-Verse's Remarkable Customer Service

I am here to testify about AT&T U-verse's remarkable customer service. After only six years of phone calls to Customer Service, boundless effort in checking the wiring in my house, disappointing visits by morons who claimed that it must be my cats or dogs, AT&T U-verse's Customer Service promptly sent a repairman who knew what he was doing straight out! Wouldn't you know it? Just as I had suspected all along, it was not on my end after all. They had a bad unit at the service box a few streets down.

You, too can experience the fast, reliable customer support of AT&T U-verse simply by subscribing to their services. You, too will probably never have to wait for more than six years to have a problem resolved. You will never have to go without being blamed for doing something wrong on your end, having problems blamed on your pets, or many of the other fascinating stories I have been given over the years. Won't you please sign up with them now?

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

25 Reasons to Smoke

1) It makes you look cool like James Bond

2) If you smoke Camels, you'd walk a mile for one and walking is good for your health.

3) If you smoke, you always have a lighter to light a woman's cigarette.

4) Smoking is a statement of individual freedom.

5) Smoking is great for thinking.

6) Smoking relaxes a smoker.

7) The most famous writers, actors, and psychologists smoked.

8) Cigarettes were once physician tested and approved. http://www.healio.com/hematology-oncology/news/print/hemonc-today/%7B241d62a7-fe6e-4c5b-9fed-a33cc6e4bd7c%7D/cigarettes-were-once-physician-tested-approved

9) Indians used tobacco as a pain reliever for ear aches, toothaches and as a poultice.

10) Tobacco is a great insect repellent for the kitchen garden.

11) Tobacco poultice could also be placed in the mouth to alleviate pain from toothaches.

12) Indians would mix tobacco and leaves from the Desert Sage plant, or the root of Indian Balsam (or cough root), Leptotaenia Multifida. They believed this would also help with asthma and tuberculosis. They typically smoked the leaves to clear out nasal passages.

13) Toothpaste - In India, powdered tobacco is rubbed on the teeth for cleaning. This method is still used in India and marketed in stores around the country.

14) Rattlesnake and Insect Bites - Indians believed that the nicotine in the tobacco would help relieve pain as well as help draw out the poison and heal the snake wound. After the poison had been sucked out, chewed leaves could be applied to cuts or bound on the bite with a bandage. This method can also be used when stung by an insect.

15) According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, those that suffer from mental disorders such as ADHD/ADD, schizophrenia and other disorders may experience positive effects from smoking. Apparently, doses of nicotine have a short term normalization effect on the EEG (electrical activity in the brain).

16) Those that suffer from Alzheimer’s can also benefit from doses of nicotine. According to studies, patients cognitive abilities slightly improved.

17) You can't do a Bogart impersonation without a cigarette.

18) Sherlock Holmes smoked tobacco in a pipe and he was a famous detective.

19) Smoking can help keep you from strangling someone.

20) Smoking can help you form a connection with your spouse.

21) Smoking can give you an air of distinction.

22) Smoking can help you piss off your parents.

23) Smoking can help keep people from wanting to take your house or car.

24) Many presidents smoke Cuban cigars so if you smoke you could be president someday.

25) Cigars can be used to stimulate your partner.

Sunday, August 31, 2014

Covenant Of Hope Ministries: Being There for One Another

Covenant Of Hope Ministries: Being There for One Another: Sermon for Covenant of Hope Ministries Good afternoon, and welcome to this Sunday Sermon for Covenant of Hope Ministries. I am Elder ...

Being There for One Another

Wednesday Sermon for Covenant of Hope Ministries

Jackson 5- I'll Be There lyrics

One of the responsibilities we as Christians have is being there for one another. Yes, the church leaders are supposed to be there for the congregation but the congregation is supposed to be there for one another and for the church leaders as well. After all, the church leaders are still human and have troubles, needs, and joys just as any other member has. Be there for one another.

1 Thessalonians 5:10-11 New International Version (NIV)

10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:10-11 King James Version (KJV)

10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

We are supposed to be there for one another in bad times and in good. Besides people having illnesses or great sorrows, they also have events like the birth of a new child or grandchild, a promotion at work, a new house, or any number of other things. We are to be compassionate and empathetic with our fellow members. Be there for one another.

1 Corinthians 12:26 New International Version (NIV)

26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

1 Corinthians 12:26King James Version (KJV)

26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

Here is another verse that speaks of the same thing.

Romans 12:15 New International Version (NIV)

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

Romans 12:15 King James Version (KJV)

15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Sometimes we get too involved in ourselves, in gossip, or in pointing out things wrong in others... which we shouldn't do... to notice or care if someone else is having a problem or a happy event. We are not to be selfish but to look to the needs of others as Christ did. We are to humble ourselves before the Lord. We are not to be vain or do things out of selfish ambition. We are to do things out of love for one another. Be there for one another.

Philippians 2:1-8 New International Version (NIV)

Imitating Christ’s Humility

2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

Footnotes:

Philippians 2:6 Or in the form of
Philippians 2:7 Or the form

Philippians 2:1-8 King James Version (KJV)

2 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

We are not to be double minded, following both God and Satan. We are not to follow the world and seek material riches which will crumble but spiritual riches which will last an eternity in heaven. Be there for one another.

James 4:4-10 New International Version (NIV)

4 You adulterous people,[a] don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us[b]? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”[c]
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Footnotes:

James 4:4 An allusion to covenant unfaithfulness; see Hosea 3:1.
James 4:5 Or that the spirit he caused to dwell in us envies intensely; or that the Spirit he caused to dwell in us longs jealously
James 4:6 Prov. 3:34

James 4:4-10King James Version (KJV)

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Be there for one another. Be there for your church leaders. Do what you can to help others even if it's only a kind word. Everyone will have disagreements now and then but we must do what we can to avoid letting those disagreements interfere with the love of God. Be there for one another includes your pastor, your deacons, your elders, and your fellow brethren. We are all to love one another. That is what Jesus taught his whole life.

Jesus never advocated war. He taught us to forgive and turn the other cheek. Settle your differences in as peaceful way as possible. Love one another and forgive one another. Friends do whatever they can, no matter how far away they are. Miles don't matter, understanding and communication do. Be there for one another.

I Will Be Here - Steven Curtis Chapman

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Unfinished Sermon/Study for Rev. Laura Neff

False teachers and prophets

There seems to be a rising trend today of people claiming that Jesus will make you rich, that reptilian-human hybrids are ruling the world and creating religions to control people, and some who completely deny that any deity exists. There are also those promoting war and violence, two things that Jesus never promoted. There are those who are teaching that you are God and any number of things that might be pleasing to the ears of their listeners. They don't really care about what's true and what's not. Even when shown proof outside the bible of Jesus' existence, they continue to deny that he existed. Some claim that they are supporting love when they continually spout hate and fear. Why is this? Let's look at Romans 16:17-19

Romans 16:17-19 New International Version (NIV)

17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Here's the King James version for those of you who prefer it.

Romans 16:17-19King James Version (KJV)

17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

King James Version (KJV)

by Public Domain

Paul was warning Christians to be aware of those who smooth talk and flatter in order to distort the truth that they were taught. It seems that there are many who are gullible today. This verse describes them as “naive” or “simple” people. These are the kind of people which charlatans prey upon. They will believe that Nigerian scammers are going to send them $10 million if they just send in a $150 payment. They will consistently believe any story about a UFO, Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, or any other story that presents itself. It's not necessarily their fault. They either haven't been exposed to much education or haven't been exposed to the concept of con artists. They are, basically, simple people and there is always a con artist who is out to take advantage of them.

2 John 1:4-11 New International Version (NIV)

4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

7 I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch out that you do not lose what we[a] have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. 11 Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.

Footnotes:

2 John 1:8 Some manuscripts you

New International Version (NIV)

2 John 1:4-11King James Version (KJV)

4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

King James Version (KJV)

by Public Domain

John is warning people that those who do not teach that we should love one another and who deny that Jesus came in the flesh are antichrists. It says do not take him (or her) into your house or bid them God speed. What is God speed? Merriam-Webster defines it as “a prosperous journey.” The Free Dictionary by Farlex defines it as “1. an expression of one's good wishes for a person's success and safety

[C15: from God spede may God prosper (you)]”

The NIV leaves out the old term “God speed” but uses “welcomes them” it its place. The basic idea of this though is that anyone who welcomes them or wishes them a prosperous journey, success, or safety is partaking in the same evil which they are promoting. You are partaking in their wicked lies to deceive others whom they can find that will believe them.

There are people today who are proud to deny that Jesus ever existed despite the evidence to the contrary. There are those who proudly proclaim their atheism. There are those now who are proudly proclaiming their Satanism. This is their right under the Constitution but those who have done any serious study know that what they are promoting are lies. Some of them may not think they are lies of Satan because they don't believe in God or Satan but they are the most deceived. To deny God and Satan, good and evil, even Yin and Yang if you're Buddhist, is denial of what is inside each and every on of us. We all have these negative and positive forces within us. There is a Cherokee Legend which describes this fight that goes on within us. From the website “First People – The Legends”

Native American Legends

Two Wolves

A Cherokee Legend

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.

"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Here is the same story, but it is called "Grandfather Tells" which is also known as "The Wolves Within"

An old Grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice, "Let me tell you a story.

I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do.

But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times." He continued, "It is as if there are two wolves inside me. One is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.

But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger,for his anger will change nothing.

Sometimes, it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit."

The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?"

The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed."

If you “feed” these deceivers; these false prophets; these liars by welcoming them and wishing them a prosperous journey, they are going to feel that they are doing well and be encouraged to continue to deceive others. You are also feeding your inner evil side. Paul spoke of this same struggle in his letter to the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 15:30-34 New International Version (NIV)

30 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31 I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,

“Let us eat and drink,
for tomorrow we die.”[a]

33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”[b] 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.

Footnotes:

1 Corinthians 15:32 Isaiah 22:13
1 Corinthians 15:33 From the Greek poet Menander

New International Version (NIV)

1 Corinthians 15:30-34 King James Version (KJV)

30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?

31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.

33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

King James Version (KJV)

by Public Domain

Paul was upset that some of their followers didn't have the knowledge of God. We are not to partake in the sin of others; in their lying; in their misleading; in their hateful misleading. Sometimes even when we hang around bad company to try to show them the love, peace, and truth that Christ brings, we can fall into a lull and start mimicking their ways. Those who have honestly tried to communicate with those who have no understanding of Christ know how great the temptation can be at times. It's easy to join along with them in their hateful blame and condemnation of others. In doing so, we feed that evil wolf inside us. Paul said that he died daily (to himself) that he could boast of their works in Christ Jesus yet he implored them to stop sinning... to stop being deceived by evil communications. He wanted them to stop being ignorant of the ways of the liars, the deceivers, and the con artists and to start teaching those who are simple of the knowledge of God. How did he know that they did not have knowledge of God? We have studied this recently and consistently.

1 John 4:8New International Version (NIV)

8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

New International Version (NIV)

1 John 4:8King James Version (KJV)

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

King James Version (KJV)

by Public Domain

John also points out another way to know further on in verse 20.

1 John 4:20New International Version (NIV)

20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.

New International Version (NIV)

1 John 4:20King James Version (KJV)

20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

King James Version (KJV)

by Public Domain

We can know that those who are promoting tales of lizard people using religion to control people, those who are teaching that we should hate and fear all Muslims or anyone else, those who teach anything other than the things that Jesus taught us are false teachers because they use fear to control people. Their hearts are bound by hate. They cannot give without expectation of something in return. They are suspicious of anyone who is different than them. They THRIVE on hate whether or not they realize it. Jesus taught us not to fear, but to love.

1 John 4:18-20 New International Version (NIV)

18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.

New International Version (NIV)

1 John 4:18-20 King James Version (KJV)

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

19 We love him, because he first loved us.

20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

King James Version (KJV)

by Public Domain

If you don't love your brothers and sisters in Christ, you are not living the love of Christ. If you are hating your brothers and sisters in Christ, you are doing the opposite of what Christ wants; therefore, being an antichrist. In I John, we are warned that there are many antichrists.

1 John 2:18 New International Version (NIV)

Warnings Against Denying the Son

18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.

New International Version (NIV)

1 John 2:18 King James Version (KJV)

18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

King James Version (KJV)

by Public Domain

This is just another sign that the times are near. We've already seen “birthing pains” such as were mentioned in Matthew 24. We've seen earthquakes in diverse places. We've seen disasters that kill and mutate sea life. We've seen tsunamis and all types of natural disasters in the last few years that were predicted in the end times. About all we haven't seen is Wormwood, Christians being killed worldwide, and “the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet.”

Revelation 8:10-11 King James Version (KJV)

10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;

11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

King James Version (KJV)

by Public Domain

Revelation 8:10-11 New International Version (NIV)

10 The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water— 11 the name of the star is Wormwood.[a] A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.

Footnotes:

Revelation 8:11 Wormwood is a bitter substance.

New International Version (NIV)

What is this abomination of desolation that Daniel talks about?

Daniel 9:27 New International Version (NIV)

27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’[a] In the middle of the ‘seven’[b] he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple[c] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.[d]”[e]

Footnotes:

Daniel 9:27 Or ‘week’
Daniel 9:27 Or ‘week’
Daniel 9:27 Septuagint and Theodotion; Hebrew wing
Daniel 9:27 Or it
Daniel 9:27 Or And one who causes desolation will come upon the wing of the abominable temple, until the end that is decreed is poured out on the desolated city

New International Version (NIV)

Daniel 9:27 King James Version (KJV)

27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

King James Version (KJV)

by Public Domain

Some believe that this is a reference to Jesus' death on the cross. There are some key scriptures that might give us further understanding though.

Luke 21:20New International Version (NIV)

20 “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near.

New International Version (NIV)

Luke 21:20King James Version (KJV)

20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

King James Version (KJV)

by Public Domain

Actually, there are many theories based upon different verses as to what the abomination of desolation is. Some believe that it is the turning of the church