Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us spreads and makes evident everywhere the sweet fragrance of the knowledge of Him. (2 Corinthians 2:14 Amplified Bible)

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Tag: life

Reflections of Seneca

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Seneca a Roman stoic philosopher, tutor and later advisor to emperor Nero has some keen insights into human nature that I believe would align with the teachings of Yeshua.  I cannot speak for the character and all saying of Seneca.   I am sharing some wisdom from a secular person that struck me.

All cruelty springs from weakness.

It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that things are difficult.

The important thing about a problem is not its solution, but the strength we gain in finding the solution.

No one can lead a happy life, or even one that is bearable, without the pursuit of wisdom, and that the perfection of wisdom is what makes the happy life, although even the beginnings of wisdom make life bearable.  Yet this conviction, clear as it is, needs to be strengthened and given deeper roots through daily reflection; making noble resolutions is not as important as keeping the resolutions you have made already.

Drunkenness is nothing but voluntary madness.

It is the characteristic of a weak and diseased mind to fear the unfamiliar.

It is only luxury and avarice that make poverty grievous to us; for it is a very small matter that does our business, and when we have provided against cold, hunger, and thirst, all the rest is but vanity and excess. 

Eyes will not see when the heart wishes them to be blind. 

We become wiser by adversity; prosperity destroys our appreciation of the right.

 

Be not too hasty either with praise or blame; speak always as though you were giving evidence before the judgement-seat of the Gods. 

The primary sign of a well-ordered mind is a man’s ability to remain in one place and linger in his own company. 

He is most powerful who governs himself.

 

Be wary of the man who urges an action in which he himself incurs no risk.

Shall I tell you what the real evil?  To cringe to the things that are called evils, to surrender to them our freedom, in defiance of which we ought to face any suffering.

We are members of one great body.  Nature planted in us a mutual love, and fitted us for a social life.  We must consider that we were born for the good of the whole.

We are mad, not only individually, but nationally.  We check manslaughter and isolated murders; but what of war and the much vaunted crime of slaughtering whole peoples?

Begin at once to live, and count each day as a separate life.

The mind is never right but when it is at peace within itself.

To err is human.  To repeat error is of the Devil.

These individuals have riches just as we say that we ‘have a fever,’ when really the fever has us. 

There is nothing the wise man does reluctantly.

There is no evil that does not promise inducements.  Avarice promises money; luxury, a varied assortment of pleasures; ambition, a purple robe and applause.  Vices tempt you by the rewards they offer.

The Fates guide those who go willingly.  Those who do not, they drag.

The willing, destiny guides them; the unwilling, destiny drags them. 

It’s all in your head, you have the power to make things seem hard or easy or even amusing.  The choice is yours. 

What difference does it make how much you have?  What you do not have amounts to much more.  

What need is there to weep over parts of life?  The whole of it calls for tears.

We should every night call ourselves to an account: What infirmity have I mastered today? What passions opposed?  What temptation resisted? What virtue acquired? Our vices will abate of themselves if they be brought every day to the shrift. 

I will govern my life and thoughts as if the whole world were to see the one and read the other, for what does it signify to make anything a secret to my neighbor, when to God, who is the searcher of our hearts, all our privacies are open?

The best cure for anger is delay.

Never to wrong others takes one a long way towards peace of mind. 

Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart.

He who asks with timidity invites a refusal.  

Do the best you can. . . enjoy the present. . . rest satisfied with what you have.  

True friends are the whole world to one another; and he that is a friend to himself is also a friend to mankind.  Even in my studies the greatest delight I take is of imparting it to others; for there is no relish to me in the possessing of anything without a partner.

Money does all things for reward.  Some are pious and honest as long as they thrive upon it, but if the devil himself gives better wages, they soon change their party.  

Study rather to fill your mind than your coffers; knowing that gold and silver were originally mingles with dirt, until avarice or ambition parted them.  

In every good man a God doth dwell.

Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful.

When I think over what I have said, I envy dumb people.

The bad fortune of the good turn their faces  up to heaven; the good fortune of the bad bows their heads down to the earth.

Night brings our troubles to the light, rather than banishes them.

Everywhere is nowhere.  When a person spends all his time in foreign travel, he ends by having many acquaintances, but no friends.

He who is brave is free.

He who dreads hostility too much is unfit to rule.

Ignorant people see life as either existence or non-existence, but wise men see it beyond both existence and non-existence to something that transcends them both; this is an observation of  the Middle Way.

You want to live-but do you know how to live?  You are scared of dying-and, tell me, is the kind of life you lead really any different from being dead?

As the mother’s womb holds us for ten months, making us ready, not for the womb itself, but for life, just so, though our lives, we are making ourselves ready for another birth…Therefore look forward without fear to that appointed hour- the last hour of the body, but not of the soul…That day, which you fear as being the end of all things, is the birthday of your eternity.

 

 

 

Better Health, Better You

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Did you know that drinking sugar added drinks diminishes our health?  The World Health Organization (W.H.O.)  finally pointed out what many of us knew all along for years now: processed meats such as bacon, hot dogs, etc. causes cancer.  Eating excessive meats in general leads to cancer and various types of diseases within humans. How many of you would like to not have to worry about cancer?

There are a few relatively easy dietary adjustments one can make to improve health and reduce some of these known risks.  These are stated to give you “action steps” first…then more discussion on the justification for these action steps will follow further below for the interested reader.

Add to daily intake a tablespoon of flaxseed oil (pure organic) OR the equivalent of crushed/finely ground flaxseeds.  Benefits: improved digestive health, elimination.

Add to daily intake a handful of Walnuts (preferably organic) with breakfast (or lunch) or mid-afternoon snack.

Add one whole fruit (apple, peach, orange, grapefruit, pear) to daily intake.

As you add these three elements to diet, the walnuts and fruit may substitute for another previously eaten staple item of lower nutritional value (candy, sweet, low-nutrient bread).

Even these marginal changes in diet will have helpful effects over the longer term.

Also, drinking water instead of sugary and/or caffeinated beverages.

Substituting a glass of water (at lunch) instead of a carbonated soda or sweetened beverage (sugary tea or lemonade) etc. will also have a positive impact over time.

For many, making radical, wholesale dietary changes is not easy or practical.

However, many if not most of us can make a few changes here or there to improve our diets and thus improve our health.

The suggestions above are within reach for most of us and not that difficult, although they do take a bit of planning… i.e. you have to remember to buy the fruit at the store and the walnuts and the flaxseed oil or flaxseeds.  So it has to become a part of the normal grocery list.  And a less healthy alternative might be eliminated from the list as a result.

These changes are achievable.  You can do it!!!!

 

Well Dr. Joel Fuhrman in Eat To Live says as animal-food consumption falls as cancer rates decline.  This information comes from a massive China-Cornell-Oxford Project (by Professor T. Colin Campbell division of Nutritional Sciences of Cornell University, New York, Professor Richard Peto of University of Oxford, England and Dr. Li Junyao, China Cancer Institute, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in China.  Dr. Fuhrman notes that smaller studies also reveals some benefits from eating fish with a vegetarian like diet. This increases DHA fat from fish. DHA prevents inflammatory effects in our bodies. Without adequate omega-3 fat, our bodies would not produce sufficient DHA.  Low levels of omega-3 results in low levels of DHA, which can cause the following: “heart disease, stroke, autoimmune diseases, skin diseases, depression, and possibly increase cancer incidences.”  Low levels of omega-3 and high levels of arachidonic acid actually contributes to these problems.

Arachidonic acid or omega-6 fat produced by our bodies, but also found in “meat, fowl, dairy, and eggs” in excessive amounts may increase high blood pressure, thrombosis (blood clots), vasospasm (sudden constriction of blood vessel),  and allergic reactions.  Also arachidonic acid or omega-6 is “linked to arthritis, depression and other common illnesses”.  Dr. Fuhrman recommends that vegans and non-vegans consume 1-2 grams of omega-3 fats daily to increase DHA to reduce these health problems.

Joel says our high fat diet contributes to DHA fat shortage within our bodies.  So to increase DHA, we must decrease animal fat in our diet.  Thus decreasing omega-6 or arachidonic acid.  We must also increase omega-3 to increase DHA by making better food choices.

So for those of you who do not want to worry about cancer, this information should get you on the right track towards better health.  You can skip more frequently meat and eggs for better health outcomes in your future.

As Christians, we must take care of our health.  When we take care of our bodies, our bodies will take care of us.

In taking care of our bodies we can fulfill our purpose here on earth with greater success, less stress and basically in a more efficient manner.

The link below lead me to write this short article.  I am always looking at ways to improve my health and my families health.  When I fall off the wagon, I pick myself up and get right back on.  Let’s move together in the right direction towards optimal health.

Experts Say U.S. Gov’t Caves to Meat Industry in New Dietary Guidelines

“And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.”
― Anonymous, Holy Bible: King James Version

While Running God Spoke To Me

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While running God spoke the following message to me:

Give much

Love much

Forgive much

Laugh much

Life is precious

This life is short

Value everyday

Value every minute

“My way is eternal” says the Lord

“Do not fear death in this life”, “I have defeated death for you.”

Live as the eternal creatures I made you to be.

Lead others to the light by sharing my love.

 

Photo of cloud illuminated by sunlight copied without endorsement from en.wikipedia.org–Ibrahim Iujaz from Rep. Of Maldives

God answers Heartfelt Prayer

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We ought to respect Yahweh (and His children) by honoring God’s words. We can cherish Yahweh by reading, believing and applying His words to our daily lives. Respect conveys a feeling of deep admiration for Yahweh elicited by His abilities, qualities, and achievements. How few of us truly take the time to ponder and appreciate both God’s creation and the Holy Trinity.

 

For example, I remember as a youngster lying in bed one night on my back wondering in my mind’s eye about God. I searched for the Almighty beyond the ceiling and four walls of my bedroom one night. In my mind with my eyes shut I went searching for the Creator into the vast and black limitless universe passing innumerable stars in a never-ending ocean of darkness. I kept searching, exploring and watching the stars fly swiftly by for just more to reappear over and over again in the hopes of locating the Great Spirit. So this went on and on until my little mind determined I would not find Jehovah in such a manner. Thus, I trailed off to sleep never to run that type of experiment again.

Yahweh did in fact reveal Himself to me looking back as an adult, but as a child I did not recognize Him.  

My grandmother at age seventy-seven suffered a second and final stroke that left her comatose in bed. I walked into my grandmother’s room and asked my mother if my grandma was dead. My mom said grandma was alive but sleeping. My mother got a small hand-held mirror to place under grandma’s nose. She pointed out the condensation or moisture on the glass on the mirror from each breath to reveal to me that my grandmother remains alive. My mother silently left the room, and I stayed behind with my grandmother watching over her at the foot of her bed. There I stood thinking about our times spent together.

Suddenly I heard my grandmother speaking to me initially responding to my question posed in my mind or a thought I pondered upon. Then, she asked me a question and I responded. This continued for a few minutes I would surmise–perhaps 5-10 minutes. The conversation went on and on in our heads through thought. We conversed about our experiences together and posed questions to each other to see if we recalled certain occurrences-smiling and chuckling at times. Finally, the discussion subsided naturally, and I said goodbye grandma. She said bye. The room became silent (no more dialogue flowing between us). I turned around and quietly left my grandmother’s room.

I stepped into a living room filled with people huddled together in a big circle. I felt trapped by adults shoulder to shoulder talking or praying in the middle of my home. I couldn’t leave the front door nor the back door unless I could somehow break through the grown-ups. So I stood still trying to figure out what to do. I could return to my grandmother’s bedroom or hang out in my parents’ room where I probably knew my father rested.

As I stood trying to decide what to do, I heard within seconds a voice immediately speak internally to me in a soft, slow and assertive way saying go back into your grandmother’s room. I responded, I just came out of there. The voice quickly spoke a second time in a louder and more powerful fashion to get my attention saying go back into your grandmother’s room! I responded saying that I don’t have anything to do in there. The voice without delay and surprisingly spoke a third time in an authoritative and urgent manner declaring, “Go back into your grandmother’s room!” I said okay walking swiftly into the room. I instantaneously screamed out loud “Grandma is dead!” as I got inside the room.

I heard my mother immediately shout back, Grandma is sleeping! She had recently checked on her five to ten minutes ago and she was in fact alive. I, however, shouted back even louder and more insistent: “Grandma is dead!”

Suddenly my mother rushed into the room, grabbed the same hand-held mirror, placed it to my grandma’s nose and discovered I was in fact right. She did not believe the mirror so she checked a second time. After looking at the hand mirror without condensation, she confirmed Grandma died. My mother sadly left the room to inform everyone.

My mind could not begin to contemplate what happened that day. I, however, never forgot the incident thinking over that day for the next fourteen years when recalling memories of my grandmother. I would recollect the supernatural events of that day that I could not explain away in any natural way. I literally communicated with my comatose grandmother via thought! I knew I did not imagine this! That was not even a question or doubt in my mind! Neither did I conjure up something or someone internally telling me to go back into my grandmother’s room.

As a science major with a bachelor’s degree, I am very analytical and practical. So what I experienced was in fact true though science cannot explain what happened to me.

My senior year at college my father dropped me off to school. On the way there he told me about his own history at the time his mother died (my grandmother Lilian). He did not want to see his mother starve and suffer before she died. Her brain hemorrhaged and the doctors sent her home to pass away not able to do anything further for her–no way to feed her at that time.

My father humbled himself, got on his knees at his bedside and begged the Lord to take his mother home if she would not come out the coma healthy and alive. He could not bare to watch his comatose mother suffer. He told God if she would not come out the coma to please take her home! My father said as soon as he finished praying (still on his knees), he heard the voice of an angel scream twice that his mother died. He said he raised both his hands looking up towards the sky in his room, and said thank you God!

I quickly interjected, “I screamed grandma is dead not an angel!” He surmised it was an angel because the answer came at exactly the point when he finished his prayer. God intercedes in our lives! I believe my grandmother departed this earth in peace in the presence of God. She left us all knowing God better due to her many prayers for her son (my father). The last time my grandma spoke to my dad before the stroke she said, “Son, I want you to know that my last prayer will be for you before I die.”

She told my mother that my Dad would preach God’s words when he got older. He is preaching! She knew. God I believe told her to ease her mind regarding her son (my father).

My grandmother loves God. God loves my grandmother.

When we respect Yahweh, God will respect our wishes. My grandmother prayed innumerable prayers for her son over the years wishing he would come to respect and honor the Lord with his life. My grandmother a faithful woman believed God would answer her endless prayers on behalf of her son in His time. The Lord heard that last prayer of a dying mother who knew her only child and son did not walk in a manner pleasing to God.

My father now preaches the word of Yahweh to family and friends–anyone willing to listen. My dad is a devout follower of Yeshua. You cannot separate him from Jehovah and His word. The Holy Spirit of God intervened in my father’s life because of the countless prayers of his mother for him.

As a matter of fact, this website arose from hearing my father preach Yahweh’s word. I wishing to share the love of Yeshua with those lost, deceived, hurting and alone led me to help direct God’s people back into the kingdom of the Almighty. We want to guide God’s people to know that the Creator who established everything we see around us is alive! We can discover more about our Maker in the pages of His word: the Bible! You do not need to search the universe for the Great Spirit although you can try. You can observe the Holy Spirit of Yahweh in your heart and within you. If you look for God there, you will become aware of the existence of God.

There is no limit to what God can and will do for you if you seek him with a humble and pure heart like a child trusting his or her parent every word.

I believe God through His Holy Spirit, quickened my grandmother and took her home. She is not dead; she lives! You and I can live too!

I felt the kingdom of God upon me that day. I heard the voice of God. I could do things that only happen within the kingdom of God–communicate with others via thoughts as well as with God’s Holy Spirit. I, also, recognize God’s presence better now when He speaks. For those who do not know Yahweh, I want you to recognize that you can come to know the Maker by following the manual written in His book to us: the Holy Bible.

Why Did God Give Me A Dream Of Heaven?

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Two or three months after the death of a dear friend that pained me to my very bowels, God gave me a dream in which I found my self walking around in heaven.   This dream immediately comforted me in the midst my storm.  He allowed me to go through this crushing experience that altered my path in life.  He gave me a glimpse of where He intended to take me.

This dream appeared so vivid that I can never forget.  This is one of those rare dreams that sticks with you for a lifetime.

God knew what I needed.  The dream fulfilled those needs.   I know I am to continue to live obediently to His will.  He will guide my life into this kingdom.

I do not feel my words can adequately describe a spiritual world in my dream that physical beings can fully comprehend.  I will do my best.  For some basis of comparison, Beverely Hills or the richest place on the Earth will pale in comparison.  So Heaven juxtaposed to this Earth makes the richest place here on Earth appear like the most dangerous slum imaginable.

We left the kingdom to get lost here on Earth in a slum: the pig slop in the story of the prodigal son in the Bible.  Where we live is like living in a prison compared to Heaven.  Prisoners are always on guard protecting themselves here in our world when amongst themselves.  There is no need for this in Heaven–no one will harm you.  Evil and sin does not exist there.  Wisdom and knowledge flows throughout–you just know.  No one will break into your house–you just know.  You do not need to work and labor for food to eat and a home to live in to care for yourself like most of us here on Earth.  Whatever you think just magically happens.  Night does not exist so need to worry about stumbling in the dark or someone trying to rob you while walking alone in a strange and unknown place. The weather is perfect so no need to grab a coat or look for an air conditioner.  Love takes the place of worry and joy takes the place of pain.  We do not need to look to things to do to entertain us, the place is a wonderland full of excitement, beauty and things to explore.

Heaven reflects a true utopia that is beyond any earthly comprehension.  How is this possible?  It is just perfect–nothing decays.  Everything is full of life and energy.  A sense of love just seems to emanate throughout this place.  First imagine perfection on the earth or in heaven in which death, decay, fear, negativity, sin, iniquity and destruction does not exist. The opposite of all these things pervade the surroundings.  There is a sense of youthfulness in all living things.

Things shine with life, splendor,shimmering color and sing harmoniously their own special tunes.  So when you walk in nature, you can hear the leaves clapping, the birds singing and other unknown living thing joining the orchestra of nature to create a soft and delightful natural outside orchestra.  This  gives one a sense of exhilarating joy and love–music is in the air all around.  This magical and spiritual experience man or woman’s mind could not begin to completely comprehend.  This is Yahweh’s world that He created without sin!  A world overflowing with love and joy–the kingdom of God where sin is not allowed.  A jaw dropping wow is what I experienced innumerable times while walking in my spirit in heaven in my dream!

You literally must see and experience heaven to truly begin to recognize how awesome and loving the creator, architect, designer, mastermind and source of all that exist truly is. Earth is but a bad shadow of the real thing! Heaven essentially represents a kingdom filled with joy, peace, love, wonder, exquisite beauty and every imaginable good thing–a positive aura emanates throughout.  The art and creativity stood out.   It’s a holy, creative and powerful place of light beyond human comprehension.  I did not see a sun in the sky and night did not exist.  I saw streets of gold.  I did not see God, but what I saw in heaven words could never paint a true picture of this magical place.

Shock and awe best describes my experience in Heaven.  Wow, my jaws kept dropping lower and lower as I walked through nature and as I approached mansions jutting high into the sky!  Wow, I looked up to see a sea of glass with sea creatures swimming.   What I saw initially left me speechless and in utter awe!

If God appeared in my dream in heaven, I would predict I would drop to my knees,  bow and sing praises to His name at the sheer wonder and magic of heaven!  Amazing is an understatement!  Heaven is a place that is alive with vibrant colors, melodic and musical sounds within nature, tranquility and an almost tangible aura of love emanates throughout–fear, decay and everything negative is nonexistent.  Everything including colors appear fresh, brand new and alive.   Colors  appear  vibrantly alive and bring joy and exhilaration due to its sheer beauty and perfection!

Mansions and landscaped lawns beautifully project upwards into the sky with exquisite aesthetics.  Imagine stepping into your empty mansion for the first time  and seeing a delightful cream colored room.   You begin to think “I wish the room was yellow.”  Before you complete the thought, the entire room turns a radiant yellow.  In utter shock, your mouth drops once again in awe at the beauty and wonder of what God has in store for you.  You walk into another empty room and wish the room to be larger and immediately the room expands. You then begin to think this size is good, and the room immediately stops to the desired size.  Heaven is an unbelievably amazing place where your jaw just drops continuously and your eyes just bulge wide open whenever you turn your head to see all God’s amazing wonders.

The shock and awe affect gradually subsides a little as I became familiar with the wonders of heaven in my dream.  I saw beautiful peaceful animals  that exist in heaven, but not here on Earth.  I just remember feeling joyful, content, exhilarated, inquisitive and loved.  If we intend to make it into the heavenly kingdom to see the sea of glass shooting upwards into the sky with all the sea creatures living within it, we must stay in relationship with God.

We must seek first this kingdom of God.  Peter says in I Peter 1:14-16 “As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness.  God said, “I am holy; you be holy.” [MSG]  We must shun sin like God hates sin.  We must change our lifestyles and live for God by asking God to change us so that we develop the Character of Yeshua (Jesus).  We must stop making excuses to allow sin to remain in our lives.  If we don’t listen now, we might discover when we get to heaven that God never knew us though we cast out demons in His name.

Furthermore, I could not make the changes in my life to permanently break the shackles of sin Satan used to control me.  I knew God would help me overcome sin, but I had to repent and turn away completely from my old sinful way of living.  God stepped in when I reached out to Him and begged Him to remove sin out of my life.  What He did for me, He will and wants to do for you.   I turned to the Creator who made and continues to help me make the necessary changes to live a life free from sin.

Let’s shift allegiance from Satan back to God by asking God to help break the chain of sin that hinders your growth with God.  I gave God complete control of my life and authority to remove this addiction to sin.  He crushed sin out of my heart like some people crush a roach.  He gave me a new heart with His commandments written on them.   I no longer serve sin with a stony heart.  I now live through Christ living in me.  God granted my request to help me eliminate sin out of my life.  I stand by my testimony that God is a faithful and loving God!   I am not the same person following this encounter with God.

In seeing heaven in a dream, I know what a gift God has in store for us.  A life of sin bound to Satan cannot compare to what God has to offer us who choose a sin free lifestyle.  I understand Paul’s word when he says the following: 1 Corinthians 2: 9 reminds us of the following: But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ears heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  

2021 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7